Planning a trip to Europe can be a very daunting task because there is so much to explore! This list of 10 day Europe trip routes will help navigate those difficulties and determine which destinations you want to officially check off the bucket list on your next trip.
We have done a variety of these 10 day Europe trip routes both as individual trips to Europe and also combined with our original six months backpacking around the world. If you are planning long term travel, it helps to break the full itinerary into smaller pieces like this!
Also keep in mind that these 10 day Europe trip routes are simply guidelines. Everyone has different preferences when traveling and by all means, you can add or takeaway days from each city! The goal here is to help give direction to your travel planning.
Be sure to read all of the best Europe travel tips to prepare you for your trip!
In our experience, we do not recommend tackling more than 3 major destinations in a 10 day Europe trip. It can start to feel rushed and exhausting if you squeeze too much into the time. We have found that 3 destinations per 10 days is a healthy balance. But again, there is no right or wrong way to travel, it is all about what is best for you!
A beginners 10 day Europe trip route: Amsterdam – Brussels – Paris
Days 1-3: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Days 4 – 6: Brussels, Belgium
Days 7-10: Paris, France
We absolutely love this 10 day Europe trip route because transportation is easy between all of these destinations and each city is a completely unique experience. You also check three countries off your list if you have not been before!
You can easily flip this itinerary and start in Paris and then work your way up to Amsterdam. Either way, flights are relatively comparable from the United States to whichever city you choose to start with.
Best time of year for this route
This 10 day Europe trip can be taken anytime of the year. The warmer months are great for wandering around the cities. The winter is beautiful because each of these cities have stunning Christmas markets. You can’t go wrong!
Days 1-3: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is a bucket list city for so many reasons! Amsterdam is a beautiful city filled with so much history. It is also one of the cleanest cities in the world. We originally flew to Amsterdam from Thailand and it was an actual breath of fresh air to arrive here. The people are beyond friendly and there is so much to explore! Two days should be ample time to hit all of the main attractions in Amsterdam itself. If you are looking to venture elsewhere in the Netherlands like Rotterdam, you may want to add another day here.
One important thing to note here is that you must make reservations ahead of time for many of the main attractions. Places like the Anne Frank house book up weeks in advance. As soon as you know your travel dates to Amsterdam, you should look into reserving your ticket!
Read our complete Amsterdam city guide here.
Days 4 – 6: Brussels, Belgium
The next stop on this 10 day Europe Itinerary is Brussels, Belgium. You can take either a train (2 hours) or a bus (3 hours) to get from Amsterdam to Brussels. Remember to always research your transportation options on Rome2Rio! This is our favorite way to see different transportation options between cities.
Brussels is an awe striking city with endless things to do. We did not expect to fall in love with Brussels and now it is on our short list of cities we want to live in long term in Europe. You could spend your entire time here exploring the city itself but there are also tons of day trip options to see more of Belgium!
Read our complete Brussels guide here.
Days 7-10: Paris, France
Is there a destination more iconic than Paris? Depending on if it is your 1st or 100th time here, you may want more or less time to check everything off the bucket list. While there are plenty of museums and sites to see in Paris, you also want to allot ample down time to simply sit under the Eiffel Tower and walk along the Seine River.
The easiest way from Brussels to Paris is again by train or bus. The train is only an hour and a half but is more expensive than the 3 hour bus ride. Decide what is best for you based on your preference and budget!
Read 10 things to do in Paris on a budget here.
The classic Italy route: Rome – Florence – Venice
Days 1-3: Rome
Days 4-6: Florence
Days 7-10: Venice
The next 10 day Europe Itinerary option is to explore some of the most famous cities in Italy! If you are in the market for full culture immersion from sightseeing to incredible food and wine, Italy is the place to go! Rome, Florence and Venice are all accessible to each other by train. The train system is very easy to use in Italy!
Best time of year for this route
Spring and fall would be ideal to avoid the summer rush and scorching August heat.
Days 1-3: Rome
It is best to start this route in Rome because it is the biggest airport to fly into and the southernmost of the three cities on this 10 day Europe trip itinerary. It will most likely be cheapest to fly to and from the Rome airport.
Rome truly has so much to offer as a city. There are obviously tons of iconic sites to explore in Rome just starting with the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and St. Peter’s Basilica. You can also experience the culture by checking out museums or by taking a cooking class!
Days 4-6: Florence
Florence is our all time favorite city in the world. In our opinion, you could spend an entire week, month or year here but understandably, you want to tackle more than one city! The train is a quick hour and a half ride from Rome to Florence. Take in the beautiful Italian countryside during your ride!
Florence is a simply magical city. From wine tours to watching the sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo, there is plenty to fill your days and stomachs with while you are here! I guarantee you will be itching to come back here as soon as you leave.
Read everything we love about Florence in these posts!
Days 7-10: Venice
Venice is next on this 10 day Europe trip itinerary through Italy. Venice is one of the most unique cities in the world with its historic architecture and canals used as streets. It is truly a mind blowing experience navigating your way through this city!
While there is plenty to do in Venice itself, we highly recommend taking a day trip to Murano and Burano during your time here. It is a super easy trip on the ferry and these little towns are absolutely stunning.
The Ultimate Croatia 10 Day Europe Trip Itinerary
Days 1-3: Split and beyond
Days 4-6: Island hop (Hvar, Vis, Brac)
Days 7-10: Dubrovnik
Croatia is a European destination that gains more and more tourists each year for good reason. It is a simply gorgeous country filled with so much history and some of the most beautiful scenery and water in the world. It is a country that deserves an entire 10 days to see what it has to offer!
For more details on this itinerary, read our extended 10 Croatia itinerary!
Transportation between cities
The best way to travel between all of the cities listed below is by ferry. The ferry system is great in Croatia and they operate at all times of the day. We recommend booking your tickets in advance once you finalize your full itinerary!
Best time of year for this 10 day Europe trip route
May – September would the ideal time to visit these cities in order to capitalize on the beautiful water and beaches.
Days 1-3: Split and beyond
Split is the best airport to fly into because it is a major port city with access to the rest of the country. There are no direct flights from the United States to Split, but there are still very doable travel options with a layover typically in Germany.
There is so much to do in Split itself so before you start island hopping, plan to spend some time here! Explore national parks, trendy bars, restaurants and historic palaces.
Read our complete Split city guide for all of the ways to fill your first few days in this 10 day Europe trip itinerary!
Days 4-6: Island hop (Hvar, Vis, Brac)
Croatia is a great country for an extended trip because the ferry system is both affordable and easy to follow. Feel free to get creative and flexible with your days here because there are so many ways to go about island hopping in Croatia. Some travelers prefer to stay in one port city, like Split or Hvar, and take day trips to the other islands. Others prefer to move all of their things from one to another and stay the night in each. There is no wrong or right way to do this!
We definitely recommend at least staying one night in Hvar because of the famous nightlife. It is very possible to stay in Hvar and take a day trip island hopping around there.
Days 7-10: Dubrovnik
Thanks to Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik has become one of the most visited cities in the world as it is now famous for being the home of King’s Landing. Besides the connection to the show, Dubrovnik is one of the coolest cities in the world. The city walls are completely intact and go all of the way around the city center. You can even walk all of the way around them for epic city and Adriatic Sea views!
The Beer Route: Munich – Prague – Budapest
Days 1-3: Munich, Germany
Days 4-6: Prague, Czech Republic
Days 7-10: Budapest, Hungary
We traveled this 10 day Europe trip route back in 2018 when we went to Oktoberfest. It was such a great way to tackle Oktoberfest in Munich (hello bucket list!) and also experience more of Europe in one trip. We also fit 2 days in Split, Croatia on that trip in 2018 and it felt like we crammed too much into the 10 day itinerary. Extending a day in these cities would have made that trip feel less rushed!
Best time of year for this route
Spring and fall will capitalize on the beer festivals in Munich with comfortable temperatures. These are also great cities to visit during the winter!
Transportation between cities
The beauty of travel in Europe is that there are multiple transportation options between all of these cities. You can take a plane, train or bus depending on your budget and preferred mode of transportation.
Days 1-3: Munich, Germany
Munich is a great place to start this 10 day Europe trip itinerary because there are typically lots of direct flights from the United States. The public transportation is also easy to use in Munich so you can get to your housing from the airport without calling a cab!
Even if you do not visit Munich during Oktoberfest, the city has so much to offer any time of the year! Take a bike ride to the Chinese Tower in the English Gardens, drink a stein at the original Hofbräuhaus and explore the century-old architecture.
Read our Munich city guide here!
Days 4-6: Prague
Prague is next on this itinerary and wow are you in for a treat! Prague is one of the best cities in the world and also on our short list of places to move in Europe. The bus from Munich to Prague is about 5 hours and the most affordable way to travel between the two cities. The train is also an option (there will be one transfer) that takes about 6 hours total. You can also fly between the two cities! Europe is great at providing quick and cheap flights between the major cities.
The Prague Castle is one of the most epic castles in the world. That mixed with the beer, the nightlife and the Charles Bridge make this destination a total European vibe.
For more details on how to spend your time in Prague, read our complete city guide.
Days 7-10: Budapest
The best way to get from Prague to Budapest is to fly. The flight is an hour and very affordable, there are options for less than $25! There are also options on the bus or train but the travel time will be much longer. Again, take the transportation that is best for your budget and comfort level.
The Baths are just the beginning of the fun in Budapest! Budapest is home to some of the most unique architecture in all of Europe. It is also known for epic ruins bars that go multiple stories underground. Budapest is a great city to visit on a budget. Everything is very affordable here from housing, food and drinks!
Read a complete guide to visiting Budapest here.
10 day Europe trip: The United Kingdom and Ireland
Days 1-2: London
Days 3-4: Edinburgh
Days 5-6: Belfast
Days 7-8: Galway
Days 9-10: Dublin
Ok so real talk here, this route goes against what we said before about limiting a 10 day Europe trip to 3 cities. It is certainly a jam packed itinerary, but it is doable to cover all of the cities in 10 days. It is a great way to cover ground and learn which cities you want to go back to for a longer period on another trip!
The reason we start this route in London and end in Dublin is that these two hubs have the most direct flights from the United States. They are easy and affordable flights, especially from the east coast. We flew to Dublin round trip for our honeymoon for $500 total!
Best time of year for this route
March – October are the best months to visit these cities. You’ll want to avoid these in the middle of the winter so that you can make sure to take in all of the beautiful landscape.
Days 1-2: London
Obviously you could spend more than two days exploring all that London has to offer, but this is a great start to experience the city. It is essential to prioritize activities that are most important to you here. If you are a huge Harry Potter fan, then it is 100% worth the trip out to the studios. If you are not a fan, skip that! The Tower of London is one of the coolest museums in the world filled with immense history. If you are food obsessed, highly recommend checking out Borough Market! There is plenty to do to fill your short time in London.
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Days 3-4: Edinburgh
Edinburgh, Scotland is the next stop on this 10 day Europe itinerary. Edinburgh is a 4 hour train ride from London. It is a beautiful train ride with the English and Scottish countryside just outside your window!
Edinburgh is an amazing city to explore. It somehow manages to be historic and lively with gorgeous highlands that you can walk to just outside of the city center. You can walk through the famous Edinburgh castle and then take in views of the city at Arthur’s Seat. Be sure to stop in some pubs for local beer and freshly made haggis.
Read our full Edinburgh guide here.
Days 5-6: Belfast
Next stop on this route is Northern Ireland! The flight from Edinburgh to Belfast is less than an hour and as cheap as $30.
Northern Ireland is home to some of the most stunning landscapes in the world. If you are a Game of Thrones fan, this is the hub of filming for this show and you can take a tour of the many filming spots. Even if you are not a fan, the tour is great because it takes you to all of the epic landscape scenes like the Giant’s Causeway and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge.
Belfast is also where the Titanic was built and originated. There is a titanic museum and also a bar that is themed completely from the boat!
Read our full Belfast city guide here.
Days 7-8: Galway
Now it is time to move down to Ireland! The bus system all around Northern Ireland and Ireland is simply spectacular. We have taken buses from multiple cities here and it is always a great experience! They are spacious and even have free wifi. The bus ride between Belfast and Galway is 5 hour and it does stop in Dublin. You have the option here to skip Galway and spend the rest of your days in Dublin! We personally love Galway so think it is worth making the trip there for two days.
Book your bus rides through Ireland on CityLink!
Read our complete Galway city guide to determine how to spend your time here! The biggest things to do are to take a tour out to the Cliffs of Moher and listen to live music at Taaffe’s Bar.
Days 9-10: Dublin
The last stop on this 10 day Europe itinerary is Dublin! It is an easy 3 hour bus ride here from Galway.
Similar to London, there are endless things to do in Dublin so it is important to prioritize the activities that are top of your list for your time here. Make sure to book your reservation ahead of time for the Guinness museum and Jameson Distillery! Take some time to walk around Trinity College and then pub crawl through the Temple Bar area.
Read our full Dublin guide here!
West Coast 10 day Europe trip route: Spain and Portugal
Day 1-3: Lisbon
Day 4-6: Ibiza (option 1)
Day 4-6: Madrid (option 2)
Day 7-10: Barcelona
Spain and Portugal are great countries to visit together because transportation is very easy between the two. You can either fly into Barcelona or Lisbon, whichever one is cheapest from your starting destination.
Best time of year for this route
March – October would be the best time to travel this Europe route. If going to the beaches are a priority, then we would recommend going during the summer months. If that is not a priority, then enjoy the comfortable temperatures in the spring and fall!
Day 1-3: Lisbon
Lisbon is a great city to start this route because it is typically the easiest to fly to from the United States. There is so much to do in Lisbon itself in those three days! The food and drink scene is one of the best in the world. The best day trip to take from Lisbon is out to Sintra! Sintra is home to some of the most epic castles Europe has to offer.
If you want to explore more than one city in Portugal, you can extend your stay here and travel up North to Porto or South to The Algarve. Consider cutting one of the Spanish cities below if you add more time in Portugal. That’s the beauty of these itineraries! You can adjust the trip to fit your travel style and interests.
Read our complete Lisbon city guide here.
Day 4-6: Ibiza (option 1)
If your crowd is in the mood for a party, now would be a great time to check Ibiza off of the bucket list. There are so many party options here! You can check out a nightclub or a pool party during the day. There are also lots of bars to spend the day bar hopping along the beach. Make sure to buy tickets ahead of time to any DJ parties. They will get sold out depending on the day and time of year!
Day 4-6: Madrid (option 2)
Madrid is a major European city that many people absolutely love! It is filled with historic buildings and epic parks to explore. Madrid is also known for a fun nightlife scene and of course fabulous dining options.
Day 7-10: Barcelona
We recommended closing (or starting) this 10 Europe trip loop in Barcelona because it is one of the most affordable cities to fly to and from.
Barcelona is one of the most famous European cities for good reasons! Not only is it home to some of the most unique architecture in the world, there are unlimited bars and restaurants to try. Also, check out the beach and nightclubs! There is something for every type of traveler in Barcelona.
Europe trip planning resources
Rome2Rio
Rome2Rio is the best travel resource to see transportation options between cities. It will show you every route option from plane, train, bus, and ferry!
Google Flights
Many travelers disagree on the best platform to browse flight options but we love the classics. Google flights is a great place to gauge flight costs and options between cities.
Trivago
Trivago is our favorite site to browse housing options in cities. You can enter your budget and see all of the different options!
Additional travel resources:
Download these 15 travel apps before your next trip.
Have the travel itch? Learn how to quit your job and travel here.
Check out our backpacking Europe complete packing list here!
Here are 15 items you need to travel to Europe.
Europe is filled with so many amazing cities, sometimes it is hard to choose where to go next. We hope these 10 day Europe itineraries help to inspire your next trip! Let us know in the comments which of these routes you are looking forward to traveling.
