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Backpacking Europe Travel Guide 2021
By Chris Lininger Last Updated January 25, 2021 /
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Backpacking Europe Travel Guide 2021
A journey backpacking Europe is one of the best adventures any traveler can experience. The European continent is packed with fairy-tales villages, stunning national parks, ultra-cool cities, fascinating history, delicious food, and friendly people.
Modern Europe is a great melting pot of culture, humanity, and culinary traditions. Its cities are gorgeous and its mountains even more so. Deciding where to go and what to do can be challenging as every country in Europe has something fantastic to offer backpackers.
Planning a trip to Europe takes a lot of energy! In addition to figuring out the details of your journey, there is an important fact that should be on your mind: backpacking in Europe CAN be expensive if you’re not careful.
With a few tips and travel hacks for backpacking Europe up your sleeve, you can really enjoy the best of what Europe has to offer without ending up penniless by journeys end.
This Europe travel guide will teach you everything you need to know in order to have a unique and rewarding personal journey backpacking this amazing region. In this travel guide, I cover the best European travel routes, travel trips, what to pack for visiting Europe, safety information, trekking in Europe and my favorite backpacking destinations in Europe.
Europe is any traveller’s dream and whatever you want from travel, you can find it someplace in Europe. If you’re new to backpacking, Europe is a great place to start your travels — European countries are well-connected, safe, super diverse, easy to navigate, and packed with plenty of wonders.
Experience life in one of Europe’s most exciting cities in Berlin. Get off the beaten path in Scotland. Island hop in Greece. Explore the cliff-sides of Ireland. Get stoned and drink coffee in Amsterdam.
Beautiful Caldera View from Oia, Santorini, Greece
Dammit Europe: So many awesome countries you have…
Whatever it is you enjoy doing whilst on a backpacking trip, Europe has it ALL on offer and much more. Generally, Europe has a great transportation network and moving from one country to the next is easy. The first thing you have to do is plan your trip to Europe based on what you want to get out of your adventure.
At the end of the day, the best Europe trip route lies in your hands my friends. I’m here to provide you with all the awesome ideas you need to get started!
Europe is obviously NOT as cheap as backpacking in Southeast Asia although in contrast, things generally are more organized in Europe. If you thrive on a bit of order and a bit of spontaneity, you are going to love traveling here!
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Now let’s take a look at some of the best Europe backpacking routes I have assembled below.
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Having a two week trip to Europe is awesome. Short, sweet, and just enough to leave you hungry for more adventure. In order to backpack Europe in two weeks, you need to have a realistic expectation of what you can actually see and experience in that time. In my opinion, visiting multiple countries in any depth is probably out of the question. An exception could be popping over to Wales from England for a week or so.
Even if you could hop between countries with efficiency, it is better to focus your energy on getting to know a few places within a country quite well. After all, it is not much fun spending all of your time sitting on buses or waiting in airports.
My advice is to pick a country that you really want to visit and explore that country with all your effort in two weeks. Picking a smaller country like Portugal, Spain, Austria, the Greek Islands or the UK are great options for those short on time.
If you really want to pack in multiple countries on your trip it is possible. Also if budget restrictions are not super tight, you could make a pretty good tour of several European capital cities in 2 weeks if you are the type of backpacker that enjoys exploring urban environments and culture. For example, you could definitely visit Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam, and London in two weeks – it would just require you to be on the go all of the time and may also batter the shit out of your budget.
You’ll hear me say this several times throughout this Europe travel guide: If you can rent a campervan at least for one week, you won’t be disappointed! Seeing Europe by campervan is a great experience! If you have only 7 days in Europe, a campervan might just be the best way to spend that time.
This is a great 2 week Spain travel itinerary. Whether you fly into Madrid or Barcelona, catch a ride to San Sebastián for some days at the beach. You could easily spend a week chilling and partying in the Basque Country. Every visitor should try the Basque cuisine: the pintxos (tapas), fish, the fancy restaurants, and the cider houses. Bilbao remains one of my favorite cities I have ever visited in Europe.
Afterward, make your way to the coastal region of Asturias, stop by Santillana del Mar – a medieval town that is in great shape today. Asturias is a terrific place to visit in Spain if you like to hike, and you are after a completely different side of “traditional” Spain.
Galicia looks more like Ireland than Spain whereas, Central and Southern Spain are dry and hot. Oviedo will have the most options for accommodation in Galicia. You can make your way along Galicia’s coastline through Coruña and Costa da Morts as well. Galicia will certainly be cooler than other regions to the south!
Checking things out in the Asturias Region of Spain
Spend your last couple nights in Santiago de Compostela, a Galician city with fine homemade cooking and a spectacular cathedral.
This is a great travel itinerary to couple with the epic El Camino de Santiago walk, an epic month-long pilgrimage, which I covered below in our trekking section! And if you are Backpacking Spain and Portugal together, this trip will fit in nicely, as it is simple to cross into Portugal, just below Galicia.
If you are traveling in Spain for the museums, head inland to Bilbao to visit the famous Guggenheim museum. You can also take a day trip to La Rioja, Spain’s most famous wine region!
Andalusia is another great region to experience and our Senior Editor Freeborn Aiden created an epic 10 day Andalusia itinerary. Spain offers some of the best backpacking Europe trips imaginable.
This Portugal itinerary is great whether you have two weeks or 10 days in Europe. In addition to exploring a few cities in Portugal, visit some of the best beaches that the country has to offer. The majority of this adventure will take place in the Algarve, so be sure to pack lots of sunscreen and your swim shorts.
Start off in the hip city of Lisbon. Get your fill of culture here while walking around the Lisbon neighborhoods of Belém, and Alfama. Be sure to take a day trip out to Sintra as well, and check out the fairytale-like Romantic architecture.
After staying a few days in Lisbon, head south to the Algarve. The Algarve is full of beach towns, and each one is catered to a different type of backpacker. Party it up in Lagos or Faro, strut around the posh Albufeira, or relax like a local in Sagres or Tavira.
Driving a campervan is one of the top things to do in the Algarve! If you rent one, you’ll be able to utilize Portugal’s amazing campground network! This would be a great start to a road trip itinerary through Portugal as well.
With three weeks, you have slightly more to work with. For a good mix hit the South of France, the Alps, and the UK. This is definitely one of the more varied backpacking across Europe routes.
Explore the cities, beer halls, and the stunning Black Forest in Germany before heading to The Czech Republic.
Start this journey in the south of France. Rolling Lavender fields, olive groves, and landscapes straight out of Vincent Van Gogh’s dreams? You must be in Provence. The south of France is a world away from Paris and the north so welcome to the land of the sun! Explore the beautiful beaches and stunning interior of France’s most relaxed region.
Next hit up The Alps. This region in France is home to some of the most breathtaking natural scenery in Europe. The Alps are adventure central in France. The town of Chamonix is the birthplace of modern mountaineering and home to Mount Blanc, Europe’s tallest mountain.
Whether you love to ski or love to trek, the French Alps are bound to be a highlight of your backpacking France adventure. Make sure to eat a healthy amount of cheese at every available opportunity
Spend a few days (or more) exploring Paris before taking a flight ferry, coach or train to England.
Explore Londons neighbourhoods and check out cool Brighton, before hitting up the Cornwall Coast and National Parks in Wales or the Highlands in Scotland if you have time! This is quite the ambitious 3 week itinerary, but I believe in you!
One month for backpacking across Europe? Now we’re talking! With a month to spare, your options suddenly become larger. Now you can start thinking about covering a larger backpacking route. Your best option might be the classic European backpacking route through Spain, France, and Italy. You can truly experience some fantastic cities, epic mountains, mouth-watering food, and dreamy Mediterranean beaches.
In the end, planning a backpacking trip to Europe depends entirely on where you really want to visit. For example, you might have no desire to visit Germany or Scotland; your heart is longing for France or Spain. With a month to go backpacking through Europe, your options are endless. A month rolls by quickly so don’t be surprised if you end up coming back for another taste. This is a serious Europe backpacking itinerary which pretty much takes in everything the continent has to offer.
Need more Europe backpacking route ideas? No probs!
Start your trip off in Madrid or Barcelona, Spain. There is plenty to get into in those cities before heading out to explore the nature of the country. If you find yourself backpacking in Barcelona, there are a ton of fun fiestas to get into.
There is some excellent hiking to be had in the Spanish Pyrenees Mountains. These range from epic day-hikes to challenging multi-day adventures. After exploring some of the cities, small villages, and mountains of Spain it’s time to head to France.
Soaking in the magical colors in The Calanques National Park Southern France
The French Pyrenees are equally awesome. Backpacking in the Pyrenees is a whole trip onto itself really. I recommend taking the time to visit some of the beautiful mountain towns like Lourdes, Foix, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Arreau, and Ayet en Bethmale.
Southern France has it all. Great food, turquoise seas, solid hiking, rivers, and fun cities. Explore the Calanques National Park around Marseille before heading down the coast in the direction of Italy.
For a slightly different experience, check out the engine of Italy: the industrialized North. This Italy route will allow you to see Milan, Turin, Genoa, and lovely Venice. These cities are among the most economically important metropolises in both past and present Italy. This is one of the best ways to see Italy in only 10 days – two weeks!
Starting in the posh, fashionable Milan, you’ll be able to see beautiful buildings like the Grand Duomo. Make a day trip out to Lake Como while you’re at for a little Riviera-esque action.
Next stop is Turin, the “royal” epicenter of Italy. Check out one of the many palaces or, conversely, visit an industrial museum. The Alps are right there as well so feel free to go hiking, skiing, or whatever your outdoor fancy is.
Genoa is a short drive away from Turin and is a bit of a forgotten destination. This doesn’t mean that it isn’t worth visiting though! Spend a day or two in this port city and grub on some amazing cuisine. Wrapping things up, head east to Venice, the Jewel of the Adriatic.
Wander among the canals and bridges and feel the grandeur of one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. Alternatively, head south to mighty, eternal Rome and Florence and enjoy the historical wonders of central Italy.
If you have another two weeks to spare you can easily tack on Portugal to the start of this backpacking route. This is backpacking Europe at its most classic for sure.
Having three months or more to backpack thru Europe is an awesome experience. You can move at your own pace, take the time to enjoy the places you love, maybe learn a bit of a new language, make some solid friendships, and really gain the essence of what life in Europe is all about.
For a 3 month Europe backpacking route, the sky is the limit. I recommend taking the time to get off the beaten path and explore the hell out of a place you know little about. Austria, Scotland, Greece, and Northern Portugal are all candidates. Refer to the itineraries I have listed above for initial inspiration, then forge your own path and write your own fantastic backpacker destiny.
Backpacking Greece either as a primary or secondary travel option is a great experience. This is a fine itinerary if you don’t have a tight time schedule, and want to get off the grid. This area has amazing beaches and culture, but the ferries can be irregular. If you are planning to combine a trip to Greece with Turkey, you should definitely check out these beautiful islands.
Start your trip on Karpathos, and enjoy its walking trails, surreal scenery, whitewashed windmills, and glass-blue water for swimming and snorkeling. This island is popular with kite surfers. Next stop is Tilos, an island full of hidden coves only reachable by foot, and lush green meadows. Then you can ferry to Rhodes, which is known for its history, nightlife, and beautiful medieval town.
Monasteries in Meteora stand on top of massive pinnacle rocks.
From Rhodes, you can boat to the island of Kos then head to Leros, a great island for chilling out, and then to Samos. This island is known for secluded waterfalls and beaches. As you continue North you can hit up Lesvos, which is known for its olive oil, ouzo (traditional Greek alcohol) and hot springs, or Kalymnos, an island where rock climbers rejoice at the limestone cliffs. Then it’s back to Athens!
Wherever you decide to go on your Euro backpacking trip, you will be sure to have your mind blown by all of the magic that awaits. Each country in Europe is unique, full of surprises, and requires its own individual approach and strategy with regards to budget backpacking.
The common theme is clear: backpacking Europe is a fantastic adventure that every traveler should experience at least once in their lifetime…
Once you begin to discover a few European countries for yourself, you can be sure that you will be entranced by the jaw-dropping landscapes, fascinating history, vibrant culture, and spectacular food. Feeling the anticipation yet? Good! Let us take a look at the countries that make backpacking in Europe so darn special.
Check out our run-through of where to backpack in Europe.
Portugal is a grand paradise of sorts. The pace here is slower than that of other European countries. Some of the best surf in the Northern Hemisphere can be found off Portugal’s many beaches. The country is packed with friendly locals, charming villages, fun parties, and one of the most chill vibes you will come across anywhere on earth.
Backpacking in Portugal is very easy and ultimately it’s a great place to begin your international adventure. Lounge on the beach. Visit a secret village. Eat Seafood. Drink ice-cold beer and smile like a fool whilst taking in an epic sunset over the ocean.
Most backpackers start their trip in Lisbon as it appeals just to just about everyone. There’s good food, good weather, great parties in Bairo Alto, and lots of places to see nearby. Sintra shouldn’t be missed.
Portugal is packed with scenes like this.
The south of Portugal, also known as the Algarve, is the more Mediterranean part of the country. It resembles more southern Spain not only in the scenery but in vibes. Expect a lot of tourists on holiday here and more than a few drunken, wandering Aussies.
Northern Portugal is more Atlantic. That means more rustic cooking, (somewhat) cloudier days, and bigger waves. This is the place to be if you want to go surfing.
Portugal is also composed of two semi-autonomous island regions as well: the Azores and Madeira. Both are just as if not more impressive than the mainland. There’s heaps to do in the Azores and the Madeira isn’t called “The Land of Eternal Spring” for nothing.
Porto at night | source: Gi Cristovao Photography [Shutterstock]
Spain is a fascinating country. One of my best friends and greatest humans I’ve ever known for that matter is from Spain. You do not have to look too far to see why this country, in addition to producing some lovely human beings, is a magical land for backpackers.
Like to sleep? You came to the wrong country. Think dinner at midnight! Spain is a country that truly never sleeps. But not in the shitty strung-out Las Vegas sense. The Spaniards practice sleep deprivation in style.
Spain just has a certain charm to it. Is it the small plates of delicious Tapas? The cool cold wine served with sweet orange melon in the summer? The old olive groves running through tiny villages? The fine beaches? The church in Barcelona that is a perpetual construction project?
Montserrat and the sacred mountain, a great day trip from Barcelona.
My suspicion is that my love of Spain is deeply rooted in all of the little nuances one experiences on a daily basis whilst traveling here.
Many backpackers just roll through Barcelona and Madrid. Whilst those cities are not to be missed, backpacking through Spain without exploring its other regions would be a mistake.
Spain is incredibly diverse. Be sure to check out its mountains. Explore Andalucia, the Basque Country, and Catalonia. Go to a football game or a bullfight. Check out the world-class museums while backpacking in Madrid. Sound like fun? This is Spain.
Segovia | source: Leonid Andronov (Shutterstock)
France might just be the most diverse country you encounter whilst backpacking through Europe. In addition to two coasts and two mountain ranges, France has a wide variety of cultures, landscapes, and food packed into one country. Paris is amazing and seriously one of the most exciting cities in the world.
The Mediterranean coast is something straight out of your dreams. Trekking or skiing in the Alps is an unforgettable experience.
France is very regional. Where ever you turn you will find different kinds of wine, cheese, and even variations on the French language. If you love food, culture, and outdoor playgrounds, a stopover in France is an obvious choice for backpackers exploring Europe.
One could spend 7 days here checking things out or a lifetime exploring. The choice is up to you! I have been living in France for almost a year now and I have barely scratched the surface even though I am constantly checking out new places here.
Forget about the old stereotypes about the French being rude and uptight. The French can be like soft-boiled eggs: they have a shell on the outside but with it removed they are softies at heart. France is full of lovely soft-boiled eggs, uhm I mean humans…
Since France is quite a large country in European terms, there are so many hidden gems in this country that I have lost track. From stunning medieval castles to picturesque villages and cit
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