2 Month Europe Itinerary: The Ultimate 8 Week Backpacking Route
Planning a two month Europe itinerary can feel overwhelming. With so many incredible cities, cultures, and landscapes across the continent, it can be difficult to decide where to go and how long to stay in each destination.
After spending two and a half months backpacking across Europe ourselves, we created this 2 month Europe travel itinerary to help you plan the perfect route. This guide covers the best cities, how long to stay in each place, estimated daily costs, and the best way to travel between destinations.
Whether you’re planning an 8 week backpacking trip through Europe or just looking for inspiration, this itinerary will help you plan an unforgettable adventure.
If you are travelling around Europe, here are some other guides you might find useful!
- The 23 Best Hostels in Europe
- The Top Party Destinations in Europe
- Tips for Travelling Europe on a Budget
Disclaimer: Some of the links included on our website may contain affiliate links. We may receive some commission from purchases made via these but it will NOT affect the price you pay. This is to allow this site to stay online and ensure that readers use, what we believe, is the best products possible whilst travelling.
Our 2 Month Europe Itinerary at a Glance
Week 1: London, Madrid & Barcelona
Week 2: Nice, Genoa, Florence & Rome
Week 3: Venice, Zagreb & Vienna
Week 4: Budapest & Krakow
Week 5: Prague & Berlin
Week 6: Copenhagen, Malmö & Amsterdam
Week 7 and Week 8: Brussels, Lille & Paris
Map of Our 2 Month Europe Itinerary
How This 2 Month Europe Itinerary Works
This itinerary follows a logical route through Western, Central, and Northern Europe, minimising travel time between destinations. You can adjust it depending on your interests, but it balances major cities, cultural highlights, and enough time to explore each location.

Where to start?
As we’re from the UK, London was naturally our starting point as it has great air and land links with the rest of Europe. No matter where you’re from in Europe, it will be far easier starting from your nearest biggest city like Munich or Milan. Alternatively, if you’re coming from the United States or Canada, we’d recommend flying to a major city in Western Europe; any city that has good connections and is well-priced. This could include London, Amsterdam, Paris, Madrid or Barcelona. From these locations, you can follow this recommended route or do it backwards.
Do bear in mind that your route will also depend on your plans after your two months in Europe I.e. which airport is the best/cheapest to fly out from to go home or my next destination.
However, for our two months in Europe itinerary, we’d recommend starting off in London due to Heathrow’s great connections worldwide.
Week 1: London, England → Madrid → Barcelona, Spain
London, England

London is a bustling, iconic city full of history, culture, and world-class food. From historic landmarks to quirky markets and vibrant neighbourhoods, there’s always something to do.
How long to stay: 3-4 nights
Getting around: Tube, bus or walking
Currency: GBP, £
Where to stay: Generator London
Must Do’s:
- Camden Market
- Buckingham Palace & Hyde Park
- London Eye
- Big Ben
- London Walking Tour
Average cost per day: £80-£120
How to get to the next destination: Fly from London to Madrid (budget airlines like Ryanair or EasyJet are usually the cheapest option).
Madrid, Spain

Madrid is Spain’s lively capital, known for art, tapas, and energetic plazas. It’s a city where culture, history, and gastronomy collide.
How long to stay: 3 nights
Getting around: Walking or Metro
Currency: Euro, €
Where to stay: The Hat Hostel
Must do’s:
- Parque de El Retiro
- Plaza Mayor
- Mercados (Food Markets)
Average cost per day: €70-€100
How to get to the next destination: Take a train or short flight to Barcelona (AVE train is fast and scenic).
Why don’t you check out our Madrid Travel Guide for more information about visiting Madrid?
Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is a Mediterranean city famous for Gaudí’s architecture beaches, and nightlife. Its mix of history, art, and seaside charm makes it a must-visit destination.
Whilst we met tons of backpackers in Barcelona, it is a VERY popular holiday destination as it is home to a lot of Europe’s most iconic landmarks, so if you want to put yourself in a position to meet other people then definitely make sure to stay in a busy hostel.
How long to stay: 3-4 nights
Getting around: Metro
Currency: Euro, €
Where to stay: Yeah! Hostel €20
Must do’s:
- Sagrada Familia
- Park Guell
- Free walking tour
- Beach day
Average cost per day: €80-€120
How to get to the next destination: Take a bus or fly from Barcelona to Nice, France.
Thinking about visiting? Make sure to check out our Barcelona Travel Guide for more information!
Week 2: Nice, France → Genoa → Florence → Rome, Italy
Nice, France

Nice is the jewel of the French Riviera, famous for its sunny beaches, colourful old town, and stunning Mediterranean views. It’s a relaxing stop with plenty of charm before heading into Italy.
How long to stay: 1-2 nights
Getting around: Metro
Currency: Euro, €
Where to stay: Villa Saint Exupery Beach €18
Must do’s:
- Promenade des Anglais
- Cours Saleya Market
- Beaches
Average cost per day: €90-€150
How to get to the next destination: Take a bus from Nice to Genoa (approx. 4–5 hours), enjoying scenic views along the French and Italian Riviera.
Genoa, Italy

Genoa is an underrated port city with a rich maritime history, colorful streets, and amazing local food (don’t miss the pesto!).
How long to stay: 2 nights
Getting around: Walking
Currency: Euro, €
Where to stay: Ostello Bello Genoa €21
Must do’s:
- Spianata di Castelletto
- Museo di Palazzo Reale
- Pesto Tasting
- Day trip to Portofino
Average cost per day: €60-€80
How to get to the next destination: Train to Florence (approx. 3–4 hours).
Florence, Italy

Florence is the birthplace of the Renaissance, with stunning architecture, world-class art, and charming streets.
How long to stay: 2-3 nights
Getting around: Walking
Currency: Euro, €
Where to stay: PLUS Florence €25
Must do’s:
- Piazzale Michelangelo Viewpoint
- Mercato Centrale
- Michelangelo’s David
Average cost per day: €80-€120
How to get to the next destination: Train or bus to Rome (approx. 1.5 hours).
Rome, Italy

Rome is a city steeped in history, from ancient ruins to Baroque piazzas. It’s vibrant, chaotic, and full of incredible food.
How long to stay: 2-3 nights
Getting around: Walking and metro
Currency: Euro, €
Where to stay: Yellow Square Rome €35
Must do’s:
- Colosseum
- Trevi Fountain
- Vatican City
Average cost per day: €85-€130
How to get to the next destination: Train to Venice (approx. 3.5–4 hours), or bus depending on your budget.
Week 3: Venice, Italy → Zagreb, Croatia → Vienna, Austria
Venice

Venice is a romantic city of canals, bridges, and stunning architecture. It’s perfect for wandering and soaking in Italian culture.
How long to stay: 2 nights
Getting around: Walking and taxi boats
Currency: Euro, €
Where to stay: Anda Venice €32
Must do’s:
- Murano & Burano day trip
- St Mark’s Basilica,
- Doge’s Palace
- St Mark’s Square
- Gondola Ride
Average cost per day: €90-€150
How to get to the next destination: Bus or train to Zagreb, Croatia.
Zagreb, Croatia

Zagreb is a charming city with a mix of Austro-Hungarian architecture, lively markets, and cozy cafes.
How long to stay: 2 nights
Getting around: Walking
Currency: Croatian kuna, HRK
Where to stay: Chillout Hostel €23
Must do’s:
- Dolac Market
- Museum of Broken Relationships
- Viewpoint
- Art Park
Average cost per day: €55-€80
How to get to the next destination: Take a train or bus to Vienna, Austria (approx. 6–7 hours).
Vienna, Austria

Vienna is elegant and historic, with stunning palaces, coffeehouses, and classical music at every corner.
How long to stay: 2-3 nights
Getting around: Walking and Metro
Currency: Euro, €
Where to stay: Wombats Hostel €26
Must do’s:
- Schönbrunn Palace
- Walking tour
- Prater Wien
- Big Bus tour
- Naschmarkt
Average cost per day: €90-€130
How to get to the next destination: Train to Budapest (approx. 2–3 hours).
Week 4: Budapest, Hungary → Krakow, Poland
Budapest, Hungary

The City
Budapest is a city of contrasts, with thermal baths, grand architecture, and lively ruin bars it is one of the best party destinations in Europe.
How long to stay: 3 nights
Getting around: Walking and Tram
Currency: Hungarian Forint, HUF
Where to stay: Hostel One €19 or The Hive €12
Must do’s:
- Buda Castle
- Fisherman’s Bastion
- Ruins Bars
- Széchenyi Thermal Baths
- Boat Party
Average cost per day: €40-€100
How to get to the next destination: Plane or bus to Krakow
Krakow, Poland

Krakow is charming and historic, with medieval squares, rich culture, and vibrant nightlife.
How long to stay: 3 nights
Getting around: Walking
Currency: złoty, zł
Where to stay: Greg and Toms Hostel €18
Must do’s:
- Old Town Square
- Jewish District
- Bar crawl
- Auschwitz and Birkenau
- Free walking tour
Average cost per day: €40-€90
How to get to the next destination: Train or bus to Prague
Week 5: Prague, Czech Republic → Berlin, Germany
Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is known as the “City of a Hundred Spires,” with fairy-tale streets, castles, and historic charm.
How long to stay: 3 nights
Getting around: Walking and Tram
Currency: Czech koruna or crown, CZK
Where to stay: Hostel One Old Town €19
Must-do’s:
- Lennon Wall
- Prague Castle
- Charles Bridge
- Old Town Square
- Pub crawl
- Walking tour
Average cost per day: €60-€100
How to get to the next destination: Train to Berlin (approx. 4–5 hours).
Berlin, Germany

Berlin is vibrant, eclectic, and steeped in history, with incredible museums, nightlife, and street art.
How long to stay: 3 nights
Getting around: Walking and Metro
Currency: Euro, €
Where to stay: St Christopher’s Alexanderplatz €17
Must do’s:
- Berlin Wall
- Topography of Terror
- Brandenburg Gate
- Walking tour
Average cost per day: €85-€120
How to get to the next destination: Fly to Copenhagen (approx. 1–1.5 hours).
Week 6: Copenhagen, Denmark → Malmö, Sweden → Amsterdam
Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen is a stylish Scandinavian city with canals, bicycles everywhere, and amazing food.
How long to stay: 2 nights
Getting around: Walking, metro and bicycle
Currency: Euro, €
Where to stay: CityHub €89 or Copenhagen Downtown Hostel €25
Must do’s:
- Proud Mary Pub
- Copenhagen Zoo
- Freetown
- Bike tour
- Tivoli Garden
Average cost per day: €100-€150
How to get to the next destination: Train across the Øresund Bridge to Malmö, Sweden
Malmo, Sweden

Malmö is a charming city with a mix of modern architecture and historic streets. It’s small, walkable, and perfect for a quick stop.
How long to stay: 1 night
Getting around: Walking
Currency: Swedish krona, SEK
Where to stay: Hotel n Hostel Malmo City €35
Must do’s:
- Turning Torso
- Kungsparken
- Cycle tour
- Pildamnsparken.
Average cost per day: €90-€120
How to get to the next destination: Train or fly
Amsterdam, Netherlands
The City

Amsterdam is a vibrant city known for its canals, historic architecture, museums, and cycling culture. It’s perfect for exploring art, history, and lively neighbourhoods all in one place.
How long to stay: 3 days in Amsterdam is the perfect amount of time to explore the city!
Getting around: Walking
Currency: Euro, €
Where to stay: Flying Pig Downtown €30
Must do’s:
- IJ-Hallen flea market
- Anne Frank House
- Heineken Experience
- Van Gogh Museum
Average cost per day: €80-€140
How to get to the next destination: Take a train from Amsterdam to Brussels (approx. 2–3 hours), which is fast and comfortable.
Week 7–8: Brussels, Belgium → Lille → Paris, France
Brussels, Belgium

Brussels is the Belgian capital, famous for chocolate, beer, and stunning squares.
If you fancy visiting more of Belgium, Brussels is a great location for day trips to Ghent, Antwerp and Bruges!
We also visited Pairi Daiza Zoo and this is easily the best zoo we’ve visited ever; the animals had so much space to roam which was great to see.
How long to stay: 2 nights
Getting around: Walking and trains
Currency: Euro, €
Where to stay: MEININGER Bruxelles City Center €32
Must-do’s:
- Pairi Daiza Zoo
- Grand Palace
- Atomium
- Walking tour,
Average cost per day: €80-€120
How to get to the next destination: Train to Lille, France (approx. 35–40 minutes).
Lille, France

Lille is a charming French city with Flemish influences, lovely streets, and a great food scene.
How long to stay: 1-2 nights
Getting around: Walking
Currency: Euro, €
Where to stay: CALM Appartments and Hostel €24
Must do’s:
- Grand Place
- Old Lille
- Parc Zoologique
- Sightseeing tour.
Average cost per day: €70-€110
How to get to the next destination: Train to Paris (approx. 1 hour).
Paris, France

Paris is the ultimate European city, full of history, culture, art, and romance. From iconic landmarks to hidden cafes, it’s the perfect way to end the itinerary.
Paris is one of the most famous cities in Europe, home to some of the continent’s most iconic landmarks and best museums.
How long to stay: 3-4 nights
Getting around: Walking and Metro
Currency: Euro, €
Where to stay: Jo&Joe Paris €40
Must do’s:
- Eiffel Tower
- Louvre Museum
- Montparnasse Tower
- Walking tour
Average cost per day: €100-€180
How to Travel Around Europe
City transport: Metro, trams, and buses in major cities are reliable.
Trains: Efficient for short and medium distances, especially in Western Europe.
Buses: Budget-friendly, especially FlixBus.
Flights: Use for long distances (e.g., Spain → Italy).
What to pack for Two Months in Europe?
Luggage
Some people may recommend taking a wheeled suitcase for two months in Europe and we completely understand why. However, if you are trying to keep this trip as budget-friendly as possible (like we did) you may well find yourself walking through old towns and up a lot of hills. Europe is notorious for its cute cobbled alleys, which while beautiful are not ideal for wheeled suitcases.
We would recommend taking a 40L backpack such as this Osprey one. If you find yourself having to take a flight here and there, you’ll appreciate not having to spend extra on checked-in baggage – which can double your flight price in Europe.
Clothing
European weather can be very unpredictable and throughout this two-month trip, it is likely you will experience varying degrees of temperatures and climates, and this can be minimised depending on the time you visit. A comfy pair of shoes is an absolute must as you will be walking a lot; we brought two pairs each and felt this was the right amount considering baggage space. Europeans tend to also dress very smart-casual which is a huge generalisation but if you do not want to stand out as a tourist, neutral colours and smart-casual are the way to go.
A tote bag has been a great addition to our packing list and we now won’t go anywhere without one; it’s super handy as a day bag and will barely take up any room in your backpack. We’d also highly recommend an under-the-clothes money belt as, unfortunately, pickpocketing is rife in big European cities.
How Much Does 2 Months in Europe Cost?
Budget traveller: €2,500–€4,000
Mid-range traveller: €4,000–€7,000
Comfortable travel: €7,000+
Costs depend on accommodation, transport, food, and activities.
Best Time to Travel Europe
- Spring (Apr–Jun): Mild, fewer crowds
- Summer (Jul–Aug): Warm, busy
- Autumn (Sep–Oct): Cheaper, beautiful scenery
- Winter (Nov–Mar): Christmas markets, colder
FAQs for Spending Two Months in Europe
Yes, two months lets you see multiple countries without rushing.
Usually 8–15 depending on pace.
Buses and trains.
Absolutely!
Final Thoughts
Two months in Europe is a dream for travellers who want a mix of culture, history, food, and adventure. This itinerary balances major cities, scenic routes, and enough time to explore.
We hope this helps you plan your own 8-week European adventure—let us know if you discover hidden gems along the way!
If you are heading to Europe during the festive season, do check out our places in Europe to spend New Year’s Eve post!
Travelled to Europe before? Let us know any of your top tips in the comments!
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Check out some of our other Europe content!
- Where to Stay in Seville: Best Areas + Hotels for Every Budget
- 1 Day in Marseille: Perfect Itinerary for Cruise & Short Visits
- Where to Stay in Barcelona: Best Areas + Hotels for Every Budget
- 3 Days in Barcelona: The Perfect First-Time Itinerary (Map + Tips)
- 20 Free Things to Do in Madrid (Budget-Friendly Guide)
Disclaimer: Some of the links included on our website may contain affiliate links. We may receive some commission from purchases made via these but it will NOT affect the price you pay. This is to allow this site to stay online and ensure that readers use, what we believe, is the best products possible whilst travelling.







What a great itinerary! I would love to spend 2 months wandering around in Europe!
Thank you so much Marianne, so glad you liked our post!
Loved this article. I agree 100% on staying in London 4 days. London is such a big city that it would be impossible to see everything during one vacation! I have been living in London since 2013 and I still haven’t seen everything!
So pleased you loved this article Valentina. We love London as well and totally understand not seeing everything!
Spending two months traveling around Europe is such a dream! I’ve been to most of these cities, but not all of them yet. This is great inspo for planning a trip around Europe and exploring a bunch of amazing places.
It really was an amazing experience; we’d recommend it to anyone! Thank you for your kind words Kate.
Sooooo, this is basically my DREAM. I would love to spend 2 months (or even more, why limit myself you know?!) traveling around Europe. Totally agree with the luggage recommendation – I feel I would get quite tired of wheeling around a larger suitcase quite quickly. Better to stick to a backpack.
Totally agree Alaina!! Trust me, it really is tiring, especially on cobbled streets; backpacks are the way forward!
My husband and I spent almost a month in Europe, and we had such a great time! My only regret was not staying longer! Haha. This is such a great itinerary. Croatia and Germany are two spots on your itinerary that really caught my eye because I’m dying to visit there! Thanks for sharing.
So glad you enjoyed your trip Brittany! You really should visit; we’re gutted we missed out on Split and other sunny places in Croatia.
How I wish I could go to Europe right now for 2 months! You have hit a lot of places I have been, and you are absolutely right – they MUST be on this list. You also had some I haven’t been to. Thanks for getting them on my radar for a future trip! Excellent details!
So glad you agree Erin! Our pleasure; don’t hesitate to get in contact if you have any questions!
Sounds like you had a blast and so many amazing places! So much information as well for planning a trip!
It was such an amazing time thanks Emma, so glad we visited. Thank you.
What a fabulous breakdown of your Europe itinerary. There was so much helpful information! I’m envious of your two month adventure. It looks and sounds like amazing experiences.
It really was an amazing experience Michele; so glad the information was helpful!
Two months in Europe? Yes, please! Love this itinerary. I’veen to 10 of these lovely cities…and actually spending three weeks in England in September. So will also check out your London posts.
You’ll absolutely love London; if you want any further tips then don’t hesitate to get in contact!
We love this itinerary! It’s packed with things to do but not overloaded so you feel burnt out by the middle of the trip.
So pleased you liked our guide, thank you for your kind words.
I’d love to spend two months in Europe! This looks like a great pick of cities. Thanks for the tips about which ones might be more expensive and that you would probably spend less time in if you’re wanting to be more budget friendly.
It was so worth it Anushka and totally agree! Our pleasure, so glad we’ve be able to help.
We are happy that as Canadians we don’t need a visa for a 2 month visit. But we still need to watch the 90 day Schengen rules. On our current long trip to Europe we did indeed have to pack for a wide range of weather. And still probably packed too much! You sure have some great stops on your itinerary. I hope you have a great trip.
We were in exactly the same boat Linda.. too much stuff and too many climates! Thank you, we hope you do too!
Wow! You guys are loving the dream!! I loved all of these places 😁
Ahah we’re very lucky! So glad you enjoyed them Belle!
This is a great itinerary! I hope I get to travel it one day!
Thank you Yvonne; you definitely should!
Wow, I’m totally envious. I would love to spend two months in Europe! It’s on the horizon though, Normally I avoid large cities but I can see how transport between the bigger cities in Europe would be a cinch!
Europe definitely lived up to expectations! Totally agree Angie.
This is a great itinerary very inspiring! Although I know very well London, France and Italy I’ve never been in Sweeden and I’d love to visit Hamburg. They look so charming! Thank you for sharing this!
So pleased you enjoyed our guide Anita! Thank you for your kind words; you should definitely visit Sweden if you get the chance!
I probably wouldn’t want to backpack through Europe, but spending two months in all of these destinations would be pretty awesome.
It was honestly amazing; so glad we did it and it’s definitely worth it!
Love this itinerary! It’s awesome you saw so much in just 2 months. I’m saving for a future trip!
You’re very kind Nikki, thank you. Looking back it was definitely crammed a lot of places in a couple of months but we loved it!
This is exactly my dream Europe trip with so many beautiful destinations to visit and useful tips to make it a seamless journey. Definitely saving this post now!
Thank you so much Fiona Mai. We’re so pleased you enjoyed our post!
How much more to add do you think on all the prices you have given on every place (buses, trains, fly, accomodation etc).
I have plan to go to Europe for 2 monts in October 2023.
With the weather in October and November, is it good idea that we start from the nothern part first? As we are coming from Australia.
Thanks!
Hi Nia, thanks so much for getting in touch. We’ve dropped you an email, would love to help you out!
Two months in Europe is in my bucket list for 2024. I really like your itinerary. However, I have been to several of these cities. I have a list of cities I would like to visit, I’m just not sure how to organise them.
I would appreciate any suggestions?