Europe Tours

Travellers jumping boat

Europe: a continent spanning 44 countries, with both vast mountain ranges, luscious forests, beaches to die for and ancient monuments. Europe is scattered with many famous locations, be it the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the intertwined maze of canals in Venice, the ancient Acropolis in Greece or the Berlin Wall. However, there are many underrated cities and more off the beaten path places, that are also well worth a visit.

Top Rated Europe Travel Companies

Best Europe Adventure Tours & Trips

These are some of the most popular small group and budget tours of Europe.

European Escapade

• 23 days. 11 countries
• Price from £2,620

European Trail

• 23 days, 12 countries
• Price from £2,430

Eastern Road Trip

• 13 days, 6 countries
• Price from £1,823

England and Scotland Trip

• 9 days
• Price from £1,186

Great Britain & Ireland Trip

• 16 days
• Price from £1,914

Contiki London to Barcelona Quest map

London to Barcelona Quest

• 8 days, 3 countries
• Price from £982

Spain & Portugal Highlights

• 11 days, 2 countries
• Price from £1,135

Portugal Highlights Tour

• 7 days
• Price from £1,029

Destinations

Some of the most popular countries to visit include: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey and UK.

Other countries you might also want to consider checking out include: Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova, Norway, Romania, Serbia and Sweden.

Travel to Europe

Europe is packed with unmissable cities and amazing experiences.

Local and international travel companies can take you in comfort with a group of like-minded travellers around the best attractions on the continent, with experienced driver/leader teams and local guides to give you the best insights from the inside track.

Stay in hotels, hostels and guest houses, and you’ll find most things you want to do are already included, with good-value optional excursions.

Deciding on a country to visit is challenging at the best of times, and there are so many amazing trips throughout the region. You could travel and see an individual destination, or take in multiple countries on one trip.

Some tours travel overland throughout the whole continent visiting all the main tourist hotspots – perfect if you want to take a gap year in Europe and see the highlights. There are weekly departures and the hard part really is deciding where to go.

Whether it is the German beer, the authentic Italian pasta, the romance of France, the joie de vivre of Barcelona – no matter what you want from a trip, Europe is likely to be a fulfilling experience for any backpacker.

There are many reasons that a trip in Europe will be the journey of a lifetime.

Must Visit Cities

There is so much to experience in Europe that to pick just a few “must visit” cities seems unfair to the rest. Paris, Rome and Vienna would feature among the top of the list and a backpacking trip to Europe would be incomplete without visiting these cities.

The sights and sounds of Paris captures the essence of Europe as it is among the most multicultural of European cities. The Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Parisian cafes, Moulin Rouge and the shopping for the fashionista all add to the romantic charm of the French capital.

Visiting Rome is like stepping into the pages of history. The Italian capital is a 21st century city but when you see monuments like the Colosseum, the Pantheon, Campidoglio, the Palatino, shopping and pub hopping are the last things on your mind.

When you think of Austria, you automatically think of Sound of Music and Vienna is a great experience of Austrian culture. While there are many churches and palaces to see in Vienna, two must sees are the St. Peter’s Church and the Imperial Palace.

FAQ

Visa
If you live in the EU, you do not need a visa to backpack through Europe. If you live outside the EU, you may need a visa but the citizens of some countries are exempt and can travel through Europe for at least 3 months without a visa.

Money
Most major countries have adopted the Euro so even while you are visiting different countries, you will only need to carry one currency.

Accommodation
Accommodation is easily available and there is something to suit every budget, from luxury hotels, to budget hostels and even camping.

Safety And Medical Advice
For a backpacking trip in Europe there are no particular immunisation requirements though a travel health insurance is recommended for any unexpected health problems. Europe is a safe trip for any backpacker though you must stay alert at all times, especially because you’re in unfamiliar surroundings. If you’re planning to spend more than a few days in any particular country, it might help to learn the basics of the language as English alone may not be helpful.