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Region · 53 countries

Europe

Travelers come for historic cities, Mediterranean coasts, Alpine peaks and Nordic fjords, many of them linked by train on one trip.

See the countriesPlanning guides

Europe packs many countries into a short distance, and many of its cities grew up around old squares, cathedrals and city walls. On one trip you can move from Roman ruins to medieval towns to Alpine villages, with trains linking many of them. Travelers come for art museums, old town centers, Mediterranean coasts, mountain ranges, Nordic fjords and regional food that changes at each border.

First-time visitors who want history and variety will get the most from Europe on a trip of two weeks or more, which gives time to cover two or three countries at an easy pace. Spring and early autumn are the most comfortable months for walking cities and hiking. Summer brings the largest crowds to big cities and coastal towns. High mountain trails are open from late spring to early autumn, so plan mountain days within that window. Winter brings shorter days, so plan museum visits and city walks for daylight hours.

Top destinations in Europe

Europe travel guides

The questions every first trip to the region starts with.

EES explained

Fingerprints at the Schengen border and what comes next.

Read the guideThe 90/180 rule

How Schengen days add up across every member country.

Read the guideETIAS explained

Not running yet: what it will cost and who will need it.

Read the guideUK ETA explained

The £20 permit for England, Scotland, Wales and NI.

Read the guideIs a Eurail pass worth it?

When a pass beats booking trains one by one.

Read the guideTourist taxes in Europe

City and hotel taxes, and who pays them.

Read the guideNight trains in Europe

How to book, which berth to choose and what it costs.

Read the guideThe best eSIM for Europe

One regional plan or a plan per country, and how to choose.

Read the guideBuying European train tickets

Official sites or resellers, and when the booking window opens.

Read the guide

Where to stay in Europe

All stay guides
people sitting on chair near building during daytimeParisWhere to stay in Paris: five neighborhoods comparedbrown and white concrete building under blue sky during daytimeIstanbulWhere to stay in Istanbul: four areas on two continentsa large indoor mall with peopleLondonWhere to stay in London: five areas comparedaerial photography of city during daytimeBarcelonaWhere to stay in Barcelona: five neighborhoods compared

Itineraries across the region

Tower Bridge over the River Thames in London with people on the embankment3 daysLondon in 3 days: Westminster, the Tower and the free museumsA three-day London plan: Westminster and the West End, St Paul's to the Tower along the river, then the British Museum and South Kensington, with prices.a city street with a bunch of people walking down it3 daysParis in 3 days: the islands, the Louvre and MontmartreA three-day Paris plan: Sainte-Chapelle and the Marais, the Louvre to the Arc de Triomphe, then Orsay, the Eiffel Tower and Montmartre, with closing days.a city street with a yellow taxi3 daysBarcelona in 3 days: Gaudí, the old town and MontjuïcA three-day Barcelona plan: Sagrada Família and a Gaudí house, the old town and the beach, Park Güell and Montjuïc, with ticket prices and closing days.

Before you go

For any trip in Europe

eSIM for EuropeData plans and roamingRead the guideTravel insuranceMedical cover and cancellationsRead the guideRail passesDoes a Eurail pass pay off?Read the guideEES at the borderWhat to expect on arrivalRead the guide

All Europe destinations

Europe FAQ

Do I need a visa for Europe?

Many passports can visit the Schengen area visa-free for 90 days in any 180. Non-EU visitors now register under EES at the first Schengen border; ETIAS is not running yet and the EU will announce its start date months ahead.

Do I need a UK ETA as well as EES?

If you are visa-exempt and not British or Irish, yes. The UK is outside Schengen: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland need a UK ETA, while EES applies only in Schengen countries.

Which European countries are outside Schengen?

Among popular destinations, the UK, Ireland, Türkiye and much of the Balkans, including Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Kosovo. Days there do not count toward the Schengen 90 in 180.

Is a rail pass worth it in Europe?

Rarely for a short trip. Book fast trains early at saver fares and buy regional trains on the day; a pass pays off only for many long legs in a short time.

When is the best time to visit Europe?

May, June and September for most of it. July and August are hot and busy in the south, the Nordics shine in summer, and December is worth it for Christmas markets in Central Europe.

DestinationsWhere to go, when to go and how to get around in 221 countries. Every practical fact shows the date we checked it and who checked it.Where to stayNeighborhoods walked end to end: who each area suits, how far it is from the airport train, and the hotels we would book ourselves.PlanVisas and entry rules, travel insurance, eSIMs and rail passes, explained in plain words and rechecked when the rules change.EventsFestivals, concerts and tours with confirmed dates, rooms near the venue and the fastest way on to the next city.StoriesField reports and data stories from the road. We time the queues, count the costs and say what changed since last year.

Asia

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Africa

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Events

Sapporo Snow FestivalCherry blossomGion MatsuriDía de MuertosOktoberfestKandy Esala PeraheraEvents calendar

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