The Ultimate 4 Month Europe Trip Itinerary

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Last Updated on September 30, 2025 by sydabroad

Planning a long-term trip to Europe? Keep reading to discover my 4 month Europe trip itinerary.

This guide is a bit different from the rest of my travel guides. In this post, I’m going over my exact four (ish) month Europe itinerary. When you look at the itinerary as a whole, it really doesn’t make a lot of sense. I was jumping back and forth from one region of Europe to another, taking lots of planes, etc.

So, how the heck did I come up with this itinerary? Well, I knew I was starting my trip in Stockholm to see Taylor Swift and ending my trip in Munich for Oktoberfest. 

Since I was traveling for more than 90 days, I had to be mindful of the Schengen Zone rules to avoid overstaying. For those unfamiliar, the Schengen Zone is a group of European countries that have eliminated border controls between them. 

As an American (and for many other nationalities), you’re allowed to stay in the Schengen Zone for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa. So planning around this rule was a key part of my itinerary. 

I can go more into detail about planning a trip around the Schengen Zone rule in another post, but essentially, if you are traveling for longer than 90 days (like my trip), when you leave the Schengen Zone, your count will pause. That’s why I ended up including the Balkans and Turkey in my itinerary — all of the days in these areas paused my 90 days. 

What countries are included in the Schengen zone? 

Many European countries are in the Schengen zone. Here’s a list of all of the countries currently in the Schengen zone: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Bulgaria, and Romania. 

Note: This list can change; make sure to double-check an up-to-date list before your trip. 

What is the Schengen zone?

The Schengen area is a group of European countries that have eliminated passport and border control. You can travel across borders without passport checks. Currently, there are 29 countries in the Schengen Zone.

A little background on planning my long-term Europe trip

My long-term Europe itinerary ended up being a bit random because, outside of solo traveling, I had smaller trips planned here and there with friends and family. I visited some friends who live in Europe, and some friends and family came to meet me in Europe for parts of my travels. 

I also left enough space in my itinerary to book spontaneous travel with friends I met along the way. And in the end, this is the itinerary that ended up working out! 

In this guide, I’ll share where I stayed in each city, some of the best things to do, and I’ll link to other blog posts I have with more information about these cities. 

Map | 4 Month Europe Trip Itinerary 

Below you’ll find a map of my route (a very crazy route) of the places I visited during my long-term backpacking trip. 

My 4-Month Europe Trip Itinerary

London, England (2 nights)

I began my trip in London because I always find that London is one of the more affordable destinations in Europe to fly into from America. I ended up flying from Austin to New York City to London on Norse Airways. 

Where to Stay in London?

I stayed at Astor Hyde Park hostel, and I would 100% recommend this spot in London. It’s great if you are looking for an affordable place to stay in London in an incredible part of the city. 

Top Things to Do in London

• See a show at the West End 
• Watch the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace 
• Wander through Notting Hill and Portobello Road Market 
• Explore the British Museum 
• Visit the Tower of London and Tower Bridge 

Read more about England:

• How to Plan the Perfect London to Cotswolds Day Trip 

• London Bucket List: 26 Best Things to Do in London 

• All You Need to Know Before Attending Afternoon Tea at Sketch London

Stockholm & Uppsala, Sweden (4 nights total) 

From London, I flew to Stockholm to see Taylor Swift. The city was pretty booked up because of the concert, so we stayed in Uppsala, Sweden, for three nights and spent one night (our last night) in Stockholm.

Pro-tip: if you do stay in Uppsala, it’s quite easy to catch the train to Stockholm (and vice versa). Uppsala was a lovely little city, and it’s well worth visiting during a day trip from Stockholm. 

Where to stay in Stockholm?

I stayed at City Backpackers Hostel in Stockholm, and it was wonderful. 

Things to do in Stockholm

• Wander through Gamla Stan (Old Town) 
• See the subway art
• Visit the ABBA Museum 
• Enjoy Fika! 
• Boat tour of the archipelago 

Read more about Stockholm:

• How to Spend One Day in Stockholm, Sweden

Where to stay in Uppsala?

The Clarion Hotel Gilet was an amazing stay in Uppsala, Sweden. The hotel was right in the center of town, and the room was great! 

Things to do in Uppsala 

• Wander through Gamla Uppsala (Old Town Uppsala) 
• Uppsala Cathedral
• Uppsala Castle 
• Linnaeus Garden 

Riga, Latvia (3 nights)  

Next, I headed over to the Baltics. My sister, my friend, and I flew from Stockholm to Riga and stayed there for a few nights. Again, I loved it here. To be honest, there really isn’t a place I didn’t like during my entire four months of travelling. 

While we were in Riga, we did a day trip to Vilnius, Lithuania. It was quite the journey, but it was so worth it. The bus was actually SO nice, and I felt like we had enough time to see the highlights. If you are short on time and want to squeeze in another Baltic city, I recommend going to Vilnius.  

Where to stay in Riga?

Tree House Hostel is a cozy little hostel right in the center of the city. It was walking distance to just about everything and super affordable. 

Top Things to Do in Riga

• Explore Old Town (Vecrīga) 
• Visit Riga Central Market 
• St. Peter’s Church Tower 
• Try Latvian cuisine 
• House of the Blackheads 

Copenhagen, Denmark (3 nights)

After Riga, we jumped back over to Scandinavia to visit Copenhagen. Don’t ask me why we didn’t go from Stockholm to Copenhagen to Riga lol. Copenhagen is a gorgeous (but expensive) city with the most delicious pastries, colorful canals, and the cutest local artisan shops. 

Where to stay in Copenhagen?

I stayed at Steel House Copenhagen, and it was incredible! It was a massive hostel; they even had a gym and a pool. 

Top things to do in Copenhagen 

• Nyhavn 
• Tivoli Gardens 
• Rosenborg Castle & Gardens 
• Visit the Church of Our Savior for panoramic views of the city 
• Try Danish pastries 

Read more about Copenhagen:

• How to Spend 2 Days in Copenhagen, Denmark 

Belgrade, Serbia (3 nights)

Belgrade is where I began my month of solo traveling in the Balkans. I ended up starting in Belgrade because the flight from Copenhagen to Belgrade was super cheap, and I needed to get out of the Schengen Zone to pause my 90 days. Anyway, Belgrade was lovely, and although I didn’t spend a lot of time here, I had a great experience. 

I enjoyed the hostel I stayed in; it was quiet and cozy and in a great location. I also recommend taking a walking tour, which is what I did on my first full day in Belgrade, and it was so nice to learn about the city from a local. 

Where to stay in Belgrade?  

Good People Design Hostel — It was quiet, cozy, and in a great location. 

Top things to do in Belgrade

• Explore Belgrade Fortress (Kalemegdan) 
• Knez Mihailova Street 
• Visit the Church of Saint Sava 
• Skadarlija 
• Museum of Yugoslavia

Read more about the Balkans:

• Balkans Tips: Things You Need to Know Before Traveling the Balkans
• The Ultimate 3-Week Balkans Travel Itinerary 

Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina (and Mostar) (5 nights)

After Belgrade, I headed to Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina. I took a bus, which was long but honestly a smooth ride. (You can book your buses in the Balkans here with Omio.) I was actually shocked by how stunning this part of Europe was. Some of it honestly reminded me a bit of the landscapes in New Zealand. 

Anyway, I’ll publish a guide about my time in Bosnia soon, but it was an amazing country, one I think needs to be on your Balkans itinerary. From Sarajevo, I took a day trip via train to Mostar, and it was incredible! If you have the time, I suggest staying a night or two in Mostar. But if you can’t, a day trip was well worth it. 

Where to stay in Sarajevo?

Balkan Han Hostel — I loved this place, it was so cheap, cozy, and I met the most amazing people here! Highly recommend. 

Top things to do in Sarajevo 

• Baščaršija (Old Bazaar)
• Sunset at Yellow Fortress (Žuta Tabija)
• Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque
• Take the cable car up to the 1984 Winter Olympics bobsled track
• War museums in Sarajevo 

Kotor, Montenegro (3 nights)

Next on my Euro summer itinerary, I headed to Montenegro. I had actually visited Kotor in the past as a day trip from Dubrovnik, Croatia, and I loved it. I knew when I was planning this trip, I wanted to go back to experience Kotor because one day was simply not enough. 

I ended up spending a few nights here, and it was lovely. I got to paddleboard on the bay, which was certainly a highlight, and I took a day trip to Budva to enjoy one of the beautiful beach clubs. 

Where to stay in Kotor? 

Montenegro Hostel 4U, this hostel was right on the water, and they host pub crawls quite often. It was a fun place to stay. 

Top Things to Do in Kotor:

• Hike to San Giovanni Fortress 
• Old Town (Stari Grad) 
• Paddleboard in the Bay of Kotor 
• Kotor Beach 
• Day trip to Budva 

Read more about Montenegro:

• 7 Amazing Things to Do in Perast, Montenegro
• The Perfect Dubrovnik Day Trip to Kotor
• The Best Beaches in Kotor, Montenegro

Northern Albania – Shkodër and the Alps (5 nights)

Alright, now onto one of the most adventurous parts of my 4-month Europe trip. From Kotor, I headed to a little city in Northern Albania called Shkodër. This city is known for being the gateway to the Albanian Alps, and that is exactly why I was here. 

I did the Valbona to Theth hike in Albania, and it was incredible. This was definitely one of the best travel experiences I’ve ever had. 

I have a full guide all about the Valbona to Theth hike that you can read about here. But essentially, this part of the trip consisted of a night in Shkodër, three nights in the Alps, and finally one last night in Shkodër before I went to Tirana. 

Where to stay in Shkoder?

I stayed at the Wanderers Hostel, and I won’t shut up about this place. If you’re doing the hike, stay at this hostel because they make everything SO easy by booking everything for you. 

Top Things to Do in Northern Albania: 

• Hike from Valbona to Theth (a must)
• Blue Eye in Theth 
• Explore Shkodër — read more here

Tirana, Albania (6 nights)

Next, I ended up in Tirana — the bustling capital of Albania. To be honest, I don’t think you need more than a couple of days here. I feel like the capital city is the least interesting part of Albania. And honestly, one of the main reasons I stayed for as long as I did (6 days) was because I needed a little reset after the hike and fast-paced travel. 

I stayed at a coworking hostel, caught up on work, explored at my own pace, and spent a lot of time just chilling. It was what I needed at this point of the trip. 

I think Tirana is a great place to learn more about the history of Albania and experience the nightlife and cafe culture. It’s also one of the best cities to fly in and out of the Balkans. I was heading to Paris next, and found a €12 flight from Tirana to Paris. Crazy. 

Where to stay in Tirana? 

If you’re looking for a social atmosphere, stay at Trip’n’Hostel. If you are looking for a nicer hostel and a more low-key spot, stay at their other property — Trip’n’Hostel Chill Zone. 

Top things to do in Tirana? 

• Bunk’Art Museums 
• Grand Park of Tirana 
• Skanderbeg Square
• Pyramid of Tirana 
• Try traditional Albanian food

Read more about Albania:

• Valbona to Theth Hike: A Complete Guide 
• Amazing Things to Do in Shkodër, Albania 
• Is Tirana Worth Visiting? + a 1 Day Itinerary

Ohrid, North Macedonia (2 nights)

From Tirana, I took a bus to Ohrid, North Macedonia, for three nights and then went back to Tirana because I had a flight out of Tirana. 

Okay, Ohrid was STUNNING. I highly recommend visiting for charming cobblestone streets, a laid-back vibe, gorgeous churches, fascinating history, and the iconic Lake Ohrid. Ohrid was a dream, and I ended up meeting the best people here. 

Where to stay in Ohrid? 

Sunset Lake Hostel — simple, yet cozy. The owner was so kind and I met really friendly travelers. 

Top things to do in Ohrid

• Samuel’s Fortress 
• Church of St. John at Kaneo
• Ancient Theater of Ohrid 
• Relax at Ohrid’s Beaches

Read more about North Macedonia: 

• 14 Best Beaches in Ohrid 
• 13 Best Things to Do in Ohrid, North Macedonia

Paris, France (3 nights)

And now back to Western Europe! I headed to Paris to celebrate my friend’s birthday and Fête de la Musique. This weekend was a BLAST. This was my third time visiting Paris, and I think every time I visit this city, I love it more and more. 

Where to stay in Paris?

I did stay with a friend this time; however, I have previously stayed at both JO&JOE Paris Gentilly and Moxy Paris Bastille and would recommend both properties. 

Top things to do in Paris: 

• Musee de l’Orangerie 
• The Louvre Museum 
• River cruise on the Seine 
• Sunset in Montmartre 
• Day trip to Versailles 

Read more about Paris:

• 11+ Best Paris Instagram Spots
• 14 Best Things to Do in Paris, France
• 19 of the Best Free Things to Do in Paris

London, England (and Bath) (7 nights)

Next, I headed back to London to visit some friends. I was here in London for about a week, and during that time, a friend and I stayed a night in Bath, England. Bath is a lovely city near the Cotswolds in England. It’s about an hour and a half train ride away from London, and it made for such a nice little trip. 

If you find yourself in London, I highly suggest taking the train to Bath and staying here for a night. It’s such a cute city to explore and much quieter than London. 

Where to stay in Bath?

The Bluebell Bed and Breakfast — this was seriously the coziest little place right in the center of town. 

Top things to do in Bath

• The Roman Baths 
• Bath Abbey 
• The Royal Crescent 
• Pulteney Bridge 
• Visit Castle Combe (or other Cotswold Villages)

Florence, Italy (5 nights)

After spending time in London catching up with friends, I met my mom in Florence to begin our little European trip. I had previously visited Florence on a trip with EF Ultimate Break, and I loved the city so much that I was excited to go back. 

While in Florence, we did a day trip to San Marino, which is actually an entirely different country, landlocked by Italy. I’ll share more about this day trip in a blog post soon. 

Where to stay in Florence?

Top things to do in Florence

• Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset 
• The Duomo 
• Walk along the Arno River
• Take a pasta-making class 

Read more about Florence:

• Ultimate Guide to The Wine Windows in Florence 
• The Perfect One Day Florence Itinerary

Naples, Italy (3 nights)

We then took the train from Florence to Naples — the birthplace of pizza! We wanted to spend time in the south of Italy, so we based ourselves in Naples and took day trips from there. And to be honest, if I were to do this again, I would have preferred Sorrento over Naples.

I think Naples is fine for a day, and you should go there to try the famous Neapolitan pizza! We did a food tour in Naples, and this was the highlight. Other than that, it wasn’t that great. The city is dirty, not very pretty, and can be a bit sketchy at night. If anything, just do a day trip here. You don’t need to stay. 

Top things to do in Naples: 

• Eat Neapolitan pizza
• Visit the Naples Underground 
• Go on a food tour 
• Royal Palace of Naples 
• Day trip to Pompeii

The South of Italy 

The south of Italy was incredible. But busyyyy. Avoid the summer months, seriously. We did a few day trips from Naples — one to Capri, Pompeii, and another to Sorrento and Amalfi

Pro-tip: Avoid Italy in June and July. It was incredibly crowded and extremely hot. You needed a reservation to get anywhere or had to wait in long lines. 

Vienna, Austria (2 nights)

After a quick flight from Naples, we landed in Vienna. This was my second time visiting Vienna, so I opted to take a solo day trip to Bratislava during one of my days here. 

Where to stay in Vienna? 

I suggest Hotel MOTTO Vienna, it’s a lovely boutique hotel in central Vienna. 

Top things to do in Vienna

• Spanish Riding School 
• Schönbrunn Palace 
• Tour the Belvedere Palace 
• Visit the MuseumsQuartier
• Prater Park 

Read more about Vienna:

• 14 Best Things to Do in Vienna, Austria 
• The Best Museums in Vienna 

Bratislava, Slovakia (day trip)

Bratislava is very close to Vienna — only about an hour train ride, so I did a day trip from Vienna to Bratislava. 

Top things to do in Bratislava

• Michael’s Gate 
• Bratislava Castle 
• St. Martin’s Cathedral 
• The Blue Church (St. Elisabeth’s Church) 

Read more about Bratislava:

• Is Bratislava Worth Visiting? + a 1 Day Itinerary 

Budapest, Hungary (3 nights)

Next on the itinerary was Budapest. We took the train from Vienna to Budapest, and it was quite the experience, to say the least. Summer in Europe can be rough… the heat is insane, and there isn’t air conditioning in most places, which includes the trains. 

Anyway, Budapest is a gorgeous city and a must-visit in Eastern Europe. I think Eastern Europe as a whole is my favorite part of Europe — there are so many amazing cities to visit! 

Where to stay in Budapest? 

I stayed at Giselle Vintage Doubles, and I would not recommend it. My mom and I got stuck in the elevator, and it was a mess, to be honest. 

Top things to do in Budapest

• River cruise at night to see the Hungarian Parliament Building 
• Buda Castle & Castle District 
• Széchenyi Thermal Bath
• Sunrise at Fisherman’s Bastion 
• Try a chimney cake 

Read more about Budapest:

• 16 Best Things to Do in Budapest, Hungary
• Is Budapest Worth Visiting? 8 Reasons to Visit

Prague, Czech Republic (3 nights)

Prague is seriously a city right out of a Disney movie. In a good way. It’s just so charming and looks as if it’s straight out of a storybook. It’s perfect. 

Where to stay in Prague? 

I don’t have the best accommodation recs for Prague. I ended up staying at a basic hotel the first time, and then the second time I stayed in an Airbnb, which was great.

Top things to do in Prague

• Prague Castle 
• Charles Bridge
• Old Town Square 
• Climb the Astronomical Clock Tower 
• Try Czech beer and eat traditional food

Read more about Prague:

• How to Spend One Day in Prague, Czech Republic

Kraków, Poland (3.5 weeks)  

I took the train from Prague to Kraków, and Kraków was the start of solo traveling again. Volunteering with Worldpackers is something that has been on my travel bucket list for this year, so that’s what I was doing in Kraków. 

If you are unfamiliar with Worldpackers, it’s a global organization where you can work in exchange for accommodation and sometimes meals or other perks. 

Use my code, SYDABROAD, for a discount on a Worldpackers membership✈️

I did a volunteer program with Worldpackers in Kraków, Poland, for almost a month. I was working as a pub crawl guide in exchange for free accommodation. It was honestly some of the most fun I had during my 4-month Europe trip. I wouldn’t even really call it “work”; it was socializing, meeting new people, and just having a good time. 

Not to mention, Kraków is a lovely city — one of my new favorites in Europe. The food is amazing, and it’s a gorgeous city. 

Where to stay in Kraków? 

Like I mentioned above, I was volunteering, so I stayed for free in Kraków with the other volunteers. However, I did end up staying at one property in Kraków — Gródek Hotel, and it was the perfect stay in Kraków’s old town. I did partner with this property, but I would recommend it. I loved my stay here. 

Top things to do in Kraków 

• Wawel Castle 
• Vodka tasting 
• Kazimierz (Jewish Quarter) 
• Try all the pierogi 
• Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial & Museum 

Warsaw, Poland 

While I was staying in Kraków, one of my best friends came to visit, and we ended up taking a little trip from Kraków. We took the train to Warsaw to see Taylor Swift, which was the BEST time. Still so surreal that I got to see her tour in both Stockholm and Warsaw. 

Where to stay in Warsaw?

I stayed at the Regent Warsaw Hotel, and it was a great hotel!  

Top things to do in Warsaw

• Old Town (Stare Miasto) 
• Visit the Royal Castle 
• Łazienki Park 
• Wilanów Palace 
• Visit the museums in Warsaw 

Packing for a long-term Europe trip? Check out my backpacking Europe packing list for female travelers here!✨

Gdansk, Poland

From Warsaw, we took the train to Gdansk, a stunning little port city on the Baltic Sea. Okay, the trains in Poland were actually so nice and efficient. These couple of trains were the best I had experienced during my time in Europe. 

Where to stay in Gdansk? 

In Gdansk, I stayed at Soul House Gdansk Old Town. It was a little hotel right near the center of town. It was affordable and in a great location. I would definitely recommend visiting Gdansk. 

Things to do in Gdansk

• Try pierogi and local seafood 
• Visit the Museum of the Second World War
• Neptune’s Fountain
• St. Mary’s Church 
• Motława River Promenade

Oslo, Norway 

Oslo was a bit of a last-minute decision because my friend needed a good place to fly out of to get back to the States. So we ended up flying to Oslo to stay for a couple of nights before she flew back home, and I flew back to Kraków. 

I had the chance to partner with the most charming boutique hotel outside of Oslo in the countryside. We stayed here for a few nights and enjoyed the nature trails, farm animals, peaceful ambiance of the place, and the lakes. It was such a relaxing little vacation. 

Once my friend left, I flew back to Kraków to work for another week as a Worldpackers volunteer before heading to Istanbul. 

Where to stay in Oslo? 

I stayed at Losby Gods, a boutique property outside of Oslo, and it was a dream. If you are looking for a relaxing vacation in Oslo’s countryside, I couldn’t recommend this place more. I truly had the best time. 

On the other hand, if you are looking for a nice hotel near the city center, consider booking Amerikalinjen or Scandic Holmenkollen Park Hotel. 

Top things to do in Oslo

• Oslo Opera House 
• Take a fjord cruise 
• The Munch Museum 
• The Royal Palace 
• Book a sauna sesh on the water 

Türkiye – Istanbul, Antalya, and Cappadocia (10 nights total)

Turkey! Now known as Turkiye, it is such a dream destination and has been on my travel list for so long, so I decided to go! I did solo travel in Turkey for 10 days, and I had the most amazing experience. 

I split my time between Istanbul, Antalya, and Cappadocia. This worked out perfectly because I needed to spend this time outside of the Schengen Zone before my next little adventure on this long-term trip. So, here’s a little rundown on visiting Turkey:

Istanbul, Türkiye 

Where to stay in Istanbul? 

I stayed at Wabi Hostels Istanbul. It was nice, clean, and in a great location right near Taksim Square.

Top things to do in Istanbul

• Hagia Sophia 
• Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)
• Topkapi Palace 
• Grand Bazaar 
• Galata Tower

Antalya, Türkiye 

Where to stay in Antalya? 

Gold Coast Hostel is a must in Antalya. It is such a cute little hostel right near the center of town, and it only costs €20 per night.

Top things to do in Antalya

• Day trip to the “Maldives of Turkey” (Sula Ada) 
• Day trip to Pamukkale 
• Wander the Old Town 
• Antalya Museum 
• Lara Beach 

Cappadocia, Türkiye 

Where to stay in Cappadocia?

Staying at a cave hotel in Cappadocia is a must. There are plenty of amazing cave hotels to choose from; I stayed at Ala Stone Hotel, and it was incredible. You could see the balloons in the morning on the hotel’s rooftop, and a nice Turkish breakfast was served each morning.

Things to do in Cappadocia

• Hot air balloon ride at sunrise (a must) 
• Sunset ATV tour 
• Stay in a cave hotel 
• Goreme Open-Air Museum
• Uçhisar Castle

Read more about Türkiye:

• How to Spend 3 Days in Cappadocia, Turkey

Madrid, Spain (3 nights)

From Istanbul, I caught a flight back over to Western Europe — Madrid. I was in Madrid to join an EF Ultimate Break Tour. I did their 17-day tour through Spain, Morocco, and Portugal, and this may have just been my favorite EF Ultimate Break trip I’ve done. 

This was my third trip with EF; previously, I had done their highlights of Europe and Egypt: Cruise the Nile trips. I’ve had great experiences with all of them! 

Where to stay in Madrid? 

If you are looking for a good place to stay in Madrid on a budget, I suggest Room007 Chueca Hostel. 

Top things to do in Madrid

• Royal Palace of Madrid
• Plaza Mayor 
• Tapas at Mercado de San Miguel 
• El Rastro Market 
• Retiro Park 

Cordoba, Spain  

Cordoba was a stop on our way to Granada, and it was such a charming little city. If you have time, I suggest staying here for a night or two. 

Top things to do in Cordoba

• Mezquita-Catedral (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba) 
• Shop around town
• Roman Bridge
• Jewish Quarter (La Judería) 

Granada, Spain (2 nights)   

Southern Spain is a gorgeous region. I loved Granada — the architecture, the food, the culture. We stayed here in Granada for three nights before heading to our next destination on the group tour. 

Where to stay in Granada? 

I stayed at the AMC Granada, a budget hotel, and it was great. It was a basic hotel in the city center of Granada. 

Top things to do in Granada

• Visit The Alhambra 
• Granada Cathedral and Royal Chapel
• The Albaicín
• Realejo Neighborhood 
• Try all the tapas! 

Read more about Spain:

• 10 Best Things to Do in Seville, Spain
• 15 Best Things to Do in Granada, Spain
• How to Spend the Perfect Weekend in Madrid, Spain

Chefchaouen, Morocco “The Blue City” 

Chefchaouen, also known as the “Blue City” of Morocco, was just a stop on our way to Fes. But it was such a unique town to see. We had a guided tour and then ate a traditional Moroccan lunch.

Fes, Morocco (2 nights)

Our first official stop in Morocco was Fes. This is one of Morocco’s most fascinating and culturally rich cities. It’s home to one of the oldest medinas in the world and truly feels like you’re stepping back in time. 

Where to stay in Fes? 

I stayed at L’Escale Hotel (this is where EF had organized for us), and it was a great hotel! Def recommend. 

Top things to do in Fes

• Borjsud lookout 
• Touhafs – a ceramics and mosaics workshop
• Explore the Medina 
• Chouara Tannery 
• Al Quaraouiyine University 

Marrakesh, Morocco (2 nights)

I was so excited about Marrakesh, and it did live up to my expectations. Although I wish we had stayed here longer. The only downside about group trips is that they feel a bit rushed. But having everything planned for you is so worth it, especially in places like Morocco, which can be a bit overwhelming to plan on your own. 

Where to stay in Marrakesh? 

Hotel El Andalous — again, this is where EF had booked for us, and it was a great hotel! I would suggest going the hotel route as opposed to hostels in Morocco. 

Top things to do in Marrakesh 

• Cooking class
• Bahia Palace 
• YSL Museum 
• Explore the souks 
• Jemma El Fna Square 

Tangier, Morocco (1 night)

On the way to Tangier, we had a short stop for lunch in Casablanca. We also got to see the famous Hassan II Mosque quickly. We arrived in Tangier in the evening and honestly didn’t see much. We only stayed the night before catching the ferry back to Spain. However, it did seem like a lovely city, definitely worth staying more than a night! 

If you are looking for a place to stay in Tangier, we stayed at Kenzi Solazur Hotel, and it was in a great location right by the water!

If you are staying in hostels, you need to check out my hostel packing list with all the essentials you’ll need!

Seville, Spain (2 nights)

And back to Spain! Our next stop on this group trip was to Seville, Spain, yet another AMAZING city in southern Spain. Don’t miss all the tapas, flamenco shows, and sightseeing in Seville. 

Where to stay in Seville?

Looking for a nice budget option in Seville? Salvador Room 007 is a great hostel in central Seville. 

Top things to do in Seville

• Real Alcázar of Seville 
• Seville Cathedral & La Giralda 
• Watch a Flamenco Show 
• Plaza de España 
• Parque de María Luisa 

Lagos, Portugal (2 nights)

Hello Portugal! Okay, spoiler alert: Portugal is now one of my favorite countries. The beaches, the cities, the food, the art, the architecture, the people — Portugal has it all. On the EF trip, we visited both the Algarve region (Lagos) and Lisbon, the capital. I then ended up continuing to Porto solo, which was incredible! 

Where to stay in Lagos? 

The tour had us booked in WOT Lagos Montemar, and it was fine. We did end up losing hot water for a short period. 

Top things to do in Lagos

• Explore Lagos Old Town 
• Book a boat tour to explore the caves and grottos 
• Praia Dona Ana 
• Ponta da Piedade 
• Enjoy the delicious seafood

Lisbon, Portugal (2 nights)

Lisbon has got to be one of my favorite European capitals. It’s lively, vibrant, the food is amazing, and there is so much to see and do. It is insanely hilly through so bring good walking shoes. 

Where to stay in Lisbon? 

We stayed in Room 007 Lisboa — I thought this was a great hostel located in a wonderful area in the city. 

Porto, Portugal (4 nights)

Lisbon ended my group trip with EF Ultimate Break, so I then hopped on a bus to Porto. Porto is just about three hours north of Lisbon, and you can take either a train or a bus. I ended up booking a Flixbus ticket to get from Lisbon to Porto. 

I answered some FAQs about traveling with EF Ultimate Break and shared some helpful info in this post!

Where to stay in Porto? 

Lost Inn Porto Hostel is a great budget option in Porto. The location was perfect — I walked just about everywhere. And they had organized tours and activities almost every night. 

Top things to do in Porto

• Take surf lessons 
• Port wine tasting 
• Ribeira District 
• Dom Luís Bridge 
• Livraria Lello 

Netherlands – Amsterdam & Utrecht (3 nights)

After Porto, I flew to Amsterdam to visit a friend who lives here. I had previously been to Amsterdam, so we didn’t spend much time sightseeing in the city. During my few days in the Netherlands, we spent the majority of our time in the countryside. 

Where to stay in Amsterdam? 

Top things to do in Amsterdam

• Day trip to Castle de Haar 
• Canal cruise 
• Rent a bike 
• Van Gogh Museum 

Brussels, Belgium (2 nights)

I took yet another Flixbus from Amsterdam to Brussels, Belgium. To be honest, Brussels isn’t the most amazing European city, but I thought it was nice to visit for a couple of days. I will say, their old town square is one of the prettiest in all of Europe. 

I really wanted to visit Belgium so I could hit country number 50, which was super exciting! I also ended up doing a day trip to Luxembourg while I was in Brussels, which was a fun way to explore a new city (and country!).

Where to stay in Brussels?

Meininger Bruxelles City Center is a great budget stay in Brussels. 

Top things to do in Brussels

• Grand Place 
• Royal Palace of Brussels 
• Mont des Arts 
• Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert 
• Try a Belgian Waffle and Fries

Read more about Brussels:

• The Best One-Day Brussels Itinerary

Luxembourg City, Luxembourg 

As mentioned above, I took a day trip from Brussels to Luxembourg City with GetYourGuide. It was such a nice tour and a great way to experience a new city. 

Top things to do in Luxembourg

• Old Town 
• Casemates du Bock 
• Palace of the Grand Dukes 
• Place Guillaume II 
• Luxembourg City History Museum 

Prague, Czech Republic (3 nights)

Okay, yeah, my route doesn’t make complete sense, but I headed back to Prague to see my friends! My friends from home and I had a plan to do Oktoberfest in Munich, and they wanted to go to Prague before, so I decided to go back and meet them. 

I really loved Prague the first time I visited, and three days were just not enough! We had the best time in Prague before taking a Flixbus from Prague to Munich for Oktoberfest. 

Munich, Germany (2 nights)

And my final stop on my four-month Europe trip was Munich, Germany. Previously, I had visited Berlin, Germany, so it was cool to see another German city. I will say we didn’t have much time to sightsee; most of our time was spent doing Oktoberfest festivities. 

Where to stay in Munich?

Okay, my worst hostel situation happened at my last stop of the trip, of course. I’m not going into detail about it, but I’m just going to warn you NOT to book a&o Münchener Hackerbrücke. This was by far the worst hostel experience I’ve had, probably during all of my travels. And I’ve probably stayed in over 100 hostels. Just do not book this place.

Top things to do in Munich 

• Marienplatz
• Residenz Palace 
• Try traditional German food
• Nymphenburg Palace 
• Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial

Read all about Oktoberfest in Munich here! 🍻

And that wraps up this post all about my long-term Europe trip! If you have any questions about traveling Europe, or my itinerary specifically, comment below or DM me on Instagram!

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