14-day Europe itinerary: 3 amazing suggestions!

If you're planning your first trip to Europe, you probably have a million questions, like which cities to visit, how long to stay in each one, and so on. Take a deep breath and keep reading this post, because in the next few lines I’ll share with you 3 amazing 14-day Europe itinerary suggestions!

Before we get into the itineraries, I want to talk to you about the "Christopher Columbus Syndrome," which affects 8 out of 10 travelers. Relax, it’s just a joke, it’s not a real syndrome!

Usually, those planning a trip to Europe are fascinated by how close the countries are to each other and by how easy it is to travel between them. That’s when the syndrome kicks in… the traveler suddenly feels the urge to explore the entire continent in just a few days. I've seen 14-day itineraries that include Paris, London, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Rome, and Berlin all in the same trip! Don’t do that!

Keep in mind that major capitals like London, Rome, and Paris need at least 3 full days to see even the BASICS. Ready for the list of 14-day Europe itinerary suggestions?

14-day Europe itinerary

Another important tip: when building your itinerary, avoid scheduling too much on the days you'll be traveling between cities or countries. Unexpected delays can happen anywhere in the world. So if you're arriving at your destination at 2 p.m., only plan activities from 6 p.m. onward. Keep in mind that your flight/train/bus might be delayed, and factor in the time to get from the airport/bus station to your accommodation.

Option 1 – England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland

This first 14-day Europe itinerary suggestion is fantastic. You can divide the days just between the capitals, or choose to explore some towns in the countryside as well.

Set aside 4 days for London, not including the arrival and departure days. The city is huge, packed with interesting things to do, and trust me, you won't want to rush it! Before you go, check out the post "10 Must-See Places in London!"

From London, you can choose to fly to Dublin (about 60 minutes) or to Edinburgh. If your round-trip ticket to Europe is in and out of London, I suggest going to Dublin first, then on to Edinburgh, and finally returning to London (if you're on a tight budget, consider taking an overnight bus to save on accommodation).

Plan 3 days in Dublin, including one day for a day trip to the country’s most famous cliffs, the Cliffs of Moher. To get from Dublin to Belfast, the best cost-benefit option is to take a bus. Belfast doesn’t have as much to do, so two days is enough to see the basics.

From Belfast, you can take a ferry to cross over to Scotland and then continue by bus to Edinburgh. Set aside 3 days for the Scottish capital. To return to London, take a flight or a bus. That’s it! =)

Option 2 – England, France, and Belgium

If your goal is to visit London, Paris, and Brussels, a 14-day itinerary will be perfect. On the other hand, if you want to explore some countryside cities too, the number of days won’t be enough.

Let’s assume your flight arrives in London and departs from Brussels, okay? Reserve 4 days for London, not counting the arrival and departure days. From the English capital, you can take a plane, train, or bus to the French capital, and the travel time will vary between 3 to 6 hours.

If you want to see the basics of Paris plus Disneyland, set aside 5 days. If Disneyland isn’t part of your plans, 4 days will be enough. This plan already includes a day trip to the Palace of Versailles.

To wrap up this 14-day Europe itinerary, take a train to Brussels and spend at least 2 days in the city.

If you prefer, you can skip Brussels and visit a smaller town in France instead. In the post “6 Must-Visit Cities in France”, you’ll find some great ideas!

Option 3 – Italy – 14-day Europe itinerary

To round out my list of 14-day Europe itinerary ideas, I couldn’t leave out Italy! But 14 days just for Italy? That’s right, and even then, it won’t feel like enough! Trust me!

Let’s assume your flight arrives and departs from Rome, and that you'll rent a car to get around (though it’s also totally possible to do this route by train or bus).

Start by spending 3 days in Rome, one of those days should be dedicated to visiting the Vatican. From Rome, you’ll have two choices: head north or south. I highly recommend going south to explore the Amalfi Coast.

You could plan to spend a day in Naples or Capri, or go straight to Sorrento. Reserve at least 2 days to explore the small towns along the Amalfi Coast.

If you prefer to head straight north, that’s totally fine too, there’s no right or wrong. To explore the Tuscany region, set aside 4 to 6 days, with 2 days dedicated to Florence and the remaining 4 to visit small towns in the area, like Siena, San Gimignano, and Arezzo.

From Florence, you’ll have three options: head to Milan, Venice, or Cinque Terre. If you go to Venice and have time, don’t miss the Dolomites, a stunning mountain range in the Alps.

See how many amazing things there are to do in Italy? 

You’d need at least four 14-day Europe itineraries just to truly experience the country!

Which 14-day Europe itinerary did you like the most?  I know, it’s hard to choose! If you have any questions, drop them in the comments below, I’d love to help! And if you have any cool tips, feel free to share them too! Oh, and don’t forget to follow me on social media. =)

Kisses and see you on the next adventure!