Like most of us in the world, we can only stay in Europe (Schengen Zone) for a maximum of 3 months (90 days) in a 6-month period. So, who wouldn't want to make the best out of their limited time when visiting Europe, right?
Today, I have the ultimate travel guide and a complete 3-month itinerary for traveling and backpacking through Europe, including spending most of the time in Spain, France, Switzerland, Germany, and Poland, with a few brief visits to the Baltic States such as Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, as well as the Nordic countries like Finland, Sweden, and Denmark, before ending your trip in the Netherlands.
It's everything you will ever need to travel through Europe for three months. Without further ado, let's begin with the basic information on traveling in Europe.
- 3 Months Europe Itinerary Map
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3 Months Europe Itinerary
- Madrid, Spain
- Seville, Spain
- Granada, Spain
- Barcelona, Spain
- Avignon, France
- Bordeaux, France
- Rennes, France
- Paris, France
- Chamonix, France
- Lyon, France
- Zermatt, Switzerland
- Lucerne, Switzerland
- Zurich, Switzerland
- Stuttgart, Germany
- Munich, Germany
- Nuremberg, Germany
- Cologne, Germany
- Hamburg, Germany
- Berlin, Germany
- Leipzig, Germany
- Dresden, Germany
- Wroclaw, Poland
- Poznan, Poland
- Torun, Poland
- Gdansk, Poland
- Malbork, Poland
- Warsaw, Poland
- Krakow, Poland
- Zakopane, Poland
- Back to Krakow, Poland
- Vilnius, Lithuania
- Riga, Latvia
- Tallinn, Estonia
- Helsinki, Finland
- Stockholm, Sweden
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Europe Travel Videos
- When to Visit Europe?
- How to Get to Europe?
- How to Get Around Europe?
- How Much Money Do I Need For 3 Months in Europe ?
- Which tourist SIM card is best for Europe?
- What to Pack for Europe?
- Further Reading for Europe
3 Months Europe Itinerary Map
3 Months Europe Itinerary
Day 1 - 2: Madrid, Spain (2 Nights)
Madrid is a great city to immerse yourself in Spanish culture, and there is no better way to do so than by going on a free walking tour on your first day in Europe.
MADRide provides a free walking tour every day at the famous meeting point, Puerta del Sol Square, and the guide will take you to cool places like the Royal Palace of Madrid, Catedral de la Almudena, and Plaza Mayor while explaining the stories behind these places.
Madrid is also home to the oldest restaurant in the world, the Sobrino de Botín restaurant, a Castilian-style restaurant that has been operating for more than 250 years, so don't miss it. It's a bit pricey, but hey, they've earned it. 😊
- Europe Escape (12 days)
- European Tapestry (14 days)
- Europe Jewel (14 days)
Day 3 - 4: Seville, Spain (2 Nights)
After Madrid, you can take a 6-hour bus ride to Seville, a place full of beautiful medieval architecture such as Plaza de España, Alcázar of Seville, and Cathedral de Sevilla.
Spend the next full day and walk to Plaza España in the morning, cool down at Maria Luisa Park, and make your way back through Alcázar of Seville and its beautiful gardens inside, and the Catedral de Sevilla, a giant Gothic-style church, the third largest in the world.
In the evening, go for a walk along the river and head over to Tirana to have a nice, delicious dinner at the Las Golondrinas 2 tapas bar.
Day 5 - 7: Granada, Spain (3 Nights)
From Seville, it's only a 3-hour bus ride away until you arrive in Granada. There are several notable things you can do in Granada, such as hiking, visiting the Alhambra, and eating delicious tapas.
Before arriving in Granada, make sure to book a time slot and a ticket to Alhambra online in advance, as they limit the number of people who can visit this beautiful fortress, and it would be a shame if you missed it.
You can spend at least half a day inside, exploring all the intricate details of the architecture and gardens within the fortress wall.
There is also a free cave walking tour that starts at Plaza Nueva in the afternoon and will take you all the way up to the Sacromonte viewpoint (the best sunset spot in the city) and down to the caves behind the hill, dug up by the locals to shelter themselves.
The story behind the origin of these caves is quite interesting, and I highly recommend that you learn about it from the tour guide.
On your second day, take a local bus to Monachil and go on a waterfall hike (Los Cahorros de Monachil) through the mountains and caves of Granada. You will hike to a few waterfalls and across suspension bridges, which are fun and easy micro-adventures you can do from Granada.
Day 8 - 10: Barcelona, Spain (3 Nights)
After Granada, we travel to the capital city of Catalonia, Barcelona, home to many beautiful, alien-looking Gaudí architectures like the forever-under-construction La Sagrada Familia, Gaudí's House Museum, and all of his creations around the city.
Park Güell is a great place to start your day with a hike to the top of the hill to see Barcelona from above. This is also where the iconic Gaudí's House Museum is located.
The Gothic Quarter is also a must-visit when you are in Barcelona. Make sure to check out the Cathedral of Barcelona, its beautiful Roman-era buildings, and all the antique narrow streets in the area.
Photos by Mike McBey
The next day, you can go on a day trip and visit the Montserrat Monastery, which is located at the top of a rocky mountain. It is only 1.5 hours away from Barcelona by train.
Day 11 - 14: Avignon, France (3 - 4 Nights)
I low-key love traveling in Avignon. It is a stunning city full of antiquity, medieval castles, and old towns to explore. The most stunning one of all is the Palais des Papes fortress located in the heart of the city.
They also have an impressive light show that explains the history of Avignon, which you can attend on a summer night.
You can also go on a day trip and explore the surrounding towns like Arles, home to the famous Arles Amphitheatre; go on a hike at the Fontaine de Vaucluse; or shop at the L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Sunday market.
Day 15 - 16: Bordeaux, France (2 Nights)
One of my favorite pieces of architecture in France is the Miroir des Quais and the Place de la Bourse in Bordeaux. The Miroir des Quais is the largest water mirror in the world and is located right by the 18th-century Place de la Bourse.
With the thin layer of water from the Miroir des Quais and the beautiful architecture that it reflects, this place is one of the most photogenic locations in the city.
The Miroir des Quais is best seen both in the morning when the light isn't too strong and at night when the sky turns purple, and the artificial lights of the city illuminate the streets and its reflection.
Right near the Place de la Bourse is the 18th-century Pont de Pierre stone bridge that connects the left bank of the Garonne River to the right bank Quartier de la Bastide, which is also worth visiting.
Other places worth checking out are the Great Bell of Bordeaux, Rue Sainte Catherine, and the vintage market at Basilique Saint-Michel.
Day 17 - 18: Rennes (Mont Saint Michel), France (2 Nights)
The only reason I included Rennes in this itinerary is because it serves as an affordable base for a day trip to Mont Saint Michel, as opposed to staying nearby, which can be quite expensive.
From Rennes, you can take the 9:45 AM train to Mont Saint Michel and catch the return train at 2:45 PM, giving you four hours to spend at Mont Saint Michel.
Mont Saint Michel is quite a sight to behold. It is a fortified island located in Normandy with over 60 buildings in the commune. Its fairy-tale-like architecture, unique location, and the constructed commune inside make walking around it feel like being in a fantasy novel or something.
One tip for visiting Mont Saint Michel is that if you can plan ahead, align your trip during the high-tide period when the water will cover most of the muddy area around the island, creating a beautiful reflection of Mont Saint Michel, making it even more magical.
Where to Stay in Rennes?
Day 19 - 22: Paris, France (4 Nights)
Ah... Paris, the crown jewel of France. No matter what people say about Paris, I still love the city a lot. But maybe it's because I didn't care too much about doing all the touristy stuff in the city.
There are the usual places to visit, such as the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre. Even though there will be a lot of tourists in these places, there are ways to avoid the crowds and enjoy them in unique ways.
First, if you want to get a nice view of Paris, do not go up the Eiffel Tower. Go up the Arc de Triomphe instead. It's less crowded, there's no need to line up, and best of all, you get a view of Paris and the Eiffel Tower from there.
There are other secrets too, such as visiting the Louvre on a Tuesday (when it's closed), so you can have the whole place to yourself if you don't mind not seeing the Mona Lisa. You can also go down a dark path and explore the Catacombs of Paris.
You can also spend another day café-hopping, as there are countless cafés, bookstores, and parks that are super unique and devoid of tourists like the Le Pure Cafe, Strada Cafe, Honor Cafe, San Francisco Book Co., and the Coulee Verte Rene Dumont park.
Day 23 - 25: Chamonix, France (3 Nights)
After visiting so many cities in France, I'm sure you're already itching for an adventure, so let's go and explore the French Alps.
Chamonix is a beautiful mountain town located in the French Alps area, near the famous Mont Blanc and other beautiful peaks that we can explore on a hiking trail. It's only 6 hours away by train from Paris and 13 hours away by bus.
Since we will have two full days here, I would recommend that you go and hike a combination of the Grand Balcon Sud trail and the Lac Blanc trail, which should take you around 8-12 hours to complete.
This trail is breathtaking in every way, with the view of Mont Blanc and the surrounding mountain range paralleling throughout the trail. At the end, you are rewarded with a beautiful Lac Blanc (white lake) reflecting all the peaks you just hiked past.
The next day, you can go up by cable car to the top of Aiguille du Midi. The view from up there is mind-blowing and totally different from what you saw the day before. In fact, you can even see the entire trail you did the previous day from up here.
Day 26 - 28: Lyon, France (3 Nights)
From Chamonix, you can take the train to Lyon and spend a few days exploring this beautiful alternative city in France. Lyon is home to many creative sectors, and it shows in the things you can do here.
You can spend the first day exploring all the historical buildings of Lyon, starting with a climb up the Fourvière hill and visiting the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière.
Be sure to also explore the Ancient Theatre behind the basilica, the Old Lyon district (Vieux Lyon), and the super fun Musée Miniature et Cinéma.
Day 29 - 31: Zermatt, Switzerland (3 Nights)
Now we come to Switzerland, crowned as the most beautiful country in the world, so much so that everyone is trying to replicate its reputation and become the "Switzerland of Southeast Asia" or the "Switzerland of South America", etc.
We start off with the big one: a visit to the iconic Matterhorn peak in Zermatt. From Lyon, you can take a train to Geneva and from there to Lisp, and then to Zermatt in 7 hours, costing around 130 USD. Buses might be slightly cheaper, but the journey takes 9 hours and can be quite hectic due to frequent bus changes.
For Zermatt, I would recommend that you go on another one-day epic hike that will take you to Hörnli Hut, the highest point you can reach without mountaineering gear via trails #27 and #28, and hike down via the glacier trail (trail #26) and trail #25. That way, you will get to experience the Matterhorn as closely as possible.
This hike will take you an entire day (10 hours), so prepare accordingly. After that kind of hike, you will need another day to rest, which makes it a good time to explore Zermatt itself.
Day 32 - 33: Lucerne, Switzerland (2 Nights)
Lucerne is one of the few places I visited as a kid that I fondly remember. Places like the Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) and its fiery history, the unique location of the Lion Monument, and the history of the Museggmauer, Lucerne’s Old Town, somehow ignite my memory of my time there when I was young. It's a great place to visit for a day before moving on to Zurich.
Day 34 - 35: Zurich, Switzerland (2 Nights)
Zurich, which is both beautiful and expensive, is the largest city in Switzerland. Places like the Altstadt (The Old Town) are great places to get a glimpse of what Zurich was like in medieval times.
Across the Limmat River, there is a historic site called Lindenhof, an elevated platform where a Roman castle once stood. It is surely a place of great historical significance, but it also serves as a great viewpoint for us tourists to see Zurich, the Limmat, and the cathedral from above.
You can also go on a boat and explore Zurich via the Limmat river, which is a great way to have a different perspective on a city like Zurich. You can find more information about the schedule of the Limmat cruise here.
Day 36 - 37: Stuttgart, Germany (2 Nights)
Coming from Zurich, you can take a 3-hour bus ride to Stuttgart, which should cost you no more than 11 EUR. Stuttgart is a city not many people talk about in travel guides, but I had the chance to stay there for a week with a local and was able to see some of the unique creative sides of the city that I didn't see anywhere else in Germany.
The first place you should visit in Stuttgart is the Schlossplatz, one of the largest and most impressive squares in the city. Around the area, you will find several historical buildings, restaurants, and cafes where you can indulge yourself.
If you are looking for a nice lookout point, make sure that you make it all the way up to Stuttgart TV Tower (Fernsehturm Stuttgart) or the Killesberg Tower, where you will be able to capture a panoramic view of Stuttgart from above.
Looking to buy something? Be sure to drop by the Markthalle (market hall) or walk along the Königstraße (King Street), a shopping street where you can buy all sorts of snacks or souvenirs for people back home.
Day 38 - 40: Munich, Germany (3 Nights)
Munich is the capital city of Bavaria, home to centuries-old buildings and its unique Bavarian heritage, from which the clichéd culture portrayed in movies originates.
Most of the cool places to visit are concentrated in the Marienplatz area, so spend a day exploring that district. Go up the St. Peter's Church to get a nice view of Munich from above or visit the Nymphenburg Palace for half a day.
After thoroughly exploring Munich, you can spend another day visiting Neuschwanstein Castle, which is located just an hour away from Munich.
Day 41 - 42: Nuremberg, Germany (2 Nights)
From Munich, you can take a bus to Nuremberg, a place where you can experience German history up close. The Imperial Castle is the highlight of Nuremberg and a must-visit when you are there.
The castle was built hundreds of years ago, and the surrounding area is concentrated with historical buildings, some of which have been converted into museums, where you can learn about Germany's medieval history.
Be sure to go up the Sinwell Tower so that you can get a 360° panoramic view of Nuremberg from above.
Day 43 - 44: Cologne, Germany (2 Nights)
Cologne, located on the Rhine River, is a cultural capital. Home to one of the oldest universities in Germany, Cologne is considered a university city. This designation brings forth a lively vibe typically found in creative and young populations.
One of the most famous landmarks that defines the city is the giant Cologne Cathedral. Despite its size and interior, you can also climb up to the top of one of the towers and get a 360° view of the city from above.
I'm not a big fan of Cologne too much (because I got my bag stolen there), but I have to give credit to the beauty of the cathedral. Don't make the same mistake as I did, though, and you will enjoy Cologne more than I did. 😅
Day 45 - 46: Hamburg, Germany (2 Nights)
Hamburg is a city located by the River Elbe and is home to the second-largest port in Europe, making it the best place to visit the Warehouse District (Speicherstadt) located there.
Speicherstadt stretches over 1.6 km alongside a canal, and with its unique red-brick buildings crisscrossing the canals, it makes the area a perfect place to walk around and admire the architecture.
There are also places like the Miniatur Wunderland museum, the Hamburg Rathaus City Hall, and the Elbtunnel (an old underground tunnel) that are worth visiting when you are there.
Day 47 - 50: Berlin, Germany (4 Nights)
Oh Berlin, if only I could stay there forever, but we can't, as we only have 90 days here, so let's make the best out of it. Four nights in Berlin will allow you to see most of the awesome places like the East Side Gallery, Checkpoint Charlie, Brandenburg Gate, and the Berlin Cathedral.
If you are interested in learning about Germany and its dark past, I highly recommend you visit The Topography of Terror museum and DDR museum. These museums will give you a detailed look into Germany during the Nazi regime and the Soviet occupation that followed, respectively.
If you are looking to go out at night, check out Urban Spree and align your visit with their event schedule for a nice night out. Located by the Spree river, this artistic space is dedicated to urban cultures through exhibitions, art, DIY workshops, and concerts.
Day 51 - 52: Leipzig, Germany (2 Nights)
Leipzig is one of the lesser-known cities that usually flies under the radar for most tourists, but the city offers many unique experiences for travelers who seek to get away from the usual tourist traps and see Germany from a different perspective.
First, you should visit the Monument to the Battle of the Nations (Völkerschlachtdenkmal), a monument commemorating Napoleon's defeat at Leipzig, which was a crucial step towards the end of the war. The monument is one of the highest of its kind in Europe.
You can spend the rest of the day exploring the Altes Rathaus area, a historic old town of Leipzig, where you will be able to find interesting architecture and monuments along the walking path.
If you want a nice panoramic view of the city, head over to Panorama Tower near the old town. Pay 3 EUR, and you will be able to access its rooftop platform and get a nice photo of Leipzig from above.
Day 53 - 55: Dresden, Germany (3 Nights)
Dresden has just the right amount of interesting culture, architecture, and nature to make me rank it among the top 3 cities in Germany, second only to Berlin.
Spend your first day visiting the old town area, where you can find Baroque architecture ranging from the beautiful Gate of Georgenbau to the stunning Dresden Cathedral, all located within walking distance of each other.
The second day, go on a hike to the Bastei bridge in Saxony Switzerland National Park. It's a fun nature hike that will allow you to see Germany in a different light. It's the type of place that you wouldn't expect to see in the hyper-modernized cities of Germany.
Day 56 - 57: Wroclaw, Poland (2 Nights)
Only 3 hours' drive away, there is Wrocław, a fun city in Poland with plenty of things to do, ranging from hunting down the gnomes in the market square to learning about the Battle of Raclawice through a panoramic painting.
The Market Square around Wroclaw Town Hall is the main square where all the stunning Gothic-style architecture and colorful buildings are. However, my favorite area is Ostrów Tumski, a quiet old district marked by the beautiful Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. The peaceful vibe of the area drew me in right away, and I highly recommend staying here for as long as you can.
Day 58 - 59: Poznan, Poland (2 Nights)
Poznan makes a great stop between Wroclaw and Torun. The city has quite a few things to offer, from the most colorful old square to the reddish-pink colored Catholic church, Fara Poznanska.
Spend a day walking around the square and check out the Poznan Town Hall and its colorful construction houses of Poznan (Domki Budnicze). Other than that, there's not much else to do other than to slow down a bit and treat yourself, as we have already been traveling through four countries, and you will appreciate how cheap it is in Poland compared to other places we have visited.
Day 60 - 61: Torun, Poland (2 Nights)
Toruń, one of my favorite cities in Poland, has that fairy-tale vibe that you don't get in many cities.
With its medieval architecture, baroque-style church, and history involving knighthood, walking around Torun was like walking through one of The Witcher novels written by the Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski.
While in Torun, be sure to visit Cathedral Basilica of St. John, the leaning tower of Torun, and if you want to learn about the Teutonic Knights, be sure to drop by the District Museum.
If you are visiting the District Museum, you can also pay a bit more to have access to the tower where you will be able to see Torun from above, which is simply breathtaking.
Day 62 - 63: Gdansk, Poland (2 Nights)
Gdansk is one of the most important ports in Poland, and it is the location where the first World War 2 crashes occurred during the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany.
Gdansk is also famous for its colorful architecture around its Long Market district, which is now home to Accidental-Wes-Anderson-style houses and shops.
If you want to learn about the Polish experience during World War II, visit Westerplatte, an open-air museum dedicated to the Battle of Westerplatte. This battle was the first clash between Polish and German forces during the invasion of Poland and, therefore, the initial battle of World War II in Europe.
Day 64: Malbork, Poland (Half-Day)
From Gdansk, you can take a train directly to Malbork in the early morning and spend half a day there. Malbork and its castle are one of the most majestic places you will see in Poland.
This Gothic fortress is the largest in the world by land area, and there is no place quite like it. The beautiful red brick fortress, located by the river Nogat, is a wonderful piece of history built during the Teutonic Knight era in the 13th century.
Within the castle, there are several buildings you can enter and discover on your own. Places such as the old Church of St. Mary, the tower, and the Great Refectory should not be missed.
Be sure to walk across the river and see the castle from the other side. It is best seen during the evening when the sun is about to set, and the water in the river is calm and still.
Day 64 - 66: Warsaw, Poland (3 Nights)
Warsaw, the capital city of Poland, is one of the country's most vibrant cities, and you will spend two full days here.
The Old Town Square is the landmark of the city with a spacious walking area, towers, colorful traditional architecture, and churches all connected through roads leading to the Old Town marketplace. While there, be sure to check out Sigismund's Column, the Royal Castle, and St. John's Archcathedral.
Be sure to go up the Taras Widokowy tower for a fee, and you will have a 360-degree view of the city. The best time to go up is right before the sun sets.
For the second day, we will take it a little slower and take a bus heading towards Wilanow from the Old Square and get off at the end of the line where the Wilanow Palace is located.
After spending a few hours at the Palace, on your way back to the city center, be sure to visit Łazienki Park, the Palace on the Isle, and the Uprising Museum.
Day 67 - 69: Krakow, Poland (4 Nights)
Krakow is where I based myself when I was living in Poland for 3 months, and it is, by far, the best place to travel to as a traveler. The city offers a perfect balance between the medieval vibe of the city center, the chilled atmosphere of Kazimierz (the Jewish quarter), and the numerous day trips you can take.
Spend your first day in the city center and check out the stunning interior of the St. Mary's Basilica and all the attractions surrounding the square, such as the Town Hall Tower and Krakow Barbican. Then, walk a little further south to Wawel Castle.
Kazimierz (the Jewish Quarter) is a great place to end your first day in Krakow. You can enjoy delicious street food like Zapiekanka (a must-try) and have a nice glass of wine while listening to live Jewish music.
The next two days, you can make day trips to Auschwitz and the Wieliczka Salt Mine, respectively, to learn more about the history of Krakow. Be sure to book these tickets in advance, especially during the peak season.
Day 70 - 72: Zakopane, Poland (3 Nights)
Zakopane is a town located under the shadow of the Tatra Mountain range, on the border of Poland and Slovakia. This makes it a great place to go hiking, cozy up in a mountain hut, and enjoy a nice glass of mulled wine with delicious smoked cheese with jam (oscypek).
Photos by Aneta Pawska.
You can spend one full day hiking the Morskie Oko trail, which should take you around 5-6 hours in total, and you will have a grand view of the Morskie Oko lake. Start early in the morning (no later than 8 AM) to avoid crowds and make your way to the Kościuszki bus station. Take the bus to Palenica Białczańska and walk up to the lake along an 8 km road, and walk back the same way.
The next day, you can go up the cable car to the Kasprowy Wierch, where you will be able to see the mountain range from the top. Make sure to check the weather and book the ticket from their website before arriving to avoid disappointment and long lines.
Day 73: Back to Krakow, Poland (1 Night)
From Zakopane, you can take a bus back to Krakow and spend one night before starting early to reach the Baltic state of Lithuania. To get to Vilnius, you will need to take a train to Bialystok via Warsaw, and from there, you can catch a bus to Vilnius in a single day. Make sure to check the train and bus schedules, book them in advance, and start early.
Day 74 - 75: Vilnius, Lithuania (2 Nights)
Vilnius is unlike most European cities, with its tourist attractions scattered all over instead of being concentrated around the main square. This allows us to explore the city on foot and see the city and how the people live firsthand.
Vilnius has quite a lot to offer, and places like the Gediminas Castle, St. Peter and St. Paul's Church, Vilnius Cathedral, and the independent republic of Užupis are great places to get a feel for Vilnius and its people.
After spending half a day exploring the city center, spend another half exploring Trakai: a beautiful castle located on an island and learn about the medieval history of Lithuania and how Trakai came to be.
Day 76 - 78: Riga, Latvia (3 Nights)
Riga, a stunning medieval capital city of Latvia, is our next destination as we make our way across the Baltic countries. The city is easily navigable and quite rewarding to explore on foot.
The most notable landmarks in the city are the Riga Cathedral, which is a good place to begin your journey. From there, you can branch out to the Freedom Square, St. Peter's Church (make sure to go up the tower), House of the Blackheads, and the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia.
Don't forget to walk along the Akmens Tilts stone bridge and see the city from the opposite side of the Daugava River. It's quite a sight to see.
For the second day, Cesis makes a great day trip from the capital, which is only a 2-hour bus ride away. Cesis is a beautiful old town known for its medieval castle, featuring wall paintings, dungeons, towers, a romantic castle park, and the old crumbling Lutheran church of Saint John the Baptist. It is a great place to learn a little bit about Latvia during medieval times.
Day 79 - 80: Tallinn, Estonia (2 Nights)
Tallinn is one of the most fairy-tale-like medieval cities in all of the Baltic States. Every tourist attraction is located in the center, so the city can easily be explored on foot in a day.
The most popular place to visit in Tallinn is the Old Town Square, where you will find several beautiful architectural structures, such as the Tallinn Town Hall, surrounding the area.
St. Nicholas Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Toompea Castle, and St Mary's Cathedral are definitely worth seeing, but my favorite place has to be the Kohtuotsa and Patkuli viewing platforms.
Why is it my favorite place? From both of these viewpoints, I can see Tallinn from two different perspectives: towards the sea and into the heart of the city, respectively.
Day 81 - 82: Helsinki, Finland (2 Nights)
From Tallinn, you will have to take a ferry across the ocean to Helsinki, which should take you around 2 hours and cost around 15 EUR. You can book your ferry from Direct Ferries.
Helsinki, a modern Scandinavian city situated alongside the Baltic Bay and the capital city of Finland, is one of those cities about which you don't often hear people rave. However, the place has quite a unique feel to it that you have to see for yourself.
The Helsinki Cathedral is one of the most iconic landmarks in the city and it is easily walkable from the city center. The same goes for other famous tourist attractions like Uspenski Cathedral and the stunning architecture of Helsinki Central Station.
For a half-day trip, you can visit the 18th Century Sea Fortress of Suomenlinna, where you can hike around the island and explore all the attractions. The best route to walk is the Blue Route. I would recommend following the main "Blue Route", which should take you to all the main sites such as the King's Gate and the Kustaanmiekka artillery.
Day 83 - 86: Stockholm, Sweden (4 Nights)
I cannot express how much I love Stockholm. You will need at least three full days to explore this vibrant city and its rich Viking culture. From Helsinki, you will have to take an overnight ferry via Viking Line, which departs from Helsinki at 5:30 PM and arrives in Stockholm at 10:00 AM. The ferry with a cabin costs around 88 EUR, and the cabin is mandatory for an overnight trip.
Be sure to drop by Stockholm City Hall, Gamla Stan (The Old Town), and be at the Royal Palace around 12:15 PM to witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
There are several charming corners of Stockholm that you will like as well, such as the Stortorget Square, all the alleyways leading up to the German Church, and the Drottninggatan Street.
If you are there on a rainy/snowy day, use it to your advantage and visit all the cool museums in Stockholm. Two museums I would recommend you visit are the Vasa Museum, where the giant renovated Viking ship is located, to learn about the Vasa ship, and the Nordic Museum to learn about Nordic history in extreme detail.
If you have one more day in Stockholm, I would recommend that you go on a day trip and visit the beautiful Gripsholm Castle near a small town called Mariefred, only 1.5 hours away from Stockholm.
Day 87 - 88: Copenhagen, Denmark (2 Nights)
There is a Danish word "Hygge" (pronounced hooga), which means "to create a warm atmosphere and enjoy the good things in life with good people", and that is something you will experience in Copenhagen.
Most of the colorful houses that you often see in pictures of Copenhagen are located at the Nyhavn waterfront area. This is a must-visit, but there are tons more things to do and see in Copenhagen, other than visiting the Nyhavn waterfront.
For one, places like Frederik's Church, Amalienborg, and the Rosenborg Castle will keep you occupied for hours on end. Not to mention the King's Garden and Strøget street, where you can spend more hours walking around, exploring, and shopping until you drop.
If you are into cafes as much as I am, there are plenty of cafes in Copenhagen that truly master the art of Hygge, like The Living Room Cafe and The Bastard Cafe waiting for you to experience.
Day 89 - 91: Amsterdam, The Netherlands (3 Nights)
After traveling for more than 80 days across more than 10 countries, you must be tired, and there is no better place to end such an epic trip than in Amsterdam. You can spend your day on a bike, cycling around Amsterdam's canals, or hop on a boat and cruise the canals instead.
If it's raining outside, make it a museum day and visit the Rijksmuseum to learn more about the history of the Dutch people. If you are into art, the Van Gogh Museum is a must-visit.
Or, you can simply relax, go for a walk around the Vondelpark and enjoy the fact that you have just traveled across 10+ countries in 3 months and seen more than anyone could ask for on such a trip. Kudos!
P.S. If you add up all the nights, you will realize that you will have a few days left out of the 90 days. These are buffer days in case something doesn't go as planned, or you might enjoy some places a little more than others, so you can always add/remove a few nights and customize the 3-month itinerary for Europe to your liking.
Europe Travel Videos
More Europe travel videos: Spain, France, Switzerland, Germany, the Baltic States, and the Nordic Countries.
When to Visit Europe?
Europe is extremely crowded wherever you go in the summer, so I would recommend visiting from April to May (spring) and September to October (autumn) instead.
During these periods, you will get the best of both worlds: fewer tourists, cheaper prices for accommodations, good average temperatures, and nature's colors in full swing. Plus, outdoor activities that you can attend in cities like Berlin are still happening during these months, so it will be fun nonetheless.
How to Get to Europe?
The good thing about traveling in a well-traveled area, like Europe, is that there are plenty of cheap flights from which you can choose.
Ideally, with this particular itinerary, I would recommend that you fly into Madrid, Spain, and fly out from Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Both airports have plenty of flights going in and out every day. For example, Iberia Airlines offers flights from the US to Spain, and KLM is a good option for flying out from Amsterdam.
To find the cheapest flight to Europe, make sure to browse through Skyscanner or Expedia so that you can get the cheapest flight from your home country to Spain.
How to Get Around Europe?
Europe is massive, and since this itinerary covers over 10 countries, a well-planned route and mode of transportation are essential, especially with the 90-day limit on our tourist visa. Here are a few ways you can get around Europe.
Low-Cost Airlines, like RyanAir, are a great option if you want to significantly shorten your travel time and travel far; however, they can be expensive. In this itinerary, you will likely be traveling nearby and making your way slowly around the continent, so you won't be flying.
Buses are one of the best and cheapest ways to travel around Europe. Most of the locations covered in this itinerary can be reached by bus (except Zermatt where you will have to take the train). Flixbus is a great option with affordable prices and a good network of buses that connect most of the places I listed here.
European trains are also a good option if you want to travel quickly, but they can become expensive very quickly. Therefore, I would recommend using them only when there is no bus available on the desired travel day.
The Eurail Global Pass is recommended if you plan to travel by train frequently. The Eurail pass provides unlimited train travel on the national rail networks of over 31 participating countries for a specified period of time. You are eligible to obtain one as long as you do not hold European residency and purchase it prior to your arrival in Europe. Additionally, if you are 27 or younger, you are also eligible for a 23% discount.
For more information about the Eurail Pass: How to Use a Eurail Pass - A Guide to European Rail Passes.
If you want to save even more money, you can go with Blablacar, a carpooling service popular in countries such as Spain, France, and Poland.
How Much Money Do I Need For 3 Months in Europe (Total Budget)?
Since we will be traveling all over Europe across 12 countries, we can estimate the cost of this entire itinerary by how long we spend in each place as follows:
| 🇪🇸 Spain (10 days): | 650 USD (65 USD/Day) |
| 🇫🇷 France (18 days): | 1260 USD (70 USD/Day) |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland (7 days): | 700 USD (100 USD/Day) |
| 🇩🇪 Germany (12 days): | 840 USD (70 USD/Day) |
| 🇵🇱 Poland (18 days): | 1170 USD (65 USD/Day) |
| 🇱🇹 Lithuania (2 days): | 100 USD (50 USD/Day) |
| 🇱🇻 Latvia (3 days): | 165 USD (55 USD/Day) |
| 🇪🇪 Estonia (2 days): | 150 USD (75 USD/Day) |
| 🇫🇮 Finland (2 days): | 200 USD (100 USD/Day) |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden (3 days): | 300 USD (100 USD/Day) |
| 🇩🇰 Denmark (2 days): | 200 USD (100 USD/Day) |
| 🇳🇱 The Netherlands (3 days): | 210 USD (70 USD/Day) |
Total Budget for 3 months in Europe (82 days): 5,945 USD
Keep in mind that this is a bare minimum rough estimate of the total budget for spending 3 months in Europe, including cheap accommodation, transportation, and meals. You can easily save or spend more by adapting this itinerary to your liking and using this budget as a guideline only.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Europe?
Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Europe without having to switch out your physical SIM card.
Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Europe:
Given the new data roaming surcharge ban that went into effect in 2017, we can now have one local SIM card bought in the EU and use it in most places in Europe without having to buy a new SIM card for every country we visit, making our connected lives so much easier.
In theory, you can buy a SIM card from Spain and access data throughout your trip at the same domestic rate, no matter where you are. However, there are some countries, such as Poland and the Nordic countries, that have not yet complied with the change.
Thankfully, Wi-Fi is plentiful in these countries, so you will have no trouble getting online while on the road, even without roaming SIM cards.
One thing to note when buying a local SIM card is to make sure that it actually allows you to roam with your data. Go to a proper phone carrier shop, have them activate the roaming data, and they should provide you with all the information you might need to stay connected while traveling for 3 months.
For more information on the European Union SIM card: European Union Prepaid Data SIM Card.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
What to Pack for Europe?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Europe:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Down Jacket: In freezing temperatures, a down jacket is essential. The Columbia Men's Lone Fir Hooded Jacket (for women) is my choice. They are warm, lightweight, and available in various colors.
- Wool Beanie: A wool beanie is perfect for keeping your head and ears warm.
- Wool Gloves: I always have wool gloves handy to keep my hands warm in cold weather.
- Wool Socks: Don't forget to keep your feet warm with wool socks.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Europe
I hope you found this Europe travel guide useful. If you want to read more about Europe, I have a ton of additional articles you might like:
- Spain is a great place to start your European journey. If you are looking for a complete travel guide and itinerary for Spain, check out our 10-day itinerary for Spain.
- France is a big country that requires great planning if you wish to maximize the things you see with limited time. Here's a complete itinerary and a travel guide for spending 2 weeks in France.
- Switzerland may be expensive, but hiking is free and camping is often cheap. Check out my Switzerland travel guide page for complete travel and hiking guides in Switzerland.
- Germany is not all about beers and Schuhplattler dance. It is so much more than Bavaria, and you will need a good travel guide to see Germany in its true self. Check out my 2 - 3 weeks backpacking itinerary for Germany here.
- Poland has it all: beautiful architecture, a cheap cost of travel, and a wealth of important European history for you to learn about. Visit my 2-week backpacking itinerary for Poland for more information.
- The Baltic Countries are often forgotten when it comes to traveling in Europe, but that makes it even better to visit. There are more untouched places waiting to be explored, considerably fewer tourists, and they remain cheap. If you are heading north, be sure to check out my one-week itinerary for the Baltic Countries.
- There is a ton more to do in Northern Europe, all can be done in a week such as 9 Best Things To Do In Helsinki, 3 days exploring Stockholm, and 10 Best Things to Do in Copenhagen.
- Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
- Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
- Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
15 Comments
hey, i'm planing on doing this for my gap year from Australia. i was just wondering if you ever caught a plane while doing this trip.
Thanks
This is so inspirational! I want to take time off between work and grad school and just travel. Did you do this alone? I am kind of afraid of doing everything by myself. Would love your thoughts. Awesome job!
Hey Adam,
No, all of them can be reached via land transportation either by trains or Flixbus. :)
Hey Erika,
Yup, I went to all these places alone, although I do have friends in many of the cities I visited but 80% of the time, I was alone. Europe is pretty easy to travel around solo. Only thing to be careful is to watch out for your belongings at all time. While at a train station, crowded areas, when walking in and out of crowded places. Pickpockets and thieves often congregates in crowded area like a train station and they will often pick out easy target. Make it as hard for them to steal your stuff and they won't bother you.
If you are interested to read more about this, I wrote about how I got my bag stolen in Cologne so feel free to check that out: https://www.bucketlistly.blog/posts/bag-stolen-germany-cologne
I hope this helps!
Great blog - thank you - How much did everything cost A-Z?
Hey Greg, I can't say for sure as I did the trip separately but approximately, you can calculate it by looking under the Daily Budget section where you can find how much you will likely be spending per day on this trip and then you can come up with your budget. It's hard to derive a specific number as the cost of places in the itinerary vary so much. Western Europe is expensive, Northern Europe is SUPER expensive, Southern Europe is moderate, and Eastern Europe is very cheap.
I hope this helps a little. I'm sorry I cant provide you with a fixed number for this itinerary.
About how much should I save for this?
Hey Ki'Ara,
It's a little complicated as the itinerary covers cheap places like Easter Europe all the way to really pricey places like Scandinavia so finding a range that works will be difficult and not entirely accurate. That said, I would imagine budgeting about 55 - 80 USD per day minimum is a good ballpark for you to start planning. This price should include hostels, cheap food, and buses. etc. Keep in mind that you won't be traveling every day so you may have some left for one day, and use more for the other. It all depends on what you want to see.
I hope this helps. I'm sorry I can't provide you with a specific number. It's not so easy for a huge itinerary like this.
Hey so if we sum it up than what is total cost we are looking to spend for these three months in dollars,bi am planning for exactly 3 months trip to Europe and your itinerary just motivated me to take a step ahead for it, thanks man it is really a great help. JUST LET ME KNOW THE TOTAL COST.
Unfortunately, it is hard to calculate the total cost as it will depend entirely on what you eat, where you stay, and how you travel. Expect to spend at least 55 - 80 USD per day for this itinerary. You can probably save some more but it's better to overestimate than underestimate when traveling. I hope this helps a little!