Europe is amazing—the culture, the food, the history, the architecture. It’s no wonder that some of the most visited places on Earth are in Europe. But so many travelers don’t go to Europe because they think they need weeks to pull it off. I’m here to tell you that you can have an amazing Europe trip in just 10 days, which usually only requires you to take about one week off work if you do it right.
When my wife and I first started traveling internationally, we didn’t have weeks and weeks of vacation time to blow. We would take these quick trips to Europe using only one week of vacation time. Typically, we’d leave on a Friday night, land on Saturday morning, and stay through the following weekend, coming home on Sunday. So that’s like a 9-night, 10-day trip.
We rarely try to tackle an entire country in 10 days; that’s a disservice to you and the country. Assume you’ll come back and go a little deeper by traveling to specific regions.
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10 days in Northern Italy
First up is what we’ve always called our Northern Italy trip. We caught a cheap flight deal for round-trip tickets to Milan and built an itinerary that goes in a clockwise loop between Milan, Venice, Florence, and the Cinque Terre.
Each stop was connected by short, easy train rides. Fly into the hustle of Milan for a day. The Duomo is unmissable with its spires reaching up like hands in prayer. This city is also the place to see The Last Supper, but make sure you book your tickets in advance.
Next, we caught a train to Venice, and on the way, we learned more about how Parmesan cheese is made. Take a day trip to the vibrant islands of Murano and Burano, and of course, there’s St. Mark’s Basilica.
The key to Venice is letting yourself get lost; it’s part of the charm. Venice is touristy, but there are some amazing spots away from the crowds, and we had no regrets splurging on a gondola ride.
Next, catch a train to the heart of the Renaissance in Florence. This is my wife Ali’s absolute favorite city. Spend time with Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery, marvel at the Uffizi Gallery’s collection, and climb the Duomo for city views that will stay with you forever.
Don’t forget to wander across the river to Oltrarno and, trust me, dine at Cinghiale Bianco; your taste buds will thank you. If you ask politely, the owner may even take you through the kitchen to their speakeasy-style bar next door.
The last stop on this trip is the stunning Cinque Terre. With two days here, you can hike from town to town along the cliffside paths, with each view more breathtaking than the last. Our personal favorite, and where we based ourselves, is Vernazza. This is actually where the Pixar movie Luca is set.
10 Days in Bavaria
Bavaria is a specific region in southern Germany that is very distinct from the rest of the country. Round-trip flights to Munich pave the way for a seamless Bavarian adventure, whisking you from Munich’s historic charm and famed beer halls to the enchanting castles around Füssen and the natural beauty of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Dive into the city’s heritage at Marienplatz, indulge in culinary delights at the Viktualienmarkt, and let the Gothic architecture of the Residenz inspire you. We highly recommend touring the Residenz, and no Munich visit is complete without a frothy beer at a German beer hall.
If you’ve never been to Munich, you should at least check out Hofbräuhaus, but there are so many great beer halls in Munich. Personal favorites of ours are the Augustiner Bräu and Augustiner Klosterwirt.
A wonderful tradition that turns town squares into wintry wonderlands full of festive booths, lights, and the scents of mulled wine and gingerbread is Munich’s Christmas markets. Munich is also only about an hour from the Dachau Concentration Camp, which was among the first Nazi concentration camps and served as a template for many that followed.
Leaving Munich, let’s head to nearby Füssen, a charming Bavarian town known for violin-making. Rugged Neuschwanstein Castle, constructed by King Ludwig II, and Hohenschwangau Castle are only two of the picturesque castles in Schwangau that may be explored from this charming base of operations.
Füssen is also well-situated for a fun road trip through the mountains. We rented a car—well, it turned out to be a diesel minivan—and drove to Oberammergau, home of incredible wood carvings and the Passion Play.
Now we head to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a picturesque Alpine town that once hosted the Winter Olympics. Nestled at the foot of Germany’s highest peak, the Zugspitze, this charming destination offers more than just a postcard-perfect backdrop.
You can take the cable car up to the Zugspitze summit, where breathtaking panoramic views await. If you’re a skier or snowboarder, hit the slopes for a few runs and a mid-mountain beer.
When we were traveling full-time, we actually spent about 10 days in Garmisch over Christmas to relax and enjoy. After you’ve rested up, take an easy train back to Munich, hit one last beer hall, and head home.
10 days in Austria
Austria, where the elegance of Vienna meets the natural beauty of Salzburg with a stop in the fairy-tale town of Hallstatt. You’ll be taken to some of the most breathtaking locations and culturally rich places in Europe on this ten-day tour.
Vienna is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in the world, and it was also the first international city that we brought our daughter to.
One interesting fact that many people miss or don’t know about is that Vienna is also only a short train ride from Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. It’s an easy day trip to visit a charming city with a historic castle, a lovely Old Town, and a cool bridge that looks unique.
Proceed to Hallstatt, a picturesque hamlet tucked away between a lake and tall mountains. Explore the salt mines for a day and ride the funicular to the Skywalk for breathtaking views.
Salzburg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that feels like stepping back in time. Salzburg is also home to a notable beer hall, Augustiner Bräu, which has been operating since 1621 and is Austria’s largest beer hall. Salzburg doesn’t require much time, but it’s a cool place and an easy train ride to Munich, where you can catch your flight home or continue exploring Bavaria.
10 Days in Prague and Budapest
How about a trip focused on two of Central Europe’s must-see cities? Next on our European escapade, we head to Prague and Budapest. This trip is best done as an open-jaw journey, flying into one city and home from the other. Neither of these cities is very hard to get to.
The jewel in the Czech Republic’s crown is Prague. Under the watchful eye of Prague Castle, this city is a maze of cobblestone lanes that snake past buildings that date back hundreds of years. The oldest working clock in the world, the renowned Astronomical Clock, is also housed there.
Its hourly chime is quite the spectacle and draws large crowds, so keep an eye on your belongings. Stroll across the Charles Bridge at dawn or dusk for some picture-perfect moments, or go for a run with a local running guide.
Here, amidst the thought-provoking museums and the hauntingly beautiful Old Jewish Cemetery, you’re transported into the heart of Prague’s storied Jewish heritage.
For a taste of local life, wander into Lesser Town to discover cozy cafes and pubs where the air is rich with the aroma of Czech cuisine and freshly poured beers. If you enjoy physical activity, a fun day trip is taking a guided tour to Bohemian Switzerland National Park for a hike.
From Prague, head to Budapest. You have a couple of options: you could take a longer but scenic train ride or opt for an affordable flight with Ryanair. The Ryanair flight takes about an hour, while the train ride takes around 6 hours. Budapest is Hungary’s vibrant capital, once two separate cities, Buda and Pest, separated by the Danube River.
No visit to Budapest would be complete without experiencing the thermal baths, a tradition that dates back to Roman times. There are many calm baths throughout the city, but Europe’s biggest therapeutic spa is Széchenyi spa.
10 days in Spain
Known for tapas, music, art, and a laid-back work-to-live rather than live-to-work culture, we’ll visit bustling Madrid, marvel at the Andalusian hill towns like Granada and Ronda, and then soak up the sunshine with a sight of flamenco in Sevilla, with an optional foray into Morocco.
Our journey starts in Spain’s vibrant capital, Madrid. Immerse yourself in the world-renowned art at the Prado Museum, enjoy the lively atmosphere of Plaza Mayor, and embark on a tapas crawl to indulge in Spanish culinary delights.
Madrid is the European city I have visited the most; it was the first European city I ever set foot in, and somehow, I always end up back here. I love Madrid.
Next, head to Granada to take in the amazing beauty of the Alhambra. The breathtaking vistas from the Alhambra and the exquisite details of this Moorish palace will stay with you forever. Everything was covered in mud when we visited a few years ago due to a dust storm that originated in the Sahara.
En route to our next destination, be sure to stop in Ronda. Ronda is famous for two things: the Puente Nuevo, an imposing bridge that arches over the dramatic El Tajo Gorge, and its ancient bullring, one of the oldest in Spain, dedicated to the traditional spectacle of bullfighting.
Now, onto my favorite place in all of Spain: the vibrant heart of Andalucía, Sevilla. Alive with the rhythms of flamenco and scented by orange blossoms, Sevilla represents the soul of southern Spain. It is a mosaic of cultural influences from its time under Moorish rule to its discovery of the New World.
No trip to Sevilla is complete without taking in a flamenco performance or two. We get lost every time we try to find this unassuming place, but as a musician for over 20 years, this place is easily a top-three musical experience for me.
From here, you have a couple of options: you could make your way back to Madrid to catch a flight home or continue southward into Morocco. In 2018, we made our way to Marrakech, Morocco, first by grabbing a ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar and then a quick overnight in Tangier.
The quickest, cheapest, and easiest way would be to take an inexpensive Ryanair flight from Sevilla directly to Marrakech. It’s about a 1-hour flight and usually costs around $40. Marrakech is amazing; the city’s famous souk, a maze of markets, is like stepping into another world.
Marrakech’s vibrant Jemaa el-Fnaa Square is a highlight, especially as dusk falls and it comes alive with performers and food stalls. It encapsulates the spirited essence of this historic city. From here, you can catch a cheap flight back to Madrid or head home from Marrakech Menara Airport.
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