European Tourism Guide: Country-by-Country Travel Tips & Hidden Gems

Europe isn't a single destination. It's a mosaic of over 40 countries, each with its own language, cuisine, and rhythm of life. Talking about tourism in Europe by country means ditching the one-size-fits-all guidebook approach. What works for a weekend in Berlin falls flat in a Greek village. I've lost count of my trips across the continent, and the biggest mistake I see? Treating it like a theme park where you rush from one iconic ride to the next.

The magic happens when you pick a few pieces of the mosaic and really look at them.

Crafting Your Multi-Country Itinerary

The Nitty-Gritty Practical Guide
Your Europe Travel Questions Answered

The Big Three, Deconstructed: France, Italy & Spain

Let's start with the heavyweights. They're popular for a reason, but knowing how to visit them is key. Europe travel destinations

France: More Than Paris

Paris is a universe unto itself. A skip-the-line ticket for the Louvre (€17 online) is non-negotiable unless you enjoy 2-hour queues. But France's soul is in its regions. Rent a car in Nice and drive the Corniche roads of the French Riviera. In Provence, base yourself in Aix-en-Provence and day-trip to lavender fields (peak season is late June-July).

Where to stay: In Paris, the Le Marais district offers charming apartments (expect €150-€300/night). In the countryside, a chambre d'hôte (B&B) is the way to go. I once stayed at one in Burgundy for €80 a night, breakfast with homemade jam included.

The French train system, SNCF, is excellent. Book TGV tickets in advance for the best prices.

Italy: Managing the Marvels

Rome, Florence, Venice. The classic triad is overwhelming. My rule? One major art museum per day, max. The Uffizi Gallery in Florence deserves 3-4 hours. Book a timed entry slot for the Colosseum and Roman Forum (combined ticket ~€24) for the early morning to beat the heat and crowds. best countries to visit in Europe

Most tourists cluster in the north. For a different pace, fly into Naples. Explore the chaotic archaeology of Pompeii (ticket €18), then recover on the Amalfi Coast or the less-crowded island of Ischia. A regional train to Matera's ancient cave dwellings is a journey few make, but never forget.

Food note: Sitting down for lunch or dinner includes a coperto (cover charge) of €2-5 per person. It's normal, not a scam.

Spain: Sun, Siesta, and Surprises

Barcelona's Sagrada Familia (basic ticket from €26) must be booked weeks ahead. But Spain's interior holds the gold. Madrid's Prado Museum is free 6-8 PM Mon-Sat. Take a high-speed AVE train to Seville for flamenco and the Alcázar palace.

The north is a world apart. San Sebastián in the Basque Country is for food pilgrims. Bar-hopping for pintxos (small snacks) is the evening activity. Each one costs €2-4. A tasting menu at a starred restaurant here costs half what it does in Paris. European country travel guide

Local Insight: In Italy and Spain, many smaller shops and restaurants close for a few hours in the afternoon (roughly 1-4 PM). Plan your shopping and meals around this. It's not inefficiency; it's a different rhythm of life. Embrace it. Have a long lunch.

Beyond the Usual Suspects: Where the Crowds Thin

If you want to feel like you've discovered something, look east and north.

Country	Best For	Can't-Miss Experience	Budget Tip
Portugal	Coastal beauty, value for money, friendly vibe.	Lisbon's Tram 28 (go early!), Porto's port wine lodges (tour & tasting from €15), the cliffs of the Algarve.	Meals are significantly cheaper than in France or Italy. A fantastic dinner with wine can be under €30 per person.
Croatia	Dramatic Adriatic coastline, medieval walled cities.	Walking the walls of Dubrovnik (€35 in high season, worth it at sunset), island-hopping from Split (ferry tickets ~€10-20 per leg).	Stay in apartments instead of hotels. Visit in May/June or September to avoid peak summer crowds and prices.
Greece	Ancient history combined with island relaxation.	The Acropolis in Athens (combo ticket €30), then a ferry to less-touristy islands like Naxos or Milos.	On islands, rent an ATV (~€25/day) instead of a car to get around. It's cheaper and more fun.
Germany	Efficiency, history, Christmas markets, hiking.	Berlin's museums and nightlife, the Romantic Road by car, hiking in the Black Forest.	Get a regional Länder ticket for train travel within a state. Covers a whole group for a day for ~€25-€50.

A personal favorite is Slovenia. It's like a miniature Europe. You can see the alpine beauty of Lake Bled, explore a massive cave system (Postojna Cave), and sip wine in a Italianate coastal town (Piran) all within a few days' drive. It's affordable, stunning, and feels undiscovered. Europe travel destinations

Crafting Your Multi-Country Itinerary: A Realistic 10-Day Example

Let's apply this. Flying into one city and out of another saves backtracking.

The Alpine & Adriatic Loop: Start in Munich, Germany (2 nights). Visit the Deutsches Museum, enjoy a beer garden. Pick up a rental car.
Drive south through the Alps to Innsbruck, Austria (1 night). Mountain views, no need for a complex hike.
Continue south over the stunning Brenner Pass into the Dolomites, Italy (2 nights). Stay in a rifugio (mountain hut). Hike the Seceda ridgeline.
Drive east to Ljubljana, Slovenia (2 nights). Explore the charming capital, day trip to Lake Bled.
Drive south to the coast, ending in Trieste, Italy or Zagreb, Croatia (1 night) for your flight out.

This trip gives you four distinct cultures and landscapes without a single internal flight. The driving is part of the experience.

The Nitty-Gritty Practical Guide

This is where trips are made or broken. best countries to visit in Europe

Getting Around: Train, Plane, or Automobile?

Trains are brilliant for city-to-city links (Paris to Brussels, Milan to Florence). Book ahead on official sites like Trainline or national operators. Planes are for longer hops (Barcelona to Athens). Use Skyscanner, but always book directly with the airline if possible. Cars are essential for rural areas, the Alps, or coastal roads like Croatia's. Manual transmission is still common; specify automatic if needed.

Money & Communication

The Euro (€) is used in 20 EU countries. Notable exceptions: UK (£), Switzerland (CHF), Czechia (CZK), Hungary (HUF), Poland (PLN). Always have some local cash for markets and small towns. A Wise or Revolut card is a lifesaver for cheap currency conversion and ATM withdrawals.

Get a local SIM card with data at the airport or a telecom shop (Vodafone, Orange). €20-€30 gets you a month of ample data across the EU. Being able to Google translate a menu or navigate a bus schedule on the fly reduces stress by about 90%.

When to Go

Shoulder seasons (April-May & September-October) are the sweet spot for most of Western Europe. Good weather, fewer people, lower prices. Summer (July-August) is packed and hot, especially in Mediterranean cities. Winter is for Christmas markets, skiing, and having cities like Rome or Paris relatively to yourself, albeit with shorter days. European country travel guide

Your Europe Travel Questions Answered

How many European countries should I visit on one trip?

Resist the urge to tick off ten countries in two weeks. For a 10-14 day trip, focusing on 2-3 neighboring countries (or regions within them) is ideal. For instance, combine Austria and Slovenia, or focus on Northern Italy and the French Riviera. This allows for deeper immersion, reduces stressful travel days, and lets you experience local rhythms beyond capital city checklists. You'll remember the afternoon spent in a Tuscan village more vividly than the blur of three airports in a day.

What is the cheapest way to travel between European countries?

For medium to long distances, budget airlines like Ryanair or easyJet can be incredibly cheap if you book well in advance and travel with carry-on only. However, don't overlook trains, especially for shorter routes or scenic journeys (like Zurich to Innsbruck). For flexibility within a region, renting a car is king, but factor in tolls, parking (a major headache and expense in cities), and diesel prices. Buses (FlixBus) are the budget champion for point-to-point travel, though they take the longest.

Which European country is best for first-time visitors?

Italy or France often top this list, and for good reason. They offer a perfect, dense concentration of iconic sights, world-class food, and varied landscapes that are relatively easy to navigate. However, consider your travel personality. If you want efficiency, clean cities, and ease of travel, Germany or the Netherlands might be a less overwhelming start. If your dream is ancient history with island relaxation tacked on, Greece is a compelling choice. There's no single 'best'—it's about which iconic postcard matches your dream.

Do I need a visa for every European country I visit?

Not if you're traveling within the Schengen Area. This is a zone of 27 European countries (including France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Greece) that have abolished internal border controls. A Schengen visa (or visa-free entry for eligible passports like US, UK, Canada) allows you to travel freely between them. Key non-Schengen countries to note: The UK, Ireland, and most Eastern European countries like Romania, Bulgaria, and Croatia (though Croatia joined Schengen in 2023). Always check the specific entry requirements for your nationality on official government sites like the Schengen Visa Info page before booking.

The final piece of advice? Pick a theme. A food tour through Spain and Portugal. A hiking trip through the Alps across Switzerland, Austria, and Italy. A history deep-dive in Greece and Turkey. When you travel by theme rather than just by country, the borders start to blur, and the real Europe—connected, diverse, and endlessly fascinating—comes into focus.

That's the goal. Not just to see Europe, but to experience a slice of it, deeply.