Europe is full of unique countries that offer so much to each traveller that visits. It’s important to consider what you want to do and see when you begin planning your trip, as this might guide you in the direction of a particular country or area of Europe. Here are some of the top destinations in Europe, and what people enjoy doing there the most:
Backpacking is very commonly done alone, and travelling Europe is no exception. A lot of people go travelling to explore new things and meet new people on their journey. Here are some of the top destinations to visit if you are a solo traveller in Europe:
- Madrid & Barcelona, Spain
- Budapest, Hungary
- Paris, France
- Berlin & Munich, Germany
- Lisbon & Porto, Portugal
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Florence, Italy
Backpacking, or any type of travel, usually occurs because people want to experience new things. Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are places that people visit from far and wide to see with their own eyes. We’ve listed some of the natural beauties within Europe that are worth discovering:
- Italy: Capri’s Blue Grotto, the Amalfi coastline, The Dolomite mountain range and the Tuscan countryside
- Switzerland: The Swiss Alps
- Greece: The view from Santorini, Melissani Cave
- Germany: The Black Forest
- Iceland: Glaciers, ice caves and volcanos
- France: The Verdon Gorge
- Portugal: The Douro Valley
- Croatia: Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Austria: Eisriesenwelt
- Denmark: Faroe Islands
- The Northern Lights: Found in Finland, Norway and parts of Scotland
You can’t beat a day on the beach, and Europe is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Here are some of our top picks for beaches in Europe:
- Greece: Mykonos, Crete, Corfu, Rhodes and Santorini
- Spain: Majorca, Marbella, Benidorm and Costa Brava
- Croatia: Dubrovnik and Split
- France: The French Riviera and the Brittany Coast
- Italy: Positano, Sardinia and Amalfi
- Montenegro: Ulcinj and Budva
- Portugal: Lisbon, The Algarve
City breaks in Europe are enjoyed by the British all year round. But, sometimes it is nice to explore a city for longer than an extended weekend, or to explore more than one city within a country during a trip. These are our top cities to visit in Europe when you go backpacking:
- Italy: Venice, Rome and Florence
- Germany: Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt
- France: Paris, Nice and Lyon
- Spain: Barcelona, Madrid and Seville
- Czech-Republic: Prague and Cesky Krumlov
- Portugal: Lisbon, Porto and Coimbra
- Denmark: Copenhagen and Aarhus
- Sweden: Stockholm and Gothenburg
- Norway: Oslo and Bergen
The accommodation you choose really can change the feel of your trip. Choosing the right accommodation as a solo traveller, might be different to those travelling in a couple or as a group.
Hostels are perfect for all types of traveller, alone or in a group. Some hostels are advertised as perfect for solo travellers, and can be a great place to make friends and meet future travelling companions as well. Look into any hostel that you are considering, read reviews and look at their website and social media pages. This will give you the best idea of whether or not that hostel is somewhere that you will enjoy.
Hotels can be a pricier option, but you will often find yourself in more luxury than a hostel. If you are looking to take a break from staying in a dormitory-style room, a hotel can be the next best thing. Most hotels have different standards of room, so if you search properly, you will be able to find something that suits you and your budget.
Air BnB offers a wide range of accommodation types at a wide range of prices. It is well worth looking to see if there are any affordable Air BnBs in the areas that you visit, you might find yourself surprised with the quality and low price of some of them.
Travelling accommodation is also another great option for those of you looking to save some money whilst travelling. There are several Interrail trains that travel through the night, meaning you can get your accommodation and travel ticket all in one! Go to sleep in one part of Europe, and wake up in another to explore! You can purchase Interrail passes that allow you to hop on and off the train as you please using different routes through Europe.
The perfect time to visit Europe depends on your plans when you arrive. If you are keen to experience hot weather, you should explore Europe during the summer months between June and September.
The weather is largely changeable in Europe, and each destination could be different from the last. We would recommend doing in-depth research into the locations you plan on visiting, and planning your route around this. The weather cannot be guaranteed, but it’ll be a great trip no matter rain or shine.
Travelling out of a small bag or a large backpack can be challenging. We’ve put together a list of things you should consider packing for a trip around Europe:
- 3-4 tshirts/tops
- 2-3 light blouses/tops
- 1 evening outfit
- 1 jumper/zip up for colder weather
- 2 pairs of trousers
- 2 pairs of shorts
- 1 swimwear outfit
- 2 pairs of shoes
- Sunglasses
- 5-7 pairs of underwear
- 5-7 pairs of socks
- 1 pair leggings/tracksuit bottoms
- Phone & camera chargers
- European plug converters
- Any medicine you might need
- Details of your travel insurance policy
If you’re planning a backpacking holiday, you’ll understand the importance of being prepared for the unexpected whilst you’re away. The nature of backpacking is to explore the world, travel far and wide and sometimes just see where the wind takes you, so, this can mean that things don’t necessarily always go to plan.
Our Backpacker Travel Insurance is suitable for those that are aged 35 and under and plan on travelling a country, or bigger world adventure in one trip. For full details of the terms and conditions that apply, refer to the policy document.
