Backpacking Europe For 2 Months

We’ve already discussed backpacking Europe as a general topic, but what if you have a specific time frame in which to achieve your backpacking goals. The backpacking lifestyle provides wonderful freedom and at little expense when compared to more traditional European travel alternatives.

So let’s take this journey together. We’ve taken the time to craft this day by day itinerary for backpacking Europe for 2 months. But be prepared to be spontaneous and “fly by the seat of your pants” a little. While planning is a good and in fact, essential thing for a trip this long, try not to go too crazy with booking hostels or train tickets, because you never know where the journey may lead you!

Getting From Place to Place

One of the cheapest and most efficient ways of getting around Europe as a backpacker, is to purchase a Eurail Pass. If you purchase the “Global Pass: 10 days in 2 months“ it will give you 10 days of unlimited train travel “from midnight to midnight” on each of those travel days. If you plan your trip well, you can spread them out, or use them back to back.

You may need to pay extra for some of the other train, boat or plane trips, but if you book the shorter trips as standalone payments and use the Global Pass for the longer trips, then you’ll save a lot of money.

2 Months Backpacking Europe – The Itinerary

Overview: We’re going to begin our adventure in Sweden, cross over into Denmark, then through the Netherlands into Germany. From there, we’ll work our way through Germany and down into southern Italy. From there, we’ll work our way north to Milan and then slip across for a brief visit to Greece.

Saying goodbye to Greece, we’ll skip across to Spain, then up through France we’ll travel up to Norway via England. Although Britain is no longer technically part of Europe, it’s still a convenient stopover before moving on to Norway and then finally returning to our starting point at Stockholm, Sweden.

1. Stockholm, Sweden – 4 Nights
2. Copenhagen, Denmark – 3 Nights
3. Amsterdam, The Netherlands – 4 Nights
4. Brussels, Belgium – 4 Nights
5. Berlin, Germany – 5 Nights
6. Munich, Germany – 2 Nights
7. Naples, Italy – 4 Nights
8. Rome, Italy – 4 Nights
9. Tuscany, Italy – 2 Nights
10. Milan, Italy – 2 Nights
11. Corfu, Greece – 6 Nights
12. Barcelona, Spain – 4 Nights
13. Paris, France – 4 Nights
14. London, England – 3 Nights
15. Bergen, Norway – 1 Night
16. Oslo, Norway – 1 Night
17. Stockholm, Sweden – 1 Night

A word of warning – even though you might be an extrovert and enjoy meeting new people, after two months of backpacking Europe on this itinerary and moving from place to place, you may be “over it” by the end.

I am a big believer in slow travel, and therefore urge you to “see less and enjoy more” during your 2 months backpacking Europe. Ultimately, it will allow you to see more of each place that you visit.

What To Do & Eat on your Europe Backpacking Trip

By far the hardest decision you’ll have to make is what you want to prioritize while on your 2 months backpacking Europe adventure. One thing is for certain – you won’t be able to see it all!

Stockholm, Sweden (4 days)

This Scandinavian capital city is known for it’s sleek design (and beautiful people tbh). In the summertime, especially when we visited on Midsummer, almost no one is actually in the city. Most people go out to the islands, or to their country home. Make sure you stock up on alcohol when you can!

What To Do in Stockholm

Go to Skansen, an open air folk museum and zoo featuring Scandinavian animals. Get a feel for what Sweden was like during the ‘olden days.’ You might even see some bear cubs playing with an iPhone that someone has dropped while they were there.

Check out the Vasa Museum, a museum housing the world’s only preserved ship from the 17th century.

What To Eat in Stockholm

The Vegetarian Buffet at Hermitage for a reasonably affordable lunch out.

Sweden is known for ‘Fika,’ or the concept of having coffee and perhaps a pastry or two. Definitely park yourself somewhere for an amazing cappuccino, cinnamon bun and some people watching in one of Stockholm’s squares.

Brussels, Belgium (4 Days)

Belgium’s capital is great for a taste of Belgium’s blend of cultures. People in Brussels tend to speak both French and Flemish, so you’ll see a mix of both styles of architecture in Brussels. It may not be the first place that you’d think to visit, but if you give it a chance, it will really charm you.

What To Do in Brussels

Admire La Grand-Place. The central square in Brussels, and some of the most breathtaking architecture you’ll see in all of Europe. This is also a meeting spot for just about everyone in Brussels.

Go to Musee Magritte, a museum all about the surreal artist, Magritte. It takes you through his works from beginning to end. It’s a fascinating way to see the development of an artist through the years.

For hostel accommodation, check out the Van Gogh Hostel for its atmosphere and central location.

What To Eat in Brussels

What’s NOT to eat in Brussels! Brussels was our favorite eating city on our 2 months backpacking Europe by far. Definitely get some ‘frites,’ Belgian fries that come in a cone with ketchup and mayonnaise to dip them in. DELICIOUS!

Belgian Waffles!! You can either get the traditional Brussels style waffle, crisp and light, or Liège style, caramelized and chewy. My favorite is definitely Liège! Sometimes you’ll find the best ones in the most unusual places – like from a truck right outside Musee Magritte!

Belgian beer! Whether or not you’re a beer drinker, when you arrive in Belgium, you really should taste some. This stuff packs a punch though. The alcohol content in these beers means that you might find yourself buzzed after only one or two!

Last, but not least, the Belgians have truly perfected the art of chocolate making. Take yourself on a chocolate tour in Brussels. It is truly a great experience.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands (4 Days)

Amsterdam is most often referred to as the ‘party city’ of Western Europe, mainly thanks to its famous Red Light District. But you can still have a blast! Amsterdam is known for its canals and historical sites. You can hire a bicycle and easily get around for next to nothing cost-wise. It’s really easy to see things and eat on a budget in Amsterdam, which makes it perfect for backpackers.

What To Do in Amsterdam

Wander along, or even ride along, the canals. The canal system is what makes Amsterdam such a unique city. You could enjoy simply walking along, snapping photos, and enjoying the architecture. You can also opt to see Amsterdam from a different perspective, by going on a canal tour. This is a popular tourist activity and one that is definitely worth it.

If you get tired of wandering, why not pop into one of Amsterdam’s coffee shops? These are no ordinary coffee shops, however, and you should only enter if you enjoy cannabis, or don’t mind being around people who do.

Check out one of Amsterdam’s top notch museums. The Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House (be prepared with tissues), or the modern art Stedelijk Museum are three great choices. It might be worth it to you to buy an Amsterdam City Pass which includes admission to museums, airport train tickets, and the aforementioned canal cruise.

Copenhagen, Denmark (3 Days)

Another Scandinavian capital, Copenhagen is the essence of hipster-cool. Bike around the city, hang out at sleekly designed coffee shops (ones that serve coffee), or view some underground art. You may feel out of place walking around Copenhagen in your standard backpacker attire, so you might want to pack at least one outfit that would be deemed ‘acceptable’ by Copenhagen standards.

What To Do in Copenhagen

Admire the canals, again. This is another city where the canal tour is worth it. Make sure you snap a photo of the most photographed row of houses in Copenhagen (maybe in Europe?)

Go to Denmark’s National Aquarium! Not only is the building itself a unique bit of architecture, but the marine life is also impressive. Check out Tivoli, an amusement park. Walt Disney came up with the idea for Epcot after visiting here, and you’ll see why if you go.

What To Eat in Copenhagen

I only remember eating one thing in Copenhagen, and I’m not sure if it’s because this was so sublime that it made me forget about everything else, or if I really didn’t eat anything else in Copenhagen. It is the cinnamon bun at The Coffee Collective. The coffee was also absolutely amazing.

Berlin, Germany (5 Days)

Berlin is one of the cheapest cities to fly into, in Europe. Besides being Germany’s capital, Berlin is rich in culture and has fantastic museums.

You’ll find a number of affordable hostels in Berlin, including the Wombat’s City Hostel in Berlin, a modern hostel that feels more like a hotel with a rooftop bar. Perfect for breaking the ice on a nice summer’s night!

What To Do in Berlin

• Visit the Holocaust Memorial, which is free to visit.
• Take a free tour of German Parliament (Reichstag).
• Visit Museum Island to visit the Pergamon Museum and to see the Ishtar Gate, which was moved from Iraq.
• Wander around the trendy Kreuzberg to admire its markets and street art.
• Try your luck at Berlin’s infamous clubs (Berghain).
• Admire the stunning Brandenburger Tor.
• Walk around the ‘Central Park of Berlin,’ Tiergarten.
• Pay your respects at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, and learn more about the horrors of the Holocaust in the Information Centre.
• Visit Hamburger Bahnhof, a contemporary art museum. The sculptures are amazing!

Munich, Germany (2 Days)

Depending on the kind of person that you are, you may enjoy Munich much more than Berlin. It feels warmer, not only temperature-wise but also in the ‘vibe’ you get. The architecture is impressive. If you only have one real ‘sightseeing’ day in Munich, then be sure to make it count! You can pretty much walk around almost all of the city in one day. The good news is, it’s an extremely walkable city. But don’t forget to pack comfy walking shoes!

What To Do in Munich

Enjoy Englischer Garten. This is a huge park, with lots to choose from. You might choose to sit by the river watching surfers catch waves on the river. Don’t be surprised if you see some partaking in some nude sunbathing. There is a specific section of the park for this particular activity. It will probably be quite obvious where that section is.

Do a walking tour, popping into churches along the way. At this early stage of your 2 months backpacking Europe gig, you won’t have gotten “church fatigue” yet.

What To Drink in Munich

So here you are in the home of the original Hofbraeuhaus, so why on earth wouldn’t you pay a visit? (Assuming you drink of course!) This is the place to be for beers as big as your face.

Naples, Italy (4 Days)

Our plan now, is to head from Germany by train, down to the southernmost part of Italy that we plan to visit – and from there, work our way northward through Rome and Tuscany, up to Milan. So using our Eurail Gobal Pass, let’s catch our train to Naples and take it from there.

Naples (Napoli) is the gateway to the Amalfi coast and a real anomaly. There is nowhere quite like Naples! This rough and tumble city offers a lot to travelers. There are also some day trips to world renowned sites not far away that you may choose to take. Naples makes the perfect starting point for doing exactly that! But if you prefer to just stay in Naples, there is plenty to keep you occupied there as well.

What To Do in (And Around) Naples

Climb to the highest point of the city for an amazing view of Mount Vesuvius and the surrounding area. Castel Sant’Elmo offers some of the best views. We got there too late to see the castle, but ate dinner on a terrace nearby. I mean, if this isn’t the ultimate view to go with your meal, I don’t know what is.

Go to Positano “the most beautiful” town on the Amalfi Coast. Our hostel owner sat us down when we first got there, and told us exactly where to go each day of our three day stint in Naples. When he got to Positano he told us we MUST go there, as it was “the most beautiful” of all. Well, he wasn’t wrong.

Go to another, less touristy, Amalfi Coast town than Capri. I may be in the minority here, but I thought Capri was vastly overrated. It could have been that we visited in July, prime tourist time, but I was thoroughly unimpressed. I mean, there’s no denying its’ stunning natural beauty. However, I think you can experience the same (or close) experience by going to another town in Amalfi, and you’ll have a much more enjoyable time.

What To Eat in Naples

Our hostel owner told us just about everything we needed to do in the area. The one non-negotiable, in his opinion, was getting a pizza at Da Michele. Remember the pizza Elizabeth Gilbert/Julia Roberts ate in Eat Pray Love? This is that pizza. Lines be damned, just do it.

Rome, Italy (4 Days)

Why is Italy so amazing? This was my second time in Rome, and it was even better than the first! (It must be down to throwing that coin in the Trevi Fountain!) What is there to say about Rome that hasn’t already been said?

What To Do in Rome

Can you visit Italy without visiting Rome? History and food lovers will be entranced by the history of Rome.

Ruins, fountains and squares, wow! Honestly, the best thing to do in Rome is just to walk for hours. Really take your time and do it the Italian way, stopping for food every hour or so.

Two super touristy attractions that are worth the wait and crowds? Vatican City and St. Peter’s Basilica. There’s a good reason why they’re popular. You may never witness wealth, splendor and opulence like this again. To skip the waiting lines, make sure that you book your Vatican tickets online, as those lines can be rather long. You’ll also need to conform to their dress code.

Don’t forget to visit The Colosseum, where ancient gladiators entertained the Roman crowds.

The Roman Forum is truly impressive and you might like to spend a little while immersing yourself in its history.

Rome is quite large, so pay attention to the location when booking your accommodation. Even though most hostels are in the Termini area, it’s worth avoiding. Instead, stay in Trastevere, one of Rome’s most charming neighborhoods.

Milan, Italy (2 Days)

We only spent two days in Milan, and mostly just hung out with our local friend and did a little walking tour.  It’s really just a stopover on your way to the next leg of your backpacking journey – and perhaps giving you a little time to just chill out before heading to Greece.

Corfu, Greece (6 Days)

From Milan, we took a quick cheap flight to Corfu, Greece. We were going to do the ferry route, which is an option from the South of Italy, but it just seemed impractical when we could fly for so little. What started as a 3 night, 4 day trip to Greece ended up being a 6 night, 7 day vacation from our vacation. And it was sorely needed. When you’re traveling so much in such a short amount of time, you need to factor in downtime as well!

What To Do in Corfu

Lay on the beach. We didn’t do much more than this, to be perfectly honest. Occasionally, when we got too hot, we would hop in the crystal clear, warm Ionian Sea.

What To Eat in Corfu

We stayed a short walk away from the small town of Agios Georgios. I don’t remember the names of any of the places we ate. Rather, I remember walking into town in the morning and getting a frozen coffee at the same small family owned cafe, usually with a delicious Greek pastry. I also remember the traditional Greek meal we had at a restaurant in town.

Barcelona, Spain (4 Days)

Barcelona stands out starkly in my mind as one of the top destinations for a 2 months backpacking Europe adventure. Who can resist the interesting architecture, tapas, and fantastic nightlife of Barcelona?

One of the delightful things about backpacking is, that you get to meet a lot more people than traveling Europe other ways. You form friendships because you often end up staying in peoples’ homes, or hostels, instead of lonely hotel rooms.

So here’s a note about accommodation in Barcelona. The “word on the street” is, that it’s very difficult for locals to find accommodation in that city, because due to its popularity as a tourist destination, landlords have evicted people in order to put up more lucrative AirBnB tourists. You may wish to factor this into your accommodation decisions.

What To Do in Barcelona

Go to the famous food market, La Boqueria. Just be prepared for the crowds.

Go to Parc Guell, another popular tourist attraction that’s well worth it. You’ll never go to another park this unique.

If you can swing it, check out one of the local beaches further out from the city center. Our new Castilian friends brought us to one and it was a major highlight.

Paris, France (4 Days)

The French capital is a classic stop on every European itinerary and we recommend that you stay for four days in Paris, as any less will force you to make hard decisions about what to do in Paris.

What To Do in Paris

Beyond seeing the Eiffel Tower, touring the Louvre, strolling around Montmartre, taking in Paris’ covered passages, enjoying a self guided walking tour through the Latin quarter, exploring Le Marais, eating all the crepes/macarons, and strolling along the Seine, you’ll find that four days is a good time to appreciate all that Paris has to offer.

Hotels in Paris can get quite expensive, even for a basic room so you should consider booking in advance as early as possible, especially if you’re backpacking during spring or summer.

What To Eat in Paris

The food is so good in Paris. Eat everything! Seriously. All of the foods. In particular, try some of the French pastries.

Well, there you have it, the ultimate guide to 2 months backpacking Europe! Has this inspired you to do a Euro trip of your own? Let me know in the comments where you would go on your backpacking Europe for 2 months adventure.

Happy Exploring, Wherever You Are!