Why You Should Visit Fewer Cities, Countries When Backpacking Europe

The clock in my head began ticking the moment I landed in Berlin because 48 hours later, I’d be en route to Vienna.

This was back in October 2022 when I went backpacking through Europe for the first time. I spent two weeks visiting four countries and six cities by rail.

I was headed somewhere new every 24 to 48 hours for the rest of the trip as I checked off the other cities on my list: Venice, Italy, Rome, Milan, and Zurich.

On my way to each destination, the same question popped into my head: Is two weeks in Europe enough time to explore all these places?

Back then, I wanted to see as much of the continent as possible. So I thought one or two nights in each city would help me make the most of my time abroad.

But after three flights, 11 train rides, and 60 hours in transit, I returned home with only a sampling of what each place had to offer.

48 hours isn’t enough time to explore a city

I longed for more memories in Berlin as soon as I boarded my train to Vienna. When I headed from Austria to Italy, I felt I had barely gotten a taste of Vienna’s art scene.

I spent a week in Italy, but splitting my time between three different cities — Venice, Rome, and Milan — left me craving more.

The ancient city of Rome blended old and new. I strolled down cobblestone streets with ruins on one side and modern buildings on the other. Seeing the dramatic exteriors of Renaissance museums had me longing for enough time to go inside. And seeing ruins from a distance made me wish I could see them up close.

My last stop in Switzerland had my favorite landscapes of the whole trip, and after just two nights, I flew home wishing I’d made time for an epic mountain hike.

From stunning architecture and rich histories to striking landscapes, these cities impressed me upon arrival.

However, with less than 48 hours to explore each destination, I could only hit the top tourist highlights, like the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, the Colosseum in Rome, and the canals in Venice.

I didn’t have a chance to dive deeper into what life was really like in each city. If I had more time, I would have cruised on Lake Zurich, shopped in Milan, or spent a night in the Kreuzberg neighborhood in Berlin. Each day in every city, I walked past remarkable buildings and massive museums that intrigued me and thought, “Next time.”

So, no — two weeks is not enough time to explore six European cities, and I learned the hard way.

Visit fewer places and take your time

If you’re planning a trip to Europe, don’t make the same mistake I did.

For a two-week trip, I recommend visiting one or two cities or towns and immersing yourself in their art scenes, neighborhoods, and history. That way, you’ll leave with a deeper sense of the destinations you carefully selected.

On my flight back to New York City, I’d already started mentally planning to visit Zurich, Berlin, Rome, and Vienna again.

So, on the way home, if you still wonder about a destination you didn’t get to, make sure there’s a next time.