spain france travel itinerary

3 Weeks in Spain, France, and Italy

DISCLAIMER: This post might have links to travel services and products that we enjoy. We might make a commission from it at no extra cost to you.

When I decided to spend 20 days across these two iconic countries, it was more of a challenge. I’ve been to all three, but on separate trips . I really loved each of them, and the most I think of it, I can really see the reasons why these are the top destinations in Europe.

Now, not everyone has the time to take many trips. Trying to see as many countries as possible in a single trip is quite popular. So, I went and challenged myself to spend 3 weeks in Spain, France, and Italy and see if it was possible .

Spoiler alert: it can be done! But it’s not for everyone . It’s a tight-pack itinerary, but with careful planning and knowing that you can stick to that plan, you can do it.

All these destinations are actually popular ports for cruises. Perhaps you want to check out our compilation of 3-week cruises you can enjoy.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE GOING TO SPAIN, FRANCE, AND ITALY

Spain is the largest country in Southern Europe and shares a border with France in its northern region. It is also one of the most visited countries in Europe. Spain is known for its food, music, arts, literature, siesta, flamenco, and more.

France, on the other hand, is located primarily in Western Europe and sits just above Spain. France has numerous world-famous landmarks and food, such as baguette, cheese, and fine wine.

Last but not least is Italy, located near the Mediterranean Sea. It shares borders with a few countries, including France on the north and west. It also enclaves microstates of San Marino and Vatican City.

When is the best time to go

The best time to visit Spain, France, and Italy is generally during the shoulder seasons of April to June and September to October . You’ll enjoy pleasant weather and fewer crowds.

The peak tourist season is in the summer months, July and August when the weather is hottest and the places are most crowded. December is also a busy season for these three destinations. During these months, it gets really expensive due to the high demand.

Rainy seasons vary : Spain and Italy’s wetter months are usually October to December, while France’s northern parts see more rain from November to January.

Are 3 weeks enough for Spain, France, and Italy

As I mentioned before, it’s possible but will require careful planning. Consider visiting 3 cities and travel by air most of the time if each destination is more than 4 hours of driving, bus, or train ride.

You can also be very strategic in choosing the cities. For example, if you include Paris, you can take a day trip to Dunkirk and Calais.

If you choose Marseille, you can travel to Nice and explore Southern France more as a day trip. The same goes for Seville and Malaga in Southern Spain; it allows you to see more cities since these are in the centre of major attractions.

So, look at the map and pick which cities are well-located.

What to pack

If you’re visiting during the summer season, packing comfortable and breathable clothing is highly recommended. Comfortable walking shoes to sandals are needed for visiting Europe .

On the other hand, for those who plan to come during the winter or fall season, make sure you bring warm clothes. Aim for layering rather than a bulky winter jacket. We have a c ompilation of packing lists for a 3-week trip depending on the season.

How to get around

This all depends on your destination. France and Italy both have amazing train systems and are quite affordable, too. Spain, on the other hand, has a rail network as well but not as intensive.

I really recommend you consider travelling by air to save you time . But first, check if points A to B can be done by bus or train (somewhere around 4 hours).

All these three destinations can be travelled by car rental too. However, the cars are usually in manual transmission. By bus will be the most affordable option, but also the slowest.

Language and currency

The official language of France is French . Most locals who work in the hospitality industry can speak English, but outside that, it can be a challenge. This is because French people don’t enjoy speaking English.

The opposite can be said about Spain. The official language there is Spanish, but many locals enjoy speaking English . However, in smaller towns and rural areas, English may be less commonly spoken.

Italy can be a hit-and-miss, where the official language is Italian . In my experience, lots of young people are happy to speak English with foreigners, but the older generation might ignore you.

Make sure to learn some basic words and carry a translation app with you, especially for France. Learning some basic words will also help you with navigation, and it’s a great way to show the locals respect and appreciation for their culture.

France, Spain, and Italy use the Euro (€) as the main currency . Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in France, Spain, and Italy , especially in cities and tourist areas. However, cash is still preferred for small transactions, in local markets, and in rural areas. It’s wise to carry some cash for such instances.

Average travel cost for 3 weeks in Spain, France, and Italy

This can really vary a lot, but the season is what affects the cost of a vacation in these three destinations. France is the most costly, followed by Italy, making Spain the most affordable on this list.

However, during the peak season (summer and Christmas), the prices gets nearly double when it comes to accommodation, transportation, and tours.

On average, you can plan €150 a day, so for 3 weeks, that will cost you around €3,000 . This allows you to book a private room, sign up for mid-range tours, use trains or even planes to get from one city to another and eat out in a decent restaurant.

For a budget trip, €90 can do it (€1,800 total) . You will be staying in a dorm room in a hostel, signing up for free tours (tip-based), taking buses, and visiting convenience stores or supermarkets for meals.

For those looking for luxury experiences such as honeymooners or anniversary celebrations, €350 a day per person or around €7,500 for three weeks is realistic. With this budget, you can sleep in 4 or 5-star hotels, take premium tours, get around with private vehicles, and enjoy fine dining.

If you’re visiting during the busy season, make sure to book your accommodation at least 6 months in advance to have plenty of choices.

Spain, France, and Italy are all located in Europe, are members of the EU, and are part of the Schengen Area. This means that they all implement the same visa.

If you hold a passport from the UK, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, the US, some parts of Latin America, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and some parts of the Gulf country – you can travel to Spain, France, and Italy without a visa for up to 90 days (in total, not 90 days in each country).

You can book a flight to Paris, then fly out of Barcelona back to your home country, for example. You don’t need to fly into and fly out of the same city.

For the rest of the world, you must apply for a Schengen visa at the nearest Spanish, Italian, or French embassy/consulate. You must send in your application to the embassy of which country you plan to enter first.

For example, if you plan to start your trip in Italy, you must obtain a visa from the Italian Embassy. EU passport holders have freedom of movement in these destinations.

Other travel tips

I personally always book the accommodation first because these are the ones that get booked up fast. At the time of writing this, I have a plan to go to Europe in the summer, which is 9 months away. But I also booked my hotel.

If I change my mind, I can cancel those booking since the site I used have free cancellation. This is one of the reasons I love using the following services.

TRIP COST CALCULATOR

Trip cost calculator, pinned map of must-see places in spain, france, and italy.

Click the enlarge button on the top right corner. Credit: map data: Google

3 WEEKS IN SPAIN, FRANCE, AND ITALY ITINERARY

If you ask me which of these countries is my favourite, I honestly won’t be able to answer you because each of them offers a unique experience, fantastic dishes, and extraordinary history.

There are four travel itineraries here covering Spain, France, and Italy , offering various themes for each. The first itinerary is great if it’s your first time visiting these destinations.

The second itinerary suits those who love the beach and want to spend their vacation doing water activities and booking boat tours.

The third itinerary is perfect for people who want a mix of popular sites and also go off-the-trail for a little bit and explore quieter areas.

Finally, the fourth itinerary is awesome if you love hiking and want to explore these three countries by trekking and enjoying the outdoors.

After reading through the itineraries, you will see a list of things to do and activities that you can plan in each city, plus tips on tours that you can book. There’s also a list of recommended accommodations depending on your budget.

And lastly, you will see a tasty compilation of must-try dishes . You must try out local dishes from Spain, France, and Italy and see which ones you like the best.

Country-specific Itineraries

If you decide that you prefer to visit one country only, perhaps the following itineraries can help you with that:

• 3 weeks in France itinerary
• 3 weeks in Italy itinerary
• 3 weeks in Spain itinerary
• 3 weeks in Portugal and Spain itinerary
• 3 weeks in France and Spain itinerary
• 3 weeks in Southern Europe itineraries
• 3 weeks in Europe itineraries
• 3 weeks in Western Europe
• 3 weeks in Eastern Europe
• 3 weeks in Central Europe
• 3 weeks in Scandinavia

Itinerary #1: The Capital/Historical and Cultural (Madrid, Paris, Rome)

This itinerary is suitable for first-timers who are history buffs and for those who love the art scene . The first stop is Madrid , which is Spain’s capital. Aside from that, UNESCO also declares Madrid as a world heritage site.

The next stop is Paris (France), known for fashion, food, nightlife, art, and history. Aside from the Eiffel Tower, there are still tons of world-famous landmarks, and of course, the Parisian food is top-notch.

The last stop is Rome (Italy), a must-visit for its numerous ancient ruins, including the oldest building in the world and one of the seven wonders of the world.

Aside from that, the coffee culture in Rome is top-notch as they mastered the art of aperitif, a pre-dinner ritual involving sipping bitter concoctions. The sequence of the locations can be interchanged depending on where you’ll travel from.

Madrid, Spain for 7 days

Madrid is the capital and the most populous city of Spain . Your Spain travel itinerary would not be complete if you didn’t go to Madrid because this city has so much to offer. Not only is it a haven for art enthusiasts, but it is brimming with history and culture.

In fact, the city managed to preserve most of its historical sites , such as the Royal Palace of Madrid, Royal Theater, Plaza Mayor, and more. It has tons of museums as well. You seriously wouldn’t run out of places to visit here in 7 days.

For football enthusiasts , it is home to two of the most famous football clubs, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. Other places to visit include the Temple of Debod, Circulo de Bellas Artes, Barrio de Latina, Palacio de Cristal, and more.

Paris, France for 7 days

Just like Madrid, Paris is also both the capital and most populous city in France . It has been one of the world’s major centres in culture, fashion, gastronomy, commerce, finance, and diplomacy.

Paris is famous for The Eiffel Tower , Louvre, Champs Elysees, Notre Dame Cathedral, Montmartre, and Seine River. If you’re interested in learning more about WW2, there are tons of day trips to Calais and Dunkirk.

Art enthusiasts will also love Paris because it is the art capital of France . It is also included in the “Big Four” fashion capitals of the world, celebrating fashion week with participants from various high-end clothing brands.

You can get to Paris from Madrid by getting on a direct flight . It takes around 2 hours and costs about $50 or higher depending on the season.

Rome, Italy for 7 days

Rome is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula. It is the 14th most visited country in the world in 2019. UNESCO lists its historic centre as a World Heritage site , and Vatican City (the smallest country) can be found here. Rome is brimming with a history spanning 28 centuries.

A couple of must-visit locations here include the world-famous Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Vatican Museum, St. Peter’s Basilica, Sistine Chapel, and more.

For those who are fond of museums, you can visit Borghese Gallery and Museum, Capitoline Museums, and Rome National Museums.

To reach Rome from Paris, you can book a non-stop 2-hour flight . It’s around $100 or even more during busy season.

Itinerary #2: Beach Trail (Barcelona/Canary Islands, Nice/Marseille, Naples)

The second itinerary for your 20 days in Spain, France, and Italy is focused on beach trails and for those who want to see the Mediterranean Sea . The first stop is either in Barcelona or the Canary Islands (both are part of Spain).

For your first stop, choose between Barcelona and the Canary Islands (Spain ). You can go to Barcelona to experience beach life and see unique art pieces, architecture, and vibrant cultural scenes.

The Canary Islands, on the other hand , has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, tons of wildlife, and even a world heritage city for history buffs.

After Spain, we’re heading to France. You can choose between Nice and Marseille. You can do both since they’re not that far from one another.

Nice is an amazing spot in the French Riviera , which possibly has the best market in France. The place is not only filled with beaches, but it also is rich in history, heritage, architecture, and even festivities. In fact, it is home to the world’s first jazz festival and the world’s first and largest carnival.

On the other hand, Marseille is home to Europe’s largest port and a melting pot of European and African cultures, so it has some of the coolest and edgiest cultural spaces.

The last stop is Naples (Italy), which has 3,000 years’ worth of preserved culture. This is where you’ll find the famous areas of Capri, Amalfi Coast, and Sorrento. Aside from beaches, you can hike to a Roman Sauna in the mountains, take history tours, and go on boat tours.

Barcelona or the Canary Islands, Spain for 7 days

Both Barcelona and the Canary Islands have beaches . However, one of their main differences is that Barcelona is busier and is located in mainland Europe.

The Canary Islands is located in the Western area of Africa , which means you need to take a short flight from Europe mainland. There are fewer people, and the overall vibe is more laid-back here.

Barcelona, however, is more suitable for you if, aside from beaches, you’re also looking to do other activities or watch one of the most famous football clubs, FC Barcelona, where the likes of Messi used to play.

Aside from that, it is also a haven for architecture and art enthusiasts as it is filled with buildings designed by world-renowned Gaudi.

A couple of those are Casa Battlo, Palau Guelli, and, of course, Sagrada Familia. Other places to visit include Mount Tibidabo, the Picasso Museum, the National Art Museum of Catalonia, and more.

The Canary Islands have pleasant, sunny weather all year round, which is fitting for people who love to sunbathe and do beach-related activities.

The islands also have tons of unique landscapes , including sub-tropical forests in Garajonay Natural Park, desert landscapes by the sea in Dunas de Corralejo, and nature reserves in Fuerteventura, among others.

Nice and Marseille, France for 7 days

Nice is a city in the prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes department in France . Nice is famous for its breathtaking landscape, cuisine, stunning architecture, and rich history.

It has a wonderful Mediterranean climate, with more than 300 days of sunshine per year. Some of the must-see attractions here are The Promenade des Anglais, Old Town, Castle Hill Park, and Castel Beach. You can even take a day trip to Cannes or Monaco from here.

Marseille is the prefecture of the French Department of Bouches du Rhone . It is also the capital of the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur region. Marseille is known for its vibrant culture, stunning beaches, and rich history. It is one of the most dynamic cities in France, as it has been home to a diverse range of cultures.

Some of the must-visit places here are the Basilica of Notre Dame of la Garde, Chateau d’Ilf, Palais Longchamp, Fort Saint-Jean, and more. You can rent a car once you’re in these places as the locations are only 2 hours away from each other.

From Barcelona to Nice , there are limited non-stop flight, which is only an hour and 15 minutes. A flight with a connection transits in Bordeaux or Paris, making the flight around 3 hours and 15 minutes. The ticket costs between $30 to $50.

From Barcelona to Marseille , you can still take a flight that is direct. There are more flights with transit, which connect either in Paris, Madrid, or Lisbon. The ticket will cost between $100 to $150 per person.

From Canary Islands (Gran Canaria) to Marseille or to Nice , there’s no direct flight; most of them connect in Barcelona or Madrid and take around 6 to 7 hours, costing $70 to $120.

Naples, Italy for 6 days

Last but definitely not least, the location for the second itinerary for 3 weeks in Spain, France, and Italy. The final region is Naples, which is the regional capital of Campania and the third largest city in Italy.

Naples is famous for being the birthplace of Pizz a, a stunning opera house, a hub for history buffs, and its stunning churches. I want to highlight a couple of locations here in Naples, one of which is Sorrento.

It is a town overlooking the Bay of Naples, and aside from its ethereal view, it is also famous for its lacework, ceramics, and woodwork shops. You can also try limoncello, tart, and tangy desserts here.

Next is the Amalfi Coast, a stretch of coastline in Southern Italy overlooking the Gulf of Salerno and the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and has been a famous jet set spot for upper-class Europeans since the 18th century.

Lastly is the island of Capri , located in the Tyrrhenian Sea of the Sorrento Peninsula. Just like Amal Coast, Capri is also famous for jet setters. This place is filled with exquisite villas, immaculately manicured gardens, and stunning natural vistas.

You can reach Naples from Nice by air . But there are no direct flights; most connect in Barcelona, Madrid, or Paris. And the ticket prices are around $70 to $100.

Itinerary #3: Off-the-Trail (Florence, Bologna, Nantes, Seville)

The third itinerary is suitable for people who want to avoid the touristy crowd for a little bit but not miss out on the top sites each country has to offer.

The first stop is Florence (Italy) , which is an art lover’s paradise as it has some of the world’s most famous museums and galleries. The streets themselves are picturesque and are best travelled on foot as well.

The next destination is Bologna (Italy) , which offers its visitors a unique blend of world-class gastronomy and history. In fact, it is home to the oldest university in the Western world.

Nantes (France) is also filled with historical sites, particularly in the Bouffay District . Another reason why it is a must-visit is because of its must-try local dishes, including Crepes Bretonnes, Filet de Sandre au Beurre Blanc, Le Canard Nantais, and more.

The last stop is Seville (Spain), which is home to world-renowned landmarks such as Alcazar and the Cathedral of Sevilla, which is the third largest cathedral. Aside from that, it is also the cradle of flamenco, Spain’s most popular dance.

Florence, Italy for 5 days

Florence is the capital and the most populated city in the Tuscany region. It was a centre of medieval European trade and one of the wealthiest cities of that era. UNESCO declared it a world heritage site in 1982.

It is known for Renaissance art, culture, monuments, and architecture . You should definitely not skip Florence on your trip because it has one of the most famous art galleries in the world, with art pieces created by Da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Titian, to name a few.

Some of the must-visit tourist attractions in Florence are Battistero di San Giovani, Uffizi Palace and Gallery, San Lorenzo and Michaelangelo’s Medici Tombs, Palazzo Vecchio, and more.

It also offers interesting day trips, including one of the seven wonders of the world, the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Bologna, Italy for 3 days

Bologna is the capital of the metropolitan city and Emilia-Romagna region. It is the seventh most populous city in Italy. Bologna is known as the Fat City for its rich cuisine and as the food capital of Italy .

It is also called as the Red City for its red-tiled rooftops . Bologna is filled with historical churches, museums, medieval squares, and gardens.

A couple of top-rated attractions here are Piazza Maggiore and Piazza del Nettuno, San Petronio, Archiginnasio Anatomical Theater, Museo Civico Archeologico, and the leaning towers of Torre Garisenda and Torre Degli Asinelli, among others.

There are a few ways to get Bologna from Florence. The cheapest is by bus, which will take around two hours. The train is a little faster, around 40 minutes and also more comfortable. If you’re renting a car, the drive is about 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Nantes, France for 6 days

Nantes is a city in the Loire-Atlantique region of France . It is the sixth largest city in France. It is an ideal destination for those who want to get away from the usual hustle and bustle of major tourist spots.

But don’t get me wrong, there are still tons of things to see in Nantes. Machines of the Isle, for instance, is a famous amusement park that one must not miss out on, especially if you come with family.

Other locations include Jardin des Plantes de Nantes, Chateau Country, where you can see the Loire Valley and tons of mesmerizing castles, HAB Galerie, Musee des Beaux-Arts de Nantes, and more.

It offers beach day trips as well . For those who love football, this city also houses one of France’s most successful football leagues, FC Nantes.

Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from Bologna to Nantes . There are 1-stop flight, which transits to Madrid, Paris, or Amsterdam. It usually costs $150. If you can travel down to Rome, there are a bit more affordable flights, but they still require a connection.

Seville, Spain for 6 days

Seville is the capital and largest city of Andalusia . Its old town contains a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising three buildings: the General Archive of the Indies, the Cathedral, and the Alcazar Palace Complex.

Seville is one of Spain’s most popular destinations and is famous for its Christian, Jewish, and Moorish architecture and some of t he most delicious tapas known to mankind . It also is home to popular traditions such as bullfighting and flamenco.

A couple of places to visit in Seville include Alcazar Palace, Christopher Columbus’ Tomb, Plaza de Espana, Mercado de Triana, and more.

There are also numerous things to do here, such as availing a hop-on-hop-off bus tour, seeing a flamenco show, climbing Metropol Parasol, trying out the tapas at Seville’s oldest bar, Cordoba day trip, and more.

You can fly to Seville from Nantes and connect in Barcelona or Madrid . The ticket price is $70 to $150. You can also fly to Malaga and then travel by land to Seville.

Itinerary #4: Hiking Trail (Barcelona/Tenerife, Lyon, Catania)

Last but definitely not least, in 3 weeks in Spain, France, and Italy, the itinerary consists of places filled with hiking trails – perfect for active people and those who love the outdoors.

Barcelona (Spain) is actually usually the hikers’ starting point as it is near mountainous areas, and most of these are quick hikes.

It also has numerous day trips to other hiking locations such as Costa Brava, Montserrat, Montseny, and more. Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain) is a hiker’s paradise, as you’ll find the highest point in Spain here. The scenery includes pine forests, volcanic landscapes, and green valleys.

Lyon (France) is also filled with hiking paths that are suitable for all levels. In fact, there are no less than 150 countryside walks to be discovered in Rhone, both for regular and occasional walkers.

Last is Catania (Italy), or the entirety of Sicily island , which offers tons of hiking opportunities. Aside from Mount Etna, there’s also the village of Militello, surrounded by natural waterfalls, and the Sartorius Mountains, suitable for all fitness levels.

Barcelona or Tenerife, Spain for 6 days

You must choose between Barcelona and Tenerife. Both are great hiking destinations . The main difference is that Barcelona is in mainland Europe, while Tenerife is an island in the Canary region. Your next destination will d epend on your preference for hiking trail difficulties .

Barcelona is located on the Northeastern coast of Spain, near the border with France. It is the capital and the largest city of Catalonia and the second most populous municipality of Spain.

Tenerife, on the other hand, is the largest and most populous island of the Canary Islands. It is known for its world-class hiking trails because of its volcanic landscapes , while the trails in Barcelona are far in between.

That’s why Tenerife is better if you want to be completely surrounded by nature and do other nature-related activities such as snorkelling, scuba diving, and the like.

You might prefer to hike in Barcelona if you want a balanced city vibe with preserved historical structures and nature. Some of the hiking trails in Barcelona are Sant Jeroni Summit Loop, Mount Tibidabo, Park Guell, and La Rambla, among others.

Lyon, France for 8 days

Lyon is the third largest city in France, Located at the confluence of the rivers Saone and Rhone. It is loved as France’s gastronomy capital, with numerous Michelin-starred restaurants and a couple of themed cafes littered around the city.

It is perfect because you will need some nourishment after a couple of hours of hiking. Yes, Lyon also has a couple of hiking trails for adventurers at heart.

In fact, a couple of places that comes to mind are Parc Naturel regional du Morvan, Parc Naturel Régional Livradois-Forez, and Parc Naturel Régional des Monts d’Ardèche, which is a UNESCO global geopark

If you had your fill of hiking during your stay here, you can also have a day trip to Geneva (Switzerland).

You can get to Lyon from Barcelona by a non-stop plane , which takes 1 hour and 30 minutes and costs $30. From Tenerife to Lyon requires transit in Madrid or Lisbon , costing a lot more.

Catania/Sicily, Italy for 6 days

Although Catania is the logistical, commercial, and industrial centre of Sicily, i t also has tons of natural resources, such as mountains and beaches , perfect for hiking and other outdoor activities, but also some mind and body events. There are yoga retreats in Sicily that you can book if you’re interested in them.

Mount Etna is one of those must-hike locations . Other hiking trails are Schiena dell’Asino, Calanna Valley, Monte Zoccolaro, and more. It is an active volcano that attracts many visitors whenever it spills out lava, which is quite often.

It is the perfect place to end your trip because you can also enjoy the beaches there . This includes The Playa of Catania, Torre Pozillo Beach, Praiola Beach, Mulino Beach, and Santa Maria la Scala, among others.

There are still other tourist spots aside from hiking trails and beaches like Monastero dei Benedettini, Villa Bellini Gardens, Castelo Ursino, and Palazzo Biscari, among others.

There are flights from Lyon to Sicily, but most of them require a connection or two and are a bit pricey . If you can travel back to Paris, Nice, or even to Geneva (Switzerland), you can find better flights toward Sicily.

THINGS TO DO

After giving you some ideas on cities you can include in your itinerary for spending 3 weeks in Spain, France, and Italy, I want to share with you a list of things you can do in each place. These activities can also help you decide if the destinations you chose are suitable for you.

Bologna, Italy

• Explore the city centre – do a walking tour or a guided e-bike tour
• Piazza Maggiore
• Torre degli Asinelli – get an entrance ticket and food tasting option
• Fountain of Neptune
• Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca
• Basilica di San Petronio
• Basilica of San Domenico
• Ferrari Lamborghini – visit the factory and museums
• Palazzo d’Accursio
• Pinacoteca Nazionale
• Certosa di Bologna
• It’s the food capital; don’t miss food tours such as home cooking class or self-guided food tasting or visit a Bologna food factory or do a walking food tour or a classic food tour with a local or Emilia Romagna food tour

Florence, Italy

• Uffizi Gallery – buy an affordable skip-the-line tour in advance
• Ponte Vecchio
• Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
• Pallazo Vecchio
• David of Michaelangelo
• Pitti Palace
• Basilica of Santa Croce
• Accademia Gallery and Brunelleschi Dome
• Piazzale Michaelangelo
• Chianti Wineries – vineyard and wine tasting tour
• Cinque Terre hike from Florence
• Join a handmade pasta and dessert cooking class
• Forteza da Basso
• Travel from Florence to Pisa for the day including a stop at Siena and San Gimignano with lunch
• Day trip to Tuscany with Chianti Winery

Rome, Italy

• Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill – buy a combo ticket
• Vatican City, Vatican Museums (open from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm) and Sistine Chapel are open 24 hours – get yourself a skip-the-line ticket
• St. Peter’s Basilica is open every day from 7 am to 6 pm but from April through September, it is open until 7 pm – join a St. Peter’s Basilica to Underground Grotto tour
• Castle Saint Angelo or Mausoleum of Hadrian
• Spanish Steps
• Trevi Fountain
• Rome food tour
• Vatican and Rome City Pass with free use of transportation

Naples, Italy

• Naples hop-on hop-off bus tour
• Naples National Archaeological Museum
• Climbing Mount Vesuvius , famously caused the burial of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The hike towards the crater will only take 20-30 minutes. It opens at 9 am, but the closing hours vary, depending on the month.
• Veiled Christ – located in Sansevero Chapel Museum
• Ruins of Pompeii – visit the sites, including the Casa del Fauno, the Temple of Apollo, the Amphitheater, and the Temple of Jupiter – book a combo tour
• Visit Catacombe di San Gennaro – open from 9:30 am to 5 pm
• Herculaneum – Some interesting sights include the House of Argus and the Villa of Papyri. It is open from 9:30 am to 7:30 pm, but the last admission is at 6 pm.
• Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi full-day tour
• Castel dell Ovo is a sea-bound castle that is open from 9:30 am to 7:30 pm
• Boat Tour of Capri and Naples coastline or Capri and Blue Grotto
• Naples Underground tour
• Piazza del Plebiscito
• Bourbon Tunnel tour
• Castel Sant’Elmo
• Naples food tour or an authentic pizza-making workshop

Sicily, Italy

• Mount Etna is considered a UNESCO heritage site. It is accessible from 9 am to 4:15 pm during summer and from 9 am to 3:45 pm during winter
• Mount Etna buggy tour
• Zingaro Natural Reserve is open from 7 am to 7:30 pm
• Taormina – Greco Teatro, Castelmola, and Isola Bela
• Selinunte Archaeological Park is the largest in Europe. Tours last from 40 minutes to 4 hours, depending on the inclusions of the tour package you chose. It is open from 9 am to 4:30 pm
• No Mafia walking tour
• Cala Gadir is perfect for divers as the sea is always evident. It is open from 9 am to 7 pm
• Palermo food tour
• Catania City tour

Lyon, France

• Parc de la Tete d’Or
• La Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere
• Cathedrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste
• Rhone Valley – book a wine tasting tour
• Place Bellecour
• Musee des Confluences – get your ticket in advance
• Teatro Galo-Romano
• Vieux Lyon – join a food tour or an Old Town walking food tour
• Lake Geneva, Switzerland – 2 hours from Lyon
• Musee Cinema et Miniature
• Saone River – get on a cruise and visit UNESCO sites or a cruise with a dinner
• Musee de l’imprimerir et de la
• Musée des Arts de la Marionnette
• Fresqye des Lyonnais
• Bartholdi Fountain
• Lyon Botanical Garden

Marseille, France

• Mucem – Museum of Civilizations of Europe, you can skip the line and save some time
• Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde
• Old Port of Marseille
• Chateau d’lf
• Cathedrale La Major
• Massif des Calanques – have fun on a 5-hour cruise or explore with an e-bike
• Palais Longchamp
• Parc National des Calanques – sign up for a kayak tour
• Calanque de la creme
• Do a day trip to Provence – best if you have max of 7 people in your group or book a wine tour to Provence

Nice, France

• Promenade des Anglais
• Marc Chagall National Museum
• Musee Matisse
• Villefranche Bay – enjoy a 1-hour cruise or have fun snorkelling
• Castle of Nice
• Modern and Contemporary Art
• Foundation Maeght
• Field of Lavender and Gorges of Verdon – best if visiting from spring to summer, then you must book a tour of the Lavender fields
• Cathedrale Saint-Nicolas de Nice
• Parc Phoenix
• Cimiez Monastery
• Basilique Notre-Dame de l’Assomption
• Opera de Nice

Paris, France

• Eiffel Tower – you can skip the line and hike up the stairs or take the elevator
• Notre-Dame Cathedral
• Louvre Museum – get a skip-the-line ticket without a guide or with a live guide
• Sacre-Coeur
• Arc de Triomphe – scale the rooftop
• Pompidou Centre
• Seine River Cruise – you can book a 1-hour cruise or a cruise with a yummy gourmet dinner
• Champs-Elysees
• Musee de Montmartre
• Moulin Rouge Cabaret Show – enjoy with champagne or a dinner
• Musee d’Orsay
• Luxembourg Gardens
• Catacombs of Paris – explore with an audio guide
• Sainte-Chapelle
• Grand Palais
• Versailles – join a guided tour
• Tuileries Garden
• Shakespeare and Company

Barcelona, Spain

• Get a public transport pass – look at the price
• Mount Tibidabo
• Barceloneta Beach
• Basilica de la Sagrada Familia – skip the online and explore with an audio guide or combine with Parc Guell
• Barcelona Aquarium – suitable for young children, buy your ticket in advance
• Palau de la Musica Catalana
• Park Güell- get your ticket in advance , there’s a limit per day ticket sold for Parc Guell
• Casa Batllo
• Enjoy tapas and wine – book a walking tour
• Bogatell Beach/Playa de Bogatell
• Magic Fountain of Montjuic – ride a round-trip cable car
• Museo Picasso de Barcelona
• Explore Montserrate – join a half-day tour
• Trio-day trip and cover Spain, France, and Andorra – check the itinerary
• Walk around Barri Gotic
• Go kayaking and snorkelling in Costa Brava – book an affordable tour

Gran Canaria, Spain

• Pico de las Nieves
• Reserva Natural Especial de las dunas de Maspalomas
• Go scuba diving – book a tour
• Playa Puerto Rico
• Drive an ATV – enjoy a tour
• Roque Nublo
• Enjoy a submarine tour – read the reviews
• Palmitos Park
• Sign up for a morning cruise – check the price

Madrid, Spain

• Royal Palace – get your fast-access ticket
• Plaza Mayor
• Museo Nacional del Prado – purchase your ticket in advance
• Parque Natural de Peñalara and Sierra de Guadarrama National Park
• Visit Real Madrid’s Stadium (Santiago Bernabéu Stadium) – join a Bernabeu Stadium tour
• Buen Retiro Park and the Crystal Palace
• Puerta del Sol
• Fuente de Cibeles and Gran Via
• Temple of Debod
• Basilica de San Francisco el Grande
• Enjoy wine and tapas tasting – join a group tour
• Puerta de Alcala
• Watch a flamenco show with dinner
• National Museum of Romanticism
• Day trip to Avila and Segovia and visit historical sites or go to Toledo with a local guide

Seville, Spain

• Royal Alcazar of Seville
• Catedral de Seville
• Punta Umbria Beach
• Cascadas del Hueznar
• Real Alcazar
• Parque de Maria Luisa and Plaza de Espana
• Barrio de Santa Cruz
• Museo del Baile Flamenco
• Real Maestranza de Caballeria de Sevilla
• Palacio de la Condesa de Lebrija
• Metropol Parasol
• Torro del Oro

Tenerife, Spain

• Lago Martianez
• Playa de Las Teresitas
• Mount Teide National Park
• Siam Water Park – get your tickets
• Whale and dolphin watching
• Museum of Science and the Cosmos
• Fuerteventura – do a 4×4 tour
• Cueva del Viento
• Masca Village
• Tabaiba Shipwreck/Pecio de Tabaiba
• Bajamar Natural Pools/Piscina Natural de Bajamar Teneriffa
• Sign up for a whale and dolphin watching tour or do a kayak tour while looking for dolphins and turtles

WHERE TO STAY

To make it a bit easier, I also included a list of accommodations for the destinations listed on this 3 weeks in Spain, France, and Italy itinerary. These are arranged by city and also according to your budget.

• Affordable: Casa Isolani Pizza Maggiore or Denise B&B
• Mid-range: Casa Isolani or A San Lazzaro Rooms
• Luxury: Art Hotel Commercianti or Hotel Corona d’Oro or NH Bologna De La Gare or Starhotels Excelsoir
• Mid-range: hu Firenze Camping in Town or B&B Home
• Luxury: Hotel De La Ville or Hotel della Signoria
• Affordable: Residenza Laterano or Affittacamere de Barby
• Mid-range: Villa Paganini or Walker Guest House
• Luxury: Dimora ai Fori or Tree Charme Parliament Boutique
• Affordable: Los Mochileros Hostel or Naples Experience Hostel
• Mid-range: B&B Vesu or Raggio di Sole 2
• Luxury: Macchiato Suites or Relais della Porta
• Affordable: Appartamento Aretusa or B&B Great Sicily
• Mid-range: San Giorgio Palace or Villa Giardinata
• Luxury: Casa Nostra Boutique or Domia Boutique
• Affordable: Alter’hostel or Away Hostel & Coffee Shop
• Mid-range: Bayard Bellecour or Hotel Edmon W Lyong Part-Dieu
• Luxury: Hotel Le Roosevelt or Cour des Loges Lyon
• Affordable: Toyoko INN or Montempo Marseille Centre Dome
• Mid-range: Best Western Hotel or Maison Juste
• Luxury: La Residence Du Vieux Port or Hotel Belle-Vue Vieux-Port
• Affordable: Villa Saint Exupery Beach Hostel or Hostel Ozz Nice
• Mid-range: Hotel Byakko Nice or Villa Berlioz or Centrum Nice
• Luxury: Hotel de France by AMMI or Hotel La Villa Nice Victor Hugo or Hotel Florence Nice
• Affordable: Hotel des Belges or City Inn Paris
• Mid-range: B&B Hotel Paris or Au Pacific Hotel
• Luxury: Pullman Paris or citizenM Paris or Hotel 31 or Hotel Vic Eiffel or Moris Grands or XO Hotel
• Affordable: Unite Hostel or Factory Hostel
• Mid-range: Sixties Ramblas or Violeta Boutique
• Luxury: Vincci Gala or Ohla Barcelona or ME Barcelona
• Affordable: La Hoyilla Hostel or Mountain Hostel Finca La Isa
• Mid-range: La Cason Canaria or Hotel Rural Hacien del Buen Suceso
• Luxury: Hotel the Lumm or Hotel Cordial or Wavia Hotel (adults only)
• Affordable: Olblanc Plaza de Espana or Hostal Arrate
• Mid-range: II Castilla Madrid or Hotel Liabeny
• Luxury: Pestana CR7 Gran via Madrid or Palacio de Atocha
• Affordable: Hostel A2C or Pension Javier
• Mid-range: Hotel Casona de San Andreas or Cool Sevilla Hotel
• Luxury: Hotel Rey Alfonos X or Hotel Dona Maria
• Affordable: Albergue San Jose de Los Llanos or Hotel Las Canadas
• Mid-range: Hotel Adonis Plaza or Alua Tenerife
• Luxury: Hotel Hacienda del Conde or Gran Melia Palacio de Isora Resort & Spa

MUST-TRY DISHES AND DESSERTS FROM EACH COUNTRY

European cuisine is easily my favourite in the Each country has so much to offer; from savoury to sweet food, it’s all so satisfying. When it comes to dessert, France has my heart, while Italy gets me when it comes to savoury food. And, of course, Spain is my go-to for seafood dishes.

Here’s a quick list of traditional and authentic food you can try during your visit. Don’t forget to at least check out 3-4 items (or more!) from this list and see which ones you like the most.

• Bouillabaisse
• Ratatouille
• Boeuf Bourguignon
• Creme Brulee
• Tarte Tatin
• Pizza Napoletana
• Risotto alla Milanese
• Panna Cotta
• Jamon Iberico
• Tortilla Espanola
• Churros con Chocolate
• Crema Catalana
• Tarta de Santiago

SUMMARY OF 3 WEEKS IN SPAIN, FRANCE, AND ITALY ITINERARY

Did you know that Spain is the second most-visited country worldwide? Very rightfully so, as it has so much to offer.

It is filled with aesthetic natural beauty, crystalline Mediterranean beaches, a favourable climate all year round, and well-preserved historical landmarks, while France is a perfect balance of history, art, culture, and food, as well as the snow-capped Alps.

And, of course, let’s not forget Italy, which is famous mainly for its contribution to the fashion scene, architecture, art, and literature.

To sum it up, this trip will be a feast not only for your eyes and will fill your stomach, but you’ll also enjoy learning about their history and culture, and adventure-seekers, activities that will definitely give you a rush.

3 weeks in Spain France and Italy sounds like a lot, and it is. But it’s not impossible. So get started on the planning and make the most of your holiday. I hope that you found these itineraries helpful.

SAVE THIS TRAVEL ITINERARY ON YOUR PINTEREST:

Spain and France

The perfect 7 days itinerary.

Spain and France are two of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, each boasting a rich history, vibrant culture, and delectable cuisine. Spain, known for its sunny beaches, lively fiestas, and world-class art, offers a unique blend of old and new. France, on the other hand, is famous for its romantic cities, picturesque countryside, and world-renowned wines. This 7-day itinerary will take you through the highlights of both countries, from the bustling streets of Madrid and Barcelona to the romantic allure of Paris and the French Riviera .

What to do in Spain and France?

This 7 days itinerary is the perfect guide to the best things to see in Spain and France. It includes day-by-day activities, travel tips, and the top places to visit.

Day 1: Madrid: Art and History

Start your journey in Madrid , Spain's vibrant capital. Visit the Prado Museum , home to one of the finest collections of European art. Afterward, head to the Royal Palace , the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family. End your day with a stroll around the Plaza Mayor , a grand arcaded square in the center of Madrid .

Day 2: Barcelona: Architecture and Culture

Travel to Barcelona , a city known for its unique architecture and vibrant culture. Visit the iconic Sagrada Familia , a large unfinished Roman Catholic church designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. Explore the Gothic Quarter , a maze of narrow medieval streets filled with trendy bars and clubs.

Day 3: Barcelona: Art and Beaches

Spend another day in Barcelona . Visit the Picasso Museum , which houses one of the most extensive collections of artworks by the 20th-century Spanish artist Pablo Picasso. In the afternoon, relax on the sandy beaches of Barcelona , such as Barceloneta Beach .

Day 4: Paris: City of Love

Travel to Paris , the romantic capital of France. Visit the iconic Eiffel Tower and take a boat tour on the Seine River . Explore the Louvre Museum , home to thousands of works of art, including the Mona Lisa. End your day with a stroll along the Champs-Élysées , one of the most famous streets in the world.

Day 5: Paris: Art and History

Spend another day in Paris . Visit the Musée d'Orsay , which houses a large collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces. Explore the historic district of Montmartre , known for its bohemian atmosphere and the white-domed Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur on its hilltop.

Day 6: French Riviera: Beaches and Glamour

Travel to the French Riviera , a glamorous tourist destination known for its beautiful beaches, luxury hotels, and charming towns. Visit Nice , where you can stroll along the Promenade des Anglais or explore the old town with its vibrant markets and colorful buildings.

Day 7: French Riviera: Luxury and Nature

Spend your last day in the French Riviera . Visit Cannes , famous for its annual film festival, and stroll along La Croisette , a boulevard lined with sandy beaches, upmarket boutiques, and palatial hotels. If time allows, take a boat trip to the Lérins Islands , a group of four Mediterranean islands off the French Riviera .

Was this helpful?

South of France and Spain Itinerary 10 Days

Kayla D. Martinez

Senior Travel Writer

Kayla D. Martinez is a senior travel writer and a passionate travel enthusiast, whose journey through the world of exploration and storytelling has left an indelible mark on the travel industry. Throughout her career, Kayla has penned countless articles for prestigious travel publications, capturing the essence of cultures, the beauty of landscapes, and the allure of hidden gems. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for uncovering hidden treasures, Kayla has a knack for immersing herself in the local culture of the places she visits, forging connections with locals, and uncovering the untold stories that lie beneath the surface. Her commitment to responsible and sustainable travel practices sets a positive example for her readers and fellow travelers.

Kayla D. Martinez is a senior travel writer and a passionate travel enthusiast, whose journey through the world of exploration and storytelling has left an indelible mark on the travel...

Hello World

Dreaming of wandering through the breathtaking South of France and Spain itinerary?

This travel blog has crafted a perfect 10-day itinerary for you, covering both the South of France and Spain, ensuring you don’t miss a beat.

From the Mediterranean beauty of the French Riviera Capital to the beaches and Gothic architecture of Barcelona, this trip is sure to be a memory of a lifetime.

Keep reading to find out!

Key Takeaways: ➜ Savor the flavors of the Mediterranean with iconic dishes like bouillabaisse in Marseille and tapas in Barcelona, enhancing your travel experience. ➜ Engage yourself in the vibrant cultural tapestry of the region, from exploring Gaudí’s architectural wonders in Spain to the charming streets of Nice.

Overview of The South of France and Spain Itinerary

Ready to transform your south of France and Spain trip into an unforgettable journey?

Look no further! We’ve put together a comprehensive 10-day itinerary to guide you through the spots effortlessly:

Destination 1: Nice

Welcome to Nice- the second-largest French city on the Mediterranean Coast .

A visit to this ancient Greek-founded gem and modern seaside hotspot is the best decision you can make- guaranteed.

However, don’t rush – take your time to explore the city’s rich history and lively present. From glamorous beaches and luxurious yachts to beautiful villages, this region offers it all.

Popular airlines from Major US cities to Nice Cote d’Azur Airport (NCE) include

• Delta Air Lines (SkyTeam)
• United Airlines (Star Alliance)
• American Airlines (Oneworld)
• La Compagnie

So, your activities for days 1 and 2 in the capital of the French Riviera can go like this-

Day 1 Activities in Nice

• Promenade des Anglais : Stroll along this iconic seafront promenade, enjoy the views of the Mediterranean, and relax on the pebbled beaches.
• Old Town (Vieux Nice) : Explore the narrow, winding streets, visit the colorful markets, and savor local cuisine at a traditional café or bistro.
• Nice Castle (Colline du Château) : Hike or take the elevator to the top for panoramic views of Nice, the coastline, and the surrounding area.
• Visit a local market : Browse the Cours Saleya Market for fresh produce, flowers, and regional delicacies.

Day 2 Activities – Day Trip to Villefranche-sur-Mer

• Villefranche-sur-Mer Old Town : Wander through the charming streets, admire the colorful buildings, and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.
• Plage de Villefranche : Relax on the beautiful sandy beach and take in the clear blue waters of the bay.
• Saint-Pierre Chapel : Visit this small chapel adorned with murals by Jean Cocteau, a unique cultural attraction.
• Explore the waterfront : Walk along the scenic harbor, enjoy the stunning views, and dine at one of the waterfront restaurants.
• Fort du Mont Alban : Hike up to this historical fort for wonderful views of the bay and the surrounding area.

Return to Nice for a good night’s sleep and get ready for your next destination the following day.

Destination 2: Marseille

The next stop is Marseille- France’s largest and oldest city on the Mediterranean coast . A drive from Nice to Marseille along the French Riviera coast takes no more than 2.5 hours.

You’ll traverse breathtaking coastal roads, soaking in stunning sea views and exploring charming towns along the way. All you need to do is simply rent a car and let the scenic route unveil its beauty and capture picturesque landscapes.

Day 3 activities in Marseilles

• Vieux Port (Old Port) : Stroll around the bustling harbor, visit the local fish market, and enjoy a meal at one of the many seafood restaurants.
• MuCEM : Explore the exhibits on Mediterranean culture and history in this striking modern museum.
• Notre-Dame de la Garde : Visit this iconic basilica for panoramic views of Marseille and the Mediterranean Sea.
• Explore Le Panier : Wander through the oldest district of Marseille, with its colorful streets, art galleries, and local shops.
• Relax at Plage des Catalans : Spend some time at this popular beach near the city center.

Day 4 trip to Avignon 

The drive from Marseilles to Avignon will take only 1 hour and 15 minutes by car.

• Pope’s Palace : Tour this impressive medieval palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and learn about its historical significance.
• Pont Saint-Bénézet : Walk along this famous bridge and take in views of the Rhône River.
• Avignon Cathedral : Visit this historic cathedral with its beautiful architecture and views from the nearby gardens.
• Jardin des Doms : Relax in these peaceful gardens with panoramic views of Avignon and the surrounding landscape.
• Enjoy local wine : Sample wines from the region in one of Avignon’s charming wine bars or cafes.

Stay the night in this medieval place and prepare for your next day.

Destination 3: Montpellier

Having revealed Marseille’s secret treasures and Avignon’s timeless beauty, it’s now the perfect moment to discover the enchanting city of Montpellier. A drive from Avignon to Montpellier will take about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Situated just inland from France’s southern coastline, Montpellier is famed for its stunning cathedrals and wide boulevards.

You should allocate at least two days to explore this city.

Why? Because the city has an abundance of fantastic activities available, check out how to utilize your time in Montpellier:

Day 5 activities in Montpellier

• Place de la Comédie : Explore this central square, known for its lively atmosphere, historic buildings, and the grand Opéra Comédie.
• Explore the historic center : Wander through Montpellier’s charming streets, visit local boutiques, and enjoy a meal at a café or restaurant.
• Jardin des Plantes : Visit this beautiful botanical garden, perfect for a leisurely stroll and enjoying its diverse plant collections.
• Musée Fabre : Discover an impressive collection of fine arts, including works from the Renaissance to contemporary pieces, in this renowned museum.
• Montpellier Cathedral : Admire the Gothic architecture and explore the interior of this historic cathedral.

Day 6 trip to Narbonne

A drive from Montpellier to Narbonne will take about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

• Narbonne Cathedral : Visit this Gothic cathedral, known for its stunning architecture and impressive interior.
• Palais des Archevêques : Explore this historical archbishop’s palace with its rich history and impressive architecture.
• Les Halles de Narbonne : Browse this vibrant market for fresh produce, local delicacies, and regional specialties.
• Canal de la Robine : Walk along this beautiful canal, which is part of the UNESCO-listed Canal du Midi .
• Visit the Roman Horreum : Discover the well-preserved underground Roman warehouse and learn about the city’s ancient history.

Enjoy a leisurely evening in Narbonne, dining at a local restaurant, or exploring the charming streets. Have a good sleep, as the next day will be about crossing the border to Spain.

Destination 4: Barcelona

Located in the northeastern part of Spain in the Catalonia region, it holds the title of the country’s most-visited city. A drive from Narbonne to Barcelona will take about 3 hours, or alternatively, you can also take the train, which will take you within 2 hours.

Explore the lively Catalan capital, including Gaudi’s architecture and Las Ramblas.

Day 7 activities in Barcelona

• Sagrada Familia : Marvel at Antoni Gaudí’s iconic basilica, renowned for its intricate architecture and ongoing construction.
• Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic) : Wander through the narrow medieval streets, visit the Barcelona Cathedral, and explore charming squares like Plaça Reial.
• Picasso Museum : Explore an extensive collection of Pablo Picasso’s works, showcasing his artistic evolution and relationship with Barcelona.
• La Rambla : Stroll down this lively boulevard, known for its shops, street performers, and vibrant atmosphere.
• La Boqueria Market : Enjoy a visit to this bustling food market, perfect for sampling local delicacies and fresh produce.

Day 8 activities in Barcelona

• Montjuïc Hill : Explore this scenic hill with attractions including Montjuïc Castle, the Magic Fountain, and beautiful gardens.
• Fundació Joan Miró : Visit this museum dedicated to the works of Joan Miró, featuring a significant collection of his art.
• Poble Espanyol : Discover this open-air architectural museum that showcases replicas of traditional Spanish buildings and crafts.
• Casa Batlló : Admire another of Gaudí’s masterpieces, known for its colorful facade and unique design.
• Casa Milà (La Pedrera) : Explore this Gaudí-designed building with its distinctive stone facade and rooftop sculptures.
• Barceloneta Beach : Relax at this popular urban beach, enjoy a seaside walk, or dine at one of the nearby seafood restaurants

Destination 5: Donostia-San Sebastian

Last but not least, you shouldn’t miss taking at least a two-day tour of the pristine beaches of San Sebastian.

Wondering what’s the catch here? Well, it’s a haven with three stunning shores: Playa de la Concha and Playa de Ondarreta, and the vibrant Zurriola (or Gros Beach).

But, this is not the end; it offers more than just these beautiful beaches.

Day 9 activities in San Sebastian

• La Concha Beach : Relax on this iconic beach, renowned for its beautiful bay and golden sands. Enjoy sunbathing, swimming, or a leisurely stroll along the promenade.
• Old Town (Parte Vieja) : Explore the vibrant heart of San Sebastián, famous for its bustling tapas bars, narrow streets, and lively atmosphere.
• El Buen Pastor Cathedral : Visit this beautiful neo-Gothic cathedral with its striking architecture and serene interior.
• San Telmo Museoa : Discover Basque culture and history through a diverse collection of art, artifacts, and exhibitions in this museum housed in a former convent.
• Monte Urgull : Hike up this hill for panoramic views of the city and bay, and explore the historic fortress and sculptures along the way.

Day 10 activities in San Sebastian

• Miramar Palace : Tour this elegant palace and its surrounding gardens, which offer stunning views of the bay and the city.
• Zurriola Beach : Enjoy this popular beach known for its surf-friendly waves and relaxed atmosphere.
• Aquarium : Visit this modern aquarium featuring marine life exhibits, a glass tunnel through the main tank, and a touch pool.
• Peine del Viento : Marvel at the unique sculptures by Eduardo Chillida located at the edge of the sea, where waves crash against the rocks.
• Kursaal Congress Centre : Admire this contemporary architectural landmark and catch a performance or event if available.
• Basaula Market : Explore this local market for fresh produce, local specialties, and a taste of regional cuisine.

Your scenic tour of the South of France and Spain has reached its final chapter. So, for your return journey to the USA from Donostia-San Sebastián, you can choose from several major airlines that offer international flights.

Delta Air Lines and American Airlines provide direct flights from major European hubs to various US cities. United Airlines also offers robust transatlantic service.

Travel Tips for South of France and Spain Itinerary

As you are planning to make a wonderful trip to two culturally rich and diverse regions, learning travel tips for maximizing your experience is a must.

• Travel Documents : Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date. Depending on your nationality, check if a visa/ Green Card is required for entry into France and Spain.
• Currency : Both France and Spain use the Euro (€). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted. However, carry some cash for emergencies.
• Language : Basic phrases in each language can be helpful. 
• Health and Safety : Carry a basic first-aid kit and any personal medications. Consider travel insurance for coverage of health and travel disruptions.
• Packing : Pack light, breathable clothing for warm weather, but also bring a light jacket for cooler evenings and coastal breezes. Comfortable walking shoes are essential.
• Public Transit : Both cities have efficient public transportation systems. In Nice, you can use trams and buses; whereas, in Barcelona, the metro, buses, and trams are more convenient.
• Car Rentals : If you are planning to rent a car , familiarize yourself with local driving laws and road signs as parking can be quite challenging in city centers.

Closing Notes

Your comprehensive South of France and Spain itinerary includes every dreamy aspect of your journey from A to Z with suggestions on dining, drinking, and accommodations.

From the sun-kissed beaches of the French Riviera to the historic streets of Barcelona, each day embraces new adventures and sights. This remarkable adventure promises an incredible exploration of two countries’s most cherished treasures, where every stop is simply an invitation to indulge in the finer things.

So, let this be the moment your dreams take flight. There’s no better time than now.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many days in South of France is enough?

To truly experience the beauty of the South of France, spending a week or two is recommended. This way, you can leisurely take in the stunning scenery and explore at a pace that suits you best.

How many days to visit Spain and France?

Spend two weeks exploring Spain and France to discover the best landmarks, the countryside, medieval towns, and wine-tasting areas, and enjoy the Mediterranean sun. This journey offers a rich taste of both countries’ diverse offerings.

What is the best way to travel between France and Spain?

Flying from Spain to France is the quickest option, taking 4 hours and 12 minutes and costing between €26 – €190. Other choices include a 7 hours and 57 minutes train ride (€160 – €280) or a 13hours and 2–minute bus journey (€65 – €210).

Where can I base myself in South of France?

In the south of France, consider basing yourself in cities like Nice, Marseille, or Aix en Provence for their strategic locations. Their access to major attractions and vibrant local culture make them ideal starting points for exploration.

How many days in Spain is enough?

Well, your exploration time in Spain depends on your interests and travel style. However, 10 days allows for experiencing key highlights and crafting unforgettable memories.

How many days should I visit Spain for?

Staying longer in Spain is beneficial, yet two weeks is optimal to understand the country’s essence. This duration allows exploration of major highlights and personal interests in attractions or regions.

South of France and Italy Itinerary for 10 Days at 5 Amazing Destinations!

How much does food cost in paris france, you may also like, your perfect 1 week italy itinerary with amalfi coast, 16 adventurous things to do in italy you cannot miss, 19 unique things to do in northern italy for the adventurers, what to visit in rome in 3 days for a perfect adventure, your perfect guide to must-see spots on rome vatican city tour, 12 most captivating beaches in italy for swimming, 16 popular solo travel destinations in italy in 2024, why is pompeii referred to as the lost city, 16 must-visit churches in venice for history lovers, a perfect 3-day amalfi coast tour from rome.

Social Profiles

• Destinations
• Inspirations
• Trips Ideas
• Trip Planning
• Travel News
• Editors' Packs
• Meet Authors

Useful links

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Cookie Policy

Home > Itineraries > 14 Day France & Spain

France & Spain 14-Day Tour Itinerary

Expert guides, luxury vehicles, tour around spain & france in 2 weeks.

Our tour planning specialists have designed this 14-day journey through the heart of France and Spain for you to experience the best of these two European gems in just two weeks.

From the iconic Eiffel Tower and the historic D-Day beaches of Normandy to the architectural wonders of Barcelona and the historic charm of Madrid, this tour offers a deep dive into the rich heritage and vibrant life of two of Europe’s most enchanting countries.

Join us on this grand adventure through the very soul of France and Spain.

Destinations On Our 14-Day France & Spain Itinerary

• Day 1: Paris
• Day 2: Versailles Palace and Paris
• Day 3: Giverny: Monet's Idyllic Retreat
• Day 4: Normandy D-Day Beaches Tour
• Day 5: Mont Saint-Michel
• Day 6: Bayeux Tapestry and Honfleur

Day 7: Return to Paris and Flight to Barcelona

Day 8: discovering gaudi's barcelona.

• Day 9: Exploring Montserrat and a Winery

Day 10: The Gothic Heart of Barcelona

• Day 11: Flight to Madrid
• Day 12: Toledo Day Trip
• Day 13: Segovia Day Trip
• Day 14: Farewell Madrid

Day 1: Arrival in Paris - The City of Light Awaits

Welcome to Paris!

Start your journey in the heart of France as you arrive in Paris. Your driver-guide will meet you and ensure a comfortable transfer to your hotel.

Eiffel Tower - A Glimpse of Parisian Splendor

Your journey in Paris begins with the iconic Eiffel Tower, a marvel of engineering and architecture that has captivated visitors since its debut in 1889 for the World’s Fair. As you ascend to its observation decks, the panoramic views unfold, offering a breathtaking vista of Paris’ sprawling cityscape.

From the heights, witness the Seine River winding through the city, the Montmartre district crowned by the Sacré-Cœur, and the orderly avenues radiating from the Arc de Triomphe.

This first encounter with Paris from above sets the tone for an unforgettable exploration of the city’s wonders.

Louvre Museum - A Treasure Trove of Art

The Louvre Museum, a former royal palace transformed into the largest art museum in the world, houses an astounding collection that spans from ancient civilizations to 19th-century European masterpieces.

Each hall and gallery unfolds with stories of artistic endeavor and historical significance, from the enigmatic smile of the Mona Lisa to the graceful form of the Venus de Milo. The museum’s architecture, blending classical and modern elements, including the iconic glass pyramid, enhances the experience.

Champs-Élysées - Paris' Historic Avenue

Your day culminates with a stroll along the Champs-Élysées, the epitome of Parisian elegance and vitality.

This historic avenue, stretching from Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe, is a microcosm of Parisian life, bustling with activity and brimming with the charm of the city’s café culture.

The Arc de Triomphe at the avenue’s end stands as a powerful tribute to France’s military history, inviting contemplation and offering a moment of reflection on the sacrifices made for the nation.

Day 2: Versailles Palace & Evening in Paris

Visit the opulent Versailles Palace, delving into the grandeur of French royalty. Later, revel in Paris’ enchanting beauty with a serene Seine River cruise and an exploration of Montmartre’s artistic allure.

Experience the quintessence of Parisian culture in this unforgettable blend of history, art, and nighttime vibrancy.

Palace of Versailles Guided Tour

Your journey to Versailles begins with a comfortable private transfer as your driver collects you from your accommodation in Paris.

Our private guide will meet you at the palace’s gates, setting the stage for an immersive exploration of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Within its opulent walls and expansive gardens, Versailles tells the story of France’s golden age under the reign of Louis XIV. The guided tour unveils the palace’s most iconic spaces, including the Hall of Mirrors, where the Treaty of Versailles was signed, and the lavish Royal Apartments, each room a testament to the luxury and extravagance of the Sun King’s court.

Stroll through the immaculate gardens, designed by André Le Nôtre, where art and nature blend seamlessly in a display of baroque landscape design.

Seine River Cruise

Upon returning to Paris, we have a serene Seine River cruise planned for you in the afternoon.

Glide past historic landmarks and picturesque bridges, including Notre Dame Cathedral and the Musée d’Orsay, from the unique vantage point of the river. This tranquil journey offers a moment of reflection amid the city’s bustling pace, providing a fresh perspective on Paris’ enduring beauty and architectural marvels.

Montmartre Discovery

As dusk falls, the enchanting district of Montmartre beckons.

Renowned for its bohemian spirit and artistic heritage, Montmartre’s cobbled streets, bustling squares, and cozy cafés offer a glimpse into the Paris of yesteryear.

Visit the iconic Sacré-Cœur Basilica, perched atop the hill, offering panoramic views of the city below. As night descends, immerse yourself in the vibrant nightlife, perhaps enjoying a show at the legendary Moulin Rouge or savoring a gourmet dinner at a traditional Parisian bistro, capturing the essence of Parisian joie de vivre.

Day 3: Journey from Paris to Normandy

Leave the bustling streets of Paris behind as you set off with your driver to the historic region of Normandy. Your day begins with a leisurely drive through the picturesque French countryside, leading you to the first stop on your itinerary.

Giverny: Monet's Idyllic Retreat

Discover the enchanting village of Giverny, a source of inspiration for many of Claude Monet’s masterpieces. Stroll through the charming streets that lead to the artist’s beloved home and gardens.

Tour of Monet's House

Step inside Claude Monet’s House in Giverny, where the father of Impressionism lived and painted for 43 years.

This tour invites you to explore the vibrant living spaces, the sunny yellow dining room, and his first studio. Surrounded by colorful flowerbeds and the famous water garden with its Japanese bridge, lily pond, and weeping willows, you’ll witness the natural scenes that inspired some of Monet’s most beloved works.

Monet's Gardens: An Impressionist's Paradise

Explore the vibrant and lush gardens of Monet, where the play of light and shadow amongst the floral tapestry comes to life just as it did in his paintings.

Walk by the famous water lily pond, a motif that recurs in Monet’s work, bringing the essence of his art to vibrant reality.

After immersing yourself in the artistic splendor of Giverny, continue your journey to Normandy.

Upon arrival, check into your accommodation, where you’ll be greeted with the warm hospitality characteristic of the region. Unwind and prepare for the upcoming days of exploring Normandy’s rich historical heritage and stunning natural beauty.

Day 4: D-Day Beaches Tour

Pay homage to the fallen at the D-Day beaches in Normandy while your guide reveals the narratives and tactics that influenced this crucial period.

This day promises a profound journey of contemplation and insight, visiting the very locations where bravery and sacrifice made such a monumental impact on the War.

Omaha Beach Landing Sites

Walk along the same sands where the American forces bravely faced formidable German defenses at Omaha Beach, one of the principal landing sites of the Allied invasion.

Your guide will recount the harrowing tales of courage and sacrifice that marked this pivotal moment in World War II, bringing to life the struggles and triumphs of the soldiers who fought for freedom.

Utah Beach: The Westernmost Flank

Continue to Utah Beach, the westernmost flank of the D-Day landings, where the American 4th Infantry Division landed.

Here, amidst the now-peaceful dunes, you’ll learn about the strategic planning and execution of the landings, the challenges faced by the troops, and the surprising events of the day that led to unexpected outcomes. The Utah Beach Museum, overlooking the beach, offers further insights with its comprehensive exhibits and artifacts.

American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer

The tour culminates at the American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, a solemn tribute to the American soldiers who lost their lives during the Normandy campaign.

Stroll among the rows of white crosses and Stars of David that stretch across the land overlooking the sea. The visitor center provides personal stories, photographs, and interactive displays, deepening the understanding of the sacrifices made for liberty.

As the sun sets over the Channel, return to your accommodation in Normandy, carrying with you a deeper appreciation of the events of June 6, 1944, and their lasting impact on the world.

Day 5: Mont Saint-Michel Excursion

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Mont Saint-Michel is renowned for its unique combination of natural beauty and architectural splendor. This day tour will transport you to an ethereal medieval world where history and legend intertwine.

Mont Saint-Michel Abbey

Perched atop the island, the majestic Mont Saint-Michel Abbey is a testament to medieval ingenuity and devotion. Your guided tour will lead you through the abbey’s intricate network of halls, chapels, and cloisters, each telling a piece of the island’s rich history.

Discover the abbey’s architectural marvels, from the Romanesque church to the Gothic choir, and learn about the life of the Benedictine monks who once inhabited this spiritual sanctuary.

Medieval Village Exploration

After the abbey, walk through the narrow, winding streets of Mont Saint-Michel’s medieval village.

Encased within ancient ramparts, the village is a living museum, with its historic buildings now housing quaint shops, charming eateries, and museums. Your guide will highlight the village’s most fascinating features, sharing tales of past sieges, pilgrimages, and daily life in this extraordinary setting.

In the early evening, return to your Normandy accommodation.

Day 6: Bayeux Tapestry & Honfleur Discovery

On day six, we enter the historic town of Bayeux, famed for its medieval masterpiece, the Bayeux Tapestry.

Then, journey to the picturesque port town of Honfleur, known for its artistic heritage and maritime charm.

Bayeux Tapestry Exhibition

Our first destination is Bayeux, where the undoubted highlight is the UNESCO-listed Bayeux Tapestry.

This 70-meter-long embroidered cloth is not just an art piece but a historical document that narrates the tale of the Norman conquest of England in 1066.

Your guided tour will offer insights into the medieval craftsmanship, storytelling, and historical context of this remarkable artifact, providing a vivid window into the past.

Bayeux's Historical Center

After your tapestry experience, your guide will take you through Bayeux’s well-preserved historical center.

The town’s medieval architecture, including its magnificent cathedral, which dates back to the same era as the tapestry, is extraordinary.

Honfleur's Maritime Charm

In the afternoon, proceed to Honfleur, a captivating port town that has inspired artists, including Claude Mone, amongst others.

Explore the old harbor surrounded by colorful buildings, and visit Saint Catherine’s Church, built entirely of wood, as you amble through its picturesque streets. The town’s unique blend of maritime history and artistic legacy makes it a serene conclusion to your day.

As the evening approaches, return to your accommodation in Normandy.

The final leg of your Normandy adventure as you journey back to Paris. En route, discover the historic city of Rouen, known for its awe-inspiring cathedral and rich history tied to Joan of Arc.

Finally, we end the French section of our itinerary with an evening flight to Barcelona.

Rouen Cathedral Visit

On our way back to Paris, we will stop in Rouen, a city steeped in history and art.

Explore Rouen Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture that has inspired many, including the impressionist painter Claude Monet. Delve into the cathedral’s intricate designs, towering spires, and the history echoing through its grand halls.

Joan of Arc's Rouen

Rouen is also famously known as the site where Joan of Arc was tried and martyred.

Walk through the old market square, now marked by a modern church dedicated to her memory. Your guide will share tales of her bravery, trial, and lasting legacy in French history.

Return to Paris and Flight to Barcelona

After immersing yourself in Rouen’s rich cultural tapestry, continue your journey back to Paris, where you will proceed to the airport for your flight to Barcelona.

The 1.5-hour flight will whisk you away to the vibrant capital of Catalonia. Upon landing, your driver will greet you and ensure a comfortable transfer to your Barcelona accommodation, setting the stage for the next chapter of your journey.

On the morning of day eight, you will awake in Barcelona, a city renowned for its architectural marvels and the genius of Antoni Gaudi, an architect synonymous with Catalan Modernism.

Your journey through Barcelona’s streets will unveil Gaudi’s imaginative brilliance, immersing you in a world where architecture and art merge.

Gaudi's Masterpieces on Paseo de Gracia

Your day starts with a guided tour of Gaudi’s iconic structures along the bustling Paseo de Gracia.

Casa Batllo is known locally as the House of Bones due to its unique, seemingly freeform design. Straight lines are an absolute rarity, and instead, images of organic forms dominate. Inside, a museum unfolds the story of Gaudi’s vision and creativity.

A short walk away, your guide will lead you to Casa Mila, affectionately dubbed La Pedrera (The Stone Quarry). Admire its wavy façade before exploring the interior, which hosts an array of art exhibitions showcasing the fusion of Gaudi’s architectural ingenuity with contemporary art.

Park Guell: Gaudi's Outdoor Fantasy

Continue to Park Guell, a garden complex with architectural elements on Carmel Hill.

Commissioned by Eusebi Guell, the park was intended as an estate for well-to-do families. Wander through this enchanting space where nature and architectural elements blend seamlessly, reflecting Gaudi’s deep appreciation for the natural world.

The Sagrada Familia Experience

The highlight of your Gaudi tour is the Sagrada Familia, a cathedral of monumental scale and detail featuring eighteen spires and intricate façades.

Begin with the exterior, where your guide will elucidate the biblical narratives captured in stone. Inside, witness the interplay of light and color through the stained glass windows, a testament to Gaudi’s innovative vision.

Evening in Barcelona

Enjoy an evening of sampling traditional Spanish tapas and wines, guided by your local expert, before retiring to your hotel, enriched by the artistic and architectural wonders of Gaudi’s Barcelona.

Day 9: Exploring Montserrat & A Winery From Barcelona

We have a day trip planned for you today as you join your private driver for a ride to the enchanting Montserrat Mountains and get up close and personal with Spanish Wines on a vineyard visit.

The Majesty of Montserrat

A mere hour’s drive from Barcelona, Montserrat stands as a breathtaking natural wonder.

The mountain range, renowned for its peculiar rock formations, offers panoramic vistas of Catalonia. Tailoring the day to your preferences, we can arrange an invigorating hike or a more relaxed experience, perhaps enjoying local delicacies amidst the scenic backdrop.

Montserrat Monastery and the Black Madonna

The heart of Montserrat, the Santa María Benedictine Monastery, awaits at the summit. Ascend via cable car, where the monastery, a spiritual beacon for many, offers a profound sense of peace.

Your guide will lead you through the historic cloisters to the revered Black Madonna shrine, which some believe was crafted by Saint Luke himself.

Afternoon at Penedès Wine Estate

Transition from spiritual heights to the earthly delights of the Penedès wine region, famed for its sparkling Cava. Here, amidst the verdant vineyards, you’ll delve into the art of Cava production, a Spanish treasure crafted through traditional methods.

Savor the opportunity to taste a selection of five Cavas or still wines, directly at the source. Engage with the winemakers, uncovering the secrets behind their bubbly creations, from grape to glass. The region’s history and viticultural practices come to life as you explore the cellars and vineyards.

Return to Barcelona with your private driver in the evening.

Understand the origins of the city with your tour of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, where history and architecture intertwine to reveal the tales of centuries gone.

Exploring the Barri Gótic

Your adventure begins in the labyrinthine streets of the Gothic Quarter, where each corner holds a piece of history and bears witness to centuries of Barcelona’s evolution. Your guide will bring to life the stories behind the stone, from ancient Roman foundations to medieval splendors.

Gothic Quarter Tour Highlights

Barcelona Cathedral : Venture inside this magnificent Gothic cathedral, exploring its crypts, tombs, and the intricate details of the Cathedral Museum.

Placa del Rei : Stand amidst medieval buildings and gaze up at the striking spire, feeling the weight of history around you.

Picasso Museum:  Discover the works of Pablo Picasso set against the backdrop of stunning Catalan Gothic palaces, providing a unique fusion of art and architecture.

Museu Frederic Marès : Immerse yourself in a world of religious art and sculptures, showcasing the devotion and artistic flair of bygone eras.

Evening Tapas

Your guide will introduce you to the culinary heart of Barcelona, where tapas are not just food but a way of life. Savor the flavors of traditional dishes, each telling its own story of Barcelona’s diverse culture and heritage.

Day 11: Flight to Madrid & Cultural Exploration

To make your way to Madrid, the country’s Royal Capital, you can choose between a swift flight, taking just 1 hour and 20 minutes, or a scenic high-speed train journey of 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Upon landing or arriving at the station in Madrid, you’ll be warmly greeted by our dedicated driver, ready to whisk you away into the bustling city life.

Prado Museum

Skip the queues and immerse yourself in the unparalleled collection of masterpieces housed in the Prado Museum.

Your guide will lead you through the halls adorned with works by Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco, sharing insights that bring each painting to life.

Royal Palace of Madrid

Experience the splendor of the Royal Palace with a private tour that reveals the opulence and history of Spain’s monarchy.

The exquisite interiors, from the grand state rooms to the intricate tapestries and ornate furnishings, offer a breathtaking glimpse into the Royal lifestyle.

Restaurante Botin

Step into the pages of history at Restaurante Botin, recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest restaurant.

Savor traditional Spanish cuisine in an establishment that has welcomed guests since 1725.

Evening Delights in Madrid

As dusk falls, Madrid’s streets come alive with the vibrant spirit of the locals.

Dive into the city’s lively tapas scene, hopping from one bodega to another, indulging in small plates paired with a refreshing caña or a glass of vermouth. It’s the perfect way to experience Madrid’s nighttime allure and gastronomic excellence, just like the locals.

Day 12: Exploring the Historical Tapestry of Toledo

A mere hour’s journey from Madrid will transport you to this ancient city, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1986. Wandering its storied streets alongside your private guide, you’ll traverse time, uncovering the layers of history that have sculpted Spanish heritage.

City of Three Cultures

Toledo, often hailed as the “City of Three Cultures,” seamlessly blends the artistic and architectural legacies of its Jewish, Moorish, and Christian pasts. This confluence of cultures is etched into the very fabric of the city, from its winding alleyways to its towering monuments.

During your visit, marvel at the architectural grandeur of the Catedral Metropolitana, wander the halls of the Palacio del Marqués de San Juan y Navas, and gaze upon the Gothic splendor of the Casa de Los Tiros. A highlight of your Toledo exploration will be delving into the oeuvre of El Greco, particularly his revered 1586 work, “The Burial of Count Orgaz,” a masterpiece that captures the essence of the Renaissance spirit.

As the day comes to a close, you will be delivered back to your Madrid accommodation.

Day 13: Enchanting Segovia & Its Majestic Alcázar

Segovia, a treasure trove of historical marvels and enchanting landscapes, lies just an hour away from Madrid, making it a perfect destination for your second day trip from Madrid.

Alcázar de Segovia

The Alcázar de Segovia, with its distinctive silhouette, is said to be the inspiration behind the iconic Disney castle.

Your immersive tour of the Alcázar will unveil the grandeur of its past, from the Tower of John II of Castile to the regal splendor of the Throne Room, Royal Chamber, and the Hall of Kings.

Discover the Armory’s historical significance and delve into the tales preserved in the Museum of the Royal College of Artillery.

Roman Aqueduct and Segovia Walking Tour

The adventure continues with a visit to the awe-inspiring Roman Aqueduct, a marvel of ancient engineering that remained in use until the late 20th century.

As the afternoon unfolds, stroll through Segovia’s historic heart with your guide, culminating in a dining experience at a renowned Castilian restaurant offering authentic local flavors.

Return to Madrid in the evening.

Day 14: Farewell Madrid and Homeward Bound

As your 14-day journey through France and Spain draws to a close, we ensure a seamless transfer to the airport in the comfort of a luxury vehicle.

Should time permit before your departure, we’re excited to offer one last memorable Madrid experience tailored to your interests.

Whether you’re captivated by the thrill of a La Liga match, intrigued by the history of the Bernabeu Stadium, eager for a culinary adventure with a professional chef, or enchanted by the vibrant rhythms of Flamenco, our team is dedicated to crafting the perfect finale to your tour.

Reach out to discover the bespoke experiences our Spanish tour planners can orchestrate for your final day.

Meet Your Personal Tour Planner!

Say Ola to Emily, your personal tour planner at Guided Spain Tours. Get in touch by filling in the form below and requesting your complimentary itinerary!

Let us know your questions!

Call our team

US: +1 (240) 332-1519

Contact Us About Our 2 Weeks in France & Spain Itinerary

If this curated tour has inspired your wanderlust, we invite you to reach out.

Our team is ready to help you book this unforgettable experience or craft a complimentary itinerary tailored just for you. Contact us today to begin the journey.

More Example Multi-Day Tour Itineraries

10 Day Spain & Portugal

5 Days in Andalucia

Madrid & Andalucia In One Week 

7 Day Bullrun Tour

Foodie Tour Itinerary In Spain & Portugal

10 Day Camino a Santiponce

16 Day Spain Vacation

Spain, Portugal & Morocco: 13-Day Tour

10 Day Southern Spain

Best of Spain in 10 Days

2 Weeks in Spain

10 Days Jewish Heritage

Food & Wine Tour

7 Day Basque Country

14 Days North Iberia

11 Days Hiking in Spain

14 Day Spain & Portugal

21 Day Spain & Portugal

10 Day Barcelona & South Spain Tour

7 Day Family Vacation

16 Day Spain & Portugal

9 Day Family Tour

15 Day Iberia Itinerary

7 Day Catalonia Tour

White Villages of Southern Spain

One Week in Spain

4 Weeks Itinerary of Spain

Costa Brava, Barcelona & Garrotxa Tour

3 Day Mallorca Tour

Guided Camino De Santiago Tour

21 Day Spain Itinerary

Search for more guided spain tours.

Popular Searches:  Barcelona Tours ,  Madrid Tours ,  Custom Tours of Spain ,  Family Tours

Spain Tours

Tour itineraries, other destinations.

Partnered with DABA Tourism Marketing

Guided Spain Tours is managed and operated by Guided Spain Tours SLU B56482201

Ask Our Experts For Your Custom Tour Itinerary

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies
• 3rd Party Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.

Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.

Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!

Shop Our Merch : Whispered Inspirations Shop

Best Spain and France Itinerary Guide

France and Spain are two of the most popular European countries for travelers and what’s even better is that the two border each other.

If you’re struggling to choose between visiting either France or Spain then the good news is that you don’t have to.

Traveling between the two countries is easier than ever. If you’d like to see both of these amazing countries for your next trip, this Spain and France itinerary guide might be perfect for you.

Start your journey in the famous capital of France known for being the most romantic city in the world.

Here you can find tons of amazing things to see and do. There are plenty of organized tour options that you can join to make the most out of your visit.

Be sure to see the key sights like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Palais Royal, and Notre Dame. If you’re pushed for time in the city, then an open-top tour bus is one of the best ways to see a lot. You will get the most from the start of your trip to France .

Loire Valley:

Get out of the big city and spend some time in the gorgeous scenery of the Loire Valley,. The esplanades located along the docks by the Loire is certainly one of, if not the best place to catch some of the most stunning views of the river.

There are plenty of historical attractions to visit here. Like the royal castle, Clos-Luce, and the Chanteloup pagoda.

With over three hundred historic buildings, the city of Bordeaux is a UNESCO World Heritage site. If you enjoy old architecture there are plenty of options to choose from.

Three religious World Heritage buildings and Palais Rohan, a stunning neo-classical Grand Theatre.

Be sure to take the time to visit the gorgeous medieval village of St Emilion. You can walk along the original walls of the city and enjoy amazing wine tasting sessions.

Catch a Barcelona – Paris train and arrive in Barcelona, one of the most popular cities here. Be sure to see the top sights like the Sagrada Familia, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most visited buildings in the world.

Barcelona has a lot to explore. There are walking and bicycle tours to choose from where you can explore interesting areas like the Gothic Quarter.

This magical city isn’t just famous for its oranges, but also its amazing Gothic architecture. Be sure to visit the stunning Gothic cathedral and other awesome Moorish architecture.

Head to the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art on a day trip to Jerez. You can watch a unique equestrian ballet, and finish the day with a wine tasting session.

You May Also Like:

• Keep Your Love of Driving with These Must-Have Car Features
• How to Create the Perfect Outdoor Space
• Pandemic Life: An Update
• How Can the Restaurant Survive Our New Normal?

From here, you can get on a boat trip to Cadiz, which is the oldest populated city in the whole of Europe.

If you want to visit both France and Spain, these are just a few must-visits for your itinerary.

If you have the time, consider adding more amazing locations like Carcassone, Narbonne, Granada, and Madrid.

Do you have anything to add to this Spain and France itinerary guide?

Let me know, til then—cheers m’deres!

PIN FOR LATER:

Nancy Polanco is a freelance journalist, lifestyle content creator, and editor of Whispered Inspirations. She is a proud Mom to Gabby and Michaela and partner and best friend to Darasak. Having worked as part of a health care team for almost a decade, Nancy is happy to be back to her passion. She is a contributor to the Huffington Post, TODAY’s Parents, and an Oprah Magazine Brand Ambassador.

Similar Posts

16 Tips for Traveling with Baby for the First Time

Getting last minute sunshine: things to to before booking late holidays #travel.

Have Peace of Mind and Travel Safe with Allianz Travel Insurance

7 Reasons You Need to Stay at Motorcity Casino Hotel

Fun and Entertainment While Exploring CityWalk in Orlando! #UniversalMoments

5 Cultural Festivals You Should Visit In Your Lifetime

One comment.

Thanks for your France/Spain itinerary, its a good start for me. Just wondering where the magnificent cathedral in the photo is.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The Perfect France, Spain And Portugal Road Trip Itinerary For 10 Days

(This article has affiliate links to products which we may make commission from at no extra cost to you.)

Are you planning a road-trip through France, Spain and Portugal and wondering where to start from? This 10-day itinerary is the perfect quick trip through Southern Europe that hits all the hotspots and popular cities. Enjoy incredible beaches, immerse yourself in the local culture and discover the history of these beautiful places.

With wine tastings and traditional foods, this road-trip itinerary takes you to all the culinary hotspots and will make you fall in love with France, Spain and Portugal. Definitely add these incredible cities to your bucket list.

When Is The Best Time For France, Spain And Portugal Road Trip?

Are 10 days enough to see france, spain and portugal on this road trip, where to stay on your road trip, day 1 – mont-saint michel, day 2 – beaches along the coast, day 3 – bordeaux, day 4 – san sebastian, day 5 – porto, day 6 – porto, day 7 – lisbon, day 8 – lisbon, day 9 – algarve and seville, day 10 – sevilla.

We highly recommend doing this road-trip in summer, preferably between the months of June to September. During this time the weather will be warm and you’ll be less likely to encounter any rain. This is also the high season for tourism so expect some higher accommodation prices. Booking in advance is highly recommended.

If you want some more affordable options consider going in the shoulder season sometime around May or October. Temperatures will be cooler and you’ll encounter fewer tourist crowds. You can also go on this road-trip in winter but expect some rainy days which could impact your trip.

A 10-day road-trip through France, Spain and Portugal will give you a great overview of what this area has to offer but, of course, you’ll be spending a large portion of your time driving. If you can you should definitely extend your trip a few more days or even weeks which will give you a lot more freedom to explore the cities on this itinerary.

Most of the stops on this southern Europe road-trip itinerary are larger cities so staying at a hotel or Airbnb is highly recommended. That way you can enjoy being at a central location and not having to worry about going in and out of the city every day. If you’re travelling on a budget you could also consider camping, however, you’ll most likely struggle to find campsites close to the city. Make sure you book your accommodation in advance so you get the best deals on rooms.

For information on hotels rates and to book, click here.

France, Spain and Portugal 10 Days Road Trip Itinerary

Start your day off in Mont-Saint Michel, one of France’s most popular tourist destinations. This tiny island lies just 1 kilometre off the French coast and is connected to the mainland via a bridge. It’s the perfect place to see in just one day because it is so small.

Try to go early in the morning to avoid the tourist crowds. If you’re not up for walking to the island you can take one of the free shuttle buses. Make sure to visit the Mont-Saint Michel abbey and explore all the small side-streets for the best hidden spots.

Read our complete guide to visiting Mont-Saint Michel here .

The next morning drive along the French coast of the Bretagne to explore some of the best beaches in France. This is a true road trip day and the perfect opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the area. Stop in places like Brest, the Crozon Peninsula, Concarneau and the Pointe du Raz for some of the best photo opportunities. This area has incredible beaches so make sure you pack your swimsuit.

Take a few hours to drive further down the coast of France until you reach Bordeaux. This is a really popular wine area so make sure to go to the countryside to visit a traditional château and take part in a wine tasting.

Visit Saint-Émilion , a small wine village which produces the world’s best wines. You can walk through the old town and even buy tickets for a little train that will take you around the vineyards. In the evening go for dinner in Bordeaux and walk through the historic old town. This is a very beautiful city so don’t forget to pack your camera.

The next day you’ll be crossing the border into Spain. San Sebastian is only a 3 hour drive from Bordeaux and one of Spain’s best cities. This is the perfect place for a beach day so pack your swimsuit. The water is crystal clear and perfect for water sports or swimming. Take a boat out to Santa Clara Island which lies in the bay of San Sebastian. Afterwards, go for lunch or tapas in one of the many small restaurants. San Sebastian is world-famous for its cuisine so if you’re a fan of seafood this is the place to go.

Take the funicular up to Monte Igueldo to watch the sunset over the bay. These are some of the best views you’ll find on this road trip through Spain, France and Portugal.

After a long day of driving, you’ll finally arrive in Porto. Use the evening to walk around the boardwalk along the Douro River and have a glass of Port wine to finish your day. Tomorrow will be a busy day of exploring so make sure you get to bed early.

There is plenty to see and do in Porto so get up early and have breakfast at a cafe by the riverfront. Take the cable car for some of the best views of the city and then cross the river on the Dom Luís I Bridge. Explore the old town of Porto and all its famous blue churches. After visiting the National Museum have a Francesinha for lunch which is a traditional sandwich served in beer sauce. It is a specialty that can mainly be found in Porto so the perfect way to immerse yourself in the local culture.

In the afternoon buy tickets for a boat tour to take you around the river and enjoy Porto’s beauty. Afterwards, go to one of the famous port wine cellars for a wine tasting. Enjoy the sunset by the river in the popular Vila Nova de Gaia neighborhood with a three-course meal served with port wine.

Click here to read about 37 more unusual things to do in Porto.

After saying goodbye to Porto you’ll reach Lisbon today, Portugal’s capital city. Just like Porto it lies by the river but is far busier and feels more like a large city than a town. Head to the Capela de Nossa Senhora do Monte, a popular viewpoint for sunset. You’ll love the incredible views of downtown Lisbon.

To end the night go to the Barrio Alto, Lisbon’s nightlife district. This neighborhood has narrow alleyways with little bars and restaurants scattered around. Prices are cheap and the food is amazing.

Start your morning by the riverbanks and walk along the boardwalk to Time Out Market. This indoor food market is Lisbon’s best-kept secret and the perfect place for food lovers. After a quick breakfast head into town to see the Santa Just a Lift for a great view of the city. Walk past the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara another amazing viewpoint to the Botanical gardens of Lisbon to get away from the tourist crowds.

After lunch you’ll most likely be tired of walking so why not take the historic Tram Line Number 28? This route takes you to many popular tourist hotspots and you can get on and off at any time. End your day in the famous Alfama district which has incredible architecture and a great selection of little restaurants. If you’re still feeling up for it have a few drinks at one of Lisbon’s popular rooftop bars.

On your way from Lisbon to Seville, you need to stop in the Algarve, Portugal’s incredible south. This area has the best beaches and beautiful scenery. Visit the Benagil Beach to admire the beautiful sea caves and white-sand beaches before you arrive in Seville in the late evening.

You’ll be spending the last day of your road-trip through France, Spain and Portugal in Sevilla. Spend your morning sightseeing and visiting places like the Seville Cathedral, La Giralda, the Plaza de España and the Real Alcázar. Explore the small alleyways of the Triana neighborhood and have lunch in a traditional Spanish restaurant. Escape the busy city by spending the afternoon in Maria Luisa Park, Sevilla’s beautiful park.

Visit some of Sevilla’s incredible museums like the Museum of Fine Arts or the Archaeological Museum before having a traditional Paella for dinner. Enjoy your last evening by making the most of Sevilla’s famous nightlife and enjoying a traditional Flamenco show.

This Guest Post Is Contributed By Victoria Heinz Of Guide Your Travel .

• 5 Places To Visit In The South Of France That Must Be In Your Bucket List
• 25 Top Things To Do In Spain – Bucket List
• 15 Incredible Places To Visit In Europe This Summer
• 10 Stunningly Beautiful Cities To Visit In Italy

Share this:

• 12 Most Charming Romantic Getaways In Southern California For Couples (2024)
• 19 Perfect Places For A California Summer Vacation (2024)

cheerfultrails

Anjali Wadhwa (cheerfultrails) is a travel consultant and enthusiast who has traveled to 15+ countries. She shares about her explorations through her writings. You will find detailed itineraries, best travel tips and well experienced recommendations for food, transportation and hotels on her blog.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Discover more from Cheerful Trails

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

2 Weeks in Italy, France, and Spain

From the fiery passion of flamenco in Spain to the elegant artistry of French cuisine and the timeless beauty of Italian architecture, a tour of these three countries promises to ignite your senses and leave you enthralled with their diverse cultures. Join us as we traverse the cobblestone streets, vineyard-dotted landscapes, and iconic landmarks that define this trio of iconic destinations.

In this article, we present three tour itineraries catering to various interests — including first-time travelers, families, and food enthusiasts. Each themed tour offers destinations tailored to suit specific interests.

Content Preview

• 1. Classic Tour for First-Timers
• 2. 2-Week Family Tour
• 3. 2-Week Food Tour

1. 2-Week Classic Italy, France, and Spain Tour for First-Timers

• Days 1–7: Rome, Venice, and Florence
• Days 8–10: Paris and Versailles
• Days 11–14: Madrid and Barcelona

This tour is designed for first-time travelers looking to explore the most captivating cities in Spain, France, and Italy in 2 weeks.

In Italy, the top three cities (Venice, Florence, and Rome) can't be missed on a first visit. Discover the wonders of Rome at landmarks like the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. In Florence , immerse yourself in art and culture through museum visits and enjoy a pizza and gelato-making class. Experience Italy's rustic allure with a visit to a local winery for a taste of authentic Chianti. Then take a train to Venice , which offers a fantastic experience for everyone. Enjoy a charming gondola ride along the picturesque canals. Discover the lively Rialto Market to sample authentic Venetian cuisine and find unique souvenirs. Consider taking a boat excursion to Murano, renowned for its exquisite glassmaking.

In France, to make the most of your time and allow you to stay at a slow pace, we recommend you visit Paris for 3 days. Start your trip with a scenic Seine cruise to enjoy stunning views from glass-sided boats near the Eiffel Tower. Afterward, dive into Paris' art scene. Visit must-sees like the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay, and the Centre Pompidou for iconic collections.

Then, you would spend a day on a delightful day trip to Versailles for a chateau and gardens tour. Skip the lines with your expert local guide and explore Château de Versailles and the Royal Garden. Witness a sunset and breathtaking Parisien vistas from the 330-meter (1,080-foot) tall Eiffel Tower by climbing up its 674 stairs.

In Spain, Madrid and Barcelona are the top-visited cities that you can't miss if you are visiting Spain for the first time. Embark on your journey from Madrid to explore the Museo Nacional del Prado and its exquisite masterpieces before visiting the opulent Palacio Real. Take a guided walking tour of the old town, indulging in churros (local fried dough snacks) and chocolate. Don't miss a day trip to Segovia to see the breathtaking Alcázar de Segovia, reminiscent of Snow White's castle.

Then, fly to Barcelona, where you would delve into Gaudí's architectural masterpieces, such as Casa Batlló and the Sagrada Família. Immerse yourself in the city's history at the Gothic Quarter and savor local treats at Mercat de la Boqueria.

2. 2-Week Italy, France, and Spain Family Tour

• Days 1–6: Rome and Venice
• Days 7–10: Paris and Lyon
• Days 11–14: Madrid and Valencia

This tour is tailored for families with kids, delivering a vibrant mix of culture, history, cuisine, and engaging activities. Catering to all age groups, from youngsters to teens and grown-ups, it ensures that everyone stays entertained throughout the journey.

In Italy, to offer your child a more relaxed travel experience with ample rest time, we recommend visiting only two cities. It might be beneficial to cut down on Florence since Florence and Rome have some similarities, such as historical relics. While in Venice , your little ones could wander through Piazza San Marco, cruise along the Grand Canal, and float away on an enchanting gondola ride. Also, venture out of town on a 4-hour island-hopping expedition across the Venetian Lagoon, exploring Murano, Burano, and Torcello.

In France, consider adding Lyon, a gastronomic gem, to your family journey. Lyon is renowned for its diverse traditional dishes and top-notch restaurants, inviting your kids on a flavorful adventure. Immerse yourself in the history of Lyon and France by exploring Roman remnants, medieval cathedrals, and ancient ruins. Explore landmarks, such as the basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière and hidden traboules, offering an educational experience for your little ones. For other kid-friendly fun, Lyon offers attractions that are perfect for families, such as Mini World Lyon, a captivating miniature park, and Tête d'Or Park, a bustling urban oasis with a zoo and botanical garden, promising delightful experiences for all ages.

In Spain, in order to unleash the family fun, we replace Barcelona with Valencia. There, you could wander through the historical center, enjoy a paella cooking show, and explore the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences. Dive into marine wonders at Europe's largest aquarium, visit the Museo de las Ciencias Príncipe Felipe, and end with interactive fun at Gulliver Park.

3. 2-Week Italy, France, and Spain Food Tour

• Days 1–6: Rome and Florence
• Days 11–14: Barcelona and San Sebastián

This tour is perfect for travelers keen on exploring the delightful cuisines of Italy, France, and Spain. Indulge in a culinary journey to savor their exquisite flavors and explore the historical relics throughout the three countries.

For your time in Italy, Florence offers a culinary experience that's deeply rooted in tradition and simplicity. Indulge in dishes like ribollita (vegetable and bread soup), bistecca alla fiorentina (Florentine steak), and gelato from some of the city's renowned gelaterias. Be sure to visit Mercato Centrale to sample fresh produce, local cheeses, and Tuscan specialties.

In France, Paris and Lyon are two culinary gems, offering a paradise for food lovers. In Paris, enjoy classic French dishes, such as croissants, escargot, coq au vin, and macarons. For a taste of local flavors, explore vibrant food markets, such as Rue Cler and Marché des Enfants Rouges. Lyon, hailed as the gastronomic capital of France, boasts traditional "bouchons" serving Lyonnaise specialties, such as quenelles, coq au vin, andouillette, and praline tarts. Make sure to visit les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, a renowned indoor food market named after the legendary chef Paul Bocuse, to sample gourmet products and savor local delicacies.

In Spain, we recommend you visit San Sebastián as it is a paradise for foodies. The city is renowned for its exceptional culinary scene, particularly for its Basque cuisine and pintxos culture. Experience the immersive "Michelin Secrets Cooking Class" at Mimo Bite the Experience, mastering modern kitchen techniques and traditional Basque cuisine. Explore San Sebastián's sights and taste local pintxos. Journey to Biarritz, a nearby luxurious French seaside town, then visit Saint-Jean-de-Luz with its colorful houses. Explore the quaint town of Hondarribia, enjoy local food at Restaurante Alameda, and discover its charming streets and historic sites.

Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries

More travel ideas and inspiration, sign up to our newsletter.

Be the first to receive exciting updates, exclusive promotions, and valuable travel tips from our team of experts.

Why Global Highlights

Where can we take you today.

• Southeast Asia
• Japan, South Korea
• India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri lanka
• Central Asia
• Travel Agents
• Loyalty Program
• Privacy Policy

Address: Building 6, Chuangyi Business Park, 70 Qilidian Road, Guilin, Guangxi, 541004, China

2 Weeks in Europe: 6 Itineraries

DISCLAIMER: This post might have links to travel services and products that we enjoy. We might make a commission from it at no extra cost to you.

Europe is a continent consisting of 44 countries with diverse languages, climates, and cultures . It has numerous world-famous landmarks preserved from years upon years of history.

Spending 2 weeks in Europe will cover plenty of amazing places. It’s not much, but a good start, especially if it’s your first time here.

Another great thing about Europe is that the places are close to each other, you can reach most of them via train, buses, and driving. Land borders separate the countries. However, many of them practice free movement across borders.

This continent has peninsulas, islands, and varied landforms, as well as seas, lakes, and other bodies of water. There are infinite fascinating places to see, foods to taste, and activities to try out during your 2 weeks in Europe.

NOTE : Originally, we had a section for things to know before visiting or planning your Europe trip. Since this post grew to 8,000 words, we decided to move that section to a separate post to make it easier for you to read and scan the post. Go to our How to Plan a Trip to Europe for 2 weeks to see tips on when to go, what to budget, transportation, and more.

TRAVEL SITES AND SERVICES TO BOOK YOUR NEEDS

Top places in europe (pinned map).

Click the icon on the top right to enlarge the map. Credit: map data: Google

2 WEEKS IN EUROPE ITINERARIES

I will show you six itinerary options to choose from for your 14 days in Europe. Covering multiple countries and featuring famous attractions that are historical, cultural, and outdoor activities.

Deciding where to spend your 2 weeks in Europe can be hard. Should it be in Spain or Portugal? How about both? Should you visit Rome or Paris ? When unsure, there are a few things you can do to see which places are more suitable for you.

For example, Rome would be ideal if you love historical sites such as ruins. Perhaps you like history, but in the form of art, then Paris is the one. For food lovers, don’t miss visiting France, Spain, Italy, and Greece.

Itinerary #1 South Europe: Spain and France or France and Italy

We have two sub-options in our first itinerary for your 2 weeks in Europe. This includes either Spain and France or France and Italy. Spain is well-known for its lively culture, flamenco, arts, and literature, as well as its wines, beaches, and, of course, football.

If you feel like this itinerary is a little too expensive, you can instead go to Portugal. Take a look at how to spend 2 weeks in Portuga l or even just a few days in Lisbon. Spending 14 days in Southern Europe is a good place to do your first trip to this continent.

France, on the other hand, is well-known for macarons, wine, champagne, great pastries, as well as fashion, museums, and other historical sites. You could also do many water activities in France or if you plan to come during winter, you can head to the Alps for some skiing.

Italy is loved for its opera, its art cities, unique scenery, and good food. They are also among the four fashion capitals, with luxury brands, and of course, who could forget the Vespa?

If you have never been to Italy, make sure you visit Venice, Rome, Florence, and the southwest coast, where you can visit Naples for Amalfi and Sorrento. You can also consider 2 weeks in Greece for this itinerary. Not to mention, the south is a famous region to spend honeymoon in Europe .

Spain for 7 days

Spain is one of the most popular destinations in Europe, not only for foreign visitors but also for other European nations. With its stunning beaches, yummy food, and very welcoming culture, Spain is undeniably a must-visit when you come to Europe for 2 weeks.

Most people go to Madrid, the capital of Barcelona, a coastal city. However, if you want to get away from big crowds, head to Seville, Valencia, or even Zaragoza. For young travellers who love to dance and party, Ibiza is a top spot, while Palma, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria are awesome islands to explore and spend your vacation in.

We have a specific 2 weeks in Spain itinerary , which might help you plan a trip there if you decide to spend your trip in one European country only.

Here are some of the top-rated attractions in Spain :

• Alhambra and Generalife in Granada
• Palacio Real in Madrid – get your ticket in advance
• El Escorial near Madrid
• Aqueduct of Segovia – north of Madrid
• Sagrada Familia and Gaudi Sites in Barcelona – check tour prices
• Great Mosque in Cordoba, near Seville
• Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao
• Beaches of Gran Canaria

France for 7 days

Some of the options to reach France from Spain include flying, taking a train, riding the bus, using rideshare or driving. The most recommended option is to ride a plane, but if you have plenty of time, you should consider renting a car and driving on your own. We have an article with 3 different itineraries on how to spend 2 weeks in France .

France is a country famous for many reasons. The food is great, it is rich in culture, the abundance of historical sites, and thousands of wineries to explore. France is also known for Tour de France and is a great holiday destination any time of the year. You should geat a hop-on hop-off bu s that will take you to the top attractions of Paris.

Paris is an obvious place to visit, but if you don’t like big cities or have been here before, you can consider other places. For history buffs, head to Calais, Dunkirk, and Normandy. For those who love the outdoors, check out Lyon, Marseille, Nice, and Bordeaux (aka the Basque region).

Here are some of the top attractions n France:

• The Louvre in Paris – book a guided tour
• Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres near Paris
• Eiffel Tower in Paris – get your skip-the-line ticket in advance
• Chateau de Versailles in Paris – visit with a garden access
• Mont Saint Michel
• Loire Valley Chateaux
• Côte d’Azur aka French Riviera in the South
• Provence for lavender fields
• Chamonix-Mont-Blanc for skiing in the Alps

Italy for 7 days

To reach Italy from France, you could either take the train or fly but taking the train is preferred by most tourists and locals alike because you’ll be able to reach your destination in less than five hours anyway. There are tons of routes to choose from if you want to see some interesting scenery and plan to drive instead.

2 weeks in Europe have to include Italy. It is loved for its dishes to die for, beautiful castles, amazing hiking trails, and warm culture. Just like in Spain and France, wine in Italy is world-class and their historical sites are well preserved.

Before you book anything, decide where you want to go. Rome and Venice are the top places to visit in Italy. But if you have been there, it’s time to explore Florence, Milan, Bologna, and Genoa in the north. For the south, head to Naples, Sicily, and all the way to Palermo. Check out our 4 itineraries for 2 weeks in Italy .

Some of the top tourist attractions in Italy include :

• Colosseum in Rome – get your ticket in advance to skip the very long queue
• Spanish Steps in Rome
• Trevi Fountain in Rome
• Venice Grand Canal – don’t skip the romantic gondola ride
• Gode Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice – explore with a tour guide and secure a ticket
• Leaning Tower of Pisa
• Vatican City near Rome; Basilica of St. Peter, Sistine Chapel & Vatican Museums – you can visit this in one go
• The Uffizi Gallery in Florence
• Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence
• Lake Como near Milan
• Cinque Terre
• Amalfi Coast
• Pompei and Mount Vesuvius in Naples – visit this and the entirety of Naples on a day trip from Rome

Travel cost

These three destinations are one of the most expensive places in Europe. Budget around $2,000 for a 2-week trip around Spain, France, and Italy not including the flights from your location and back. Accommodation will be the most expensive cost while food is quite affordable in these places.

Of course, if you want to travel with luxury, you can easily spend $3,000-$5,000 which will allow you to stay at 4-5 star hotels, dine at fancy restaurants, and take a private car with a driver anywhere.

For those on a tight budget, $1,500 is possible , however, you will likely stay at youth hostels and share a room with other people in dorm/bunk rooms or even look at Couchsurfing. You can also save more money by looking at ready-to-eat meals at grocery stores or cooking in the hostel is possible. Join a free walking tour where you will be expected to give a tip based on the tour guide and the tour itself.

Itinerary #2 Central Europe: Germany and Poland

For this next itinerary, we’ll be covering 2 weeks in Central Europe, which consists of the countries Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Czechia, Slovakia, and Hungary. However, in this itinerary, we’ll only be covering Germany and Poland.

Germany is well-known for its cathedrals, castles, palaces, and colourful architecture, as well as its sausages and beers. It has many historical sites relating to World War I and II. Berlin is loved for being vegan-friendly, but meat-eaters shouldn’t have a problem finding their way around restaurants either.

Conversely, Poland is famous for its food, stunning geography, folklore, history, and friendly locals. In Poland, you’ll find Europe’s most ancient forest, Medieval Castle, the infamous Auschwitz-Birkenau Camp, amazing museums, and more.

Apart from that, you can also visit theme parks in Poland, such as Engerylandia Theme Park, Rabkoland, and Aquapark Sopot.

Germany for 8 days

Germany has so many things to offer that it would take 8 days to satiate your curiosity, and even then, you would barely scratch the surface. Don’t overwhelm yourself trying to see everything in 8 days. If you want t visit Germany only, we have these 2 weeks in Germany itineraries .

Most people will go to Berlin or Munich, but there are also other cities such as Hamburg, Frankfurt, Nuremberg and Cologne to name a few. I highly recommend you rent a car to move around easier, but taking a domestic flight or the train is also easy and affordable.

If you’re going to Berlin, the best way to see all the top attractions is by buying a hop-on hop-off bus with live a tour guide .

Here’s a list of the top attractions in Germany:

• Brandenburg Gate in Berlin
• Berlin Wall
• Cruise the River Spree – book a 2.5-hour boat tour
• Museum Island in Berlin
• Sachsenhausen Memorial – visit with a tour guide
• Neuschwanstein Castle near Munich
• Linderhof Palace near Munich – book a combo tour with Neuschwanstein Castle
• Marienplatz in Munich
• Pay respects at Dachau Concentration Camp – join a tour from Munich
• Kölner Dom in Cologne
• The Black Forest, Baden-Württemberg, near Stuttgart
• Miniatur Wunderland at Port of Hamburg
• Bamberg and the Bürgerstadt near Nuremberg

Poland for 8 days

There are tons of modes of transportation from Germany to Poland, including boarding a plane, using rideshare cars, trains, buses, or driving. Flights between these two countries are frequent and affordable.

Poland has a dark history, but the country is more than that. It has stunning lakes, UNESCO sites, and rather interesting cuisine, and it is in the top 20 safest countries in the world – a great place to discover if you are travelling alone.

Poland also has the biggest castle in the world, and many believe that vodka originated in Poland. In winter, you can ski in Poland, which is more affordable than France, Switzerland, and even Italy.

Many foreigners get confused and think Krakow is the capital of Piland, but it’s actually Warsaw. Apart from these two cities, you can also visit Gdansk, Wroclaw, Katowice, and Lublin. Most of the cities are connected via buses and trains hence moving around during your 2 weeks in Europe shouldn’t be a problem.

>>TIP: Check out our 2 weeks in Poland post if you prefer to explore that country on a single trip. There are two itineraries to choose from.

Here are some of the top tourist attractions in Poland:

• Wieliczka Salt Mine near Krakow
• Auschwitz- Birkenau Camps near Krakow – book a guided tour or combine it with the Wieliczka Salt Mine tour
• Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory in Krakow
• Wawel Royal Castle in Krakow
• Warsaw Old Marketplace
• Lazienki Park in Warsaw
• Malbork Castle near Gdansk
• Morskie Oko Lake and Hot Bath Pools near Zakopane – check tour prices
• Crooked Forest near Szczecin

Travel cost:

Central Europe in general can be costly, but only if you plan to visit Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Poland and Czechia are both affordable destinations compared to their neighbouring countries. $2,000 will take you a long way if you choose one expensive place to spend a week and the other one is a more affordable country (e.g Germany and Poland or Switzerland and Czechia).

You can save even more money if you focus on Poland or Czechia only or book a trip to Switzerland just for 2-3 days instead of an entire week.

$5,000 will be a great budget for a luxury trip . This is suitable for couples who are on their honeymoon or retiree travellers. For young visitors and backpackers, you can probably get away with $1,000 to $1,500 for the 2 weeks trip .

Accommodation in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria is costly but affordable in Poland and Czechia. Rely on using public transportation in all countries, such as buses and trains, instead of renting a car or flying.

Itinerary #3 Baltics: Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia

The Baltics are one of the most affordable regions in Europe. Although it has its fair share of tourists, the streets and attractions don’t get too busy, even during the summer season. It’s an awesome place to spend your 2 weeks in Europe vacation without being surrounded by a big crowd.

Lithuania is famous for its natural scenery, including forests, lakes, flatlands, and other landscapes. There are also historical spots here to visit, and you must try their local ciders. I personally loved their local food, especially beetroot. If you’re a foody, check this Vilnius food guide for a list of must-try dishes.

Conversely, Latvia is known for its UNESCO World Heritage Sites and art nouveau architecture. It’s on the coast, hence if visiting during summer, don’t forget to dip your toes.

Last but definitely not least is Estonia, which is famous for its dense woods, thousands of uninhabited islands, and rich history. It experienced a boom in tourism recently since it implemented a digital nomad visa.

Estonia is among Europe’s most linguistic nations, is one of the countries with the cleanest air in the world, and half of the country is made up of forest, which probably explains the great air quality. We also have two itineraries specifically for 2 weeks in the Baltics only or 2 weeks in Eastern Europe itineraries .

Lithuania for 5 days

Lithuania is rich in cultural preservation, so much so that UNESCO considered their folk dance as one of the intangible cultural heritages. They also have one of the oldest languages, even older than Greek, German, and Celtic, and the oldest tree in Europe could be found here as well.

With five days in Lithuania, you can do and see a lot of things. You can cover at least two major cities; the capital city Vilnius, and the cultural art city of Kaunas. If it’s warm enough, head to the coast and visit Klaipeda.

Here is a list of the best places to see in Lithuania:

• Gediminas Castle Tower in Vilnius
• Vilnius Cathedral Square
• Hot Air Balloon Flight – over Vilnius or Trakai Castle
• Energetikos ir technikos muziejus in Vilnius
• Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights and A.Mickiewicz Memorial Museum in Vilnius
• MO Muziejus in Vilnius
• Gates of Dawn in Vilnius
• Three Crosses Monument in Vilnius – join a full-day tour from Vilnius
• Walk around Uzupis
• Trakai Castle near Vilnius
• Kaunas Castle
• Devils’ Museum in Kaunas
• Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai

Latvia for 4 days

You can go to Latvia from Lithuania by driving, riding a bus, plane, or taking the train. The most recommended option is through riding a bus as it is the cheapest and fastest. Latvia is also a great destination during summer. You can take a swim on its sandy beaches, lakes, and rivers.

You can either spend the entire 4 days in Riga, the capital city or take day trips to see Gauja National Park and Turaida Museum Reserve for example. You can also explore Riga on a segway tour .

Here are some of the top tourist attractions in Latvia :

• House of the Black Heads in Riga – get your ticket in advance
• Riga Cathedral
• Three Brothers, Latvian Museum of Architecture
• St. Peter’s Church
• The Freedom Monument in Riga
• Shop souvenirs at Riga Central Market – join a food-tasting tour
• Gauja National Park outside of Riga
• Rundale Palace and Museum ner Jelgava

Estonia for 4 days

To reach Estonia if you’re coming from Latvia, you could board a plane, ride a bus, take the train, or drive. The most recommended option would be to ride a plane as it’s the fastest, but the cheapest option would be to take the bus.

Estonia is very unique, they have islands but are inhabited – and that makes it interesting to visit. There, you can go fishing, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, and for those who love birds, birdwatching is a popular thing to do in Estonia.

Tallinn, the capital, is obviously the most popular destination. However, with 2 weeks in Europe, around the Baltics, you can also head to Parnu and Tartu – both are located in the south of Estonia. Go to Haeska, Kabili, and Matsalu for birdwatching and wildlife experiences.

Here are some of the sights to see in Estonia :

• Tallinn’s Old Town
• Lennusadam Seaplane Harbor in Tallinn
• Lahemaa National Parl – sign up to a day trip
• Patarei Prison Exhibition/Communism Prison in Tallinn
• Parnu’s Beaches
• Alpakafarm near Parnu
• Estonian National Museum in Tartu
• Tagurpidi Maja (Peapeal OÜ) / Upside Down House in Tartu
• TYPA Letterpress and Paper Art Centre in Tartu
• Kuressaare Castle in Saare
• Join a 3-hour food tour

Travelling around the Baltics is one of my favourite destinations and one I recommend if you’re on a budget. You will still experience the European culture, walk through the alleys and paves with cobbled stone, and eat delicious meals.

It’s honestly possible to travel here for around $1,000 for those on a budget . You will stay in a hostel and consume street food or grocery store meals. The tours also don’t cost that much. Accommodation is around $25 to $35 a night, but transportation is cheap.

$2,000 is the average cost where you get to have a private room and try out a few local restaurants. For a luxury trip, $3,000 will get you very comfortable.

Itinerary #4 East Europe: Hungary and Croatia or Romania and Bulgaria

East Europe is a massive region. You will have to choose 2-3 countries to cover during your visit and perhaps next time, you go to new places. Right now, we’ll only cover 4 destinations for your 12-day in Europe itinerary; Hungary and Croatia or Romania and Bulgaria.

Croatia has so much to offer, but in the last few years, being the filming location of Game of Thrones, this country attracted more tourists. Aside from that, they also have stunning waterfalls and gorgeous Adriatic Islands, among other landscapes.

Hungary on the other hand is famous for its ruin bars, paprikas, and goulash. It also has sought-after outdoor and public thermal bars and great nightlife. Outside the city, Hungary has a lot of nature preserves and can be an affordable ski destination in winter.

Bulgaria is the oldest country in Europe and has tons of hot springs. It’s undeniable how affordable Bulgaria is as a travel destination. It also sits right on the Black Sea, a popular spot during summer.

Nightlife in Bulgaria is another reason tourists come here for its affordability. Speaking of cuisine, the traditional Bulgarian food is something of a must-try.

Romania is famous for its Carpathian Mountains, Salt Mines, and Medieval Fortresses. Just like Bulgaria, it’s also located on the Black Sea. One might want to visit Romania since it’s famous for being the home of Dracula.

Hungary for 7 days

Hungary, like many other European countries, is a landlocked country. But it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy summer in Hungary. This country has over 1,000 natural springs water, hence, the popularity of its thermal baths.

Budapest is not the only city worth visiting in Hungary, you should also consider Debrecen and Szeged. While Balaton Uplands National Park is the spot to you want to go hiking, join wine tours, and be around nature.

Here are some of the top tourist attractions in this country :

• Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest
• Budapest’s Széchenyi Thermal Bath – book a full-day spa
• Buda Castle
• Buy souvenirs at Central Market Hall
• Take a boat cruise Danube River in Budapest – check cruise prices
• Matthias Church in Budapest
• Esztergom Basilica
• The Caves of Lillafured near Miskolc
• Lavender field at Tihany

Croatia for 7 days

It is relatively easy to travel to Croatia if you’re coming from Hungary as they are neighbouring countries. You could travel by bus, by train or by driving. Any option is fine, but the cheapest option would be to ride the night bus.

As mentioned before, Croatia is now popular for being the filming location for Game of Thrones, but there are other places to see in this magnificent country. Just like its neighbouring country of Italy, Croatia is also a fantastic beach destination and so much more affordable.

Zagreb is the capital of Croatia and a must-visit, then you can go to the coast. The most popular city is Split and Dubrovnik, but Zadar,  Hvar, and Pula are an equally stunning area for swimming and other water activities.

Want to spend 14 days in Croatia ? Our guide has three itineraries you can check out and see which one suits you best.

Some of the top tourist attractions in this country include :

• Dubrovnik’s Old Town Walls – join a walking tour
• Trsteno Arboretum, Trsteno near Dubrovnik
• Dubrovnik’s Lovrijenac Fort
• Visit Game of Thrones filming locations – book a tour
• Nikola Tesla Technical Museum in Zagreb
• Diocletian’s Palace in Split – enjoy a walking tour with a local guide
• Blue Cave, near Split – book the 5 island boat tour
• Krka Waterfalls, near Split – visit on a boat tour
• Plitvice Lakes National Park near Zadar
• Kornati National Park near Zadar
• Euphrasian Basilica in Porec
• Pula’s Roman Arena
• Swim at Galebove Stijene in Pula
• Explore Brijuni/Brioni National Park near Pula
• Mulini Beach in Rovinj

Romania for 7 days

A massive country in East Europe, Romania has a lot to offer. From national parks, vibrant cities, historical sites, and beach access to the Black Sea. Bucharest is known for great nightlife, but apart from that, it’s also rich in cultural and historical spots.

Other than Bucharest, you have to go to the Transylvanian region, known as the home of Dracula. If it’s warm enough, head to Constanza, while Brasov and Cluj-Napoca are the areas to go to during winter for skiing and other winter activities.

Here are some of the places you could visit once you reached Romania:

• Romanian Athenaeum in Bucharest
• Grigore Antipa National Museum of Natural History in Bucharest
• National Museum of Romanian History in Bucharest
• Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum in Bucharest
• Vaser Valley Forestry Railway
• Bran Castle aka Dracula’s Castle in Transylvania – book a tour combo with Peles and Brasov trip
• Sighisoara Historic Center
• Covered Stairway in Sighisoara
• The Clock Tower in Sighisoara
• The Black Church in Brasov
• Peles Castle near Brasov – book a 2-day tour from Bucharest to visit Brasov, Sibiu, and Sighisoara
• Bucegi Natural Park near Brasoc
• Transylvanian Alps

Bulgaria for 7 days

Just south of Romania, you can reach Bulgaria by train, bus, or driving. The quickest option would be to drive, which would take you more or less five hours, but the cheapest option is by riding a train.

Another country with the best nightlife, Bulgaria is popular with young tourists. But it doesn’t mean non-partygoers cannot enjoy Bulgaria. This country is a great place to explore the outdoors. There are many hiking trails and to ski here, you don’t have to spend too much.

Head to the capital city, Sofia, but for winter sports, you can go to Bansko, Borovets, and Pamporovo. If you are coming during the warm months, you can still go to the Black Sea by heading toward Varna.

Some of the top spots in Bulgaria are:

• National Palace of Culture in Sofia
• Sofia History Museum
• Rila Monastery – visit with combo tour to Boyana Church
• Seven Rila Lakes – check tour price from Sofia
• Tsarevets Fortress in Veliko Tarnovo
• Belogradchik Rocks
• Prohodna Cave in Karlukovo
• Krushuna Waterfalls
• The Rose Valley near Kazanluk
• The Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis in Plovdiv – join a tour of Plovdiv, Asen’s Fortress, and Bachkovo Monastery
• Pirin National Park near Plovdiv
• Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari near Shumen

East Europe is one of the most affordable regions in Europe. The accommodation alone can range between $20-$30 while food and the use of public transportation are also very affordable.

It’s easy to travel on a budget in eastern Europe, around $800 is feasible for backpackers and young travellers. If you want to be comfortable, $1,000 will be great and get you your own private room and dine at restaurants. $2,000 can easily be a luxury trip in this region for a 2-week adventure.

Itinerary #5 Nordic: Iceland, Norway, and Denmark

The next option would be the Nordic countries, which consist of Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark. However, in this itinerary, we will only cover Norway, Iceland, and Denmark.

Norway is also known as the Land of the Midnight Sun. It is famous for its fjords, lakes, and magical skies (Aurora Borealis), as well as Viking culture and folklore.

Iceland is also famous for a lot of natural wonders such as geysers, active volcanoes, and glaciers. You could also see the Northern Lights here. Iceland is relying 100% on renewable energy; hydropower, and geothermal.

Last but definitely not least is Denmark, which is well-known for its coastal towns, architecture, Royalty, and cuisine. Copenhagen is a must-visit. If you find yourself with extra time, you can hop on a train and head to Sweden.

You can also just visit Denmark, Norway, and Sweden using our 2 weeks in Scandinavia itinerary .

Iceland for 4 days

Iceland is the land of fire and ice, and you might be wondering why. They have glaciers but have volcanically heated pools at the same time, where you could swim all year round. That’s pretty fascinating.

Aside from that, it is also a literary-focused country. In fact, one out of ten Icelanders will publish a book even at least once in their lifetime.

Iceland is not a big country, but spending four days here is plenty. Most tourists love staying in Reykjavik, but you don’t have to. If you want to save money, you can stay outside the city and rent a car instead. You can easily move around in your own car, which means it doesn’t matter if your hotel is not in the city.

We have a complete guide and itinerary for 2 weeks in Iceland .

Top attractions in Iceland:

• Drive the Golden Circle
• Blue Lagoon – get your ticket in advance including Kerid Volcanic Crater
• Gullfoss Falls
• Seljalandsfoss
• Silfra – snorkel between 2 tectonic plates between North American and Europe
• Þingvellir National Park
• Jökulsárlón
• Chase the Northern Lights – join a tour to find the best spot
• Icelandic Phallological Museum
• National Museum of Iceland
• Reykjanesfólkvangur
• Whale Watching near Reykjavik – book a cruise
• Eystri-Fellsfjara / Diamond Beach

Norway for 6 days

You will need to ride a plane to reach Norway if you’re coming from Iceland. The fastest route takes more or less 6 hours. However, the journey would be worth it because there are so many sights and sceneries once you reach Norway.

This includes the world’s longest road tunnel and the world’s most remote island, among others. This is also an amazing place to ski during winter.

Many tourists usually go to Oslo and Bergen, but you can also add Stavanger, Kristiansand, and Tromso to your itinerary of 2 weeks in Europe.

If you want to see Fjords, you have to head west; from Trondheim all the way down to Stavanger. Check our 2 weeks in Norway itinerary list if you only want to see this country.

Here is a list of some of the best places to visit in Norway:

• Bygdoy Peninsula in Oslo 
• Vigeland Sculpture Park in Oslo
• Viking Ship Museum in Oslo
• Naeroyfjorden
• Akershus Fortress in Oslo
• Oslo’s Fjords – check tour prices or a cruise to Nærøyfjorden, Flåm, and Stegastein 
• Hanseviertel Bryggen in Bergen
• Sognefjord near Bergen
• Osterrjod and Mostraumen near Bergen – join a cruise
• Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen), in Stavanger
• Lofoten Islands
• Geirangerfjord
• Arctic Museum in Tromso
• Find the Northern Lights from Tromso – book a guided tour
• Atlantic Ocean Road

Denmark for 4 days

To reach Denmark from Norway, the best would be to take a plane. There is also a car ferry service, but with a limited time, it’s not ideal. Denmark has the oldest Monarchy in Europe.

Denmark is a small country but popular not only in Europe but around the world. For many years, it has been voted the happiest country in the world. It’s also known for being safe for tourists, the home birth of lego, and has the oldest monarchy in Europe and the oldest flag in the world.

Naturally, visitors will go to Copenhagen, but since the country (excluding Greenland and the Faroe Islands) is not that big, 4 days in Denmark is plenty

You can explore the entirety of Copenhagen and even have time to go to Odense, where the famous children’s book author Hans Christian Andersen was born. You can actually get to the city centre from Copenhagen airport in just 13 minutes – a great way to save time.

Here is a list of some of the best attractions in Denmark:

• The Little Mermaid (Den Lille Havfrue) – explore Copenhagen in a day
• Freetown Christiania
• The King’s Garden
• Amalienborg
• Rosenborg Castle
• Tivoli Gardens – get your ticket in advance
• Botanical Garden
• The Round Tower
• Memorial Anchor
• Copenhagen Opera House
• Walk around Strøget
• Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
• Christiansborg Palace
• Danish Architecture Centre
• Ofelia Plads
• Legoland in Billund
• Hans Christian Andersen’s Childhood Home
• H. C. Andersens House

Nordic and Scandinavia is undeniably the most expensive place to travel around Europe. Accommodation alone could run $100, and dining and consuming alcohol are costly as well. But taking the bus and train is a little bearable.

To ensure that you will enjoy your 2 weeks in Europe around this region, plan to spend about $2,000 . If you are on a budget, you can probably do it for $1,700 but no less. But for l uxury, your trip cost will really skyrocket up to $5,000 .

Itinerary #6 West Europe: The UK, Netherlands, and Belgium

The last itinerary option for your 2 weeks in Europe includes the countries the UK, Netherlands, and Belgium, also known as the west of Europe.

The UK is popular for many things, including its monarchy, culture, history, and performers. Being the home of four different countries; England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, you can easily say that it’s worth a visit. From bustling cities, amazing hiking trails, pubs to check out, and castles to explore.

There are tons of iconic places in the Netherlands despite it being a small country. The Netherlands is famous for many things . Here, you’ll be able to see windmills, cheese markets, bulb fields, and earthenware, among others. The Netherlands also have plenty of historical spots to discover including Anne Frank’s House.

The last country on our list is Belgium. They have high-quality chocolates, hence the name Belgian chocolate. This country is also well-known for waffles and beer and is the home to NATO headquarters.

The UK for 6 days

There are many things to see in the UK, and six days is definitely not going to be enough. But don’t panic. If this is your first time here, list the attractions you really want to see first. The world-famous Big Ben, London Eye, and River Thames can all be found here, and that’s just in London.

If you have been here before, perhaps, you can now explore less popular areas. Perhaps, you can focus on hiking instead of being in the city or just spend 14 days in England only, especially if it’s your first time.

It’s undeniable that the UK has the most famous monarchy in the world. London alone has a lot of attractions related to the British Monarchy and historical places. In order to make the most out of your trip, the recommended duration of stay is at least five days.

ALSO READ: 2 weeks in the UK , 2 weeks in England , and 2 weeks in Ireland and Northern Ireland itineraries.

List of some best places to see in the UK :

• Tower Bridge
• Stonehenge – book a combo tour with Windsor Castle and Bath
• Buckingham Palace
• The British Museum
• Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition – buy your ticket in advance
• Kensington Palace
• Madame Tussauds – get your skip-the-line ticket
• Shakespeare’s Globe
• St. Paul’s Cathedral
• Book a Harry Potter tour – Warner Bros. Studio
• Scotney Castle
• Bodiam Castle
• Warwick Castle
• Lake District National Park
• Dean Village
• Edinburgh Castle – book a skip-the-line tour
• Palace of Holyroodhouse
• Loch Ness, Glencoe, and the Scottish Highlands – check the tour price from Edinburgh
• Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park
• Titanic Belfast – join a guided tour
• Crumlin Road Gaol
• Giants Causeway – visit with a stop at Dark Hedges, Dunluce, and Belfast
• Free Derry Corner
• The Derry Walls

The Netherlands for 4 days

You could either ride the train or drive if you want to reach the Netherlands from the UK. Once you reach the Netherlands, you could experience the biggest ice skating tour in the world, or join a cycling tour. You can also know more about world-famous painters like Van Gogh and Rembrandt.

Four days sounds too little but you can actually do a lot while in the Netherlands. You can of course explore Amsterdam, and head to The Hague, Rotterdam, and Groningen.

Some things to see and do in The Netherlands:

• Jordaan and Amsterdam’s Canals – book the famous canal cruise
• Anne Frank House
• Rijksmuseum
• Mauritshuis
• Van Gogh Museum – enjoy with an audio guide
• The Windmills of Kinderdijk
• Hoge Veluwe National Park
• Valkenburg Castle Ruins

Belgium for 4 days

To reach Belgium, you could ride the train, ride a bus, use rideshare, or drive. The cheapest option would be to use rideshare and the most recommended option would be to ride the train. It would take you almost 3 hours to reach your destination.

The popular cities in Belgium are Brussels which is the capital, Ghent, Antwerp, and Bruges. You can take buses, trains, or rent a car to travel between cities. Don’t forget to go try different beers and waffles which are two of my favourite part of my visit.

Popular attractions in Belgium:

• Grand Palace
• Atomium – get your entry ticket in advance
• Sign up for the famous Hungry Mary’s beer and chocolate tour or join chocolate making class
• Manneken Pis
• Day trip to Bruges and Ghent – enjoy with a tour guide
• The Canals of Bruges
• Battlefield in Flanders
• Belfry of Bruges
• Basilica of the Holy Blood
• Bruges Beer Experience
• Sint-Salvatorskathedraal
• Gravensteen
• Museum Aan de Stroom
• The Rubens House

What I enjoy about travelling in western Europe is how it’s honestly a pricey place but it can be done on a budget. If you think you can stay on your feet for long hours and walking around is not a problem, you can easily cut costs by taking the bus or taxi. The accommodation will surely get you, but dining can be affordable.

The street food in all these countries is fun, globally diverse, and easy to find. For budget travellers, $1,700 is required for your 2-week trip and most likely requires you to stay in a youth hostel. $ 2,500 offers comfort and a bit of luxury where you can dine at nice restaurants. $4,000 means you can stay in hotels right downtown and near the top attractions, With this budget, you can even hire taxis during your entire trip.

SUMMARY OF 2 WEEKS IN EUROPE

There are so many countries to choose from if you plan to visit Europe. Fortunately, Europe has amazing transportation between cities and countries, making it easy to travel around even with limited time.

When planning your 14-day itinerary for Europe, don’t try to cram it too much. It’s better to travel a bit slower, see fewer places, but be able to enjoy and process everything you have seen and experienced. Europe is not going anywhere, you can always visit again and check out a new place.

I hope that you found these 2 weeks in Europe itineraries helpful in planning your own.

TO SAVE THIS ITINERARY, PIN THIS IMAGE BELOW:

9 Unmissable Things To Do In Miami

The 12 Best UK Beaches To Visit In 2023

The Best Areas To Stay When Visiting Warsaw, Poland

The Ultimate 2 Week Queensland Roadtrip: 2023 Guide

• Yucatan Peninsula
• Winter in Europe
• Whitsundays
• Where you should stay
• where to stay in porto
• Where to stay in Bali
• where to stay cyprus

9 Days In France – The Ultimate Itinerary

Editorial Note: Earth Curious contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks!

Your journey will start in the bustling city of Paris before you head south to the French Atlantic coastline and Bordeaux. Following your time in Bordeaux, you will hit up the med coastline and explore Marseille, the Calanques National Park, Nice, and if you want, the tiny country of Monaco.

Table of Contents

What to do:, where to eat, where to stay in paris, check out our further earth curious content on paris to prepare:, what to do and see, where to stay, best wine tours in bordeaux, where to eat, leaving france:, the best time to visit france:, what is the currency of france, can you drink tap water in france, the language of france:, is france safe, final thoughts:, other europe itineraries:.

Assuming that you are traveling from outside of Europe, you will most likely be traveling into the country via plane.

Once in France, you will travel way more efficiently and cheaply by taking high-speed public trains between cities. Most tickets cost between €10-30 and can get you to destinations faster than by car in most situations.

Day 1: Arrive in Paris – Eiffel Tower and Palace of Versailles

You have just arrived in France! The most accessible city to travel to is Paris, the country’s capital city. To get from the airport to the city center, you can hire a cab to take you directly to your hotel. If you are a budget traveler, you can take one of the regional express trains, which run every 10 minutes.

Depending on the time you arrive and how long your flight was, you may need some time to recharge in your accommodation. When you are ready to get into the city, your first stop is to see the Eiffel Tower – one of the most recognized monuments in the world.

See the Eiffel Tower: Make sure your camera is fully charged when heading down to the Eiffel Tower, which is the symbol of France. It measures over 1,000 feet in height, known colloquially as the “Iron Lady” The Eiffel Tower is free to see from afar, but you will have to buy a ticket in order to enter the tower. Depending on your budget, it may be worth it to pay the price, as you will be able to explore the first and second floors, which have various cafe and lounging areas, as well as the summit, which offers panoramic views of all of Paris.

Visit the Palace of Versailles: Another one of the most visited attractions of France, the Palace of Versailles dates back to the 17th century and was the residence of French kings Louis XIV and Louis XVI. You will have to buy a ticket to enter, but the entrance allows you access to the immaculate gardens, the main palace (which consists of over 2,000 rooms), and the Queen’s Hamlet.

Chez Lazare

Madam Brasserie (located in the Eiffel Tower)

• $$$ – Shangri-La Paris
• $$ – Hotel Sophie Germain
• $ – The People Hostel – Paris Le Marais

Day 2: Paris – See the Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum

You cannot leave Paris without visiting some of its most popular museums, which are recognized globally

Go to the Louvre Museum : The Louvre Museum in Paris is globally recognized because it houses arguably one of the most popular paintings in history – the Mona Lisa . Other famous pieces in the museum include Vénus de Milo , La Liberté Guidant le Peuple , and Victoire de Samothrace . Admission to the Louvre costs €17 for foreign visitors. The outside architecture of the Louvre is also not to be missed, as the museum is also recognized for its glass pyramids outside.

Louvre Repaille

• Is Paris Expensive To Visit?
• The Best Days Trips From Paris By Train (Perfect to extend your trip!)
• The Best Time To Visit Paris To Avoid Crowds (This article can apply to visiting France in general!)
• Is Paris Safe to Visit? (2023 Guide)

Note: All of the above links will open in a new tab, so you can save them for reading after you are done with this article.

Day 3: Paris – Montmatre and The Basilica of Sacré Coeur de Montmartre

After a full two days of sightseeing, take some time for relaxation and a brisk stroll.

Explore the neighborhood of Montmartre : Montmartre is known for its cozy village feel and bustling art scene, which has inspired artists over the years such as Van Gogh and Picasso. For a more in-depth look into the neighborhood, go on a free walking tour, where you can learn the history of the area from a local guide. Make sure to stop at one of the cozy cafes for a coffee along your exploration.

Visit the Basilica of Sacré Coeur de Montmartre : Another important monument of Paris, and is one of the most important religious sites in the city. Visitors can enter and climb to the top of the dome for views of the city, or lounge in the grass of the grounds.

Cafe Montmartre

La Mére Catherine

Day 4: Train to Bordeaux, Place de la bourse

Travel time: to travel from Paris to Bordeaux, take the high-speed SNCF TGV train, which is the most economical and fastest option that takes just over 2 hours. standard class tickets start at about €16 one-way.

Known as the heart of the wine region of France, Bordeaux is known for its gothic architecture and idyllic French countryside.

Place de la bourse : Known as the iconic symbol of the city of Bordeaux, this palace is a UNESCO World Heritage site, dating back to the 18th century. The Palace offers free admission for visitors, but it is worth it to pay a little extra for a guided tour to learn about the historical and cultural significance.

Restaurant Influences

Le Petit Atelier des Faures

• $$$ – Villas Foch Bordeaux
• $$ – ibis Bordeaux Centre Mériadeck
• $ – Central Hostel

Day 5: Go on a wine tour in Bordeaux

The Bordeaux region is known for its extensive wineries, so you cannot leave without trying some world-class wine. The best time to visit is in September, which is grape harvesting season in France.

Château Bernateau: a family-owned winery that operates tours in French and English. Prices range between €6-10 per person.

Château Coutet: Located about 20 minutes from the center of St. Emilion – another winery that is family owned and operated. A special aspect of this winery is the extensive gardens and ponds on the property, which are frequented by many ducks and geese.

Château Lafaurie Peyraguey

La Table de Plaisance

Day 6: Arrive in Marseille and explore the Old Port of Marseille

Travel time: Direct trains from Bordeaux to Marseille last about 6.5 hours, so it may be more efficient to fly, which only takes about an hour. There are also options for overnight trains, so you can get a night’s sleep while you travel.

The next stop on your France itinerary is the quaint city of Marseille, located on the southern coast of the country.

Walk around the Old Port of Marseille: With a rich maritime history and cultural significance, the Old Port of Marseille is a great place to stroll and interact with the locals. Make sure to stop by the Quai des Belges Fish Market, which is the heartbeat of the Old Port. When you get hungry, enter one of the many cafes, restaurants, and bars that are located along the main streets.

La Délicatesse

La Poule Noire

• $$$ – Le Petit Nice Passedat
• $$ – Les Bords de Mer
• $ – Vertigo Hostel Vieux-Port

Day 7: Marseille – Go to Calanques National Park

Travel time: You can get to the Calanques National Park very easily from Marseille. Check out the park’s website here . You can travel by public bus, sea shuttles, in your own car/rental car or by bike.

Hike in Calanques National Park: Located in the south of France, this national park boasts over 20 kilometers of coastline and is the only European park to have land, sea, and urban areas in the same park. You can easily spend the entire day exploring some of the many hikes that Calanques has to offer. The most notable trails to check out are the Calanques de Cassis Trail, Calanque de Sugiton, and Calanque de Marseilleveyre.

Brasserie Des Calanques

Day 8: Nice

Travel time: The most efficient way to get from Marseille to Nice is by train, specifically the TVG “OuiGo” trains. The trip lasts about 2.5 hours, and tickets are about €20 one-way.

Nice is known as France’s most popular beach city. Use the end of your trip to relax!

Walk the Promenade de Anglais: Literally translating to “walkway of the English” this promenade stretches about 7 kilometers along Nice’s coastline. It is extremely pedestrian-friendly and has bike lanes for cyclists as well. Along the way, you can find many cute shops, restaurants, and souvenir shops.

Take a day or afternoon trip to Monaco: Monaco is the epitome of luxury and grandeur. A tiny country nestled on the glorious French Riviera, Monaco has long been a haunt for the rich and famous, thanks to generous tax laws, beautiful scenery, and fantastic weather. Best of all, it’s only 25 minutes away from Nice by train! Read our full Earth Curious guide on getting to Monaco from Nice, and what to do when you get there.

George’s Roll Seafood

Le Panier Restaurant

Day 9: Head to the beaches in Nice

Don’t leave Nice without putting on your bathing suit and heading to the beach.

La Réserve beach: a lesser-known beach with less tourist traffic. It is tucked away but still very accessible to the downtown area.

Opéra Plage beach: A private beach that also has a former opera house pavilion.

Plage Beau Rivage: Another private beach located very near the Old Town with access to plenty of luxury restaurants and accommodations.

Le Negresco

Chez Acchiardo

After your time in Nice, you can either leave from Nice airport (year-round, Nice has flights to most major cities in Europe, and during summer months there are a fair number of international destinations too.

Otherwise, you can easily get a high-speed train back up to Paris and leave France from there. The fastest trains take just under 6 hours, and when booked in advance tickets cost around €30 one-way.

Useful tips for traveling in France:

For the most pleasant weather conditions, the best time to visit France is in the summer, between June and August. Because of the favorable weather, this season is also the peak tourist season in France. Although everything operates at full capacity during this time, it also means you will be competing with crowds and higher prices. If you want to save money and avoid the crowds, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons of spring (April-May) and fall (September-October). Not only is the weather cooler, but there are fewer tourists.

The national currency of France is the Euro. The Euro is also the currency for many other neighboring European countries, such as Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and more. So, if your trip to France is part of a longer trip throughout Europe, you won’t have trouble constantly exchanging currency.

Yes! The tap water in the entirety of the country is safe to drink. You should not have a problem filling your bottle with tap water in most given regions in France, especially in large cities like Paris.

The national language of France is French , which is the first language of 88% of the population. It is a great place to practice your French if you are actively trying to learn it. If you don’t know any French, you should download some language apps or a translator, as only 39% of the population has some degree of English proficiency. For larger tourist areas, you most likely will not have a problem, as English is more widely spoken in these areas. You will have more luck speaking English with younger people, as older generations over the age of 50 were generally not formally taught English in school.

France is overall a safe country to travel to solo or in a group. Rates of violent crime are generally low, and the most common crimes against tourists are petty theft and pickpocketing. With this in mind, always proceed with caution no matter how safe you perceive an area to be.

Related: 15 Of The Best Places To Visit In France

If you are looking for an adventurous itinerary with many diverse places to see, look no further than France. Not only does the country have much historical relevance, but you will be blown away by its incredible art, food, and views. The best aspect of traveling in France is its access to efficient and cheap transportation by train, which can allow you to see the entire country in one trip.

Here at Earth Curious, it is our goal to have amazing content published about every country in the world! We are slowly getting there!

If you’re thinking of spending some more time in Europe and fancy visiting other countries and not just France, then why not check out some of our other country itineraries below?

Note: all of the below countries, border France and you can easily take a train to get to the next country. If you’re using trains in multiple European countries you might want to consider getting an interrail pass, there is more on that here .

• 7-Day Germany Itinerary (A 2023 Guide)
• The Ultimate 3-5 Day Belgium Itinerary
• The Best 9-Day Switzerland Itinerary: Detailed Guide
• The Ultimate 2-Week Italy Itinerary: Exploring The Entire Country

Stay Earth Curious!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Related Posts

• Itineraries

72 Hours in Bogotá – The Ultimate Itinerary

72 Hours In Tokyo: What To See, Do & Eat

9 Day Ireland Itinerary: See The Best Of The Country

• North America
• United States

The Best 2 Week Route 66 Road Trip Itinerary

The Ultimate Naples & Amalfi Coast 5 Day Itinerary

Stockholm Itinerary: 3 Days As A First-Timer

• New Zealand

3 Amazing Day Trips You Can Take From Auckland By Car

The Best Days Trips From Paris By Train

• Tours  > 
• Destinations  > 
• Europe Tours  > 
• France and Spain Tours

Click to send a new magic link to your inbox.

Welcome back!

By signing in, you agree to our Privacy Policy  and  Terms of Use

• Bookmark trips you like
• Share with your travel companions
• Track price changes
• Access private discounts on trips you save

TripFinder is a member-only feature. Don’t worry, it’s free!

With a membership you:

• Save up to $700 per person!*
• Access private deals and offers
• See personalized trip recommendations
• Save favorite trips

Just use the email address and password provided in the email we sent.

With your free membership you:

Your travel guide dog

Searching thousands of trips by hundreds of tour companies...

Fetching your trip.

Just a moment, Rover is fetching your perfect trip.

Highlights of Spain: 3 great travel itineraries to make the most of your visit

Jul 21, 2022 • 9 min read

Be inspired to travel Spain with these great itineraries © Getty Images / iStockphoto

Seductive Spain attracts travelers to its diverse land, comprising 17 distinct regions. To help you decide where to start, here are three of our best itineraries to inspire you.  

See the highlights of Spain on this 14-day itinerary

To understand why many visitors fall in love with Spain and never want to leave, look no further than its vibrant, passionate, beautiful cities. This 14-day tour takes you through the best Spain has to offer. 

Days 1–3: Admire Modernista marvels in Barcelona

So many Spanish trails begin in  Barcelona , Spain’s second-biggest city and one of the coolest places on earth. You’ll need at least three days to explore the main attractions here, including nightlife and restaurants. From the standout Gaudí highlights – the incomparable  Sagrada Família and colorful  Casa Batlló – to its wonderful art museums of  Picasso and  Miró and the historic sights hidden among the narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter, there’s more than enough to keep you coming back for more. Dine on Catalan classics in the Ciutat Vella, tapas in hip El Born and international delights in the neighborhood of Gràcia.

Days 4–5: Eat your way through paella in Valencia

Catch the fast train down the coast to  Valencia in just three hours for a dose of paella, nightlife and the 21st-century wonders of the  Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias . Spend some time exploring the narrow winding streets and charming plazas of the Ciutat Vella, then hit the city’s fabulous modernist  Mercado Central for some local treats. Hire a bike to tour the lush  Turia Gardens set in an old riverbed, before relaxing on Malvarrosa Beach with a traditional paella valenciana at Casa Carmela . 

Days 6–7: Tour Madrid, the captivating capital

A fast train whisks you inland to the capital, mighty  Madrid , in just two hours where you will find irresistible street energy, pretty plazas and one of the richest concentrations of art museums on the planet. Soak up the atmosphere in the grand  Plaza Mayor with some chocolate-dipped churros from  Chocolatería San Ginés , then make your way to Madrid’s Golden Triangle to marvel at the collections of the  Reina Sofia ,  Prado or Thyssen-Bornemisza art museums. In the afternoon, relax in the vast  Parque del Buen Retiro  before hitting the stands at the Mercado de San Miguel or the famous bars on Calle Cava Baja.

Day 8: Admire the beauty of Córdoba's Mezquita

Yet another two-hour fast train takes you deep into Andalucía , with  Córdoba your entry point into this wonderful corner of Spain; the most obvious highlight is the city’s 8th-century  Mezquita . Local dishes to try include a traditional flamenquín (a breaded and deep-fried wrap filled with ham, cheese and pork) and  salmorejo (a thick cold gazpacho-like soup of tomato and garlic).

Days 9–11: Be spellbound by Seville

From Córdoba, it's a short hop (just 50 minutes by train) to fabulous  Seville . You’ll want at least two days in this most romantic of southern Spanish cities or even three, if you can spare it. Climb to the top of  La Giralda , the cathedral’s Moorish minaret for the incredible views, followed by more Moorish discoveries at the opulent  Real Alcázar . On your second day in the city, head to the gorgeous grand sweep of  Plaza de España and its exquisitely tiled pavilions, before hopping over the river to check out the atmospheric neighborhood of  La Triana , where most of Seville’s tiles were once created. Andalusia serves up some of the best tapas in the country and, as its capital, Seville’s offerings are second to none. Make your way around the old Jewish neighborhood of Santa Cruz to dine in its fountain-filled plazas.

Day 12: Get to know Málaga

Another short train ride takes you down to  Málaga , often merely a stopping point on the way to the beach resorts of the Costa del Sol, but definitely a city that warrants a little more exploration. Discover the palatial fortification of the  Alcazaba , visit the childhood home of  Pablo Picasso , then head to the chiringuito (beach bars) for some classic grilled fish, cooked right on the sand.

Days 13–14: Enjoy flamenco, food and palaces in Granada

We’ve saved the best until last:  Granada boasts the extraordinary  Alhambra , its soulful alter ego the Albayzín, and an eating and drinking scene that embraces Spanish culinary culture in all its glorious variety. Bar hop your way along Calle Navas for free tapas bites with each drink, then head up to the caves of the Sacromonte neighborhood for a traditional flamenco show.

Got just 10 days? Then you'll need this itinerary to Northern Spain

Is 10 days enough for Spain? Well, it might not be enough to see the whole country, but it’s plenty to explore a particular section in depth. Spain's Mediterranean coast may get the crowds, but the country's northern coastline from San Sebastián to Santiago is one of the most spectacular in Europe. Here’s how to see northern Spain in just 10 days.

Days 1–2: Have a food tour of San Sebastián

There is no finer introduction to the north of the country than  San Sebastián , with its dramatic setting and extraordinary food scene. Two nights is a minimum here. Begin with a stroll around the sweeping bay of La Concha to see the impressive  Peine del Viento sculptures by the famous Basque artist Eduardo Chillida, then learn all about Basque culture at the  Museo San Telmo . Later, make your way around the Old Town stopping for pintxos bites along the way, followed by the best baked Basque cheesecake for dessert at  La Viña .

Days 3–4: Discover the delights of the Guggenheim in Bilbao

West of San Sebastián, three hours by train,  Bilbao is best known as the home of the showpiece  Museo Guggenheim and warrants at least a night, preferably two. After visiting the masterpieces inside Frank Gehry’s titanium ship, there’s much more art and architecture to see, including Philippe Starck’s Azkuna Zentroa building and the city’s innovative street art. In the evening, go barhopping for tasty pintxos in the Casco Viejo. If you have two days in the city, spend your second day at nearby Arrigunaga Beach learning how to surf the waves.  

Day 5: Drive through coastal Cantabria

Leave Bilbao behind and head west through Cantabria and Asturias. To make the most of the coast, you'll need a car. Cantabria's cobblestone Santillana del Mar , the rock art at Altamira and the village of Ribadesella will fill one day. 

Day 6: Hike in the Picos de Europa national park

Drive south into the steep gorges and soaring peaks of the  Picos de Europa , one of Spain’s largest and best national parks . Spend your time here hiking through the verdant green valleys or up into the clouds and, if you’re lucky enough, you may spot golden eagles, wild boar and brown bears.

Day 7: See historic architecture and sample local cider in Oviedo

Head to irresistible  Oviedo , the capital of Asturias, known for its historic medieval old town and its Unesco World Heritage 9th-century stone churches. Make sure to take a break to visit a traditional sidrería for a glass of local Asturian cider.

Day 8: Explore the wild shores of Galicia

Tackle Galicia's coastline, one of Spain's great natural wonders, punctuated by secluded fishing villages and stunning cliffs. Don't miss Cabo Ortegal peninsula where the Bay of Biscay meets the Atlantic Ocean, the Glass City of  A Coruña with its gorgeous galerías and the dramatic Costa da Morte . Along the way, stop for a traditional plate of pulpo a feira (Galician-style octopus sprinkled with paprika).

Days 9–10: Meet with pilgrims in Santiago

For the last two nights, linger in the thoroughly Galician city of  Santiago de Compostela , a place of pilgrim footfalls, fine regional cuisine and a cathedral of power. There’s plenty to see here besides the cathedral however, including several impressive monasteries and convents. Feeling hungry? Make your way to  Bar La Tita for – dare we say it – the tastiest tortilla de patatas (potato omelette) in Spain.

This 14-day itinerary takes you from Valencia to the Balearics

This journey takes you from the shores of the Mediterranean in Valencia to Mallorca, Ibiza and their hip little cousin, Formentera, three of the most beautiful islands anywhere in the Med. You'll need a car to explore the two bigger islands.

Days 1–2: Tour futuristic architecture and scoff paella in Valencia

Begin in  Valencia , that most appealing of Mediterranean cities, which is worth staying in for a couple of nights. Spend your first day looking around the Old Town, the impressive Cathedral to search for the Holy Grail, the large Modernist food market and the exquisite Unesco  La Lonja de la Seda . On day two, marvel at the futuristic Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (The City of Arts and Sciences). If the heat gets too much, cool down with a traditional glass of horchata (tiger nut milk) at the 200-year old  Horchatería Santa Catalina .

Days 3–4: Discover the best of Mallorca’s capital

Fly or catch a boat to  Palma de Mallorca , the capital of the Balearics and a dynamic city with stirring architecture and world-class food. It’s well worth a couple of nights here before you head to the countryside and the beaches. Visit the city’s landmark  La Seu Cathedral , explore the Casco Antiguo and tour the opulent  Palau de l’Amudaina . There are plenty of museums and great restaurants to occupy your time too. When you need a break, stop for a delicious powdered-sugar-covered ensaimada (a typical Mallorcan pastry swirl).

Days 5–6: Drive through the mountains and orange groves in central Mallorca

After a couple of nights, take two days to drive Mallorca's west coast and the  Serra de Tramuntana mountain range. Stop for one night in the charming mountain village of Valldemossa and the other in pretty Sóller , surrounded by orange groves and just a short hop to the coast.  

Days 7–8: Relax on the beaches of Port de Pollença

Base yourself in Port de  Pollença to explore the island's north for a couple more days, including the idyllic Cap de Formentor and the historic town of Alcúdia, surrounded by old medieval walls. Return to Palma to catch the ferry to Ibiza .

Days 9–10: Take in Ibiza’s Old Town

On arrival, take a couple of days to soak up the considerable charms of Ibiza Town's fortified old town of  Dalt Vila and its superb nightlife. Here it’s more chic outdoor cocktail bars and romantic candlelit restaurants than thumping discotheques.

Days 11–12: See the quiet side of Ibiza

Leave it all behind for Ibiza's quiet and natural north coast, stopping in Sant Llorenç de Balàfia, with its great restaurants where you can order the traditional bullit de peix (fish stew), remote little Sant Mateu d'Aubarca, and artsy Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera.

Day 13–14: Spot wildlife in Ses Salines Natural Park

When you can tear yourself away, head for the Parc Natural de Ses Salines, some of the wildest and most beautiful country in Mediterranean Spain. Comprising both sea and coastal ecosystems, these salt flats and wetlands are home to over 200 bird species including pink flamingos, cormorants and ospreys.

Day 13–14: Experience island life on Formentera

Head back to Ibiza Town to catch the ferry (35 minutes) over to the tiny former hippie island of  Formentera for your last two nights before heading home. It’s the perfect place to explore by bicycle, just 19km (12 miles) long and crisscrossed with many bike lanes and green routes.  

Explore related stories

Sep 11, 2024 • 5 min read

Seville is one of Spain's most beautiful cities, but the streets can be sizzling hot in summer and busy in spring and fall. Here are the top times to come.

Sep 11, 2024 • 7 min read

Sep 4, 2024 • 13 min read

Aug 1, 2024 • 8 min read

Jul 29, 2024 • 7 min read

Jul 24, 2024 • 7 min read

Jul 19, 2024 • 5 min read

Jul 18, 2024 • 8 min read

Jul 8, 2024 • 10 min read

Mar 25, 2024 • 6 min read

The Ultimate 7 to 10 Days in the South of France Itinerary

Last Updated on September 1, 2023

by Brittany Scott-Gunfield

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

France is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe and, although many visitors will stay in Paris, plenty head down to to plan an itinerary for the south of France to soak up the sun on the pristine beaches, visit the stunning mountain ranges or learn about French culture on a city break.

There is a lot of diversity to see in the south of France, taking you to all of the above, or allowing you to pick and mix as you please.

Whichever stops you end up choosing, you’re sure to have a fantastic holiday surrounded by lush natural areas, historic locations or beautiful city centres, whetthr you have a week to spend, 10 days or more.

Table of Contents

How Many Days in the South of France?

To explore the whole of the south of France, from the Atlantic coast of Bayonne to the Mediterranean principality of Monaco , you would need at least two weeks to freely explore each wonderful town and city en route without rushing.

However, to enjoy the Mediterranean coastline and its neighbouring cities, towns and quaint villages, 10 days are ideal.

Although, if you want to concentrate your stops in one area, such as Languedoc-Roussillon or Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, you can spend a very pleasant week in the region, without spending too much time on the road. 

Part of the fun of a road trip is seeing the sights from a car window and stopping when your interest is piqued by a looming château or spectacular view.

So it can be a great idea to plan a few days of activities but leave yourselves a day or at least an afternoon here and there for travelling and taking in the scenery.

Equally, if you prefer not to drive and would rather take trains or buses, you can pack picnics for your journeys and enjoy the views; you may still be on the move rather than on your feet or a sun lounger, but it’s a great way to make the most of every moment of your holiday.

The itinerary outlined below covers a range of highlights to be found in the area. However, if you’re keen to dig deeper into various regions, make sure to check out our Provence itinerary or our French Riviera itinerary if you’ve already decided where you want to go.

Getting To & Around the South of France

Driving tends to be the best mode of transport to get around the south of France, as you’re then free to move around according to your own schedule, and there are many free (or at least cheap) places to park to be found in most cities and towns across the country.

All of the airports and city centres will have rental car companies where you can find various vehicles for reasonable prices, although it’s advisable to book in advance to guarantee you get the car of your choice.

The French have an expression that roughly translates to “there may not be work, but there are always roadworks”, so if you’re planning a south of France road trip itinerary outside of the summer months, it’s useful to have Google Maps open to have live traffic information for your journey so you can take alternative routes where necessary.

However, from June to September, as both French and foreign tourists travel around the country, there tend to be very few problems on the road, and you can almost guarantee excellent road surfaces to make your car journeys significantly more comfortable.

What’s more, the south of France has an excellent reputation for hitchhiking, so if you’re feeling adventurous and have a loose schedule for your trip to the south of France, this can be a great way of travelling around and getting some insider information about the hidden gems. Just make sure to follow safety precautions.

Getting to the south of France in the first place is also very simple as there are many airports located all along the south.

There are major airports in Toulouse, Nice, Marseille and Montpellier , so you can start your journey easily from any of these cities, although you can also arrive from the UK and other neighbouring European countries in the smaller cities of Carcassonne, Nîmes, Avignon, Aix-en-Provence and Toulon. You can book airport pickups here.

Each of these cities also has excellent public transportation, so you can visit much of the south of France by train. However, if you’d like to spend time in more rural villages and historic sites, there may not be trains and only a few buses each day, so having your own car is definitely advisable.

Most of the stops on our southern France itinerary will be well-known towns and cities that can easily be accessed by train or bus, but there are a couple of more out-of-the-way destinations that will be harder to reach without a car. So try to choose the best stops for your own route accordingly. You can view train and bus schedules here.

7 to 10 Day South of France Itinerary

From cities and towns to lakes and villages, this route will show you the best that France has to offer, without spending too long on the road so you can make the most of the bright sunshine, bustling streets and beautiful landscape.

Day 1 – Toulouse

Toulouse is a great place to start, as the airport has excellent connections to major European cities like London , Paris , Amsterdam and Munich , without being so busy that you spend your whole first day waiting at border control.

You can rent a car from the airport to start your road trip, or take the tram into the city for just a few euros and arrive in the centre ready to explore.

The centre of Toulouse has a wonderful large square lined on one side by the beautiful pink and white building Le Capitole that houses the town hall and the theatre of Toulouse.

This square is a great welcome into the city, leading off into winding streets full of boutiques and restaurants showing off the famous red brick of the region and the amazing cuisine.

You can wander around the city and discover the other incredible red brick structures like the Saint-Sernin Basilica and the Jacobins Convent with its enormous stained glass windows and occasional evening light show on the exterior façade. You can also  organise a walking tour  or  a food tour  if you want to learn more about the area from a guide.

The Canal du Midi also flows through Toulouse, as does the River Garonne, which provides a lovely place for an afternoon stroll, admiring the Occitan architecture, sunbathing on the steps leading to the river and sipping a cocktail on one of the floating bars. Plus, if you look closely under the Pont Neuf, you can spot one of James Colomina’s curious little red statues…

As a city, you can find plenty of places to stay within Toulouse from budget hotels and B&Bs to luxury apartments. Or, for a more rural gîte, you can head slightly further out of the city to enjoy nature, which is particularly beautiful around the Tarn and Garonne Rivers.

Where to Stay in Toulouse

Hôtel Héliot – Mid-range visitors to Toulouse will love this cool, 3-star hotel. Located in the centre of the city, they have a range of lovely rooms along with a great breakfast on offer in the morning.

Boutique Hotel SOCLO – This boutique hotel is an excellent option for those after a luxury stay in Toulouse. They have a range of plush rooms to choose from along with an excellent location for exploring all the city has to offer.

Appartements Design Hypercentre – If you’d prefer to have your own flat while in the South of France, then these apartments in Toulouse are a great choice. They come fully furnished and have a great, central location.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Toulouse hotels!

Day 2 – Carcassonne

Moving further south from Toulouse, you come across the amazing walled city of Carcassonne – the perfect place for a day trip. You can visit independently or go on an organised trip such as this full-day tour or this full-day tour.

Having been occupied since 500 BCE, this land was transformed by the Romans into a walled city which was further enhanced in the 12th century to create the incredible 3 km of ramparts we see today.

You can see the 52 towers rising in the distance as you approach by car, train or plane and the inside of the city takes you back in time with its traditional French shops selling everything from sweets to swords.

In the summer, the city comes to life with jousting tournaments, battle reenactments, opportunities to learn how to write with a quill and ink and people dressed in traditional mediaeval clothing wandering around the city. It’s a great place to visit with the family, but equally interesting for anyone with an interest in history, architecture or French culture.

The highlight of Carcassonne is the mediaeval city, however, there is a more modern town on the other side of the river which has hotels, restaurants and some apartments to rent, so if you haven’t brought your campervan, this is an excellent place to stay.

Day 3 – Montpellier

Moving further south still, we get to the real entrance of the south of France: Montpellier . Located on the Mediterranean coast, the amazing city has everything, from Roman ruins and neoclassical architecture to beaches, parks and exquisite gastronomy.

Visitors can happily stroll around the streets of the city centre, coming across the main square La Comedie, named after the huge theatre on one end, where the locals gather for entertainment, or simply to pass through on their way to work.

A short walk will take you to the magnificent 17th-century Triumphal Arch and stunning 18th-century tiered aqueduct that’s still working to supply the city’s fountains with water.

If that’s not enough to entice you, Montpellier has a fantastic botanical garden, which is the oldest in France, as well as plenty of murals and trompe d’œils dotted around the city streets, making for a wonderful walking tour. You can also easily take the tram around the city if you don’t feel like walking too far, as well as to the enormous beach with wild flamingos nearby.

Montpellier is a large city and has a very popular university so you can find activities for young people around every corner, as well as cheap hotels and apartments so everyone can have the chance to explore this amazing coastal city. Even if you can only stay for a week, make sure you stop by Montpellier – you won’t be disappointed!

Where to Stay in Montpellier

Hôtel Royal – This 3-star hotel in the centre of Montpellier is a fantastic choice for those looking for a central place to stay in this French city. They have a range of chic rooms to choose from along with breakfast on offer each morning.

Hôtel Oceania Le Métropole – This chic hotel is an excellent choice for those after a luxury option while staying in Montpellier. They have an excellent, central location along with an array of plush rooms plus many other amenities available.

Appart’City Confort Montpellier Saint Roch – If you’re keen for a self-catering option while exploring the south of France, then these apartments are a great choice. They have an array of fully-furnished flats all within easy access of all Montpellier has to offer.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Montpellier hotels!

Day 4 – Arles

Carcassonne and Montpellier were simply appetisers for history buffs, who can now rub their hands in glee at our next destination, the fabulous city of Arles . Arles is a perfectly sized town to wander around the streets and get a glimpse of the Provençal architecture and Roman ruins, namely the spectacular amphitheatre, Arènes d’Arles.

This 20,000 seater, two-tiered arena was built in 90 CE for gladiator fights and chariot races to entertain the locals and had towers added during the mediaeval era and looks unbelievably incredible today.

You can easily spend a few hours learning about the history of the structure or even watching a performance as it now hosts live music, bullfighting and other events in Summer, before heading off to experience the city’s other claim to fame: van Gogh’s house.

Having lived in the city for just a year, Vincent van Gogh created hundreds of artworks during his stay, having been greatly inspired by the natural beauty and pastel colours of the houses. Unfortunately, the house where he resided (and cut off his ear) was destroyed during the Second World War, however, you can visit a museum dedicated to the artist nearby.

Don’t miss out on the amazing and spooky Alyscamps either, with its incredible Gothic sarcophagi on either side of the ancient road leading down to a 12th-century church.

There aren’t lots of hotels within Arles city centre, however, with the Rhône River flowing through the landscape, there are some wonderful campsites and gîtes surrounded by countryside just five minutes driving out of the city. It is also very feasible to continue onto Marseille for the next few nights.

Where to Stay in Marseille

Hôtel Life Marseille VP – This 3-star hotel in the centre of Marseille is a great option for mid-range visitors. There are several bright and modern rooms on offer, a fab breakfast each morning and room service available.

La Residence Du Vieux Port – Located in the old port area of Marseille, this high-end hotel is great for luxury travellers. There are lots of room types for both couples and families, a fitness centre and a restaurant on site.

Vertigo Vieux-Port – This cool, centrally located hostel is great for backpackers looking for a budget-friendly and social option. There are dorms and privates available and good common areas to enjoy.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Marseille hotels!

Day 5 – Marseille

There’s not much to be said about the oldest and third-largest city in France that hasn’t already been said, and all of the great things you’ve heard about Marseille are true. Founded by the Greeks over 2600 years ago, the port city has seen a great deal of migration from all across the world making it a spectacularly diverse melting pot of architecture, cuisine, culture and religion.

The Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde is a must-see place within the city, and fortunately, you can see it from all around Marseille as it towers high above the otherwise quite flat city.

On the opposite side of Marseille, close to the train station is the equally spectacular but less well-known black and white striped Cathedrale La Major, which looks particularly magnificent at sunrise when the daylight causes the domed roof to glow orange.

A short distance away is the famous fish market and port of Marseille where you can see the fishermen selling their catches, as they’ve done for centuries, and take amazing photographs with the beautiful boats in the fore and the basilica in the background.

It’s possible to spend a few days in Marseille and not get the chance to see everything, so it’s a great destination for a weekend break, but even if you’ve got 10 days in the area, you’ve got to spare one for Marseille – even if it’s just to eat seafood (or take a food tour ) and enjoy the views.

Similar to other cities in France, you can find many hotels across the city for all kinds of budgets, as well as smaller B&Bs in the suburbs.

But there’s great transportation in the city, so rather than driving in, it’s a good idea to leave your car parked by your accommodation and just take a bus in and out of the city when you need to. 

Day 6 – Gorges du Verdon

So far each destination has been easily reachable by public transport, however, it’s more difficult to reach our next stop if you’re seeing the south of France by train. But, the Gorges du Verdon is one of the most breathtaking locations in the whole of France, so if possible, you have to include it on your itinerary.

This 25 km long canyon has been cut out of limestone by the brilliant turquoise Verdon River that reaches down 700 metres at its deepest and is a popular place to take a pedalo or kayak, or go hiking and even rock climbing.

You can travel through the gorge into the Sainte-Croix Lake which was created in the 1970s by flooding the small village of Les Salles-sur-Verdon, later rebuilt on the banks of the lake. You can stop here for lunch in any number of delightful restaurants with mesmerising lakeside views, or bring a picnic with you to enjoy a full day out exploring the canyon and surrounding lakes.

There are several hotels in the village of Les Salles-sur-Verdon and near the small village of Boulogne, on the south side of the gorges, and you can find plenty of campsites surrounding the Sainte-Croix Lake, some with cabins that you can rent if you haven’t got your own tent.

But be wary that the Gorges du Verdon is a very popular place to stay in Summer, so you’ll need to book your accommodation well in advance. Alternatively, continue onto Cannes for the evening, where you can be based for the next few days of this itinerary. There are also a number of other places to stay on the French Riviera that are great choices.

For those who don’t want to make the drive out to the gorge, there are other great options available for this day. You could, for instance, spend another day exploring Marseille. You could also opt to take a day trip to the lavender fields and take in a hilltop village in Provence.

Another great option would be to visit the Calanques du Marseille and the village of Cassis for a gorgeous area very close to the city.

Where to Stay in Cannes

Villa Claudia Hotel Cannes – If you’re on a mid-range budget while in Cannes, then this hotel is a good choice. It has a good location for exploring the city, breakfast is available in the mornings and there is a great garden to enjoy.

Hotel Splendid – This hotel is a fantastic luxury option for those looking to live the high life while on the French Riviera. They have a myriad of incredible rooms to choose from along with a great location for exploring the city and area.

La Bastide de l’Oliveraie – Those after a bit of an alternative accommodation option will love these plush suites in Cannes. They have an excellent, central location and there are plenty of rooms and suites available to choose from.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Cannes hotels!

Day 7 – Saint-Raphaël

Back down to the Mediterranean coast, between the picturesque but incredibly busy town of St Tropez and the large and equally popular city of Cannes , is the small yet delightful town of Saint-Raphaël.

With a small harbour, a huge cathedral and beautiful beaches, this lovely little town is a great place to spend a relaxing final day of a south of France itinerary if you’re on a week-long holiday.

The charming town is a wonderful place to wander around, perusing the little shops and soaking up the sun, but during the Summer, the town really comes to life after 7.30 pm with its famous night market! This is much different than market day in other Provençal towns.

Stalls line the boardwalk all evening, selling local products from traditional Provençal soaps and perfumes to sweet treats and jewellery, so after you’ve had your traditional fish soup, anchovy paste, stuffed peppers or Bouillabaisse, you can’t miss out on a wander around the market to bring your 7 days in the south of France to a close.

If you’ve got time, you’ve also got to check out the superb amphitheatre of Fréjus, just a ten-minute drive from Saint-Raphaël centre.

Saint-Raphaël doesn’t have its own airport, however, it’s just a 45-minute drive from Cannes Airport, or 1 hour along the coastal road so you can say your farewells to the Côte d’Azur as you head home.

If you’re staying on, you can find many different hotels and apartments to stay in for the night all along the coast, although as we head into the more glamorous coastline, you’ll notice the prices can jump up quite a bit from other properties on our itinerary.

Day 8 – Valbonne

For your eighth day in the south of France, it’s time to head away from the coastal towns and cities to experience life in a small village, and there’s none better than Valbonne.

Just north of Cannes and Antibes, you can easily reach Valbonne by car from Saint-Raphaël, or if you’re travelling on public transport you can take a bus from Cannes to Valbonne for just a few euros.

This little village may lack big landmarks and resorts, but it’s bursting with character, with charming cobbled streets leading you around the village, from quaint squares to historic churches.

This style of architecture and tiny community nestled into a valley surrounded by wilderness is archetypal of the area, so a must-visit place for anyone looking to get away from the busy cities and tourist-filled beaches to get a glimpse into the real south of France.

There are a number of wonderful places to eat, including Auberges, serving traditional dishes using produce sourced directly from the surrounding countryside to heighten your experience of rural French life. You can stay in the village, but there are only two hotels, so you’ll want to book well in advance if you want to stay overnight.

However, the large city of Cannes is not far away so there will be much more choice of hotels, as well as gîtes and B&Bs dotted around the countryside if you prefer to stay in a more rural location.

Day 9 – Nice

After a day in the countryside, it’s time to get back into the city, and one of the French Riviera’s most unmissable cities has to be Nice .

With its bustling city centre full of designer shops, boutiques, restaurants, bars and nightclubs, you won’t be short of things to do as you walk from street to street, under the intriguing street lamps. But Nice isn’t your average city.

As you head out of the modern centre, you can come across the delightful old town, with more traditional boutiques and eateries, and you can even visit one of the first Russian Orthodox Cathedrals built in France, the beautiful Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas de Nice.

With its intriguing shape, red brick exterior, turquoise domed roofs and pointed turrets, it may be small but it’s well worth visiting while you’re in Nice – just remember to wear long sleeves and trousers to be allowed entry.

You can also walk up the Colline du Château to see the ruins of an old castle and a beautiful waterfall as well as have incredible views over the whole of Nice.

There’s plenty to do in the city for all ages and interests, as well as accommodation for all budgets in the city centre and further out in the suburbs. You can also  organise a walking tour  or  food tour  if you prefer to explore with a guide.

Where to Stay in Nice

Nice Garden Hotel – This is a great mid-range hotel in Nice to round out your south of France trip. They have a number of lovely rooms to choose from along with a great location within easy reach of the Promenade des Anglais.

Palais Saleya Boutique hôtel – If you’re looking for a luxury hotel while in Nice, then you can’t go wrong with this lovely place. They have a number of delightful rooms to choose from along with plenty of amenities to ensure you have a great stay.

Aparthotel AMMI Vieux Nice – Located in Old Nice, these apartments are a wonderful choice for those keen for their own space in this coastal metropolis. They have a number of great flats, all equipped with everything you may need for your stay.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Nice hotels!

Day 10 – Èze

Nice Airport is the best place to fly out of the south of France if you’ve come along the south coast from west to east, and fortunately, it’s not far from the wonderful village of Èze, which makes for a remarkably relaxing final day of your holiday.

Simply wander around the picturesque village with cobbled streets and stone houses, stunning views over the Mediterranean and the nearby millionaire’s playground that is Monaco.

Or, take a free tour of the renowned Fragonard perfume factory before heading to a cliffside restaurant to enjoy your final plat du jour and a crisp local vin blanc before heading home.

Have More Time?

If you have more than 10 days , there are plenty of other highlights to stop in en route.

Stop in one of the only papal seats outside the Vatican in Avignon to explore the Pope’s Palace, the famous destroyed bridge Le Pont d’Avignon and the nearby Pont du Gard for a day before visiting Arles, or continue your journey along the French Riviera to the flash principality of Monaco to see how the other half live or try your luck in the famous casino.

Or if Roman history piques your interest, stop by the incredible city of Nîmes near Arles to see a 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheatre that gives Arles a run for its money, as well as its perfectly preserved white Roman temple La Maison Carrée.

En route from Carcassonne to Montpellier, you can also stop for a day of hiking and art in the community of Mayronnes to walk along the impressive 6 km long sculpture trail – but bring plenty of water with you as it can get very hot, especially in the height of summer.

Whether you take a road trip or see the south of France by train, there is plenty to do across the whole region for all interests. Over a week or 10 days in the south of France, you’ll get to experience some amazing food, architecture and natural areas that will surely have you aching to get back as soon as your feet are off French soil.

Are you visiting the south of France? Have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments!

Related Posts:

The Ultimate 3, 4 or 5 Day Normandy Road Trip Itinerary

The Perfect 1, 2 to 3 Days in Toulouse Itinerary

Nice or St Tropez: Which French City to Visit?

About Brittany Scott-Gunfield

Brittany is a writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from Colchester, England, she is slowly but surely travelling the world as a digital nomad. She loves to hike around different landscapes and has a deep love for travelling around France (and elsewhere in Europe).

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

• Travel In Style
• Luxury Tours
• Castle Stays
• DIY Holiday

France Spain Tour Itinerary

The France Spain Tour for independent travellers can start at any time, can be shortened, extended or combined with other tours to create a unique itinerary.

(Inclusions in italics)

Day 1 - Paris:  Start your familiarization with the city on the ‘Paris Grand Tour’ and enjoy the view from the open top deck of the sightseeing bus with a local, multi-lingual tour guide. See the Champs-Elysees, Louvre, Notre-Dame, Eiffel Tower, Palais Royal and many other attractions.

Day 2 –Paris:  View the city in all its glory from the viewing platform of the iconic Eiffel Tower . Then spend some time to explore the many treasures of Paris, Montmartre, Sacre Coeur or the many open-air fresh food, collectibles and arts markets and take  the ‘ Grand Boulevard Tour’ . In the evening enjoy a meal and some music in the Latin Quarter.

Day 3 – Paris:  The day is yours to see more of the sites of Paris. Visit Versailles Palace with its royal Apartments, Hall of Mirrors and the Gallery of Battles in the world’s most magnificent and glorious palace. Explore the palace gardens visit the Queen's Hamlet, where Marie-Antoinette played at being a shepherdess in the 1780s. Watch the famous fountain show which is accompanied by music composed at the time of Louis XIV.

Or admire the three world-famous works in the Louvre : the Venus de Milo, the winged Victory of Samothrace and Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa painted at the beginning of the 16th century.

Day 4 – Loire valley – Amboise: Take the afternoon to enjoy delightful Amboise. Stroll on the esplanades located along the docks by the Loire, the best place to take in the fantastic views of the river. Visit the royal castle, the Chanteloup pagoda and Clos-Lucé, where Leonardo da Vinci spent his last days and many of his inventions are on display.

Day 5 – Loire valley - Amboise:  During this all day excursion into the Loire valley and the visit to 2 castles witness the glamour and grandeur of French royalty and aristocracy, and gain insights into "castle life" in these Renaissance riverside castles. The largest of the Loire castles, the turreted Chambord Castle was built for King Francois I as a hunting lodge. The intricate stone "double helix" staircase leading up to the spires and turrets of the rooftop terrace is thought to have been designed by Leonardo da Vinci.

Cheverny Castle is the most beautifully furnished of the Loire Valley castles, with a fine collection of 17th-century furniture. Chenonceau Chateau was built in 1513 over the River Cher in traditional Renaissance style, and is known as the Chateau des Dames (the Ladies' Castle) because of the influence of the famouswomen who lived there.

The tour includes the visit to one or two castles (varied throughout the week), visits to picturesque towns and gardens, a wine tasting in a cellar cave and lunch in a family estate vineyard.  (Itineraries vary throughout the week).

Day 6 – Bordeaux:  The city of Bordeaux is a UNESCO World Heritage listed site thanks to more than 350 historic buildings, including 3 religious World Heritage buildings, and is a French part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela. Take time to visit Palais Rohan, the imposing neo-classical Grand Theatre and the enchanting facades of the quays that extend for more than a kilometre along the river. Its buildings feature high arches and slated roofs with the very slim stone chimney stacks rising above them all.

Day 7 - Bordeaux:  During a small-group tour from Bordeaux you will discover the beautiful medieval village of St Emilion. Named after an 8th century Breton monk whose followers started wine production in the area, St Emilion is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk along the original city walls and climb the steep cobblestone streets, exploring wine cellars, artisan studios and art galleries. You’ll also have free time to enjoy a wine tasting, or you can pay a visit to the famous underground church carved out of solid limestone.

Extend your stay in Bordeaux and explore more of its surrounding countryside. Take an excursion into the famous wine-growing regions or to the fishing village of Arcachon.

Day 8 - Narbonne:  The heart of Narbonne is the town’s port on the La Robine canal, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You'll very quickly find yourself back in the Middle Ages walking around Narbonne with its courtyards, cloisters, gothic choirs and works of art. Visit the Bourg quarter (old merchants’ quarter) and sample the regional delicacies at the famous covered market with more than 70 stalls offering locally produced goods and wines.

Day 9 – Narbonne - Carcassonne:  Explore Carcassonne and its medieval walled inner city with its 52 towers. Take a boat trip on the Canal du Midi. Pass through the locks, discover the towpaths and enjoy the views of the medieval city and the vineyards.

Day 10 - Barcelona:  After an exciting train journey from France into Spain and checking into your hotel, one of the highlights of our holiday awaits you: a guided tour of the Sagrada Familia , one of the most visited buildings in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This as yet unfinished cathedral by Antoni Gaudi with its rich ornamentation and 70m high vaults was consecrated and proclaimed a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI

Day 11 - Barcelona:  During a two-hour walking tour of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, you will visit the district's streets, squares and old buildings, and learn about the quarter's history and people. Alongside Barcelona's medieval buildings are the remains of the ancient Roman city, and the walking tour includes a visit to the Temple d'August, the best preserved Roman relic in Barcelona. You will visit the Placa del Rei, where you will see many medieval buildings.

Alternatively you can choose to explore the sites of Barcelona with a guided bicycle tour . Late in the tour there will be a break at an outdoor beach bar to relax for a bit while taking in the sights and atmosphere of the Mediterranean. Remember to bring a swim suit if you want to take a dip in the sea.

Day 12 - Barcelona:  Spend the day seeing more of the exciting art and architecture of Barcelona, including Gaudi’s famous Pedrera, Casa Batllo or Parc Guell. Stroll down the Ramblas and soak up the vibrant Catalan atmosphere or take an excursion into the countryside surrounding Barcelona to medieval Girona, the Dali museum at Figueres, the Royal Basilica at Montserrat or visit the famous wine producers of the Penedes region.

Day 13 - Seville:  Take a panoramic night-time tour through the lamp-lit streets of Seville , and then feel the passion of a flamenco show , or "tablao". Enjoy wine and tapas while you soak up the atmosphere and rhythm.

Day 14 – Seville:  Discover the history and secrets behind this magical orange-scented city on an informative morning tour . Beautiful Seville has many impressive monuments dating back over the centuries. The Moors' legacy of marvelous architecture includes the Gothic cathedral with its Giralda, a minaret transformed into a Christian bell tower.  

Extend your holiday by another day in Seville. Combine your love for sherry and horses on a day trip to the fabled city of Jerez. Enjoy a wine tasting and watch an equestrian ballet at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art. Then continue by coach to El Puerto de Santa Maria for lunch. Later, join a boat trip (or coach, subject to sea conditions) from Puerto de Santa Maria to Cadiz, the oldest populated city in Europe.

Day 15 - Granada:  After checking in to your hotel set out in the afternoon to explore the hills and the old district of the Albaicin with its narrow street, nooks and crannies and marvelous landscapes. Make sure you don’t miss a visit to the ‘Cuevas’ or caves of the monastery of Sacromonte, still inhabited today.

Day 16 - Granada:  Combine history and indulgence on an unforgettable excursion into Granada’s Moorish heritage.

In the morning, visit one of the most visited monuments in the world, the Alhambra. Built on the red hill known as Assabic, overlooking Granada, construction of this Moorish fortress began in the 13th century. The remarkable garden and courtyard complex also includes the 16th-century palace built by Charles V. You then have the afternoon free before making your way to indulge in an Arab bath. Relax to the soothing murmur of water, glistening Arabic tiles, essential oils, jasmine perfume and mint tea.

Extend your visit in Granada by adding a day excursion to Cordoba. Begin by visiting the Catholic Cathedral, converted within an original Mosque when the Christians conquered Cordoba in 1236. With nearly one thousand pillars, the original Gothic style is combined with Baroque and Renaissance elements. Then visit the old Jewish Quarter that dates back to the time of the Romans and Goths.

Day 17 - Madrid:  Madrid comes truly alive after nightfall. Sample Spanish nightlife and Madrid's tasty tapas on an evening walking tour that will tantalize your taste buds! Led by an entertaining foodie guide, this tour is the best introduction to the laid-back Madrileno lifestyle. You'll visit Madrid's tucked-away corners and feast on tasty treats you would never discover on your own, leaving you with a lasting feeling for Madrid and its people, and an appetite for its fabulous food and drink! Along the way, your guide will explain the traditions behind Madrid's food and wine and provide interesting facts about Madrid's history and customs.

Day 18 - Madrid:  Marvel at the sights of Madrid on a guided walking tour of the city including the Royal Palace . Learn about Madrid’s past and the events that have shaped the city you see today. Discover Madrid’s multi-faceted history, from its Arab origins to the reigns of Phillip II and Charles III, and finally to present day Madrid. Madrid's Royal Palace, built in the 18th century on the site of an ancient alcassar (Arab-fortress) in the classical Italian baroque style, is one of the most beautiful and best preserved palaces in Europe. Your tour of the palace reveals rich tapestries and exquisite china in every room.

In the afternoon  visit Toledo , Spain's medieval capital. You will discover a glorious city filled with amazing medieval architecture, and take a walk into the past along its cobblestone alleyways. Toledo is a National Monument to Spain's art and history, combining Arabic, Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Tour highlights include the amazing 13th-century cathedral and the medieval castle.

Day 19 - Madrid:  On your last morning of your France Spain tour make time for a last visit to the magnificent Plaza Major before being driven to the airport.

Average travel time between destinations: 3 hours and 30 minutes

                            Spain Tour                            France Tour

France Spain Tour

France Spain Tour Package - Prices and Inclusions

France Spain Tour Hotels

Spain only tour - prices & inclusions

France Travel Information

Luxury Tours $(document).ready( function(){anim_icon_js('lrp','#lb_2af-2','div.c',''); });

Grand European Tour

Christmas Tours

Romantic Europe Tour

England Tour

United Kingdom Tour

Italian Loop Tour

France Tour

Germany Tour

Family Tours

Tour & Cruise

The Perfect France Spain Portugal Road Trip Itinerary

Last Updated: May 31st 2024.

In the Summer of 2021 we drove a beautiful France Spain Portugal road trip. From Disneyland Paris and Bordeaux to the North of Portugal and then Oviedo and San Sebastián. It was perfect. Sundrenched beaches in Spain, endless vineyards, sleepy villages, sidra and port, the birthplace of Portugal, it’s all there in this Southern Europe road trip. Road trips are the best and this France Portugal Spain road trip is truly a beautiful one.

France Spain Portugal Road Trip

Day 1: Arrive at Disneyland Paris .

Day 2: Explore Disneyland Paris .

Day 3: Drive from Disneyland Paris to Saran (162 kilometers/101 miles, about 2 hours and 15 minutes).

Day 4: Drive from Saran to Mérignac (480 kilometers/298 miles, about 7.5 hours).

Day 5 & 6: Explore Bordeaux.

Day 7: Drive from Mérignac to Quintanilha (750 kilometers/466 miles, about 7.5 hours), crossing the border with Spain and Portugal.

Day 8 & 9: Explore the Northeast of Portugal.

Day 10: Drive from Quintanilha to Guimarães (214 kilometers/133 miles, about 3 hours).

Day 11: Explore Guimarães.

Day 12: Drive from Guimarães to Porto (57 kilometers/35 miles, about 1.5 hours).

Day 13 & 14: Explore Porto.

Day 15: Drive from Porto to Peso da Régua (129 kilometers/80 miles, about 3 hours).

Day 16 & 17: Explore the Douro Valley.

Day 18: Drive from Peso da Régua to Oviedo (492 kilometers/306 miles, about 7 hours), crossing the border with Spain.

Day 19: Explore Oviedo.

Day 20: Drive from Oviedo to Donostia-San Sebastián (385 kilometers/239 miles, about 5 hours).

Day 21: Explore Donostia.

Day 22: Going home.

Day to Day Itinerary

The itinerary of this Southwestern Europe road trip gives plenty of time to explore each city or area. However it also offers some real driving days with beautiful views.

Day 1 till 3: Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris is so much fun. Go to the park in the afternoon and evening after you’ve checked in to your hotel. See the fireworks show, which is fun. Sadly there was no Illuminations show or any other shows in 2021, but we watched them on earlier visits. On day 2 explore the Disneyland park and take the morning on day 3 for the Walt Disney Studios Park. There are so many fun rides to take, enough for hours of fun. We went swimming at our hotel in the evening.

Day 3 & 4: Sunflower Fields

In the afternoon drive to Saran, near the city of Orléans. After passing Paris take the backroads. This will take longer, but saves on toll roads and you’ll get to admire lots of sunflower fields.

On day 4 do the same when driving from Saran to Mérignac. Again a much longer route, which will take all day, but even more sunflower fields and small sleepy French villages. The last part to Bordeaux we took the A10, to save some time.

Day 5 & 6: Bordeaux

You’ll have two days to explore Bordeaux, which is one of our best cities to visit in France . We had a rest day on day 5 and explored Bordeaux on day 6. However you can easily spend two days exploring Bordeaux, if you don’t need a day of rest and swimming. There was a swimming pool at our hotel, so part of the afternoon of day 5 was spent in the water.

We went to Bordeaux by bus. Mérignac is a good base to explore Bordeaux, with only one bus we were in the center of Bordeaux and a second one brought us close to the Grosse cloche. We further explored the Porte Cailhau, the river promenade and the Monument aux Girondins.

Day 7: Crossing Spain

It takes almost the whole day to drive from Mérignac to Quintanilha, even if you don’t take backroads but the freeway, as we did. Luckily you also have great views on sunflower fields from the highway. Quintanilha is close to the border with Spain. Most of the day is spent driving through Northern Spain.

Day 8 & 9: Rio de Onor & Bragança

We had a rest day on day 8, just went swimming at the pool of our bed & breakfast. On day 9 we drove on the backroads further North to Rio de Onor. We had such mesmerizing views on the mountains. It’s a rugged, green landscape with small, sleepy villages, where they’re not used to tourists. They seemed surprised that someone else drove through town that wasn’t a resident. Rio de Onor is the river that runs through the small town. The Ponte de Rio de Onor gives beautiful views on this quiet river and the quaint village. Walk the cobblestone streets and stroll along the riverwalk.

Then drive further through the hills and small, sleepy villages in Parque Naturel Montesinho. End up in Bragança, which is perfect for lunch. There’s a castle and several museums to visit. Bragança is very touristique unlike the area where you just drove through. You could spend a whole day in Bragança, so if you don’t need a rest day, you could do that.

Day 10 & 11: Guimarães

Today we drive from Quintanilha to Guimarães, the birthplace of Portugal. We’re staying two nights at Guimarães, you’ll have a day and a half for exploring the city. The old town is beautiful and perfect for wandering around. There’s a sign on the building where Portugal was founded in 893. There’s lots of cute restaurants with terraces in the old town on squares. We celebrated Paul’s birthday here with good food and sangria.

Day 12 till 14: Porto

Porto is a beautiful city with so much to see and do, that the 2.5 days you have in the city aren’t enough to do everything. We wandered through the streets, sat on terraces, admired the buildings with azulejos, and did a self-guided pastel de nata tour. I walked up and down the Ponte Luis I, from which you have mesmerizing views on the Douro river, Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia.

Buildings with azulejos are everywhere around Porto. Most are blue and white, but green, yellow and other colors are also present. The São Bento station is a good example of this. Pastel de Nata originated at Lisbon, but Porto has several excellent places where you can get the pasteïs de nata. They’re delicious and you definitely have to try them out. Next to that have some port to go with it, also not to be missed and Porto is the city of Port.

Day 15: Rota N222

This day is all about exploring and admiring the Douro valley. The Rota N222 is a road that meanders through the valley South of the Douro river. It takes a lot longer than the toll roads, but the Douro valley is worth it. We crossed the Douro river over the Ponte Entre-os-Rios, from there we followed the N222 to Peso da Régua. There are miradouros along the way, with endless views. There are vineyards on hills almost everywhere. You can visit the vineyards and port houses along the Douro.

Day 16 & 17: Douro Valley

Two days for the Douro valley is not nearly enough, but you can do a lot. We had planned to ride the historical steam train that follows the Douro river, but alas it did not ride that Saturday. Still unclear if it was due to a National holiday or a strike.

We admired the Douro river from strolling along the riverwalk in Peso da Régua. We sat for lunch on terraces overlooking the river and vineyards at the other side. At our last day in Peso da Régua I enjoyed an hour long scenic boat ride on the Douro river. The boat was a traditional Rabelo. I loved the views on the shores with hills filled with vineyards.

Peso da Régua is a good base for visiting the Port houses in the vicinity. They organize tours, which you have to book in advance. Peso da Régua was the city from which the port was shipped to Vila Nova de Gaia, in the traditional Rabelos.

There are longer boat rides on the Douro possible from 1 to 2 hours to a whole day. There are several proprietors that offer these boat rides. The city of Lamego isn’t that far away either and has the beautiful Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios. A church with stairs leading up to it decorated with azulejos, beautiful blue and white tiles. Close to Peso da Régua are several miradouros with mesmerizing views on the Douro river and valley. At last there’s the Douro museum at Peso da Régua to learn all about the region.

Day 18: Rota N222

We continue on the Rota N222, the part between Peso da Régua and Pinhão. Those 27 kilometers/17 miles with more than 90 turns, is considered the most beautiful part of the Rota N222. This part follows the Douro river all the way through the valley. We drove the Rota N222 till the end at Vila Nova de Foz Côa. Then we headed North to Oviedo in Spain. We took the road leading through Bragança and then crossing the border with Spain.

Day 19: Oviedo

Oviedo is a less well-known city in Northern Spain. We visited before in 2019 on a road trip through Northern Spain and loved the city. There’s a street with only sidrerías (cider houses) that serve the famous apple cider produced in the region. They serve it by pouring it from up high in the glass, which is fun to see. It also has a function, since this way the cider will have more oxygen and that gives more flavor. Some servers make a whole show of it, others less. Last time our son got a try at pouring it, albeit of course not drinking it.

Oviedo has a beautiful historical city center to wander around. It’s small, but has colorful buildings, lively squares and churches. It’s also the city to start the Northern pilgrims route to Santiago de Compostela, the Camino de Santiago. When you want to know more about Oviedo, Asturias or walking the Camino de Santiago, check out the site Into Asturias , from friends of ours.

Day 20: Northern Coast of Spain

On this day drive from Oviedo to Donostia-San Sebastián, following the coast as closely as possible. Northern Spain has some truly beautiful beaches. Along the coast you’ll pass through Comillas, with El Capricho, a building from the hands of Gaudí. Santillana del Mar is another beautiful town worth a stop, with its medieval streets and buildings.  

Day 21: Donostia-San Sebastián

Take the whole day to either explore Donostia-San Sebastián. We explored the western part of the city on this visit, but the center in 2019. San Sebastián has a beautiful old town.

We explored some sights near our apartment, such as Antiguako tunela, Miramar Jauregia and Loretopea. We went shortly to the crowded beach. For lunch we went for pintxos and bocadillos, which are a must to try out when here.

Also fun is to use the Igeldoko Funikularra to visit Monte Igueldo. I did that in the afternoon, you’ll have a perfect overview of the city. The views were so perfect. I wandered around for a long time on the mountain, enjoying the views. Monte Iqueldo is a theme park, which charges a separate fee for each ride.

Day 22: Going Home

We’re leaving San Sebastián and Spain today. We drove back to Utrecht in the Netherlands in two days. We stopped in Saran for the night.

Where to Stay

I’ll discuss per country which places we stayed at. We booked them all up front. Most through Booking, except for Disney and one other. Disney we booked through their own site. The same with the apartment in Donostia.

In France we stayed at 3 different hotels. At Disneyland Paris we stayed at the Newport Bay Club. It was our first time at this hotel, the other times we stayed at the Sequoia Lodge. That one was closed at the moment we visited. Newport Bay Club was also great, the distance to the park and Disney Village was about the same as Sequoia Lodge. We stayed here for 2 nights.

In Saran we stayed, one night at the beginning of our trip and one night on the way back, at Ibis Orléans Nord Saran. A hotel close to the highway. We had a small room, but that was okay, since this was a stopover hotel. There’s a restaurant that serves dinner and breakfast. You can charge an electrical car here.

At Mérignac we stayed for 3 nights at The Originals, Hotel Du Phare. The hotel has a swimming pool, beautiful terrace and a restaurant. The bus stop is nearby, which is easy for visiting Bordeaux. It’s not that far from the highway exit. A McDonald’s and a boulangerie are its neighbors. A grocery store, Lidl, is also pretty close. The only downside to us was that the room was pretty small, perfect for a stopover hotel, but when we’re staying several days we like a larger room.

Casa Machado in Quintanilha, just over the Spanish border, was everything we could hope for. They rent out rooms in a beautiful old house in a teeny tiny sleepy village. There’s a swimming pool, a washing machine and living room. They serve breakfast in the morning on a roofed balcony/patio with a mesmerizing view on the surroundings.

In Guimarães we stayed 2 nights at an apartment from Four-As. You have a kitchen and washing machine at your apartment. The apartment is close to the Castelo de Guimarães and the lively old town. They don’t have a designated parking space, you just have to park on the street. The Wifi was sadly almost not working during our stay, really slow or non-existing at all. We however loved that it was in walking distance from the old town with its terraces.

Aparthotel Oporto Anselmo is a brand new hotel at Porto, where we stayed for 3 nights. They had their own parking lot, a swimming pool and breakfast delivered to your room in the morning. We had a kitchen and a small patio with garden. It was outside the old town, but close enough that we could still walk there.

Our last hotel in Portugal has sadly closed down. It was the In Douro Hostel & Wine Bar in Peso da Régua. It was next to the train station and the Douro River was at the other side of the street. We stayed here for 3 nights. The hostel was new with spacious rooms. The restaurant served delicious food and a good breakfast buffet. The only downside was that they shut off the central air-conditioning at night. Since it was some 40°C/104°F at that moment, we slept not as well at night, because it was just too hot.

In Oviedo we stayed at the Apartamentos Clarin, it was right in the middle of Sidreria street. So a perfect location. There was a parking garage close by. We had a kitchen and washing machine at the apartment.

At Donostia-San Sebastián we stayed again at an apartment, this time one from Baskey Rentals. The apartment was spacious, we had our own small parking spot in the street. We were close to the beach. It was in Donostia. We had a separate kitchen with washing machine.

Where to Eat

Will list most of the restaurants, shops and cute places where we had breakfast, lunch, sweets, drinks and dinner. There were many great places in those 3 weeks.

At Disneyland Paris we got breakfast at McDonald’s and Starbucks. We had dinner twice at Annette’s Diner. It’s expensive, but delicious. Next to dinner we also sat down here for milkshakes in the afternoon. We had lunch at Le Vieux Moulin with Mickey Mouse waffles at the park and at New York Style Sandwiches in Disney Village.

In Mérignac we got almost everything for our breakfast, lunch, dinner and pastries at Boulangerie Ange. Everything was delicious. The croissants, bread, pastries, salads, quiches and pizza’s. We also got lunch once at the McDonald’s next door for Yuri.

We had crepes and ice cream at Le Zazou Glacier in Bordeaux. In the afternoon we had tea at Chez Julien.

We had dinner twice at O Portela in São Julião de Palácios, a bit North of Quintanilha, we loved this small, local restaurant. There wasn’t a menu to choose from, it was just what they had on offer. But it was well prepared and the people were friendly.

We had a delicious lunch at Taberna Do Javali in Bragança. Near the Castelo de Bragança and a very popular place. The last night at Quintanilha we had dinner at Restaurante O Rústico. Again delicious, but less friendly staff.

In Guimarães we loved two places. Restaurante Cristo Rei had everything it seemed from pastries to hot meals. We came here for lunch once and breakfast. The other place we came back to was El Rei restaurant, we had lunch and dinner with sangria here on Paul’s birthday. The food was delicious and the owner nice. We got douradinhas de Guimarães, a local pastry, at Divina Gula. People stood in line at this pastry restaurant.

On our way to Porto we had lunch at Café Europa in Agrela. This road side café had all traditional Portuguese dishes.

In Porto we had dinner at Cerveja Artesanal Levare, which we liked. I tried out the traditional Porto dish francesinha. Once we got our dinner from KFC near our hotel and on the first evening a milkshake and ice cream. We had lunch on our Pastel de nata tour at a place on the Rua do Flores. For the pastel de nata we took a self-guided tour and ate them at 8 different places. We loved the pasteïs de nata at Manteigaria the most. Other pastelaria and café’s where we tried pasteïs de nata and other pastries at are: Neta 3, Nata Lisboa, Fábrica Da Nata, Confeitario do Bolhão, Majestic Café Porto, Pastelaria Tupi and Natas Douro.

On the Rota N222 we had lunch at Restaurante das Caldes, where they served really large sized plates.

Peso da Régua

We had dinner at the restaurant in our hostel twice. It was of high quality and we loved it. We also ordered sangria there in the afternoon twice, which was also good. The breakfast buffet was also served at the InDouro Hostel-Restaurante & Wine Bar and we loved it. Sadly it has closed down since then. We had lunch at O Barquinho and at Sabores Do Douro. Both places were near the Douro river and served traditional Portuguese dishes. We also got some sandwiches at Adega do Quim, across from our hotel. Restaurante Torrão had a grand view from high on the Douro river, we had dinner here. The restaurant was at the other side of the river.

In Oviedo we tasted a lot of sidra. The experience of the servers pouring it from up high is fantastic. We had dinner and sidra at La Finca and loved it. We sat down at the terrace of Cafetería SouSa for coffee and tea. At a busy road, so fun to people watch.

We had lunch and dinner at Tierra Astur, which we again loved. To this restaurant we also had been two years prior. Their portions are really huge. Their food is delicious. Yuri got to pour sidra here at lunch time. We had sangria with sidra mixed in at Piperu Gascona and loved it very much. The staff was less friendly, but the cider sangria made up for that.

In Donostia-San Sebastián we had dinner twice at Tandoori Mashala. It was delicious. The dishes were mild, I could eat the lamb vindaloo here and I normally can’t.

We had a delicious breakfast with a toasted croissant at Cafeteria Tahona. The place was popular. We sat outside on the terrace.

Sweets, breakfast and lunch for the next day we got at Otaegui. A pastelaria which was popular and that had so much delicious looking cakes and sweets. We had pinchos and boqadillos for lunch at Bar Aliaia. These smaller bites are the local tapas.

When to Visit

The road trip can be done all year long. The North of France and the region of Oviedo know rain and/or snow in Winter time. December and January are the coldest months, and receive the most rain in Portugal. However the North of Portugal is at its greenest at that moment. San Sebastián and Bordeaux are colder in Winter time and have more rain, but can still have pleasant weather.

We drove this route in August. In France and Oviedo we had rain and beautiful (mostly clouded) weather. Bordeaux was colder during our visit than it normally is in Summer time. Portugal and Spain (besides Oviedo) were warm to hot and we had beautiful, sunny weather.

Hiring a Car and Airports

We drove this road trip from our home in Utrecht. We have a fully electrical car, but not all countries have enough charging points yet. So we rented a cabrio/convertible car for this trip. We have excellent experiences with Hertz and Alamo.

You can also fly into Airport Paris-Charles de Gaulle (Roissy Airport) or Airport Paris-Orly. Aeropuerto de San Sebastián is the closest, but the nearest international airports are Biarritz Pays Basque Airport or Bilbao Airport. The Biarritz airport is in France and 32 kilometers/20 miles away. The Bilbao airport is 117 kilometers/73 miles away.

• There’s an hour time difference between Portugal and Spain/France. Portugal is in the same time zone as the UK.
• Dinner in Portugal and Spain is later than we are used to. It starts usually at 8pm. And then you’re one of the first.
• France usually also has dinner later, but you can eat almost all day long at Disneyland and we didn’t have dinner at a restaurant in Bordeaux. Dinner in France is usually from 7pm.
• Bring some small coins for toll roads, most in France and Spain can be paid with credit card, but a few cannot.
• For the North of Portugal you need to arrange a toll badge up front. You can’t pay them at the booth in either cash or credit card. We found out the hard way and opted for routes avoiding toll roads.

Alternative Itineraries

If you’re less of a theme park fan than swap Disneyland Paris for Paris and explore Paris. It would then be:

Day 1: Arrive in Paris.

Day 2: Explore Paris.

Day 3: Drive from Paris to Saran (114 kilometers/71 miles, about 2 hours and 20 minutes).

An alternative is a Northern Spain and Portugal road trip, skipping France.

Day 1: Arrive in San Sebastián.

Day 2 + 3: Explore San Sebastián.

Day 4: Drive from San Sebastián to Oviedo (385 kilometers/239 miles, about 5 hours).

Day 5 & 6: Explore Oviedo.

Day 7: Drive from Oviedo to Quintanilha (290 kilometers/180 miles, about 3 hours).

Day 10: Drive from Quintanilha to Peso da Régua (204 kilometers/127 miles, about 3 hours).

Day 11 & 12: Explore the Douro Valley.

Day 13: Drive from Peso da Régua to Porto (129 kilometers/80 miles, about 3 hours).

Day 14 & 15: Explore Porto.

Day 16: Drive from Porto to Guimarães (57 kilometers/35 miles, about 1.5 hours).

Day 17 & 18: Explore Guimarães.

Day 19: Going home.

That’s Everything You Need to Know for a France Spain Portugal Road Trip

Hope you enjoy this road trip as much as we’ve done! We did this road trip with a tween, our son was 11 at the time, here are our best tips for a road trip with tweens .

Like it? Pin it!

You May Also Like

30 of the Best Cities to Visit in France

The Most Beautiful Fairytale Castles in France

Saint Jean de Luz Travel Guide

14 comments.

Great itinerary. None of those places looks too busy, which is great for driving and accommodation. As a childfree person I would skip Disney, but everything else.. perfect

This looks like such a fun itinerary. There’s so much to see and you’ve covered a lot!

I would love to see that sunflower field. I bet you could get lost in the rows. The flowers are so tall. 🌻🌻🌻

What a great trip this is. You visited plenty of places on my bucket list. It looks like you had a great time.

I’m currently planning a road trip in Europe with France, Spain and Portugal my main focus. So thank you for the inspiration and I’m glad you enjoyed your road trip.

This does look like a fantastic road trip! I’ve done several similar over the years as these are my favoritecoutries ( plus Italy) so we return and explore again and again. You covered a lot and gave me some new ideas for my next trip in this area! Thanks!

Looks busy and fun! I’m also impressed how much ground can be covered in such a short time in Europe. Saving this itinerary as a future possibility 🙂

Laureen Lund

This definitely sounds like something we would do. I really want to get back and spend more time in Portugal. Thanks for all these tips. Considering my options… 🙂

I always forget how easy Europe is to roadtrip (coming from the US) until I see these itinieraries. Definitely a great way to see those smaller villages and countryside while still visiting the big cities

Love a good day by day itinerary. Also, I didn’t realise you need coins to pay for tolls in Spain and Portugal. Super practical and helpful tips here.

What a comprehensive itinerary! I’ve traveled through many parts of these countries, but you’ve hit on some spots I’ve missed.

What a trip of a lifetime! I love the idea of a road trip through France, Spain and Portugal. Your post gave me some great ideas, thank you!

This road trip looks incredible! I’d love to explore the sunflower fields and soak up the views from Rota N222. I’d also love to return to Porto because we only visited on a day trip and there is so much more to see! I’m going to try and negotiate a Europe road trip with my hubby now – thanks for the great guide!

I never thought about combining it all to create the ultimate trip… i love a good road trip – you can experience so much this way. I like how you’ve minimized most of the days covering long distances to soak up more of each place you visit. I’d love to try this plan out some time and visit Duoro Valley, never been!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

September Sale   Book now for   up to 60% off!

Spain and France With Unique Italy

Best price guarantee Learn More

Earn travel credits Learn More

• In-depth Cultural
• Fully Guided
• Sightseeing

Places You’ll See

• Explore Madrid with a local guide
• Stroll through Retiro Park's lush gardens
• Visit the grand Château de Chambord
• Enjoy a Seine river cruise in Paris
• Tour the ancient city of Pompeii
• Introduction
• Day 1 Madrid
• Day 2 Madrid
• Day 3 Madrid, Saint Sebastian, Bordeaux
• Day 4 Bordeaux, Chambord, Paris
• Day 5 Paris
• Day 6 Paris
• Day 7 Paris, Burgundy, Beaune, Lyon
• Day 8 Lyon, Geneva, Milan
• Day 9 Milan, Venice
• Day 10 Venice, Florence
• Day 11 Florence, Siena, Assisi, Rome
• Day 12 Rome
• Day 13 Rome
• Day 14 Rome, Termoli, Trani, Bari
• Day 15 Bari, Brindisi, Lecce, Taranto, Brindisi
• Day 16 Brindisi, Alberobello, Matera, Naples
• Day 17 Naples, Capri, Pompeii, Rome
• Day 18 Rome

Want to read it later?

Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start tour planning offline

What's Included

• Accommodation
• Additional Services

Operated by

Europamundo

Number of tours

3 to 85 years old

Response time

Response rate

Your vacations are really important! Your trip should be a success: a few days that you can really enjoy. This is an opportunity for you to experience our wonderful planet accompanied by our extremely professional team. Choose the best journey for you! Europamundo is a company of the JTB group,...

Sustainability Initiatives

Reduce Carbon Emissions

Supporting Destinations

Sustainability Programs

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation policy.

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Customer Reviews

• Tour Operator Europamundo 4.0
• Thwe · 1st September 2024 Accommodations are good.
• Mary · 1st September 2024 Everything went went well. The itinerary was well organized; the toor coordinators, local and overall guides were... Show more
• dianne · 28th August 2024 This itinery was fast anf furious but loved the variety we had. My only complaint was the tour was in two sometimes... Show more

Dates & Availability

Why book with tourradar.

• Flexible payment options
• Trusted and vetted operators
• Rated excellent on
• Best price guarantee
• 24/7 customer support
• Earn €50 in travel credits

To protect your payment and ensure your booking will be processed in Austria, never transfer or communicate outside of the TourRadar website or app.

• Upcoming departures
• August 2025
• September 2025
• October 2025
• Get Instant Confirmation Saturday 5 Apr, 2025 Tuesday 22 Apr, 2025 English Multiple Room Types €3,180 0% Interest Instalments Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• Get Instant Confirmation Saturday 12 Apr, 2025 Tuesday 29 Apr, 2025 English Multiple Room Types €3,180 0% Interest Instalments Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• Get Instant Confirmation Saturday 19 Apr, 2025 Tuesday 6 May, 2025 English Multiple Room Types €3,180 0% Interest Instalments Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• Get Instant Confirmation Saturday 26 Apr, 2025 Tuesday 13 May, 2025 English Multiple Room Types €3,180 0% Interest Instalments Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• Get Instant Confirmation Saturday 3 May, 2025 Tuesday 20 May, 2025 English Multiple Room Types €3,180 0% Interest Instalments Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• Get Instant Confirmation Saturday 10 May, 2025 Tuesday 27 May, 2025 English Multiple Room Types €3,180 0% Interest Instalments Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• Get Instant Confirmation Saturday 17 May, 2025 Tuesday 3 Jun, 2025 English Multiple Room Types €3,180 0% Interest Instalments Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• Get Instant Confirmation Saturday 24 May, 2025 Tuesday 10 Jun, 2025 English Multiple Room Types €3,180 0% Interest Instalments Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• Get Instant Confirmation Saturday 31 May, 2025 Tuesday 17 Jun, 2025 English Multiple Room Types €3,180 0% Interest Instalments Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• Get Instant Confirmation Saturday 7 Jun, 2025 Tuesday 24 Jun, 2025 English Multiple Room Types €3,180 0% Interest Instalments Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h

Good to Know

• Currencies € Euro France, Italy, Spain and Vatican City (Holy See) Fr. Swiss Franc Switzerland

As a traveller from USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F, L, J.

• These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
• Hepatitis B - Recommended for Spain. Ideally 2 months before travel.
• Tick-borne encephalitis - Recommended for Switzerland. Ideally 6 months before travel.
• Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
• Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
• For any tour departing before 25th October 2024 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after 25th October 2024, a minimum payment of €600 is required to confirm your booking with Europamundo. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 40 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
• Some departure dates and prices may vary and Europamundo will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
• The following cards are accepted for "Europamundo" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
• Your money is safe with TourRadar, as we only pay the tour operator after your tour has departed.
• TourRadar is an authorised Agent of Europamundo. Please familiarise yourself with the Europamundo payment, cancellation and refund conditions .
• Insurance Unless otherwise mentioned, TourRadar does not provide travel insurance. We do however recommend purchasing it through our tried and trusted partner, World Travel Nomads .
• Accessibility Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveller, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team , who are ready and waiting to help you.
• Kenya Wilderness Experience to Samburu, Aberd…
• Inca & Amazon Adventure Family Holiday
• MAKALU BASE CAMP TREKKING
• King Tut Family Adventure (10 Days 9 Nights)
• PANAFEST 2025 with Togo and Benin
• Everest Base Camp Short Trek - 12 Days
• What is the best time to visit New Zealand in…

Similar Tours

Keep Exploring Europe

• Luxury River Cruises & Cruise Lines
• Best 7 Day Italy Itineraries 2024/2025 (with Reviews)
• 10 Best Cultural Travel Companies
• 10 Best Cultural Experiences in The World 2024/2025
• Europe from Madrid
• Europe In-depth Cultural
• 18 days Europe
• From Madrid to Rome
• Operators in Europe
• Spain and France With Unique Italy Tours in Italy
• In-depth Cultural Tours
• Italy Tours
• Europe Tours
• Family Tours
• Group Tours
• Fully Guided Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Historical Tours
• Spain tours
• France tours
• Switzerland tours
• Italy tours
• Vatican City (Holy See) tours