Europe tops many a backpacker’s list of must-see destinations. The continent is home to heaps of iconic attractions, from the Eiffel Tower to the Colosseum. Plus, one of the most remarkable things about backpacking Europe is that with 40+ countries, each one seems to transform at the border.
But what’s the best way to get around, what are some of the cool things to do and where are the best hostels in Europe? YHA Travel has all the answers!
Top 10 Things to do in Europe
4. Soak up some European Culture
5. Sample Europe's Foodie Delights
6. Be A Tourist
10. European History
1. Take a European Tour
Backpacking Europe - Contiki Group in front of the Eiffel Tower, Paris. Photo Credit: Kreativitiea
Hopping onboard a European tour bus is a fantastic way to see a lot of Europe in a short time.
European tours are also great for backpackers on a budget, because so much is included upfront – accommodation, transport, guided tours and many meals.
YHA members get 5% off any of these tours and 25% off YHA Travel Insurance when both are bought at the same time!
YHA Travel’s most popular Europe tours include:
2. Train Travel in Europe
Backpacking Europe by train is fast, convenient and you can step off the train and into the heart of the city.
Enjoy the flexibility of being able to put together your own itinerary. Meet other backpackers, travel overnight to save on accommodation – what’s not to like?
YHA members get 3% off selected Eurail Passes or get 5% off Eurail passes and 25% off YHA Travel Insurance when both are bought at the same time!
Explore which Eurail or Britrail pass is best for you, and then either continue with the booking online or to take advantage of our member discounts, contact a YHA Travel Centre.
3. Best Hostels in Europe
Backpacking Europe - HI Oslo Haraldsheim Hostel
Hostelling International (HI) has hundreds of the best hostels throughout Europe. Among the most unusual are:
- the Boatel Fortuna, a converted boat in Budapest
- HI Catalazete, an 18th Century fort in Lisbon, and
- the Hostel Suomenlinna, part of a 250-year-old World Heritage-listed fort on an island in Helsinki.
If you're planning on backpacking Europe, don't miss our list of some of our top European city hostels!
4. Soak up some European Culture
- Visit museums full of antiquities and world-famous artworks, including the Hermitage in St Petersburg, Russia
- Listen to classical music in Austria, or
- Haggle over a glass of apple tea in Istanbul at one of the 4,000 shops in the Grand Bazaar!
5. Sample Europe’s Foodie Delights
Enjoy:
- tapas or Churros con Chocolate in Barcelona
- 'Pub Grub' in London, or
- Goulash in Hungary
And where do you begin in France or Italy? Crepes, Souffles, Beef Bourguignon, Pizza, Pasta, Gelato, Tiramisu … the list goes on!
Wash it all down with some great French, Italian or Spanish wines, or one (or more!) of the hundreds of German or Belgian beers!
6. Be a Tourist
Backpacking Europe - London Eye. Photo Credit: Kevgibbo
Some European attractions to tick off your ‘tourist’ list include:
- taking a photo of the Manneken Pis in Brussels
- getting a bird’s eye view from the London Eye
- visiting Prater Amusement Park in Vienna.
7. Check Out a Festival
Backpacking Europe - Berliner Dom - Berlin Festival of Lights. Photo Credit: ANBerlin
One of Europe's most legendary festivals would have to be Oktoberfest.
Some less well-known celebrations include:
- the Lake Parade, a dance music festival in Geneva, Switzerland in July
- the Festival of Lights, which sees over 50 laser illuminations and fireworks bedazzle Berlin every October.
- Christmas Markets in many cities, including Brussels, Oslo and Warsaw.
8. Love the Nightlife
Crowds flock to Amsterdam’s Red Light District every evening.
Take a flamenco or salsa lesson in Barcelona then dance the night away, or see the Moulin Rouge in Paris.
9. Explore by Bike
The Netherlands and in particular its capital, Amsterdam, is one of the best European countries to see from the seat of a bike, with 14,000 kilometres of cycle paths.
You can also discover Paris by bike with a Vélib’. Buy a pass, unlock your bike, take off and explore and then return it to any one of 1,800 Vélib’ stations.
10. European History
Backpacking Europe - Colosseum, Rome. Photo Credit: Emily Shinagawa
Europe is jam-packed with historical landmarks. Visit the Parthenon in Athens or the Roman Forum and Colosseum to discover how the ancient Greeks and Romans lived.
Interested in wartime history? Try Anne Frank’s House in Amsterdam, a walking tour of Nazi landmarks in Berlin or the Dachau Concentration Camp in Munich.
Contact YHA Travel to book your flights, accommodation, tours, transport or for more Backpacking Europe travel tips!
