Most backpackers’ bucket lists include traveling through Europe while on the road. A summertime backpacking trip through the various nations that make up Europe is one of the great rites of passage. Each nation is amazing in its own manner and unique from the others. Europe is made up of more than 40 nations, so you may need to make several journeys there before you even begin to scratch the surface. There is much to see and experience in Europe, which has a diverse culture that combines elements of the ancient and new worlds.
From the stunning cities of Paris and Rome to the smoky, rustic coffee shops in Amsterdam, the delectable food and wine of Italy, the pomp and circumstance of Britain, the beaches of Greece, the French Alps, and Oktoberfest in Germany, there is something for everyone. There are several sights to see, to name a few.
Backpacking in Europe
The hardest choice will be where to start your European vacation. But, this will rely on your time and financial constraints. Despite the fact that Europe is relatively small and simple to navigate, you shouldn’t attempt to “do Europe” all at once, especially if you only have a brief summer break.
If you’re traveling to Europe for the first time, remember to savor the experience, prioritize, and choose the things that interest you the most. Europe has more preserved history, culture, attractions, and general fascinations packed into it than almost anywhere else in the world. It is better to see Europe in parts rather than in one trip, which is a bit unrealistic, as many travelers have found, and may make your trip less enjoyable.
One of the benefits of exploring Europe is having easy access to more than 400 world heritage sites. Spend some time at Big Ben, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, or the Eiffel Tower. Do not simply follow the path less traveled. All over the European continent, there are many hidden gems in little towns and parks.
What to See in Europe
Europe is rich in historical sites and was home to some of the oldest and most well developed civilizations in the world, which has resulted in an astounding cultural heritage today. Europe is the destination for you if you enjoy history, art, or are hoping to experience some local culture.
Any traveler who is a backpacker must visit Greece while in Europe. The Greek Islands are breathtaking, and the cuisine is superb. The origins of Western civilization are attributed to Ancient Greece, which also had a significant impact on European language, politics, educational institutions, philosophy, science, and the arts. There are numerous ancient Greek buildings spread throughout Greece and Turkey, including the Parthenon in Athens and the cities of Delphi, Olympia, Sparta, Ephesus, and Lycia.
I’d suggest visiting Italy after you’ve spent some time in Greece. The Roman Empire, one of the world’s greatest civilizations, which ruled over vast swaths of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, came after Ancient Greece. Just to get you started on your vacation, Italy has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites of any nation in the world, closely followed by Spain. This is only a tiny sample of what Europe has to offer.
Every nation has its own distinct history, culture, festivals, religions, cities, beers, wines, places to visit, languages, and cuisine. The best part is that you don’t need to travel very far to see anything. Europe is mostly contained, and the majority of its nations have first-rate infrastructure. Traveling from Western Europe to Eastern Europe, or if you want, from the Scandinavian north to the Mediterranean south, is made rather simple.
Hiking in Europe
If you’re looking for some exhilarating new heights, breathtaking vistas, or tough landscapes, Europe has some of the top hiking paths in the world. There is also no better collection of routes than those that wind through Europe, through almost every conceivable sort of landscape, from the Alps to the fjords of Scandinavia. Although there are numerous routes on the Continent that merit consideration, this list only includes the most famous, dramatic, and stunning hikes. None of these routes are particularly simple to complete, but the effort adds to the enjoyment.
National Parks in Europe
National parks are relatively common throughout Europe. Since Europe is the continent with the second-highest population density in the world, it may not come as a complete surprise that there are more than 360 national parks on the continent. The size of many parks varies, with some being less than one square kilometer, but there are also some large national parks that backpackers can explore. The largest national park in Europe is Vatnajokull National Park in Iceland, and the fascinating national parks of the Arctic Svalbard are not far behind it in terms of size and beauty. The largest national park on the actual mainland is Yugyd Va, located in the Russian Urals. The total area covered by Europe’s national parks is approximately 98,000km² (37,000 square miles).
Schengen Visa Agreement
The good news is that if you’re a backpacker from outside of the EU, you probably only need one visa in your passport to travel around Europe. This is due to the fact that, aside from in rare cases during significant events, there are seldom any border controls in Europe between nations that have ratified and put into effect the so-called Schengen Agreement. A visa issued for any nation that has ratified the Schengen Agreement is legitimate in every other nation that has also done so. Warning: Not all EU members have ratified the Schengen Treaty, and not all Schengen Treaty nations are also EU members.