Backpacking Europe Winter Itinerary: 10 EPIC Routes (2024)
Are you looking for the best winter backpacking routes in Europe? Between different winter events and unpredictable weather, creating a perfect backpacking Europe winter itinerary can be challenging!
I backpacked through most European countries and spent almost every winter in Europe.
I already talked about the advantages and disadvantages of backpacking through Europe in winter.
With all that in mind, I’ve created these 10 comprehensive itineraries covering the best regions for backpacking Europe in winter.
Keep reading to find your perfect route for an unforgettable winter in Europe!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. I hope you find the information here helpful!
The best winter backpacking Europe routes
1. The Ultimate Major Cities Route
London – Paris – Brussels – Amsterdam – Berlin – Prague – Krakow – Budapest – Zagreb
This backpacking itinerary covers the main hot spots you need to see in Europe.
Depending on how much time you have, you can do the entire route which will take you over a month, or choose a leg that you find interesting.
Make sure to hit some of the winter in Europe bucket list activities, such as:
- stroll the Christmas Markets in Prague,
- discover nightlife in Krakow,
- swim in Thermal Baths in Budapest,
- take a day trip from Zagreb to magical Plitvice lakes.
Best time to do this route: You can do this route any time during the winter. All cities on the itinerary are lively any time of the year. To visit Christmas Markets, plan your visit in December.
If you don’t have enough time for the Ultimate major cities route, here are some ideas to create a shorter backpacking European capital itinerary!
2. 2-week Classic Route For First-timers
London – Paris- Brussels
This route covers the three most visited European capitals.
I suggest you spend 4-5 days in each city for a 2-week trip or shorten your stay for a shorter vacation.
- London, UK – a lively capital with an endless list of things to do!
- Paris, France – the city of love and lights, the most visited city in the world!
- Brussels, Belgium – you can see the main tourist attractions in Brussels in two days, but you will want to spend at least one day on a day trip from Brussels to Bruges or Ghent.
All of these cities are well-connected by fast train! Check the price and schedule on Trainline. It is my favorite app for booking international train tickets.
You can do this itinerary as a circle route if you want to fly home from London. Eurostar train takes you from Brussels to London in just 2 hours!
As you can probably assume, these are some of the most expensive cities in Europe to visit. Most hostels don’t have age restrictions, so don’t worry about staying there.
Best time to do this route: You can do this route any time during the winter. All cities on the itinerary are lively any time of the year. These cities are also some of the best places for New Year’s in Europe!
3. Benelux Backpacking Route
Amsterdam – Brussels – Luxembourg
This route covers the Benelux region and is perfect for a 1-week backpacking trip. You can spend 2-3 days in each city or add a couple of day trips to discover more of the region.
Winter weather in the Benelux area is damp and cloudy, so remember to pack an umbrella!
- Amsterdam, The Netherlands – bike along the canals in Amsterdam and enjoy the lively nightlife.
- Brussels, Belgium – visit the capital of Europe and the charming towns of Ghent and Bruges.
- Luxembourg – discover this rarely visited country and stroll the fortified medieval old town perched on cliffs
Best time to do this route: You can do this route any time during the winter. To visit Christmas Markets, plan your visit in December. The Amsterdam Light Festival takes place from December through January.
4. Central European Capitals Backpacking Route
Berlin – Prague – Vienna – Bratislava – Budapest
This winter Europe trip itinerary takes you through 5 stunning, lively Central European capitals where you will forget about cold winter weather.
Cities on this itinerary are some of the best places to backpack in Europe in winter!
- Berlin, Germany – experience the big city vibes of the vibrant German capital
- Prague, Czech Republic – stroll the cobblestone street of the Old City and admire the world’s most extensive castle premises
- Vienna, Austria – home to one of the best Christmas Markets in Europe and a cultural hub of central Europe
- Bratislava, Slovakia – this underrated European capital will charm you with its picturesque historic center and hilltop castle overlooking the city
- Budapest, Hungary – discover the backpackers’ hotspot and one of the most popular backpacking destinations in Europe
Best time to do this route: You can do this route any time during the winter. However, Prague, Vienna, and Budapest are quite stunning during the December Christmas Market Season.
Backpacking Europe Routes: Along The Coast
This route takes you through Southern Europe, along the Mediterranean and Adriatic coasts.
It might sound rather unusual to suggest a beach route in the middle of winter, but the South is a perfect area to escape the cold European winter.
This Coastal route features some of the most popular European summer destinations but offers a different perspective focusing on cultural aspects instead of the beaches.
5. Mediterranean Coast in winter Backpacking Route
Madrid – Porto – Lisabon – Algarve – Sevilla – Granada – Valencia – Barcelona – Marseille – Nice – Milan – Venice – Florence – Rome
This itinerary takes you through the most popular European summer destinations with a winter twist. It covers Portugal, Spain, the South of France and Italy.
Start your trip by backpacking in Spain‘s capital Madrid, the biggest hub for international flights on the Mediterranean Coast and a vibrant city with plenty of things to do.
Following my 7 days in Portugal itinerary, make your way to Porto and then down to southern Portugal to backpack the Algarve with its majestic cliffs and breathtaking views.
Winter is the perfect time for backpacking Andalusia, as the weather is pleasant, and you enjoy the UNESCO World Heritage sites like Alhambra without crowds.
Barcelona is well-known for its nightlife, football, and art. It is a popular spot on every backpacking route!
Make your way to the South of France, starting with Marseille.
- You could take a train or a bus from Barcelona, but this route is the most comfortable if you take a quick flight. Check flights on Skyscanner – if you are lucky, you might get one for under 20€!
Finally, this route takes you through some of the best places to visit in Italy, ending in Rome.
Visiting this route in the winter is a fantastic way to save money, as these cities are far from the cheapest European beach cities in the summer.
Best time to do this route: You can do this route throughout winter. However, cities on this itinerary are not well-known for their Christmas atmosphere. Therefore, I suggest visiting in January or February.
6. Winter Sun in Europe Backpacking Itinerary
Madrid – Porto – Lisabon – Algarve – Sevilla – Cordoba – Granada – Malaga
This itinerary takes you through the Iberian peninsula, covering Portugal and Andalusia.
It combines my Portugal itinerary, Algarve itinerary, and Andalusia itinerary.
You can also start in Porto, following the Portugal backpacker route from the north to the south before making your way to Spain and ending in Madrid!
Best time to do this route: You can do this route throughout winter. Cities on this itinerary are not well-known for their Christmas atmosphere. Therefore, I suggest visiting in January or February.
7. Adriatic Coast In Winter Backpacking Route
Venice – Pula – Rijeka – Zadar – Dubrovnik – Kotor – Durmitor – Tirana – Athens
This is not a classic European winter itinerary, as you’ll visit destinations that are usually summer hot spots.
The route starts from Venice and takes you down backpacking the Croatian coast to Montenegro and Albania.
You can easily travel this route from Venice to Albania by bus. There are no trains worth mentioning on the Croatian coast or in Montenegro.
Usually, when backpacking Europe, I just take Flixbus, but in this region, it is worth checking out Omio.
- Omio compares all bus operators in the area as there are many local bus operators, and Flixbus is not that common the further you go down south.
You could figure out a road route from Albania to Greece, but the flight is the most effective option. Especially since flights are very cheap in winter! You can find a cheap flight to Athens from Tirana to continue backpacking Greece or return home.
- Venice, Italy – visit Venice before they impose entry fees! Stroll the cobblestone streets and admire the charming canals.
- Pula, Croatia – if you are interested in Roman culture, you will love Pula. Discover all ancient monuments, including a majestic amphitheater (better than the one in Rome IMO), although you will not be able to fully enjoy Pula beaches.
- Rijeka, Croatia – Rijeka was the European capital of culture in 2020. Spend one day in Rijeka before making your way down to Dalmatia
- Zadar, Croatia – spend a day in Zadar and take a day trip from Zadar to one of the national parks in the area – Kornati islands or Krka waterfalls.
- Dubrovnik, Croatia – Dubrovnik doesn’t need an introduction – the most well-known city in Croatia.
- Kotor, Montenegro – stroll the cobblestone streets of Old Town and climb the Kotor fortress for a breathtaking view of the Kotor Bay.
- Durmitor, Montenegro – If you are a nature lover, you might want to rent a car and explore the Montenegro mountains. Just remember to check the weather conditions!
- Tirana, Albania – Albania is a true hidden gem. Stunning nature, friendly locals, and affordable prices!
- Athens, Greece – a must-visit destination for everybody interested in history, ancient monuments, and culture
Best time to do this route: You can do this route throughout winter. Cities on this itinerary are not well-known for their Christmas atmosphere. Therefore, I suggest visiting in January or February.
Unusual winter backpacking routes in Europe
These itineraries stray off the beaten path and allow you to discover some of the less visited European destinations.
8. Backpacking Eastern Europe Winter Itinerary
Budapest – Cluj Napoca – Brasov – Bucharest – Sofia – Skopje – Niš – Belgrade
It doesn’t get more budget-friendly than backpacking Eastern Europe in the winter.
This circle route itinerary takes you from the backpacking hot spot Budapest to the least visited part of Europe.
- Budapest, Hungary – start this itinerary in a popular backpacker’s spot before going off the beaten path.
- Cluj Napoca, Romania -this busy university town is a perfect stop on your way through Romania.
- Brasov, Romania – admire mysterious Transylvania castles and hilltop forts.
- Bucharest, Romania – visit Romania’s capital and learn more about the communist past of the country
- Sofia, Bulgaria – discover the capital of Bulgaria.
- Skopje, Northern Macedonia – explore the mountainous country of Macedonia and its stunning Ohrid Lake.
- Niš, Serbia – make a quick stop in Ništ to visit Niš Fortress and their macabre skull tower
- Belgrade, Serbia – find out why Belgrade is known as the city that never sleeps (Ye, it’s the nightlife)
Apart from Hungary, the countries on this itinerary are not part of Schengen, so they are ideal for everybody who wants to reset their 90-day Schengen visa!
You can easily adapt this itinerary to 3 months by staying longer in each country or adding Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia or Albania to the itinerary!
Also, this is a great route if you want to enjoy the nightlife in Europe for a fraction of the price!
Best time to do this route: This route is a fantastic alternative to the classic Christmas Market route in December, as you can learn more about the Christmas traditions in Orthodox Christian countries!
9. Backpacking Baltic countries winter itinerary
Estonia – Latvia – Lithuania
This short 1-week to 10-day itinerary takes you through Baltic countries. They are usually unjustifiably overlooked by backpackers.
Unlike their northern neighbors, Baltic countries are budget-friendly destinations. They are a great place to enjoy the fairytale-like winter scenery.
Backpacking Baltic countries in winter can be a great experience if you can handle the cold. If you are not a snow lover, maybe it’s better if you wait for spring before visiting the Baltics.
Start your trip from Tallinn in the North and make your way down to Vilnius.
- Tallinn, Estonia – stroll the cobblestone streets of the walled Old Town.
- Riga, Latvia – discover colorful Latvia’s capital.
- Vilnius, Lithuania – wander the picturesque Old Town and learn more about the region’s history in a KGB Museum.
The best time to do this route: If you are backpacking in Baltic countries in winter, that means you are a true winter lover. December is a lovely time to visit if you are interested in Christmas Markets.
10. Backpacking European Christmas Markets
I have an entire post on the Ultimate European Christmas Market itinerary for Christmas lovers, but I wanted to touch on it here as well since it is a classic Europe December itinerary.
Christmas Markets are a quintessential European winter experience. If you’re backpacking Europe in December or late November, visiting some of the Markets is required!
Even if you don’t want to focus your entire trip around the holiday atmosphere, you can easily incorporate visiting Christmas Markets into any of these routes.
When you’re planning your backpacking Europe winter itinerary, these are the best Christmas Markets in Europe to add to your itinerary:
- Strasbourg, France – the self-proclaimed Capital of Christmas
- Nurenberg, Germany – one of the oldest and most famous Christmas Markets
- Prague, Czech Republic – fairytale-like Christmas Market
- Vienna, Austria – the most visited Christmas Market in Europe
- Budapest, Hungary – the best Christmas Market for 2022
- Zagreb, Croatia – the best Christmas Market 3 years in a row.
However, practically every European city has a Christmas Market nowadays, so don’t worry if these cities don’t fit into your itinerary!
Best time to do this route: European Christmas Markets are open from mid-November to the end of December.
Where To Start Backpacking In Europe?
Where to start European backpacking trip will depend on where you are coming from and what is your itinerary.
If you are already in Europe, you can probably take an affordable flight to most European destinations.
- I use Skyscanner to find cheap flights. Their “everywhere” destination option is a lifesaver and perfect for spontaneous trips!
If you are taking a cross-continental flight, the cheapest airports to fly to are usually London, Frankfurt, Madrid, Paris, or Amsterdam.
The itineraries I assembled take that into account!
How To Get Around Europe?
Public transport is all you need to move around Europe.
I created these itineraries with the presumption you use buses or trains, as that is how I backpacked through Europe.
Nonetheless, sometimes it is just easier to fly. Yes, as strange as it sounds, sometimes it might be cheaper to book a quick flight than to take a 6-hour bus.
- I use Skyscanner to plan out my itinerary when flying. Their “everywhere” destination option is a lifesaver for finding the cheapest place to fly to!
That is especially true for traveling through Europe in winter and off-season generally. If you can afford to fly during the week, you can find flights from one to the other side of Europe for under 20€!
To keep the flights cheap, you need to pack light – you need to learn how to pack for a week in a Ryanair free bag!
You don’t need a car for any of the listed itineraries!
However, if you want to rent a car, with Discover Cars, you can compare fares from all available rental companies to choose the best option!
How Many Days Is Enough For Europe?
The answer to this question depends solely on how much time you have!
Most people have 1 to 2 weeks of holiday in winter. That is enough time to visit a few cities in several countries or explore one destination in-depth.
When traveling to a new destination, I aim to spend at least a week in a country.
That said, if you want to see all the different regions in Europe, you will need to backpack Europe for at least 3 months!
You will find 1-week to 1-month-long routes among the itineraries listed in this article.
If you have more time for backpacking Europe this winter, you can easily combine two or more itineraries.
Likewise, if you only have one week available, you can customize the itineraries to fit your schedule!
When Is The Cheapest Time To Go To Europe?
Generally, the cheapest time to backpack Europe is November to March. Late autumn and winter are the low seasons in Europe.
Accommodation, transportation, and activities are significantly cheaper than if you were backpacking Europe in summer.
December, especially around Christmas and New Year, is an exception to this rule!
It’s a high season for Christmas Market destinations.
How Much Does Backpacking Europe In Winter Costs?
On average, you should budget 50€ per day for backpacking Europe on a budget!
That includes staying in hostel dorm rooms, cooking some of your meals, and taking Flixbus to move around.
Europe is a small continent but with notable differences in travel costs – your backpacking Europe budget will be very different depending on where you go.
If your Europe in winter itinerary goes through Western Europe it will be significantly more expensive than Eastern Europe. Your daily budget will double for London compared to Budapest.
Is Backpacking Europe Safe?
Generally, Europe is a safe destination for solo female travelers. However, it depends on where you go.
It is easy to travel around Europe. You can get accurate travel information online and book your transportation, accommodation, and tickets.
English is widely spoken in most countries, so there is no language barrier.
Summary: Backpacking Europe Winter Itinerary
And that’s it! You have 10 customizable routes for your winter Europe itinerary.
Pick one of these Europe backpacking routes and visit must-visit destinations like Paris and London or go off the beaten track and discover the Balkans.
Enjoy the Christmas atmosphere or soak up the winter sun in the Mediterranean! Winter is the perfect time to discover Europe on a budget and avoid the crowds.
Now that you have all the routes for backpacking Europe this winter, what is the first destination on your European winter bucket list?
