What is the best country to visit for the first time in Europe?
England and Scotland, with their centuries of intertwined history, offer a perfect introduction to Europe for first-time visitors.
England and Scotland, with their centuries of intertwined history, offer a perfect introduction to Europe for first-time visitors.
Paris, Rome, Barcelona, London, Amsterdam, and Venice all make the must-see list for many first time travelers Europe. They are all amazing places to visit. And with so many fantastic sites to see, it can be very difficult to narrow your list down to just a few destinations.
France. France is the most visited country in Europe ahead of Spain and Italy. Perhaps it is because Paris is the capital of love or because its wines, especially those of Bordeaux, are among the finest and most famous in the world.
1. France – 79.4 million visitors. In 2022, France welcomed a staggering 79.4 million visitors, reaffirming its status as Europe's most visited destination.
Some popular choices for first-time travelers include countries with well-developed tourism infrastructure, friendly locals, and a relatively safe environment. Countries like Japan, Ireland, Canada, and New Zealand are often recommended for their welcoming atmosphere and ease of travel.
Switzerland is easily one of the most beautiful countries in the world—particularly if you visit during the winter, when the Swiss Alps become a luxury skiing playground and thick snow turns the mountain range into a true wonderland.
Among the top European countries visited by Americans are Italy, France, and Germany. At this time, U.S. citizens can travel to the Schengen Area for short-term stays without having to apply for a visa. In 2025, the EU plans to introduce ETIAS, the European Travel Information and Authorization System.
Trains in Europe work really well and they usually link all the most beautiful cities, even in different countries. You can even travel by bus if you like it more. Buses travel all around Europe and they link lots of cities, and they are very cheap.
Vienna is a great city for first time visitors to Europe! It has all the things Europe is famous for! History, architecture, art, music, pastries and if you are going in December, some amazing Christmas markets! It's easy to navigate Vienna, with it's multi-mode public transporation system.
How many days is enough for Europe tour?
How many days should I spend in Europe? We recommend you spend at least 10 days in Europe, giving you enough time to experience the highlights of famous cities like Athens or Lisbon, with an unplanned day or two in the countries you visit.
We'd recommend picking a maximum of three countries (preferably two) so you don't feel as rushed for time, or you can even opt for a Europe trip package. For more great tips on how to backpack through Europe, check out the Nomatic blog and start your Europe trip planner today.
Trains might be the easiest way to travel around Europe, and one of the reasons is because you can visit multiple countries with just one rail pass. With the Eurail Global Pass, you'll have access to unlimited and borderless travel without needing to book several tickets per destination.
London is the #1 destination for most Americans, accounting for 25 % of this year's bookings, according to the 2023 Allianz's annual review of the 10 most popular destinations. Paris lands second and Dublin, Ireland, third, followed by Rome, Reykjavik, Edinburgh, Athens, Amsterdam, Lisbon and Milan.
- London, United Kingdom – 19.6 million visitors yearly.
- Paris, France – 19.1 million visitors yearly.
- Istanbul, Turkey-14.7 million visitors yearly.
- Rome, Italy-10.3 million visitors yearly.
- Decide where you want to go and create a budget. ...
- Establish a route and timeline. ...
- Decide on the cities you'll fly in and out of. ...
- Figure out other transportation. ...
- Make a rough itinerary. ...
- Adjust by cutting, streamlining, or adding to fit your timeline or budget.
- Italy. #1 in Good for tourism. #15 in Best Countries Overall. ...
- Spain. #2 in Good for tourism. #17 in Best Countries Overall. ...
- France. #3 in Good for tourism. ...
- Greece. #4 in Good for tourism. ...
- Australia. #5 in Good for tourism. ...
- Switzerland. #6 in Good for tourism. ...
- New Zealand. #7 in Good for tourism. ...
- Thailand. #8 in Good for tourism.
| Rank | Country/Region | Index |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Switzerland | 97.0 |
| 2 | Austria | 96.4 |
| 3 | Germany | 96.4 |
| 4 | Denmark | 95.4 |
Switzerland placed first in the U.S. News and World Report Best Countries list for 2023. It has taken the top spot since the rankings began. The United States dropped from fourth to fifth place this year.
- Estonia. ...
- Poland. ...
- Hungary. ...
- Bulgaria. ...
- Czech Republic. ...
- Slovenia. ...
- Cyprus. For those who enjoy lazing about under the beating sun, but want to do it on a budget, then Cyprus is the place for you. ...
- Albania. Albania should be on everyone's bucket list if it isn't already.
Which is the most beautiful city in Europe?
- Barcelona, Spain. This city is one of our favourite European cities with a beach, but Barcelona is so much more than its sandy shores and picturesque waterfront restaurants. ...
- Athens, Greece. It's no surprise that Greece's ancient capital made the cut. ...
- Edinburgh, UK. ...
- Istanbul, Turkey.
- Do Not Litter.
- Do Not Beckon The Waiter By Waving.
- Do Not Use The Bicycle Lanes For Walking.
- Do Not Skip The First Verse Of German National Anthem.
- Do not Assume That Everyone Knows English.
- Avoid Making Much Noise.
- Do Not Leave A Bigger Tip Than Required.
- Avoid Jaywalking.
The Most Welcoming Countries For Americans
The two most pro-American countries in the world are Poland and Israel, with 93% and 87% of survey participants holding favorable views of the U.S., respectively, according to Pew. These are the highest percentages recorded for those countries since the survey was started.
- Iceland.
- Denmark.
- Ireland.
- Austria.
- Portugal.
- Slovenia.
- Switzerland.
- Czech Republic (Czechia)
Lisbon, Barcelona and Paris: These beautiful cities are filled with food, drinks, museums, parks, beaches and iconic must-dos. After these three cities, extend your trip by heading north to Amsterdam and Copenhagen or south to Milan and Rome.
References
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/kathleenpeddicord/2023/08/31/countries-that-welcome-americans-with-open-arms/
- https://www.etiaseu.com/articles/top-european-countries-visited-by-americans
- https://www.earthtrekkers.com/how-to-plan-your-first-trip-to-europe-itinerary/
- https://www.worlddata.info/safest-travel-countries.php
- https://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2016-03-31/the-50-most-beautiful-places-in-europe
- https://www.cntraveller.in/gallery/the-prettiest-cities-to-visit-in-europe/
- https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/what-is-the-best-country-in-the-world/
- https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/travel-guide/top-10-most-visited-european-countries/
- https://www.quora.com/Which-country-should-be-my-first-trip-abroad-as-a-first-time-traveller
- https://www.nomatic.com/blogs/travel/planning-your-europe-trip-how-long-should-you-spend-in-each-country
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/ceciliarodriguez/2023/06/15/americans-flocking-to-europe-despite-sweltering-heat-high-prices-and-record-crowds/
- https://www.worldpackers.com/articles/best-way-to-travel-europe
- https://traveltriangle.com/blog/things-not-to-do-in-europe/
- https://www.klook.com/en-AU/blog/europe-transport-options/
- https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/rankings/good-for-tourism
- https://www.thetravelteam.com/leisure/10-multi-city-trips-for-travel-enthusiasts/
- https://www.zicasso.com/a/europe/de/first-timers/best-itineraries
- https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/read/articles/plan-european-vacation
- https://www.rabbies.com/en/blog/10-safest-european-countries
- https://www.europeanbestdestinations.com/best-of-europe/best-countries-to-visit-in-europe/
- https://www.zicasso.com/a/europe/faq
- https://shortgirlontour.com/best-cities-in-europe-for-first-time-visitors/
- https://www.contiki.com/six-two/article/budget-friendly-european-countries/
- https://www.quora.com/Which-is-the-most-visited-tourist-city-in-Europe
