If you’ve got just two weeks in Europe you need to make the most of your time. If it’s your first time on the continent, I’ve come up with a 2 week Europe itinerary to help you see three great cities – Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam.
What You'll Find in This Post
Two Weeks in Europe:
Itinerary for Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam
It’s quite doable to pack three cities into a two week Europe trip. Paris is the most touristed city in the world and with good reason. You’ll fall in love with Paris. It’s a must for any Europe itineraries. Brussels makes a good stopping point between Paris and Amsterdam and, while you don’t need a lot of time here, you’ll enjoy a few short days. End your two week trip to Europe in Amsterdam, a unique city set around the canals.
Five Days in Paris
Day 1 – Recover from jet lag. Depending on what time your flight arrives and how far you’re travelling, your first day in Paris will probably be quite low key. However, you’re in Paris! Celebrate with an apperitif and an evening meal in a sidewalk cafe. Stroll the streets and soak up the atmosphere before getting a good night’s sleep.
Day 2 – A hop on, hop off bus tour is a great way to get to know Paris. Don’t feel like you have to jump off at every stop though. Sit back and listen to the commentary, hopping off at the major icons. You’ll want to see the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame and of course the Eiffel Tower. Stop somewhere around lunchtime and pick up a few sandwiches to snack on. The French chain bakery called “Paul” has shops and kiosks all over the city so you won’t go hungry even on busy days. Queues to head up the Eiffel Tower can be lengthy. The Eiffel Tower is not on the Paris Pass so buy your ticket online to avoid the queue. Twilight is a lovely time to head up the tower for views across the city.
Day 3 – Spend your morning at the Louvre. (It’s closed Tuesdays so switch so with Day 4 if needed.) You really could spend all day here. Purchasing a Paris Pass ahead of time means you won’t need to queue to buy tickets and can walk straight in. Take a break for a late lunch or afternoon tea at Angelina. They have the most decadent hot chocolate and pastries. Wander through the Jardin des Tuileries in the late afternoon. Head back to the Eiffel Tower for sunset and pick up some cheese, bread and wine for a picnic dinner. It’s a Parisian experience you can’t miss!
Day 4 – Take a boat ride down the Seine in the morning. It’s great to see Paris from another perspective. Boats or “Bateux Mouches” leave near the Pont de l’Alma. The Flame of Liberty at the Pont de l’Alma has become a shrine to the late Princess Diana as it’s at the entrance of the tunnel in which she died. You’ll see it before crossing the river to catch the train or walk to the Musee d’Orsay. Enjoy an afternoon of impressionist art at the Musee d’Orsay. (It’s closed Mondays so switch so with Day 3 if needed.) Wander the streets of the Marais in the evening and find a spot for dinner and drinks.
Day 5 – Today you can choose between two options. Either take a day trip to Versailles or spend another day touring Paris. If you stay in the city, head to Montmarte to climb up the stairs to Sacre Coeur in the morning and visit another museums of your choice in the afternoon. There are plenty more museums to choose from on the Paris Pass like the Rodin or Centre Pompedieu. If you’re “museumed out”, the take a journey underground to the Paris catacombs and explore the underbelly of Paris.
Recommended Hotels in Paris
- Budget: Smart Place Paris Hostel & Budget Hotel – A budget hotel with double rooms and dorms near Gare du Nord.
- Midrange: Le Mareuil – Affordable hotel with modern rooms and a Turkish spa located in the 11e.
- Luxury: Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris – The ultimate in Parisian luxury, Louis XVI style hotel just off the Champs-Elysees.
- Airbnb: Look for an Airbnb in Paris in the 10e and 11e. Read up on the various areas to stay in Paris in this post. You can get a $35 coupon for Airbnb using this link.
Recommended Resources for Paris
- Lonely Planet Discover Paris – A Paris guidebook with pull-out map.
- French Phrasebook for Travelers (with audio!)– Learn a little French before you go.
- Next Stop Paris – A free app you can download to plan travels on the Paris Metro. Works offline!
Tip: Get Yourself a Paris Pass!
A Paris Pass is an invaluable resource for visitors to Paris. You’ll get access to almost all Paris’s museums and monuments (except the Eiffel Tower). A transport card is included so you can use the Metro, RER and buses. You’ll also get the hop on hop off bus tour and the Seine cruise that I mention in this itinerary. One of the main benefits is the fast track entry for Paris Pass holidays. This is a real time saver particularly at the Louvre.
Three Days in Brussels
Day 6 – Catch the train from Paris to Brussels in the morning. The journey is only 1.5 hours. Trains depart Paris at Gare du Nord and arrive at Brussels Midi. You can check train times here. See the boxed text below about booking trains.
Spend your afternoon getting to know Brussels and it’s cuisine. Head down to the the famous “Manneken Pis” or peeing boy, it’s a lot smaller than you think. While you’re walking through the old town grab a waffle for afternoon tea and shop for some Belgian chocolates as a souvenir for friends back home. Head to Cafe Delirium for a few Belgian beers. There are more than 3000 varieties on offer including the delicious cherry “Kriek” beer. After your drinks, stop at a chip window next to Cafe Georgette for some Belgian frites. They come with many delicious sauces and there are also some other yummy fried treats like cheese and croquettes to sample. When you’re back in your hotel, eat the chocolates you bought for your friends! They’re too good to miss.
Day 7 – Spend the day exploring Brussels on foot. It’s a small enough city that you can do a walking tour. Walking tours with local guides are always an excellent way to get a feel for the city, find out about it’s history and uncover sites most tourists don’t get to see. While you’re out, buy another box of Belgian chocolates to replace the ones you ate yesterday! Spend your evening around the Grand Palace and Brussels’ main square. The golden building looks beautiful at night and there are plenty of restaurants surrounding the square. Don’t forget to drink another Belgian beer or two!
Day 8 – Take a day trip to Bruges or Ghent and spend the day walking around one of these historic, charming Belgian cities. (Click on the links to find out more!) Bruges and Ghent are both easily reached by train from Brussels. It’s 30 minutes to Ghent or you can be in Bruges in an hour. Intercity trains leave from Brussels Midi & Brussels Central every half hour.
If you don’t want to leave the city, how about a chocolate making workshop? Learn how to make some delicious Belgian treats and sample the sweets for yourself. In the evening head out for dinner at one of the many restaurants in the historic centre of Brussels where there are many narrow alleyways packed with restaurants serving steaks, moules and other local dishes.
Recommended Hotels in Brussels
- Budget: Urban City Centre Hostel – Centrally located hostel with modern design, private rooms and dorms available.
- Midrange: Beau Sejours Appart Bruxelles – Aparthotel with attractive studio and one bedroom apartment
- Luxury: Sofitel Brussels Europe – 5 star hotel with comfortable rooms, excellent location and stunning rooftop terrace.
- Airbnb: Look for an Airbnb in Brussels’ historic centre. You can get a $20 coupon for Airbnb using this link.
Recommended Resources for Brussels
- Rick Steves Belgium: Bruges, Brussels, Antwerp & Ghent– Guidebook that covers Brussels and your day trip to either Bruges or Ghent.
- Visit Brussels – A handy app you can use offline to discover things around you.
- Wonderful Walks – Bite-sized guides for walks around cities in Belgium
Tip: Booking Trains in Europe Before You Go
Getting around Europe by train is very easy. The train routes between Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam are excellent and you’ll be riding the high speed Thalys trains on each route. There’s even free wifi and a meal service in first class. You will need to book in advance to insure you get a seat on Thalys trains at a reasonable price. You can purchase the tickets online and have them sent to you before you depart or print them at home.
Use these links to check train times and book online:
US, Canadian or Mexican visitor? Use this link.
Rest of the world? Use this link.
Four Days in Amsterdam
Day 9 – Catch the train from Brussels to Amsterdam in the morning. The journey is just under 2 hours. Trains depart Brussels Midi and arrive Amsterdam Centraal. You can check train times here. See the boxed text above about booking trains.
Spend your first afternoon in Amsterdam getting to know the city. The best way to do this is to just wander around or pick up a bike rental and make like the locals. Amsterdam is a very charming city to simply wander around, over the bridges, peering over to the canals. There are lots of great restaurants in Amsterdam including some excellent Asian food. Pop into a “brown” cafe if you’re that way inclined.
Day 10 – Get to know Dutch cuisine with a food tour around Amsterdam. You’ll be thoroughly surprised at just how delicious the food in the Netherlands is! a four hour walking tour will not only feed your belly but you’ll get an insight into Dutch life and the traditions, history and architecture of Amsterdam. You won’t want to eat for the remainder of the day. Trust me!
Day 11 – In the morning, make your way to the Anne Frank House. The lines are always long so be sure to buy your ticket online in advance. You can do this up to two months before visiting and print your ticket or keep it on your iPhone. Be warned that the online tickets do sell out. If you miss out on online tickets you can queue up on the day but you’ll be waiting for 2-3 hours. Anne Frank’s house is now set up as a museum and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Amsterdam. Many people find the tour to be a very emotional experience. When your tour is finished, grab some lunch and a drink to decompress. In the afternoon, take a canal boat tour around Amsterdam. It’s fascinating to see the city from a different perspective and you’ll learn much about the history of the canals and why they’re so important to the Dutch. Head over to the Jordaan area for dinner. After yesterday’s food tour, you should have spied a few restaurants that take your fancy.
Day 12 – The Van Gogh Museum is the best place to start your final day in Amsterdam. Skip the line by purchasing your tickets online. You can print the tickets your show them on your iPhone. Tickets don’t sell out in advance like the ones for the Anne Frank House but it’s still a good idea to get them online even a day or so before visiting. Once inside the museum you’ll be treated to the world’s largest collection on artworks by Vincent Van Gogh. You could easily spend hours wandering the museum admiring the paitings so it’s a good idea to grab the audio guide to help you. Next head to one of Amsterdam’s parks for some fresh air and lunch. This is a city that excels at greenspaces. The Vondelpark is close to the Van Gogh museum and is probably the city’s best. There’s a cafe in the Vondelpark. After lunch and a stretch, spend the rest of the afternoon at the Rijksmuseum to enjoy more art from the Dutch and European masters. If you’re done with art, choose one of Amsterdam’s quirkier museums… cheese, tulips or cats!
Recommended Hotels in Amsterdam
- Budget: The White Tulip Hostel Amsterdam – Lively location, outdoor terrace and 24-hour reception.
- Midrange: Room Mate Aitana – Swish new building on Jdock with spacious modern rooms at a great price. OUR PICK!
- Luxury: Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam – 5-star luxury in a historic building near Rembrandtplein.
- Airbnb: Look for an Airbnb in Amsterdam from the Singel inward… or stay on a canal boat! You can get a $20 coupon for Airbnb using this link.
Recommended Resources for Amsterdam
- Lonely Planet Pocket Amsterdam (Travel Guide) – An Amsterdam guidebook with pull-out map.
- Amsterdam City Guide and Offline City Map – A handy app to have for Amsterdam.
- Holland vs the Netherlands – A quick Youtube clip that explains the difference between Holland and the Netherlands.
Tip: Packing for Europe
Packing for two weeks in Europe is pretty simple. You don’t need a lot of gear. Bring along stylish but comfortable clothes that work together to create a capsule wardrobe. Stick to one colour palette so you can mix & match all your items. Dress in layers and choose good walking shoes. You want to look good in your travel photos and blend in with the ever stylish locals.
I recommend a carry-on size rolling suitcase like this one for travel in Europe. You need a suitcase that will fit above your seat in train carriages. You’ll also need to be able to carry it up and down stairs as many train and Metro stations don’t have elevators or even escalators.
What else should you bring? Here’s my list of the 11 best travel accessories for Europe.
Return to Paris for Two Days
Day 13 – Catch the train from Amsterdam back to Paris. The journey is a little over 3 hours. Trains depart Amsterdam Centraal and arrive Paris Nord. You can check train times here. See the boxed text above about booking trains.
Enjoy your last day in Europe with a stroll around the Latin Quartier, some shopping for souvenirs along the Seine and dinner in a sidewalk cafe. If you have the energy hop on one of Paris’s Velib bikes (they’re free for the first 30 minutes) and bike along the right bank of the Seine to the Eiffel Tower for one last look at the monument twinkling in the twilight.
Day 14 – Enjoy as much of Paris as you can before your return flight home.
Tip: Finding Flights to Europe
Your flights into Europe are huge chunk of your travel costs so finding the cheapest flights to Europe is essential to managing your budget. I use Google Flights to find the best dates to fly on and also to set up fare alerts for days I’m interested in flying on. Here’s some info on using Google Flights.
This itinerary starts and ends in Paris but you could also search for an open jaw ticket flying into Paris and of out Amsterdam. You could even tack on a few days in London at either end of this Europe itinerary if the flights to London are cheaper. Play around and find the cheapest city in Europe to fly into.
Norwegian and WOW offer very affordable flights into Europe from the US. You can also find cheap fares to Europe by following Facebook pages like Secret Flying, The Points Guy and The Flight Deal.
Got questions?
You can easily tour Europe in two weeks if you follow the itinerary I’ve set out here. Be sure to come back and read more Europe itineraries on my blog over the coming months.
I’d be happy to answer any questions you have about this 2 week europe trip itinerary or any other Europe travel questions you might have. You can leave me a comment below or connect with me on Facebook.
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Thanks for the mentions. Great itinerary!
Love Love Love this post!!! Super informative and useful. I’m taking all your tips for Amsterdam. Thank you!!!
I will say two things: the Musee d’Orsay is a MUST and comfortable shoes will be the best and most appreciated thing anybody will pack. Really great recommendations.
We haven’t taken the kids to Brussels or Amsterdam yet, but they are on our list, so this is very useful. We did go to Paris, and especially loved our boat trip – I think it’s the best way to see the city.
I like how you break down the lodging options for different price ranges. I’d love to go to any of these destinations some day!
Excellent resource! We’ve got a 2-week family trip to Europe this summer, though none of these cities is on our itinerary. I also think 3 cities in 2 weeks is doable; we’ve done it before!
Great round up! We have taken our children to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam and think they are all wonderful cities for families. I love the idea of doing them in a three week trip.
Great post! We did Paris/London/Dublin in that time frame with our kids and it was excellent. Your Paris iten. is almost identical to ours. What a great city!
Hi, me and my Fren will be departing from London to Paris then Brussels and Amsterdam. Saw that there is a eurail pass for the trains between our destinations. Is it worth the price?
You have to pay a reservation fee for the Thalys trains (between Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam) even when you have a Eurail pass and it’s quite high anyway – 15€ to 35€ depending on the class of ticket and route… just for the reservation! Here are the detail – http://www.eurail.com/europe-by-train/high-speed-trains/thalys
If you’re only travelling between these four cities, I would skip the Eurail pass and just purchase point to point tickets. If you do travel with a Eurail pass, you may end up missing out on the Thalys altogether as they only allocate a certain number of seats per train. Having said that, we were on a longer journey through Europe and DID use the Eurail pass on these journeys. We booked our Thalys train about a month in advance for the Amsterdam to Paris journey but couldn’t get a seat for the Brussels to Amsterdam journey and ended up having to use three local trains to get there which was a pain!
This is really helpful! I read this just as I’m 50% done with our itinerary and I’m excited that ours is so similar to yours! Thank you for the wonderful tips 😀
Awesome! Thanks Joy. It’s great to hear that someone finds my work useful. What are your trip plans for Europe?
Two weeks in 3 cities as well, though my mother switched it up to Paris-Amsterdam-Brussels instead. I’m still researching trains and learned that Thalys is like airfare cost-wise :O (we live in a metro-less city so we know little about train life). What do you think are the pros/cons to doing Amsterdam first than Brussels from Paris?
Hello! Great tips!! I am planning a road trip from Paris to Amsterdam and Brussels and driving back to Paris. I am thinking to drive to Amsterdam and spent 2 nights there and drive to Brussels and spenr 1 night and then near Bruges spent one nigh and gonback to Paris. Does it sound good? Please any tips or recommendations about this itinerary. Thanks in advance.