21 Day Europe Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-week Europe tour itineraries

Compiled by

NadineEurope travel expert at TourRadar

• 21 Day Central Europe & Balkans Itinerary, incl. Vienna and Athens

  A grand tour covers 26 cities across 10 countries, from Vienna's imperial palaces to Athens' ancient sites. The route includes 7 UNESCO World Heritage locations, with stops at Mostar's Old Bridge and Meteora's monasteries, following carefully planned daily itineraries.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Vienna & Bratislava

    Begin your journey in Vienna and travel to Rust in Austria's wine country. Take a scenic drive along Lake Neusiedl to Bratislava. "The medieval Old Town of Bratislava offers charming streets and cultural institutions - get to Michael's Gate early before the crowds arrive." The Vienna-Bratislava transfer takes 2-3 hours.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Hungary

    Stop in baroque Győr on your way to Budapest. Start your Budapest visit at St. Stephen's Basilica before exploring both sides of the city. "Cross the Chain Bridge at sunset for the best views of Parliament. The evening Danube cruises get crowded - book ahead."

    
  • Days 5-7

    Serbia

    Take a 4-hour drive to see Subotica's Art Nouveau architecture. Next is Novi Sad's Petrovaradin Fortress. Visit the wine region of Sremski Karlovci before reaching Belgrade. Take regular breaks at local cafes to make the drive more enjoyable.

    
  • Days 8-9

    Bosnia & Herzegovina

    Travel to Sarajevo through Zvornik (5-6 hours). Visit Sarajevo's old bazaar and Latin Bridge before continuing to Mostar. "The cobblestones in Mostar get slippery when wet - wear good shoes and visit the bridge early before tour groups arrive."

    
  • Days 10-11

    Montenegro & Northern Albania

    Explore UNESCO-listed Kotor then visit Budva and Sveti Stefan. Enter Albania to reach Shkodër. Plan for a 1-2 hour border crossing and bring snacks and water.

    
  • Days 12-14

    Kosovo

    Visit Prizren's Ottoman architecture and the Monastery of Dečani. Take time for wine tasting in Rahovec Valley. "The drive to Dečani Monastery requires an early start - roads get busy after 9 AM."

    
  • Days 15-16

    North Macedonia

    Visit Lake Ohrid and its UNESCO-listed old town and St. John's Church. You'll find the best lake views early in the morning.

    
  • Days 17-18

    Southern Albania

    Explore Berat's "town of 1000 windows" and continue to Gjirokastra. "The steep cobbled streets of Gjirokastra require good walking shoes - the castle climb takes about 30 minutes."

    
  • Days 19-21

    Northern Greece to Athens

    Visit Ioannina before seeing Meteora's monasteries at sunset. Finish in Athens or take a 3.5-hour ferry to Corfu. Remember that monasteries require covered shoulders and knees.

    

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• 21 Days in Central Europe & Balkans, incl. Venice and Tirana

  A grand tour covering 27 cities across 11 countries, from Venice's canals to Tirana's boulevards. Includes 20 nights in 3-star hotels, two specialized food tours, and UNESCO site visits for around $5,200 total.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Venice to Ljubljana

    Start from Venice's Piazzale Roma at 10am. Get there early to avoid water taxi delays. Take a 2-hour drive to Trieste to see architectural highlights like Piazza Unità d'Italia. One traveler noted: "The blend of Italian, Slavic and Germanic influences in Trieste's architecture is incredible." Drive on to Ljubljana and enjoy its riverside charm. Visit Ljubljana Castle later in the day when it's less crowded.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Slovenia & Austrian Transition

    Get to Lake Bled by 8am before the tour buses arrive. Take a pletna boat to the island church (€15). Drive through the Julian Alps to lunch in Villach, Austria. Head to Graz next. A visitor shared: "The Old Town's preservation is remarkable - felt like stepping back in time."

    
  • Days 5-6

    Vienna Immersion

    Start at Schönbrunn Palace at 8:30am to avoid crowds. Walk through the historic center to see Stephansdom Cathedral and Kunsthistorisches Museum. The Vienna Pass costs €70 but pays off if you visit more than 3 attractions per day. Book evening concerts in advance as they sell out quickly.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Bratislava & Hungarian Beginnings

    Travel to Slovakia through the Rust wine region. See Bratislava Castle for great Danube views. Visit Győr, Hungary next and walk its baroque center. End in Budapest where you can enjoy the thermal baths into the evening. Széchenyi baths stay open until 10pm.

    
  • Days 9-11

    Serbian Heritage

    Head south to Novi Sad, Serbia's cultural hub. See Petrovaradin Fortress in the morning light. Stop for wine tasting in Sremski Karlovci and try local Bermet wine. Watch the sunset from Belgrade's Kalemegdan Fortress where the Danube meets the Sava.

    
  • Days 12-14

    Bosnia & Herzegovina

    Start early for the 5-hour mountain drive to Sarajevo. Tour the Ottoman quarter and Latin Bridge. Next is Mostar. A traveler suggested: "Get to Mostar's Old Bridge before sunset - the golden light on the stone is magical."

    
  • Days 15-16

    Montenegro's Coast

    Take the winding road to Kotor. Bring motion sickness pills if needed. Walk the city walls in the morning before it gets hot. Visit Budva, stop to photograph Sveti Stefan, then continue to Shkodër, Albania.

    
  • Days 17-19

    Kosovo Heritage

    Visit Kosovo's Prizren for Ottoman architecture. See Gjakova's restored bazaar. Try wines in Rahovec Valley. Return to Albania through Kruja castle town.

    
  • Days 20-21

    Macedonia & Final Stretch

    Visit Lake Ohrid and St. Naum Monastery in the morning. Spend your last day exploring Tirana's Blloku district. One traveler advised: "Don't miss Tirana's food tour - it's the perfect way to understand Albanian culture through its cuisine."

    

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• 21 Days in Scandinavia & Baltics, incl. Copenhagen and Stockholm

  A fascinating route visiting 19 cities across 7 countries. The itinerary includes 3 days in Copenhagen, overnight ferries to Bergen and Helsinki, and medieval experiences in Tallinn. UNESCO sites include Riga's Old Town and Stockholm's Gamla Stan. Costs approx. $230 per day.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Copenhagen

    Visit Denmark's capital when traffic is lightest before 8 AM to explore Tivoli Gardens and the city center. "Get to Tivoli Gardens early - the morning light makes for incredible photos and there are barely any crowds." Set aside at least 3 hours for castle visits.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Norwegian Fjords & Bergen

    Take the overnight ferry to Bergen. Bring motion sickness tablets since the North Sea can get rough. Beat the crowds at the Bergen funicular up Mount Fløyen by booking online and arriving before 10 AM. "The Fløibanen queue can be 2+ hours long by midday. We went at 8:30 AM and walked straight on."

    
  • Days 5-7

    Oslo & Norwegian Interior

    The scenic drive from Bergen to Oslo through fjord country takes 6-7 hours. Stop at Gudvangen for photos but watch your step on the viewing platforms. In Oslo, use the public transport pass that includes ferries to museum island. It's much faster than driving.

    
  • Days 8-10

    Stockholm

    Take the 6-hour train ride from Oslo through beautiful forest landscapes. Stay in Gamla Stan (Old Town) to walk easily to major sites. "Stockholm's metro stations are works of art - get a 72-hour transit pass and treat them like a free museum tour between sightseeing."

    
  • Days 11-12

    Helsinki

    Book a lower deck cabin on the overnight ferry from Stockholm for a smoother journey. Visit Market Square in the morning to buy fresh fish directly from local boats. Plan 3-4 hours to properly explore the fortress island of Suomenlinna.

    
  • Days 13-15

    Tallinn & Estonia

    It's a quick 2-hour ferry ride from Helsinki. Pack sturdy shoes for Tallinn's steep cobblestone streets and skip wheeled luggage. "The viewing platform at Toompea Hill gets packed by midday with cruise ship groups. Go at 8 AM for peaceful city views."

    
  • Days 16-18

    Riga & Latvia

    Take the 4-hour bus ride from Tallinn but pack snacks since rest stops are limited. Visit the Art Nouveau district early to see the details in morning light. Start your day at Central Market when produce is freshest.

    
  • Days 19-21

    Vilnius & Return

    Finish in Lithuania's capital and visit the artistic "Republic of Užupis." "The Gates of Dawn chapel opens at 7 AM - go early to experience this spiritual site without the tour groups." Return to Copenhagen by overnight ferry from Klaipėda.

    

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