week long backpacking trips

9 of the Best 3-Day, 5-Day, and Weeklong Backpacking Trips in the US

Between work, family commitments, and life tasks that add up to what seems like another full-time job, it can be hard to set aside time for extended backcountry exploration. Luckily, there are more incredible trails across the country than you can possibly hike in a lifetime, and plenty of them can be completed in just a few days.

Be sure to plan ahead, know the area, and research all backcountry travel permits. We recommend a pack with at least a 48-liter capacity , and a 60-liter pack is a safe choice should you head out for a longer trip. New to backpacking? Check out our tips for getting started here, and make sure you get your pack properly fitted .

Here are a few of our top picks for the best trails to explore, whether you have three days, five days, or a full week. All of these trails can be completed in the given number of days by hiking between 8-14 miles per day, and you can always pick up the pace to cover more distance, or slow down to spend extra time enjoying the journey.

Three-Day Trips

1. Tuolumne Meadows to Yosemite Valley: Yosemite National Park, California

Distance: * 28 miles, 9 miles per day * Difficulty: Moderate Type: End-to-end, shuttle Best Time to Hike: May-October Description: Get away from the Yosemite Valley crowds on this epic trek . You’ll see mule deer grazing in the meadows as you wind your way up the granite spine, stopping at vista after vista. This trail is stunning from one end to the other, and topping out at Clouds Rest will be a moment you never forget.

Wilderness permits are required, and it’s recommended you plan in advance due to the popularity of the region. YARTS is Yosemite’s public transit system, and it will be immensely helpful to shuttle around the valley.

2. Mount Sterling Loop: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina/Tennessee

Distance: 28 miles, 9 miles per day Difficulty: Moderate Type: Loop Best Time to Hike: Mid-April to late October Description: Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the country thanks to a lengthy season, easy access, and proximity to populated areas. That being said, the majority of these visitors rarely venture more than a few miles from the road, so the sweeping vistas, craggy outcroppings, and mossy woods will seem like a different world. The camping is plentiful and scenic, and while some sections are steep, most of the climbs and descents are switchbacked. You really can’t go wrong with timing—hike this trail in mid-to-late spring for wildflowers or mid-fall for foliage.

Wilderness permits are required, but are easier to obtain than other national park backcountry permits.

3. Eagle Rock Loop: Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas

Distance: 27 miles, 9 miles per day Difficulty: Strenuous Type: Loop Best Time to Hike: April, October Description: Not sure what Arkansas has to offer besides the Ozarks? This rugged loop will give you a taste of some serious backcountry terrain without the crowds. Hikers will climb steep, wooded hillsides and descend to clear streams and plentiful campsites. Wild bluffs and scenic overlooks are scattered throughout, offering perfect spots for breaks and camping.

Water crossings can be hazardous on this trail, so be sure to check the conditions before you go, and be prepared for a lot of wading.

Five-Day Trips

4. Zion Traverse: Zion National Park, Utah

Distance: 50 miles, 10 miles per day Difficulty: Strenuous Type: End-to-end, shuttle Best Time to Hike: Late April-May, October Description: Zion National Park offers some of the most spectacular vistas in the U.S., and you’ll see them all during the Zion Traverse. This trek links together trails throughout the park, from one corner to the other. Due to the popularity of this region, you’ll need backcountry permits and campsite reservations. Planning is paramount, but your efforts will be rewarded.

Keep track of water sources and hang onto your itinerary and maps, as there will be trail intersections to follow. A sample itinerary can be found here , and the Zion NPS page has regulations and visitor info.

5. Timberline Trail: Mount Hood Wilderness, Oregon

Distance: 40 miles, 8 miles per day Difficulty: Moderate Type: Loop Best Time to Hike: End of July-late September Description: Circle the iconic Mount Hood through old-growth forests, past glaciers, and all around the lush terrain of some of Oregon’s most incredible landscapes. This trail is simple to coordinate and easily accessible, which means it’s a popular destination that you’ll be sharing with plenty of hikers. The climbs can be steep, but the rewards are worth the quad pain.

Permits are required for overnights, but they are free and located at trailheads.

6. Greenstone Ridge Trail: Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

Distance: 40 miles, 8 miles per day Difficulty: Moderate Type: End-to-end, shuttle Best Time to Hike: Late June-August

Description: The Greenstone Ridge Trail splits this long, narrow island in half, following the top of the Greenstone Ridge and crossing Mount Desor, the highest point of Isle Royale. You’ll need a ferry or float plane to get here, but it’s worth the effort, especially since the tricky access makes this one of the quieter national parks. Isle Royale promises solitude, wildlife sightings, and plenty of blueberries to pick along the trail. This is a well-maintained, nicely graded trail with lush scenery.

Weeklong Trips

7. Wonderland Trail: Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

Distance: 93 miles, 13 miles per day Difficulty: Strenuous Type: Loop Best Time to Hike: Late summer, early fall Description: This hike encircles Mt. Rainier, guaranteeing hikers a view of the inspiring peak mile after mile. You’ll climb from lowland forests to alpine zones, cross rivers, and have spectacular views of glaciers, cascading waterfalls, and wildlife. This area gets lots of rain, so keep track of water levels and weather before you head out.

Plan in advance—you’ll need permits and camping is only allowed at designated sites.

8. Gospel-Hump Loop Trail: Gospel-Hump Wilderness, Idaho

Distance: 68 miles, 10 miles per day Difficulty: Strenuous Type: Loop Best Time to Hike: September Description: While the Sawtooths and Bob Marshall Wilderness house the majority of Idaho’s wilderness-seeking visitors, don’t overlook the rugged and diverse Gospel-Hump Wilderness . On this trail you can camp along the Salmon River and live out your Sound of Music dreams hiking through wildflower-filled meadows. You’ll also enjoy solitude not found in the more easily accessible parts of the state. Get ready for steep climbs and descents, possible moose and elk sightings, and a lot of solitude.

9. 100-Mile Wilderness: Monson to Baxter State Park, Maine

Distance: 100 miles, 14 miles per day Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous Type: End-to-end, shuttle Best Time to Hike: July or August Description: Though hiking 100 miles in a week might seem impossible, this trail is a serene, wooded gem with a surprising amount of flat, fast sections. It is one of the best parts of the entire Appalachian Trail, passing by ponds, crossing wide creeks, and often breaking treeline to catch glimpses of Mt. Katahdin in the distance. You can carry enough food for the entire trip, but there are a few dirt roads for potential hitches, and local businesses offer food drops . Permits are not required, but you will need to register if you plan to camp in Baxter State Park . Read about how to hike through the 100-Mile Wilderness here .

Written by RootsRated for Gregory Mountain Products and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to [email protected].

Featured image provided by Aan Kasman

• National Parks
• Tiny Houses

11 Backpacking Trips in the U.S. That Should be on Your Bucket List

Posted by Sarah Lamagna May 17, 2022 Updated December 18, 2023

Being in the wild is dope, and so is keeping it clean for future generations. If you’re hiking, camping or backpacking, you can minimize your impact on the environment with Leave No Trace principles and ensure everyone has a good time with basic trail etiquette tips. Now let’s get wild.

Forget the crowded viewpoints and roadways — experience the wonder and solitude (most of the time) of the nation’s most epic trails!

Americans have been walking across our country’s beloved public lands for decades. The Long Trail in Vermont (although not on our list below) holds the title for the oldest long-distance trek in the country — it was completed in 1930. The record for the longest hike (which, surprisingly isn’t the Long Trail) goes to two trails: American Discovery Trail and Great Western Loop, both of which are 6,800 miles each! There are also the most famous trails like Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and Appalachian Mountain Trail.

These are all great treks throughout the nation but not everyone has the time, money, or even desire to do a thru-hike . Instead, most outdoor enthusiasts like the idea of finding a bit of solitude without having to log the mega miles. Because the United States is home to thousands of trails to backpack, the list below narrows down your best choices. Whether you’re looking for a quick jaunt during a long weekend or weeks-long adventure, there’s something on this list for everyone.

Best Backpacking Trips in the U.S. – Our Top Picks

As a reminder, backpacking should be taken seriously and isn’t the same as going for a long day hike. Make sure you have the proper gear (for some cheaper options, check this out ), are in shape to carry upwards of 50 pounds (depending on the length of your trip), and are well-accustomed to outdoor excursions. Regardless of if you are backpacking solo or backpacking with your kids , or with your friends, it’s always imperative to be prepared.

1. Pemigewasset Loop

Why you should go: it traverses one of the most incredible ridgelines — Franconia Ridge.

• Location: White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire
• Distance: 31 miles
• Elevation gain: 10,000 feet
• Recommended number of nights: 1 to 2

When most people think of epic backpacking routes, the White Mountains of New Hampshire likely don’t show up in your head. The Pemigewasset Loop (known affectionately by locals as the “Pemi Loop”), though, is one of the hardest hikes in the country with strenuous elevation gain and some of the worst weather in the country. It traverses the western half of the Pemigewasset Wilderness and climbs over eight 4Kers (mountains above 4,000’ above sea level and on the AMC’s 4000-footer list ).

You can add other peaks that are not on the AMC’s list to add a total of eleven mountain summits! Many people have done this as a brutal day trip, but it’s not recommended.

Pro Tip: stay in one of the AMC huts (either Greenleaf or Galehead ) where you won’t have to worry about trudging uphill with a tent in your bag. Plus, dinner and breakfast is included in the fee for the night.

Related Read:   8 Epic Camping Spots in White Mountain National Forest

2. Cracker Lake

Why you should go: experience Glacier National Park without the crowds.

• Location: Glacier National Park, Montana
• Distance: 12 miles
• Elevation gain: 1,300 feet
• Type: out-and-back
• Recommended number of nights: 1

Backpack to the brilliant turquoise waters of Cracker Lake . You’ll camp at the base of Mount Siyeh whose towering cliffs rival those in Yosemite. The trail to this alpine lake is not as popular as other backpacking routes in the Glacier National Park but you shouldn’t miss out on this one.

Skip the Highline Trail and having to battle your way through the hordes of tourists that make the trek every year. Instead, enjoy a relatively moderate hike to a quieter part of the Park. Bonus: the lake has a pit toilet!

Pro tip: go during peak wildflower season. Just do it.

Related Read:   Crown Jewels: 14 Majestic Hikes in Glacier National Park

3. 100-Mile Wilderness

Why you should go: get all the glory of hiking the Appalachian Trail without having to walk the full 2,180 miles.

• Location: 100-Mile Wilderness, Maine
• Distance: 93 miles (weirdly not 100)
• Elevation gain: 15,000 feet
• Type: point-to-point
• Recommended number of nights: 7 to 10

The Appalachian Trail is hiked by hundreds of thru-hikers every year. Most argue that the hardest part is the last 100 miles before the summit of Mount Katahdin — known as the 100-Mile Wilderness. It is a true wilderness experience and one that should not be your first foray into backpacking.

The backcountry of Maine woods is unforgiving at best and deadly at worst so take heed when attempting this. But if you do decide to do this trek, it’ll bring you through some of the most spectacular and remote places in the entire country.

Pro tip: avoid hiking in early June as it happens to be black fly season and they are the literal worst.

Related Read:   14 Best Hikes in Maine for Exploring the Great Outdoors

4. Roan Highlands Section of the AT

Why you should go: considered by most thru-hikers to be the prettiest part of the Appalachian Trail.

• Location: Pisgah National Forest, Tennessee/North Carolina
• Distance: 22 miles
• Elevation gain: 5,000 feet

If you’ve ever wanted to know what the undulating trails are like in the Scottish Highlands, look no further than the Roan Highlands (coincidence?) section of the Appalachian Trail.

The 22-mile trek traverses over grassy, bald summits and through the world’s largest rhododendron garden. The 360-degree views from the several summits will leave you breathless — although that might also be from the elevation gain.

Pro tip: if you go around the third week of June, the rhododendrons will be in full bloom and are spectacular.

Related Read:   10 Can’t-Miss Glamping Sites Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park

5. Greenstone Ridge Trail

Why you should go: where else can you take a seaplane to your trailhead?

• Location: Isle Royale National Park, Michigan
• Distance: 42 miles
• Elevation gain: 4,000 feet
• Recommended number of nights: 5 to 8

The Greenstone Ridge Trail allows you a glimpse into the diverse landscape of the upper Midwest. From sweeping vistas, orchid-filled bogs, wildflowers galore, and more lakes than you can count, the ecosystems are endless.

Most begin their journey at the Windigo trailhead which is accessible by boat or seaplane. You end your hike at the Hidden Lake trailhead where you can hop on ferry or charter another seaplane for your return journey.

Pro tip: grab a satellite messenger since cell reception is spotty at best.

Related Read:   Traveler’s Guide to the Best Michigan National Parks

6. Wonderland Trail

Why you should go: never-ending views of Mount Rainier.

• Location: Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
• Distance: 93 miles
• Elevation gain: 25,000 feet (it’s a doozy)
• Recommended number of nights: 8 to 12

One of the most exclusive backpacking trails in the country also loops around one of the most famous volcanoes. The Wonderland Trail is a strenuous backpacking excursion that travels through a diverse array of ecosystems.

If you’re lucky enough to snag a wilderness permit to attempt the hike, you’ll be rewarded with incredible views at almost every turn. You won’t need mountaineering experience (that’s left for those wanting to summit Mount Rainier) but you should be a practice backpacker before attempting this trip.

Pro tip: have flexibility with your dates since permits for the trail are highly coveted.

Related Read:   14 Jaw Dropping Hikes in Mount Rainier National Park

7. Olympic Coast Trail – North Route

Why you should go: moody beaches but happy campers.

• Location: Olympic National Park, Washington
• Distance: 20 miles
• Elevation gain: 3,000 feet

The hike from Rialto Beach north to the Ozette trailhead is more than just a walk on the beach. It’s home to some of the most rugged coastline and unforgiving weather. Don’t let that deter you from a backpacking trip. You can combine the South Route with this hike, but the North Route has the better views and landscape.

Although you’re mostly walking on the beach, there are many headlands that can only be rounded at low tide. Sometimes there are ropes to aid during non-low tide times but not always.

Pro tip: always have a tide chart on this trip to plan out when you need to take the overland/headland trails.

Related Read:   13 Outdoorsy Things to Do on the Washington Coast

8. Four Pass Loop

Why you should go: see a side of the Maroon Bells the tourists don’t usually experience.

• Location: Maroon Bells – Snowmass Wilderness, Colorado
• Distance: 27 miles
• Elevation gain: 7,800 feet
• Recommended number of nights: 2 to 3

Coined as the most popular backpacking trip in Colorado, the Four Pass Loop traverses (you guessed it!) four passes all above 12,000’ above sea level.

If you’re coming from sea level, you might need to give yourself a few extra days ahead of time to acclimate. Once you’re satisfied with your lung capacity, enjoy the majestic maroon peaks and incredible alpine scenery on the trek!

Pro tip: do the loop in a clockwise direction as the trail up West Maroon Valley is easier to climb with a full pack.

Related Read:   5 Spectacular Backpacking Destinations in Colorado

9. Buckskin Gulch

Why you should go: probably the most iconic slot canyon ever.

• Location: Paria Canyon – Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness, Utah
• Distance: 21 miles
• Elevation gain: 3,400 feet

It doesn’t get much better than Buckskin Gulch if you’re in the mood for some spectacular slot canyon hiking. The permits to get into Buckskin are highly competitive, but that also means you’ll have solitude for your trip. For those lucky enough to grab one, you’ll be hiking in one of the longest (if not the longest) continuous slot canyon in the entire world.

Flash floods are a real concern here, as with any slot canyon hiking. Make sure to always check the weather for the surrounding areas. If there is even the slightest chance of rain, do not attempt this hike. Avoid hiking during the summer months as monsoon season occurs during this time and the slots can be dangerously hot.

If you can’t snag one of the permits, you can always head to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and try one of these hikes .

Pro tip: there is only one escape route once you reach Buckskin Gulch and is aptly-named the Middle-Out Escape Route.

Related Read:   The 20 Best Backpacking Trips In Utah

10. Cirque of the Towers

Why you should go: easily accessible and no permits are required.

• Location: Wind River Mountain Range, Wyoming
• Distance: 24 miles

You won’t find much solitude on the Fremont Trail to Cirque of the Towers . Due to its accessible trailhead and absolute stunning scenery, it’s a popular trail. However, Wyoming has got some big sky so even if you have company on the trail, you’ll be spread out. Most go in a clockwise direction as that will leave the best views for last.

You’ll pass through alpine meadows, around the edge of nine lakes on the path ,and over two mountain passes (one of which is named Jackass Pass). The first views of the Cirque begin when you hit Texas Pass and they just get better from there.

Pro tip: go as late in the summer as possible to avoid the atrocious amounts of mosquitos on the trail. Or bring a bug net otherwise.

Related Read:   8 Gorgeous Backpacking Trails In The Wind River Range

11. Sawtooth Wilderness Loop

Why you should go: it’s as remote as you get in Idaho so way less people.

• Location: Sawtooth Wilderness Area, Idaho
• Distance: 70 miles
• Elevation gain: 12,500 feet
• Recommended number of nights: 4 to 6

Basically jumping from lake to lake, the Sawtooth Wilderness Loop brings you on an epic journey through one of the most underestimated states. Idaho is usually passed over for the more epic Rocky Mountains or the Pacific Northwest. But you’d be wrong to turn a blind eye to this incredible wilderness area.

The trail navigates through dense forest, alpine lakes, and even some burn areas. Downed logs are fairly common across the trail since trail crews don’t get back into this remote area as much as more popular areas. Nothing is too hard to overcome, though. Just come with some sturdy pants and a good attitude and you’ll be all set.

Pro tip: it’s imperative to bring a bear-resistant canister (or hang your food) and bear spray as this is prime grizzly bear habitat.

More Backpacking Inspiration

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Seen in: Backpacking , Destinations

Posted by Sarah Lamagna

Sarah is an ecologist-turned-freelance writer specializing in the ecotourism and slow/sustainable travel industry. Her bylines include The Denver Post, 5280 magazine, VeryWellFamily, Matador Network, and was an expert on NPR’s The Takeaway for her work on the wildfires in Colorado.

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9 Stunning Backpacking Trips in the U.S. You Should Know About

This article on the best backpacking trips in the U.S. is brought to you by Gregory , the makers of hiking backpacks that are tough enough for day hikes, weekend trips and thru-hiking adventures.

Backpack camping—an approach that involves hiking to your campsite, usually carrying a hefty backpack of gear with you—isn’t for everyone. The KOA North American Camping Report of 2019 supports that statement; while camping popularity in the U.S. has overall reached new heights among a wider audience of households in recent years, those new campers are generally drawn to car camping, glamping, and the more convenient destinations. Which means that backpacking continues to offer an escape from the crowds.

Venture out on a backcountry trail in any crowded national park and you’ll find the crowds all but disappear, just a few miles in. If you bring your camping supplies with you, a secluded, quiet camping experience awaits you in the wilderness.

The best backpacking trips in the U.S. span a range of experience levels. Once you’ve collected your gear (with some help from our backpacking checklist ), it’s time to pick a trail.

9 Bucket List Backpacking Trips in the U.S.

Photo Courtesy of William Saunders

This list of backpacking trips in the U.S. offer a range of accessibility depending on your skills and experience. No matter the experience level required, they’re all stunning and enjoyable. Researching this backpacking resource definitely made us want to get away from our computers and hit all of these trails.

1. The Lost Coast Trail —Northern California

Length: 24 miles Elevation Change: 1,542 feet Days: 2-4 Trailheads: Mattole Beach, Black Sands Beach

California’s Golden Coast gets visitors galore, with hotspots mostly south of the Bay Area. But head north, beyond the hillside mansions where the famous Pacific Coast Highway disconnects from the coastline, and you’ll find the Lost Coast Trail along the state’s King Range National Conservation Area. As a wilderness trail along some of the state’s rockiest beach terrain, this backpacking trip is relatively short, but the rock scrambles and sand dunes along the way make challenge and rewarding option for beginners.

Backpacking this trail requires an overnight permit from the Bureau of Land Management, available online from Recreation.gov. The trail is best done via a shuttle service between the two trailheads, as either route is point-to-point.

2. The North Coast Route —Olympic National Park,Washington

Length: 20 miles Elevation Change: 200 feet Days: 2-4 Trailheads: Rialto Beach, Ozette Campground

Positioned along the coastal portion of Washington’s Olympic National Park, this 20-mile backpacking trail is an ideal entry point for inexperienced backpackers with a penchant for seaside views. Backpackers will find a relatively flat shoreline and fair weather seasonally along this trail, ideal for a long weekend backpacking trip on the Olympic Peninsula. With one of the lowest elevation gains on this list, hikers looking to test their distance-per-day will find a perfect path ahead.

Camping along the trail is done at established campgrounds between the trailheads, and no permit is needed for the hike itself. Keep your eyes peeled for tidepools teeming with life, as much of the coast’s rocky shore plays host to underwater life.

3. Lake Aloha Trail —Central California

Length: 12 miles Elevation Change: 1,873 feet Days: 2-3 Trailheads: Echo Lake Trailhead

The Lake Aloha trail, on the southern end of California’s Lake Tahoe, is seemingly custom built for entry-level backpackers interested in a postcard-worthy view. A hike along this 12-mile loop trail takes you along a number of alpine lakes in the Desolation Wilderness, and brings you up 1,800 feet in total. Take a leisurely pace to make the incline portion much easier, and after a long sweaty hike, take a swim in Lake Aloha, where there’s dispersed camping along a ridge nearby.

Since this is one of the best backpacking trips in the U.S., snagging a reservation for camping in the area can be tough—look to plan this trip early in the off-season, and expect to check online regularly for openings. Campfires are never allowed in the Desolation Wilderness, and campers should check out safety tips from the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit .

The Timberline Trail

4. Mount Sterling Loop Trail (Via Low Gap) —Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

Length: 28.5 miles Elevation Change: 8,110 feet Days: 4-5 Trailheads: Low Gap Trailhead, Big Creek Trailhead

Situated in the country’s most visited national park, the Mount Sterling Loop Trail offers an intermediate-level backpacking trip to the peak of one of the tallest points in the park. Hike from the Low Gap trailhead in Crosby, NC and pass through old growth forests—crossing state lines into Tennessee on your way. You’ll follow the Big Creek to the summit of Mount Sterling, where you’ll come across a firetower, built during the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps—perfect for getting sweeping views of the misty mountains. Continue on from the summit and you’ll complete a loop around the mountain, circling back to the Low Gap Trailhead. The total 8,000+ elevation gain is subtle on the majority of the trail, although some points climb sharply via switchbacks as you begin to circle the mountain.

As part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park , backcountry camping on this trail requires a backcountry permit from the park office, alone with reservations made in advance for campgrounds/shelters along the way. More information on reservations and permits can be found from the park’s Backcountry Office at 865-436-1297.

5. Timberline Trail —Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon

Length: 38.3 miles Elevation Change: 9,000 feet Days: 4-5 Trailheads: Timberline Lodge

Mount Hood is one of Oregon’s Seven Wonders, an active volcano just about an hour outside of Portland. While many make a point to visit the mountain’s cozy Timberline Lodge, backpackers looking for a more scenic view of this monolith can venture out on the Timberline Trail which circles the mountain. Start from the parking lot of Timberline Lodge and head east or west on the trail to get started; you’ll traverse roughly 9,000 feet of elevation change over about four days. The loop will circle you back to Timberline Lodge, where you should relax apres-hike with a warm drink indoors.

This trail involves a decent amount of trail merges, so be careful when navigating that you don’t make a wrong turn on to various off-shoots. The Timberline Trail can be dangerous when inclement weather is present, as with any instance of high-elevation hiking, you should feel confident that your backpacking skills match the worst weather scenarios you might face. No permits are needed for the hike.

6. Cottonwood Marble Canyon Loop Trail —Death Valley National Park, California

Length: 26-28 miles Elevation Change: 5,613 feet Days: 3 Trailheads: Stovepipe Wells

With terrain and scenery pulled straight from Mars, hiking around Death Valley National Park (or the Mojave desert in general) is as interesting as it is intense. The Cottonwood-Marble Canyon Loop Trail takes backpackers through a dry and stark terrain, and requires more planning than a typical backpacking trip. The trail, running close to 30 miles in a loop, will connect from the Stovepipe Wells trailhead, and can take about 3 days. As with most desert backpacking, you must plan your trip around water resources—this trail offers a few natural streams at some campsites but water is scarce for the majority of the hike. Along with plenty of water, be sure to bring a water filter to refill when available.

Getting to the trailhead requires a 4WD vehicle at all times of the year, but no pre-planning for a permit is needed. Permits are available for free at visitor contact stations across the park. The challenge of this trail lies mainly in the difficult conditions of the desert, so be sure to read Death Valley National Park’s tips on planning this hike in advance.

The John Muir Trail

7. The John Muir Trail —California

Length: 221 Miles Elevation Change: cumulative 47,000 feet Days: 20-30 Trailheads: (Southbound) Happy Isles, Sunrise Lakes, Glacier Point, Lyell Canyon

Cutting more than 200 miles through central California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, the John Muir Trail is as legendary as it is scenic. Plan for close to a month of hiking, camping, and exploring part of the state’s rocky, snow-spotted terrain, with an elevation gain more than 1.5 times the height of Mount Everest.

Getting yourself a backpacking permit for the John Muir Trail might be one of the hardest parts of this trip. Hikers should plan to enter the online lottery system as early as possible, about 24 weeks before your planned trip, or possible chance a first-come, first-served permit available from the ranger station. As well, hikers should plan out resupply stops at certain campsites and vantage points along the way.

8. The Wonderland Trail —Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

Length: 93 miles Elevation Change: cumulative 22,000 feet Days: 12-14 Trailheads: Fryingpan Creek Trailhead

With so many amazing mountains to climb and trails to backpack in the Pacific Northwest, it’s hard to think there could be one trail that stands above the rest. At least in elevation, the Wonderland Trail around Washington’s Mount Rainier does just that, circling the PNW’s only mountain over 14,000 feet.

The trail itself isn’t as lengthy as other advanced backpacking trips, but serves as a short-but-tough alternative to many other trails. Climbing over 22,000 feet in cumulative elevation gain along the Wonderland Trail, you’ll enjoy dense evergreen forests and snowy peaks year-round.

The trail’s high elevation is a serious consideration as thin air can wear on hikers who aren’t used to these conditions. Take caution when beginning and ending the trip, as acclimation might be necessary for a comfortable hike. While specific permits aren’t required to thru-hike the trail, a general wilderness permit is required for backcountry camping along the way.

9. The Long Trail —Vermont

Length: 272 miles Elevation Change: cumulative 69,000 feet Days: 20-30 Trailheads: Appalachian Trail Vermont/Massachusetts, Journey’s End Road

While it may not rival some of the more scenic trails in the western U.S., Vermont’s Long Trail offers hikers a look at a stunning variety of nature along one of the greenest states east of the Mississippi River. Stretching 272 miles from the southern border with Massachusetts to the Canadian border to the north, the oldest thru-hiking trail in the United States spares no view of the Green Mountain State throughout. What this hike lacks in dramatic views akin to the western U.S., it makes up for in greenery and ease‚ with a relatively balanced elevation incline throughout. While trail conditions can get muddy starting in the late summer and early fall, hiking through the New England fall foliage is one of the most popular attractions for the backpacking trip. Finishing the trail from north to south or south to north earns you the title of “End-to-Ender,” a boast-worthy epithet you can share at the breweries along the trail .

Planning for this hike is pretty simple; no permits are required for hiking or camping along the way. The Green Mountain Club has maintained the trail since its establishment in 1930, and offer tips and guidebooks online and in print for hikers planning ahead.

This post was brought to you by our pals at Gregory . 

From small day hiking backpacks to top-of-the-line backpacking backpacks — Gregory has you covered!

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• Clear Lake Campground , Mount Hood National Forest, OR
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• New Melones Lake Camping , CA
• Sly Park Campground , Pollock Pines, CA

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Kevin Johnson

Kevin is the Assistant Editor for The Dyrt, with bylines in National Geographic Traveler and Atlas Obscura. Although originally from the swamps of Washington, D.C., he's now based in the trees of Portland. He's been interested in geography and travel since seeing his first map as a kid, and is now working toward seeing it all in person. You can find him exploring the coastal beaches or a record store in his free time.

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25 Badass Backpacking Trips

Not for the faint of heart

By: The Outbound Collective + Save to a List

There's something about camping in the wilderness that makes us feel tough. We spend a night or two away from our everyday comforts, disconnecting from the modern, technology dependent lives we lead and we reconnect with the rugged explorer inside us. It feels good to know you don't need all that stuff, right? It makes you feel a little more wild. Throw in 20+ miles of hiking before your next night under the stars and you’ll feel like a straight-up badass. 

There are hundreds of treks across the world that will give you that I-can-do-anything feeling - plus bragging rights for the next time you're swapping adventure stories around the campfire. Save yourself some time researching ( use that time to train instead, you're gonna need it!) and check out these badass backpacking trips:

1. Backpack from Onion Valley to Mt. Whitney

Location: California | Distance: 47.5 miles

Photo: Jeff Driscoll

This is truly a once in a lifetime backpacking trip. Take in the majesty of the High Sierra from the highest summit in the continental United States. Learn more.

2. Hike the Wild Basin’s Ouzel and Ogallala Peak

Location: Colorado | Distance: 20 miles

Hike through isolated, rugged wilderness to panoramic views of Colorado’s Wild Basin, Paradise Park, and Indian Peaks Wilderness. Learn more.

3. Trek in the Swiss Alps

Location: Switzerland | Distance: 68 miles

Explore this iconic landscape full of snowcapped peaks, beautiful alpine lakes, and waterfalls. Hike along the infamous North Face of the Eiger, Jungfra, Monch, and Wetterhorn. Learn more.

4. Backpack Kings Peak

Location: Utah | Distance: 28.8 miles

Summit Utah’s tallest mountain at 13,527 ft. and catch sprawling views of every 13er in the state. Learn more.

5. Backpack the Continental Divide trail in Glacier NP

Location: Montana | Distance: 33.4 miles

Find solitude in Glacier’s backcountry as you explore pristine lakes, gorgeous glaciers, cascading water falls, and impressive mountain peaks. Learn more.

6. Overnight at the Barker Hut

Location: New Zealand | Distance: 29.8 miles

Photo: Crystal Brindle

New Zealand is home to over 1,000 alpine huts and the Barker Hut is known as one of the very best. As you climb, you’ll be treated to epic views of the peaks, glaciers, and lakes below. Learn more.

7. Backpack the Teton Crest Trail, Grand Teton NP

Location: Wyoming | Distance: 38 miles

This incredible trail will take you through canyons, over passes, and around breathtaking mountain scenery. You’ll have amazing views of these famous mountains the entire trip. Learn more.

8. Backpack through Nantahala National Forest vie the Appalachian Trail

Location: North Carolina | Distance: 28 miles

Here’s you chance to tackle a spectacular section of one of the most famous thru hikes in the country, the Appalachian Trail. Learn more.

9. Backpack Desolation’s Primitive Western Edge Through Rockbound Pass

Location: California | Distance: 26 miles

This area of Desloation Wilderness really lives up to its name. Not many hikers venture past the Rockbound Pass so you’ll find total solitude. Learn more.

10. Backpack the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim

Location: Arizona | Distance: 47 miles

With over 10,000 ft. of elevation gain, this has to be one of the more brutal hikes you’ll ever do, but catching sunrise over the Grand Canyon will be worth it. Learn more.

11. Backpack the Full John Muir Trail

Location: California | Distance: 221 miles

If you can find the time to dedicate to the JMT, you’re in for one of the greatest challenges and some of the most beautiful scenery you’ll ever witness. Learn more.

12. Backpack to Spade and Venus Lakes

Location: Washington | Distance: 28 miles

Photo: Jason Zabriskie

Explore two of the most remote lakes in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. If you're looking for solitude, you'll find it here. Learn more.

13. Backpack the Lost Coast: Matthole to Black Sands Beach

Location: California | Distance: 24 miles

Spend a few days camping and hiking along the rugged and rocky coast of Northern California. Learn more.

14. Climb Cone Peak in Big Sur (Sea to Sky Route)

Location: California | Distance: 23 miles

Although the summit only reaches 5,155 ft., because it’s only 3 miles from the ocean, the stark rise in altitude provides unbeatable views of the Big Sur area. Learn more.

15. Backpack the Zion National Park Traverse

Location: Utah | Distance: 48.3 miles

Explore the entire width of Zion National Park from narrow canyons, to lush valleys rimmed by red rock, to phenomenal vistas overlooking the best of the park. Learn more.

16. Backpack to Havasu Falls and the Colorado

Location: Arizona | Distance: 20-36 miles

Havasupai’s refreshing pools and misty waterfalls are the ultimate reward for your long hike through the desert. Learn more.

17. Backpack Torres del Paine’s “O” Circuit

Location: Chile | Distance: 70 miles

Photo: Ian Glass

Take on one of the most iconic backpacking trips in the world and meet people from all over the globe along the way. Learn more.

18. Backpack the Pacific Crest Trail’s Section J: Stevens Pass to Snoqualmie

Location: Washington | Distance: 70 miles

If you really want to be a badass, do the whole PCT. For those of us who don’t have that much time to dedicated to a trek, this section is a good challenge and can be done in five days. Learn more.

19. Backpack around Broken Top

Location: Oregon | Distance: 22.6 miles

Spend a few days hiking through the heart of the Central Oregon Cascades and Three Sisters Wilderness. On clear days, you’ll have views as far as Mount Adams in Southern Washington. Learn more.

20. Backpack the Beartooths via the West Rosebud Trail

Location: Montana | Distance: 21 miles

Bring your fishing gear to stop at one of the five lakes full of trout. If you’re up for it, prepare to hike to the highest point in Montana, also regarded as the hardest summit, Granite Peak (12,808 ft.). Learn more.

21. Hike to McKittrick Ridge Campground

Location: Texas | Distance: 20 miles

Photo: Andrew Miller

This hike is completely off the grid and leads you through one of the most diverse ecosystems in Texas. Learn more.

22. Backpack Spider Gap to Buck Creek Pass

Location: Washington | Distance: 41 miles

This trip is no easy task, but the effort you put in will result in astounding views of the alpine landscape and amazing wildlife. Learn more.

23. Backpack Scotland’s West Highland Way

Location: Scotland | Distance: 96 miles

Scotland may not be the first place you think of when it comes to epic backpacking trips, but the views on this famous hike will make you think again. Learn more.

24. Hut-to-Hut across Alaska’s Talkeetna Mountains

Location: Alaska | Distance: 31 miles

Does five days traversing glaciers, climbing through rocky passes, and sleeping in alpine huts sounds like your kind of good time? Load up your pack and head to Alaska. Learn more.

25. Backpack the Rae Lakes Loop

Location: California | Distance: 46 miles

Let the Giant Sequoias and beautiful views of the Sierras distract you from the burn your legs will feel after four days of 10+ miles of hiking. It’ll all be worth it, we promise. Learn more.

Remember to always pack out what you packed in.

Cover photo: Jason Zabriskie

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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What to Pack for a Week-Long Backpacking Trip

This article and gear list assumes two people hiking in moderate, non-technical terrain in late Summer/early Fall. It has been revised to include some innovations including tents, sleeping mats and X-Pots .

It is, of course, impossible to come up with gear suggestions that work for everyone: climatic conditions and geographical terrain vary from region to region, people’s comfort levels differ, and besides, you already own some gear. The following is therefore a general guide.

What to take with you:

1. less than you think.

It’s very easy to fall into the trap of getting hold of a 5000 cu in / 80 liter backpack and stuffing in gear until it’s full. It’s a lot more difficult to then carry that pack…

Your tent belongs on the inside of your backpack, safe from the possibility of snagging against sharp objects. Strap the poles of the tent underneath the compression straps on the outside of the pack, put the canopy inside the pack in a Lightweight Dry Sack . Occasionally we’re asked about compression sacks for tents – a tent canopy won’t compress by more than 10%, so it’s hard to see the justification for the weight or cost of a compression sack.

There are dozens of tent models on the market and hundreds of opinions about what works best. If you don’t yet own a tent, when looking at them in the store, try and imagine how easily you could pitch one in unexpected bad weather, how well it would keep out the rain, how well you can ventilate the inner tent and where you’d put wet gear.

You may find that conversations around tents focus on two simple questions: ‘How much does it weigh?’ and ‘How much does it cost?’ As a result of this very narrow line of thinking, useful qualities – such as ease of pitch, weatherproofness, inner climate or (most particularly) useable headroom/space – often get overlooked. The Ask Baz team refers to these aspects of tent design as ‘livability’.

Sea to Summit’s new Alto and Telos tents score extremely highly in this regard. In addition to livability, ask how waterproof (the technical term is ‘hydrostatic head’) the floor and rain fly are – this is an extremely important consideration if you will be camping in wet weather – a good backpacking tent will have a floor with a hydrostatic head of at least 2500mm. 

Learning how to choose a good campsite is a valuable skill – finding a spot which will provide some shelter from prevailing winds and which is flat and well-drained can make the difference between a miserable, damp night being disturbed by the tent flapping in the wind and a good night’s sleep. Check out the blog post about ‘ how to choose a good campsite ’.

3. A sleeping bag and sleeping pad

Same story: your sleeping bag belongs inside the pack out of harm’s way. My favorite sack to pack a sleeping bag in is the eVac Dry Sack – it keeps my bag dry, it’s light and best of all, once I’ve packed my sleeping bag inside it, I sit on it and the excess air just squeezes out. The oval shape makes for a nice easy-to-pack flat package. If you currently own a bulky sleeping bag, it really is worth investing money in a lighter, more compressible model – for Summer/early Fall use, your bag shouldn’t take up more than 8 liters or so before compression. A compression sack is really only necessary if you’re really tight for space.

There are also dozens of sleeping bags on the market and just as many opinions about what is ‘best’. If I may add my 2 cents worth: be skeptical about temperature ‘ratings’ – ask if the bag has been rated using the EN Norm , and if it has, make sure you understand how this rating system applies to you. Male sleepers should use the ‘Lower’ rating for orientation, female sleepers (or male end-users who sleep a little colder” should use the ‘Comfort’ rating as a guide. Make sure the bag you’re looking at fits you without you compressing the insulation around your knees and feet, and look at details like draft tubes and hoods – these are areas where manufacturers save money, but where warmth ‘leaks out’ of a sleeping bag. Make sure both are adequately dimensioned/adequately shaped to keep warmth in. Because the mannequin used in the EN test does not move, these deficiencies in design will not show up in the EN Rating – but they will in the real world.

Before we move on to discussing sleeping pads, it’s important to think of your sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and liner as a ‘sleep system’. We get a lot of comments via the blog where the sleeper got cold despite a supposedly warm enough sleeping bag, where it transpires that the sleeping pad did not provide adequate insulation. You can read about using liners, sleeping bags and mats to form sleep systems here .

When thinking about a sleeping pad, think about comfort, weight, and insulation: the insulative ability of a pad can be expressed as an ‘R’ Value. Fortunately, as of January 2020, all sleeping pad manufacturers test for R-Value according to the ASTM Standard. However – a tested R-Value is only part of the story – you can read about the physics of insulation in sleeping pads here . Understanding what happens inside air-filled sleeping pads will help you be sure the pad you choose will be warm enough.

The final component of a sleep system is the liner, for instance, the Reactor Liner – for Summer/early Fall camping the base model Reactor should be adequate. Less than 9 ozs / 270g, the size of a large coffee mug, the Reactor will add a few degrees of warmth that the bag manufacturer may have left out.

Pack some of your clothing in a soft bag which you can stuff with clothing at night for a pillow or treat yourself to a little luxury with an Aeros Ultralight Pillow .

4. Cooking / Eating / Washing gear.

Keep it simple. If you haven’t yet learned the joys of single-pot cooking, now’s a good time . Simpler meals mean less cooking time which means less fuel (some newer stove/pot systems have more efficient burners and heat-transfer technology, but they can be expensive). I wouldn’t leave home without my X-Bowl and X-Mug – together they form a versatile cutting board / measuring / pouring / bowl / side bowl system. Since the advent of the X-Pot/Kettle , I simply collapse pot, bowl, and mug together and slide them into my first day’s Ziploc®-packed rations. When I cook, the broad-based aluminum X-Pot Kettle is far better for simmering and stirring than my old titanium solo pot. Beyond a spork and knife, I’ve never felt the need for any cutlery. The only other item in my camp kitchen is the X-Brew Coffee Dripper . It packs flat inside my X-Pot/Kettle and makes a  really good cup of coffee in the morning.

For food, figure 2.2lbs / 1 kilo per person per day – get rid of excess packaging at home, stow the food in Ziploc® bags packed one day’s worth per bag. Take a look at the blog post on cooking in the backcountry – there really is more to camping than rehydrating freeze-dried food… You’ll also need a bear/critter bag to hang food in a tree at night – if you go for something really light, be cautious of snagging it on branches.

For washing dishes (and for personal hygiene), I take along a 5 liter Kitchen Sink , and a 40ml bottle of Wilderness Wash . Not only does this make washing dishes simple, but a bowl of warm water, some soap and a Pocket Towel at the end of a long hiking day (prior to changing into dry clothes for the night) can recharge your mental batteries.

5. First aid/preparedness

I have a ’10 essentials’ kit plus enough first aid to clean and cover most small wounds – most importantly, I have it in a 1 Liter Ultra-Sil® Dry Sack – which keeps the items dry and organized. Find out more about what to pack in our Guide to the Ultimate First Aid Kit .

6. Clothing

Everyone has their own preferences here – some common elements are layering, having one ‘dry’ set and one ‘wet’ set of clothes, and making sure that you have gloves and an insulated hat for evenings/sudden weather changes. I’ll leave the details to you. But – one thing I would suggest: pack your clothes in dry sacks. It will keep them dry (obviously), and make it simple to pack and unpack your backpack (even if it’s raining), and to keep order.

I still use UltraSil® Dry Sacks for storing clothes, although I’ve become seduced by how easy it is to slide eVac Dry Sacks into a pack – the excess air just smooshes out. Make sure your shell clothing is waterproofed before you set out – a product such as Grangers Clothing Repel is ideal for this. 

7. Other gear

• An LED Headlamp (fully charged if it is rechargeable; if not, make sure you take spare batteries).
• A camera (stored in its own TPU Accessory Case ). A filter water bottle (less weight than a separate water filter; I scoop water as I go and drink as I need).
• A 2 Liter Platypus per person (each of which is filled before making final camp for the night).
• Trail running shoes plus short gaiters (the light load means that I don’t feel the need for more rugged footwear; the gaiters keep stones and other debris from getting inside the shoes).
• A baseball cap (if I’m hiking in the sun, I cover the back of my head and neck with the Pocket Towel).
• Personal wash kit.
• A Pocket Trowel   kept in a Ziploc® bag with toilet paper and a 40ml bottle containing Trek and Travel Hand Sanitizer .
• A few tea-lights (it’s nice to have candles in the evening).

And that’s about it.

Assuming the two-person / moderate terrain / one-week premise, this should fit nicely into a 60 liter / 3600 cu in pack.

If you have any questions on the above, or would simply like more details on the areas which I’ve deliberately kept general – just ask.

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Wildwood Week-Long Guided Backpacking Trips

Week-long backpacking trip, appalachian trail, 6 days / 5 nights.

This 6 day / 5 night guided backpacking trip covers approximately 40 miles on the Appalachian Trail, beginning at the southern terminus in Amicalola Falls State Park in Georgia. This is an intermediate hike with daily mileage ranging from 5-11 miles per day with several challenging uphill climbs. Begin the trek with views of the beautiful waterfalls in Amicalola Falls State Park and finish with epic mountain views from Blood Mountain, the highest point of the Georgia section on the Appalachian Trail!  The trip includes expert advice from an experienced backpacking guide, shuttle service to and from meetup points and trailheads, 1 night hostel stay, and pre-hike virtual orientation and Q&A before the trip.

Difficulty Rating:

Intermediate - This hike has several challenging uphill climbs.  All fitness levels are welcome, but participants should have some prior backpacking experience.  Hikers are expected to be able to carry their own gear, set up and tear down camp, and help with camp chores.  Hiking mileage ranges from 5 - 11 miles per day.

• Day 1: Meet at Amicalola Falls State Park, meet & greet, gear shakedown, day hike and camp in the state park
• Day 2: 6.8 miles up and over Amicalola Falls waterfalls to camp
• Day 3: 9.5 miles to shelter / camp
• Day 4: 7.7 miles to shelter / camp
• Day 5: 4.7 miles to stay at a hiker hostel, showers, and a comfy bed
• Day 6: 10.8 miles over Blood Mountain to Neels Gap (option to slack pack while our shuttle driver carries our gear).  We will finish Day 6 around 3-4 pm, then the shuttle will take us back to Amicalola Falls State park to get your car or to the Atlanta Airport if you are flying

Daily mileage may vary.  Your guide may make adjustments to the itinerary to best fit the group's needs and experience level.

• Pre-Hike Virtual Orientation and Q&A session with your guide
• Shuttle to and from Atlanta International Airport if needed
• Shuttle to trailheads and meetup points
• 1 night hostel stay
• Expert advice, tips, and planning from experienced backpacking guide
• This trip does not include gear rental.  To rent backpacking gear, see below.
• $1200  per person 
• $300 required as a booking deposit, with the remainder due 1 week prior to the start of the trip

Optional:  Gear Rental:  $300 (Includes backpack, tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, trekking poles, and cook kit)

What to Bring:

Your guide will provide you with a detailed gear checklist a few weeks before your trip that’s tailored to your trip location and expected weather.  You’ll be expected to bring your own clothing, footwear, backpacking gear, food, and medications.  You will also have the opportunity to ask specific gear questions during your Pre-Hike Virtual Orientation with your guide.  Here are some general guidelines for your gear:

• Choose the lightest gear that fits within your budget.   Remember that ounces lead to pounds and pounds lead to pain!  Cut back to just the essentials to reduce your pack weight.
• Essential gear for Appalachian Trail backpacking : a comfortable, well-fitted backpack, a lightweight backpacking tent, a sleeping pad, a sleeping bag/quilt, headlamp, water filtration system, stove and fuel, lighter, cookpot and spoon, trowel and toilet paper, and trekking poles.
• Clothing: You’ll need a system of layering for your backpacking clothes.  Remember that cotton kills!  Cotton clothing has a tendency to absorb water, become heavy and uncomfortable, and takes a long time to dry!  Athletic clothes with breathable fabrics are much better.  You won’t need to bring a clean set of clothing for each day.  Instead, you’ll want to pack an outfit for hiking, an outfit for sleeping, a warm layer, and a rain jacket.  An extra pair of socks and underwear are a good idea, too.   
• Shoes :  Generally, a pair of comfortable running shoes or trail shoes are better suited for the terrain and weather of the Appalachian Mountains than heavy hiking boots.  Many backpackers also choose to bring a pair of lightweight sandals or camp shoes to wear in the evenings. 
• Toiletries: Toilet paper, toothbrush and toothpaste, a small bottle of soap, and hand sanitizer are all you need!  Leave the deodorant, make-up, hair products, lotions, and other scented items at home.  Embrace your natural self while backpacking!
• Food:  Everyone has different food preferences, dietary restrictions, and caloric needs.  Packing the right amount of food for a backpacking trip can be challenging.  Your guide will send you a list of suggested foods and a sample menu to help you come up with your own food supply.  You’ll also be able to ask questions and get advice during your Pre-Hike Virtual Orientation.  

Cancellation Policy: 

• Trip cost includes a non-refundable $300 booking deposit.  The remainder of the cost is due 1 week prior to the trip.  Trips may be canceled up to 1 week before the start date for a refund, minus the deposit.  Within 1 week of the trip, a 50% refund will be offered for cancellations.  No refunds will be offered for cancellations within 48 hours of the trip start date.
• We hike rain or shine! Backpacking is a challenging endurance sport, and it can be uncomfortable during inclement weather.  We do our best to make sure hikers are adequately prepared for adverse weather.  However, safety is our biggest priority.  In the case of severe weather that could affect the safety of our hikers, our guides have the discretion to cancel a trip.  In this case, full refunds will be offered or vouchers given to reschedule.

Book a Trip with Wildwood Hiking Co.

Women's appalachian trail beginner backpacking trip- max patch, nc: 3 days / 2 nights (2024), women's appalachian trail beginner backpacking trip- roan highlands, tn: 3 days/2 nights (2024), women's appalachian trail guided backpacking trip- hot springs, nc : 6 days / 5 nights (2024), women's smoky mountains leconte backpacking trip (4 days / 3 nights), women's 8 day appalachian trail backpacking trip, women's appalachian trail guided backpacking trip- amicalola falls, ga : 6 days / 5 nights (2024).

Explore the Wild with an Experienced Backpacking Guide

Hi, I'm Nicole, founder of Wildwood Hiking Company! I started Wildwood after completing my thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2022, a 2,194 mile trek from Georgia to Maine over the course of 6 months. My time on the trail was life-changing and empowering, and my experiences helped me gain the strength and courage to go out and build a life I love! I hope to share the joy and beauty of nature with others through backpacking.

Learn More About Our 2023 Trips

Appalachian Trail Guided Backpacking Trips

Hike alongside an experienced backpacking guide to explore the beautiful woodlands and the mountain views on the Appalachian Trail, the longest hiking-only footpath in the world!

Women's Backpacking Trips

These guided backpacking trips were created for women, by women! Explore the outdoors and enjoy backpacking within a safe, supportive environment surrounded by adventure-driven women like yourself.

Beginner Backpacking Trips

These guided backpacking trips are perfect for anyone that is new to backpacking. Explore the wilderness while hiking over beautiful mountain tops and camping in the woods. All fitness levels are welcome and gear is included on these short weekend adventures!

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Table of contents

Ultimate Backpacking Checklist & Gear Essentials

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links

We’ve spent decades honing our backpacking gear to (our) perfect balance of weight and creature comforts. After 20,000 miles and 1,000 nights on trail, we’re pretty dialed in to what we want and need for any adventure, and we love helping people find their perfect kit as well.

We’ve organized the Ultimate Backpacking Checklist into categories to make it easier for you to gather your backpacking gear for your next trip. We also have adownloadable checklist. Print it out and have a hard copy with you as you organize your gear.

Ultimate Backpacking Checklist

DOWNLOAD OUR PRINTABLE CHECKLIST

*We consider items in italics to be optional

• Tent poles or trekking poles
• Groundsheet for tent floor durability

BACKPACK & STORAGE

• Trash compactor bag or waterproof stuff sacks for interior rain protection
• Large Ziploc for garbage
• Shoulder strap camera pocket
• Summit pack

ENTERTAINMENT

• Book or Kindle
• Crossword puzzles
• Cribbage or dice
• Notebook + pen

NAVIGATION EQUIPMENT

Always be prepared and know how to use your map and compass, even if you plan to use a GPS or GPS app.

• Topo map(s)
• Waterproof map bag / Ziploc
• GPS or GPS phone app with maps downloaded for offline use
• Satellite Messenger/PLB for remote locations
• Download driving directions for offline use
• Photos of guidebook pages
• Check current weather before trip
• Call ranger station pre-trip for trail conditions + regulations
• 2 copies of itinerary: 1 left with friend + 1 under car seat
• Backpacking permits
• Band-aids of various sizes
• Antibiotic ointment
• Medical tape
• Latex gloves
• Safety pins
• Antihistamines
• Antidiarrheal
• Check out our Best First Aid Kits list for more suggestions

PERSONAL TOILETRIES

• Sunscreen + lip balm
• Bug repellant
• Toiletries (biodegradable shampoo, etc.)
• Prescription Rx
• OTC meds + vitamins
• Contact lenses + supplies/glasses
• Toilet paper/wipes + sealable bag to pack it out
• Digging trowel
• Menstrual products
• Hand sanitizer
• Toothbrush, paste + floss
• Earplugs + eye mask
• Nail clipper
• Pre-trip: Clip nails, cut hair, shave, etc.
• Provisions – commonly between 2,500-3,500 calories per day
• Extra day’s supply of food for emergencies
• Food bag / Ursack
• 50’ nylon cord + small carabiner for bear bag hanging or bear canister where required

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT FOR SNOWY & ICY TRIPS

• Ice axe – learn + practice proper self-arrest technique
• Traction devices

SLEEP SYSTEM

• Sleeping bag / backpacking quilt
• Pad attachment straps (optional)
• Sleeping pad
• Pump sack (optional)

TOOLS & ACCESSORIES

• Trekking poles
• Lightweight hammock
• Backpacking chair / sit pad
• Light pocket knife or multitool
• Phone (turn on low power/airplane mode)
• Waterproof phone case
• Bear spray for grizzly country
• Camera + waterproof case/Ziploc
• Extra camera battery
• Headlamp (check batteries pre-trip)
• Extra batteries for long trips
• Power bank + charging cords
• Wall plug for thru-hikes
• Assorted Ziploc bags
• Cash, ID, credit card, insurance card

EMERGENCY KIT

• Duct / Tenacious Tape for repairs
• Sleeping pad patch kit
• Needle + thread
• Small Sharpie
• Stormproof matches + small fire starters
• Small backup lighter
• Backup water treatment pills ( Chlorine Dioxide )
• 2-4 water bottles (ability to carry 2-6 liters depending on climate) or a hydration pack & bladder
• Collapsible water containers for carrying lots of water in dry locations
• Water treatment
• Pre-filter for water treatment, ex: pantyhose

All clothing items should be lightweight, moisture-wicking and quick-drying (synthetic or wool, no cotton).

• Hiking pants ( Men’s / Women’s ) & shorts ( Men’s / Women’s )
• Wicking shirt/tank & long-sleeve sun shirt ( Men’s / Women’s )
• 1-2 pairs quick-dry underwear
• Down jacket and/or fleece jacket
• Rain jacket
• Rain pants for wet trips
• Windbreaker depending on forecast
• Base layers
• 2-4 Pair socks

PACK IN CAR

• Parking pass for car
• Clean clothes + shoes to change into
• Gallon of water for trailhead shower
• Camp towel to dry off
• Water + snacks

Backpacking Tips

LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD – Start by weeding out things you don’t need. Be careful with every choice you make, a few ounces here and there can add a lot of weight in the end. A lightweight backpacking checklist, like the one here, will help you to focus on essential items. Next, focus on lightening your heaviest gear: shelter, backpack, and sleeping bag. Switching your traditional big three out for lightweight options is the best opportunity for weight savings, especially when you’re starting out. If you invest in a lightweight shelter, backpack, and sleeping bag, you can easily cut 10 or more pounds and be well on your way to having an ultralight backpacking setup.

CLOTHING FOR BACKPACKING – The clothing you pack will change slightly depending on the conditions you expect to encounter on specific trips, but the fundamentals remain the same. Clothing made with quick-drying fabrics that wick moisture away from your skin are best to help your body thermoregulate and stay comfortable in both hot and cold environments. Nylon, polyester, wool, bamboo, silk, and synthetic blends are all good options. Avoid cotton – it absorbs moisture and takes a long time to dry, which can cause a variety of problems including blisters and chafing. Choose items that can be worn together in layers. Fleece and goose-down have the best warmth-to-weight ratio and make the best insulation materials for backpackers. Rain gear should be lightweight, breathable, and waterproof.

BACKPACKING FOOD – Good food is really important for any backpacking trip, so it’s well worth the effort to put together a simple meal plan before your trip. Keeping food weight down is a critical backpacking skill that usually takes experience to master. A good place to start is our Guide to Lightweight Backpacking Food . Most seasoned backpackers opt for lightweight, calorically-dense foods that are very easy to prepare. Packaged freeze-dried meals and snack foods can be great, but keep in mind, they tend to be very high in sodium/sugar, which can take their toll, if eaten in excess.

Another approach is to prepare your own backpacking meals , using a food dehydrator to dry meats, fruits, veggies, and sauces. Combining them with spices and quick-cooking or easily rehydrated dried goods such as pasta, couscous, instant potatoes, instant refried beans, and minute rice is a great way to customize your own highly-nutritious meals. This method takes more time and effort, and you must be more willing to carry more weight, but making your meals can be more cost-effective and healthier for long trips. Our approach is usually a mix of both methods. For more specifics about food, check out our Best Lightweight Backpacking Food guide , where we outline our general backpacking food strategy and suggest some of our favorite meals .

CleverHiker Backpacking Video Series

If you’re new to backpacking, or have been hiking with outdated equipment, we highly recommend watching our two professionally-filmed video series (below), where we’ll teach you everything you need to know to start backpacking -the skills and the gear.

• Essential Trail Skills – 20 HD tutorial videos to teach the most critical skills for backpackers of all levels, such as: Leave No Trace, Backpacking Trip Planning, How to Find and Fit the Right Backpack, How to Pack a Lightweight Backpack, and much more.
• Lightweight Backpacking Basics – One of the main reasons to minimize your pack weight is to maximum your freedom on the trail. Backpacking with a lighter pack will reduce stress on your body, give you more free time on the trail, and allow you to hike farther with less effort. In this 10-episode series, you’ll learn all about the gear that will allow you to hike lighter to make the hiking the most enjoyable part of your trip.

Why trust us?

We understand how tough it is to find trustworthy gear advice, and that’s one of the main reasons we built CleverHiker. We live for outdoor adventure, and we take these guides very seriously.

• Our recommendations are completely independent and based on hands-on experience.
• We test outdoor gear for a living – we’ve logged over 20,000 trail miles and 1,000 nights in the wilderness.
• Our team has thru-hiked some of the most iconic long trails, including the Continental Divide Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail, Colorado Trail, Long Trail, Oregon Coast Trail, Arizona Trail, Pinhoti Trail, Superior Hiking Trail, as well as extensive peak bagging, and international treks.
• We field test every product we recommend, which is sadly not the norm.
• We travel to industry trade shows to stay up-to-date on product innovations.
• We continuously update our guides throughout the year and when new products launch.
• We treat recommendations to our readers as if they were for our family and friends.
• We’re lifelong learners and we’re always open to feedback. If you think we’ve missed a worthy product or got something wrong, we’d love to know about it.

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When and Where to Hike

For desert hiking destinations like Joshua Tree and Death Valley, the best seasons are spring, fall and winter. In mountain destinations like Yellowstone, Iceland, the Pacific Northwest, the Alps and others, the best seasons to hike are late spring, summer and early fall. Some destinations are great year round, regardless of whether they are in the desert or mountains; examples are Grand Canyon, Sedona, the Smoky Mountains, Yosemite, Yellowstone (ski and snowshoe tours), Peru, and Ecuador. Winter is, generally, the most underrated season for hiking and backpacking tours in many areas, as it’s a spectacular time of year to hike but largely skipped over by many people.

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Map: America’s Best Long Trails

Plan your next big hike with this map of america's best long trails..

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

Creating a thru-hike-worthy trail ranks as one of the hardest challenges in the outdoors. It takes decades to wrangle government agencies, assemble crews, raise money, and establish an organization to maintain the whole project. It’s a wonder we have any long trails at all. Yet not only do we have long trails, we’ve got a country of them. Of course, there’s the Triple Crown—the Appalachian Trail , Pacific Crest Trail , and Continental Divide Trail —and dozens more, spanning tens of thousands of miles. Start your search here if you want to hike for six days or six months.

Get Ready for Your First Thru-Hike

Whether it’s 100 or 3,000 miles long, tackling your first-ever true long trail can be an intimidating challenge. Get prepared for it with help from Backpacker’s long-trail resources.

• Train for your attempt with record-setting thru-hiker Jennifer Pharr Davis .
• Get your gear together with packing lists compiled by hikers who have done it .
• Learn to avoid the most common mistakes thru-hikers make .
• Cutting your pack weight is an easy way to make your trip easier on your body. Ultralight columnist Chris Meehan has some ideas .
• Have a question about life on the trail? Liz “Snorkel” Thomas probably has the answer in Ask a Thru-Hiker.

Originally published in 2015; last updated August 2023

Discover Which Colorado Mountain Town is right for you

14 Scenic Backpacking Trips in Colorado You’ve Got to Try

• March 2, 2023
• By foxintheforest

Last Updated on March 31, 2024 by foxintheforest

Backpacking in Colorado is a bucket-list activity for locals and visitors alike. The best backpacking trips in Colorado can be found all over the state. There’s a trail for all ability levels, making Colorado an epic place to backpack.

There’s something magical about spending the night in the Rocky Mountains.

Green valleys butt against beautiful rocky peaks streaked with snow. Backpacking in the alpine offers stunning beauty and plenty of challenging terrain.

I’ve lived in Colorado for over 13 years and I’ve had the privilege of going on some amazing backpacking trips in Colorado. It’s my mission to give you the inside scoop on the best Colorado backpacking trips so you can get out there like a local, not a tourist.

Not to mention, I write about the outdoors for a living, meaning I’m a literal pro at backpacking in Colorado. Be sure to check out the insider tips in this guide to the best backpacking in Colorado.

About this Guide to the Best Backpacking Trips in Colorado

When it comes to the best backpacking trips in Colorado, this is the ultimate local guide. You’ll find info on 13 amazing backpacking trails in Colorado including:

• A locally-curated list of amazing backpacking trips in Colorado
• Difficulty, duration, and location of each trail
• Local tips for hiking in Colorado

Is Colorado Good for Backpacking?

Colorado has long been considered a backpacking mecca. One of the reasons Colorado is so great for backpacking is that water is readily available.

Not to mention, there is a wide range of trails to choose from. You can backpacking in the mountains, desert, and lush pine forests throughout the state.

Do You Need a Permit to Backpack in Colorado?

That depends. Some trails require you to purchase a backcountry permit in order to go backpacking in Colorado. Particularly national parks, and special wilderness areas such as the Indian Peaks Wilderness require advanced permits.

However, most trails don’t require any permits. Just note that as Colorado becomes more popular with backpackers, more and more places are becoming permit-only. Always check your specific trip before you go!

When Can You Start Backpacking in Colorado?

There are a limited amount of backpacking trails in Colorado that you can use year-round. However, if you’re planning to backpack in the mountains, particularly at higher elevations, you should look to start your backpacking trip around mid-June at the earliest.

High elevation trails tend to be snowy from October through mid-June most years. By about mid-September, the nights get below freezing, so be prepared with the proper gear. So, yeah, don’t go in April in Colorado and expect to enjoy a snow-free trip.

Where are You Allowed to Backpack in Colorado?

Most public lands are open for backpacking in Colorado. The big exception to this tends to be state parks, many of which do not offer any overnight camping options, including backpacking. Places you’re allowed to backpack include:

• National Forests
• Wilderness Areas (permits may be required)
• National Recreation Areas (permits required)
• National Monuments (permits required)
• National Parks (permits required)
• Limited state parks

Backpacking Loop Guides

I get asked a lot about backpacking loops in Colorado. Frankly, loops are hard to find in this state. This is often because trails run out and back to alpine cirques.

However, I’ve got two amazing resources I use to plan loops. If you don’t see what you’re looking for here, you can snag the Southern Colorado Backpacking Loop and Northern Colorado Backpacking Loop guides.

A few trails from each are featured on this post, but for the most part, these topo guides show you cool trips you can take in different wilderness areas.

What I love about this is that you can quickly choose a route on a whim! Now that I’m a mom, I frequently use these guides when we have a quick weekend with childcare. These guides give us an adventure on short notice!

A Map of the Best Backpacking Routes in Colorado

Get oriented with this map of featured backpacking trips in Colorado. These pins mark the trailheads described below. Be sure the check out the interactive map for planning.

The Best Time to Backpack in Colorado

Backpacking in Colorado is possible year-round depending on where you go and how much you’re willing to deal with the snow and cold during times like March in Colorado .

However, if you are planning to head to the mountains, the best season for backpacking is from July through September.

June is still pretty snowy in the high alpine, although trails at lower elevations are typically snow-free.

Temperatures start to drop in October, although you can still sneak in a warm-weather weekend, just be prepared for the cold once the sun goes down.

July is considered a monsoon season in the mountains. This means you should be prepared to encounter quick and violent thunderstorms in the afternoon. Stay below the treeline to avoid getting hit by lightning.

Amazing Beginner Backpacking Trips in Colorado

New to backpacking? Start here! These easier Colorado backpacking routes give you all the beautiful mountain scenery without too much pain for gains.

1. Early Season Backpacking in the Lost Creek Wilderness

The Lost Creek Wilderness, located near Denver, off of Highway 285, used to be one of Colorado’s best-kept secrets. Unfortunately, the cat is out of the bag, but with a wide variety of trails, it’s easy to find solitude here in the early season.

Since it’s lower in elevation, the snow melts here first. So if you’re itching to get out in April, May or even early June, check out the Ben Tyler Trail.

The 11.8-mile, difficult trail winds its way through the Lost Creek Wilderness, terminating with some spectacular views. Be sure to check up on water sources before heading out.

Local Tip: Want more mileage? The Lost Creek Wilderness Loop is a 28.3-mile loop that circumnavigated the greater wilderness area.

2. Best Beginner Backpacking Route in Colorado in Fairplay

Buffalo Peaks Loop, located just south of Fairplay is an excellent high-alpine beginner backpacking loop. Loop trails in Colorado are a rarity, so enjoy the fact that you’ll never see the same thing twice along this route.

The trail spends most of its time in the aspen and pine forests before popping up into a high alpine valley with gorgeous views.

There are plenty of spots to camp and excellent water sources throughout the trail. Beginners can opt to break the trail into two nights, or more avid backpackers can choose to make this a quick overnight jaunt.

Distance: 11.4 miles Elevation: 2,024 feet, mostly done in two steep sections Average time to complete: one night

3. Mohawk Lakes Backpacking near Breckenridge

As one of the top hikes near Breckenridge, many people head to Mohawk Lakes. For a real adventure, give this 8-plus-mile roundtrip hike an overnight to really soak in all the views.

You’ll start at the Spruce Creek Trailhead as you wind your way up several steep sections.

The trail passes by four distinct lakes, providing for an opportunity to rest your weary legs. Take your time until you reach Mohawk Lake, where you’ll find plenty of amazing places to pitch a tent.

From here, you can drop your bags and continue upwards to upper Mohawk Lake for even more dreamy views.

Distance: 8.6 miles from the lower lot, the upper lot cuts about a mile or so off each way (see Crystal Lake) Elevation: 2,129 feet from the lower lot (see Cyrstal Lake) Average time to complete: one night

Local Tip: This area sees a lot of traffic and is considered a moderate hike. It’s probably one of the tougher beginner backpacks. But with so many places to stop and enjoy the lakeside views, a beginner will find this trail rewarding.

Moderate Backpacking Trails in Colorado to Check Out

Looking for a challenge, but without feeling totally spent? Then be sure to check out these moderate backpacking trails for your backcountry fix.

4. Backpacking to Lone Eagle Peak

The drama of seeing Lone Eagle Peak reflected perfectly on Mirror Lake is well worth the nearly 15-mile journey deep into the Indian Peaks Wilderness.

The sky-piercing Lone Eagle Peak is an absolute icon and the surrounding dramatic cirque will take your breath away. In fact, it’s one of the best lake hikes in Colorado.

Hike from Cascade Creek to Mirror and Crater Lakes. It is possible to day hike this trail, however, you should spend the night here.

Climbers and mountaineers will love the opportunities for nearby alpine trad routes, a rugged class 4 route to the top of Lone Eagle, and plenty of couloirs.

Overnight trips require a permit, so be sure to reserve yours in advance, since you are only allowed to camp in designated sites.

Keep in mind, this area is moose territory (we saw 5 when we hiked here), so if you bring your pup, keep them leashed.

Distance: 14.6 miles Elevation: 2,375 feet Average time to complete: overnight

5. Wildflowers Galore from Crested Butte to Aspen

In the July months, the high alpine of Colorado comes to life. The Maroon Snowmass Trailhead that goes from Crested Butte to Aspen is a wildflower lover’s dream.

This moderately-strenuous trail blooms with color in the summer months. This is the best backpacking trip in Colorado for those seeking dramatic alpine views without tons of ass-kicking el-gain.

Most people hike one way and bus their way back (or swap rides with friends headed in the opposite direction). But it’s just as nice as an out-and-back.

Distance: 10.45 miles one way, 20.9 round-trip Elevation: 3,322 feet of gain Average time to complete: An overnight or weekend.

6. Backpack Colorado 14ers in the Chicago Basin

One of the best ways to backpack in Colorado is to combine your backpacking trip with a couple of peaks.

The Chicago Basin in the San Juan Mountains is an excellent place to backpack and climb some of Colorado’s famed 14,000-foot peaks .

The journey starts with a scenic train ride to the Needleton trailhead (how freakin’ cool is that?!??).

Next, walk a 1/2 mile from the train stop (you’ll purchase a backpacker’s ticket, it’ll be obvious when to jump off) and then continue 6 more miles to the Chicago Basin.

From here, you can set up a base camp and climb Elous, Windom, and Sunlight Peak.

Although you can hike in, a round-trip train ticket will run you about $70 and is certainly worth the extra few days of hiking.

Local Tip: Due to the heavy use of this area, you are required to carry out your human waste, camp only in designated sites, and use bear protection for your food. Be sure to check in for the most up-to-date info.

Distance: 15 miles to the basin and back to the train stop. Peak mileage varies. Elevation: 4,393 feet to the basin from Needleton Average time to complete: A long weekend or 3 nights recommended

7. Rito Alto Four Pass Loop Fall Backpacking in Colorado

If you can stomach 6 miles of road walking, the Rito Alto Four Pass Loop is an amazing, crowd-free affair in the mighty Sangre de Cristos.

Furthermore, this (rare) loop trail is the perfect fall backpacking foray. Challenge your alpine skills with four distinct passes complete with stellar mountain scenery.

Distance: 23-mile loop Elevation: 5,843 feet of gain Average time to complete: 2 nights or one burly overnight

8. Savor the Views at Willow Lakes in the Gore Range

For a drool-worthy adventure with a big payout, head to Willow Lakes outside of Silverthorn. Located in the heart of the Gore Range, this incredible lake system bumps right into the impressive Zodiac Spire rock formations. 

When it comes to backpacking Colorado, this trip needs to be on your list. Don’t be fooled, it’s an epic slog to make it here – the Gore Range always makes you earn it. But you’ll be rewarded with out-of-this-world mountain drama. 

Local Tip: You’ll be hiking over a mile uphill through deadfall, so start early to beat the heat and save yourself from suffering too much.

Distance: 11.9 miles round trip Elevation: 2,716 feet of gain Average time to complete: Overnight.

Challenging Backpacking in Colorado

Ready for a real butt buster? These Colorado backpacking trips are all burly outings. Expect long days on the trail with endless uphills. The reward? Some of the most solitude you can find!

9. Backpacking Gore Lake The Best Alpine Lake in Colorado

If you’re looking for a dramatic alpine lake with unbelievable mountains, take a weekend to backpack to Gore Lake . The Gores have a special appeal for the adventurous backpacker looking to tackle tougher terrain. As a dog-friendly hike featuring incredible Colorado wildflowers , you’ll be spoiled along this epic backpacking route trail.

Even a moderate hike in the Gores will feel like a total butt-buster. Trails are often not well maintained, and this area is a pristine wilderness. This means that you should take extra care to follow Leave No Trace principles when venturing out here.

Distance: 12.5 miles out and back Elevation: 2,890 feet, with a large majority of that gain in the last two miles. Average time to complete: Overnight

10. Aspen’s Four Passes Loop

You can’t talk about the best backpacking in Colorado without mentioning the 4 Passes Loop. This iconic trail winds its way over four distinct passes all while delivering breathtaking views of the Elk Range.

This is certainly a more strenuous backpacking loop, but it’s worth it. Keep in mind that parking fills up early, and you’ll have to plan your entry and exit with a bus service that runs daily.

Bear cans are required on this popular loop. be sure to check with the Forest Service for the most up-to-date information.

Distance: 26.8 miles Elevation: 8,115 feet Average time to complete: 2 nights or a long weekend

11. The Colorado Trail: The Highest Thru-Hike in America

The Colorado Trail winds its way from Denver to Durango over 486 of mountainous terrain. This is the United State’s highest thru-hike, with a majority of the trail above 10,000 feet.

If thru-hiking isn’t your thing, it’s certainly possible to section hike this incredible trail (I’ve done over 120 miles of section hiking with my dog).

Segment 6, segments in the San Juans, and the Sawatch Range are a few of the most beautiful parts of the trail. I’d highly recommend picking up the Colorado Trail Guide book and Field Guide .

Distance: 486 miles. Each segment is between 12 and 20 miles on average Elevation: 89,000 feet! Average time to complete: One month as a thru-hike. Most segments can be completed in a day or a weekend.

12. Best Backpacking Route in Rocky Mountain National Park

Hop on the iconic Continental Divide Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park to hit all the highlights of Colorado’s most famed National Park.

No visit to Rocky Mountain National Park is complete without spending the night in the backcountry.

Hop on the iconic CDT  as it makes its way from Mexico to Canada, crossing through the state of Colorado. The trail tops out on Hallet Peak, Flattop Mountain, and Ptarmigan Peak.

This 30-mile stretch of the trail can be looped from the Bear Lake trailhead or you can hitch a ride back to your car on the opposite end of the park.

Keep in mind that no dogs are allowed on the trails in Rocky Mountain, you’ll need to book your permits in advance, and the entire loop takes around 5 days to complete.

Distance: 30 miles of Continental Divide Trail, 45 miles as a loop Elevation: around 11,600 feet of gain Average time to complete: 5 days

13. Winter Backpacking at Rattlesnake Arches

You may be surprised to learn that Colorado is home to some beautiful sandstone canyons. Backpacking to Rattlesnake Arches , just outside of the Colorado National Monument in Fruita is one of the best trails for backpacking in Colorado.

What makes this one of my favorite backpacking trips in Colorado is that you can make the trip year-round. The trail treats you to epic canyon views along with plenty of amazing rock formations and arches.

You’ll likely want to camp at the water source, below the final climb. The water source typically runs through mid-spring, so be sure to check up on local conditions before heading out (otherwise, you’re carrying your water with you).

After that it’s a sustained, grueling march to the arches, but wow is it worth it.

In 2020, it recently became illegal to camp at the Rattlesnake Arches, but you can find camping in the gulch before you climb the hillside leading to the arches.

Local Tip: Don’t forget, you’re in the desert and you’ll need to pack in all of your water. You can aslo enjoy some of the best things to do in Grand Junction afterward. 

Distance: 14 miles round trip Elevation: 2,444 feet of gain Average time to complete: Overnight.

14. Zirkel Circle

Located near Steamboat Springs, this challenging climb is one of the best backpacking trips in Colorado that takes you through the Zirkel Wilderness and on a loop hike past Gilpin Lake and along the Gold Creek Lake Trail. 

It’s also a great trip for anyone looking to get off the beaten path since a lot of travelers don’t stop here to check out area’s amazing mountains, stunning alpine lakes, and vast meadows – area’s of natural wonder that come alive with vivacious summer and fall colors. 

Also, while this trail can be hiked in either direction, hiking counterclockwise will result in a bit more of a gradual climb. 

Additionally, while Gilpin Lake is super picturesque, Gold Creek Lake is better for swimming if you need a spot to cool off during the summer. 

Distance: 10.6 miles round trip Elevation: 2,444 feet of gain Average time to complete: Overnight.

Tips for Backpacking in Colorado

Backpacking in the Rocky Mountains is certainly a rewarding experience. However, if you’re new to mountain environments, take these tips into consideration before backpacking in Colorado

Always follow Leave No Trace principles , fire bans, and bear protection regulations. Every year backpackers encounter wildlife, start wildfires, and leave pristine wilderness areas a mess. Don’t be that person.

Be sure to check recent trail conditions by either calling a local ranger station or checking AllTrails.com. Snow can linger late into summer on some trails, so be prepared.

Protect your food against unwanted wildlife . This goes for tiny critters too! Always hang your food and keep it stored in odor-proof bags. Some areas require the use of bear cans, so know the rules before you go.

Plan to start early if you are going above treeline. You want to be below the trees by noon. Storms roll in quickly in the mountains and hikers die each year from being struck by lightning.

Follow all drone regulations . Drones are banned from most wilderness areas in Colorado, so please respect the area you are traveling in.

Colorado is home to some of the most beautiful backpacking trips in the US. Backpacking in Colorado can be a bit tougher with the altitude, but the views and mountain scenery make the extra effort worth it.

What to Pack 

• Water and snacks for the car – it’s always nice to have a treat at the end!
• Sunscreen, sunhat, sunglasses
• First Aid Kit 
• Noncotton socks
• Hiking footwear with good traction that you are comfortable wearing all day. 
• Non-cotton shorts for hiking
• Non-cotton, pants for hiking. Convertible pants are great too!
• Electrolyte powder – optional but nice to have!
• A water bladder capable of carrying at least 2 liters of water.
• Camera clip to strap to your back
• Glove liners
• Fleece layer
• Puffy layer
• Hiking poles (optional, but recommended)
• A toilet kit: shovel, WAG Bag (if you plan to travel above treeline), hand sanitizer, TP/baby wipes, a small plastic baggy to pack out TP and sanitary items
• Pee funnel – optional
• Pee rag – optional.
• GPS navigation 
• emergency communication device
• Wind/rain layer
• Sleeping pad
• Sleeping bag or sleeping quilt
• Backpacking pack (I like to use at least a 60L bag, but I’m usually carrying technical gear and a tripod)
• Backpacking tent. 
• Water filter 
• Odor-proof bag for food
• Hang bag and line to hang your food
• Personal items
• A change of underwear (preferably non-cotton)
• Backpacking stove and fuel
• Backpacking utensils
• Lightweight packable daypac k for day hiking
• Long underwear for sleeping
• Extra pair of socks
• Pair of warm socks for camp
• Pocket knife

Additional Colorado Backpacking Resources

Want to get to know the REAL Colorado? Then check out these local hiking resources for the Centennial State:

• Incredible Alpine Lakes in Colorado
• Must-See Places in Colorado
• The Ultimate Guide to Backpacking Gear for Beginners

Meg Atteberry

Meg is a long-time Colorado local and outdoor industry professional. She's spent the last 15 years hiking, climbing, mountaineering, and canyoneering all over Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and Nevada in search of the best views. She's written for Outside Magazine, REI, Backpacker Magazine, and appeared on the Weather Channel.

Let’s connect!

Meg aka Fox is a 30-something who's born to explore. Toddler mom, queer, and neuro-spicy her favorite things to do are climb in the alpine and camp in the desert. Her mission is to get you out on your greatest adventure.

Travel Light: How to Pack for a Week in a Backpack Like a Pro

By Pack Team September 16, 2023

Are you planning a week-long trip and looking for tips on how to pack everything you need in a backpack? Look no further! With proper planning and organization, you can pack efficiently and travel like a pro. Here are some helpful tips to get you started.

How to Pack for a Week in a Backpack Like a Pro By reading this article, you will learn: – How to assess the duration of your trip and pack accordingly – How to choose the right backpack and pack versatile clothing – How to use packing cubes, pack toiletries and electronics carefully, and pack for specific activities to save space and travel light.

Assess the Duration of Your Trip

Before you start packing, consider the duration of your trip and the type of activities you’ll be doing. This will help you determine the number of outfits you need and the amount of toiletries and other essentials. For a week-long trip, you’ll need seven outfits, including one for travel. If you’re going to be doing outdoor activities, pack appropriate clothing, such as hiking boots or swimwear.

Choose the Right Backpack

Choose a backpack that is spacious enough to carry all your essentials but not too large that it becomes cumbersome to carry around. Check the dimensions and weight restrictions of the airline you’re flying with. Choose a backpack with comfortable straps and a sturdy frame to ensure that it’s easy to carry and won’t cause you any discomfort.

Make a Packing List

Creating a detailed list of all the items you need to pack, including clothing, toiletries, electronics, and other essentials, is crucial to ensure that you have everything you need and don’t forget anything. Use a packing app or template to make your list, so you don’t leave anything out.

Pack Versatile Clothing

Packing versatile clothing is essential to save space in your backpack. Pack clothes that can be easily mixed and matched, such as jeans, t-shirts, and sweaters. Choose items that can be dressed up or down, such as a little black dress. Pack clothes made of lightweight materials that will take up less space in your backpack.

Pack Lightweight Items

Avoid packing heavy items like jackets or boots unless necessary. Instead, pack lightweight clothing items like t-shirts, tank tops, and leggings. Choose lightweight toiletries like travel-sized bottles to save space in your backpack.

Roll Your Clothes

Rolling your clothes instead of folding them will save space in your backpack. Roll clothes tightly to maximize space, and use packing cubes to organize your clothes. This will help prevent wrinkles and make it easier to find what you need.

Use Packing Cubes

Invest in packing cubes to organize your items better. Separate your clothes, toiletries, and electronics in different cubes. Use compression packing cubes to save even more space in your backpack. This will also make it easier to access items quickly, especially if you need to grab something in a hurry.

Pack Toiletries Carefully

Use travel-sized toiletries to save space, and place them in a waterproof toiletry bag to prevent leaks. Pack toiletries in an easily accessible pocket or cube, so you don’t have to dig through your backpack to find them.

Organize Electronics

Use a separate pouch to store your electronics like chargers, power banks, and adapters. Pack electronics in a way that they won’t get damaged during transit. Keep electronics in an easily accessible pocket or cube, so you don’t have to dig through your backpack to find them.

Pack for Specific Activities

If you’re going on a specific activity, pack accordingly. Research the climate and weather conditions of your destination, so you know what to pack. This will ensure that you have everything you need for your trip and don’t end up overpacking.

Pack a Reusable Water Bottle

A reusable water bottle is a must-have item for any trip. It will save you money and reduce plastic waste. Choose a collapsible water bottle to save space in your backpack. Pack the water bottle in an easily accessible pocket or cube, so you can stay hydrated on the go.

Wear Bulky Items

Wearing bulky items like jackets or boots while traveling can save space in your backpack. Layer clothes to stay warm instead of packing bulky items. Pack a small umbrella instead of a raincoat, which can take up a lot of space in your backpack.

Check the Airline’s Baggage Policy

Make sure to check the airline’s baggage policy before packing to avoid any extra fees. Check the weight and size restrictions of your backpack, and avoid packing prohibited items like liquids or sharp objects. This will save you time and money and ensure that you don’t run into any issues at the airport.

Personal Story: Learning to Pack Light

When I first started traveling, I was notorious for overpacking. I would pack multiple suitcases for a week-long trip, convinced that I needed everything I owned. It wasn’t until I went on a backpacking trip through Europe that I learned the art of packing light.

On that trip, I was limited to a single backpack and had to carefully consider every item I packed. I quickly realized that I didn’t need as much as I thought I did. I packed versatile clothing that I could mix and match, and only brought one pair of shoes. I also invested in packing cubes to help organize my items and save space in my backpack.

One thing that really helped me was packing for specific activities. I knew I would be doing a lot of walking, so I brought comfortable sneakers and left my heels at home. I also packed a lightweight rain jacket instead of a heavy coat, which ended up being a lifesaver during an unexpected rainstorm.

Since then, I’ve become a pro at packing light. I always start by assessing the length of my trip and the activities I’ll be doing. I make a detailed packing list and pack versatile clothing made of lightweight materials. I also roll my clothes and use packing cubes to save space.

Learning to pack light has not only made my travels less stressful, but it’s also saved me money on baggage fees. I now always check the airline’s baggage policy before packing to avoid any extra fees. Packing light has truly been a game-changer for me, and I can’t imagine traveling any other way.

By following these tips, you’ll be able to pack everything you need in your backpack and travel light. Proper planning and organization are essential for packing efficiently. With these tips, packing for a week-long trip can be done efficiently, making your travel experience much less stressful. Happy travels!

Insider Tip: When packing, use packing cubes to separate your clothes, toiletries, and electronics. This will make it easier to find things quickly and keep your backpack organized.

Common Questions

Q.what should i consider when packing for a week in a backpack.

A.Consider the weather, activities, and weight distribution.

Q.Who should pack for a week in a backpack?

A.Anyone who wants to travel light and efficiently.

Q.How can I fit all my essentials in a backpack for a week?

A.Roll clothes tightly, use packing cubes, and prioritize items.

Q.What if I need more than a backpack for a week-long trip?

A.Consider shipping items ahead or renting larger gear on location.

Q.How do I avoid overpacking for a week in a backpack?

A.Stick to the essentials and avoid packing items “just in case.”

Q.What if my backpack is too heavy to carry for a week?

A.Reduce weight by removing unnecessary items or investing in a lighter backpack.

The author of this article, William, is an experienced traveler who has perfected the art of packing light. With over 10 years of backpacking experience across various continents, William has learned what it takes to pack efficiently and effectively for a week-long trip. William has also conducted extensive research on travel gear and has tested out different backpacks, packing cubes, and lightweight clothing to determine the most practical and functional items for a minimalist traveler. In addition to personal experience, William holds a Bachelor’s degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management, which has provided a comprehensive understanding of the travel industry and the importance of packing smartly. William has also contributed to several travel blogs and publications, sharing tips and tricks on how to make the most out of a backpacking adventure. William believes that packing light not only saves time and money but also leads to a more enjoyable and stress-free travel experience.

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2 Weeks in Europe – 10 Excellent Trip Itineraries

Last Modified: January 31, 2024 //  by  Anda //   106 Comments

If you are planning a 2 weeks trip to Europe and need some itinerary ideas for your vacation you have come to the right place. As someone born and raised in Europe, I can give you some good advice when it comes to my home continent.

14 days may sound like a long trip, but not on this incredibly diverse continent. With so many attractions, sights to see and cultures to experience, your 2 weeks vacation in Europe will go by in the blink of an eye! 

Table of Contents

How to Plan a Perfect Europe Trip Itinerary

• london, paris, and amsterdam, • lisbon, madrid, barcelona , • rome, florence, and venice ,  • prague, vienna, and budapest.

•  • Berlin, Dresden and Wroclaw     
• • Zurich, Lucerne, Lugano and Milan      
• • Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen      
•  • Riga, Tallin, and Vilnius      
• • Athens, Istanbul, Bucharest        
•  • Ljubljana, Split, Dubrivnik, Kotor     

How to Plan a 2 Weeks Trip to Europe

• Tips for Spending 2 Weeks in Europe 

A Final Note

If this is your first time in Europe, you probably have quite a few places on your Europe bucket list . Without knowing anything about you or your interests, I can only give you basic, generic advice.

Below is a list of 10 suggested itineraries for for a 2-week trip to Europe. The itineraries are grouped according to the different European regions. However, you can choose any combination from the cities listed here, according to your tastes and interests.

Best Western Europe Trip 2-Week Itinerary

These three cities have more than enough to keep you engaged for 2 weeks. You can easily spend the entire two weeks in Paris , if you were to visit all its amazing churches and museums.

London, Amsterdam and Paris are among the Europe’s greatest cities and enjoy a perennial popularity, despite the many problems they have been facing lately. I think they are worth seeing at least once, even though they are always crowded.  

You have excellent direct flights, trains, or bus connections between all three. There are overnight trains between Lisbon and Madrid that run daily, departing at 11:34 p.m. and arriving in Madrid at 8:40 a.m. Also, there are direct flights, trains, or busses from Madrid to Barcelona.   

All these Iberian cities are packed with culture, culinary delights and incredible landscapes. They are easy to reach from most major airports from around the world.

Although you could easily spend two weeks in Spain alone, visiting other historical places like Toledo , or Cordoba for instance, I suggest including Portugal in your European itinerary as well. Lisbon , its capital city, is not only very romantic and cultured, but also quite inexpensive. 

Book  this private walking tour of the highlights of Lisbon and enjoy the history of this city.

These are three of Italy’s most captivating and rewarding cities. If you like archeology, you’ll love Rome ! Florence and Venice are also very charming cities, although quite different from Rome. If you prefer to spend your time in one single country, this combination is one the best itineraries for a 2 weeks trip to Europe.  

Italy has a wealth of archeological sites, most of which are concentrated in relatively compact areas. These three cities also have excellent train, bus, and plain connections (buy your ticket on omio.com ).

Sicily is another great place in Europe where you can easily spend 2 weeks. There are so many archeological sites and  beautiful towns in Sicily to add to your list! I promise that you won’t get bored if you choose to spend your entire European vacation on this island. 

Palermo alone can easily justify a 10-day Italy itinerary . You have good bus connections between cities, but Sicily is best explored by car . You can choose visit the nearby Malta if you go to Sicily.

Central Europe 2 Weeks Trip Itinerary

Central Europe is becoming increasingly popular. 30 years ago, cities like Prague , Budapest , Dresden, or Wroclaw were largely unknown to the world traveler. But after the fall of communism, Central Europe experienced a strong cultural and tourist revival.

These three capitals have it all: beautiful architecture, fascinating history, packed concert calendars, and delicious food. For those who want to tour Central Europe, this trip itinerary is perfect.

Traveling by rail is the best way to go between these three, as distances are relatively short. You can buy tickets at the station right before the train is scheduled to depart.      

READ NEXT : Budapest Travel Tips and Practical Information for First Time Visitors

 • Berlin, Dresden and Wroclaw      

Combining the cosmopolitan  Berlin with the  phoenix-city  of Dresden and the picturesque Wroclaw, will give you a great understanding of what makes this part of Europe so fascinating. You have direct trains between all these cities.

• Zurich, Lucerne, Lugano and Milan        

You can never go wrong with Switzerland and the northern part of Italy! Cities like Lucerne, Zurich, Lugano and Milan have stunning scenery, art museums, old cathedrals, historic palaces, and more charm than you can imagine.  However they are not very big, so 2-3 days in each one would most likely be enough.  

The best way to move between these cities is by rail. Switzerland is famous for its top of the line panoramic trains , so you can choose to travel from Lucerne to Lugano aboard the  Gotthard Panorama Express.  You can also take the same route on a non-panoramic train  if you want to avoid paying the mandatory reservation fee.

READ NEXT : 10 Days in Switzerland Itinerary by Scenic Trains

Northern Europe 2 Weeks Itinerary

• oslo, stockholm, copenhagen        .

These three cities are definitely in a league of their own. Although they can’t compete with Rome’s historic sites or with the charm of Paris, Copenhagen , Oslo and Stockholm have stunning architecture, world-class museums, and some of the best shopping and dining in Europe.

If you plan to spend your 2 weeks vacation in Northern Europe during the summer months, this trip itinerary is your best bet. While the rest of Europe is be boiling hot, Northern Europe enjoys much cooler temperatures and longer days in summer.

READ NEXT : 10 Fantastic Things to Do in Stockholm in a Week

  • Riga , Tallin, and Vilnius       

I can’t mention Northern Europe without including a tour of the Baltic capitals. The Baltic States of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania weren’t even on the map when I was growing up. But like many other European countries that lived in the shadow of the Soviet Union till the 90s, they have enjoyed a true renaissance in the past years.

If you want to travel somewhere your friends haven’t even heard of, you should visit the Baltic capitals. Plus these are among the cheapest countries to visit in Europe .

South-Eastern Europe – 2 Weeks Trip Itineraries

The Balkan Peninsula is the most culturally diverse in Europe. This region has also an extremely varied topography. Bordered by the Adriatic and Ionian Sea to the west, Aegean Sea to the south, the Sea of Marmara to the southeast and the Black Sea to the east, the Balkan countries are stunningly beautiful.

There are so many great destinations in South-Eastern Europe, that it’s difficult to decide which ones to include into your trip itinerary. Here are two suggestions:

• Athens, Istanbul, Bucharest          

If you plan to build your itinerary around these three cities, you could spend 3 days in Athens , 7 days in Istanbul and 2-3 days in Bucharest . Or you can choose spend your entire 2 weeks trip to Europe by visiting just one country. We did that last year and took a road trip in the Peloponnese. It was an unexpected success, it was pleasant and we had a great time there. Peloponnese is one of the less explored parts of Greece, but is so beautiful that you won’t believe. It has plenty of beach town, some of which are nicer and more sophisticated that the Ritzi Greek island, like the beach tow of Nafplio .

Countries like Greece , Turkey, or Romania have plenty of amazing sites to keep you entertained and engaged for 14 days. 

The best way to travel between these 3 countries is by plane. Between Istanbul and Athens you an use Pegasus Airlines (a budget airline) and between Istanbul and Bucharest you can use Turkish Airlines.

 • Ljubljana , Split , Dubrivnik, Kotor      

These four cities will take you through 3 of the most beautiful countries in the Balkans: Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro . The best way to travel between these cities would be by car or by bus, as there are no train connections between Split and Dubrovnik.

For those who want to rent a car to drive through the Balkans, I recommend this 14 days Balkans road trip itinerary . If you have a car, you can extend your itinerary to some other points of interest in this region.

Planning a trip to Europe? Read next: 12 Tips for Traveling to Europe Like a Pro

Being born and raised in Europe I always get asked these two questions:  when is the best time go to Europe and what is the best itinerary for a first time visit to Europe. My answer it’s always the same: it depends what you want to do in Europe and how much time you can spend there.

If this is your first time in Europe and all you have is 14 days, there are a few things to consider before deciding what to add to your list:      

 • Keep your travel plans simple      

Most first time visitors to Europe are determined to see as much as possible on that first trip. Keep in mind that Europe is a big and diverse continent. There is a lot to see everywhere you go. Fitting all your bucket-listed locations in a 2 weeks trip to Europe is nearly impossible.      

 • Start with the most popular cities   

Your first trip to Europe is not the best time to go off the beaten path. I recommend sticking to the big cities, even though they are more crowded. Major European cities have it all: top notch museums, beautiful architecture, great restaurants and a vibrant nightlife.

Besides, they are big transportations hubs and are cheaper for flying in and out of Europe.

• Choose to visit places that are close to each other   

The closest major European cities are at least two hours apart, whether you travel by car, by train, or by plane. Transit between cities takes at least half a day, if you consider the time you need to check out of one hotel and check into your next one. Therefore, you won’t be able to do much sightseeing on the day you travel.        

 • Plan to spend at least 3-4 days in each city you visit   

While it’s possible to cover more than half a dozen countries in your 14 days in Europe, just running between destinations doesn’t mean you actually visited them! If you want to see at least the major sights, you should plan to spend a minimum of 3-4 days in each city you visit.

• Book an open-jaw ticket     

If you plan on touring a specific region or doing a multi-destination trip, you can often save a lot of time and money with booking one.

Once you’re further along in your planning process, you can use our  Travel Resources page for the best deals in airfare, accommodations and local guided tours.

• Rent a car only if you are planning to travel outside the big cities, where parking is expensive and difficult to find. Nonetheless, sometimes renting a car will save you a lot of time and is obviously more comfortable. We usually use Discovercars when we travel in Europe.

Tips for Spending 2 Weeks in Europe  

• book accommodations in the city center      .

Hotel rates are higher in the city center, but it’s worth paying the extra dollars if you can afford it. You’ll save time and money on transportation.     

• Use Hotel Alternatives

AirBnB or VRBO   for lodging instead of booking hotel rooms, especially if you travel in a bigger group. They are a much better deal and have beautiful apartments all around the world. For the same price you would pay for an average hotel, you could rent an entire apartment.    

• Don’t exchange money in the airport   

Airports, train stations, or tourist areas have the worst exchange rates. But if you look for an exchange office outside these areas, your hard earned money can go a way longer way. If no exchange booths are around, use the ATM machines throughout the city.    

   • Consider using public transportation

Driving a car Europe is an expensive and inconvenient complication. None of these European cities were built with cars in mind, so the roads are crowded and full of restrictions. Rather than worrying  about parking fees, one way streets, and pedestrian zones, consider using public transportation during your 2 weeks in Europe.     

 • Travel by train, or use budget airlines  

Train travel through Europe is one of the best ways to see the continent. The rail network is extremely developed and train service is very reliable. For longer distances, flying one of the many European airlines is also a great option.

There are over a dozen budget airlines in Europe that fly anywhere on the continent for unbelievably low prices. They charge extra for seats and luggage, but even so you can fly for as low as €30-40/one way.    

   • Dress comfortably

Dressing comfortably when you travel to Europe is very important, but avoid looking like a tourist. Not sure how to blend in with the locals? Read my guide about how to dress like a European .  

Buy the best shoes you can afford. I can stress enough the importance of wearing comfortable shoes while traveling in Europe. Many of the old European cities are still paved with cobble stones which are very rough on your soles.

   • Travel off season  

Everyone wants to travel when the weather is stable, but summers can be brutal in Europe: big crowds, expensive accommodations and airfare, busy trains and public transportation and very hot.

The best time to visit Europe is in fall or in spring, when temperatures are milder and there are less crowds. December is also a very popular time of year to visit Europe, when most European cities dress up for the holidays .

• Get acquainted with the European lifestyle

Most travelers to Europe expect to encounter cultural differences, yet when confronted with them they are always caught off guard. I wrote a very detailed post about what will surprise you as a first time visitor to Europe. These are very useful tips that you will need before traveling to Europe.

READ NEXT : 15 Cheapest Countries to Visit in Europe

This guide is a good resource if you intend to visit Europe independently. However, if you prefer an organized tour there are plenty of great tours of Europe to choose from.

Hope the itineraries above gave you some idea on how to travel Europe in 2 weeks. And if you like a place you saw, make a plan to return and explore it more in depth. Two weeks in Europe will not be enough to see this magical continent.

Did you enjoy this post? Please pin it to help other travelers to Europe:

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Anda is an award winning travel writer, avid globetrotter and passionate photographer. She is the voice behind "Travel Notes & Beyond," a collection of stories and travel impressions from her wanderings around the world. When she is not busy writing, traveling, or editing photographs, you can find her hiking in the foothills behind her house together with her husband and their dog.

Reader Interactions

Vipin Singh

January 13, 2024 at 6:56 am

Greetings from Singapore Anda. I am an avid traveler but have only done Asia so far. I am planning my first Europe trip in this upcoming June, mid month. I have circled down to 4 cities that iam keen on going to. But now, after reading much online, i figured that it will be more ideal to include just 3 cities in my itinerary. I had London, Paris, Rome, Spain (Madrid/Barcelo) in mind initially. I am looking for advice to reduce one city if needed for this trip. I have 13 days to spend (including arrival date to London in the morning before 7am. And excluding departure date) Appreciate your reply.

January 16, 2024 at 2:24 pm

Since this is your first trip to Europe, I’d go to London, Paris and Rome. I’m sure you won’t regret it.

Chetan Sahu

October 7, 2023 at 5:59 am

Planning my dream 2-week European adventure, and this guide is a goldmine of itinerary ideas! From the iconic cities to hidden gems, it’s packed with invaluable tips for an unforgettable trip. So, which European journey will I embark on? The possibilities are endless!

Chandra Bdr Gurung

July 6, 2023 at 11:43 pm

Excellent advice for those who are first-time visitors. This blog really impressed me. Europe has some really interesting sites to visit.

Ana Delos Santos

April 28, 2023 at 10:55 am

Hi, this is really helpful for 1st time Travelers in Europe. Just want to also ask you, for a 2 week Europe Trip, what do you advise to those traveling with Kids that wanted to visit countries in Europe with an Entry and Exit point from the Philippines? Thanks for the possible response. God bless you.

April 28, 2023 at 11:58 am

I am not aware that coming from the Philippines (with or without kids) may pose any problem for entering any country in Europe. However, if you want further more detailed information you should check the respective country’s entry requirements. Sorry I can’t be of more help.

basil swamy

March 22, 2023 at 11:36 am

Looking for Europe tour starting from India, for honeymoon would like to explore Europe. Places need to cover Norway Amsterdam Brussels Paris Switzerland Pissa Florence Rome Venice

Travel dates will be 9Jun to 29Jun It should be not very expensive , reasonable place to stay either good apartment or good Hotel You can suggest if some needs to be cut short or some other place. Do not want any museum or historical place to cover. It should be main and popular area only.

March 22, 2023 at 7:16 pm

I’m sorry, but I am not a travel agent, Basil. You can use my post for reference in order build your own itinerary.

July 13, 2022 at 2:52 pm

Great guide – but overwhelming!! My wife and I are taking our first trip to Europe next year – a long kid- and COVID- delayed 20th/25th/30th anniversary! – and want to make the most of our 3 weeks. But you just listed 31 must-see cities, and suggested 3-4 days per city!! 🙂

My wife wants to “see the highlights” – if we never can come back, what should we make sure we see? I think we’d probably be best served by a managed tour, but maybe I can cobble together something with even hand-holding? 🙂 Advice would be *so* appreciated!

July 13, 2022 at 6:16 pm

Hi Rick, Thanks for reading my guide. I have indeed 31 must-see cities in Europe, but those are 10 independent itineraries and each one of them is for two weeks. If you want to spend 3 weeks in Europe you definitely won’t be able to include all those places in your itinerary. I can give you a few suggestions for a 3-week itinerary, but planning the trip in detail will require a lot of effort from your part.

You’ll need to research each destination and decide what you’d like to see once you get there, book hotels, check timetables for trains and busses, or maybe rent a car in some places, etc. Since I don’t know anything about your travel style, I can’t tell you whether to attempt this trip on your own, or book a guided tour. Many people prefer to be care-free when they travel and just sit back and enjoy. We like to travel independently and do our own planning, but I can assure you it’s not easy. One other option would be to book local guided tours in each country, but travel independently between countries.This way you’ll have more control over what countries you may want to visit.

In regards to the “highlights” of Europe, there are so many! But regardless of what you choose, you shouldn’t include more than 4 countries in 3 weeks because you’ll have to account for the days you loose when moving from one place to another. Here are my suggestions. My first choice for Europe would be Italy, France and Spain. They are rich in culture and architecture and have gorgeous scenery. My second choice is Portugal, Switzerland and Croatia. Not as culturally rich as Italy, or France, but surely breathtakingly beautiful. If you are looking for less expensive destinations, Central and Eastern European countries are more budget friendly (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania).

I hope this helps. I have lots of European destination on my blog in case you want to do some further reading. And remember: no matter what country you choose, you’ll love Europe!

July 6, 2021 at 11:40 am

Hi there Anda!

Me and my are planning eloping and then honeymooning to Europe. Neither of us have been and I have family in the Sicily area. I originally wanted to go to Hawaii as I am an avid beach lover and have been to many in search of the most beautiful beach. My finance enjoys the beach, but is definitely more of a historian. So, I would like to encompass a little of both. We plan on late September or sometime in October….14 days. What are your thoughts? Do you think we should use a travel agent? Thanks so much!

July 6, 2021 at 1:24 pm

Hi Carrie, September-October is a great time of year for visiting Italy and I think Sicily is a wonderful choice if you like beaches. It has plenty of historic sites, so it’s the best of both worlds: history and beaches. I have a lot of information about Sicily on this blog, so for further reading you can go under Destinations > Europe > Italy > Sicily and read more. I also have a very informative post about driving in Sicily, should you decide to rent a car for your trip.

I don’t believe you need a travel agent to design your itinerary or make reservations for you. At the bottom of my home page there are some links that you can use to check out prices. I also have a Resource Page if you need more information on car rental and lodging. And if you need more itinerary ideas, read this post: https://travelnotesandbeyond.com/10-days-in-italy-itinerary/ . It includes 4 itinerary ideas for Italy to choose from. Please let me know if you need any further assistance.

March 1, 2021 at 10:40 am

This is very informative. My husband and I have been to several countries in Europe, but not our son. He wants to go to Germany, and I think with more than 2 weeks travel time that we will have, a visit to several cities in Central Europe will make sense to us. My friend in Zurich will be happy to take us around.

March 1, 2021 at 7:38 pm

Hope you’ll get to visit Germany, Umiko. I have relatives in Münich and go to Germany quite often.

January 27, 2021 at 3:03 am

Hi Anda, I have to say, this is a great itinerary for first time travelers. I’ve been living in Europe for almost 2 years now but I still have not seen most of the places in this list and I would consider myself a “first time traveler” to most of these destinations. It gave me tons of ideas though once we finally get to travel again and I love your pctures.

January 28, 2021 at 2:05 pm

Thanks, Marielle.

I love Croatia

January 9, 2021 at 6:09 am

Absolutely stunning! Thank you on a detailed impressive guide!

January 9, 2021 at 10:51 am

Thanks, Karlo.

October 22, 2020 at 8:00 am

Hi Anda! Thank you for all of your articles and tips! I’m trying to soak everything in while planning for a 2-week trip next August 2021. I know you said August is the worst time to go to Europe but I am to be a part of a bridal entourage early that month and have no leeway in that regard – hoping to make the best of it! What are your suggestions for 3 first time Europe travelers to make the MOST of our time but with about three days locked in at London for the ceremony? I was thinking of coming a week before the festivities and staying a week after, putting the wedding in the middle of the two weeks – if that makes sense. Please help! Thank you so much, Christine

October 22, 2020 at 4:59 pm

Hi Christine, A wedding in London sounds like a great reason to visit Europe. The good news is that London is not so hot in August as other cities in Europe. Here are my recommendations for you:

1. I would get the wedding out of the way and then go on with my travel plans. Or leave it for the end of the trip, but not place it in the middle.

2. I would avoid big, crowded cities (like Paris or Rome) where the asphalt radiates even more heat in summer. Keep in mind that many of the buildings in Europe don’t have air conditioning, so there is very little relief from the heat.

3. Rather than big cities, I would visit places that have a breeze, or have access to the Mediterranean, or the Adriatic Sea. My personal favorites for summer are the French Riviera (Nice, Monaco, Cannes), Italy (the Amalfi Coast, or Sicily), Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast (Dubrovnik, Split, Pula, etc.) Italy, France and Croatia seem like good options for you since they are also close to England.

4. Other great countries to visit in August are: Austria, Switzerland and Germany. For instance, you could spend 1-2 days in Vienna, then go to Salzburg and use it as a base for wonderful day trips in the Alps. Or stay 2 days in Zurich and do a Switzerland itinerary. You can also do a combination of countries, but I wouldn’t visit more than two considering that you already have London on your list.

Hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any further questions. I’m sure your trip is going to be great!

October 18, 2020 at 11:25 am

Hi: A friend and I would like to visit somewhere in Europe for 2 or so weeks, and stay in a smaller village and “live” like a local. Yet, also be close enough to other places or countries to take day trips via public transportation. Any suggestions?

October 19, 2020 at 4:47 pm

Your friend could stay for instance in one of the many villages on the French Riviera (like Ezé Village) which are close to Nice,and visit the the entire coast in two weeks. Or perhaps stay in one of the villages in Tuscany, which are close to Florence, and many other fascinating places in Italy.

RAJEEV JAIN

October 6, 2020 at 10:14 pm

Me & my wife wants to cover Europe in 20-30 days. Just for your information I had travelled to Italy & covered Rome, Florence, Venice & Milan. I want to cover other countries & beautiful cities of Europe. Can you suggest best time & an itinerary to visit except July/August when the weather is pleasant & one can travel in budget.

October 7, 2020 at 4:23 pm

Hi Rajeev, late September to early October is a great time to travel to Europe. So is spring, late April to early June. As for an itinerary, you can cover a lot of territory in a month in Europe. I would suggest visiting some of the countries in the Balkans (Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia).I have a complete itinerary for the Balkans on my blog, if you are interested. Also, you could visit the Baltic countries (Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia) and Sweden. Eastern European countries like Hungary and Romania are also good choice for a fall visit. Hope this helps.

Mitos Soria

February 13, 2020 at 6:19 am

Hello, me my friend will be traveling to Europe in August 2020 ( I know not a good time to go there) for the first time. We have 2 weeks to go to cities we prefer. And that is Italy and Paris. We are in for outlet shopping, visit museum and architectures. Can you recommend us a place to go to met our preferences? And if we would add one more country what would that be? By the way we are flying from Manila. Thank you very much.

February 13, 2020 at 11:09 am

Hi Mitos, even though August it’s kind of hot in Europe, I’m sure you’ll have a lot of fun. Especially if you plan to go shopping, hahaha! Paris and Rome are great places to shop and so is Milan and London. I also like shopping in Vienna, where they have a big pedestrian area (the Graben) lined up with stores. All these cities have magnificent architecture, old churches and palaces that you can visit. Prices are a little higher in Europe than they are in Asia or the US, but I love shopping there just the same. They have so much trendier clothing stores than we do. My favorite one is Massimo Dutti, you should check it out.

SHYAMSUNDER GAIKWAD

February 2, 2020 at 3:29 pm

Hi Anda, Me and my wife plan to travel to Europe for about 10 to 14 days(depends) from the first week of August’2020 (After my sons final semester Exams). Flight ticket are yet to be booked. This would be our first trip to Europe. We plan to cover Europe in six visits, this would be our first. Both of have past our half century mark and have taken a sabbatical. Could you please suggest us an Itinerary? Is August a good time to travel

February 2, 2020 at 3:30 pm

Hi Shyamsunder, August is one of the worst times to go to Europe: it’s hot, it’s expensive and it’s crowded. I know you may be bound to your son’s vacation time, so if August is the only time you have available, I would suggest going to Northern Europe. You can visit Sweden, Norway, and the Baltic countries (Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia). Either that, or choose to spend your entire vacation in southern Italy, in places close to the sea (Capri, Positano, Cinque Terre, or Sicily).

January 27, 2020 at 1:23 pm

Thanks for your insight and prompt response. Travel planning can be overwhelming and your site has been extremely helpful. The more I dig into options and different itiniraries my gut keeps saying to stick with Italy and you helped confirm this even more! Another thought was to combine a 7n cruise but again my gut (and hubby) prefers a land based trip. So sticking with Italy it seems just 3 cities maybe better (based on your suggestion) with day trips mixed in…Venice, Rome & Florence. Initial plan was for Cique Terre which maybe too much. The idea of Lake Cumo is a really good one! Now need to explore those logistics!

Anda Galffy

January 27, 2020 at 1:28 pm

Glad I could be of help, Sandra. Just one last note: keep in mind that Rome is a big city, rich in history and archeological sites. You will need at least 4-5 days to explore it properly. Have a wonderful trip.

January 27, 2020 at 1:22 pm

Hi Anda, Just found your site and love the information. We are late in planning our 20th anniversary trip to Italy in May. We have 16 days so 14 nights exculuding travel. This is our first time to Europe (other than Greece) in a very long time. Initial thoughts are fly into Venice 2n, Florence, 4n, Cinque Terre 4n, Rome 4n – Now second guessing about all Italy (which I know is all good) but maybe adding Amsterdam or another city and subtracting days from Italy. Any thoughts input appreciated!

Hi Sandra, first of all congratulations on your 20th anniversary! Italy is a great choice to mark this important event in your life and I’m sure this will be a trip to remember. My personal opinion is that Italy has so much to offer that it’s not a good idea to add Amsterdam to the mix. The two-week European itineraries I recommend in my post are for people who want to get a feel of Europe and explore some of the big cities. I think you’ll be better off spending all your time in Italy and exploring as much as you can there. Instead of Amsterdam, you could go to Lake Como, for instance. It’s a very romantic destination for an anniversary.

January 18, 2020 at 10:37 pm

Anda So glad I found your site. I’m in the beginning stages of planning a trip for late 2020 (Christmas time) for my husband and myself. I think you’ve helped me decide on Italy. Christmas is the only time he has vacation so we’re locked in to that time of year. We’d both like to see Pompeii, so I was thinking Naples to Rome and ending up in Venice. We have 2 weeks, so I think we could take our time and stop if we’d like to see something along the way. What do you think about going to Italy this time of year? Are trains reliable in winter? Thanks for any help you can give me. Karen

January 19, 2020 at 12:01 am

Hi karen, Italy is actually a great choice for winter, particularly in December when you’ll have the Christmas markets everywhere. Prices may be still pretty high because of the Holidays, but there will definitely be less crowds. You may expect colder weather in Northern Italy (Rome and Venice), but the Amalfi Coast (Pompeii and Naples) will be beautiful. I don’t think you’ll have any issues with the trains. It doesn’t snow often in northern Italy and even if does, the weather doesn’t impact public transportation. I think you’ll enjoy Italy tremendously! It’s a great place to visit. You may want to check this post as well if you are traveling to Rome: https://travelnotesandbeyond.com/best-areas-to-stay-in-rome/

cybele ryan

January 23, 2020 at 3:35 pm

Anda what wonderful information. My husband and I planning a trip to Europe in mid May for two weeks. Thinking about flying into Switzerland or Austria, dipping down into Italy then on to Slovenia and Croatia. We are told Slovenia is very similar to Italy. We could stay in Slovenia and train over to Venice for the day, avoiding crowds ect. Any ideas? take the train, rent a car?Thank you! Cybele

January 23, 2020 at 5:52 pm

Train is probably better for the day trip. Besides, in Venice you won’t have any need for the car.

December 31, 2019 at 4:44 am

Hullo Anda, your article literally saved my life. I have read it twice and sucked in as much of your advice so thank you. I am black and I was wondering if you have any specific advice for a black travelers in Europe. What is the general reception for black africans in Europe? I may be overthinking it, but I am worried that it may be negative. Your honest thoughts will be appreciated. thanks.

December 31, 2019 at 3:39 pm

I’m truly happy that my article was of help to you. I don’t think you have any reason to worry about traveling to Europe as a black person. As far as I know, Europeans are quite open and welcoming to any race and nationality. I think you’ll have a wonderful time there.

December 28, 2019 at 6:04 am

Thankyou for the suggestions. We are planning to visit Europe from US for two weeks from April 24 to May 9 . Our itenrary idea is to arrive in Paris > Milan > Venice > Cinque terra> Florence > Rome . While at florence we planned to visit Pisa for half day Will this be aggressive or Do-able? Can you please suggest on how many days each city require to explore? Thanks in Advance

December 28, 2019 at 9:15 am

Hi Satya, What you are listing here looks like a very busy itinerary. All these cities are loaded with attractions. Besides, you need time for transportation between the different destinations and time to check in and out from the hotels. Rome and Paris require at least 3 days each. Milan you can probably do in a day, but for Florence, Venice and Cinque Terre you’ll also need a minimum of two days. My suggestion would be to leave Paris for another time and concentrate on Italy.

December 28, 2019 at 7:44 pm

Thank you Anda

December 26, 2019 at 10:30 am

Hi Anda, Thankyou for the detailed itenenaries. We are planning for Europe trip during last week of April for two weeks. Our plan is to arrive in Paris and depart back from Rome. So planning for Paris> Fly to Milan> Venice> Cinque terra > Florence> Rome . Is this agressive or Doable? Do you recommend driving from Milan to Rome for this trip? Can you help me with how many days we will needing to explore these places? Appriciete your help on this.

December 18, 2019 at 12:59 pm

Hi Anda, I am planning a trip with my wife and 2 kids (3 & 9) to visit Europe in Mid-June. we are planning to spend 14 days and planning to land in Paris then train to Zurich > Interlaken (might add Zermatt if time permits) > Venice > Florence > Rome. Does this sound doable in 14 days? Any tips and recommendations? Should we get the Euro Rail Pass or buying individual trip will be better and cheaper option? Thanks.

December 18, 2019 at 7:27 pm

Hi Ali, your plan sounds great for two young adults who can move fast. However, with two kids in tow and using public transportation (not having your own car) this sounds like a very busy itinerary. You need a minimum of 3 days in the big cities like Rome and Paris. As for Zurich, Venice and Florence, you could probably spend only 2 days in each city. But even if you do that, you’ll be left with only two days, which is not enough time if you want to squeeze in Zermatt and Interlaken. I understand you are planning to use Rome as your departure city, but exploring it with a 3-year old will be very difficult. Rome is huge and truly overwhelming, even for adults. I would suggest spending more time in Switzerland instead, which is a friendlier place for small children. You can buy a pass for the scenic trains and go from Zurich to Lucerne, Interlaken, Zermatt, St.Moritz, Engadin and maybe cross over to Lake Como in Italy. The Glacier Express is a fantastic train and goes from Zermatt to St. Moritz. Your kids are going to love the train rides. I wrote a few posts about our train trip through Switzerland, in case you need more information.

November 14, 2019 at 4:16 pm

Hi, my husband and I have plan 13 days trip 11 nights for travel to Barcelona, Switzerland, Munich and Amsterdam. The 1st arrival destination has decided is Barcelona as we want to catch the football match. 2nd destination we not sure want to start from Amsterdam, Munich and end in Switzerland or vice versa. Is it possible to squeeze Milan or Paris in between by the way?

November 14, 2019 at 5:09 pm

You can easily squeeze one day in Milan on your itinerary, Agnes. I wrote a post about how to spend a day in Milan, in case you are interested you can check it here: https://travelnotesandbeyond.com/one-day-on-the-streets-of-milan/ . From Barcelona you can go to Milan, then to Switzerland, Munich and Amsterdam. Not sure exactly what means of transportation you intend to use in Europe, but it makes sense to do it this way rather than jump from Spain all the way to the Netherlands. In regards to Paris, I would leave it for another trip. There is too much to see there to be able to squeeze it into this itinerary. You’ll need at least 3 days for it, while Milan can be done in one day.

November 5, 2019 at 6:20 pm

Hi Anda.. Greetings from Malaysia.!! Great advice for first time traveller to europe. Me and my friends planning to come over to europe in may next year. We are having some difficulties choosing places to visit as europe is super big and all the places look so beautiful. We will be landing in amsterdam. I would love to go paris,london n also swiss. And we have only two weeks to cover and we have no idea where to start. Super confussed. First time in europe.! Thank you.

November 5, 2019 at 9:30 pm

Hi Reva. Since you land in Amsterdam you could probably do Amsterdam, Paris and London. You need to spend at least 3 days in each of these cities in order to see at least the main points of interest. You probably have time to see one city in Switzerland as well. I would recommend Lucerne, since it’s a smaller one and can be done in about two days. Hope this helps.

September 14, 2019 at 4:10 am

Great suggestions! Planning a trip next June ( I know, I know), your suggestions are great.

September 14, 2019 at 2:10 pm

I’m glad if you found my suggestions useful. Thanks, Jackie.

April 21, 2019 at 6:25 am

Anda, thank you for the very informative article. Loved going through it and your detailed responses to the questions below. I and my wife are planning to travel in August(2nd and 3rd week). We have zeroed in on France(only Paris) and Italy. I know the temperature will be on the higher side, but I guess should be a breeze considering we are from India 🙂 (or are we way off the mark?) What according to you are good destinations to include in the itinerary in Italy, beyond Rome, Venice, and Florence)?

April 21, 2019 at 9:31 am

Hi VB, since your trip to Europe in in full summer, I would suggest a couple of destinations closer to the water. In Italy you can add Cinque Terre and maybe Lake Como. Both of them absolutely spectacular. In France, just about an hour away by plane you can go to he French Riviera. The coast is much cooler and absolutely spectacular. You have places like Nice, Monaco, Cann, Antibes, plus the many perched villages along the coast that are absolutely a dream to visit. Hope this helps.

April 9, 2019 at 8:56 am

I was trying to plan a 20th anniversary trip for myself and my wife in July, 2020. I was planning on just doing a Western trip visiting London, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Berlin but now I’m worried it’s going to be too hot. We already live in Charleston, South Carolina (US) which is miserably hot in the summer so we always try to find cooler places to go.

I was thinking of this route because there are now direct flights from CHS to London and I get employee discounts at Hilton properties (about $50 USD/night). There are hotels all within 1.5 miles of the train station in each of those cities so this would be most economical.

I would rather visit Northern Europe because of the cooler weather and because my family immigrated from Sweden. However,, there are no Hilton properties in any of the Scandavian cities except Stockholm.

I’m just wondering if you think it is worth it to spend a lot more to visit Northern Europe or just battle the heat and crowds to visit Western Europe.

April 9, 2019 at 10:15 am

Hi Michael, Europe is very hot and humid in summer, as you already know. I would rather spend a little more and go to countries like Norway, Sweden or the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania). I believe there is a Hilton in Riga as well, if I am not wrong). However, you may want to look into Airbnb as an alternative if you can’t find a Hilton. Most of the time they are way cheaper than a hotel and you get much more for your money.

April 7, 2019 at 11:25 am

This is a great guide! I’ve been searching everywhere for ideas on how to go about a European trip. I’ve never been so I wasn’t sure where to start. Is it possible to do a trip with London, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, Florence, and Venice? What would be the beat way to do that?

April 7, 2019 at 8:54 pm

Squeezing 7 cities of this size into a 2 weeks trip seems too much to me. I would recommend keeping it at 4, at the most. You will spend too much time on the road and too little time visiting the sites. Florence and Amsterdam could be done in about 4 days, if you just want to rush by, but the other cities requires way more time for proper visiting. I would not advise you to add more than at the most 5 cities to your itinerary, unless you have more than just 2 weeks.

April 6, 2019 at 3:28 pm

Hello Anda,

This article is very informative and useful as I am planning a graduation gift for my girlfriend this summer. She’s a mechanical engineer and loves architecture, but has never been to Europe. I do plan on 2 weeks, give or take a few days. Do to the traveling being in June (not the best time), where would you recommend going? Regarding weather, locations, travel season, etc. I’ve only been to France but was there for wine industry. I’m fine with traveling by train or by car as I have done both. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for your time!

April 7, 2019 at 9:01 pm

Hi Nick, I’m glad you found my post useful and informative. Summers in Europe may be very hot, so I would recommend you go to Northern Europe, where the weather is much cooler. And if your girlfriend loves architecture, she will have a blast visiting cities like Stockholm and Riga. I would recommend the Baltic countries and Sweden. You don’t need to drive there. You can fly between the cities for very little money.

March 31, 2019 at 7:45 am

Hi, Anda. I’m taking my daughter to Europe in May. Got a great R/T flight into (and out of) Barcelona. We will be there 2 weeks, and I’d like to add 3 other cities. She really wants to go to Florence (but not Rome??‍♀️). We plan to book a rail pass and Air BnBs. Any recs for our 3 must-see cities. She’s 20 and has never been to Europe.

April 1, 2019 at 1:00 pm

Hi Stacy, Barcelona is a very exciting destination for young people. I’m sure your daughter will love it. You’ll have to decide how many countries you want to include in your two weeks trip. You have quite a few choices in Spain, if you decide to stay only there. You can spend 3 days in Barcelona, then go towards the west and Visit Madrid (3 days), Toledo (a day trip from Madrid), Granada and Sevilla. From there you can fly back to Barcelona. Or you can spend a few days in Barcelona, then go to Paris, Milan and Florence. The second option includes 3 countries, but it will give your daughter a taste of some of the most impressive cities in Europe. Hope this helps.

February 26, 2019 at 9:36 am

I will be visiting Europe for two weeks in may and would like to know what do you suggest we could see as we will arrive in Rome and depart from Paris.

February 26, 2019 at 4:56 pm

Hi Rhea, May is one of the best times to visit Europe. The weather is just perfect and the tourist season is not in full swing yet. Since I don’t know you and your interests, I would make some suggestions based on my own taste and experience. Both Rome and Paris are very big cities and you might want to allow yourself at least 3 days in each one of them. They are packed with attractions, ranging from historic sites and landmarks, to museums, art galleries, parks and restaurants. In Rome you might want to concentrate on the historic center (including the Vatican) and allow yourself a little time to simply wander the streets and admire the beautiful architecture. I wrote a post about the best areas to stay in Rome that will give you an idea about what attractions are in the different parts of the city ( https://travelnotesandbeyond.com/best-areas-to-stay-in-rome/ ). While you are in Italy, you might also want to include Florence and Milan in your itinerary. Florence is not very big and it quite easy to explore (great for art galleries and museums). You could spend 2 days in Florence and one day in Milan ( https://travelnotesandbeyond.com/?s=one+day+in+milan ). From Milan you could go to Switzerland and maybe take a scenic train trip through Zermatt, Interlaken, Lucerne).Or you may go directly to France and visit Marseille, Lyon and then Paris. If this is your first time in Europe I would suggest keeping it simple. Probably just Italy and France would be enough. For Paris, you might want to refer to this post that will give you an idea about what you can see in 3 days: https://travelnotesandbeyond.com/?s=3+days+in+paris . I hope this helps and I hope you’ll come back with some great memories from your trip to Europe.

January 31, 2019 at 9:46 pm

Hi Anda Me and my husband are planning a trip to Europe for 2 weeks in early May 2019. As of now we are planning to visit Prague, Vienna, Budapest & Greece. Could you please suggest if its doable also if its the good time to visit these places.

P.S : We will be visiting Europe for the first time and we are more inclined towards scenic and natural beauty , could you please suggest more affordable options.

Many Thanks ! Parul

January 31, 2019 at 10:20 pm

Hi Parul, Europe is beautiful at any time of year, but particularly in spring. Vienna, Budapest and Prague are very close to each other so can move easily from one to the next (either by train or by car). Trains are very affordable in Europe, especially if you buy a pass. I suggest spending 3 days in each one of these cities to at least get a taste of what they have to offer. You could leave Greece for last, as you will need to take a plane to get there. In regards to affordability, Europe in generally expensive. However, you will find Budapest (and Greece) more affordable overall. For lodging I use Airbnb or VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner), as I get more for my money. Hope this helps.

Vaibhav Jain

February 2, 2019 at 10:21 am

Hey, thanks for this informative and detailed info about getting around in Europe.. every word made sense to me.. I just want a small suggestion from you.. I am solo traveller and will be starting my itinerary as “Prague (2n)-Copenhagen (4N)-Budapest (2N)- Barcelona (3N)- Amsterdam (2N)” in total of about 13 N starting from 13 th March 2019.. My question is : I want to add another city between my trip from Copenhagen to Budapest as I think 4 Nights will be too boring in there.. so can you please suggest which place to add in for 1 N ??? I am getting some real good deals for Brussels, Berlin, Milan… for Ryan Sir & Easy jet from Copenhagen.. please enlighten me for this as I am super confused ??? Thanks in anticipation ….

February 2, 2019 at 3:18 pm

Your itinerary seems pretty busy for 13 days. All these cities you selected make wonderful destinations in themselves. You could easily spend 13 days in each one of them and still have plenty to see and do. My suggestion would be to spend 3 nights in Prague or in Budapest, rather than trying to squeeze in another city into the itinerary. Europe is packed with attractions and if you were to spend any less than 3 days in a big city you’ll be rushing too much. However, if you want by all means to include another city, you can try Milan. You can just concentrate on visiting the Duomo and the area around it and that would be enough for one day. Hope this helps.

October 1, 2018 at 10:41 am

My family has a two week planned trip to Europe and I am having difficulty picking a third location to visit in addition to London & Paris. I am glad I came across your website which is full of good ideas. I could use some help picking a third city and places to stay. One of my challenges for the trip is traveling around Christmas which I understand the trains close.

Some of the other questions I have are: How long is it recommended to be at an airport before a flight between cities like London & Amsterdam? Is taking a train recommended even though it takes twice as long.

Where are the best areas to stay in London, Paris, Amsterdam and Ghent? We would like to rent an apartment in each city.

We arrive at 6:15am on 12/21 in Gatwick and leave on 1/3 in the evening out of Heathrow. What might be the best itinirary taking into account Christmas and New Years?

Thanks, Michael

October 3, 2018 at 10:24 am

Hi Michael, I’m afraid I can’t make any specific recommendation in any of these cities. We usually stay in Airbnb apartments when we don’t stay with friends or relatives in Europe.

Rob+Ann @TravelLatte(.net)

July 27, 2018 at 4:36 pm

You are so right, Anda – Two weeks in Europe will fly by! We love your itinerary ideas though. Two weeks is such a short time for so many great places to see and enjoy, but these really help make the most of the time. Can’t wait to get back and explore more!

Jennifer Melroy

July 27, 2018 at 2:38 pm

I love exploring northern Europe. The cities have a charm that the rest of the continent lacks. I can’t explain it, but they do. I always feel like they are more welcoming as a city. Plus Stolkhom has the best museums to visit.

Suruchi Mittal

July 24, 2018 at 10:36 am

That is a complete exhaustive guide on Europe. I liked the way how you have divided the itinerary and it is going to be super helpful while we plan up our trip. The 2 weeks really seems like a less time now, for Europe.

Cynthia | Adventuring Woman

July 23, 2018 at 5:12 am

You’ve covered all the important things! I agree that Paris, Amsterdam and London should be #1. I really want to do Vienna, Prague and Budapest. Also the Balkan itineraries. So true that it’s best to spend time really experiencing a place, rather than running around between them.

July 22, 2018 at 12:27 am

These are good itineraries for those who want a quick glimpse of certain areas of Europe. Im not sure on the Nordic ones, I think I need a bank loan for that one. 😀 I found after exploring much of Europe, to see better history, buildings, parks, scenery etc, is to get away from the cities and find the true heart of each country. However, first timers, these are good plans BUT make sure you come back for some more European fun 🙂

July 22, 2018 at 10:58 am

One visit to Europe is never enough, Dabik.

July 21, 2018 at 11:55 pm

Although I agree with you to start with the more popular cities in your first ever trip to Europe and to make sure that all the cities you’re visiting are geographically close to each other (and you’ve grouped them out perfectly), I also think that visiting only the bigger cities in countries like Switzerland, Austria, Greece don’t give you a real flavour of what the country is about. For example- going to Athens and not Santorini would be something I’d not recommend at all! Or going to Zurich and Lucerne but not Interlaken. Having said that, if one wants to focus only on the bigger cities and not venture to the smaller towns and villages, then these itineraries make perfect sense!

July 22, 2018 at 11:00 am

Of course, Medha. Visiting only the bigger cities will barely touch the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. These itineraries are intended for first time visitors to Europe and it is implied the subsequent visits would be necessary to really get the feel of many of these countries.

Christina Pfeiffer

July 21, 2018 at 11:09 pm

Your itineraries certainly highlight the diversity of Europe. There are so many different countries to visit it’s hard to choose! One of the things I love about Europe is that no matter where you go, there’s history, culture and cobblestone streets to discover. Hmm, I think I’m due for another trip to Europe soon!

July 21, 2018 at 11:35 pm

That is so true, Christina. I love everything about Europe!

July 21, 2018 at 9:35 pm

I am a big fan of itineraries! I have created several I want to follow. Sometimes, an itinerary does not work for one particular year but then it is feasible later. From your list, I want to do Northern Europe and the Berlin-Dresden-Wroclaw. I am with you on staying 3-4 days on a city. I do not like to rush places.

July 21, 2018 at 10:19 pm

Planning is part of the fun when you travel, isn’t it?

July 21, 2018 at 9:13 pm

I love your recommendations! I’d love to go and visit Europe one day and this guide will come in very handy. Indeed 2 weeks is such a short time to see the entire continent, but good to know that you can still see as much as long you plan well (especially considering the geographical location and transportation availability).

July 21, 2018 at 10:18 pm

I didn’t realize you haven’t been in Europe, Marvi. Hope you’ll get there soon. You’ll love Europe, I promise!

Jill Chapman

July 21, 2018 at 7:40 pm

I haven’t been to Europe for five years so I am very excited to be heading there this fall. Great tips – we’ve already used a few – booked hotels in the city center or air bnb’s and are traveling off-season a bit but I hope to utilize more when I’m there.

July 21, 2018 at 8:05 pm

I hope you are going to have a great trip, Jill.

July 21, 2018 at 5:31 am

Great idea’s, even for a European. We need to discover more things close to home.

July 21, 2018 at 8:06 pm

Well, if you live in Europe you probably have visited all these places, Wendy.

Lyn aka The Travelling Lindfields

July 21, 2018 at 4:09 am

What a useful post. I think those of us who travel frequently forget that there is a lot of basic stuff we just take for granted.

July 21, 2018 at 10:00 pm

So true, Lyn.

July 21, 2018 at 12:45 am

I have spent quite a bit of time in Europe but I still have so much to see. I would love to do your Balkans roadtrip, I haven’t been to that area yet.

July 21, 2018 at 10:01 pm

The Balkans make one of the best European itineraries, Anisa. You should definitely do that road trip.

July 20, 2018 at 6:27 pm

These are all great ideas. Isn’t it such a gift to be able to spend two weeks exploring?? We love to spend 3 days in cities so we know where we want to return… I also love to pair big cities with smaller towns, too. It’s a great to experience both sides of the coin in the same country. I would love to do your Balkan itinerary! Those places all just look beautiful!

July 21, 2018 at 10:05 pm

I love exploring smaller cities too, Sara. However, for first time visitors it’s always better to start with the more popular sites.

July 20, 2018 at 5:02 pm

Great tips for first-time visitors, especially if you have only two weeks. I wish I’ve been to all the destinations you covered … if we could only travel when I was still living in the middle of it ;).

July 21, 2018 at 10:06 pm

Yep, I hear you! I have the same frustration, Emese.

July 20, 2018 at 4:17 pm

Great advice for first time travelers! We did a similar trip, to your first itinerary, when we went to Europe the first time. Ours was London, Paris, Munich, and Amsterdam. I have to agree that giving yourself 3-4 days in each place is ideal. I ended up feeling like I didn’t see much in London, because we were only there for two days of our trip. Thankfully, we were able to return to London for a longer period later.

Tomas Novak

July 20, 2018 at 1:31 pm

As I live in Prague – kind of a center of Europe. It’s pretty easy for me to do this short trips and I think I visited more than half of this cities. I like how you group them in smaller trips by three. I just have to visit the Baltic states and Balkan… hopefully next year. Thanks for your tips

July 21, 2018 at 10:12 pm

It’s much easier to do these trips when you live in Europe, Thomas. The challenge is for people who travel there from far away.

California Globetrotter

July 20, 2018 at 1:11 pm

What a great itinerary you’ve put together, Anda! You’ve hit up all the best cities and I also recommend 3-4 days in each city!

July 21, 2018 at 10:13 pm

I’m glad you agree with me, Lolo. Now that you live in Europe it’s much easier for you to see all these other smaller cities on week-end trips.

Rhonda Albom

July 20, 2018 at 12:51 pm

I think two weeks is a great intro and taster for Europe. Europe is addictive and by the end of those two weeks you’ll already be planning on which areas you want to concentrate on for your next visit. I agree that you should spend three to four days in each city in order to get comfortable and enjoy the feel of the city.

July 21, 2018 at 10:17 pm

Hahaha, you are so right that traveling to Europe becomes addictive. Everybody I know wants to return there to see more.

Priscilla Willis

July 20, 2018 at 6:23 am

Great tips, Anda. Your suggested Itineraries are perfect – it’s difficult to fully experience a destination when you try to do and see too much!

July 20, 2018 at 9:52 am

Good to hear from you, Priscilla. I know you just came back from a trip to Europe. Hope it was fun.

July 20, 2018 at 9:53 am

Good to hear from you, Priscilla. I know you just came back from Europe. Hope you enjoyed your trip.

March 28, 2020 at 11:11 pm

Anda looking for a 14 day itinerary first time in Europe. This is for my 25 Anniversary. Looking to bring my 3 daughters ages 25/22/20. Also looking to invite my in laws 65/72. My wife is first generation born in the states from Hungary. My 72 year old father in-law has a bad ankle is there scooters to rent or would it be a pain in the butt to travel everywhere with it. Also ball Parker cost per person along with either plane or rail tickets to hop around

March 28, 2020 at 11:41 pm

This looks like a multi-generational reunion and a great celebration. Since your wife is of Hungarian descent, you might want to take a trip to Central Europe that would include Hungary as well. I think all of you are going to love Budapest! You could probably do Prague, Vienna, and Budapest and spend at least 3 days in each of these big cities. There are also a few side trips that you can take around them. I wrote extensively about these three destinations, in case you need some ideas on things to do, places to stay and eat in each one of these cities.

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How to See the Best of Japan in A Week (1 Week Japan Itinerary)

January 5, 2023 by Silvia 31 Comments

Updated January 2023

I always call Norway my second home, but there’s also another country that I lived in almost as long as Norway – Japan!

I spent a year in Nishinomiya, near Kobe, and two years on Tanegashima in southern Japan, and yet I’ve never really written much about travel in the country. I traveled loads during my time in Japan, but that was in my pre-blogging days. So when the Tokyo Metropolitan Government invited me on a one week trip to Japan, I immediately jumped on board – especially when I saw the itinerary.

Of course, there is so much to see in Japan, but if you have a limited time frame for your Japan itinerary, seven days is a really good amount of time to get to know a few places in the country. Plus, even if you can’t see everything, one week in Japan is going to be magical regardless!

Japan is such a unique country that pretty much anything you do there will be a remarkable experience (like, even using a Japanese toilet is something to blog home about), but there are two things everyone visiting Japan should try to experience: Tokyo and rural Japan.

Japan is a land of both deep traditions and modern innovation, and while there’s no better place to experience Japan’s modern, almost futuristic side than Tokyo, to experience the beauty of traditional Japanese culture you’ll want to head away from the major cities and into the countryside.

And that’s exactly what I did during my 7 days in Japan! My one-week itinerary started off in Tokyo, and then took me on a flight down to Yamaguchi prefecture.

I’m sure I’ll write more about some of these places, but here’s an overview of my one week Tokyo + Yamaguchi itinerary:

Table of Contents

One Week in Japan Itinerary

Days 1, 2 & 3: tokyo.

You could easily spend your entire 1 week in Japan in Tokyo alone (in fact I’ve done that in the past), but considering you only have a week in Japan, two days is at least enough time to see the main sights.

I wandered around Shinjuku, and then headed to the Roppongi Hills, Tokyo’s famous expat neighborhood, to see the views of the city at Tokyo City View .

I can’t believe I had never been here before because it was so cool to see Tokyo from above! I’d definitely, 100% recommend heading here when you’re in Tokyo, especially if you’re lucky enough to be visiting Tokyo under clear skies.

See ticket prices + more details here

There’s also a coffee shop in the building called Gorilla Coffee where you can sit with a view over the city. I grabbed a cup of coffee and totally pretended I was a local getting some work done next to this amazing view, like no big deal.

Other Tokyo suggestions:

Hato Bus // If you’ve never been to Tokyo and want to get a quick feel for the city, the open top Hato Buses run tours around the city. This was my first time taking a bus tour of Tokyo, and I really enjoyed it! It gave me a quick feel for the layout of the city, which I realized I had been missing since I usually get around Tokyo underground on the subway.

If you can’t get onto a Hato Bus tour, then you may also like these sightseeing tours:

• Half- day Sightseeing Tour – This 4 hour tour will take you around the city’s famous landmarks like the Tokyo Tower, Asakusa Kannon Temple, the Imperial Palace, and more. Check prices and availability here
• Private Tour – For a more unique, customized tour, try this one. Check prices and availability here
• Cycling Tour – This bicycling tour is such a fun way to exlore Tokyo. Check prices and availability here

Sushi Ikki // If you do take a Hato Bus, stop by Sushi Ikki for lunch. It’s right by the Hato Bus stops and super delicious! The fish portions were really generous, and my set lunch even came with some delicious matcha ice cream for dessert.

Shibuya // You might know Shibuya’s famous pedestrian crossing from like, any film ever set in Tokyo, and this area is also full of really fun shops and restaurants. When I’m not staying in Shinjuku in Tokyo, I always try to stay in Shibuya .

Check here for unique tours around Shibuya .

Kyuemon // I ate dinner at  Kyuemon,  a traditional izakaya (kind of like the Japanese version of a pub) in the Kabukicho area of Shinjuku with a really nice atmosphere. Alternatively, you could also go super modern and check out something like the popular Kujira Entertainment , also in Shinjuku. 

Shinjuku Hotel

I stayed in the Keio Plaza Hotel , which is enormous, so if you get a room on a top floor you can totally live out your Lost in Translation fantasies. I’ve actually stayed here on several different trips to Tokyo since it’s so central, easy access to Haneda Airport, and there’s a range of different room types you can get – including Hello Kitty themed rooms! It’s definitely my go-to hotel whenever I’m in the city.

I’ve also written an entire guide to where to stay in Tokyo here , which goes through the best neighborhoods to stay in as well as all the different accommodation options for every budget.

Day 4: Iwakuni, Yanai, and Yamaguchi

Most people probably associate Japan with train travel, but if you’re on a tight schedule and want to see a different region of the country it’s easiest (and usually cheaper) to fly.

I was traveling together with a journalist named Noam, and we got a morning flight to Iwakuni City, where we started off our journey around Yamaguchi.

In Yamaguchi, you’ll ideally want to rent a car , as the train lines don’t cover all areas of the prefecture and the buses aren’t super frequent. And if you’re only in Japan for a week, you really don’t want to be wasting time waiting around for buses.

If you’ve never driven on the left before don’t worry, I promise you get used to it really quickly! I’ll admit I’m not the best driver and I never had any problems driving in rural Japan (I don’t think I would dare drive in Tokyo though).

Kintaikyo Bridge

Kintaikyo Bridge is probably one of the most famous sights in Yamaguchi and as soon as I saw it I understood why. This wooden arch bridge was originally built in 1673 and has been periodically rebuilt so that future generations will continue to know how to construct and maintain it.

There’s also an art museum right by the bridge, Iwakuni Art Museum, where you can see an impressive collection of samurai armor and swords.

Side note, if you’re really intrigued by Yamaguchi’s samurai history, you may want to try this samurai experience later in Shimonoseki.

Irori Sanzoku

We stopped at Irori Sanzoku for lunch, which is an enormous roadside restaurant complex (I counted at least three separate dining areas on the grounds), including outdoor seating under kotatsu tables, which are covered in thick blankets and have heaters under them to essentially give you the coziest dining experience ever.

Irori Sanzoku is famous for their grilled chicken and enormous Sanzoku musubi rice balls, which are apparently the same size that bandits would order when eating here in the past.

Downtown Yanai has a beautifully preserved Edo Period neighborhood, Shirakabe No Machi ,  including old family homes and warehouses.

Yanai is famous for goldfish lanterns, so we, of course, had to stop in at  Yanai Nishigura for a quick workshop to learn how to make them. 

And then I just wandered down the old Edo Period streets and imagined that I was living in 17th century Japan. And since Yanai was so quiet – I think Noam and I must have been the only tourists there – I almost could picture what it was like hundreds of years ago.

Ruriko-ji Temple Pagoda

Our last stop for the day was one of my favorites of the entire trip: Ruriko-ji Temple.

Ruriko-ji Temple is a Japanese National Treasure, and it easily rivals the most magnificent temples I’ve seen in Kyoto – except that here there were no tourist crowds or streets full of souvenir shops, so I could enjoy it in quiet.

And if you want the full Japanese experience, you can go to the nearby  Yamaguchi City Saiko and get dressed up in a traditional kimono or warrior outfit. You can take photos in your kimono in the gardens there or, if you’re good at walking in a kimono (which I am not!), you can go to Ruriko-ji Temple for some photos.

Hagihonjin Hotel

We stayed the night at Hagihonjin Hotel , which was an experience in itself! It’s set on the top of a hill overlooking Hagi, so I woke up to beautiful views in the morning, and it also has both indoor and outdoor hot spring baths, which is the perfect (and most Japanese!) way to relax after a day of travel.

We also had dinner and breakfast here, both with traditional Japanese food that was super delicious. And the son of the hotel owner studied in California, so you can totally get by here with only English.

For other places around Hagi, check out the options on Airbnb , like this room only a 5-minute walked from Kintai Bridge, a room in this friendly home , or a private room in this centrally-located hostel .

Day 5: Hagi, Nagato, and Shimonoseki

Hagi was definitely one of my favorite cities in Yamaguchi, and if you can only see a few places in the area I would definitely prioritize Hagi. The city itself is beautiful, set in the mountains right on the seaside, and there’s such a strong sense of history and tradition here.

We stopped at the  Hagi Uragami Museum , which has collections of both traditional and modern art, and the Meirin School Building ,  which has been turned into a museum showcasing Yamaguchi’s role in the Meiji Period, which saw the country’s evolution from an isolated feudal society to modern Japan. I learned so much about Japanese history here, which I guess was appropriate considering I was in an old school building!

We also ate lunch at a small restaurant in the school building, which I’d highly recommend – get the set lunch of the day, you will not be disappointed.

I also loved just wandering through the traditional homes and Japanese gardens in  Hagi Castle Town , which again felt like something you can experience in Kyoto, but without the crowds.

Motonosumi Inari Shrine

Motonosumi Inari Shrine was one of the highlights of Yamaguchi for me (do I keep saying that? I really mean it this time!). The location on the edge of the sea is stunning, and it might have the most beautiful set of torii gates I’ve seen in Japan – including the famous gates in Kyoto and Miyajima.

At the top of the 123 torii gates, you’ll find the shrine, with what locals joke is the most challenging offertory box in all of Japan. I tried and failed to donate my 10 yen many times!

Tsunoshima Bridge

Tsunoshima Bridge has actually topped a lot of lists for most beautiful bridges in Japan, so I was really excited to finally get to see it in real life.

The bridge is over a mile long and the ocean views over it show off one of my favorite things in Japan: the amazing beaches! Seriously, Japan has some of the best beaches I’ve ever been to, they always tend to be totally empty, and the water temperature in the summer is perfect.

It was too cold to go swimming in October, but the water still looked super inviting!

We had dinner and spent the night at Yamamura Annex, a traditional Japanese ryokan that again also had hot spring baths.

Before dinner, I took a walk along the river that goes through the town and it was so peaceful and quiet – exactly what I love most about traveling away from the big cities in Japan. They even had free hot spring foot baths set up along the river, and I was told that the fireflies in the summer there are amazing.

I’m not sure any of the staff here spoke English, but Yamaguchi prefecture offers a free 24/7 telephone service in several languages that you can call to get help speaking with a Japanese person.

Day 6:  Akiyoshidai, Shimonoseki, and Ube

Akiyoshidai caves.

I was prepared to be unimpressed by the Akiyoshidai caves because I feel like most of the caves I’ve visited have turned out to be kind of the same, but I was surprised by how massive they are! Plus the entrance to the caves was really beautiful.

Karato Market

Karato Market in Shimonoseki is the biggest fish market I’ve been to, and even Noam, who lives in Tokyo, said it could totally rival the famous Tsukiji fish market.

At most stands, you can just get a box and pick out whichever sushi you want, and it might have been the best sushi I’ve ever had – probably because the fish portions were enormous! My mouth is watering just thinking about it…

Nagayama-honke Shuzo Sake Brewery

We stopped at this sake brewery in Ube on our way to the airport, and while I’m not a big sake fan I imagine it would be really exciting for those who are! We were shown around the brewery and got to see some of the sake fermenting, and then the tour ended with a tasting of all their different variations. So if you have some extra time and are like sake, this could be worth a stop!

Then Noam and I got a flight from Yamaguchi Ube Airport back to Tokyo.

Since I had an early morning flight, I stayed at the Keikyu Ex Inn right by Haneda Airport (they have a free shuttle to/from the airport, so it was super convenient).

Day 7: Return home

I was flying back to New York, and this trip was actually the first time I’ve flown directly to Tokyo and it made the journey so much easier! I’m not sure if JFK <-> Haneda (I flew with ANA, which I can wholeheartedly recommend) is a new route or not, but I think now I’ll always try to get direct connections when I can, because having an early morning layover in LA or Chicago is always such a pain. Lesson learned!

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Arielle says

November 9, 2017 at 7:46 pm

Ok so I’m in a class right now (I know, I’m a bad student) and all these pictures of amazing Japanese food are making me HUNGRY. I’m living in Spain right now and the Japanese food is just very underwhelming 🙁

Silvia says

November 17, 2017 at 6:29 pm

Seriously, it was almost painful editing the food photos – I want to eat everything again!

June 9, 2018 at 10:47 am

Ok so I am thinking of going to Japan in October–I was wondering if this is a good itinerary for the fall? Or are there other places you’d recommend more for fall in Japan?

June 11, 2018 at 9:45 pm

I did this trip in October, so it definitely works for the fall! Though you probably won’t find the best fall colors here as it’s more of a beachy place, so if you’re after fall colors I’d stick closer to Tokyo or Osaka – or go north to Hokkaido! I loooove Hokkaido.

November 9, 2017 at 10:20 pm

Wow, when you said enormous roadside restaurant complex, I didn’t think it would like something out of a fairy tale… And those hotels with the hot spring baths… I love them! Onsen! And that pagoda… And and and… I need to get back to Japan, and Yamaguchi has just been bumped up a number of places on my wish list!

November 17, 2017 at 6:28 pm

I need to go back as well – there’s just so much to see in Japan!

Eduardo C says

November 10, 2017 at 5:07 pm

Very jelly. So the govt paid for the trip on condition you blog about it?

November 17, 2017 at 6:08 pm

Yes, they paid me to come and cover the trip on my blog as well as write up a report of the experience for their website.

Miro Hristoff says

November 13, 2017 at 5:54 am

Kintaikyo Bridge is my favorite from all the places you’ve pictured. As always Japan looks like it’s from another planet. Beautiful!

November 17, 2017 at 6:03 pm

Kintaikyo Bridge was one of my favorites as well!

Annabloem says

November 13, 2017 at 6:17 am

Oh my, this looks amazing. I’m currently living in Japan, so I’ll definitely have to add Yamaguchi to my list of places to go. It’s so far, but totally worth it, from what I’ve read here.

November 17, 2017 at 6:00 pm

Definitely worth it! And if you live near an airport it’s easy to fly to.

November 21, 2017 at 7:33 am

Unfortunately I live pretty much in the middle of nowhere xD getting to a city with better connections takes three hours by bus, and that’s only to go to the closest big city xD Still, definitely worth it from reading this ^^

November 27, 2017 at 2:01 pm

Aah yeah, I can feel your pain there – I used to have to get a 3h ferry just to get to the mainland. But living in the countryside is definitely special!

Victoria @TheBritishBerliner says

November 16, 2017 at 8:45 am

Looks amazing! I don’t blame you for flying back to Japan pronto! You did a hell of a lot in a week, but judging by the photographs and destinations, well worth it!

I especially like the old Edo Period streets. Very nice indeed!

November 17, 2017 at 5:53 pm

Yes, it was a busy schedule, but I really wouldn’t cut any of it out! I think I had missed Japan so much that I wanted to cram extra much in, haha.

Eva Maris says

November 17, 2017 at 11:30 am

Beautiful country of Japan. What a lovely valuable information sharing….All pic’s are wonderful

November 17, 2017 at 5:48 pm

It’s a beautiful country!

Alina Jack says

December 29, 2017 at 12:13 pm

Wow!!! What a beautiful country. Now I am feeling jealous of you. If i will plan the next vacation then Japan will be in my list. Thanks for sharing.

December 31, 2017 at 1:09 pm

You definitely should – Japan is such a special country!

Heather says

July 9, 2018 at 10:25 pm

Can you give advice about how to rent a car or where to rent a car. I like your idea of flying to Yamaguchi and renting a car.

July 18, 2018 at 5:08 am

i really enjoyed your blog. this gives me some great ideas for when we go to japan in december. we will only have 1 -2 weeks, so your itinerary looks great. thank you!

August 21, 2018 at 2:43 pm

Hi Silvia, what a great journey. How have you been traveling – did you took the train?

August 22, 2018 at 12:44 am

I didn’t take the train on this trip, but I’ve traveled a lot in Japan by train on other trips and it’s been amazing!

Gujarat And Around says

September 19, 2018 at 1:22 pm

japan is a very beautiful palace thank for sharing.

November 12, 2018 at 7:50 am

Hi Silvia, My wife and I intend to visit Japan next year and it’s so fortunate for me that I came by your blog, which made me realized how fool I was initially making plan for just 4 days. Now it’s official difficult for us to fix the itinerary as there’re so many wonderful things to see and experience in this country and leaving out even one or two things can also be a regret :). May I ask whether you would recommend renting a car and driving from Tokyo to Kyoto and back, maybe passing 2 days at foot of Fuji mountain? We set out around 10 days to complete the trip by the way. We thank you so much for your recommendation and wish you a lot of joys and happiness on your travelling journey ahead, Khang

September 30, 2019 at 10:32 pm

I will be in Japan in November, thanks for sharing this with the world. Watching your Japan food vlogs makes me very excited! I can’t wait to feast.

From one nomadic heart to another, Tawny

Asif Javed says

October 2, 2019 at 7:53 pm

Hi dear Good evening

MAKOTO SHIMIZU says

October 1, 2023 at 3:49 pm

What about Mount Fuiji, the Five Lakes region, Aomori or Hokkaido, Okinawa, Hiroshima?

Abdulla says

March 4, 2024 at 11:16 am

Ratna Steeltech says

March 11, 2024 at 1:12 pm

thank you so much for sharing

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Once a full-time nomad, I'm now trying to find a balance between continuing to explore off the beaten path places around the world while also building a home in Norway. Want to know more? Head to my About page !

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The 7 Best Backpacking Backpacks of 2024

From weekend trips to long-distance treks, these backpacking backpacks have you covered.

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Travel + Leisure / Brian Kopinski

I’ve been backpacking in various capacities for over a decade from off-the-grid wilderness treks to hostel hopping around Europe. Whether you’re planning to head out for a day trip , an overnight hike, or extended excursion, choosing the right backpacking backpack is essential to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. Backpacking backpacks come in a range of designs, from ultralight models for speedy, minimalist hikers to more burly packs suited for lugging heavier loads (or even checking if you're flying).

Besides holding all your equipment, gear, and provisions, a quality pack should be comfortable to carry and fit your frame. When choosing the best backpacking pack for my trips, I consider performance, durability, value, and versatility for different durations and weather conditions. If you’re gearing up for your first backpacking trip or looking to level up with a new pack, check out my favorite options below.

Best Overall

Osprey kestrel 58 pack.

It’s a versatile, full-featured pack made with durable materials that will last for years to come.

This is quite a large and hefty pack that may be too heavy for lighter trips.

For an all-around performer that’s suitable for weekend and long-distance trips in varied climates, the Osprey Kestrel 58 is my top pick along with the women’s specific version: the Osprey Kyte 58L Pack . Osprey backpacks are well-known for their top-notch performance and lasting durability. My first Osprey Kestrel is over a decade old and accompanied me up all 12,244 feet of Indonesia's Mount Rinjani and to every corner of Cambodia during my two-year Peace Corps service. The current model incorporates a revamped back panel: the AirScape system. It offers adjustable torso lengths and breathability while delivering close contact and excellent weight distribution on the lower back. 

The Kestrel’s use of 420-denier nylon in the pack body provides exceptional durability against wear and tear, even compared to other Osprey packs. I love that it’s equipped with a detachable rain cover, and how easy the cover is to pull over even fully loaded packs. There’s plenty of options for storage and organization, too. It has five external pockets, trekking pole holders, and daisy chains for adding more gear. I’m a big fan of packs with multiple access points, and the Kestrel offers easy entry from the top and front. To expand my storage options, I typically make use of the sleeping bag straps to hold dirty clothes on longer trips.

The Details: 420-denier nylon and 500-denier high-tenacity nylon | 4.7-4.9 pounds | Size S/M and L/XL | 58 liters | Waterproof

Best Lightweight

Gossamer gear mariposa 60 backpack.

Gossamer Gear

This ultralight pack offers a frame that moves with your gait and a choice of hip belt design for a tailored fit. 

It’s water-resistant, not waterproof.

When every ounce counts, the Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 is an excellent choice for lightening your load on the trail. With a 60-liter capacity, it delivers an impressive weight to storage ratio of roughly 0.54 ounces per liter. The main compartment is spacious, and there are seven exterior pockets for stashing water bottles and trail essentials. The pack is made with robic nylon, which helps save on weight, but doesn’t offer much for waterproofing. However, this can be resolved by adding Gossamer’s waterproof pack liner .

I love that the modular design allows the Gossamer to be configured for optimal weight and fit preferences (for example, the choice of a straight or curved hip belt). The Mariposa’s hip belt, back padding, and aluminum frame can be removed to make the pack even lighter, though this sacrifices comfort and ability to carry the pack fully loaded. There are also load lifters that work with the frame to relieve pressure on the shoulders, if desired.

The Details: Recycled nylon | 2.1 pounds | Size S-L | 60 liters 

Best for Beginners

Rei co-op trailmade 60 pack.

It’s a highly adjustable pack with comfortable padding and intuitive organization that new and experienced hikers will appreciate. 

The weight is middle of the road for a backpack this size.

The REI Co-op Trailmade 60 Pack is a user-friendly introduction to backpacking. Dialing in the right fit is essential when backpacking, and REI’s adjustable design makes this a seamless process. REI’s Trailmade collection is focused on more inclusive sizing options and affordability for new hikers and backpackers as well. To that end, the Trailmade 60 Pack is designed with an adjustable back length and a range of hip belt sizes. Both the men’s and women’s packs can fit waists and hips between 32 and 58 inches and the torso length is easily tweaked with a Velcro strap. I appreciate that adjustment directions (and packing tips) are printed on the underside of the top lid for even easier set up. The top-loading compartment is easy to use, and the option to configure a separate compartment for a sleeping bag (or dirty clothes) comes in handy on multi-day trips. I’m also a big fan of how accessible the water bottle holders are while wearing the pack. 

The Details: Recycled nylon | 3.2-3.7 pounds | 60 liters

Best Organization

Deuter aircontact core 65+10l backpack.

Backcountry

It has multiple access points and numerous exterior and interior pockets. 

It only comes in one size.

Having quick and easy access to essential gear saves time and hassle on the trail; not to mention, it makes setting up camp after an arduous day that much easier. The Deuter Aircontact Core Pack 65 + 10 gives backpackers a wealth of storage and functionality (do note that the women’s version of the Aircontact Core is designed as a 60 + 10 backpack). I love that gear can be packed and accessed from the top, front, and bottom of the bag. There’s a total of six exterior pockets, including zippered hip belt pockets, mesh side pockets, front stash pocket, and a zippered top pocket. The pack also features an interior pocket for valuables, trekking pole holders, and hydration system compatibility. While 65 liters of capacity is sufficient for many treks, I appreciate the ease of expanding the collar on the main compartment for an additional 10 liters of storage if needed. Though it only comes in one size, the VariSlide system allows for easy and exact adjustments to your back length for a secure fit. The hip belts and shoulder straps are supportive and adjustable, too, to ensure the pack stays in place

The Details: 235-denier polyamide and 500-denier textured polyamide | 4.9 pounds | One size | Up to 75 liters

Best Ventilation

Gregory katmai 55 pack.

The pack offers excellent air flow and ventilation for staying comfortable on the trail. 

The sturdy frame and full set of features add some weight compared to ultralight models. 

It’s easy to work up a sweat while backpacking — the Gregory Katmai 55 Pack offers top-notch breathability and ventilation when things heat up. The pack is equipped with Gregory’s FreeFloat 360 suspension system — a highly ventilated back panel that conforms to the shape of the lower back while allowing optimal air flow between you and the pack. I appreciate that the ventilated back panel is also treated with Polygiene Stays Fresh Technology to diminish odor-causing bacteria.

I also love that the pack offers inclusive sizing. The S/M fits waists/hips from 25 to 48 inches and torso lengths from 15 to 19 inches, while the M/L goes up to 53 inches for the waist/hips and 22 inches for torso length. The Katmai is a men’s specific pack, but the Gregory Kalmia 50 Pack is a similar model specifically designed for women. 

The Details: 210-denier nylon and 420-denier nylon | 4.6 pounds | Size S/M and M/L | 55 liters | Water-repellent

Best for Heavier Loads

Osprey aether 55 pack.

The customizable fit and suspension system aid in hauling considerably more gear than models of comparable weight and capacity. 

It’s on the heavier side if you don’t intend to make use of its hauling capabilities. 

Whether planning for a longer trek or carrying gear for others, having the option to haul more can be a major plus. The Osprey Aether 55 Pack (or Osprey Ariel 55 Pack for women) boasts an impressive load range of up to 60 pounds (when fully expanded). To handle heftier loads comfortably, the pack employs a close-to-body carry design. This is accomplished with Osprey’s AirScape injection-molded back panel that fits snug to the body, plus adjustable hip belt and torso length and shoulder straps that can be fine-tuned on the trail as needed. As an avid hiker, I appreciate that much of the weight sits on the hip belt and lumbar area to avoid strain in the shoulders.

Multiple access points and numerous loops and pockets make it easy to keep things organized while piling on lots of gear and provisions as well. When fully loaded, the twin compression straps come in handy for balancing weight and keeping gear in place.

The Details: 420HD nylon pack cloth and 210-denier nylon Diamond | 5 pounds | Size S/M, L/XL | 55 liters 

Most Comfortable

Rei co-op flash air 50 pack.

It’s ultra lightweight and adjustable so you can get a tailor-made fit. 

The thin materials may not be as durable as other options. 

For a lightweight backpack that doesn’t offload the pack weight onto your shoulders, we love the Flash Air 50 Pack for both men and women. The pack weighs less than two pounds, making this a great option for thru-hikers, weekend adventurers, and overnight travelers alike. While this pack is quite minimalistic with few pockets, it does have external pouches large enough to hold your water bottle and other essentials.

We love the light nylon fabric, but it is a bit thin and could snag if caught on branches. We also recommend investing in a raincover if you’re heading off on a longer adventure. But overall, the hip belt and ventilated back panel make this pack an overall comfortable option regardless of your hiking destination and style.

The Details: Ripstop nylon | 1.88 pounds for medium | Size S-L | 50 liters for medium

Tips for Buying a Backpacking Backpack

Be sure to find a proper fit.

Features aside, the best backpack is one that fits you well. Your torso length — a measurement that’s likely not top of mind — is a key determining factor in finding a proper fitting backpack . Thankfully, torso lengths are listed with any reputable backpacking backpack. Your torso length is the distance from where your shoulders and neck meet (the C7 vertebra to get technical) to the point of the lower back that’s aligned with your hip bones. 

The fit along the hips and waist is also critical and, thankfully, easier to measure. Simply wrap a tape measure just above where you’d wear a belt to get your hip measurements. While at-home measurements can give a rough idea to narrow your search, trying on a pack is critical before embarking on a trek. Check that the hip belt sits on top of the hips, as this is where most of the pack weight should rest. Shoulder straps should be snug but only carrying a modest amount of weight. If a pack is sitting on the hips correctly and not touching the shoulders, shorten the torso length or change pack size. 

Note that many packs offer some level of adjustability for torso length and hip belts. Extra features like load lifters and sternum straps can enhance the fit but be cautious about over-tightening these to avoid transferring too much weight onto the upper body.

Consider overall weight

The trip duration, weather conditions, and necessary gear will have some bearing on how much you need to pack, but a general rule of thumb is that a backpacking backpack should not exceed 20 percent of your weight when fully packed. To strategize your packing, start with the actual weight of the backpack plus truly essential equipment. Carefully planning out how much water, snacks, and food you should bring is best to avoid unnecessary weight. Typically, food amounts to 1.5-2.5 pounds per day per person, and this weight lessens as the trip goes on.

It can take some trial and error to figure out what gear and equipment is essential for your backpacking style and preferences. After each trip, consider which items you used frequently versus sparingly or not at all to fine-tune your backpacking packing list.

Think about breathability 

A breathable and well-ventilated backpack is important for comfort and reducing sweat on the trail. If your backpacking trip has limited or no access to potable water (such as deserts and arid environments), cutting down on perspiration can make a big difference. Assess the ventilation in the back panel of any backpack when comparing options.

A good size for a hiking pack depends on your needs, but 10-30 liters is fairly standard for day trip packs. For a weekend backpacking trip or thru-hike, consider leveling up to 30-50 liters.

Most backpacking backpacks use an internal frame system. An external frame may come in handy if carrying larger gear that can’t fit within the backpack, while frameless models are popular with ultralight backpackers carrying only the essentials.

Pack denser and heavier items toward the bottom and middle of the backpack for optimal weight distribution with smaller and lighter items on top. Anything you’ll want quick access to on the trail can go in exterior pockets or the top of the backpack.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Kevin Brouillard specializes in outdoor gear and apparel. His work has also been published in TripSavvy, Jetsetter, and Oyster, and he served in the Peace Corps in Cambodia for two years. Kevin used his backpacking and camping experience to curate this list of the best backpacking backpacks.

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Home » Europe » Germany » Berlin

INSIDER BERLIN ITINERARY for (2024)

Whether you’re spending a weekend in Berlin or planning a week-long trip, the city has an almost unrivaled diversity! In every corner of Berlin, you will find something fresh and exciting! From the historic buildings and a plethora of top-notch museums to vibrant outdoor galleries, your Berlin itinerary will be filled to the brim!

There are so many places in the world that are considered awesome to visit, but few are truly cool as Berlin. Germany’s capital city, with its thriving art scene, innovative cuisine, and spectacular architecture definitely deserves a spot on your travel wish list!

From the city’s dark and turbulent past, it has emerged as a warrior for social change and with a passion for remembering its history. One of the most remarkable things about this incredible city is the many memorials and Berlin landmarks which act as a reminder to forever learn from history.

And since there’s so much to do in this city, I’ve come up with the perfect Berlin itinerary for your visit. That way you can explore everything without the fear of missing out on the must-see attractions in Berlin.

Let’s get right to it!

A Little Bit about this 3-Day Berlin Itinerary

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Berlin’s history, architecture, foodie scene, and tendency to embrace the oddball has turned Berlin into a truly memorable city! It has something for every traveler, from sprawling parks to incredible museums and spooky tours, you’ll never run out of things to do in Berlin !

Whether you’re spending a one day in Berlin or planning an unforgettable Berlin itinerary, there are some phenomenal options jostling for a spot on your list! We’d personally suggest taking at least two-three full days to explore the city. If you want to see all of the important landmarks you might be able to fit everything into 24 hours, but that’ll guarantee a lot of stress. So do yourself a favour and set more time aside.

In this itinerary, you’ll find three days packed with action, culture, history and adventure. But don’t worry, you won’t have to rush from A to B, trying to fit everything in.

I’ve chosen the ideal daily structure, added times, routes to get there and suggestions on how long you should spend at each spot. Of course, you can add your own spots in, swap things around, or even skip some places. Use this itinerary as inspiration instead of a fixed plan to get the most out of your trip!

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3 Day Berlin Itinerary Overview

• Day 1: Berlin Botanic Garden and Museum | Charlottenburg Palace | Reichstag Building | Brandenburg Gate | Berliner Philharmonie
• Day 2: Urban Spree | Museum Island | Berlin Cathedral | Berlin Story Bunker | Berlin Zoological Garden
• Day 3: Mauerpark | Molecule Men at Warschauer Straße | East Side Gallery | Spree River Boat Trip

With a Berlin City Pass , you can experience the best of Berlin at the CHEAPEST prices. Discounts, attractions, tickets, and even public transport are all standards in any good city pass – be sure invest now and save them $$$ when you arrive!

No matter how many days in Berlin you’ll spend exploring and enjoying the many sights the city holds, you’ll need somewhere fantastic to stay. Because there’s so much to see and do on your vacation in Berlin, it’s always a good idea to stay somewhere central and in an area that has what you’re looking for!

Berlin was divided by the Berlin Wall for so many years, which means that its layout is a tad complicated to navigate. However, this also means that there are multiple ‘mini hubs’ in the city, where you’ll find another batch of places to visit in Berlin! So, if you’re looking for the best place to stay in Berlin , I’ve got you covered with some of the city’s finest options.

Because the city is so diverse, every neighborhood has its own unique atmosphere and fantastic Berlin points of interest. So your decision of where to stay truly depends on what you want on your trip to Berlin!

Mitte is one of the go-to places if you’re interested in popular Berlin attractions , sightseeing and getting a feel for Berlin’s old-timey charm. This central location is filled with amazing things to do, including a ride in the AquaDom elevator where you’re surrounded by sea life!

Friedrichshain is another amazing choice! This popular, up-and-coming community is the perfect spot for creative travelers looking for something different. As one of the cheapest neighborhoods in Berlin, there’s a fantastic array of accommodation. This urban spot is a night owl’s paradise and it’s also where you’ll find the fascinating Computer Games Museum!

Speaking of incredible places to stay in Berlin, Kreuzberg (or Xberg) is a lively cultural hotspot where river beaches combine with a vibrant nightlife and some amazing street art to create an unbeatable place to stay.

If you’re looking for something else entirely, the charming area of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf is filled with family-friendly attractions to add to your Berlin itinerary! With world-class restaurants and a range of historic landmarks, this is the perfect spot for a diverse group of travelers. Check out the famous shopping street of Kurfürstendamm while you’re there!

As popular with budget backpackers as it is with seasoned luxury travelers, Belin boasts a diverse range of accommodation options. From luxury hotels to cozy guesthouses, lively hostels, charming B&Bs , and homestays, you’re garanteed to have a perfect stay here.

Best Hostel in Berlin – PLUS Berlin

Brilliantly located near the East Side Gallery, and nestled between some of Berlin’s prime nightlife spots, PLUS Berlin is one of the best party hostels in Berlin ! Complete with a swimming pool, sauna, and lovely garden, this hostel has it all. Enjoy the vibe at their Opera Bar and restaurant, or head out to the fantastic clubs just a stone’s throw away!

Best Airbnb in Berlin – Design loft with rooftop & pool

Chic and stylish with access to a shared pool and cool rooftop garden, this apartment is located in the heart of Berlin, in the neighborhood of Mitte.

The compact apartment has a modern kitchen and the large windows provide plenty of natural lighting. There’s a separate desk and dining table and the apartment has free Wi-Fi. The monochrome is the best place to stay in Berlin for a couple.

Best Budget Hotel in Berlin – Hotel Ludwig van Beethoven

Enjoy this 3-star hotel with a great price tag in a charming and vibrant neighborhood! With a 24-hour reception and delicious buffet breakfasts served on their rooftop breakfast patio, you’ll love every minute of your stay. Stop off at the fantastic local eateries or enjoy touring Berlin with uber-easy nearby transport options!

The first day in Berlin is going to start in nature, which is perfect if you just have a long journey behind you. Afterwards, you’ll head into the city to explore some of the most important monuments of the city. Be sure to wear comfy shoes and bring some snacks!

Being the massive and diverse city it is, Berlin also provides locals and visitors with a fantastic public transport system. One of the most popular ways to get around in Berlin is via the U-Bahn (the underground) or S-Bahn trains which run all over the city. You could also jump one of the city’s handy trams or buses. It’s very easy to get tickets for any of these modes of transport, just make sure you get your hands on a map so no time is wasted by getting lost!

While a lot of Berlin is super walkable, it doesn’t help with getting the most out of your trip. Perhaps the best thing to do is grab one of the city’s travel passes. You can get to your destination easily and spend more time exploring Berlin!

Wondering what to do in Berlin? Whether you love art, history, food, a happening nightlife scene, or you’re up for anything, I’ve put together a stellar Berlin itinerary that will make your trip unforgettable!

Take a look at some of the top-notch options for day one on our itinerary for Berlin! Get in touch with nature at the lush Botanic Garden, then take in a spot of history at some of the finest Berlin landmarks – Charlottenburg Palace, the Reichstag Building, and Brandenburg Gate. Then, finish off your day to the sound of the Berlin Philharmonic!

9am – Berlin Botanic Garden and Museum

If you love a splash of nature on a vacation in the city, enjoy a morning at the Berlin Botanic Garden. This oasis of lush greenery and incredible diversity is filled with stunning greenhouses, a sea of colorful flora and a chance to learn a little something as well!

Travel through this historic garden where you can enjoy a walk around Viktoriahaus, which is over one hundred years old! Explore the incredible collection of orchids, carnivorous plants (yikes!) and stunning white water lilies. Then, get lost in the tranquil arboretum where towering trees and the amazing Arbor of Roses right in the middle!

This immaculate garden is a fascinating place, especially thanks to the on-site museum where you can check out a range of models that give you an inside look into plant structures that are usually invisible to the naked eye. Think “forest in a matchbox”!

Insider Tip: The entrance ticket includes admission to the museum as well

• Cost – 6€ for adults
• Getting there – The S1 line stops directly at the garden
• How long should you stay – Give yourself 1-2 hours to enjoy the beauty of the garden and museum

11.30am – Charlottenburg Palace

Be greeted at the entrance by an impressive equestrian statue of King Friederich Wilhelm III – a fitting beginning to an incredible palace tour. Once a royal summer residence, the Charlottenburg Palace is Berlin’s largest and most magnificent royal house!

Spectacular paintings fill the walls and lofty ceilings of the palace, while amazing statues stand like sentinels as you explore the grounds. Don’t miss a look at the Belvedere former tea house and pavilion with amazing panoramic views, as well as the on-site mausoleum where the castle’s namesake was laid to rest. The palace was named after the beloved first Queen consort of Prussia, Sophie Charlotte.

The Goldene Galerie (the castles rococo ballroom) makes for quite the sight, and you’ll feel utterly regal as you admire its remarkable interior! The Old Palace and New Wing are both open to the public on your tour, while the grounds are free to explore.

Speaking of the garden, the palace’s impressive formal garden is surrounded by a lush woodland that makes it all the more royal!

• Cost: USD $23 for a full-access ticket.
• Getting there – Walk to the U9 and change to U7 at Berliner Straße
• How long should you stay – 60-90min

2pm – Reichstag Building

Add a significant and fascinating piece of history to your Berlin itinerary with a visit to the Reichstag Building!

Home to Germany’s parliament, this historical Berlin landmark has quite the history, from World War II and well into the Cold War. You can even get a peek at the current-day parliament at work!

Visitors can still see the Soviet graffiti on fire-touched walls after its occupation by the USSR. marked by history, the Reichstag Building was used for propaganda presentations and military purposes during WWII, and it became the main target in the 1945 Battle of Berlin. If you’re a history buff or have a love for politics, this is definitely one to add to your Berlin trip itinerary!

It also grew in popularity among tourists when it was home to the widely-praised Fragen an die deutsche Geschichte (questions to the German history). Now regarded as the second most visited landmark in Germany, visiting the Reichstag Building is a must on your Berlin vacation!

• Cos t – Free entrance!
• Getting there – Take the bus line M45 and change to line 100 at Berlin Zoologischer Garten railway station
• How long should you stay – 45-60min

3pm – Brandenburg Gate

As one of Berlin’s most well-known landmarks, Brandenburg Gate promises a lot! This 18th-century monument is built on the former city gate that marked the start of the road from Berlin to Brandenburg’s capital. This began the long and eventful history of Brandenburg Gate!

It also happens to be an actual gate into Unter den Linden, the famous boulevard of linden trees which leads directly to the spectacular Berlin City Palace of Prussian monarchs. The gate has become a symbol of unity and peace, and was the first piece to ‘Athen’s on the River Spree’ as you can see by its amazing design. Admire this incredible monument, which is adorned with a powerful statue and draws visitors from all over the world!

For the true history lovers, it was also here that Ronald Regan gave his iconic speech where he said, “Mr. Gorbachov, tear down this wall!” As a site of struggle, victory and celebration (it’s the popular finish line of the Berlin Marathon), the Brandenburg Gate definitely belongs on your Berlin itinerary!

Insider tip: visiting the Brandenburg Gate is especially atmospheric after dark!

• Cost: Free to see!
• Getting there – It’s a short walk from the previous stop
• How long should you stay here – 30min max

3.30pm – Unter den Linden

This boulevard takes you right from the Brandenburg Gate to the City Palace. It’s become one of the most famous streets in Berlin, alongside the Kufürstendamm which is located in the west. The straight street offers a cool view that moves straight through the city centre. It’s worth standing on either end and taking a few pics.

While strolling along the 1.5 km long road, you pass numerous important buildings such as the Humboldt University and the Staatsoper, and landmarks such as the Neue Wache and the Zeughaus. The boulevard also boasts restaurants, cafés and shops which is great for a quick afternoon snack.

You’ll also walk past monuments that we’ll have a closer look at on day two of the Berlin itinerary, such as the Museum Island and the famous cathedral.

• Cost – Free!
• Getting there – The boulevard starts right at the previous one!

6pm – Berliner Philharmonie

For classical music fans or anyone who enjoys the arts, a visit to this remarkable venue is a dream!

Situated in the beating heart of the city, the building is stunning on its own. With an incredible tent-like design and golden facade, the atmosphere is unreal. Then comes the performance by one of the world’s finest philharmonic orchestras.

The Berlin Philharmonic is anything but conventional! They deliver exquisite performances of the musical greats while giving it a sense of fun. As a fairly young orchestra, they’re open to performing jazz or show tunes and once started playing a completely different score much to their maestro’s bemusement.

The Berlin Philharmonic also has a forested venue on the city outskirts where you can enjoy one of their unbelievable performances. This award-winning orchestra is absolutely mandatory on your Berlin itinerary!

Insider tip: Be sure to get there early for their afternoon chamber music performance which they put on every Tuesday at 1pm, and they get filled up quickly!

• Cost –Tickets depend on seating but range from USD $12 for standing room to USD $325 for prime seats.
• Getting there – It’s a chill 20min walk from the Unter den Linden Subway station. You can also opt to take the bus!
• How long should you stay – Until the show is over – Make sure to check the schedule !

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

Make your 2 days in Berlin memorable with a mixed bag of eclectic Berlin culture, a visit to the incredible Museum Island as well as an extra dose of nature with a trip to the zoo!

9am – Urban Spree

Get a taste for the legendary Berlin culture at this eclectic art gallery and the outdoor hub that surrounds it. If you’re looking for some incredible street art, themed clubs, and live music bars- you’ll find it all here!

Explore the amazing art gallery where stunning exhibits are on display. Then, enjoy a meander through the unbelievable collection of truly unique gems! Berlin has some of the best English bookshops where prints by featured artists are sold, as well as a fantastic array of rare books and zines.

Stroll through the patchwork of exhibitions, eateries, and a beer garden that’s just right for a relaxed day in Berlin. If you’re still hungry for more, there just so happens to be wall climbing available as well as one of Berlin’s tiniest discos.

Climb inside a converted phonebooth complete with dry ice, strobe lights, and a disco ball. You can even record your three-minute rave to some killer tunes (for the memories of course). If you’re after a glimpse inside Berlin’s epic street culture, this is the perfect place to start!

• Cost – It’s Free!
• Getting there – Take any public transport option to “Warschauer Staraße”
• How long should you stay – Around 60min

10am – Museum Island

If you thought Berlin couldn’t surprise you anymore, it’s done it again with an actual island covered in museums! This collection of world-renowned museums is home to an impressive array of artifacts and art, along with the promise of a fantastic experience.

Visit the Neues Museum, which is home to the famous bust of Queen Nefertiti as well as outstanding pieces from the Collection of Classical Antiquities. The Old National Gallery sits above the island like an old king on his throne and houses work by Manet, Menzel, and Monet, as well as paintings and sculptures from Romanticism to early Modernist art.

Altes Museum was the first on the island and showcases art and sculptures from classical antiquity including the busts of Caesar and Cleopatra. Then hit Bode-museum where you’ll find an extensive collection of sculptures dating all the way back to the medieval period to the late 18th century.

Last but not least, enjoy a walk through the Pergamonmuseum, which houses the Roman Market Gate of Miletus and the historic Tell Halaf facade. If you have a love for art, history and everything in between, definitely add Museum Island to your Berlin itinerary!

• Cost – The Museum Pass Berlin is USD $34, a one-day ticket to all exhibitions is USD $22.
• Getting there – Take the S1 towards Alexander Platz and take a quick walk to the Island.
• How long should you stay – Anything from 2-5 hours! Depending on how many Museums you want to have a look at.

1.30pm – Berlin Cathedral

After you have your fill of museums, hop on over the Berlin Cathedral which also sits on Museum Island! This major work of historicist architecture is quite the Berlin attraction and one of the most amazing landmarks on the city’s landscape.

First of all, you can enjoy breathtaking views of Berlin from the cathedral’s spectacular dome. Then, enjoy the incredible interior of this historic basilica. Crowned with a lantern and golden cross, the dome is flanked by four impressive towers! Drink in the stunning decor including ornamental mosaics, touches of gold, and amazing statues.

One of the cathedral’s most notable features is the marble and onyx altar, which draws the eye as soon as you walk in! The Imperial Staircase is another stellar feature, which was used for the entrance of an arriving royal couple. The cathedral also houses the Hohenzollern Crypt , the most prominent dynastic vault in the country!

Take in every corner of this stunning monument where historic beauty and an unreal atmosphere fill the hallowed halls. The cathedral also hosts a regular program of concerts, which are definitely worth seeing if you have the chance.

• Cost – USD $9 for adults and USD $7 for students.
• Getting there – It’s right across the Island.
• How long should you stay – 30-60min

2.15pm – Berlin Story Bunker

Get a unique insight into 800 years of Berlin history on a tour through the Berlin Story Bunker. Along with providing a detailed and vast background story, the bunker also houses the largest documentary on Adolf Hitler and his rise to power.

Journey through 30 fascinating, informative, and heartbreaking displays where you’ll learn all about how the Second World War came to be, why the Nazis brought the world to the brink and other prominent events in Berlin’s past!

Walk through the rooms of a real-life war bunker, where the unheard stories of Berlin residents are shared, giving a new understanding to the city’s turbulent past. The tour is also self-guided (with the help of an audio track), so you’ll be able to move through the museum at your own pace and find the exhibits that truly pique your interest.

You’ll also have the chance to see a fantastic miniature model of the entire city where you can track where you’ve been, where you’ll go next, and how this sprawling city fits together.

Insider tip: The tour is quite graphic in parts making it unsuitable for most children.  Keep this in mind if you are particularly sensitive to traumatic images as well.

• Cost – Tickets starts from 13$
• Getting there – Take the S3 from Hackesche Märkte and to Friedrichstraße and change onto the S2

3.30pm  – Berlin Zoological Garden

As the most visited zoo in Europe, the Berlin Zoological Garden has some spectacular habitats, animals, and highlights to show off!

Some of their most famous residents include the giant pandas, hippos, adorable penguins, gorillas, and a polar bear called Knut. The zoo also has some unique feature exhibits including the Eagle canyon- venture past a cascading waterfall and discover the eagle’s world. If you love watching birds as they flutter from tree to tree, the World of Birds canopy trail is perfect!

You can also spot some amazing black and Indian rhinos as well as a herd of red deer! The zoo is also in collaboration with other zoos and research groups to promote healthy breeding programs which safeguard endangered species!

The on-site aquarium is also a must-see, with 3 stories filled with over 9,000 animals from across the world. Stroll through the cool, shimmering hallways where you can see the likes of tropical fish, amphibians, an incredible shark tank, and a host of billowing jellyfish! You can also check out a fascinating ant enclosure where you can watch the little creatures at work.

The aquarium also works hard to promote healthy sea life by including educational features and a display of plastic amongst the incredible marine life.

Insider tip: The joint ticket includes access to the aquarium!

• Cost – USD $18 for adults and USD $10 for children.
• Getting there – Take the M29 bus to Europa-Center
• How long should you stay – You can spend the rest of the day here!

PLUS Berlin

Brilliantly located near the East Side Gallery and nestled between some of Berlin’s prime nightlife spots, PLUS Berlin is one of the best hostels in Berlin!

• 24 Hour Reception

Now that you’ve had a whirlwind weekend in Berlin , it’s time to find out what to do in Berlin in 3 days. From epic markets to trips down the amazing Spree River, you’ll be spoiled for choice when you travel to Berlin!

The end of day three is optional but I’d highly recommend it. Exploring Berlin’s nightlife is a must! It’s one of the biggest and well-known nightlife scenes in Europe and since it’s the last day on our itinerary, you might as well go out with a bang!

9am – Mauerpark

Throughout Berlin, Mauerpark is known as one of the best places to hang out in the city. Built in what used to be a militarized death strip, the lush and fun-filled park is now a social hub in Berlin.

You can enjoy a stroll through the stunning landscape, have a picnic in the birch grove, join in a game of boules or basketball, or watch musicians and performers put on a show in the amphitheatre. Heck, why not do it all?

Get a real feel for Berlin and its community in this gorgeous oasis where you may even get to know some locals! Enjoy snacks and treats from a range of food stalls that set up camp in the park, or browse the many stalls selling artworks, handicrafts and trinkets.

Mauerpark almost feels like a music festival in the summer, when the street performers are in full swing and vendors fill the air with delicious aromas!

I’ve saved the best for last – the park also hosts an open-to-all karaoke fest every second Sunday, which is beyond fun and a great way to connect with the city!

• Getting there – Head to Eberswalder Straße Station with any public transport option.
• How long should you stay – 1-2 hours depending on whether you’re coming for the fleamarket as well

12pm – Berlin Wall Memorial

A visit to Berlin wouldn’t be complete without checking out the Berlin wall – it’s probably THE thing to do in Berlin. Retrace the surviving 3-miles of wall and get transported back to a pivotal moment in recent history. Parts of the wall have been rebuilt, others are exactly how they used to be.

This site is more informative than other museums and will teach you all about the history of the Berlin Wall. It’s the ideal place for history nerds that really want to dig in deep.

The memorial serves as a reminder of the divided city and the victims of communist tyranny, as well as the “Window of Remembrance. You can also find the Chapel of Reconciliation here, along with the exposed foundations of a former apartment house, the façade of which made up part of the Wall until the early 1980s.

• Cost – Free! The museum is 12.50€
• Getting there – Take the M1 tram to U Bernauer Straße.
• How long should you stay – 30-45min

1pm – East Side Gallery

Berlin’s East Side Gallery is one of the most well-known open-air galleries in the world, and with a remarkable history as well!

The incredible gallery consists of a series of murals painted onto the final remnant of the Berlin Wall. As a marker for decades of turmoil, this historic space is now filled with powerful portraits, graffiti and slogans by artists from across the globe!

You can see images like an opened wall filled with a sea of faces, young children being watched over and a curriculum vitae with significant years in the city’s history. You can also spot a giant “Berlin” on one section of the wall alongside other powerful phrases and messages.

While the gallery has been defaced over the years, it remains an icon of change and is definitely deserves a spot on your 3-day Berlin itinerary!

• Getting there – Take the U8 to Jannowitzbrücke and change to the S3 to Berlin Warschauer Straße
• How long should you stay – 45min

2.30pm – Molecule Men at Warschauer Straße

This unexpected and eclectic landmark makes a fun addition to your Berlin itinerary! Stroll along the lanes around Warschauer Straße where you’ll find amazing art galleries, fun bars, and the unreal Molecule Men . This monumental statue stands in position in the middle of Spree River, which used to mark the border between East and West Berlin.

This incredible sculpture forms part of a series of aluminium creations that have been placed around the world. Symbolically, the Molecule Men represent the intersection of the then three districts of Berlin, but they also make for an epic photo opportunity!

The 100-foot-tall statue is quite the sight on its own, but you can also enjoy some spectacular architecture in the area as well as an amazing view of Oberbaum Bridge. Definitely pay this Berlin landmark a visit at night when the bridge and surrounds are bathed in light!

• Getting there – Take the S9 to S Treptower Park
• How long should you stay – 20-30min

4pm – Spree River Boat Trip

Add a fun and fascinating riverboat tour to your 3-day itinerary in Berlin! Enjoy a relaxing cruise through the waters of Spree River as you enjoy the sights and sounds of Berlin!

Learn all about the German capital as you pass by the Federal Chancellery and Bellevue Palace, the official residence of the President of Germany since 1994. You’ll also have the chance to admire the Victory Column which commemorates the Prussian wins in various wars and has become a symbol of unity.

Cruise past Charlottenburg Palace, the Westhafen Canal and the Hamburger Bahnhof, which is a terminal-turned museum that has an impressive collection of contemporary art! Take in the gorgeous views of Berlin as you toast to a fantastic holiday!

• Cost – Starting from $20
• Getting there – Take the S9 to Am Weidendamm 1, 10117 Berlin
• How long should you sta y – The tour takes 1 hour but there are 2.5h tours available as well

9pm until late – Berlin nightlife

You can’t visit Berlin without hearing about the city’s insane nightlife. While it’s not technically a place to visit, there are just too many amazing venues to decide which one is the best. You can get bars, clubs and hidden hotspots all over the city and each of them offers a different vibe. One of the most famous nightclubs is Berghain but there are plenty of other and more unique nightlife places to visit.

Dance the night away until your feet hurt – and then keep going. Go nude at Pornceptual, party through the weekend at Sunday Club, choose from all sorts of music genres at Hoe_Mies or dive into the techno scene at Suicide Circus or Tresor. There are endless options and trust us, you’ll struggle to decide where to go to! It’s the perfect end to a 3-Day Berlin Itinerary!

• Cost – Depends on the club!
• Getting there – Depends on where you want to go!
• How long should you stay – Depends on your endurance!

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt  except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

When you’re planning a trip to Berlin, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the seasons and get an idea of when to visit Berlin!

The best time to visit the city is between May and October when Berlin is bathed in sunshine and has the perfect weather for checking out the many Berlin attractions. May brings along the blooming of cherry blossoms and is one of the most beautiful months to visit. Keep in mind that many people travel at that time, so it’s important to book your accommodation ahead. Luckily, there are plenty of amazing hostels in Berlin , so you’ll almost always find a comfy place to rest your head.

August and September are especially pleasant months, with the International Berlin Beer Festival as well as the famous Lollapalooza music festival where some epic performances take place! However, the middle of summer does get very humid, so heading to Berlin in early spring or late summer to early autumn is also a fantastic choice!

High season in Berlin is between mid-June to August, during Oktoberfest and, of course, the Christmas season when Berlin is lit in exquisite lights and filled with festivals. You can also experience the city’s legendary Christmas markets during December!

January can get some stunning snow, which makes Berlin even more dreamy and there are some fantastic New Year’s celebrations including food, drinks, and live music along Berlin’s Party Mile.

For the most budget-friendly time to visit, early June is quiet and accommodation prices decrease, while the winter months of November to March are pretty cold and overcast but have some fantastic deals!

It’s no surprise that Berlin is a pretty big city with loads of interesting neighbourhoods. Luckily, you can find a super well developed public transport network spread throughout all parts of the city. The public transport here also makes taking one of the many day trips from Berlin super easy too.

To put that into numbers for you, there are 120 kilometres of tram lines, 473 kilometres of railway track, and more navigable waterways than Amsterdam, Stockholm and even Venice – put together! And Berlin makes good use of it all. Whether it’s by tram, S-Bahn, subway or simple bus system, you can get from A to B within no time.

The public transport in Berlin is straightforward, clean and reliable. It’s also pretty affordable, especially if you opt for taking the bus.

Another great way to get around is to rent a bicycle. There are bike stations spread throughout the city, the most popular ones are Nextbike and Donkey Republic. Both of them are rentable by app which makes it super handy and efficient.

The German capital has one of the highest rates of bicycle commuting in the world, with an average of 710 bicycles owned per 1,000 Berliners. There are plenty of bike paths and dedicated cycle lanes — in fact, there are 620 kilometres of them.

Coming prepared is one of the most important parts of travelling, no matter where you want to go.

Although it’s the largest and most populated city in Germany, Berlin is generally quite safe. However, when you’re traveling to a new city, especially one as large as this, it’s a good idea to follow some tried and tested safety tips .

• Be particularly vigilant in touristy areas like the Kurfürstendamm and Gölitzer Park.
• Public transport is also a hotspot for petty crime, so hold tight to your belongings for any journeys you take.
• It is generally quite safe to walk around popular areas at night, but keep an eye out for dodgy characters.

As you are likely traveling in a foreign country, ensure you have access to emergency numbers in case of an accident or problem. It’s also always a good idea to have travel insurance in the event of a problem. To enjoy your Berlin itinerary to the fullest, keep these travel tips in mind and enjoy safe travels!

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Find out what people want to know when planning their Berlin itinerary.

How many days should you stay in Berlin?

You can cover a lot of ground in 3 days. However, 4-5 days are ideal if you’re looking to discover more of Berlin’s epic nightlife scene.

What should you include on a 3 day Berlin itinerary?

Don’t miss out on these awesome places: – Brandenburg Gate – Museum Island – East Side Gallery – Holocaust Memorial

Where should you stay for a weekend in Berlin?

If you’re only in Berlin for a short time, finding accommodation in Mitte is your best bet. It’s super central, putting you within easy reach of Berlin’s top attractions and bars.

What are the best day trips from Berlin?

If you’ve got the time, make sure to check out Dresden, the Azalea and Rhododendron Park, Potsdam, or Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp.

When you think about Berlin, it probably brings to mind historical buildings, incredible museums, and an up-and-coming creative scene that has some spectacular things to offer!

There’s incredible variety in Berlin, so it’s the perfect place for every type of traveler. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing holiday filled with leisurely strolls through charming streets, an action-packed European getaway where you’re always looking for something exciting, or a true taste of history – Berlin has everything you could ask for!

Along with top-notch public transport and events galore, Berlin is filled to the brim with landmarks and attractions to explore! Enjoy a stay at world-class accommodation, get a taste for the international cuisine that fills Berlin with flavor, and take your pick from an impressive list of things to do in Berlin.

There’s so much to do on your Berlin itinerary, so jump into this unbelievable city with both feet and enjoy!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

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