Explore Europe

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About Europe
From the mighty fjords in the north to the ancient Greek ruins in the south, all the way to the volcanic Azores in the west and the monumental architecture in the east, Europe's unique blend of history, landscapes, and cultures must be seen to be believed.

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Essential Europe

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Europe Travel Guide

Travelers' pro tips for experiencing Europe

Luftmensch
Traveling slowly and giving a reasonable time for a few select countries is a much more rewarding and memorable way of discovering Europe than hopping all over the place.
164kt
One of the biggest differences between Europeans generally and Americans is the approach to customer service. Your waiter will not tell you their name and come over every five minutes to "check if everything is ok." Waiters take your order, bring it to you, and leave you be until you're ready to leave. They won't bring you the cheque until you ask them to. It’s considered rude to rush people out of a restaurant by bringing them the cheque since in Europe a meal is more an event rather than just a "eat and move on" deal.
ChicagoAvidTraveller
In France, if you just talk to a local in English, people will ignore you. If you at least greet them in French, then they themselves start talking to you in English (realizing you are a tourist).
lastraniera
I can’t help noticing how well behaved even quite young children are in restaurants. They understand that they have to sit at the table patiently and eat with the grown-ups in what may appear to your children to be a fairly formal setting.
luvplayacar
Pack small! The buildings are old and the stairways are small and narrow and the elevators say they will fit eight, but, they will not fit eight U.S. citizens with large luggage.

In the words of those who've been there before...

Luftmensch
European countries have amazing diversity and allow you to see totally different landscapes, cultures, and cuisines on the same continent.
freutmich
Berlin is one of my favorite European destinations.
Matilda
Barcelona is well known for its incredible cultural offerings from Gaudí’s impressive architecture to amazing works by the artist Picasso.
Judy E
Rome is one of the world's most fascinating cities.

Don’t leave without seeing…

Sicily

Manqūsh
A unique Mediterranean Island full of history, great people, fantastic food and amazing places. Sea, mountains, active volcanoes... come and discover Sicily, it will go beyond your expectations.

London

Knutey1111
London is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world for a reason. A cultural and historical hub.

Paris

Márcio F
Paris is magical! From its pretty and remarkable landscapes to its inspiring cafes, Paris has a unique combination of traditional architecture, rich history, pleasant parks and squares, original cuisine and special spirit of life.

Don’t leave without eating…

Europe is an ultra-diverse place, just like its foods.

Here is a selection of restaurants Tripadvisor travelers love for catching a bite all over the continent:

Homemade Italian pasta in Sicily

Jeff T
This is such a fabulous restaurant and the food is exceptional. The cuisine draws on the traditional Sicilian but adds a modern twist.

Fine French gastronomy in Paris

Mike Weddle
This is our favorite restaurant in the world. An exquisite Parisian experience.

Classic pub lunch in London

Steelers 1
One of London’s best kept secrets for chilling out and lazing on a Sunday afternoon. A proper roast Sunday lunch with all the trimmings and apple crumble and custard to follow...I think I've gone to heaven!

What is the best way to get there?

Flying:

International airports are located in all major cities in Europe.

Do I need a visa?

Travelers can obtain a single visa allowing access and free movement between all 26 countries of the Schengen zone. If you’re visiting from overseas, use Schengen Visa info to see if you need a visa.

For countries outside this zone, including the U.K., Ireland, and many countries in Eastern Europe, contact the respective country’s embassy to find out if you need a visa.

When is the best time to visit?

Any time: Europe is a year-round destination. Summer travelers flock to the beaches of Spain, Greece, and the south of France; while winter visitors hit the ski slopes in the Alps or tour Europe’s famous Christmas Markets. The summer months are often the busiest for city sightseeing—a spring or autumn visit means fewer crowds and often lower prices on flights and accommodation.

Festivals take place throughout the seasons in Europe, with top events including Munich’s Oktoberfest (Sept), Venice Carnival (Feb-Mar), Cannes Film Festival (May), Edinburgh Fringe Festival (Aug), and La Tomatina Festival in Valencia (Aug).

Flights

Low-cost airlines operate throughout Europe and flying is often the cheapest way to hop between cities.

Train

There are high-speed trains linking cities all across Europe. The most cost-effective option is a Eurail or Interrail Pass, which offers unlimited train travel. Passes are available for individual countries or you can get a Global Pass valid in 33 countries. There’s also the Eurostar train between England and France.

Bus

Most countries operate their own nationwide bus companies. Eurolines and Flixbus operate low-cost long-distance bus services to 29 European countries.

Ferries

Car and passenger ferries operate between the destinations along the English Channel, the Baltic Sea coast, and the Mediterranean coast.

Ridesharing

Uber, BlaBlaCar, and Bolt are available in many European cities on your smartphone.

On the ground
What is the timezone?
Time zones range from Greenwich Mean Time in the United Kingdom to Central European Standard Time in France, Italy, and other central European countries; to Eastern European Standard Time in Finland, Romania, and other Eastern countries.
What are the voltage/plug types?
Most European countries use a standard voltage of 220–240 V and the standard frequency is 50Hz. The plug has two round pins. Exceptions include the UK and Ireland, which use a plug with three pins.
What is the currency?
The Euro is used by 19 countries within the Eurozone. Other countries each have their own currencies. Although some non-Euro countries may accept the Euro, this practice is typically restricted to tourist areas and you will need to use the local currency throughout Europe.
Are ATMs readily accessible?
Yes.
Are credit cards widely accepted?
Yes.
How much do I tip?
Although tipping etiquette varies from country to country, in general tipping is not obligatory in Europe. A tip for exceptional service is always appreciated, typically between 10-20%. Some restaurants, especially in major cities may add a service charge, so it’s worth checking the bill.

Are there local customs I should know?

Drinking
In almost all European countries the federal legal age for buying and drinking alcohol is 18 years old. In some countries, the age for purchasing beer and wine is lower. An exception is Iceland, where the legal age for buying and drinking alcohol is 20 years old.
Public transport
Allow others to disembark before boarding, don’t take up more than one seat, and stand to offer seating to pregnant women or someone with a disability. In many cities, it is customary to stand to the right on escalators to allow others to pass.
Try to speak the language
The EU has 24 official languages and even more languages are spoken throughout the rest of Europe. Although you will often find someone who speaks English, especially in major cities and tourist areas, it is polite to enquire if the person speaks English instead of assuming. Where possible, try to learn a few words such as ‘Hello’ and ‘Thank you’ in the local language as a sign of respect.
Keep your VAT receipts
Most European countries add TVA or VAT (value-added tax) to the purchase of goods and services. This sales tax can often be refunded for international travelers, so hold onto your receipts and fill out the claims form at customs on departure.
Always greet people
A courteous, formal greeting in the local language is always appreciated—this includes shop attendants, wait staff, hotel staff, and drivers. However, Europeans, in general, are more reserved than some other cultures, so don’t expect strangers to smile at you in the street or strike up a conversation.
Don’t talk loudly in public
Although customs vary from country to country, in most European cultures, this is considered ugly and rude.