The Essential 3 Week Europe Itinerary For Your Family

Europe is an excellent destination for a family vacation. Planning a three-week trip allows you to explore multiple captivating locations. Are you wondering which places to visit and how to organize such an epic journey? Take a look at our awesome 3 week Europe itinerary, along with several other useful tips, and start planning your epic family adventure today!

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3 WEEK EUROPE TRIP ITINERARY

DAYS 1 AND 2

If you’re flying from the United States or Canada, you’ll likely have an overnight flight that arrives sometime in the morning. This takes up the first and part of the second day of your trip.

Once you arrive in London, it’ll be a great time to head out and see what’s in your area. If you’re up to it, you can even get a head start on the itinerary.

You’ll likely come in through either Gatwick or Heathrow which will require arranging transportation to the city center. Heathrow is closer, but if you’re taking a budget airline then you’ll likely come in Gatwick or Stansted. 

DAY 3 – LONDON

To get a feel for London, enjoy sweeping views of the London Eye, then explore Jubilee Gardens and Southbank. Cross Westminster Bridge for vistas of the Thames, Parliament, and Big Ben. Discover Westminster Abbey’s rich history with a guided tour.

Big Ben

Visit Buckingham Palace, timing your trip for the Changing of the Guard. Enjoy Hyde Park’s green spaces and Serpentine Galleries. Explore Kensington Palace’s royal apartments and exhibits with a tour.

Get some shopping in on Regent Street which has to include a visit to Hamleys toy store, and then see Piccadilly Circus’s dazzling night displays.

DAY 4 – LONDON

Start your day at the British Museum, exploring ancient civilizations from Egypt to Persia. Join specialized tours for a fun, educational experience for kids. Then, head to the vibrant Camden Town, with its colorful street art and creative energy.

Recharge at Camden Market, where you can sample gourmet burgers, international street food, and sweets while browsing unique stalls. End your day at Regent’s Park, enjoying the lush greenery, a zoo, gardens, and playgrounds. Cross the lake in a rowboat or watch open-air performances in the summer.

DAY 5 – LONDON

St. Paul’s Cathedral, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, is a Baroque masterpiece with one of the world’s largest domes. It has hosted significant events like Churchill’s and Princess Diana’s funerals.

Climb 528 steps for stunning London views and explore the intricate interior, including the Whispering Gallery. Cross the Millennium Bridge for river and landmark views, then visit Borough Market for gourmet treats and a chance to sample some of the best food that London has to offer.

Tower Bridge

Discover Tower Bridge’s history and enjoy its panoramic glass floor walkway. At the Tower of London, explore its historic chambers and the Crown Jewels. This was one of the highlights of our visit, so make sure you give yourself enough time.

Finally, visit the Sky Garden for free panoramic views and a lush indoor garden. Even though the entrance is free, be sure to book a ticket.

DAY 6 – LONDON TO PARIS

Eurostar trains

The simplest way to travel from London to Paris is by train. However, this option can sometimes be more costly than flying. There are several choices available, but it’s advisable to book your tickets well in advance, as prices tend to rise steeply as the travel date approaches.

The train departs from St. Pancras Railway Station in London and arrives at Gare du Nord in Paris. A direct train ride takes just over 2 hours.

DAY 7 – PARIS

Eiffel Tower

Begin your Paris adventure with the iconic Eiffel Tower, accessible via the Trocadero metro station. Enjoy breathtaking views from Trocadero and the nearby Champ de Mars, and don’t miss the charming carousel. The kids will love it!

From the Eiffel Tower head over to the grand Arc de Triomphe. It’s not enough to just see it from the outside, purchase entry tickets to get a closer look. Ascend the 284 steps of the Arc de Triomphe for panoramic views of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower and Champs-Élysées.

Explore the Champs-Élysées for shopping and Parisian charm. At the Louvre, marvel at masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo, and plan your visit to avoid crowds. Relaxing at the peaceful Jardins des Tuileries is a great way to end your day as it features a carousel, duck pond, and playground.

The Louvre

DAY 8 – PARIS

Families love Luxembourg Gardens for sailing toy boats, picnicking, and admiring the fountains and statues against the backdrop of Palais du Luxembourg.

Afterward, explore the Latin Quarter’s charming cobblestone streets, quaint bookstores, cafes, and landmarks like the Pantheon and Shakespeare and Company.

The Catacombs of Paris offer a unique glimpse into the city’s history and engineering marvels. Despite its fire damage, Notre Dame remains a symbol of French Gothic architecture and history.

A Seine River cruise from the Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame provides stunning views, especially at sunset, making it an unforgettable experience.

DAY 9 – PARIS

Just outside Paris lies the opulent Palace of Versailles, built by King Louis XIV in French Baroque style. Tour the palace to see the Hall of Mirrors, the Royal Chapel, and the royal chambers.

Explore the vast, meticulously manicured Palace Gardens. Travel to Versailles via the RER C train to Versailles Rive Gauche station, then walk 10-15 minutes to the palace.

Back in Paris, visit Montmartre, known for its bohemian atmosphere and artistic heritage. Explore art studios, galleries, and the Sacré-CÅ“ur Basilica, which offers panoramic city views. 

DAY 10 – PARIS TO ROME

Easy Jet

The flight to Rome is about 2 hours. Once in Rome take the train from Fiumicino to Termini Station. You can then catch a cab to your accommodations. While the flight is fairly short, travel days tend to take a lot of time and energy with kids.

The good thing about Rome is that if you’re staying in or near the Historic Center, you’ll be around some amazing architecture and food. So an evening stroll would be a great way to start your time in Rome.

DAY 11 – ROME

Start your day in Rome at Borghese Gardens, perfect for biking, hiking, or rowing on the pond. Families will love the playgrounds and the peaceful environment. Next, visit the Borghese Gallery, home to masterpieces by Bernini and Caravaggio. Book tickets in advance to avoid crowds.

After the gallery, head west to Pincio Terrace for stunning city views. Descend to Piazza del Popolo, a grand square with historic churches and an ancient Roman gate.

Trevi Fountain

Walk to the Spanish Steps for a panoramic view, then to Trevi Fountain, best visited early morning or night. End at Piazza Navona, with its three magnificent fountains and impressive architecture.

DAY 12 – ROME

Rome’s Colosseum, a must-see landmark, requires advance tickets to avoid long waits. Families especially benefit from early bookings. Inside, explore its ancient grandeur firsthand, with guided tours available that provide more information regarding the site.

The Colosseum

Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum are nearby and complement the experience; combined tickets or audio guides are recommended for these sites since there is little in the way of explanation or signage.

Trastevere, a charming district, offers strolls and family-friendly spots like Piazza di San Cosimato’s playground. Visit Basilica di Santa Maria and Janiculum Hill for stunning city views. Villa Doria Pamphili, a serene park, promises relaxation amid panoramic vistas.

DAY 13 – ROME

Explore Rome’s vibrant scenes starting at Campo de Fiori, renowned for its diverse market of local foods, colorful flowers, and unique goods. Arrive early to catch the bustling morning activity before it closes in the afternoon.

Nearby, the Jewish Quarter offers a rich cultural tapestry and authentic Jewish-Italian cuisine among its historic narrow streets.

Continue to Vatican City, where art and architectural grandeur await at St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican Museums, and St. Peter’s Basilica, with guided tours available to enhance the experience.

Conclude your journey at Castel Sant’Angelo, a historic fortress with captivating tales and stunning rooftop views of the city.

DAY 14 – ROME TO LISBON

Take the train from Termini Station to Fiumicino Airport. You can book an inexpensive flight from Rome to Lisbon using the same carriers that you used from Paris to Rome.

DAY 15 – LISBON

Starting on Lisbon’s tree-lined Avenue da Liberdade, near Restauradores Square, your day begins among high-end shops and scenic spots perfect for breaks. The nearby Praca Dom Pedro IV, with its grand monument and theater, is a perfect spot for pictures.

Nearby, is the famed Santa Justa Lift, an architectural marvel. You can either take a ride to the top or simply take the steps to enjoy the view. Continuing to the bustling Chiado neighborhood provides a great opportunity to shop.

There are well-known brands, stores, and local spots. While you’re in the area you have to stop in Bertrand Bookstore, the world’s oldest operating bookstore, which presents a charming selection of books and souvenirs.

Your day concludes at Carmo Convent, a historical site with an open-roofed museum, offering a unique glimpse into Lisbon’s past for just 5 euros per adult.

DAY 16  – LISBON

To visit Lisbon’s Jeronimos Monastery, take a 30-minute tram ride from Praca Comercio, arriving directly in front. You can pre-purchase tickets to ensure that you can enter but don’t expect to skip the line.

Inside, the monastery dazzled with its intricate architecture and vast hallways. A short bus ride away is Belem Tower, surrounded by scenic paths and panoramic views, offering a perfect photo backdrop without feeling crowded. If you want a closer look, you can book a tour to enter the Tower.

Nearby is Pasteis de Belem, the home of the famous pasteis de nata.

Once you’re back to the Lisbon city center head down Rua Augusta, the vibrant pedestrian street which leads to the iconic Arco da Rua Augusta, celebrating Lisbon’s recovery from the 1755 earthquake.

Praca do Comercio

This route ends at Praca do Comercio, a historic square with sweeping views, and nearby Cais das Colunas, a picturesque riverside spot with views of the April 25th Bridge, providing a grand conclusion to our city tour.

DAY 17 – LISBON

Exploring Lisbon starts ideally with a tram ride on the scenic Tram 28 or its less crowded counterpart, Tram 12, especially useful for families navigating the steep ascent to Alfama.

The city’s famous viewpoints, like Miradouro das Portas do Sol and Miradouro de Santa Luzia, offer stunning city and river vistas, with Portas do Sol providing expansive views and Santa Luzia a more intimate setting with a flower-adorned terrace.

A highlight of Alfama is Castelo de Sao Jorge. You can purchase tickets ahead of time to avoid the long lines which allows for more time to explore its vast grounds, peacock-inhabited interiors, and panoramic views.

View from Sao Jorge Castle

The extra time that you spend at the castle will be worth it. It’s a thoroughly fascinating place to visit. Nearby, Lisbon Cathedral and the Alfama district’s winding streets await, giving you a wonderful dose of history, and architecture and the chance to explore.

DAY 18 – LISBON TO LAGOS

While you can take a train or bus to Lagos from Lisbon, the best way to get there is to rent a car and make the drive.

DAY 19 – LAGOS/ALGARVE

Start the day with about a 40 minute drive from Lagos to Carvoeiro, a picturesque coastal town in the Algarve, which boasts a stunning beach with white-painted homes cascading down the hills, creating a breathtaking backdrop. The town center features a variety of shops and restaurants just up from the beach.

Nearby, the Carvoeiro Boardwalk offers panoramic views of the Atlantic and leads to Algar Seco, a striking rock formation with accessible caves and natural swimming pools.

For a unique, exciting experience, consider a boat tour of the famous Benagil Caves. We opted for a 90-minute speedboat tour with Carvoeiro Caves Tours, which was ideal for navigating the caves and keeping our kids engaged. It was an unforgettable experience!

DAY 20 – LAGOS/ALGARVE

Praia da Marinha

Praia da Marinha, acclaimed as one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, captivates with its turquoise waters, golden sands, and stunning limestone cliffs, highlighted by the iconic “M” rock formation. Make sure you have enough time to fully enjoy this remarkable spot.

Nearby, Ponta de Piedade in Lagos offers breathtaking cliffs and rock formations, with opportunities for boat tours exploring the region’s abundant caves and grottoes.

In Lagos, the vibrant Old Town is full of colorful buildings and lively streets. It’s the home to the Green House in a bustling square, surrounded by shops and restaurants, making it a family-friendly destination to explore and enjoy.

DAY 21 – LAGOS/ALGARVE

Praia do Camilo

Praia da Camilo, close to Ponte de Piedade, is a small, scenic beach known for its connecting tunnel and a long staircase, making access challenging for strollers and young children.

There are no facilities on this beach, but the view from above and a nearby stroller-friendly boardwalk offer good alternatives. Praia Dona Ana is ideal for families, featuring changing facilities and gentle waves, though it also requires descending stairs.

Sagres, about a half-hour drive west of Lagos, is a stunning natural area at Europe’s southwesternmost point, where you can explore a fortress, and a lighthouse, and enjoy rugged coastal scenery.

DAY 22 – RETURN HOME

The airport that serves the Algarve region is located in Faro. From Lagos, it’s approximately an hour’s drive. Of course, if you stay in some of the towns closer to Faro, the drive will be shorter. 

THE DESTINATIONS INCLUDED

Piazza Navona in Rome, Italy

All of the cities and areas included in the itinerary are fascinating in their way and provide a bit of variety in what they offer. 

London is always a fascinating city to visit with its amazing selection of Museums, world-famous landmarks and rich history. For a comprehensive guide to planning a trip to London, click here.

Paris is great for its culture and food scene and can’t miss locations such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Palace of Versailles.

Rome is my favorite city to visit and it has an unbeatable combination of some of the most awesome sites and history and amazing food. It’s the perfect city to explore on foot.

Lisbon is the ideal European city that is full of charm and character. It’s compact enough to enjoy many of its highlights in a few days and also has amazing food.

Be sure to check out our essential guide for planning a trip to Lisbon here.

Street in Lisbon, Portugal

Lagos and the Algarve region are perfect to include in this itinerary because it provides a change of pace in that Lagos is a small town and the Algarve is a wonderful region whose best parts are the natural landscapes and plenty of stunning beaches.

A great way to relax and cap off an amazing 3 weeks in Europe!

I think that these are a perfect combination of cities to give a wonderful taste of Europe but allow for some variety as well. They’re also grouped so that you don’t have to do too much extensive traveling to connect to your destinations. 

FLIGHTS TO EUROPE

You’ll have several options with flights coming into Europe. One option is to fly in and out of London, which usually has the most options and best selections of budget flights.

This would mean that you’ll book a round trip from your departure city to London. Since the trip will end in Lagos, you’ll take a one-way flight from there to connect to London for the return leg of your round trip. 

Another option is to book an open jaw or multi-city flight meaning that when you book the flight your arrival and return cities will be different. In this case, you’ll arrive in London, but depart to go home from your last stop, which in this case would be Faro which is the airport for the Algarve region. 

We’ve used both options for our trips and made our decisions based on cost, convenience, and departure/arrival times and both have worked out well.

CONNECTING BETWEEN LOCATIONS

From your first stop in London to Paris, you can easily take the train. It’s so much easier to take the train in Europe than to fly. It’s less hassle getting to the train station and getting to where you need to be to take the train, you don’t have to go through the security checks and lines and you don’t have to arrive as early.

From Paris to Rome and then Rome to Lisbon you’ll have to take a flight, but it is fairly easy to find a good deal by choosing a small regional flight from a company like EasyJet, Ryanair, or similar carriers.

Ryanair airplane

The cost will be minimal, but you’ll have to keep an eye on the luggage restrictions and any costs that may be incurred. We always fly with a carry-on and personal item, so we don’t have much of an issue with luggage, but if you routinely check bags that could be an added cost.

To go from Lisbon to Lagos in the Algarve it’s best to rent a car and drive. It’s approximately a three-hour drive depending on where you’re going. We made the drive from the Algarve to Lisbon and it was an easy drive to make.

The process of renting a car was simple and we had a good experience. You’ll have the added benefit of having more ability to get around the Algarve which doesn’t have an extensive public transit system. Some of the best areas are only accessible by car.

ACCOMMODATIONS

We’ve found in our travels that vacation rental accommodations are the best way to go for our family of four. This is especially the case for extended trips like a 3-week trip through Europe.

It provides everyone with their own space and their bed. It’s easier and more comfortable to plan for downtime when you have the space to enjoy it, even though it may require a bit more planning to make sure you have what you need. Also, we’ve had the opportunity to experience the surroundings more with vacation rental accommodation compared to a hotel.

Apartment building in Rome, Italy

Take the time to research the properties to make sure they have the amenities that you want. Before you book be sure to check our essential guide to help you find the perfect accommodations.

Also it’s important to research the best areas for your family to stay in. 

We always search for proximity to public transportation and markets where we can grab some snacks, water, and small food items.

Here are helpful guides to some of the best areas to stay in for the cities in this itinerary:

London

Paris

Rome

Lisbon

The Algarve

HOW TO PACK FOR 3 WEEKS IN EUROPE

items in luggage

Your packing will largely depend on your chosen destinations. In this itinerary, you’ll encounter some different climates. London can be cool and rainy even in early summer whereas Rome can get quite warm. And of course spending time in the Algarve will mean plenty of sunshine and time at the beach.

Our family has gone on extended trips through Europe and we were able to pack everything from sweaters to flip-flops and swimwear using only a carry-on and a personal item per person.

We did this by sticking to the basics—clothes that are easy to wash, versatile, and can be mixed and matched. It’s much easier to do this when staying in a vacation rental, but you can pull it off by staying in hotels too.

For essential space-saving tips suitable for extended vacations, check out this article.

For more specific packing advice, refer to our packing list for Europe.

THE BEST TIME TO GO

Tagus River in Lisbon, Portugal

The best time to use this itinerary is during June. For families, this is ideal because the kids are out of school and June is just outside of peak season, though the crowds are starting to arrive. The prices aren’t yet at their peak and the most popular landmarks aren’t overcrowded. It’ll also be easier to pick out the accommodations that you want.

While the weather in London and Paris likely won’t be very hot, it’s already starting to warm up in Rome and the Algarve so keep that in mind. But overall June is an excellent time to travel to Europe with your family.

ENJOY YOUR THREE WEEKS IN EUROPE

A three-week vacation in Europe promises a memorable experience for your family. With our itinerary and tips, you’ll be well-equipped for an incredible journey. Before setting off, don’t forget to check out our essential guide to planning a family trip to Europe for additional insights that will help you plan an awesome adventure. Safe travels!

Author

  • Jeremiah Pittmon

    Jeremiah Pittmon is a published travel writer and photographer from Cleveland, Ohio. Passionate about exploring the world with his family, he finds inspiration in all types of travel. Through his blog, smilesonarrival.com, and social media channels, he shares captivating experiences and valuable tips for families who love to travel.

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