Countries to Visit on Your First Europe Trip

Introduction

Planning your first best europe countries trip feels exciting at first, but then suddenly confusing. Europe tour can feel like one big menu, too many good options, and you keep going back and forth because every place has something tempting. Old streets, food you’ve probably saved on Instagram a hundred times, and those spots you’ve daydreamed about without even noticing. Picking where to begin feels a bit like staring at a dessert menu; you want everything, but you don’t want that “I should’ve picked the other one” feeling later.

But Europe isn’t something you rush. Half the charm comes from the random little detours, the quick coffee you grab when your legs give up, or just sitting on a bench watching people go about their day. If you’re planning your first European trip and don’t want it turning into a confused blur, these are the countries people usually end with a quiet smile, thinking, “Yep, this was the right move.”

1. Italy: Food, Stories, and That Follows You Everywhere

Italy has a way of pulling you in without even trying. Rome throws ancient ruins in your face at every turn. Florence feels like the kind of place where someone just casually left priceless art lying around. Venice is Venice. You just drift through it.

Why Italy is worth starting with:

• History everywhere, even in places you don’t expect.
• Comfort food heaven: pasta, pizza, gelato. You get the idea.
• Coastal towns, vineyards, big cities, tiny villages, you get variety without trying.

Pro tip: Don’t stick only to Rome–Florence–Venice. Towns like Bologna, Siena, or even Verona feel more “local” and less tour-bus-heavy.

2. France: More Than Just Romance and Paris Postcards

France constantly gets hyped for romance, but its charm isn’t only in candlelit dinners. Paris is famous for museums, side streets, bakeries, and long walks. Provence gives you lavender fields and quiet days. The French Riviera is where people go to slow down in the sun.

Why France makes a strong first impression:

• World-famous landmarks and stories behind them.
• Beaches, mountains, vineyards, everything within reach.
• Food that doesn’t try hard yet stays unforgettable.

Pro tip: Hit major attractions early on weekday mornings. You’ll actually enjoy them.

3. Spain: Streets Full of Life, Color, and Good Food

Spain is alive. Barcelona’s Gaudí buildings look like something from a dream. Madrid is full of plazas where people hang out until late. Seville dances to its own rhythm with flamenco and warm evenings.

Why Spain works great for first-timers:

• Every region feels like a different country.
• Big festivals, if you want extra excitement.
• Beaches, hills, mountains, pick your scene.

Pro tip: Spanish meal timings are different. Lunch is late, dinner is even later. Plan around it or go hungry.

4. Switzerland: Calm, Clean, and Made for Scenic Lovers

If Europe had a postcard country, Switzerland would be it. Lakes so clear you see the reflections perfectly, mountains that look photoshopped, villages that feel too peaceful to be real.

Why Switzerland stands out:

• Scenic views everywhere: trains, towns, mountains.
• Travel is easy and stress-free.
• Perfect for people who want slow, quiet days.

Pro tip: Don’t rush the train rides. Some of them are the actual highlight.

5. Greece: History Meets Relaxed Island Life

Greece makes history feel alive. Athens has ruins that tell stories without needing a guide. Then the islands come in with blue-and-white everything, sunsets, and warm breezy days.

Why Greece is special:

• Deep historical sites.
• Beaches and islands are perfect for relaxing.
• Light, fresh, delicious food.

Pro tip: Use ferries to hop islands. It’s cheaper and, honestly, more fun than flying.

6. Netherlands: Easygoing, Walkable, and Full of Charm

The Netherlands is compact and simple to navigate, perfect for first-timers. Amsterdam’s canals give it a soft, calm vibe. Rotterdam is modern and bold. And then you get tulip fields in the countryside during the season.

Why the Netherlands is traveler-friendly:

• Everything is close by.
• Biking is practically the national language.
• Great museums and creative spaces.

Pro tip: Rent a bike and explore outside the main tourist zones. Best decision.

7. Austria: Classical Europe Wrapped in Mountain Scenery

Austria feels refined, peaceful, and artistic. Vienna has palaces and classical music floating around the city. Salzburg is all about Mozart and old-world elegance.

Why Austria is worth your list:

• Deep music history and cultural roots.
• Alpine scenery is perfect for hikes or winter fun.
• Easy-to-walk cities.

Pro tip: A classical concert in Vienna hits differently even if you’re not into classical music.

8. Portugal: Warm, Friendly, and Easy Travel

Portugal is one of those countries where you land and somehow feel like you already know the place. Lisbon has these hilly streets, old trams squeaking around corners, and sunny patches bouncing off those blue tiles. Porto feels slower, warmer, almost like a riverside town that lets you breathe for a minute.

Why Portugal is ideal for beginners:

• It’s cheaper than most of Western Europe, and you actually feel the difference.
• People here are calm and helpful.
• Seafood, simple comfort meals, and pastries you end up eating even when you promise you won’t.
• If you’re leaning toward a romantic getaway, checking a honeymoon package takes off half the planning headache.

Pro tip: Tram 28 is crowded, yes, but the views from that shaky old ride are too good to skip.

9. United Kingdom: History, Nature, and Classic Landmarks

The UK gives you busy cities and quiet countryside in one trip. London is packed with landmarks, while Scotland adds wild landscapes and old castles.

Why the UK works well:

• Recognizable places everywhere you go.
• Each region feels different.
• Public transport is on point.

Pro tip: Pre-book attractions like the London Eye or Edinburgh Castle. Lines get long.

10. Germany: Big Cities, Old Castles, and Great Roads

Germany mixes modern cool with deep history. Berlin is creative and a bit edgy. Munich brings beer gardens and Bavarian charm. And then some towns feel like fairy tales.

Why Germany is a good choice:

• Forests, mountains, rivers, lots of variety.
• Important historical spots.
• Great festivals and food scenes.

Pro tip: Drive the Romantic Road if you want to see cute towns and castles in one go.

Pro Tips 

• Group nearby countries to avoid exhausting travel days.
• Pack layers; weather changes quicker than you’d think.
• Use trains. Trains are better to use in most places.
• Book early if you’re going in the summer.
• Leave time for aimless wandering, it’s part of the charm.

Conclusion

Europe isn’t something you just “tick off.” Europe hits you in small ways, old buildings you didn’t expect to care about, tiny cafés where nobody’s in a rush, trains sliding past fields, and food you think about long after the trip. When you plan your first European trip, it’s easy to panic and pack in every big city you’ve heard of. But honestly, choosing just a few of the best European countries makes things way smoother. You slow down a bit, actually notice things, and you’re not running around just to tick boxes.

And if planning everything alone feels too much, checking a couple of international packages isn’t a bad idea at all. Sometimes they take the stress off so you can actually enjoy the places instead of juggling bookings. Either way, choosing the right mix of countries turns the trip into something you actually remember for the right reasons, not one of those rushed holidays where everything blurs together.