Two weeks is the classic European trip — enough time to do justice to three major cities, experience the differences between French, Spanish and Italian cultures, and travel between them on iconic rail journeys. This itinerary runs Paris → Barcelona → Rome and works perfectly as a fly-in/fly-out from any major international hub.
✔ Days 1–5: Paris (Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Versailles, food)
✔ Days 6–9: Barcelona (Gaudí, Gothic Quarter, beaches, tapas)
✔ Days 10–14: Rome (Colosseum, Vatican, food, day trips)
Before You Go — Book These in Advance
📋 Pre-Trip Checklist
✔ Paris: Eiffel Tower summit tickets, Louvre skip-the-line, Versailles timed entry — all book out weeks ahead
✔ Barcelona: Sagrada Família (book 1–2 months ahead in summer), Park Güell monumental zone (€10)
✔ Rome: Colosseum skip-the-line (book 2–4 weeks ahead), Vatican Museums (book 1 week ahead), Borghese Gallery (mandatory advance booking)
✔ Paris–Barcelona high-speed train (TGV/Renfe Ouigo) — book 2–3 months ahead for best prices
✔ Travel insurance covering all three countries
Days 1–5: Paris
Day 1 — Eiffel Tower & Left Bank
Arrive and head to the Champ de Mars for the Eiffel Tower at dusk (book summit tickets in advance — the view from the top at twilight is extraordinary). Walk along the Seine to the Musée d'Orsay and the Left Bank. Dinner in Saint-Germain-des-Prés — one of Paris's finest dining neighbourhoods.
Day 2 — Louvre & Marais
Morning at the Louvre (pre-booked timed entry — allow 3 hours minimum for the highlights: Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory). Afternoon in Le Marais — the Place des Vosges (Paris's most beautiful square), the Picasso Museum and the Jewish quarter's falafels on Rue des Rosiers. Evening walk across Île de la Cité to Notre-Dame (reconstruction ongoing but exterior extraordinary).
Day 3 — Versailles Day Trip
Train to Versailles (45 minutes from Paris, €7.20 return on the RER C). Book timed entry for the Palace and allow a full day — the Hall of Mirrors, the Royal Apartments and the extraordinary formal gardens stretching 3km. Return to Paris for dinner in Montmartre.
Days 4–5 — Neighbourhoods & Culture
Day 4: Montmartre (Sacré-Cœur, artist quarter, the best city views from the steps) then the Canal Saint-Martin neighbourhood for afternoon coffee and the independent boutique scene. Day 5: Pompidou Centre and Beaubourg area, then the covered passages (Les Passages Couverts — 19th-century glass-roofed shopping arcades, extraordinary and little-visited). Evening: Seine cruise at sunset.
Book Paris Tours
Eiffel Tower, Versailles and Seine cruises — book before they sell out
View Paris Tours →Days 6–9: Barcelona
Day 6 — Travel Day + Gothic Quarter
High-speed train from Paris Gare de Lyon to Barcelona Sants (6.5 hours — one of Europe's finest rail journeys, crossing the Pyrenees and the Catalan countryside). Arrive early afternoon. Check in and walk the Gothic Quarter — the most medieval neighbourhood in Barcelona, a maze of Roman walls, cathedral courtyards and medieval palaces. Evening tapas in El Born.
Day 7 — Gaudí Day
Morning: Sagrada Família (pre-booked timed entry — one of the most extraordinary buildings on earth, still being constructed, completion expected 2026). Afternoon: Park Güell (book the monumental zone separately — the terrace with mosaics and the city view). Evening: Casa Batlló or La Pedrera lit at night (guided evening tours are spectacular).
Day 8 — Barceloneta & Markets
Morning at the Boqueria market (go early — it gets overwhelmingly crowded by 11am, and the best vendors are at the back away from the tourist entrance). Walk to Barceloneta beach for a swim and lunch. Afternoon: Montjuïc hill (cable car up, walk the castle walls, views of the harbour). Evening in Gràcia neighbourhood — the most local and lively quarter for dinner and drinks.
Day 9 — Day Trip to Montserrat or Sitges
Option A: Montserrat (1 hour by train + rack railway) — the extraordinary serrated mountain range with a Benedictine monastery, stunning hiking trails and panoramic Catalan views. Option B: Sitges (40 minutes by train) — a beautiful art nouveau beach town with excellent restaurants, a Picasso collection and a very different pace from Barcelona. Return to Barcelona for final evening dinner in El Raval.
Days 10–14: Rome
Day 10 — Travel Day + Ancient Rome
Fly Barcelona to Rome (2 hours, very affordable). Arrive afternoon. Check in and walk to the Colosseum and Roman Forum for late afternoon — the golden light on 2,000-year-old stone is extraordinary. Evening dinner in Trastevere — Rome's most atmospheric neighbourhood, best for dinner.
Day 11 — Vatican
Book the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with skip-the-line entry. Allow 3–4 hours — the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel ceiling are unmissable. Then St Peter's Basilica (climb the dome for extraordinary views, €8). Afternoon: Castel Sant'Angelo and the Tiber promenade. Evening: aperitivo in Prati neighbourhood.
Day 12 — Piazzas & Neighbourhoods
Morning: Pantheon (now requires €5 timed entry — still worth every cent), Piazza Navona and Campo de' Fiori market. Afternoon: Borghese Gallery (mandatory advance booking — the finest collection of Bernini sculptures in existence, in a beautiful villa above the park). Evening: Trevi Fountain at night (far more manageable without the midday crowds).
Day 13 — Trastevere & Day Trip
Morning: Trastevere neighbourhood exploration (the most beautiful medieval streets in Rome). Optional afternoon day trip to Ostia Antica (45 minutes by train, €12 — Rome's ancient port, better preserved than Pompeii in some ways and almost entirely unvisited). Evening: final Roman dinner with local wine in Testaccio — the old slaughterhouse neighbourhood and Rome's best food quarter.
Day 14 — Final Morning & Departure
Early morning walk through the Roman Forum (before 9am, almost empty). Last espresso at a traditional bar standing at the counter — the authentic Roman way. Rome's two main airports: Fiumicino (FCO) 30km away, Ciampino (CIA) 15km away. Allow 90 minutes for airport transfers.
Getting Between Cities
| Route | Best Option | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris → Barcelona | High-speed train (TGV/Ouigo) | 6.5 hours | €25–85 booked ahead |
| Barcelona → Rome | Fly (Vueling, Ryanair, Iberia) | 2 hours | €30–100 |
| Alternative: Barcelona → Rome | Overnight train (via Milan) | 13–15 hours | €60–150 with couchette |
2 Weeks Western Europe — Budget Guide
| City | Budget/night hotel | Mid-range/night | Food/day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris | €70–100 | €130–220 | €35–65 |
| Barcelona | €60–90 | €110–180 | €30–55 |
| Rome | €60–90 | €100–170 | €30–55 |
Skip the Luggage Hassle
Luggage Forward ships your bags directly between hotels — no dragging suitcases on trains, buses or through cobblestone streets. Book collection from your current hotel and it arrives at the next one before you do.
FAQs
Is 2 weeks enough for Paris, Barcelona and Rome?
Yes — 4–5 nights in each city gives you the highlights and a day trip. Some visitors prefer to drop one city and spend more time in two. Paris + Rome is a classic combination if you want depth over breadth.
Should I use a Eurail pass for this itinerary?
For Paris–Barcelona specifically, a Eurail pass can save money if you're booking last-minute. But the Paris–Barcelona Ouigo train booked 2–3 months ahead is often just €25–40 — cheaper than the Eurail equivalent.
What currencies do I need?
All three countries use the Euro — no currency exchange needed once you have euros. Carry some cash for small vendors, market stalls and tips.