This 2-week Europe trip itinerary starts in Paris, followed by a flight to Athens, where we’ll explore the Greek Islands. For many, a few days in Paris is enough before moving on to a destination like Greece for a ten-day journey. This marked the final part of my 90-day adventure in Europe.
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If you’re exploring alternative routes to travel across Europe, whether it’s a 2-week trip or 3 months, check out my blogs: Ultimate Europe 30-Day Travel Itinerary, European Travel Plan: 3 Unforgettable Weeks in Europe, and Europe Trip Planner: 5 Epic European Destinations in 3 Weeks.These itineraries are in chronological order, with each stop listed in the order in which I visited that city. This blog series will help plan your European journey, whether it’s a 2-week trip to Europe or a 3-month trip.
To find out how I planned my European adventure, check out my blog, European Train Journey: How to Plan Using a Eurail Pass.
Remember, these stops were 17-19 on my epic European journey; however, for clarity, they will be referred to as stops 1-3 in this blog. Before arriving in Paris, the last city I visited was Barcelona, Spain.
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Stop 1 Paris, France – The Eiffel Tower, Incredible Pastries and the Mona Lisa
The train from Barcelona to Paris takes 6 hours and 19 minutes. I was in my final two weeks in Europe and hadn’t yet been to Paris, so the three days I spent there were perfect. A bucket list trip to Europe isn’t complete without stopping in Paris and admiring the Eiffel Tower. That is, after all, what dreams are made of, right? Or are they?
Where to Stay Off the Beaten Path in Paris
While in Paris, I chose to stay in the Gentilly neighbourhood, in the suburbs. I stayed at Jo&Joe Paris Gentilly, which is one of my five-star hostels. It had an excellent restaurant, a bar area with self-serve beer, and a beautiful courtyard. The courtyard is perfect for working, if that’s your thing, or simply relaxing with a meal, a pint, or a glass of wine. The hostel is conveniently located near the metro, although it is outside the city centre, and it takes about 40 minutes to reach the Eiffel Tower stop.
When I travel, I often stay in hostels. Want to know why, even though I can afford expensive hotels and I’m not in my 20s? Read my blog, Hostels For Solo Travel at 49
The Gentilly Neighbourhood in the Paris Suburbs
The Gentilly neighbourhood, which locals call a commune, is a quiet local area with authentic cafés, bakeries, restaurants, and bars. Just down the street from the hostel, there was a fantastic local bakery that I visited at least once a day. It’s a great place to explore, get lost, reflect, and enjoy the quiet of the Paris suburbs.
Navigating the Complex Paris Metro
Before I share the sights I visited in Paris, it’s important to discuss the Paris Metro system. When I first arrived at one of the main Metro stations with all the lines, I was dumbfounded. I stared at the route maps for about 20 minutes before figuring out the metro path to my hostel stop, Gentilly Station. They have many lines that look the same to me, but once you reach your destination, it all makes sense. After the initial confusion, I was okay for the rest of my stay. Take your time to figure it out, and you’ll be fine.
How to get to The Eiffel Tower
Paris is a place where I had no plans other than to explore and get lost in the city. This is especially true around the Eiffel Tower. Wake up early, take the Metro to Bir-Hakeim station on line 6, and explore the area. Find a café, enjoy a fabulous coffee and pastry, and immerse yourself in Paris. Don’t worry, the Eiffel Tower will follow you everywhere you go. This is one of the best areas in the world to wander.
Find a French Bakery for Lunch
I highly recommend heading to the Trocadero area and finding a hot dog wrapped in a fresh baguette loaded with French cheeses, smothered in fresh herbs and garlic. There are some spectacular Eiffel Tower views to be had. Seriously, for lunch, it just doesn’t get any better than this. On the way, I stumbled on the Princess Diana memorial, which was still covered with fresh flowers 25 years later.
Spend your afternoon exploring the back streets of Paris before settling in for dinner. As the sun sets, the Eiffel Tower provides an entirely different experience. You can sense the anticipation as groups gather, waiting for the spectacular light show. But the eveningI was there, the glittering lights never happened. This was the day the Queen passed, so in her honour, they didn’t do it. Still, it was impressive with just the regular lights, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Spend an Afternoon at The Louvre
There are three must-see sights when visiting Paris: the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre-Dame Cathedral. I never made it to Notre Dame because it was under construction after the fire, but I wasn’t going to miss out on the Mona Lisa. The Louvre is an iconic art museum famous for its classics. I was excited to see this masterpiece and waited in the long line for my opportunity. When I finally reached the front, I was disappointed by the small size of the painting. It looks so big in pictures and on TV, but it’s not. Size isn’t everything, right?
Enjoy a Baguette and Croissant at Bo & Mie
While exploring the area around the Louvre, I walked past a bakery called Bo & Mie. I decided to pop in and grab one last baguette stuffed with delicious meats, loaded with cheese, and topped with sauces. Of course, I added a chocolate croissant for dessert, and I was off to Athens, the next stop on my 2-week Europe trip.
Paris airport tip: When taking the metro to the airport, ensure you buy the correct ticket. I just hopped on the train as there was no ticket agent available. Upon arrival at the airport, there was a long line-up as law enforcement were checking tickets. Those of us without a train ticket had to pay a 50 euro fine before boarding. The fare from Gentilly would have been 12 euros.
Stop 2 Athens, Greece – Monastiraki, Tzatziki and the Acropolis
The flight from Paris to Athens takes 3 hours and 10 minutes. In Athens, I chose to stay in the Monastiraki area, which is an easy train ride from the airport. The train to Monastiraki was simple and took about 50 minutes. Once you arrive in Monastiraki, you couldn’t be in a better spot to explore Athens. As you exit the station, you can feel the summer Athens heat and see groups of teenagers hanging out at Monastiraki Square. Looking to your left, you can see the Acropolis, towering over Athens. This might be the most spectacular metro stop I’ve ever experienced. I stayed at Bedbox Athens, a short walk from the square, so I was right in the heart of the action for the Athens leg of my 2-week Europe trip. The walk to my hostel was epic!
Explore the Monastiraki Area
Monastiraki is an epic neighbourhood. A view of the Acropolis, a fabulous flea market, some of the world’s top bars, and incredible restaurants. I just strolled through the dimly lit, iconic streets and explored.
On my first night, I stumbled upon a restaurant called Savvas, which served the best kebabs I’ve ever had. They were topped with two large tomatoes, onions, all the fixings, and of course, laid over a freshly baked pita. I remember the waiter asked if I wanted some Tzatziki. Of course! Honestly, this was an extra-large bowl of tzatziki with puddles of olive oil, topped with a black Greek olive. I’m not kidding, this was enough tzatziki to feed a family. After my kebabs were in my belly, I gobbled the tzatziki like it was a giant bowl of Greek yogurt. I sat on the patio and watched the chaos from the streets with a few Greek beers. I returned to this restaurant at least three times.
There was another restaurant in the nearby Psyri neighbourhood with a fantastic Greek salad. It was tucked away on a back street, with an atmosphere that reminded me of a scene from Mamma Mia. Since I can’t read Greek letters, you’ll have to stay at Bedbox and ask them where the Globe Diggers’ favourite hidden restaurant in Athens is. If not, I’m sure you’ll find an equally good alternative.
Explore the Ancient Ruins and Temples
You’re in Athens, take at least a day to explore the ancient history the city is famous for. As you walk to the Acropolis, you pass many ancient ruins. Make some stops along the way and spend a few hours at the Acropolis. There is an incredible view of the Acropolis neighbourhood, which is an iconic Instagram moment.
I walked to the Temple of Zeus, which has more ruins to explore in the area. My final must-see was the Panathenaic Stadium, the home of the first Olympiad. I walked the track, ran up the stairs, visited the Olympic Museum, and geeked out. I bet I sat in the stands for a good two hours letting my imagination run wild.
Hike Up Mount Lycabettus for the Best Sunset View of Athens
The best sunset in Athens occurs at the top of Mount Lycabettus. It’s within walking distance of the Monastiraki neighbourhood. From the base of the mountain, it’s about a one-hour hike. The hike is scenic, not too strenuous, and worth the view. There’s a charming little church at the summit, with food and drinks are available for purchase. The military even hosts an official sunset ceremony. Of course, it ends with the sun setting over historic Athens, with the Acropolis overlooking the city. This was one of the most epic sunsets I’ve ever witnessed, bringing my time in Athens to a close on my 2-week trip to Europe. Next stop: the Greek Islands.
Stop 2: Skiathos, Greek Islands – Exotic Beaches, Stunning Sunsets, and Delicious Greek Cuisine
The flight from Athens to Skiathos Island takes 40 minutes. Since I was visiting an island, flying was my choice of transportation. For a short 2-week trip to Europe, Skiathos is an excellent choice. It’s easily accessible without boat transfers, so you can relax and explore as soon as you land.
Where to Stay in Skiathos Off The Beaten Path
I stayed in a villa complex called Fengeros Village with a full kitchen and a balcony overlooking the Aegean Sea. I was surrounded by traditional Greek villas built on the nearby hills. The villa had a beautiful pool with a bar and an excellent lunch menu. There was a local market just a 5-minute walk away, and the walk to Skiathos town only took about 10 minutes. This stop on my journey was pure paradise. To explore the island properly, you’ll need to rent a car or a motorbike, as there are fabulous empty beaches that can be difficult to access. I rented a car from the villa owners, who dropped it off for me.
Explore The Secluded Skiathos Beaches
This is where the car rental comes into play. The island features stunning beaches that are difficult to reach. Some are even unreachable by car, where you can rent four-wheelers. I chose to spend my days at two beaches during my time in Skiathos: Elia Beach and Agia Eleni Summer Beach.
Spend a Day Relaxing at Elia Beach
Elia Beach was my first stop; it was in the middle of nowhere, with hardly anyone there, and even had a restaurant and bar. It looked unkept with spectacular cliffs. The view out into the Aegean Sea was mesmerizing. I loved the drive to the beach down winding dirt roads at the top of high cliffs. I made many stops to take pictures of the stunning landscapes and beautiful waters.
Catch the Sunset at Agia Eleni Summer Beach
The other beach I visited was Agia Eleni Summer Beach. This was another beach I needed a car to access. It was quiet during the day, but not as peaceful as Elia Beach since it was easier to reach. However, the sunset was stunning as it dipped over the island, reflecting off the calm waters—a perfect day on Skiathos Island.
Enjoy a Night Out in Skiathos Town
Skiathos offers a vibrant nightlife you’ll want to experience. It’s not Mykonos or one of the other party islands, but it is full of authentic Greek restaurants and fantastic bars with live entertainment.
My favourite restaurant in Skiathos is Nikos Taverna. I had a whole chicken, though it might have been a half, served with fresh vegetables, potatoes, and a variety of fresh breads with delicious spreads. And of course, a Greek beer or two to wash it down. But the “Greek treat” stole the show, which is fried feta. It sounds simple enough, but seriously, this rectangular slab of fried feta was one of the best things I have ever eaten. Chase the feta with some chocolate ice cream, and I was off to find some nightlife.
If live music is your thing, check out Totem Live Music Bar. I spent many nights there while in Skiathos. Every night featured cover bands that played all the classics. It’s a small bar with killer cocktails and shots, and it has that classic Greek island vibe. Have a few drinks while enjoying good music, strike up a conversation with a stranger, and step out of your comfort zone.
Visit Some Mamma Mia Filming Locations
I spent my last day walking around the Skiathos Harbour area. Check out the ships, and you can even visit a Mamma Mia filming location where the three men first meet and miss the ferry. The villas around the harbour are those beautiful, iconic Greek islands’ white and blue villas. This is an excellent place for a stroll, a drink, and some great photos.
My epic 2-week Europe trip has come to an end. For those following my complete 90-day European itinerary, this also marked the end of my summer in Europe. To read all of my European itinerary and trip planning blogs, check out the Destinations/Europe section of my website. Happy travels!
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