I can’t help but feel kinship with Western Europe. This eclectic and fascinating swath of Europe spurred more firsts for me than any other. It was the first region I visited outside of North America, the first place I lived outside of Canada, and, most of all, the area where I first began to fall in love with travel.
Whether your travel preferences take you rambling through the green pastures of Ireland, tracing history in the cities of the United Kingdom, sipping on Trappist brews in a small pub in Belgium, hunting for windmills in the Netherlands, or gazing upon fields of lavender in France, let this Western Europe travel guide help light the way…
Looking for other regions to explore in Europe? Check out our Europe Travel Guide for more tips and recommendations on when to visit and what to see & do…
When to visit Western Europe
Like much of the continent, deciding when to go to Western Europe isn’t always simple.
For the most part, Western Europe is a year-round destination. Each season (along with each sub-region on the sub-continent) will have its ups and downs at different times of year.
No matter which time of year you choose to visit, you should have little problem scooting around and seeing Western Europe’s highlights.
Overall, the best time to visit Western Europe is in the spring or the fall. Like much of the continent, the summer brings hot & humid weather to the region along with hordes of tourists from all around the world.
Whenever I visit Western Europe in spring or fall, I’ve enjoyed the smaller crowds and more favorable weather conditions. Temperatures in months like May, September, and October are often still warm to mild. Thanks to the lower density of tourists roaming around the region, I’ve often found better availability of accommodations, lower prices, and shorter line-ups at the most popular attractions.
Where to go
It’s impossible to paint a picture of Western Europe in one broad stroke. The region spans an area between Europe’s western and northern Atlantic coasts, the continent’s interior, and its southernmost countries. It’s exceedingly diverse with a range of cultures represented.
Although neighboring countries like the United Kingdom and Ireland or Belgium and the Netherlands share a historical pedigree, the differences between them can seem vast. And that’s all part of the charm that visiting Western Europe throws your way.
Not sure how to begin planning your visit? Here are a few of our favorite Western European destinations to add to your travel plans…
Belgium
Whether it’s the glorious chocolate, thirst-quenching Trappist brews, or stunning townscapes that draw you, one thing is certain: you won’t leave Belgium unsatisfied.
When you dream of the picture-perfect European medieval town, there’s a good chance it’ll resemble one of Belgium’s main tourist centers. Whether it’s the lovely squares and canals of Bruges or Ghent, or the elegant streets of the capital of Brussels, Belgium’s cities and towns scream classic Europe.
Besides its eye-popping architecture and palate-pleasing highlights, Belgium is the perfect European destination for history buffs.
Belgium has long been at the crossroads of marauders stomping through for continental supremacy. It was right here in Belgium (then part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands) at the Battle of Waterloo that Napoleon was ultimately defeated.
Elsewhere in Belgium, it’s easy to stumble across reminders of both the major world wars of the 20th century, including Flanders Fields, immortalized by the era’s most famous war poem.
France
One of the world’s most coveted destinations, France might appear at the top of more travel bucket lists than any other country in Western Europe. The French capital of Paris is one of the world’s most famously romantic places. It draws young couples and honeymooners like no other city on the planet.
Of course, it would be a crime to limit your time in France to the City of Lights. The country is far more diverse than many travelers give it credit for. Beyond its street-side cafes, world-class museums, and art galleries, France is home to a diverse range of attractions, from stunning palaces and châteaux in the north to white-sand beaches on the French Riviera and ski resorts in the Alps.
Aside from its most obvious tourist highlights, France draws visitors for one other major reason: food. France is one of the world’s definitive culinary capitals, often credited with elevating the art of cooking to unexpected heights. Whether it’s savouring beef bourguignon in Burgundy or shucking oysters along the Mediterranean, France captivates the taste buds more than any country in Western Europe.
Ireland
Rockin’ out a surname like O’Rourke, I had to put Ireland top of mind when I created my first Western Europe travel plans. After visiting a couple of times since that first visit, it’s been a place that continues to intrigue me to explore further. (Finding a castle in the middle of the isle bearing my last name certainly helped!)
I don’t think there’s a destination in the region more riddled with stereotypes than the Emerald Isle. While the odds of running across a sarcastic leprechaun are unlikely (okay, impossible), I still guarantee you’ll discover a country jam-packed with dramatic landscapes, quaint villages, ancient castles, a rich cultural heritage, and, best of all, a wealth of fun, hospitable characters.
Netherlands
Famous for its liberal capital, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, is, unfortunately, often overlooked as a whole when travelers craft their Western European itineraries. Beyond its largest city and most popular tourist destination, the epicenter of the Dutch universe is a surprisingly fun ride, even if the joys come in ways completely unique to the country.
If you’ve ever dreamed of a European cycling trip but were always intimidated by the landscapes, here’s your chance. The Netherlands is practically built for biking with its extremely flat geography, dipped, throughout much of the country, below sea level. Its small size and easy-riding terrain also mean that traveling between interesting places can often be measured in minutes rather than hours.
And let’s not forget the profound effect the Dutch have had on modern European culture. Despite its compact size, some of the most famous European artists in history hail from the Netherlands, including Van Gogh and Rembrandt.
Its unique architectural styles—found in places as varied as New York City, Jakarta, Melaka, and Curacao—are at their best here, especially on the streets of cities like Amsterdam, Haarlem, and Delft.
United Kingdom
After spending a year living in the United Kingdom, I can certainly say that few places in the world feel more like home for me than the isle nation of Great Britain. Comprising the countries of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom delivers more compelling scenes than you’d expect from looking at tourist brochures.
For many first-time travelers, the stars of Great Britain are lively historic cities like London, Bath, or Edinburgh; others fall in love with the UK instead while rolling through quiet medieval villages in the Cotswolds or hiking in the Lake District.
What both groups can agree upon, though, is that however you choose to plan your holidays in the United Kingdom, you’ll be spoiled for choice and won’t leave disappointed.
Not sure where to start planning your trip to the United Kingdom? Here are some resources:
Transportation
Getting there
By air
For travelers visiting from across the pond, there’s a whole slew of major gateways to Western Europe. The airports with the most connections to international destinations include:
- London Heathrow (LHR)
- London Stansted (STN)
- Paris Charles De Gaulle (CDG)
- Brussels Airport (BRU)
- Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)
If you’re visiting from other regions in Europe, several regional discount airlines offer cost-effective routes into Western Europe, including RyanAir, easyJet, Wizz Air, and Eurowings.
After flying around Europe extensively over the years, I’ve used all of these airlines and had (mostly) good experiences. (Save the odd flight delay or unexpected baggage charge.)
By train
If you’re already in Europe, the train can be a comfortable and convenient alternative to get to the region. Some of the more popular routes to major Western European cities from other destinations in continental Europe include:
- Berlin to Amsterdam (6h)
- Duisburg to Brussels (4h48m)
- Madrid to Paris (9h45m)
- Barcelona to Paris (6h15m)
- Geneva to Paris (3h10m).
Getting around
By train
As with most of Europe, trains are often the quickest and most comfortable way to scoot around Western Europe. Connections between major Western European cities are frequent and continually improving.
If you plan to travel extensively by train, I recommend picking up a Eurail Select Pass before you depart to save money. These passes will often pay for themselves with only a couple of long train trips.
Some of the most popular routes within the region (with estimated fastest travel times) include:
- Amsterdam to Brussels (1h50m)
- Brussels to Paris (1h22m)
- Paris to London (2h16m)
- London to Edinburgh (4h14m)
