Europe in 15 Days: Multi-Country Schengen Itinerary from India

A 15-day Europe trip with a single Schengen visa can take you through some of the world's most beautiful cities and landscapes. This itinerary covers France, Switzerland, Italy, and Spain — the essential Mediterranean European experience for Indian travellers.

Countries Covered

France (Paris) → Switzerland (Interlaken/Lucerne) → Italy (Rome/Florence/Venice) → Spain (Barcelona)

Visa: Single Schengen visa — apply to the French embassy if spending most time in France, or to the country where you spend the most nights.

Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary

Days 1–3: Paris, France

Day 1: Arrive at Charles de Gaulle. Take RER B to city. Rest.

Evening: Walk along the Champs-Élysées to Arc de Triomphe.

Day 2:

Morning: Eiffel Tower (book in advance — summit tickets sell out weeks ahead)
Afternoon: Seine River Cruise (1 hour, €15)
Evening: Trocadéro — best free view of the Eiffel Tower

Day 3:

Morning: Louvre (pre-book: €22) — Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, 3 hours minimum
Afternoon: Marais district — Le Marais Jewish quarter, Pompidou Centre
Evening: Montmartre + Sacré-Cœur at sunset

Days 4–5: Switzerland

Day 4: Paris → Geneva or Zurich by train (3.5–4 hours, €50–100 by TGV Lyria)

Arrive Interlaken (train from Bern, ~1.5 hrs)
Interlaken sits between two lakes with Jungfrau views. Walk the Höheweg promenade.

Day 5:

Jungfraujoch ("Top of Europe", 3,454m): Europe's highest railway station. Take the Jungfrau Railway from Interlaken Ost (CHF 213 return — book online for discounts). Panoramic views of the Aletsch Glacier (world's longest Alpine glacier).
Alternative: Schilthorn via Mürren (CHF 120 return) — "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" James Bond filming location.

Or if based in Lucerne:

Mount Rigi or Pilatus (cogwheel railway, lake cruise)
Chapel Bridge (14th century covered wooden bridge)

Days 6–8: Rome, Italy

Day 6: Zurich/Lucerne → Rome by flight (1.5 hours, €50–150) or overnight train (12 hrs)

Evening: Arrive Rome, stroll near Trastevere neighbourhood

Day 7:

Morning: Vatican Museums + Sistine Chapel (pre-book months ahead)
Afternoon: St. Peter's Basilica + climb the dome
Evening: Trastevere for dinner

Day 8:

Morning: Colosseum + Roman Forum + Palatine Hill (combined ticket, pre-book)
Afternoon: Pantheon (free), Trevi Fountain (7 AM for no crowds)
Evening: Piazza Navona — outdoor dining

Day 9: Rome → Florence (2 hours by Frecciarossa train, €25–60)

Uffizi Gallery (Botticelli's Birth of Venus — book at uffizi.it, €25)
Accademia (Michelangelo's David — book at gallery.accademia.it, €16+)
Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset over Florence

Day 10: Florence → Venice (2.5 hours by Frecciarossa, €30–80)

Grand Canal vaporetto ride (Line 1)
Piazza San Marco + St. Mark's Basilica
Doge's Palace (book online, €21)
Rialto Bridge and fish market
Gondola ride (€80–100 for 30 min, 6 people max — split cost!)

Day 11: Venice → Barcelona (Fly from Venice Marco Polo, 2 hours, €50–120)

Evening arrival in Barcelona. Check in and walk along Las Ramblas to the sea.

Days 11–13: Barcelona, Spain

Day 12:

Morning: Sagrada Família (Gaudí's masterpiece — book at sagradafamilia.org, €26+. The interior is breathtaking). Allow 2.5 hours.
Afternoon: Park Güell (Gaudí's park — main monumental zone: €13, book in advance)
Evening: Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic) — medieval streets, Barcelona Cathedral

Day 13:

Morning: Camp Nou (FC Barcelona stadium tour, €35) OR MNAC Museum (Catalan art)
Afternoon: Barceloneta Beach (Mediterranean coast, very walkable from city centre)
Evening: Gràcia neighbourhood — local cafes, Casa Vicens (Gaudí's first house)

Days 13–14: Day Trip — Montserrat or Costa Brava

Montserrat (1.5 hours from Barcelona by train+rack railway): dramatic serrated mountain with a Benedictine monastery perched on it, Black Madonna shrine, hiking.

OR Costa Brava: Tossa de Mar or Girona (1 hour from Barcelona) — medieval walled city (Game of Thrones filming location)

Day 15: Barcelona → India

Fly from Barcelona El Prat Airport back to India (usually connecting via Middle East).

Train Passes

If doing the Paris → Switzerland → Italy route, consider:

Interrail / Eurail Pass (for non-EU residents): 5 days within 1 month = €250–320. Saves money if taking 4+ train journeys. Reserve TGV/Frecciarossa seats separately (€5–10 reservation fee).
Point-to-point booking: Often cheaper if booking 2–3 months ahead on Rail Europe or Trainline.

Accommodation Tips

Paris: Stay in the 4th (Marais) or 6th arrondissements for best access.
Interlaken: Many budget guesthouses (CHF 50–80/night for budget rooms).
Rome: Near Termini station for access; Campo de' Fiori/Trastevere for atmosphere.
Venice: On the island (not Mestre) — book early as accommodation is expensive and limited.
Barcelona: Barceloneta (beach), Eixample (central), or Gothic Quarter.

Budget Estimate

Expense	Per Person
Return flights (India–Europe, Europe domestic)	₹55,000–90,000
Accommodation (14 nights, budget–mid)	₹50,000–90,000
Schengen visa	₹8,500
Trains within Europe	₹15,000–25,000
Attractions (museums, Jungfraujoch, etc.)	₹20,000–30,000
Food (15 days at €25–40/day)	₹30,000–50,000
Total	₹1,80,000–2,90,000