One-Week Europe Route from Vienna to Paris, Spain, and Lisbon

Early morning — Vienna to Paris

Take an early Railjet or ICE from Vienna to Munich, then connect onward to Paris; there’s no direct high-speed train, and the trip typically takes around 10–11 hours. Check the October timetable and book the full connection early through ÖBB or Deutsche Bahn—leave a generous transfer buffer in Munich, since a delay can affect the onward leg. Expect to reach Paris late afternoon, so keep your first outings flexible and check your hotel’s luggage-drop arrangements.

Late afternoon — Invalides and Rue Cler

If you arrive with enough time, head to Hôtel des Invalides for about an hour. The Army Museum generally closes around 6 pm, with last entry earlier, so check the day’s hours before setting out; admission is roughly €17. From there, it’s an easy walk to Rue Cler, a lively market street in the 7th arrondissement. Browse its food shops and cafés for about 45 minutes, but note that individual businesses keep different hours and some may be winding down by early evening.

Evening — Dinner near Invalides

Finish at Café de l’Esplanade, a classic brasserie near Invalides. Set aside about 1½ hours and budget roughly €30–€60 per person; booking ahead is a good idea, especially for dinner. If the train runs late, make dinner the priority and save the landmark visit for another day rather than rushing through the museum.

Morning — The Louvre

Be at the Musée du Louvre for a timed entry around 9 a.m.; it’s open 9 a.m.–6 p.m. on Fridays, and booking ahead is worthwhile. Give yourself about three hours, but choose a few sections rather than attempting the whole museum—its scale can swallow the day. Admission is roughly €22 for many visitors; check the official site for your eligibility and current price.

Late morning and lunch

Exit toward the Jardin des Tuileries for an easy 45-minute stroll among the formal paths and ponds. Then head to Angelina Paris on Rue de Rivoli for lunch or a café stop: the famous hot chocolate and pastries are a treat, though queues can build, especially around lunchtime. Budget about €15–€30 per person; if the salon is busy, takeaway lets you keep the day moving.

Afternoon — Île de la Cité

Walk or take the Métro to Île de la Cité—from Rue de Rivoli, it’s an easy walk of around 15–20 minutes. Spend a relaxed couple of hours exploring the historic island and seeing Notre-Dame Cathedral from outside; allow extra time for the security barriers and crowds around the forecourt. Keep your route unhurried, since the island is best enjoyed on foot.

Late afternoon — Sainte-Chapelle

Finish at Sainte-Chapelle, also on Île de la Cité. Its stained glass is the highlight, and late-afternoon light can make the colors especially vivid; allow about an hour. Book a timed ticket in advance (entry is around €13, subject to change), and arrive early for security screening. In October, check the day’s closing time before you go, as seasonal hours can vary.

Morning — Paris to Barcelona

Take the direct high-speed train from Paris Gare de Lyon to Barcelona-Sants; the ride is about 6 hours 50 minutes, so an early departure is best for a useful afternoon in Barcelona. Book ahead through SNCF Connect and arrive at the station around 30 minutes before departure. After reaching Barcelona-Sants, allow time to drop your bags and get to the old town—taxis are straightforward, or take the metro toward Liceu for the Barri Gòtic.

Late afternoon — Plaça Reial

Ease into the city with about 45 minutes at Plaça Reial, a grand, arcaded square just off La Rambla. Find a spot beneath the palm trees and admire the streetlamps designed by Antoni Gaudí; it’s a lively place to pause, though drinks around the square tend to cost more than on nearby side streets.

Early evening and dinner

Walk about 8–10 minutes to La Boqueria in El Raval for a casual browse and a snack. On Saturdays, the market is generally open until around 8:30 p.m., but individual stalls may close earlier, so don’t leave this stop too late. From there, it’s roughly a 15-minute walk to Tapeo in El Born for tapas; budget about €25–€45 per person and book ahead if you can. After a long travel day, keep the evening relaxed and enjoy the neighborhood’s narrow streets on the way back.

Morning — Sagrada Família

Book a timed entry at Sagrada Família for around 9 a.m. and allow roughly two hours to take in the basilica’s extraordinary light and detail. Tickets commonly cost about €26–€40, depending on the option; reserve ahead through the official website, as popular times sell out. The metro’s L2 and L5 both stop at Sagrada Família. After your visit, take a taxi or public transport toward Park Güell; allow around 20–30 minutes, including the uphill approach.

Late morning — Park Güell

Give Park Güell about two hours for its monumental zone, mosaic work and city views. Entry to the ticketed area is timed, so book in advance and check your ticket for the correct entrance and time. The park is hilly, with uneven paths, so comfortable shoes help. From here, head down toward Gràcia—a taxi is easiest, or walk downhill if you’re happy with a longer, scenic stroll.

Afternoon — Gràcia and Casa Vicens

Take an unhurried hour and a half to wander Gràcia’s small squares and independent shops. Pause around Plaça del Sol or Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia for a drink, then make your way to Casa Vicens, Gaudí’s colorful early house. Set aside about 90 minutes; book a timed ticket ahead and check the day’s hours, as last entry is usually before closing. For dinner, travel to Bodega La Puntual in El Born—allow roughly 25–35 minutes by taxi or metro, depending on connections.

Evening — Dinner in El Born

At Bodega La Puntual, settle in for Catalan and Spanish dishes; budget around €25–€45 per person, and reserve if you can. It’s a satisfying finish after a full day, so keep the rest of the evening open for a relaxed walk through El Born or an early night.

Morning — Barcelona to Madrid

Take a morning high-speed train so you reach Madrid-Puerta de Atocha with time to leave your bags at your hotel or station luggage storage before the afternoon. Aim to be settled by around 1 p.m.; the Prado is about a 15-minute walk from Atocha, or a short taxi ride if you’re carrying luggage.

Afternoon — Art, then Retiro

Spend about two hours at the Museo Nacional del Prado, open Mondays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Rather than racing through, pick a few highlights—Velázquez’s Las Meninas and works by Goya are good anchors. Standard admission is around €15; check the official site for current tickets and any timed-entry requirements. From the museum, walk east toward Retiro Park for a relaxed hour and a half among its tree-lined paths, finishing by the lake.

Late afternoon and evening — Tortilla and Gran Vía

From Retiro, head to Casa Dani in Mercado de la Paz—roughly 20–25 minutes on foot from the park, or take a taxi or metro if you’d rather save your legs. Set aside about an hour for its famous tortilla; budget around €15–€30 per person, and check the market’s serving hours before you go, as they can differ from the market’s general opening times. Finish with an easy stroll along Gran Vía, about a 20-minute walk from the market or a short taxi ride. The grand façades are especially striking as the lights come on; allow an hour to wander before heading to your overnight stay.

Morning — Madrid to Lisbon

Take an early flight from Madrid-Barajas to Lisbon, allowing around 4–5 hours door to door for airport transfers and check-in; the flight itself takes about 1 hour 20 minutes. Lisbon is one hour behind Madrid, so check the local arrival time when planning. From Lisbon Airport, the metro to the center takes roughly 25 minutes, or a taxi or rideshare usually takes 15–25 minutes depending on traffic.

Afternoon — Baixa and Chiado

Start at Praça do Comércio, the grand riverside square—allow about 45 minutes to soak up the views and get your bearings. Then stroll inland along Rua Augusta toward Rossio, taking around an hour to browse its pedestrian stretch and side lanes. In late afternoon, continue uphill toward Manteigaria in Chiado for a warm pastel de nata; budget about €3–€8 per person and expect a short wait at busy times.

Evening — Dinner in Cais do Sodré

Walk downhill from Chiado to Time Out Market Lisboa in Cais do Sodré for dinner, allowing about 1½ hours. Its many counters make it easy to sample Portuguese favorites alongside other options; plan on roughly €15–€35 per person. It can get lively in the evening, so arrive a little before peak dinner time if you’d prefer to find a table more easily.

Morning — Alfama’s last viewpoint and cathedral

Start at Miradouro de Santa Luzia for one last look over Alfama’s rooftops and the Tagus; 45 minutes is plenty for the view and a coffee nearby. Then walk downhill to Sé de Lisboa (about 5–10 minutes). Allow around 45 minutes to visit; opening times can vary around services, so check before you go.

Late morning and midday — Belém

Head west to Pastéis de Belém by taxi or rideshare (roughly 20–30 minutes, traffic permitting), or take the tram toward Belém, allowing extra time for the ride. Set aside an hour for coffee and warm custard tarts; budget about €5–€15 per person, and expect a queue at this famous bakery. Afterward, stroll through Jardim da Praça do Império for a quieter pause by the river before collecting your bags. This is a relaxed final stop, but keep an eye on the clock: the airport journey and check-in come next.

Afternoon or evening — Fly to Vienna

For the flight from Lisbon Airport to Vienna, allow about 3 hours in the air, plus roughly 20–30 minutes to reach the airport from central Lisbon. Aim to arrive at least 2 hours before departure, or follow your airline’s longer check-in guidance if you’re checking a bag. This plan works best with a later flight; if yours leaves earlier, head straight to the airport after Alfama rather than risk missing check-in.