Europe Itinerary 3 Weeks (My Italy and Spain Trip)
One of the hardest parts of planning a trip for me is always narrowing down where I want to actually go. Since I hate wasting a lot of time traveling between locations, I try to pick as many places close to each other as possible in order to minimize the down time.
If you follow me on Instagram, you already know that last fall Diana and I spent three weeks roaming around Italy and Spain. We had a handful of spots on our original want-to-see list — Croatia, Montenegro, Positano, Ischia, Barcelona (her current home base and where my return flight would be taking off from) — which we used as a starting point for our itinerary creation.
Since we knew we for sure wanted to go to Positano, we decided to make that the first stop on our final itinerary. With no direct ferry from Positano to Ischia, we opted to head to Capri for a few days between before venturing over to Ischia and Procida.
San Sebastian was also on our list before heading back to Barcelona, but with no direct flight from Naples to San Sebastian we knew we needed to add something else to our itinerary in between. After checking out all the direct flight options, we landed on Ibiza since we had both had the neighboring island of Formentera on our bucket lists.
In the end, it ended up being an easy trip with simple transportation between each place and enough time to see the majority of what we hoped to. If you're looking for a Europe itinerary 3 weeks, here is what I recommend!
Side note: I'll be doing more detailed guides on each of the spots on this itinerary that I don't already have existing articles for. This is just a high level itinerary overview for everyone who has been asking me to share my itinerary with them!
Europe Itinerary 3 Weeks
Italy
Positano
Capri
Ischia
Procida
Spain
Ibiza
Formentera
San Sebastian
Barcelona
POSITANO, Italy — 4 nights
Since you ended up on ckanani.com, odds are you already know that Positano is my number one ride or die. I have visited more times than I can count now and have covered it extensively on my site for almost ten years.
In case you aren't familiar, Positano is a small village located on Italy's Amalfi Coast. The houses are cliffside and there are stairs throughout town that help you get from place to place. It is steep — ladder steep — making it fairly difficult to get around, especially with the huge surge of people visiting in recent years. Yet still it is the most beautiful place my eyes have ever seen.
— Location: on Italy's Amalfi Coast, just south of Naples
— Language: Italian
— Currency: Euros
— Size: 3.3 mi²
— Closest Airport: Naples
— How to Get to Positano: click here for detailed instructions
— How to Get Around Positano: on foot, via bus, or via scooter (especially when traveling between towns)
Since Diana (my travel buddy from In Between Pictures) had never been before, we opted to spend four nights in this beautiful gem. Depending on how much time you have, I would highly recommend spending at least three nights here. Alternatively, you could also easily expand this out tremendously, seeing as there's tons of different towns on the Amalfi Coast to visit and no amount of time ever seems like enough here.
One big perk about adding Positano to your itinerary is that I have outlined in great detail every single thing you could ever need to know about visiting! It is as follows:
8 things you absolutely cannot miss (my most popular post, don’t miss this one!)
Capri, Italy — 2 Nights
After Positano, a logical next step is to visit the island of Capri. World famous Capri is home to the popular Blue Grotto, designer fashion, and countless upscale hotels and restaurants. It is as glamorous as can be and a beautiful place to spend a few days.
— Location: in Italy off the coast of Naples, in the Gulf of Naples
— Language: Italian
— Currency: Euros
— Size: 4 mi²
— Closest Airport: Naples
— How to Get to Capri: via ferry
— How to Get Around Capri: on foot, via funicular, bus or taxi (non-resident cars are not allowed on the island)
To get to Capri from Positano you will want to book a ferry ticket. Because it is a very popular journey and tickets almost always sell out, I would recommend buying them now (or as soon as you have decided you will for sure be going). It is a high speed ferry, with the journey lasting around 40 minutes, and costing around 23 Euros. Click here to find the current schedule and to buy your ticket.
Since the journey from Positano to Capri is only 40 minutes, many people will visit as just a day trip. I did this way back in 2014 and did not enjoy Capri at all. This is due to many reasons:
The island is large so you're not able to see nearly any of it if you only visit during the day.
A huge amount of people visit as a day trip, so during the middle of the day the island can be pretty overwhelming with tourists. My favorite time of day in Capri is early morning and early evening to night.
Because of this, I highly recommend spending at least a night or two on the island. I might even suggest skipping Capri all together if you can't do so. A day trip there just really isn't sufficient and will likely leave you with a bad opinion of Capri, especially during peak tourist months.
While in Capri, there's lots to explore. Food-wise you should try to get a dining reservation in a lemon grove at Da Paolino or La Zagara. Both offer traditional Capri cuisine in jaw dropping settings. For something quick to take away, La Focacciera Capri was our go-to (we literally planned our days around this place). Given the location (right in the port) it seems like it would be a tourist trap but I can assure you it is not!
For activities, you should go on a photo tour of the island via vintage Fiat. It's the best way to see the island with a local and capture photos that you will cherish for the rest of your life! Especially since non-resident cars are not allowed on the island, so it’s one of your only options if you want to see it via car. I cannot recommend this more. Click here to reserve your spot!
Some other ideas:
Relax at a beach club. Click here for our guide to the best beaches and beach clubs in Capri
Grab an espresso or an aperitivo in the center square Piazzetta. A celebrity-packed meeting place for locals and visitors.
Shop on Via Camerelle, a street world famous for its luxury shops and designer boutiques. Also visit Via le Botteghe for more shopping.
Visit Belvedere Tragara, a scenic overlook facing the Faraglioni rock formations.
Visit Faro Di Punta Carena, a historic lookout point with cliffs and the Punta Carena lighthouse.
Go boating, of course! There are a few different options I recommend, depending on what you are looking for:
Private Gozzo Boat Island Tour. A three hour private tour on your own Gozzo boat. You will visit the Blue Grotto, as well as many other lesser-known hidden caves and rock formations. The best option.
2 hour boat tour with happy hour. This is a group (shared) tour and doesn’t include a visit to the Blue Grotto due to the long wait times that entails. It is incredibly reasonably priced and highly rated!
Capri Island boat trip + Blue Grotto visit. The least expensive option available by far. If you want to see the Blue Grotto, this is a good choice. Note that the Blue Grotto entrance fee is not included in the price of this tour.
For where to stay in Capri, click here.
Ischia, Italy — 4 Nights
Next stop, Ischia! Ischia is a volcanic island in the Gulf of Naples, a quick distance from the city of Napoli. It is drastically bigger than Capri (almost 18 square miles vs. Capri's 4) and not yet widely known to tourists.
My two cents: visit as soon as you are able! It will be a huge hot spot in no time.
The island of Ischia is home to famous hot springs, gorgeous beaches, a medieval castle, and plenty of towns to explore. For us there was more to see than time would even allow! Because of this, I added a night here for y'all - we only have three nights but definitely needed at least four.
— Location: In Italy off the coast of Naples, in the Gulf of Naples
— Language: Italian
— Currency: Euros
— Size: 17.9 mi²
— Closest Airport: Naples
— How to Get to Ischia: via ferry
— How to Get Around Ischia: Via bus, taxi, or by car or scooter rental
To get from Capri to Ischia, you will travel by ferry. Prices and timing will vary greatly depending on time of year, as the options change frequently based on demand. As always, I recommend buying your tickets now since they very frequently sell out. Click here to find the current schedule and to buy your ticket.
I am planning to do a more detailed Ischia guide sometime soon, but for the time being here are some quick tips:
Ischia is known for thermal hot springs. Take advantage of their healing properties at Negombo or Poseidon. To spend a day at "the oldest spa in the world", visit Fonte di Nitrodi.
Also be sure to explore the different towns! Lacco Ameno is the smallest of the six Ischia towns and has many charming streets and beaches you can roam around. My personal favorite, Forio, is much livelier and equally beautiful. In Forio make sure to not just stick to the seaside streets, as the inland ones are even better. Navigate to "Serpico" and explore around there. For a large, stunning beach, visit Barano.
We also really enjoyed the area down by Castello d'Ischia. For the most beautiful views, dine at Giardino Eden Restaurant. For a more local experience, I highly recommend eating at Bar Ideal. It's not on the water but it is on a very cute street and the owner was so lovely! It was the highlight of our time in Ischia.
Side note: we didn’t visit the castle itself but I imagine if we had more time here we would’ve.
If you’re in the area and staying in Sorrento, you can easily visit Ischia and Procida as a day trip! Click here for the boat tour I recommend.
Watch this quick video for more details:
Procida, Italy — Day Trip
Procida, yet another island in the Gulf of Naples, is the perfect day trip from Ischia! I can't remember when I first saw a photo of Procida but I do remember immediately adding it to my list after just one photo. It is an absolute dream and I love that, like Ischia, it is not a tourist hot spot yet. You can easily, in my experience, walk into restaurants here without reservation and navigate around without huge crowds.
— Location: in Italy off the coast of Naples, in the Gulf of Naples
— Language: Italian
— Currency: Euros
— Size: 1.6 mi²
— Closest Airport: Naples
— How to Get to Procida: via ferry
— How to Get Around Procida: via foot (it is very small)
To get from Ischia to Procida you will travel by ferry. It takes just 20 minutes and costs around 12 euro depending on time of year. Click here to find the current schedule and to buy your ticket.
Our itinerary in Procida was more or less just to roam around and take photos. There's not a ton to do here, which is why I recommend it only as a day trip. I do, however, have one very important recommendation: eat at La Lampara. It was unbelievable and (surprisingly) my favorite meal of the entire trip! I can't even believe I'm saying that, mainly because it you look at the view it seems like it would be a tourist trap but it was actually delicious.
Aside from that, I recommend the walk up to Panoramica sulla Corricella. It's an observation deck with the best view in town! Marina di Corricella is another good point of interest to navigate to (this is the pretty side, opposite the port you will be dropped off at via ferry).
Make sure to also try Lingue di Procida, a local lemon cream-filled pastry invented at Pasticceria Bar Roma. The bar is located between the port and my lunch recommendation so grab it before you hop back on the ferry to head home!
If you’re in the area and staying in Sorrento, you can easily visit Ischia and Procida as a day trip! Click here for the boat tour I recommend.
Interested in other itinerary ideas? Click here for 10 perfect Italy itinerary ideas!
Ibiza, Spain — 4 Nights
Perhaps the most surprising destination on my itinerary list is Ibiza, known to most as being the party capital of the world. The island next to it, Formentera, has been on my list for years which is the main reason we decided to add Ibiza to our trip. We initially planned on staying on Formentera but switched to Ibiza in order to avoid too chaotic and long of a travel day.
To my absolute surprise: I LOVE IBIZA. I would go back in a heart beat. In addition to great nightlife it is full of stunning beaches, healthy and delicious dining, and a charming and picturesque old town.
— Location: in Spain in the Balearic Sea, east of Valencia
— Language: Catalan + Spanish
— Currency: Euros
— Size: 220 mi²
— Closest Airport: Ibiza
— How to Get to Ibiza: via plane
— How to Get Around Ibiza: by rental car
I will definitely do a full Ibiza guide because I have tons of recommendations, but in the meantime here are my top recommendations:
Eat at the Fish Shack and La Paloma. Be sure to make reservations at La Paloma or you will likely not get in. If you happen to be staying near Santa Eulalia and need a quick bite, both Shawarma and Natural Point Bistro are so good.
Explore Ibiza town (Dalt Vila), the most picturesque old town. The store Annie here is a dream, don't miss it.
Go to a night club. I'd recommend Ushuaia, Amnesia, or Hï Ibiza.
Swim in some calas. There are countless ones to explore!
Take a day trip to Formentera (more on that below).
Formentera, Spain — day trip
Just off the coast of Ibiza is the island of Formentera. It is lesser known, less crowded, and much more laid back than neighboring Ibiza. Famous for it's crystal clear beaches, it is a can't miss destination when in the area!
When I first learned about Formentera I immediately reached out to my Italian friend to discuss. He was born and raised in Positano, a place I consider the prettiest in the entire world, and now living in Spain, so I figured he'd have some input. His response was that Formentera is home to the most beautiful beaches in the world, and with that I was sold!
He wasn't wrong, either. Having a mom born and raised in Hawaii I have been to my fair share of beautiful beaches, and these are right up there with the best of the best.
— Location: in Spain in the Balearic Sea, south of Ibiza
— Language: Catalan + Spanish
— Currency: Euros
— Size: 32 mi²
— Closest Airport: Ibiza
— How to Get to Formentera: via ferry
— How to Get Around Formentera: by bike or scooter
What I especially loved about Formentera is that you can rent bicycles and cycle around the island, hopping from beach to beach. Diana is not a fan of biking and seemed a bit hesitant, but within a few minutes on the bike couldn't stop exclaiming how much fun it was! There are bike paths all over (this is one of the main means of transportation) so it's safe and very common.
We personally visited as a day trip, but you could easily spend some time here. Despite being the smallest of the Balearic islands in Spain, it's actually quite large - around 32 sq. miles. We only got to visit a few beaches before needing to catch the return ferry, and really only saw a very small portion of the island. I had plenty of other spots bookmarked that I was not able to make it to.
Some places to visit: Platja de Ses Illetes, S'Espalmador, Calo d'Es Mort, and Cala Saona.
The food as far as I could tell, especially in the super popular areas like Platja de Ses Illetes, is absolute trash. I paid something like $50 for a terrible salad that was by far the worst thing I ate all trip. Unless you find something I missed, I highly recommend packing a lunch from Ibiza!
San Sebastian, Spain — 2 Nights
After Ibiza we headed via plane to San Sebastian, a spot I'd been wanting to visit for years. San Sebastian is a coastal town in the Basque Country in northern Spain. It is known for having beautiful, picturesque beaches and world-renowned restaurants.
— Location: in northern Spain in Basque Country
— Language: Euskara/Basque (but most speak Spanish)
— Currency: Euros
— Size: 23.5 mi²
— Closest Airport: San Sebastian or Bilbao
— How to Get to San Sebastian: via plane
— How to Get Around San Sebastian: by foot, taxi, or bus
Unfortunately, we were met with some very bad weather — not just rain but an absolute downpour, in addition to being 30 degrees colder than we were prepared for — so I ended up seeing next to nothing. Because of this I don't have any recommendations, but my friend Diana does! She's been plenty of times prior and knows the ins and outs, so click here to head to her blog for more info.
BARCELONA — 5 Nights
Last but not least, Barcelona! Barcelona is a logical last stop because it's a major city so it is easy to get flights in and out of. Barcelona has great beaches, good weather, excellent food (30 Michelin Star restaurants!), fun nightlife, and so much to see. This was my third time visiting and I stayed five nights, but you could easily change this to more or less if needed.
— Location: in Spain on the northeastern coast
— Language: Catalan + Spanish
— Currency: Euros
— Size: 39 mi²
— Closest Airport: Barcelona
— How to Get to Barcelona: via plane
— How to Get Around Barcelona: by foot, bus, or taxi
Eventually I'm sure I'll do a longer Barcelona post, but for now I have some restaurant recommendations! For dinner Cerveseria Catalana is my favorite. Also try Pepito. You must make reservations at both! El Nacional is a neat idea too because it's home to a few different restaurants of different styles. Extra beautiful at Christmas time!
Brunch is very popular in Barcelona, as are brunch restaurants. Billy Brunch & Garden is a great choice, along with Brunch & Cake Rossello and LA PAPA.
For something healthy I absolutely love Honest Greens! There's also Flax & Kale and Froots & Roots, but Honest Greens is by far my favorite.
For drinks with a view, the bar at the top of Hotel Colon is drop dead gorgeous. If you want a view of the beach, the W Barcelona is a good spot. Without a view, Bar Calders is on a street where there’s tons of different bars you can hop around. It’s also soo shockingly inexpensive! For a club, Sutton is my favorite.
As far as what to see goes, here are a few don’t miss things:
What to Pack
For 20 must have travel items from Amazon, click here.
For the absolute best shoes for travel, click here. There’s nothing I recommend more! They are worth every penny, I never go anywhere without them.
For travel essentials I never travel without, click here.
For what to pack for Italy, click here!
Like This Post? Please Save + Share it on Pinterest!
WHAT TO READ NEXT —
