This itinerary for 3 weeks in France, Italy & Greece is perfect for first time visitors, who want to experience a variety of the best of each country, while maximising their time. France, Italy & Greece are some of the most dazzling countries in Europe to visit, but planning an itinerary can come with a mind-boggling number of decisions.
In 3 weeks, if you are happy to spend 2-3 nights in most places, you can visit Paris, Provence, the French Riviera, Cinque Terre, Florence, Rome, Athens and Milos. From the bistros of Paris to the sunshine and seaside of Nice & Cinque Terre, to the Renaissance splendour of Florence, to the ancient history of Rome and Athens and ending with a blissful few days beach-hopping on Milos, this France, Italy & Greece 3 week itinerary has a bit of everything!
This itinerary moves at a pretty fast pace, to show you what is possible in 3 weeks in France, Italy & Greece. I know that for many of my readers, vacation time is precious and if you’re not sure when you’ll be back, I understand the desire to see as much as possible.
However, I’d strongly recommend picking one destination to remove if you want to slow down a little bit – it may mean a longer stretch of a train journey on one of your days, if you remove a stop, but it might be worth it for you if you like to take a more moderate pace. Only you can decide what is the right balance of pace and variety (or ground covered), that is right for you.
In case you’re new here, my name is Genevieve, I’m Australian and have travelled to France, Italy & Greece several times. I’ve visited every destination in this recommended itinerary, and have visited more than half of these destinations more than once! I hope you find this itinerary for 3 weeks in France, Italy & Greece helpful.
How to get around France, Italy & Greece
Trains are the best way to get around Europe, generally speaking. Most of this itinerary for 3 weeks in France, Italy & Greece relies on high speed or local trains, but there is a flight between Rome & Athens, and from Athens to Milos.
Itinerary: 3 Weeks in France, Italy & Greece
- Day 1-4: Paris
- Day 5-6: Avignon
- Day 7-8: Nice
- Day 9-10: Cinque Terre
- Day 11-13: Florence
- Day 14-16: Rome
- Day 17-18: Athens
- Day 19-21: Milos
Day 1-4: Paris
Start your three weeks in France, Italy & Greece with 4 days exploring Paris. If this is not your first time to Paris, I recommend removing one day here and adding it to your time in Milos. Paris is a spectacular travel destination, with so much to see, do and explore.
If this is your first trip to Paris, check out my itinerary for 3 Days in Paris for First Time Visitors to get some ideas on how to spend your time. In Paris, you can see the iconic sights like The Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe and Sacre Coeur, as well as storied neighourhoods like Montmartre, Le Marais, St Germain and the Latin Quarter. If the weather is good, make time to slow down for a few picnics!
If this is not your first trip to Paris, check out my recent Itinerary for 5 Days in Paris for return visitors, based on my most recent trip to Paris. This was my 5th trip to Paris, but I still loved returning to a few classic sights.
If you feel you have time, you could take a day trip to the wineries of the Champagne region, or you could take the RER C Train to make a day trip to the Chateau de Versailles. If you have never visited Paris before, I would recommend spending all of your time within Paris instead.
Note: At time of writing, Notre Dame is still closed for reconstruction works following the fire. However, you can view it from the outside, for free.
Best Things to Do
- Visit Sacre Coeur & explore surrounding hills of Montmartre
- The 12th century Sainte-Chapelle
- Stroll the Jardin des Tuileries & visit the Louvre
- Picnic on the banks of the Seine
- Explore Le Marais
Where to stay in Paris
- Hotel Raspail, Montparnasse
- St Germain
- Le Marais
- Ile de Cite
Day 5-6: Avignon (Provence)
Continue your European odyssey with a few days in Provence. Avignon is a gorgeous medieval city in the heart of Provence, and a beautiful introduction to the famed French region. Avignon is famous for its medieval walls, and its UNESCO World Heritage Listed historic centre which includes the towering Palais des Papes and the remains of the 12th century Pont St Benezet (or Pont d’Avignon).
Beyond its impressive historic pedigree, Avignon is a beautiful city for wandering and enjoying a slice of life in Provence. Stay in the Old Town to soak up the atmosphere, and take your time exploring the city’s winding medieval streets and picturesque town squares.
Best Things to Do
- Explore the maze of streets in the medieval Old Town
- Parc des Rocher Doms
- Palais des Papes
- Pont St Benezet
Get to Avignon from Paris
Avignon is a 3.5 hour train from Paris.
Day 7-8: Nice
Head further south for two days on the French Riviera, in Nice. This large, picturesque Cote d’Azur beach town is a very popular and caters to a wide range of travellers. Spend a couple of days taking it slow, unless you want to squeeze in a day trip to nearby Monaco as well. A couple of days in Nice is best spent with your feet up at one of the many beach clubs, browsing the charming Marche Aux Fleurs and enjoying a glass of rose in the sunshine.
Best Things to Do
- Marche Aux Fleurs/ Marche des Puces (Flower Market/Flea Market in Cours Saleya)
- Explore Vieux Nice, the Old Town
- Stroll the waterfront along Promenade d’Anglais
- Beach Clubs like Opera Plage & Beau Rivage
- Day trip to Monaco
Get to Nice from Avignon
Take the TGV (high speed train) from Avignon to Nice-Ville. The trip takes approximately 3.5 hours.
Day 9-10: Cinque Terre
Dazzling Cinque Terre is the first stop on the Italian leg of your itinerary for three weeks in France, Italy and Greece. Cinque Terre, which translates to “Five Lands”, is a series of five tiny, brightly coloured villages hugging the cliffs of Liguria on the coast of northern Italy. The five villages of Cinque Terre are famous for being eye-poppingly colourful, especially the village of Manarola. The train trip between each village is only 5-10 minutes, so you can easily visit them all in 24 hours or so.
I recommend staying in Riomaggiore, Monterosso, Manarola or Vernazza. Corniglia is worth a visit, but the middle village is perched high on the cliff tops, a steep set of stairs away from the train. I wouldn’t want to be trekking up & down those stairs too many times, personally.
Read my Cinque Terre guide for more info about each of the five villages.
Best Things to Do
- Swim at the beach at Monterosso al Mare
- Arrive in Vernazza by ferry for a dramatic entrance
- Get the best view of Cinque Terre, looking across the harbour to Manarola
- Explore Corniglia, tucked away in the hills
- Relax in vibrant Riomaggiore
Get to Cinque Terre from Nice
Get an early start, as there are a few trains to catch. Catch the train from Nice to Ventimiglia (1 hr) & then take the train from Ventimiglia to Genoa (2 hours). Genoa to Monterosso is 1 hour.
Day 11-13: Florence
Spend the next three days in Florence, to discover the birthplace of the Renaissance. Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, which is why it’s my favourite!
Admire the magnificent Cathedral of Santa Maria di Fiore and Brunelleschi’s awe-inspiring duomo, alongside Giotto’s bell tower in the heart of Florence. Nearby, you’ll find the Palazzo Vecchio, the Piazza della Repubblica and one of several replicas of Michelangelo’s statue of David. Admire the views of the 14th century Ponte Vecchio, get lost in the magnificent Boboli Gardens or take in stunning sunset views over Florence from the Piazzale di Michelangelo. Art lovers will want to stop at the Uffizi Gallery, or to the Galleria dell’Accademia for the original statue of David.
Florence is a very elegant city, and the shopping is excellent – particularly for leathergoods, and stationery. You’ll be tripping over gelato all over Europe, but make time for a scoop or two in Florence, which is the birthplace of gelato.
You’re halfway through your three weeks in France, Italy & Greece!
Best Things to Do
- Cathedral de Santa Maria di Fiore
- Boboli Gardens
- Ponte Vecchio
- Uffizi Gallery
- Piazza della Repubblica
Get to Florence from Cinque Terre
Take the train from Riomaggiore to La Spezia Centrale (10 minutes). Then take the train from La Spezia Centrale to Florence Santa Maria Novella (2.5 hours).
Day 14-16: Rome
Your final destination in Italy is Rome. The heart of the former Roman Empire is a sprawling metropolis of epic proportions, showcasing more than 2000 years of human history. Spend a few days in Rome marvelling at the ancient history and artistic splendour of the eternal city, from The Pantheon to the Colosseum to St Peters Basilica and beyond, but make sure to leave time to enjoy the simple pleasures of Rome – carbonara, cacio pepe and thick slabs of Roman pizza by the slice.
Best Things to Do
- The Pantheon
- The Colosseum
- The Roman Forum
- Trevi Fountain
- St Peters Basilica
Get to Florence to Rome
Get a highspeed train from Florence to Rome, which takes approximately 1 hr 50 mins.
Day 17-18: Athens
Start the final leg of your 3 weeks in France, Italy & Greece in Athens. The ancient Greek capital is the birthplace of democracy and is rich in classical treasures and antiquities. While Athens may not offer the same idyllic charms as the Greek islands, it is one of the most enigmatic cities in Europe and is worth a brief visit, at least.
The Acropolis is a must-visit, but time your visit to avoid the peak of the heat of the day as it can be scorching in the sun, with no shade. The Acropolis Museum is a great place to escape the heat of the day. Don’t miss the Athens Flea Market in Monastiraki Square, and the charming Plaka neighbourhood. One of my favourite bars in Athens is Six Dogs, and many hotels have a rooftop restaurant or bar with killer Acropolis views at night.
Best Things to Do
- The Acropolis
- Monastiraki Flea Market
- The New Acropolis Museum
- Explore lively Plaka
Get to Athens from Rome
Fly from Rome to Athens (2 hours).
Day 19-21: Milos
You’re probably not ready for your 3 weeks in France, Italy & Greece to end, but I have saved the best til last! Milos is one of the most beautiful Greek islands, located in the Cyclades island chain. Some visitors may want to swap Milos for Santorini, but Milos is my pick of the two. Milos is enormous, with more to explore than you could possibly see in weeks – but luckily, it is accessible enough that with a car, you can see so much in just a few days. If you can drag yourself off one of Milos’ stunning beaches! Milos has 70+ beaches, the most of any island in Greece.
Read my itinerary for 5 Days in Milos for more ideas.
Best Things to Do
- Picturesque harbour village of Mandrakia
- Colourful fisherman houses in Klima
- Dinner & drinks in Naousa
- Parikia Old Town
- Sarakiniko Beach
- Kleftiko Caves day sailing tour
Get from Athens to Milos
I recommended flying from Milos to Athens. The flight from Athens to Milos is only 40 minutes, whereas the ferry options range from 2.5-7.5 hours. I recommend flying over the ferry in this case, because it is a long journey. The Greek ferries are notorious for running hours late, and widespread seasickness is reportedly a common issue on the longer passages. Island hopping with the ferries for shorter distances is better.
At the end of your trip, fly back from Milos to Athens International Airport to begin your journey home.
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