Seventy days gives you time to do more than check off highlights—you’ll let cities reveal themselves: Athens’ hilltop temples and lively markets, Rome’s layers of empire and everyday life, Florence’s workshops and wine roads, and Portugal’s cliff-framed beaches and soulful fado nights. This itinerary favors 2–12 day blocks in each base city, with day trips and flexible rest days.

Expect history you can touch (Acropolis, Colosseum), art you’ll still be thinking about on the plane home (Uffizi, azulejos), and food that ranges from market-fresh lunches to white-tablecloth classics. Coffee matters here; so do bakeries. You’ll find both, alongside specific restaurants, gelaterie, tascas, and seafood shacks locals love.

Practical notes: intercity travel relies on Europe’s excellent trains and short flights. For schedules and fares, compare on Omio (trains), Omio (buses), Omio (ferries), and Omio (flights). If you’re flying to Europe from abroad, you can also search global options on Trip.com. Peak sights often sell out—book skip‑the‑line tours ahead where noted.

Athens

Ancient stones meet all-hours street life in Athens, where golden-hour light makes marble glow and the aroma of grilled souvlaki drifts down alleys. Base yourself near Syntagma, Plaka, or Koukaki for easy walks to the Acropolis and great tavernas.

Top sights include the Acropolis and its gleaming museum, the Ancient Agora, and the seaside Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion. Build in an island day in the Saronic Gulf to taste the Greek summer without committing to a long ferry ride.

Days 1–3: Acropolis, Museum, and the Historic Core

• Acropolis + Parthenon with a licensed guide keeps the story straight and crowds manageable. Acropolis and Parthenon Guided Walking Tour

  

• Pair it with the Acropolis Museum and priority entry: Athens All Included: Acropolis and Museum Guided Tour with Ticket

  

• Wander Plaka, Anafiotika, Monastiraki. Pop into the Monastiraki Flea Market and the Central Market for spices and cheese.
• Coffee/breakfast: Taf Coffee (roastery-grade espresso), Dope Roasting Co. (sourdough and flat whites), Kora Bakery (laminated pastries). Lunch: Kostas (since 1950; tiny, perfect pork souvlaki), O Thanasis (kebab and fries). Dinner: Nolan (Greek–Asian mashups like cod with udon), Klimataria (slow-braised lamb; occasional live rembetika), seaside splurge at Varoulko Seaside (Michelin-starred seafood).

Days 4–5: Beyond the Rock—Food, Riviera, Sunsets

• Eat with context on a neighborhood tasting walk: Greek Food Walking Tour in Athens

  

• Drive the coastal road to Cape Sounion for a Temple of Poseidon sunset: Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon Half-Day Small-Group Tour

  

Days 6–7: Day at Sea or a Grand Day Trip

• Island-hop the Saronic Gulf with lunch and swims: All Day Cruise – Agistri, Moni, Aegina

  

• Or a long but unforgettable excursion to Meteora’s cliff-top monasteries: Meteora Monasteries Day Trip with Lunch

  

Where to stay (Athens) — Search: VRBO Athens | Hotels.com Athens. Specific picks: Hotel Grande Bretagne (storied neoclassical icon on Syntagma), Novotel Athenes (value with a rooftop pool), City Circus Athens (playful boutique-hostel hybrid in Psyrri), Athens Backpackers (budget favorite by the Acropolis).

Getting to Athens — Price-out flights on Omio (flights) and globally on Trip.com. From the airport, the metro M3 runs to Syntagma/Monastiraki (~40 min).

Travel Day: Athens to Rome (Day 8)

Fly Athens (ATH) to Rome (FCO/CIA): ~2h15–2h30. Compare fares/times on Omio; typical prices range €60–€160 booked in advance. Morning departure gets you into Rome for an afternoon passeggiata.

Rome

The “Eternal City” still hums with the energy of empire and everyday rituals—morning espresso at the counter, evening strolls under ocher palazzi. Base in Centro Storico, Monti, Trastevere, or Prati for easy access to the Vatican and ancient sites.

Days 8–12: Ancient Rome and the Vatican

• Walk the amphitheater like a gladiator: Colosseum, Forum & Palatine Guided Tour

  

• Then the Vatican with skip-the-line access: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Tour

  

• Cover more ground on wheels: Rome Highlights City Tour by Golf Cart with Gelato

  

• Coffee/breakfast: Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè (house-roasted classic), Tazza d’Oro (granita di caffè), Maritozzo Rosso (cream-filled Roman brioche). Lunch: Pizzarium Bonci (inventive pizza al taglio), Forno Campo de’ Fiori (pizza bianca), Armando al Pantheon (carbonara since 1961). Dinner: Da Enzo al 29 (Trastevere trattoria), Felice a Testaccio (cacio e pepe, tossed tableside), Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina (pasta and Roman cured meats). Wine bar: Il Goccetto.

Days 13–16: Neighborhood Rome

• Stroll Monti (via Urbana boutiques), the Jewish Ghetto (try carciofi alla giudia), and Trastevere lanes at dusk.
• Art stop: Galleria Borghese (Bernini’s ecstatic marble) with timed entry; relax in the surrounding park.
• Market graze at Mercato Testaccio—panini, supplì, seasonal produce.

Days 17–21: Big Day Trips

• See Pompeii, Amalfi Coast, Positano in one expertly run day from Rome: Pompeii, Amalfi & Positano Day Trip

  

• Evening feast through Trastevere: Rome Twilight Trastevere Food Tour (Award-Winning)

  

Where to stay (Rome) — Search: VRBO Rome | Hotels.com Rome. Picks: Hotel de Russie (garden oasis by Piazza del Popolo), Hotel Eden (classic views), Hotel Santa Maria (Trastevere), The Beehive (stylish budget near Termini).

Travel Day: Rome to Florence (Day 22)

High-speed train from Roma Termini/Tiburtina to Firenze S. M. Novella: ~1h30–1h45, €19–€60 if booked early. Compare times/fare classes on Omio (trains). Morning train = lunch in Florence.

Florence & Tuscany

Renaissance Florence is compact enough for long walks between the Duomo, Uffizi, and Oltrarno artisan workshops, yet it opens onto vine-striped hills. Use the city as your base for winery days, hilltowns, and a cooking class.

Days 22–25: Art and the Arno

• Climb the Duomo’s Brunelleschi dome or Giotto’s Campanile for terracotta rooftops and the Arno ribbon. Pre-book Uffizi/Accademia slots.
• Oltrarno afternoon: craftsmen on Via Maggio and Santo Spirito square at aperitivo time.
• Coffee/breakfast: Ditta Artigianale (specialty brews), S.Forno (old-world bakery), Forno Pugi (schiacciata). Lunch: All’Antico Vinaio (overflowing panini), Da Nerbone in Mercato Centrale (lampredotto). Dinner: Trattoria Sostanza (butter chicken), Trattoria Mario (ribollita at lunch), Il Santo Bevitore (seasonal Tuscan).

Days 26–29: Wine Roads

• Classic countryside sampler: Tuscany Day Trip: Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa + Winery Lunch

  

• Small-group tastings: Tuscan Countryside Wine Tasting

  

• Off-road vineyard fun: Tuscan Wine Safari (Chianti)

  

Days 30–33: Cook, then Day-Trip

• Roll your own pasta: Florence Pasta Cooking Class (with wine)

  

• Side trips: Pisa (leaning tower), Lucca (bike the walls), or San Gimignano (medieval towers and gelato).

Where to stay (Florence) — Search: VRBO Florence | Hotels.com Florence. Picks: Four Seasons Hotel Firenze (convent-turned-palazzo), Hotel Brunelleschi (tower suites), Hotel Dali (budget charmer near the Duomo).

Travel Day: Florence to the Amalfi Coast (Day 34)

Train Firenze → Napoli Centrale (~2h50–3h10 on Frecciarossa), then transfer to the coast. From Naples, either bus to Amalfi/Positano (~1.5–2.5h), or seasonal ferry (~1–2h). Compare on Omio (trains), Omio (buses), and Omio (ferries). Aim for a morning train to beat afternoon traffic.

Amalfi Coast (Base: Positano or Amalfi) + Pompeii & Naples

Pastel towns cling to cliffs, lemon groves scent the breeze, and boats hop between beaches. Base in Positano for views and dining, or Amalfi for central connections; add a day in Ravello for villas and gardens.

Days 34–37: Coast Cruising and Capri

• Take a coastal boat to Capri for the Blue Grotto (sea conditions permitting), Anacapri chairlift, and a seaside lunch.
• Beach time at Spiaggia Grande or Fornillo in Positano; sip limoncello at sunset.
• Eat: Chez Black (Positano beachfront classics), Da Adolfo (boat shuttle; grilled mozzarella on lemon leaf), La Tagliata (family-style pastas above Positano), in Amalfi try Pasticceria Pansa (sfogliatelle) and Taverna degli Apostoli (by the Duomo).

Days 38–40: Ravello to Valle delle Ferriere

• Ravello’s Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo offer gardens that float above the Tyrrhenian Sea.
• Stretch your legs on the Valle delle Ferriere trail to waterfalls and ferns; reward with a seafood dinner on the Lungomare.

Days 41–42: Pompeii and Naples

• Walk Roman streets frozen in time with an expert: Pompeii Small Group Tour with an Archaeologist

  

• Pizza pilgrimage in Naples: L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele (Margherita/Marinara perfection) or Sorbillo on Via dei Tribunali; espresso and sfogliatella at Gran Caffè Gambrinus.

Where to stay (Amalfi Coast / Naples) — Search: VRBO Amalfi Coast | Hotels.com Amalfi Coast. Picks in Positano/Amalfi: Le Sirenuse (Positano), Hotel Poseidon (Positano), Hotel Marina Riviera (Amalfi). In Naples: Grand Hotel Vesuvio, Hotel Piazza Bellini.

Travel Day: Amalfi/Naples to Lisbon (Day 43)

Transfer to Naples Airport; fly to Lisbon (~3h direct when available, often via Rome/Madrid). Check Omio (flights) for options. Aim for midday arrival; Metro Red Line from LIS reaches downtown quickly.

Lisbon

Lisbon’s seven hills tumble to the Tagus, where explorers once sailed and pastel de nata still fuels modern wanderings. Base in Chiado, Baixa, or Alfama for viewpoints, azulejo-tiled facades, and tram bells.

Days 43–46: Alfama, Baixa, Belém

• Alfama’s lanes lead to Miradouro de Santa Luzia and the Castelo; in Baixa, elegant squares and Rua Augusta arch.
• Belém afternoon: Jerónimos Monastery, Torre de Belém, and still-warm pastéis from Manteigaria nearby (also a downtown shop).
• See it all efficiently: Half-Day Lisbon Electric Tuk-Tuk Tour

  

• Coffee/breakfast: Fábrica Coffee Roasters, Copenhagen Coffee Lab, Dear Breakfast. Lunch: Time Out Market (browse chef counters), Zé da Mouraria (generous cod), A Valenciana (piri‑piri chicken). Dinner: Solar dos Presuntos (seafood classics), Taberna da Rua das Flores (daily blackboard menu, arrive early), shellfish at Cervejaria Ramiro. Nightcap: A Ginjinha shot near Rossio.

Days 47–48: Food & Neighborhoods

• Eat beyond the obvious: Undiscovered Lisbon Food & Wine Tour

  

• Or roam in an eco-tuk with a private guide: Welcome Tour to Lisbon in Private Eco Tuk Tuk

  

Days 49–52: Sintra & Cascais (Day Trips)

• Palaces in the misty hills, wave-battered cliffs at Europe’s edge: Sintra and Cascais Small-Group Day Trip

  

• Prefer an all-tickets-included option: Sintra, Regaleira, Pena, Cabo da Roca (tickets included)

  

Where to stay (Lisbon) — Search: VRBO Lisbon | Hotels.com Lisbon. Picks: Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon (elegance above Parque Eduardo VII), Martinhal Lisbon Chiado Family Suites (apartment-style in Chiado), Lisbon Destination Hostel (in Rossio station), Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel.

Travel Day: Lisbon to Porto (Day 53)

Alfa Pendular or Intercidades train from Lisboa Santa Apolónia/Oriente to Porto Campanhã: ~2h45–3h15, €10–€35 advance fares. Book via Omio (trains). Connect to São Bento for azulejo-lined arrivals.

Porto & the Douro Valley

Porto rests on steep granite banks above the Douro, its wine lodges across the bridge in Vila Nova de Gaia. It’s walkable, atmospheric, and the ideal springboard for a day among terraced vineyards.

Days 53–57: Ribeira, Gaia, and Night Views

• Ribeira’s riverfront arcades, the ironwork of Dom Luís I Bridge, and a lodge tour/tasting in Gaia (Graham’s, Sandeman, etc.).
• See Porto by night from an open vintage vehicle: Porto by Night: Romance & Lights Along the Douro

  

• Coffee/breakfast: Combi Coffee Roasters, 7g Roasters (across the bridge), Padaria Ribeiro. Lunch: Café Santiago (francesinha done right), Casa Guedes (serra cheese pork sandwich). Dinner: DOP (Rui Paula’s modern Portuguese), Brasão Aliados (hearty northern fare), tiny Taberna dos Mercadores (book early).

Days 58–63: Douro Valley Day(s)

• Iconic river bends, quintas, and a short cruise: Complete Douro Valley Wine Tour (lunch + cruise)

  

• Alternative small-group: Authentic Small Group Douro Tour

  

• Free day ideas: day trip to Guimarães (birthplace of Portugal) or Braga (Bom Jesus sanctuary).

Where to stay (Porto) — Search: VRBO Porto | Hotels.com Porto. Picks: The Yeatman (wine-lodge luxury over the river), HF Ipanema Park, Moov Hotel Porto Centro, or hostel favorite Gallery Hostel.

Travel Day: Porto to the Algarve (Day 64)

Train Porto → Faro via Lisbon (~5–6.5h, €25–€55) or a short flight (often via Lisbon). From Faro, continue by regional train/bus to Lagos (~1h40). Compare on Omio (trains) and Omio (buses).

Algarve (Base: Lagos or Faro)

Golden cliffs, turquoise coves, and grilled fish by the sea—Algarve days are best lived on beach timetables. Base in Lagos for dramatic coastlines and boat caves, or Faro for Ria Formosa islands and an old-town vibe.

Days 64–67: Lagos Coves and Coast

• Walk the clifftop path above Ponta da Piedade; boat to sea caves if conditions allow. Swim at Praia do Camilo and Dona Ana.
• Eat: O Camilo (sea views and cataplana), A Forja (grilled sardines and dourada), Restaurante dos Artistas (refined local produce). Coffee: Coffee & Waves.

Days 68–70: Faro, Olhão, and Island Time

• Faro’s Cidade Velha and boat to the Ria Formosa barrier islands (Ilha Deserta, Farol) for wild beaches and seafood lunches.
• Olhão’s market morning for octopus and oysters; long lunch on the marina before your final sunset.

Where to stay (Algarve) — Search: VRBO Algarve | Hotels.com Algarve. Picks around Lagos/Faro/Albufeira: Cascade Wellness & Lifestyle Resort (Lagos), Lagos Avenida Hotel, Vila Galé Lagos, Hotel Faro & Beach Club, AP Eva Senses Hotel, or beach-forward Pine Cliffs, a Luxury Collection Resort (Albufeira).

Logistics at a Glance

• Intercity trains: Use Omio to compare Trenitalia/Italo (Italy) and CP (Portugal); book 2–8 weeks out for savings.
• Flights: Short-haul within Europe bookable on Omio; if starting outside Europe, compare on Trip.com.
• Local transport: Metro passes in Athens, Rome, and Lisbon are good value; taxis/rideshare fill gaps late at night or with luggage.

Rome/Italy hotel alternatives if you want to reshuffle nights: in case you extend Rome, you might add the Hotel Eden - Dorchester Collection or hilltop views at Rome Cavalieri.

After seventy days, you’ll have seen marble turn amber at sunset in three countries, eaten your way across trattorie and tascas, and found favorite cafés you’ll dream about. Save this as your touchstone—it balances must‑see icons with free afternoons, and the flexibility to follow your appetite or the weather. Europe rewards the unhurried traveler; this plan gives you room to linger.