A Romantic 14-Day Europe Itinerary: Dublin, Swiss Alps, Amsterdam Canals, and London Icons

Two weeks of sightseeing, coffee culture, and unique activities across Dublin, Switzerland’s lakes and peaks, Amsterdam’s canals, and London’s royal landmarks—crafted for a mid-range romantic escape.
Vibrant night view of the Temple Bar, Dublin, glowing with neon lights, whiskey and cigar shop.
Photo by Luciann Photography on Pexels

Four destinations, one romantic thread: stories told in Georgian terraces, glassy lakes rimmed by snow, candlelit canal houses, and the glow of Big Ben. This 14-day Europe itinerary balances sightseeing with slow, hand-in-hand strolls, market snacks, and time for coffee shop hopping.

You’ll start in Dublin, where monasteries illuminated Europe’s greatest manuscripts and pubs still hum with fiddle tunes. Then, it’s on to Switzerland for lakeside Lucerne and alpine Interlaken—gateway to the Jungfrau region’s dramatic peaks. Amsterdam’s Golden Age canals and art await before a finale amid London’s royal pageantry and riverside skyline.

Expect practical travel: morning departures, realistic train and flight times, and mid-range options aligned to a 50/100 budget. Cuisine highlights—Irish brown bread, Swiss chocolate, Dutch stroopwafels, and London curries—join unique activities like mountain summits, canal cruises, and a Thames dinner sailing.

Dublin

Dublin is a city of storytellers—Vikings landed here, monks illuminated the Book of Kells, and today’s poets pack its cafés. Cobblestone lanes flow into leafy squares; Georgian doors guard houses where revolutionary ideas took root.

It’s also a compact, walkable capital with stellar museums, live music, and a café scene perfect for lingering. For a romantic touch, watch the sunset from Ha’penny Bridge and toast with a creamy pint you’ve learned to pour yourself.

Days 1–3: History, tastings, and cozy corners

  • Getting in: Fly into Dublin (DUB). If you’re coming from outside Europe, compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Within Europe, check Omio (flights) for low-cost and legacy carriers.
  • Old Dublin essentials: Trinity College’s Long Room and the Book of Kells, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin Castle, and a stroll along Grafton Street to St. Stephen’s Green.
  • Romantic experiences: Afternoon tea on a moving vintage bus, live trad in a snug pub, and an evening walk down the Georgian mile (Fitzwilliam & Merrion Squares) lit by gas lamps.

Don’t-miss Viator picks (book ahead):

Where to eat & sip: Start with a flat white at 3fe or Brother Hubbard North (cardamom buns and excellent shakshuka). For lunch, try The Winding Stair overlooking the Liffey—order the fish pie or beef-and-Guinness stew. Date-night ideas: Chapter One (Michelin-star tasting menus) or Bastible (seasonal Irish cooking). End at Neary’s or Toners for a historic pub snug and a perfect pint.

Stay in Dublin:

Travel: Dublin → Switzerland (Morning of Day 4)

  • Fly Dublin to Zurich (ZRH): ~2h15 nonstop; typical fares $80–180. Compare on Omio (flights). From ZRH, direct train to Lucerne ~1h, CHF 18–35 via Omio (trains).
  • Tip: Sit on the right side of the train for lake views approaching Lucerne.

Lucerne (Switzerland)

Lucerne is Switzerland in postcard form: a wooden bridge draped with flowers, a mirror-smooth lake, and alpine peaks close enough to touch. The medieval Old Town’s frescoed façades feel made for a slow promenade.

Its lake steamers, mountain cableways, and compact center make it easy to blend adventure with romance—mornings on summits, afternoons in cafés, and blue-hour walks along the city walls.

Days 4–6: Lakeside romance and mountain summits

  • Mt. Pilatus or Mt. Titlis: Pick a day for each—Pilatus for varied gondola/cogwheel rides and lake cruise; Titlis for year-round snow and the Cliff Walk.
  • Old Town & Kapellbrücke: Cross the 14th-century Chapel Bridge, then browse Hirschenplatz and Weinmarkt for boutiques and Swiss-made gifts.
  • Lake Lucerne cruise: Board a Belle Époque steamer near the station at sunset for serious romance.

Top Viator experiences from Lucerne/Zurich:

Coffee, bites, and date-night ideas: Start at Café Heini (signature Zuger Kirschtorte) or Mill’Feuille on the Reuss for riverside brunch. For lunch, grab rösti at Wirtshaus Galliker, one of Lucerne’s oldest taverns. Dinner options: Old Swiss House (tableside schnitzel), Restaurant Stern (market-driven Swiss), or Seehotel Hermitage’s lakeside terrace at sunset.

Stay in Lucerne:

Travel: Lucerne → Interlaken (Morning of Day 7)

  • Scenic Luzern–Interlaken Express: ~2h via Brünig Pass; CHF 35–60. Reserve on Omio (trains). Sit on the left for lakes and waterfalls.

Interlaken & the Jungfrau Region

Between Lakes Thun and Brienz, Interlaken is the classic launchpad for Lauterbrunnen’s 72 waterfalls, Grindelwald’s meadows, and Jungfraujoch’s eternal snow. Views here aren’t just scenic—they’re cinematic.

Romance is easy: ride up to Harder Kulm for golden-hour vistas, share a fondue, then listen to church bells drift across dark lakes.

Days 7–8: Peaks, valleys, and a little adrenaline

  • Jungfraujoch “Top of Europe”: Glacier views, the Ice Palace, and a walk on the Sphinx Terrace—bring sunglasses.
  • Lauterbrunnen & Mürren: Waterfalls and car-free clifftop villages perfect for hand-in-hand strolling.
  • Unique activity: Try tandem paragliding—gentle, panoramic, and unforgettable.

Top Viator experiences:

Eating & sipping: Warm up with hot chocolate at Funky Chocolate Club (you can also join a workshop). For hearty Swiss fare, Husi Bierhaus serves rösti, raclette, and local craft beers; Ox Restaurant & Grill is a sleek date-night choice. Try a sunset aperitif at Harder Kulm Panorama Restaurant for sweeping lake views.

Stay in Interlaken:

Travel: Switzerland → Amsterdam (Morning of Day 9)

  • Fly Zurich (ZRH) → Amsterdam (AMS): 1h40 nonstop; ~$100–200. Check Omio (flights). Train Interlaken→ZRH Airport ~2h on Omio (trains).
  • Alternative scenic rail: Interlaken/Lucerne → Amsterdam via Basel/Frankfurt, ~8–9h, €90–150 if booked early on Omio (trains).

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a city draped in water and light—the curve of its UNESCO canals, gabled houses mirrored on the surface, and cyclists gliding past tulips. It’s intimate, artistic, and effortlessly romantic.

Beyond museums, you’ll wander the Jordaan’s indie boutiques, sip exceptional coffee, and share Dutch classics—from poffertjes to Gouda—on cozy terraces.

Days 9–11: Canals, culture, and cafés

  • Canal cruise: See the Golden Bend, Skinny Bridge, and houseboats from the water—go at golden hour for photographs.
  • Jordaan & Nine Streets (De 9 Straatjes): Vintage shops, design boutiques, and small galleries; perfect for relaxed shopping.
  • History & reflection: Walk through Anne Frank’s story and the Jewish Quarter for powerful context.

Top Viator experiences:

Cafés & dining: Coffee pilgrims love Back to Black and Lot Sixty One; for a breezy brunch, try Coffee & Coconuts (in a former cinema). Seek out Winkel 43 for the city’s favorite apple pie. Date-night picks: De Kas (greenhouse-to-table), Restaurant Greetje (classic Dutch recipes), or a relaxed grazing evening at Foodhallen. For sweets, grab fresh stroopwafels at Albert Cuyp Market.

Stay in Amsterdam:

Travel: Amsterdam → London (Morning of Day 12)

  • Train (Eurostar via Brussels): Due to station works, many departures route AMS → Brussels → London. 4h30–5h15 total; €120–220. Book on Omio (trains). Arrive at London St Pancras.
  • Alternative flight: 1h15 nonstop plus airport time; $60–140 on Omio (flights). Factor ~3–4h door to door.

London

London wears its history on its sleeve: coronations at Westminster Abbey, ravens guarding the Tower, and markets that fed the city for centuries. Yet it’s also creative and culinary, with neighborhoods that feel like distinct worlds.

For a romantic rhythm, pair big-ticket sights with quiet mews, riverside sunsets, and a Thames dinner cruise that turns the skyline into your private backdrop.

Days 12–14: Royal icons, river views, and a countryside option

  • Classic London in a day: Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament and Big Ben views, St James’s Park to Buckingham Palace, then the Tower of London and a short Thames cruise.
  • Shopping & markets: Covent Garden’s arcades, Borough Market for lunch (try Bread Ahead doughnuts and Kappacasein’s grilled cheese), and Liberty’s Tudor-style department store.
  • Optional day trip (romantic countryside): Windsor Castle + Bath + Stonehenge for a sweeping slice of English heritage.

Top Viator experiences:

Coffee & dining: Kick off with Monmouth Coffee (Covent Garden) or Prufrock (espresso masters). Classic breakfasts: Dishoom’s bacon naan or Regency Café’s Art Deco fry-up. Dinner ideas: Flat Iron (great-value steak), Padella (handmade pasta; go early), or Hawksmoor Seven Dials (British beef and sticky toffee pudding). For elevated cocktails with a view, try a sunset slot at Sky Garden (timed free tickets released weekly).

Stay in London:

Practical Tips & Budget Savers

  • Transit: In Dublin and Amsterdam, walk or tram; in London, get an Oyster/contactless. In Switzerland, consider a Swiss Half Fare Card and use regional passes for mountain lifts.
  • Dining: Aim for lunch prix-fixe menus (often 20–40% less). Markets—Borough (London), Albert Cuyp (Amsterdam)—are great for affordable grazing.
  • Timing: Book popular tours and restaurants 2–4 weeks ahead (longer in summer). For sunrise or blue hour photos, arrive 30–45 minutes before actual sunrise/sunset.

Suggested Multi‑Day Flow

  • Days 1–3: Dublin (city highlights, tastings, Wicklow day trip)
  • Days 4–6: Lucerne (Pilatus, Titlis, Old Town, lake cruise)
  • Days 7–8: Interlaken (Jungfraujoch, Lauterbrunnen/Mürren, paragliding)
  • Days 9–11: Amsterdam (canal cruise, Jordaan food tour, Anne Frank walk)
  • Days 12–14: London (Westminster + Tower day, Thames dinner, day trip option)

This two-week route blends headline sights with quiet, romantic moments—mountain summits and canal reflections, market snacks and candlelit dinners. With morning travel and mid-range stays, it’s paced for discovery without rushing, leaving room to linger where you fall in love most.

Ready to book your trip?

Search Hotels
Search Homes

Trending Trips

Traveling somewhere else?

Generate a custom itinerary