First-time European trip advice is mostly recycled "Paris-Rome-London" content. Here's the honest map by trip preference.
For the maximum-Europe cliché
- Paris: Yes, the cliché. 5+ nights minimum. Stay in Le Marais or Saint-Germain.
- Rome: 4+ nights. Stay in Centro Storico.
- London: 5+ nights. Stay in Bloomsbury.
For an easier first trip (smaller, walkable)
- Vienna: Imperial history + transit excellence. 4 nights.
- Lisbon: Pastel-and-fado, manageable size. 4 nights.
- Prague: Compact medieval centre. 3-4 nights.
- Madrid: Densest art trip in Europe. 4 nights.
For a romantic first trip
- Florence + Tuscany: Unmatched. 4-5 nights.
- Salzburg: Off-festival, fortress + Mirabell.
- Porto + Douro Valley: Wine and river.
For a budget first trip
- Kraków: Excellent first trip and dramatically cheaper than Western Europe.
- Budapest: Same — capital experience at half the price.
- Porto: Cheap and atmospheric.
What to avoid for a first trip
- Multi-country in 7 days: Half is travel. Pick 1-2 countries.
- Anything advertised as "see all of Europe in 14 days": Marketing.
- August Mediterranean: Crowds and heat.
- Anywhere requiring 4+ hours of train each way for day-trips: Stay overnight.
Strategy
For a first trip, fewer cities and more nights. 7 days = 2 cities. 14 days = 3-4 cities maximum. The flying-visit "I've been there" feeling is much weaker than 4 nights actually getting to know one place.
For specific itineraries see first-time itineraries.