At the moment I wish to carry you my London and Paris itinerary for 10 days in the UK and Europe. This can be a nice period of time to see the highlights of the UK and French capitals. From the enduring landmarks to the foremost rivers, there are many locations to discover in each. No matter your pursuits, you’ll find numerous methods to fill your time in London and Paris whereas experiencing one of the best of each cities.
London and Paris Itinerary
One of many issues I take pleasure in most about operating a journey weblog helps individuals plan their journeys. Whether or not it’s by means of my weblog posts or my journey planning companies, I all the time take pleasure in listening to my readers have had a richer expertise on the highway.
Plenty of my shoppers wish to know if you are able to do London and Paris in a single journey. As soon as I inform them how straightforward it’s, they ask me what number of days you want for a visit to London and Paris.
I inform them I like to recommend spending 10 days in London and Paris. It’s the proper period of time to see each cities with out feeling rushed, and it’ll assist you to take a day journey or two if you wish to.
To fill within the particulars, as we speak I wish to share the official A Girl in London itinerary for five days in every metropolis.
The way to Use This Itinerary
There’s no proper or unsuitable solution to spend your time on an itinerary in London and Paris. Mine has a mixture of the massive sights and the native locations Londoners and Parisians love.
I’ve spent years dwelling within the UK capital and I lived and labored in Paris for a time, so I do know each cities nicely. I hope my information offers you overview of what you are able to do and see.
Once you’re planning your journey to London and Paris, you possibly can regulate the schedule to suit your preferences and pursuits.
Greatest Time of 12 months to Go to London and Paris
So far as what one of the best time of 12 months to go to London and Paris is, there’s no proper or unsuitable time to go to. Lots is determined by your preferences for climate, daylight, vacationer crowds, and seasonal festivities.
Do remember that numerous eating places and different companies in Paris shut for summer season holidays in August, so that you’ll must plan forward should you go to at the moment.
What to Pack
When it comes to what to pack for a London and Paris itinerary, the cities have a reasonably comparable local weather. You should use my information to what to put on in London that can assist you.
The place to Keep in London and Paris
There are many choices for lodging in London and Paris. Whether or not you like a resort or condominium, the cities have an abundance of locations to select from.
Given how massive each cities are, basing your self someplace comparatively central is a good suggestion. You’ll be able to see my weblog posts concerning the greatest space to remain in London and the greatest space to remain in Paris for extra concepts.
You may also discover offers and guide lodging in London right here and Paris right here. With so many good choices, you’re certain to discover a place you’re keen on.
Day 1: London – Westminster and Buckingham Palace
After you’ve arrived and settled into your resort within the UK capital, begin your 10-day London and Paris itinerary at Buckingham Palace.
You’ll be able to time your go to to look at the Altering the Guard ceremony, or simply admire the monarch’s residence from outdoors the massive gates.
If the dates of your journey coincide with the seasonal opening, you possibly can tour Buckingham Palace if you wish to. It’s a enjoyable solution to see the state rooms, gardens, and annual exhibition when you’re within the metropolis. You’ll be able to guide tickets right here.
From Buckingham Palace, stroll by means of the gorgeous expanse of St James’s Park, over to Horse Guards Parade, and into Whitehall and Westminster. These areas are dwelling to a few of the most recognizable London landmarks.
Westminster Abbey is a sight to behold, Massive Ben is a staple of any London itinerary, and the Homes of Parliament are stunning. In case you have time, you possibly can tour the abbey and parliament. You’ll be able to guide tickets right here.
You may also do my free self-guided stroll in Westminster if you wish to uncover extra of the realm past the primary points of interest. It can lead you round to the facet streets and hidden locations locals prefer to spend time in.
Within the night, I like to recommend having dinner close to your resort should you’re feeling jet lagged otherwise you needed to get up early to journey. If not, you possibly can check out my suggestions for eating places in London to discover a place that appeals to you.
In case you have vitality left after dinner, I like to recommend taking an open-top bus tour to get a really feel for the town. It’s a great way to get an outline of what London has to supply. You’ll be able to guide tickets right here.
Day 2: London – South Financial institution and the Metropolis
Begin the second morning of your 10-day journey to London and Paris by exploring the South Financial institution.
Proper on the Thames, it’s a really perfect spot to soak up the views from the London Eye, take a look at the guide market, or absorb the scene alongside the river. You’ll be able to guide London Eye tickets right here (it’s greatest to purchase them upfront, as they will promote out).
There are all the time pop-ups, avenue performers, and different leisure on the South Financial institution, so it’s enjoyable to stroll alongside the Thames and see what’s on when you’re visiting.
As you make your approach from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge, you’ll stroll previous Tate Fashionable and Borough Market. They’re two of London’s most well-known landmarks, they usually’re each value popping into.
The museum is a good place to discover, and the truth that it’s free means it’s straightforward to go to for as little or so long as you’d like. There are panoramic views from the highest of the Blavatnik Constructing, too.
Simply down the river, Borough Market is the proper place to search out one thing for lunch. It’s enjoyable to meander by means of the stalls to take in the colours and smells as you make up your thoughts.
After lunch at Borough Market, cross London Bridge to get to the Metropolis of London. Don’t miss the sweeping views of Tower Bridge as you go.
From the gorgeous dome of St Paul’s Cathedral to the historic lanes by Financial institution station, this a part of London has superb of architectural historical past. If you wish to see the highlights, you are able to do my self-guided Metropolis of London stroll when you’re right here.
If not, head east to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. You’ll be able to tour the tower and the bridge should you’d like, or simply admire them from the skin. You’ll be able to guide Tower of London tickets right here.
When the solar begins to set, stroll throughout Tower Bridge and make your solution to Bermondsey Avenue. This can be a native London favourite, and there are many pubs and eating places with spectacular meals and drinks right here.
Whether or not you desire a traditional pub meal of fish and chips or a enjoyable tapas dinner, you may get it on Bermondsey Avenue.
Day 3: London – Notting Hill or Bloomsbury and the West Finish
If it’s a Saturday, I like to recommend beginning the third of your 10-day London and Paris itinerary in Notting Hill. With its colourful retailers and fairly mews streets, this west London neighborhood is all the time a delight.
You’ll be capable to take within the well-known Portobello Highway Market in its all its glory on a Saturday, too. I like to recommend arriving early to keep away from the crowds, particularly should you go to in the summertime months.
Away from the market, my free self-guided Notting Hill stroll is a enjoyable solution to uncover the native highlights of the realm. It can lead you round to all the pieces from the excessive streets to the hidden corners and mews.
After having lunch in Notting Hill, you possibly can stroll down into Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park for the afternoon.
There’s a lot to do and see in these inexperienced areas, from boating on the Serpentine lake to searching the artwork galleries and touring Kensington Palace.
If it’s not a Saturday otherwise you’re not all for Notting Hill, I like to recommend spending time in Bloomsbury as we speak.
You’ll be able to go to the British Museum or simply stroll round and take within the leafy squares. My self-guided Bloomsbury stroll will present you one of the best of the realm.
Once you’re performed exploring, you possibly can take the Piccadilly line of the tube from Russell Sq. to Hyde Park Nook and stroll across the inexperienced areas and gardens.
When the solar begins to go down, stroll or take the tube by means of Mayfair to get to Soho and Covent Backyard. They’re a few of the most buzzing locations in London.
There’s no scarcity of nice spots to eat and drink round right here, so it’s straightforward to search out dinner. Whether or not you dine at a timeless traditional like Guidelines or head to one of many many new eating places opening on a regular basis, you’ll be spoiled for alternative on this a part of the town.
After dinner, you possibly can see a present within the West Finish. There are all the time a number of performs and musicals on, they usually’re enjoyable methods to cap off a day of sightseeing in London. From dramas to comedies and farces, you’ve gotten a number of choices.
Should you’re nonetheless up for going out after a present, the bars and pubs in Soho and Covent Backyard are numerous enjoyable.
My prime choose is Cahoots, a London Underground-themed speakeasy simply off Carnaby Avenue in Kingly Courtroom. It’s one in every of my favourite travel-themed bars within the UK capital.
Should you simply wish to wander round, Trafalgar Sq., Piccadilly Circus, the Covent Backyard Piazza, and Leicester Sq. are all the time enjoyable locations to be in London at evening.
The Nationwide Gallery is open till 9pm each Friday, so you possibly can take within the assortment after-hours if you wish to. It’s free entry, so you possibly can see as a lot or as little as you’ve gotten time for.
Day 4 in London: Belgravia, Chelsea, Knightsbridge, and South Kensington or Day Journey
On the fourth day of your London and Paris itinerary, I like to recommend both exploring a few of the greatest areas in central and west London, or taking a day journey.
Should you select the previous, begin your morning in Belgravia. This upscale space is understood for its cute cafes and retailers, notably these on Elizabeth Avenue.
You’ll be able to go on my free self-guided Belgravia strolling tour to see the highlights of the neighborhood, or simply wander across the elegant streets and tucked-away mews. My prime picks embody Motcomb Avenue, Belgrave Sq., and Pimlico Highway.
From Belgravia, head over to Sloane Sq. and the King’s Highway in Chelsea. This can be a nice space for buying and eating, and you’ll have lunch at one of many many cafes and eating places right here.
If it’s a Saturday, don’t miss the meals market in Duke of York Sq.. If it’s not, there’s nonetheless quite a bit to do right here. The King’s Highway is among the greatest buying streets in London, and the Saatchi Gallery is enjoyable (and free) to pop into.
Should you’d prefer to, you possibly can take my free self-guided Chelsea stroll to see extra of the neighborhood’s colourful facet streets and riverfront space.
From Chelsea, head as much as Knightsbridge for some buying at iconic shops like Harrods and Harvey Nichols. Alternatively, make your approach over to South Kensington to go to a few of the museums.
The Pure Historical past Museum, Science Museum, and V&A are proper subsequent to 1 one other. All of them provide free entry, so you possibly can spend as a lot or as little time as you’d like exploring their collections and non permanent exhibitions.
Within the night, you possibly can go to dinner at one of many informal eating places outdoors the South Kensington tube station. There are many completely different cuisines on provide right here, so that you’re certain to search out one thing that appeals.
Should you’re up for ending your day in type, there are many good nightlife choices round Walton Avenue and the King’s Highway. From pubs to golf equipment, you’ve gotten loads of decisions.
Should you select to take a day journey from London, you even have numerous choices.
Should you’re into the English countryside, my favourite is a day journey to the Cotswolds. You’ll be able to go independently with or and not using a automobile, or take a guided day tour. If the latter appeals, you possibly can guide a tour right here.
There are many cities and villages within the Cotswolds to select from, too. My prime picks embody Painswick, Bibury, Higher Slaughter, and Citadel Combe.
If you wish to go to the seaside, Brighton, Hastings, and Deal are my prime suggestions. All of them have good seashores and many retailers and eating places to take pleasure in.
If historical past is your factor, Winchester, Bathtub, Canterbury and Dover, Lewes, and Amersham are ultimate locations for you. Amersham is so shut you possibly can even take the tube.
If you wish to see well-known college cities within the UK, look no additional than Oxford and Cambridge. These two are a few of the hottest day journeys from London.
Should you’re up for touring additional afield, you possibly can take a York day journey from London. It’s a phenomenal metropolis within the north of England, and it’s definitely worth the journey.
And should you actually wish to get out of city, you possibly can take a day journey from London to Europe. From Lille to Amsterdam, there are many choices.
In order for you my suggestions for seasonal journeys, you possibly can check out my weblog posts about spring, summer season, autumn, and winter day journeys from London for extra concepts.
Day 5 in London: St James’s, Mayfair, and Marylebone
Begin the fifth morning of your London and Paris itinerary in St James’s. This upscale a part of the town is understood for its royal palace, males’s retailers, luxurious inns, artwork galleries, and personal members’ golf equipment.
You’ll be able to stroll down Jermyn Avenue and Piccadilly, and pop into iconic shops like Fortnum & Mason.
Once you’re performed, you possibly can cross Piccadilly to get to Mayfair. This luxury neighborhood is dwelling to luxurious items retailers, fine-dining eating places, and the curving stretch of Regent Avenue. You are able to do my free Mayfair stroll if you wish to see the realm intimately.
Mayfair is a enjoyable place to take pleasure in a meal or afternoon tea. Whether or not you go for a laid-back place on Heddon Avenue or splurge on a tasting menu at a Michelin-starred restaurant, you’ve gotten loads of choices for lunch.
Relating to tea, I like to recommend Brown’s Resort afternoon tea or the awe-inspiring yellow room at Sketch.
After lunch or tea, head throughout Oxford Avenue to get to Marylebone. That is one other of my favourite London neighborhoods, particularly as a result of it has one of many greatest excessive streets in London.
There are many enjoyable retailers on Marylebone Excessive Avenue. They’re ultimate locations to get a style of London’s retail remedy scene.
From boutiques to excessive avenue names, this highway has all of it. My favourite place to store in Marylebone is Daunt Books. It’s among the finest unbiased bookshops in London, and it’s a deal with to see the Edwardian inside with its lengthy oak galleries.
If you wish to, you need to use my free self-guided Marylebone stroll to see extra of the neighborhood. It can take you round to find fairly mews, enjoyable streets, and luxurious gardens.
After you’ve explored Marylebone, head north to Regent’s Park. This is among the most beloved inexperienced areas within the metropolis, and it’s a enjoyable place to stroll round. Should you go to in summer season, the rose gardens are stunning.
When the solar begins to set, you possibly can stroll again to Marylebone Excessive Avenue for dinner, or depart through one of many different exits of the park and eat dinner in pretty Primrose Hill, enjoyable Camden, or traditional Fitzrovia.
Day 6: London to Paris – The Marais and Seine Sightseeing Highlights
Begin the sixth day of your London and Paris itinerary with an early prepare to the French capital. You’ll arrive mid-morning, and when you’ve checked into your resort in Paris you can begin exploring.
I like to recommend spending your first day in Paris within the Marais. This historic a part of the town is understood for all the pieces from its Jewish heritage to its cool retailers, full of life eating places, and fairly Place des Vosges sq..
The Picasso Museum is right here, too, and the well-known Centre Pompidou trendy artwork museum is on the border of the neighborhood.
There are many good locations to eat right here, so it’s straightforward to discover a spot for lunch as you discover the realm. My favourite for a fast meal is L’As du Fallafel, an off-the-cuff spot with scrumptious Center Jap meals.
Once you’re performed seeing the Marais, you possibly can stroll all the way down to the Seine and cross one of many bridges to get to the Ile Saint-Louis. This island within the river is dwelling to nice retailers, historic streets, and fairly views.
It’s enjoyable to stroll down Rue Saint-Louis en l’Ile to browse the retailers and choose up an ice cream at legendary glacier Berthillon.
From there you possibly can cross the Pont Saint-Louis bridge to get to the Ile de la Cite. This island is dwelling to the enduring Notre Dame cathedral.
It’s additionally dwelling to the Sainte-Chapelle, a Thirteenth-century Gothic chapel with superb stained-glass home windows. It’s value a particular journey to see the breathtaking inside. You’ll be able to guide a ticket for the Sainte-Chapelle right here.
When the solar begins to set, you possibly can take a river cruise on the Seine to get a really feel for the highlights of the town. It’s a scenic solution to get an outline of what Paris has to supply. You’ll be able to guide tickets right here.
After the cruise I like to recommend having dinner within the Latin Quarter. This full of life a part of the town is dwelling to nice eating places and bars, and it’s a enjoyable place to spend a night in Paris.
Day 7: Paris – Champs-Elysees and Iconic Landmarks
Begin the seventh day of your London and Paris itinerary within the Jardin des Tuileries gardens. This can be a good place for strolling and people-watching. You’ll be able to admire the Louvre from right here, too.
Stroll as much as and thru the Place de la Concorde, which has a big Egyptian obelisk within the heart. When you’ve taken it in, stroll northwest up the well-known Avenue des Champs-Elysees.
As you head in direction of the Arc de Triomphe, you’ll move landmarks just like the Petit Palais and Grand Palais in addition to gardens and retailers.
Once you get to the arch, you possibly can go as much as the highest to see the views, or head all the way down to the Seine to get to the Eiffel Tower. Once more, you possibly can admire this well-known construction from the bottom or head to the highest to soak up the panoramas. You’ll be able to guide a ticket right here.
After seeing the tower, go down into the Champ de Mars park and over to Rue Cler. There are many nice eating places and cafes right here the place you possibly can have lunch.
After consuming, you possibly can stroll over to Resort des Invalides to admire its ornate dome. You’ll be able to go inside to see the military museum (or head over to the adjoining Rodin Museum should you like sculpture). You’ll be able to guide a ticket right here.
From the museum you possibly can stroll or take the metro to the sixth arrondissement to discover your choose of locations just like the Luxembourg Gardens, the gorgeous streets of Saint-Germain-des-Pres, or the Seventeenth-century Eglise Saint-Sulpice church.
When night comes, you may make your solution to Rue Mouffetard. This avenue is legendary for its crepe stands and eating places. It’s an incredible place to eat in Paris.
There are many good bars round right here, too. If you wish to get a style of the nightlife scene, it’s a enjoyable place to do it.
Day 8: Paris – 1st Arrondissement and Montmartre
I like to recommend beginning your day within the 1st arrondissement as we speak. From the gorgeous buildings lining Place Vendome to the attractive gardens and grounds of the Palais-Royal, it’s laborious to go unsuitable right here.
There are well-known cafes like Angelina on Rue de Rivoli, and enjoyable buying on Rue Saint-Honore. I got here right here as soon as with a private shopper and it was superb.
There are many locations to eat round right here, too, so it’s place to have lunch earlier than the subsequent cease in your itinerary.
From the first, you possibly can pop as much as see the gorgeous Palais Garnier opera home, or hop on the metro and head to Montmartre (or do each if in case you have time).
Montmartre is among the prettiest elements of Paris, and there’s quite a bit to like right here. From the Sacre-Coeur basilica on the hill to the picturesque eating places and streets, it’s a photographer’s dream.
Be certain that to discover the facet streets when you’re right here, too. There are many little surprises to find.
Within the night, you possibly can settle in at one of many many good eating places in Montmartre. There are nice bars within the space if you wish to do one thing after dinner, too.
The well-known Moulin Rouge can also be right here should you’re all for seeing a cabaret present. I went as soon as and I actually loved the efficiency. You’ll be able to guide tickets right here.
Day 9: Paris – Museums or Day Journey
I like to recommend both seeing a few of the well-known museums or taking a day journey from Paris as we speak.
Most individuals are all for seeing both the Louvre or the Musee d’Orsay whereas within the metropolis, so you possibly can take your choose or see each (they’re big, so ensure that to tempo your self). You’ll be able to guide Louvre tickets right here, and Musee D’Orsay tickets right here.
Paris has loads of different museums, too, so you possibly can go to one other one or two if you wish to. A few of my favorites are the Centre Pompidou, the Musee Jacquemart-Andre, the Musee Marmottan Monet, and the Musee Nissim de Camondo.
There all the time a number of exhibitions on, too, so you possibly can take a look at what’s exhibiting if you’re on the town earlier than you journey.
If one museum is sufficient for you, there are many nice parks to discover in Paris. My prime picks are Parc Monceau within the eighth arrondissement and Parc des Buttes-Chaumont within the nineteenth. They’re each dwelling to stunning grounds and gardens.
Should you select to take a day journey, there are many choices. These embody royal palaces like Versailles and Fontainebleau, wine areas like Champagne, chateau-littered lands just like the Loire Valley, and historic cathedrals like Chartres.
Should you like artwork, you possibly can even take a day journey from Paris to Giverny to see Monet’s gardens. They’re as lush in actual life as they’re in his work.
I’ve performed all these day journeys and extra, and I extremely advocate them. You’ll be able to go independently by prepare or automobile, or take a guided tour. You’ll be able to get concepts and guide a tour right here.
Day 10: Paris – Free Time
On the ultimate day of your London and Paris itinerary, I like to recommend spending the morning (or afternoon, relying in your departure time) doing any last-minute buying you didn’t have time to do or filling in any gaps in your itinerary.
Chances are high you’ll have heard about some further locations when you’re within the metropolis, so it is a good alternative to examine them off your listing.
Whether or not it’s a neighborhood market like Les Puces, a foodie avenue like Rue des Martyrs, or a well-known division retailer like Galeries Lafayette, there’s a lot to maintain you busy earlier than you depart.
London and Paris Itinerary
I hope you’ve loved my 10-day London and Paris itinerary. These two capitals are nice cities, and there’s a lot to find in each. I’ve spent years exploring each, and I nonetheless don’t really feel like I’ve seen all the pieces. Comfortable travels!
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