Paris and London reward walkers. In winter, their grand axes, riverfronts, and hilltop viewpoints turn crystalline under low sun, then glow at blue hour. This 14-day family-friendly plan uses daylight (roughly 9:00–17:00) for scenic walks and evenings for illuminated icons—keeping lunches under €25 in Paris and £20 in London without sacrificing warmth or flavor.

We prioritize architecture, exteriors, and open-air highlights, with routes that start at metro/Tube stations to cut transfers and group sights geographically. Photography moments thread every day: Trocadéro’s Eiffel Tower view, Sacré-Cœur at sunset, Westminster Bridge for Big Ben, and South Bank’s skyline. Coffee is a theme—steaming lattes and hot chocolate are baked into each block.

Use Eurostar to hop between cities, and save money with set-price midday menus, market lunches, and hearty ethnic meals. Pack layers, a compact umbrella, and comfy waterproof shoes. Book popular timed experiences (like Eiffel Tower access and Harry Potter Studios) in advance, and download offline maps—our quick Google Maps workflow below makes every walk click-and-go.

Paris

Paris is a city of axes and vistas: from the royal sweep of the Tuileries and Concorde to the modernity of the Seine’s glass boats. In February, dawn’s pale light and early sunsets are a gift to photographers, revealing textures on Haussmann facades and soft reflections on the river. Expect café warmth, crepe stands on chilly corners, and wide boulevards built for long, leisurely walks.

Top sights for outdoor lovers include the Eiffel Tower (seen best from Trocadéro), Sacré-Cœur’s panoramic steps, Île de la Cité’s medieval heart, Pont Alexandre III’s gilded figures, and the Arc de Triomphe’s terrace vista near dusk. Neighborhood time adds soul: the Latin Quarter’s bookish streets, Montmartre’s ateliers, Canal Saint-Martin’s bridges, and the Marais’ lanes.

Where to stay (Paris) — Hotels and apartments near the 1st, 4th, 7th, or 9th arrondissements keep walks short and nights photogenic.

• Browse apartments: VRBO Paris
• Compare hotels: Hotels.com Paris
• Value picks: Hotel du College de France (Latin Quarter, friendly and central), Generator Paris (stylish hostel, good for teens), Hôtel des Arts Montmartre (for Sacré-Cœur views), Hôtel du Temps (quiet, walkable).
• Mid/upscale: Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse, Hôtel des Grands Boulevards, The Peninsula Paris, Le Meurice, Hôtel Plaza Athénée, The Ritz Paris.

Days 1–3: Historic Core, Montmartre Sunset, and Eiffel by Night

Walking Route A: Île de la Cité → Latin Quarter → Luxembourg Gardens (start: Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame)

• PP: Notre-Dame exterior; stroll the Seine quays and Île Saint-Louis.
• PP: Pont des Arts; PP: Panthéon (exterior); PP: Jardin du Luxembourg alleys.
• Coffee pause: Strada Café (specialty lattes), Le Bon Moment (cozy, great hot drinks).
• Lunch under €25: Restaurant Argana (tajines/couscous €9–€15); or steaming bowls of pho on Rue Monge (€12–€16).

Walking Route B: Trocadéro → Jardins du Trocadéro → Pont d’Iéna → Champ de Mars (start: Trocadéro)

• PP: Palais de Chaillot and plaza views; descend through fountains to the bridge.
• PP: Eiffel Tower base from Champ de Mars; return to Trocadéro for the hourly sparkle after dark.
• Dinner idea: neighborhood crêperie near Rue Cler (galettes €8–€14) to stay within budget.

Walking Route C: Montmartre Loop (start: Abbesses or Anvers)

• VP: Sacré-Cœur steps for winter sunset panorama; PP: Place du Tertre artists.
• PP: Le Mur des Je t’aime; finish near Moulin Rouge for night photos.
• Sweet stop: La Bossue (if you pass in the afternoon) for a pastry-and-tea warm-up.

Optional Paris activities (book ahead):

• Paris Seine River Sightseeing Cruise with Commentary by Bateaux Parisiens

  

  Warm indoor seating, classic city views in 1 hour—perfect between walks.

• Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift

  

  Reserved slots reduce queue time in the cold; aim near dusk for day-to-night photos.

• Award-Winning Paris French Bakery Experience — Le Marais

  

  Hands-on family fun indoors; warm, fragrant, and very Parisian.

Days 4–5: The Grand Axis, River Bridges, and Free Rooftop Views

Walking Route D: Place de la Concorde → Tuileries → Champs-Élysées → Arc de Triomphe (start: Concorde)

• PP: Tuileries allées; PP: Obelisk at Concorde; PP: Champs-Élysées vistas.
• VP: Arc de Triomphe terrace near 16:00–17:00 for lights flickering on.
• Lunch under €25: Le Comptoir Foch near the Arc (reports ~€23 mains), or crepes-to-go.

Walking Route E: Pont Alexandre III → Les Invalides (exterior) → Grand/Petit Palais → Galeries Lafayette Terrace (start: Concorde/Invalides)

• PP: Pont Alexandre III’s ornate lamps and gilded statues; PP: Invalides dome exterior.
• VP: Free terrace at Galeries Lafayette for a skyline finale.
• Lunch strategy: formule midi in a nearby bistro (€16–€20) or a hot rotisserie chicken plate from a traiteur.

Days 6–7: Local Life Loops—Le Marais, Canal Saint-Martin, Buttes-Chaumont

Walking Route F: Le Marais & Île Saint-Louis (start: Saint-Paul)

• PP: Villagey lanes, courtyards, and historic mansions (exteriors); Berthillon-style hot chocolate stands in winter.
• Budget lunch: falafel counters on Rue des Rosiers (€9–€12), or soupe à l’oignon at a classic bouillon (€12–€16).
• Coffee: Boot Café (tiny, photogenic), or Substance Café (precision espresso).

Walking Route G: Canal Saint-Martin → Parc des Buttes-Chaumont (start: République)

• PP: iron footbridges and calm quays for candid family photos.
• PP: Buttes-Chaumont cliffs and temple viewpoint; great golden hour.
• Lunch: steaming crêpes, Vietnamese pho on Avenue de la République, or couscous (€10–€18).

Paris coffee & meal short list (budget-friendly):

• Coffee: Strada Café (Latin Quarter), KB Coffee Roasters (South Pigalle), Coutume (7th), Ten Belles (Canal), Café Mericourt (Brunch focus).
• Lunch/Dinner under €25: Bouillon Chartier (set-price classics), Breizh Café (galettes), L’As du Fallafel (Marais, takeaway), Pho 14 (13th), Le Petit Cler (7th, formule midi).

Getting to Paris — If you’re already in Europe, compare flights and trains on Omio (Flights Europe) and Omio (Trains Europe). If flying from outside Europe, search fares on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights.

Paris → London

Eurostar train (recommended): 2h 20m nonstop from Paris Gare du Nord to London St Pancras. Typical advance fares range ~€70–€180 per adult depending on time/date; book early for best prices.

• Search and book: Omio (Trains Europe). Arrive 45–60 minutes early for check-in and security.
• On arrival, use contactless or Oyster on the Tube; daily caps keep costs family-friendly.

London

London is a grand stage of power and pageantry, layered with riverfront walks and neighborhood character. In winter, Parliament’s silhouette is dramatic against early sunsets, while South Bank buzzes with street performers and warm food stalls. Royal parks add quiet greenspace even on crisp days, and covered markets keep lunch cozy and fun.

Essential outdoor highlights include Big Ben and Westminster Abbey (exterior), Buckingham Palace and St James’s Park, the Westminster–South Bank–Tower Bridge riverside, and city-viewpoints like the free Sky Garden. For families, Notting Hill’s pastel streets and Camden Market’s stalls are photogenic crowd-pleasers.

Where to stay (London) — For easy Tube access and evening walks, base near Westminster/South Bank or King’s Cross/St Pancras.

• Browse apartments: VRBO London
• Compare hotels: Hotels.com London
• Value picks: Point A Hotel London Kings Cross – St Pancras, YHA London St Pancras, YHA London Central, Premier Inn London County Hall.
• Mid/upscale: Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London, Novotel London Tower Bridge, and for a splurge: The Savoy.

Days 8–9: Arrival Night Lights, West End Energy, and Covent Garden

Walking Route H: Piccadilly Circus → Leicester Square → Covent Garden (start: Piccadilly Circus)

• PP: Neon and big screens at Piccadilly; PP: Leicester Square buskers.
• VP: Covent Garden’s covered market for street shows and shelter in case of rain.
• Dinner value: Brasserie Zédel’s prix-fixe (two courses often < £15); pizza at Franco Manca (~£8–£12).
• Coffee: Monmouth Coffee (Covent Garden) for filter and espresso excellence.

Optional London activities (great for families):

• Big Bus London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise

  

  Warm seats, live commentary, and flexible stops—ideal in winter.

• Warner Bros. Studio Harry Potter Tour (with transport)

  

  Teen-approved; book far in advance. Warm indoor set magic, 4–6 hours total.

• London Dinner Cruise on the Thames River

  

  Cozy evening on the water with landmarks lit up—great finale for a long walking day.

Days 10–11: Big Ben, Buckingham, St James’s Park, and the South Bank

Walking Route I: Westminster Icons (start: Westminster)

• PP: Big Ben and Parliament; PP: Westminster Abbey exterior.
• VP: Buckingham Palace via St James’s Park; if schedules align, see Changing of the Guard (~11:00; arrive early).
• Lunch under £20: pub lunch deals near Trafalgar/Whitehall (£12–£18), or South Bank market stalls.

Walking Route J: South Bank → Westminster Bridge → London Eye area (start: Waterloo or Westminster)

• PP: Westminster Bridge classic skyline shots; stroll South Bank for performers and views.
• Hot drink pause: South Bank Centre food vans (hot chocolate, mulled-style drinks in winter).

Days 12–13: Tower Bridge, Borough Market, Notting Hill & Camden

Walking Route K: Tower Hill → Tower Bridge → Borough Market (start: Tower Hill)

• PP: Tower of London exteriors; PP/VP: Walk across Tower Bridge for river panoramas.
• Lunch: Borough Market (sandwiches at The Black Pig, raclette, tacos; £10–£15).
• Optional: add a short Thames ferry ride (Pay-as-you-go) for more skyline photography.

Walking Route L: Notting Hill → Portobello Road → Camden Market (start: Notting Hill Gate; Tube to Camden)

• PP: Pastel townhouses and market arcades; coffee at Fabrique Bakery or a neighborhood café.
• VP: Camden Market food court variety (£8–£15); PP: Camden Lock waterside photos.

Day 14: Royal Parks & Free City Views (or a Harry Potter Filming Trail)

Walking Route M: Parks Panorama (start: St James’s Park or Hyde Park Corner)

• PP: St James’s Park pelicans and lake bridges; PP: Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens meadows.
• Budget lunch: picnic if mild, or kiosks/pret pie-and-mash as needed (£8–£12).
• Finish with VP: Sky Garden (free, reserve in advance) for 35th-floor city views.

Alternate: Filming locations mini-walk — King’s Cross St Pancras (Platform 9¾ photo queue), Millennium Bridge (film scene views), and alleys around Leadenhall Market for Diagon Alley vibes.

London coffee & meal short list (budget-friendly):

• Coffee: Monmouth (Covent Garden), Flat White (Soho), Kaffeine (Fitzrovia), Prufrock (Leather Lane), WatchHouse (multiple).
• Lunch/Dinner under £20: Franco Manca (sourdough pizza), Dishoom (breakfast bacon/vegan naan rolls; mains £12–£18), fish & chips at Poppies (set plates), pub pies and roasts (weekday lunch deals).

How to build your routes in Google Maps (5-minute setup)

• Create a “Paris–London Winter Walks” list. Save every stop with a prefix: VP– for “dedicate time” visits; PP– for “pass-by/photo.” Example: “VP–Arc de Triomphe (Terrace)” or “PP–Pont Alexandre III.”
• Color-code categories: views, bridges, parks, coffee, lunch. Add notes: “Best light 16:30,” “Crepes €8–€12,” “Warm indoor seating.”
• For each day-block, tap Directions → Walking → add all nearby pins → reorder to minimize backtracking. Keep total walking to 6–8 km/day with a warm café mid-route. Save. Download offline maps for both cities.
• Duplicate a route to create a “Rain Plan” that swaps long promenades for covered markets, buses/hop-on hop-off, or a river cruise.
• Photo planning: mark exact photo spots (e.g., “Trocadéro NW corner ledge,” “Westminster Bridge mid-span”). Note blue-hour times (~30 minutes after sunset).

Budget tactics you can rely on (Paris €25 / London £20 lunches)

• Paris: formule midi (fixed-price) at bistros (€16–€20), crêperies (€8–€14), couscous/tajines (€10–€15), pho (€12–€16). Carry a thermos for tea/cocoa.
• London: market lunches (£10–£15), weekday pub lunch deals (£12–£18), pizza/pasta (£8–£14). Tap water is free—just ask.
• Transit: use 10-ticket carnets in Paris; daily caps with contactless in London. Walk between clustered sights to save more.

Train, bus, and flight tools

• Flights/trains in Europe: Omio (Flights Europe), Omio (Trains Europe), Omio (Buses Europe).
• Flights from outside Europe: Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights.

Photography cheat sheet (February): Eiffel sparkle hourly after dark (view from Trocadéro), best Montmartre sunset from Sacré-Cœur steps, Westminster Bridge for Big Ben at twilight, Tower Bridge from the south bank near Butler’s Wharf. Tripods are restricted in some areas—use railings for stability.

Final tip: Keep walking distances realistic, front-load daylight exteriors, and warm up with mid-route coffee. Most “VP” moments (Arc terrace, Eiffel, Sky Garden, cruises, Warner Bros Studio) benefit from advance booking—lock them in first, then shape the walks around those times.