7 Days in Paris and London: A Classic Europe Itinerary for Art, Food, and Iconic Sights
Paris and London are the originals—two capitals that shaped art, fashion, literature, and politics for centuries. From medieval abbeys and royal palaces to cutting-edge galleries and cafés that perfected the croissant and cappuccino, this 7-day itinerary connects their greatest hits with local favorites.
You’ll land in Paris, where boulevards curve toward the Seine and masterpieces crowd the Louvre. After a few days of patisserie-fueled sightseeing (and a jaunt to Versailles), zip beneath the Channel on the Eurostar to London for riverfront walks, time-honored pubs, and storied neighborhoods.
Practical notes: Paris uses EUR, London uses GBP; contactless cards work for transit in both cities. Book major museums and the Eiffel Tower in advance. For trains in Europe and the Paris–London Eurostar, compare times and fares on Omio (trains); for flights to or within Europe, use Omio (flights). If you’re flying from outside Europe, also check Trip.com (international flights).
Paris
Paris is a museum with a heartbeat—medieval Île de la Cité, grand 19th‑century boulevards, and pocket-sized bistros that feel like second homes. Wander from Monet’s water lilies to hidden passages and end at a zinc-topped counter with a glass of Beaujolais.
- Top sights: Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre‑Dame (reopened), Sainte‑Chapelle, Musée d’Orsay, Montmartre, Le Marais, Luxembourg Gardens.
- Why visit: world-best museums, pâtisserie and natural wine bars, elegant riverbanks, and day trips to Versailles and Giverny.
- Food notes: buttery viennoiserie in the morning, bistro classics (steak‑frites, duck confit) at lunch, and market-driven neo‑bistros by night.
- Fun fact: Paris has the world’s first public museum (the Louvre opened to the public in 1793) and more than 30 bridges over the Seine.
Where to stay (Paris): Browse options on VRBO Paris or compare hotels on Hotels.com Paris. Specific favorites: Left Bank classic Hotel du College de France (walk to Notre‑Dame), artisty Hôtel des Arts Montmartre (for Sacré‑Cœur sunsets), family-friendly Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse, and the iconic The Ritz Paris for heritage glamour.
Getting there: Fly into CDG or ORY—compare fares on Omio (flights) and, if arriving from outside Europe, also on Trip.com. RER B or taxi to the center takes ~35–60 minutes.
Day 1: Arrival, Île de la Cité & the Seine
Afternoon: Land, drop bags, and revive with an espresso at KB Coffee Roasters (South Pigalle) or the Left Bank’s Coutume. Stretch your legs on Île de la Cité to admire Notre‑Dame’s newly restored interior, then cross to Place Dauphine for a quiet square framed by honey‑stone façades.
Evening: Glide past the city’s icons on a narrated cruise—ideal for your first night lights and orientation.
Day 2: Louvre Masterpieces, Tuileries & Eiffel Tower
Morning: Join a focused art-history walk through the world’s largest museum so the highlights truly land.
Afternoon: Walk via the glassy arcades of Palais‑Royal and Galerie Vivienne. Lunch at Bistrot Vivienne (onion soup and a glass of Burgundy) or grab falafel at L’As du Fallafel in the Marais and shop rue des Rosiers.
Evening: Time your summit for golden hour.
Day 3: Versailles Day Trip (Palace, Hall of Mirrors, Gardens)
Meet centrally in Paris and transfer by coach for a guided deep dive into royal France—Louis XIV’s opulence, the Hall of Mirrors, and André Le Nôtre’s gardens.
London
London is layers: Roman walls beneath skyscrapers, Dickensian alleys near creative studios, and a mighty river tying it all together. You’ll move from royal pomp to market bustle in a single morning, breaking for a perfectly poured pint by afternoon.
- Top sights: Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, British Museum, the South Bank, Greenwich, Notting Hill, Shoreditch.
- Why visit: free world-class museums, storied theaters, markets bursting with global flavors, and historic pubs where time feels pleasantly paused.
- Food notes: Indian breakfasts, Borough Market sandwiches, Sunday roasts, and modern British spots championing seasonal produce.
- Fun fact: The London Underground is the world’s oldest metro system (1863) and now spans more than 250 miles of track.
Where to stay (London): Scan neighborhoods on VRBO London or compare on Hotels.com London. Favorites: river-adjacent Premier Inn London County Hall (value, unbeatable location), sleek Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London, budget‑smart Point A Hotel London Kings Cross – St Pancras, social YHA London Central, or the storied The Savoy for old‑school glamour.
Getting there from Paris: Take the Eurostar from Paris Gare du Nord to London St Pancras (≈2h17). Typical fares range ~$70–$250 one way depending on advance purchase; arrive 45–60 minutes early for security/immigration. Compare departures and prices on Omio (trains).
Day 4: Eurostar to London, Westminster & South Bank
Morning: Depart Paris on the Eurostar (aim for 8–10 a.m.). Grab a station croissant, and you’ll step out at St Pancras by lunchtime. Tap in with a contactless card for the Tube—daily caps keep fares sensible.
Afternoon: Drop bags and head straight to the Thames. Walk the classic loop: Westminster Abbey and Big Ben across Westminster Bridge, then amble the South Bank toward the London Eye and the book market under Waterloo Bridge. Snack stops: coffee at Monmouth (Covent Garden) or gelato at Gelatorino.
Evening: Dinner at Dishoom (order the black daal and house chai) or Flat Iron for excellent, affordable steaks. Toast your first night at Gordon’s Wine Bar (candlelit cellars from the 1890s) or The Harp near Trafalgar Square for beautifully kept cask ales.
Day 5: British Museum, Covent Garden, City of London
Morning: Breakfast at Kaffeine (Aussie-style coffee and scrambled eggs on sourdough) then the British Museum—start with the Great Court, Rosetta Stone, and Parthenon sculptures. Pop to Neal’s Yard for colorful courtyards and flaky pastries at Jacob the Angel.
Afternoon: Explore Covent Garden’s arcades and street performers, then ride to St Paul’s Cathedral. Cross the Millennium Bridge to the Tate Modern and peek at Shakespeare’s Globe from the riverside path.
Evening: Catch a West End show (Leicester Square/Soho box offices often have same‑day options). Pre‑theater eats: Bancone (silk handkerchief pasta), or Bao for Taiwanese buns. Post‑show, try The French House (Soho institution) for a nightcap.
Day 6: Borough Market, Tower of London & East End Creativity
Morning: Arrive hungry at Borough Market. Bite into a gooey Kappacasein toastie, sample cured meats at Brindisa, or nab doughnuts at Bread Ahead. Walk riverside to Tower Bridge and tour the Tower of London for the Crown Jewels and Yeoman Warders’ lore.
Afternoon: Head to Shoreditch and Spitalfields: murals off Brick Lane, vintage finds on Cheshire Street, and coffee at Prufrock or Nude Espresso. If you love design, peek at Redchurch Street boutiques and the photogenic Arnold Circus bandstand.
Evening: Dinner at Padella Shoreditch (fresh, silky pici cacio e pepe) or Smokestak for slow‑smoked brisket. End at a pub with character—The Ten Bells (Spitalfields) or The Wenlock Arms for real ales.
Day 7: Greenwich Morning & Departure
Morning: Take the DLR to Greenwich: wander the covered market for artisan snacks, tour the Cutty Sark clipper, and climb Greenwich Park to straddle the Prime Meridian by the Royal Observatory. Brunch on scotch eggs and pies at Goddard’s at Greenwich.
Afternoon: Make your way to your departure airport or station. If time allows, a final stroll through St James’s Park delivers postcard views of Buckingham Palace on your way out.
Food & Coffee Shortlist (Save These)
Paris: Holybelly (brunch culture done right), Boulangerie Utopie (award‑winning viennoiserie), Clamato (seafood small plates), Frenchie Wine Bar (walk‑in only, superb charcuterie), Septime La Cave (natural wines and snacks).
London: Dishoom (breakfast bacon naan), Barrafina (Spanish tapas at the counter), Brat (wood‑grilled turbot when in season), The Palomar (vibrant modern Jerusalem plates), and St. JOHN Bread and Wine (nose‑to‑tail classics, stellar madeleines).
Getting Around & Booking Notes
Trains & flights: For Eurostar and intra‑Europe connections, search on Omio (trains) and Omio (flights). Coming from outside Europe, compare long‑haul fares on Trip.com.
Transit: Paris Metro is fast and frequent; London’s Oyster/contactless caps daily fares. Avoid rush hour for comfort. Cabs are reliable; rideshares are plentiful.
Full 7-Day Schedule at a Glance
Day 1 (Paris): Île de la Cité stroll + Seine sightseeing cruise (Viator). Dinner in Le Marais.
Day 2 (Paris): Guided Louvre tour (Viator), Tuileries & Palais‑Royal, Eiffel Tower reserved access (Viator).
Day 3 (Paris): Versailles guided day trip (Viator). Optional dinner cruise (Viator).
Day 4 (Travel to London): Eurostar morning via Omio; Westminster and South Bank.
Day 5 (London): British Museum, Covent Garden, St Paul’s to Tate Modern; West End show.
Day 6 (London): Borough Market, Tower of London, Shoreditch/Spitalfields evening.
Day 7 (London): Greenwich morning, depart afternoon.
Where you sleep matters—use VRBO Paris, Hotels.com Paris, VRBO London, and Hotels.com London to match neighborhood vibes with your budget.
In one week, you’ll trace the Seine and the Thames, stand before the Mona Lisa and the Crown Jewels, and collect flavors from crêpes to curry. This Paris and London itinerary balances icons with insider stops—and leaves you eager for a return ticket.