Few journeys capture Europe’s essence like a sweep through London, Paris, and Rome. In 11 days, you’ll trace layers of empire and art, taste your way through centuries-old markets and modern bistros, and stand where history’s most famous scenes unfolded—from Westminster to the Tuileries and the Forum.

Expect a mix of headline sights (Tower of London, Louvre, Vatican) and neighborhood discoveries (Borough Market, Le Marais, Trastevere). Trains and short flights keep the pacing nimble: Eurostar speeds you beneath the Channel, and a quick hop lands you amid Rome’s ruins by afternoon.

Practical notes: Book major attractions in advance (Louvre closed Tuesday; many Paris museums close Monday; Vatican museums close most Sundays). Carry a contactless card for London transport, mind your belongings on busy metros, and plan for city taxes in Paris and Rome. Pack comfortable shoes—these capitals reward walkers.

London

London is a living tapestry of palaces, pubs, and pioneering culture. Medieval towers stand a short stroll from cutting-edge galleries; afternoon tea sits happily beside street-food innovation. Start along the Thames, then zigzag through Soho’s theaters and Shoreditch’s street art before a green-breathing pause in the royal parks.

Getting there and around

• Fly into London (LHR/LGW/LCY): for long-haul, search fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. For within-Europe options, check Omio (flights).
• Transport: Use contactless or Oyster on the Tube and buses; Heathrow to central London is ~15 minutes by Heathrow Express or ~50 minutes on the Piccadilly Line.

Days 1–2: Royal icons, riverside views, and first tastes

• Westminster to the South Bank: Walk Big Ben to Westminster Abbey past the Houses of Parliament. Cross the Thames for citywide views from the South Bank and street performers near the London Eye.
• Tower and medieval might: Reserve time for the Tower’s fortress walls and the Crown Jewels.
• Orientation by open-top bus: A relaxed way to see key neighborhoods on day one.

Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition Ticket

Big Bus London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour (with optional river cruise)

• Coffee & breakfast: Regency Café (1946 art-deco classic; “full English” with old-London theater), Monmouth Coffee (Covent Garden) for single-origin pours, and Dishoom for the cult-favorite bacon naan roll and house chai.
• Lunch: Borough Market grazing—Kappacasein’s molten raclette or grilled cheese, Padella’s hand-rolled pappardelle; Flat Iron (no-fuss steak, great value) if you prefer a sit-down.
• Dinner: St. JOHN Bread and Wine (nose-to-tail British, revered for roasted bone marrow), Barrafina (counter-seat Spanish tapas; order the tortilla and grilled prawns). Nightcap at The Harp (Covent Garden)—a tiny ale heaven with cask rotations.

Days 3–4: Culture, neighborhoods, and a magical evening on the Thames

• South Kensington museums: Natural History Museum’s cathedral of science; V&A for design and decorative arts. Free entry to core collections.
• Shoreditch and the East End: Street art around Brick Lane, bagels at Beigel Bake, and indie boutiques on Redchurch Street.
• Thames by night: Glide past St Paul’s and Tower Bridge with dinner and live music.

London Dinner Cruise on the Thames River

Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Transport

• More bites: The Palomar (lively modern Jerusalem plates—polenta “Jerusalem style” is legendary), Bao (fluffy Taiwanese buns; try classic pork), and Gelupo (Soho gelato; ricotta-sour-cherry is a winner).

Where to stay (London)

• Iconic stay: The Savoy (Strand; storied river views and a classic Thames Foyer for afternoon tea).
• Great location for sights: Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London (steps from Big Ben and the South Bank).
• Comfortable midrange: Novotel London Tower Bridge (handy for the Tower and City).
• Value: Point A Hotel London Kings Cross – St Pancras (easy Eurostar access).
• Hostel: YHA London Central or YHA London St Pancras.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com: London | VRBO: London apartments

Transit to Paris (morning of Day 5): Take Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord (~2h17). Typical fares range ~$70–$200 depending on date; arrive 45–60 minutes early for security and border checks. Book on Omio (trains).

Paris

Paris is a mosaic of grand boulevards and intimate passages: Impressionist light, café chairs angled for people-watching, and patisserie windows that qualify as art. From the Louvre’s glass pyramid to the tangled lanes of the Marais, it’s a city best savored slowly—bite, sip, stroll, repeat.

Arrival & getting around

• Arrive at Gare du Nord; grab a Navigo Easy card for buses/Metro. Rides are frequent; keep an eye on your belongings in crowded carriages.

Days 5–6: Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and the Seine by night

• Louvre highlights with a guide: Cut through centuries and crowds to the essentials—Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus de Milo—and understand why they matter.
• Eiffel Tower: Timed, hosted entry to the top or second floor for sweeping views from La Défense to Montmartre.
• Seine dinner cruise: A floating Paris postcard past Île de la Cité, the Louvre, and glittering bridges.

Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Access

Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access (Summit or 2nd floor)

Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise

• Coffee & breakfast: Du Pain et des Idées (pistachio “escargot” pastry worth a detour), Boot Café (tiny, top-notch espresso), Carette (Place des Vosges for butter-rich croissants and chocolat chaud).
• Lunch: Breizh Café (buckwheat galettes; go classic complète with cider), L’As du Fallafel (Marais; overflowing pita, best eaten curbside), Frenchie Bar à Vins (walk-in small plates: pork belly, smoked ricotta).
• Dinner: Bistrot Paul Bert (steak-frites and Île flottante), Le Servan (Filipino-French sisters serving bright, modern plates), Le Comptoir du Relais (neo-bistro institution; arrive early or book well ahead).

Day 7: Montmartre mornings, Marais afternoons, Versailles option

• Montmartre: Climb to Sacré-Cœur for city views, then wander cobbles to Rue des Abbesses for cafés and fromageries.
• Le Marais: Vintage shops, Place des Vosges arcades, and falafel alleys; visit Marché des Enfants Rouges for global bites.
• Half-day Versailles: Hall of Mirrors and André Le Nôtre’s grand gardens with guided context and simplified logistics.

Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris

Where to stay (Paris)

• Iconic luxury: The Ritz Paris, Le Meurice, or The Peninsula Paris.
• Boutique favorites: Hôtel des Grands Boulevards, Hôtel des Arts Montmartre, Hotel du College de France, Hôtel du Temps.
• Good value: Generator Paris, Hôtel des Arts Bastille, Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse, or compact gem Hôtel du Champ de Mars.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com: Paris | VRBO: Paris apartments

Transit to Rome (morning of Day 8): Fly Paris (CDG/ORY) to Rome FCO (~2h10; fares often ~$60–$180). Book via Omio (flights). Prefer trains? Paris–Milan–Rome on high-speed services takes ~10–11 hours; check Omio (trains). From FCO, the Leonardo Express to Termini is ~32 minutes.

Rome

Rome is where ancient stones hum with daily life. Forums host cats and philosophers, fountains double as meeting points, and dinner often starts with a simple cacio e pepe that outshines any fine-dining pretense. The secret is time: linger in piazzas, chase golden-hour light, and let the past surface in the present.

Arrival & getting around

• Termini station anchors most transit. Walk when you can; otherwise use Metro A/B and buses. Validate tickets and keep an eye out for pickpockets around major hubs.

Days 8–9: Ancient Rome and the Vatican—skip the lines, savor the stories

• Colosseum + Forum + Palatine: Enter via the Gladiator’s Gate to feel the arena’s scale, then follow the spine of ancient civic life on the Via Sacra.
• Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel: A guided skip-the-line visit makes sense of masterpieces and maximizes your time before strolling St. Peter’s Square.

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour

Colosseum Arena Floor, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Guided Tour

• Coffee & gelato pauses: Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè (signature crema-topped espresso), Roscioli Caffè (maritozzi cream buns), Gelateria del Teatro (sage-lemon or ricotta-fig), and Giolitti (since 1900; order at the cashier first).
• Lunch: Pizzarium Bonci (creative pizza al taglio; potato–mozzarella slice is a favorite), Mordi e Vai (Testaccio Market; legendary panino with braised beef), Trapizzino (handheld pizza-pockets filled with Roman classics like pollo alla cacciatora).

Days 10–11: Neighborhood Rome—Trastevere flavors and hands-on cooking

• Trastevere evening: Cobblestones, ivy-clad facades, and the city’s tastiest progressive dinner.
• Cook with a local chef: Master fettuccine, ravioli, and tiramisù near Piazza Navona—then eat your handiwork with wine.
• Dinners to book: Armando al Pantheon (classic Roman—carbonara and abbacchio), Da Enzo al 29 (Trastevere; arrive early), Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina (cured meats, amatriciana), and Flavio al Velavevodetto (Testaccio; cacio e pepe in clay amphorae).

Winner 2025 Rome Twilight Trastevere Food Tour by Eating Europe

3 in 1 Cooking Class near Navona: Fettuccine, Ravioli & Tiramisu

Where to stay (Rome)

• High-end classics: Hotel Eden (Dorchester Collection), Hotel de Russie, Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
• Boutique favorites: Hotel Santa Maria (Trastevere), Kolbe Hotel Rome (near the Forum), Hotel Mascagni.
• Good value/hostel: The Beehive (friendly, near Termini).
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com: Rome | VRBO: Rome apartments

Suggested pacing overview (11 days)

• Days 1–4: London highlights, museums, markets, and a Thames dinner cruise, with optional Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio visit.
• Day 5: Morning Eurostar to Paris; afternoon stroll along the Seine and Île de la Cité.
• Days 6–7: Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Seine cruise, Montmartre/Marais; optional Versailles.
• Day 8: Morning flight to Rome; evening passeggiata by the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain.
• Days 9–11: Colosseum + Forum, Vatican, Trastevere food tour, and a hands-on cooking class.

Intercity bookings at a glance

• London → Paris: Eurostar (~2h17). Check times and fares on Omio (trains).
• Paris → Rome: Flight (~2h10). Compare carriers on Omio (flights). Overland option via Milan (~10–11h) on Omio (trains).
• Flying to/from Europe from overseas? Search long-haul on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

In 11 days, you’ll unlock three world capitals with time to breathe—seeing the icons without losing the joy of a café table or a twilight stroll. Pack curiosity and an appetite; London, Paris, and Rome will do the rest.