Lady’s Exciting London, Paris, and Rome Itinerary

Today I want to share my London, Paris, and Rome itinerary for 14 days in Britain, France, and Italy with you. 2 weeks is a great amount of time to see the highlights of these famous capital cities. From world-class landmarks to great shopping, dining, and entertainment, there are plenty of things to do and see in all three places. Whatever your interests, you can find lots of ways to fill your time while experiencing the best of these amazing cities.

London, Paris, and Rome Itinerary

One of the things that brings me the most joy from running a travel blog is helping people plan their trips. Whether it’s through my blog posts or my travel planning services, I always love hearing how my readers have had a richer experience on their journeys.

A lot of my readers and clients ask whether you can do London, Paris, and Rome in one trip. Once I tell them how easy it is, they ask me how many days you need for a trip to all three cities.

I tell them I recommend spending 14 days in London, Paris, and Rome. It’s the ideal length of time to see each city without feeling rushed. It will even allow you to take a day trip or two if you’d like to see more.

To fill in the details, today I want to share the official A Lady in London itinerary for visiting the British, French, and Italian capitals.

How to Use The Itinerary

There’s no right or wrong way to spend your time on an itinerary in London, Paris, and Rome. My guide offers a mix of the big sights and the local places Londoners, Parisians, and Romans frequent.

I’ve spent years living in the UK capital, I lived and worked in Paris for a time, and I’ve visited Rome numerous times, so I know the cities well. I hope this blog post gives you a solid overview of what you can experience in each one.

When you’re planning your trip to London, Paris, and Rome, you can adjust the schedule to fit your personal interests and tastes.

Best Time to Visit London, Paris, and Rome

As far as what the best time of year to travel to London, Paris, and Rome is, there’s no right or wrong answer. Much depends on your preferences for weather, daylight hours, tourist crowds, and seasonal events and festivities.

That said, keep in mind that a lot of restaurants and other businesses (especially in Paris) close for summer holidays in August, so you’ll want to be aware of that if you visit at the end of summer.

How to Pack for Your Trip

In terms of how to pack for a trip like this, the three cities have a fairly similar climate. You can use my guide to what to wear in London to help you. Italy can be warmer than France and the UK, so bear that in mind.

Where to Stay in London, Paris, and Rome

There are plenty of options for hotels, apartment rentals, and other accommodation in London, Paris, and Rome. Whatever you prefer, the cities have a lot of good places to choose from.

Given how big all three cities are, basing yourself in a central location is a wise idea. You can see my blog posts about the best area to stay in London and the best area to stay in Paris for more ideas.

You can also find deals and book accommodation in London here, in Paris here, and in Rome here. With so many options, you’re sure to find a place that fits your style.

Day 1: London – Buckingham Palace and Westminster

After you’ve arrived and gotten settled into your accommodation in the UK capital, start your 14-day London, Paris, and Rome itinerary at Buckingham Palace.

You can time your visit to watch the famous Changing the Guard ceremony, or just admire the monarch’s London residence from outside the gates.

If the dates of your trip coincide with the seasonal opening, you can tour Buckingham Palace. It’s a great way to see the state rooms, gardens, and annual exhibition while you’re visiting. You can book tickets here (you’ll need to book well in advance).

When you’re done at Buckingham Palace, walk through the green expanse of St James’s Park, over to Horse Guards Parade, and into Whitehall and Westminster. These areas are home to some of the most iconic London landmarks.

Westminster Abbey is beautiful, Big Ben is a must on any London itinerary, and the Houses of Parliament are stunning to see. If you have time, you can tour the abbey and parliament. You can book tickets here.

You can also do my free self-guided walking tour in Westminster if you want to explore more of the area than just the main attractions. It will show you around the side streets and local places Londoners spend time in.

In the evening, you can eat dinner near your hotel if you’re feeling jet lagged or if you had to get up early to travel. If not, you can see my recommendations for restaurants in London to find a place you like.

If you still have energy left after dinner, you can take an open-top bus tour to get a feel for the city. It’s a great way to get an overview of what London has to offer visitors. You can book tickets here.

Day 2: London – South Bank and the City

Start the second morning of your London, Paris, and Rome trip by exploring the South Bank.

Right on the Thames, this is an ideal place to take in the views from the London Eye, browse the book market, or soak up the scene on the river. You can get London Eye tickets here (it’s best to buy them in advance, as they can sell out).

There are always pop-ups, street performers, and other entertainment going on along the South Bank, so it’s fun to walk beside the Thames and see what’s taking place while you’re in town.

As you make your way from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge, you’ll go by Tate Modern and Borough Market. They’re two of the UK capital’s most famous landmarks, and they’re both worth a detour.

The museum is a fun place to discover, and the fact that it offers free entry means you can go in for as little or as long as you’d like to. There are panoramic views from the top of Tate Modern’s Blavatnik Building as well.

A bit farther down the river, Borough Market is the ideal spot to pick up something for lunch. It’s fun to meander through the stalls to soak up the colors and scents as you make up your mind.

After eating lunch at Borough Market, cross London Bridge and make your way into the City of London. Don’t miss the sweeping views of Tower Bridge as you go.

From the iconic dome of St Paul’s Cathedral to the historic lanes by Bank station, this area has amazing architectural history. You can take my free self-guided City of London walking tour if you want to see the highlights.

If not, head east to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. You can tour the tower and the bridge, or just take them in from the outside. You can book Tower of London tickets here.

When the sun starts to sink, walk across Tower Bridge and over to Bermondsey Street. This place is a favorite of Londoners, and there are great pubs and restaurants with delicious food and drinks here.

Whether you want a classic pub meal of fish and chips, a heaping bowl of pasta, or an excellent tapas dinner, you can find it on Bermondsey Street.

Day 3: London – Notting Hill or Bloomsbury and the West End

If it’s a Saturday, I recommend starting the third day of your London, Paris, and Rome itinerary in Notting Hill. With its vibrant shops and lovely mews, this west London neighborhood is always a treat to explore.

You’ll be able to discover the iconic Portobello Road Market in all its glory on a Saturday, too. I recommend arriving early to avoid the crowds, particularly if you’re in town during the busy summer months.

Away from the market, my self-guided Notting Hill walk is a great way to discover the local highlights of the area. It will show you around to see everything from the high streets to the secluded corners and mews.

After eating lunch in Notting Hill, you can meander down into Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park for the afternoon.

There’s no shortage of things to see and do in these expansive green spaces, from boating on the Serpentine to browsing the art galleries and touring Kensington Palace.

If it’s not a Saturday or you’re not keen on Notting Hill, I recommend spending time in Bloomsbury today.

You can go to the British Museum (it offers free entry), or walk around and take in the area’s many squares. My free self-guided Bloomsbury walk will lead you to the best places in the neighborhood.

When you’ve finished exploring, you can take the Piccadilly line of the tube from Russell Square to Hyde Park Corner and walk around the green spaces and gardens.

When the sun starts to go down, walk or take the tube through Mayfair to get to Soho and Covent Garden. They’re some of the most exciting places in London.

There’s no shortage of fun spots to find dinner in the West End. Whether you go to a timeless classic like Rules or opt for one of the many new restaurants opening all the time, you’ll be spoiled for choice in this part of London.

After dinner, you can see a show. There are always lots of plays, musicals, comedy acts, and other entertainments on, and they’re enjoyable ways to cap off a day of sightseeing in the city. From dramas to comedies and farces, you have plenty of options.

If you’re still up for going out afterwards, the bars and pubs in Soho and Covent Garden are a lot of fun.

My favorite one is Cahoots, a London Underground-themed speakeasy just off Carnaby Street in Kingly Court. It’s one of my favorite travel-themed bars in the UK capital.

If you just want to wander around, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, the Covent Garden Piazza, and Leicester Square are always fun places to walk around London at night.

The National Gallery is also open until 9pm every Friday, so you can take in the collection after-hours if you’d like to. It offers free entry, so you can see as much or as little as you have time for.

Day 4 in London: London Neighborhoods or Day Trip

On the fourth day of your London, Paris, and Rome itinerary, you can either explore some of the prettiest areas in central and west London, or take a day trip.

If you choose the former, start your morning in Belgravia. This luxurious central London neighborhood is known for its cute cafes and shops, particularly those on Elizabeth Street.

You can follow my self-guided Belgravia walking tour to see the highlights of the area, or just meander through the elegant streets and quiet mews. My top picks include Motcomb Street, Belgrave Square, and Pimlico Road.

From Belgravia, walk over to Sloane Square and the King’s Road in Chelsea. This is a fun place to go shopping and have lunch, and you can eat at one of the many cafes and restaurants here.

If it’s a Saturday, you can explore the food market in Duke of York Square. If it’s not, there’s still a lot to do here. The King’s Road is one of the best shopping streets in London, and the Saatchi Gallery is free to pop into.

If you want more direction, you can take my self-guided Chelsea walk to see more of the neighborhood’s beautiful side streets and riverfront area.

From Chelsea, make your way to upscale Knightsbridge to go shopping at department stores like Harrods and Harvey Nichols. Alternatively, you can go to South Kensington to visit some of the museums.

The Natural History Museum, Science Museum, and V&A are right next to one another. All three of them offer free entry, so you can spend as much or as little time as you’d like exploring their collections and temporary exhibitions.

In the evening, you can go to dinner at one of the many restaurants outside the South Kensington tube station. There are plenty of different cuisines on offer here, so you’re sure to find something that appeals to your taste buds.

If you’re up for ending your day in style, there are lots of good nightlife spots around Walton Street and the King’s Road. From pubs to clubs, you have plenty of options to choose from.

If you’re more interested in taking a day trip from London, you also have a lot of options.

If you’re a fan of the English countryside, my favorite is a day trip to the Cotswolds. You can go independently with or without a car, or take a guided day tour. If the latter appeals, you can book a tour here.

There are lots of towns and villages in the Cotswolds you can visit. My top picks include Painswick, Bibury, Upper Slaughter, and Castle Combe.

If you want to go to the seaside, Brighton, Deal, and Hastings are my top recommendations. They all have fun beaches and lots of shops and restaurants to enjoy.

If history is your cup of tea, Winchester, Windsor Castle, Bath, Stonehenge, Canterbury and Dover, Lewes, and Amersham are ideal places for you. Amersham is so close you can even do it as a half day trip from London.

If you want to see famous university cities in the UK, look no further than Oxford and Cambridge. These two are some of the most popular day trips from London by train.

If you’re up for traveling further afield, you can take a York day trip from London. It’s a beautiful city in the north of England, and it’s worth a special trip.

And if you really want to get out of town, you can take a day trip from London to Europe. From Lille to Amsterdam, there are plenty of options.

If you want my recommendations for seasonal trips, you can take a look at my blog posts about spring, summer, autumn, and winter day trips from London for more ideas.

Day 5 in London: St James’s, Mayfair, and Marylebone

Start the fifth morning of your London, Paris, and Rome itinerary in St James’s. This elegant part of the city is known for its stunning royal palace, men’s shops, luxury hotels, private members’ clubs, and art galleries.

You can walk down Jermyn Street or Piccadilly and go into legendary department stores like Fortnum & Mason.

When you’re done, you can walk across Piccadilly to get to Mayfair. This high-end neighborhood is home to luxury goods shops, fine-dining restaurants, and the curving stretch of Regent Street.

You can take my Mayfair walk if you want to see the side streets and mews, too.

Mayfair is a great place to enjoy a meal or afternoon tea. Whether you opt for a laid-back place on Heddon Street or splurge on a tasting menu at a Michelin-starred restaurant, you have a lot of options for lunch.

When it comes to tea, I recommend Brown’s Hotel afternoon tea or the awe-inspiring yellow room at Sketch.

After lunch or tea, walk across Oxford Street and make your way into Marylebone. This is another of my favorite London neighborhoods, especially because it has one of the best high streets in London.

There are plenty of shops to keep you busy on Marylebone High Street. They’re ideal places to get a taste of London’s famous retail therapy scene.

From boutiques to high street names, this road has it all. My top pick for a place to shop in Marylebone is Daunt Books. It’s one of the best independent bookshops in London, and it’s a treat to see the Edwardian interior with its stunning oak galleries.

If you’re interested, you can take my self-guided Marylebone walk to see more of the area. It will take you around to see pretty mews, more shopping streets, and gardens.

After you’ve explored Marylebone, make your way over to Regent’s Park. This is one of the most beloved green spaces in the city, and it’s a delight to walk around. If you visit in summer, the rose gardens are beautiful.

When the sun starts to sink, you can head back to Marylebone High Street for dinner, or leave via one of the other exits from the park to eat dinner in pretty Primrose Hill, alternative Camden, or classic Fitzrovia.

Day 6: London to Paris – The Marais and Riverside Sightseeing

Start the sixth day of your London, Paris, and Rome itinerary with an early train to the French capital. You’ll arrive mid-morning, and once you’ve checked into your hotel in Paris you can start exploring the City of Light.

I recommend spending your first day in Paris in the Marais. This historic quarter is known for everything from its Jewish heritage to its stylish shops, delicious restaurants, and pretty Place des Vosges.

The Picasso Museum is here, too, and the famous Centre Pompidou modern art museum is on the border of the neighborhood.

There are lots of great places to eat here, so it’s easy to find a spot for lunch as you discover the area. My favorite for a quick meal is L’As du Fallafel, a casual spot with delicious Middle Eastern food.

When you’re done in the Marais, you can stroll down to the Seine and cross one of the bridges to get to the Ile Saint-Louis. This island in the river is home to fun shops, historic streets, and scenic views.

It’s a treat to walk down Rue Saint-Louis en l’Ile, browse the shops, and get an ice cream cone at legendary glacier Berthillon.

From there you can cross the Pont Saint-Louis bridge to get to the Ile de la Cite. This island is home to the world-famous Notre Dame cathedral.

It’s also the site of the Sainte-Chapelle, a 13th-century Gothic chapel with awe-inspiring stained-glass windows. It’s worth a special trip to see the stunning interior. You can book a ticket for the Sainte-Chapelle here.

When the sun starts to set, you can take a river cruise on the Seine to get a feel for the city. It’s a scenic way to get an overview of what Paris has to offer visitors. You can book tickets here.

After the cruise you can head to dinner in the Latin Quarter. This vibrant part of the city is home to fun restaurants and bars, and it’s a great place to spend an evening out in Paris.

Day 7: Paris – Champs-Elysees and Iconic Landmarks

Start the seventh day of your London, Paris, and Rome itinerary in the Jardin des Tuileries gardens. They’re beautiful for walking and people-watching. You can admire the Louvre from the grounds as well.

Walk up to and through the Place de la Concorde, which has a large Egyptian obelisk in the center. Once you’ve soaked up the scene, walk northwest up the legendary Avenue des Champs-Elysees.

As you head towards the Arc de Triomphe, you’ll pass landmarks like the Petit Palais and Grand Palais as well as gardens and shops.

When you get to the arch, you can go up to the top to take in the views, or go down to the Seine to get to the Eiffel Tower. Again, you can admire this famous structure from the ground or head to the top to see the panoramas. You can book a ticket here.

After seeing the tower, walk down into the Champ de Mars park and over to Rue Cler. There are lots of classic restaurants and cafes here where you can eat lunch.

After eating, you can make your way to Hotel des Invalides to admire its ornate dome. You can go inside to see the army museum (or head over to the adjacent Rodin Museum if you like art). You can book a ticket here.

From the museum you can walk or take the metro to the 6th arrondissement to explore your choice of places like the Luxembourg Gardens, the streets of Saint-Germain-des-Pres, or the 17th-century Eglise Saint-Sulpice church.

When evening comes, beat a path to Rue Mouffetard. This street is famous for its crepe stands and restaurants. It’s a fun place to eat in Paris.

There are plenty of bars around here, too. If you want to get a taste of the Paris nightlife scene, it’s a great area to do it.

Day 8: Paris – 1st Arrondissement and Montmartre

Begin your day in the 1st arrondissement today. From the beautiful buildings lining Place Vendome to the gardens and grounds of the Palais-Royal, it’s hard to go wrong here.

There are famous cafes like Angelina on Rue de Rivoli, and great shopping on Rue Saint-Honore. I came here once with a personal shopper and it was amazing.

There’s no shortage of spots to get something to eat around here, either, so it’s an ideal place to have lunch before the next stop on your itinerary.

From the 1st, you can pop up to see the stunning Palais Garnier opera house, or hop on the metro and head to Montmartre (or do both if you have time).

Montmartre is one of the most picturesque quarters of Paris, and there’s a lot to see here. From the Sacre-Coeur basilica on the hill to the pretty restaurants and streets, it’s a photographer’s dream.

Make sure to explore the side streets while you’re here as well. There are loads of small surprises to discover.

When the sun goes down, you can settle in at one of the many lively restaurants in Montmartre. There are fun bars in the area if you’re looking for after-dinner entertainment, too.

If you’re interested in seeing a cabaret show, the famous Moulin Rouge is here. I went once and I really enjoyed the performance. You can book tickets here.

Day 9: Paris – Museums or Day Trip

On the ninth day of your London, Paris, and Rome itinerary, I recommend either seeing some of the famous museums or taking a day trip from Paris.

Most people are interested in seeing either the Louvre or the Musee d’Orsay while visiting, so you can take your pick or see both (they’re both big, so make sure to pace yourself). You can book Louvre tickets here, and Musee D’Orsay tickets here.

Paris has plenty of other museums, too, so you can visit another one or two if you want to. Some of my favorites are the Centre Pompidou, the Musee Jacquemart-Andre, the Musee Marmottan Monet, and the Musee Nissim de Camondo.

There are always plenty of exhibitions on, too, so you can check out what’s showing when you’re in town before you travel.

If one museum is enough for you, there’s no shortage of great parks to discover in Paris. My top picks are Parc Monceau in the 8th arrondissement and Parc des Buttes-Chaumont in the 19th. They’re both home to beautiful grounds and gardens.

If you decide to take a day trip, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Options include royal palaces like Versailles and Fontainebleau, wine regions like Champagne and Burgundy, chateau-littered lands like the Loire Valley, and historic cathedrals like Chartres.

If you enjoy art, you can even take a day trip from Paris to Giverny to see Monet’s gardens. They’re as lush in real life as they are in his paintings.

I’ve done all these day trips and more, and I recommend them from personal experience. You can go independently by train or car, or take a guided tour. You can get ideas and book a tour here.

Day 10: Rome – Famous Lunch and Big Sights

Start the tenth day of your London, Paris, and Rome itinerary with a flight to the Italian capital. You’ll arrive mid-morning, and once you’ve checked into your hotel in Rome you can start exploring.

But first, lunch. There’s no better place for it than Antico Forno Roscioli. This famous deli in Rome is the perfect place to sample classic Roman pizza.

In the afternoon, you can walk around to see the historic Piazza Navona, the famous Caravaggio paintings in San Luigi dei Francesi church, and the Pantheon.

When evening comes, you can watch the sunset at a rooftop bar in Rome. You can enjoy cocktails and aperitivo before heading to dinner.

Day 11: Rome – Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Food Tour

Start the eleventh day of your London, Paris, and Rome itinerary at the Colosseum. You can save time by pre-booking skip-the-line tickets to avoid the crowds.

After you’ve taken in the ancient amphitheater, it’s a short walk to the Roman Forum. As with the Colosseum, you can pre-book your tickets to save time. Once inside, you can see the ruins and discover what life in Ancient Rome was like.

In the afternoon you can take a food tour with a local guide. They’ll take you around to sample some of the best food in the city (and show you the sights as you go).

After the tour you can spend time walking around, shopping, sightseeing, eating gelato, or taking a rest at your hotel. When evening comes, there are all kinds of restaurants to choose from in Rome.

Day 12: Rome – Museum and Sightseeing

I recommend starting the twelfth day of your London, Paris, and Rome itinerary with a tour of the Galleria Borghese. Set in the stunning Villa Borghese Pinciana, it’s one of the city’s best art museums.

It’s worth pre-booking a guided tour to fully appreciate the collection (and because tickets sell out in advance). You’ll see the main rooms of the museum and learn about everything from the important Bernini sculptures to the Caravaggio paintings.

From there you can walk over to the Spanish Steps. This eye-catching Rococo staircase was built in the 18th century. It ascends from the Piazza di Spagna to the church of Trinita’ de’ Monti, and it’s stunning to see.

From the steps you can shop your way down the luxurious Via dei Condotti on your way to the Trevi Fountain.

Nicola Salvi’s 18th-century masterpiece is one of the most impressive fountains in the world. It takes up the whole side of a building, and the sculptures are beautiful.

Afterwards, you can walk around, shop, do some more sightseeing at places like the Piazza del Popolo and Altare della Patria, or have a drink at an open-air cafe before heading to dinner in the city center.

Day 13: Rome – Vatican City

Start the last full day of your London, Paris, and Rome itinerary with a trip to Vatican City. You can pre-book skip-the-line tickets to the Vatican Museums and head inside to see the amazing art collection.

From the ancient Roman sculptures to the Renaissance masterpieces and the Sistine Chapel, the museums are truly impressive. With artworks by everyone from Michelangelo to Raphael, it’s hard not to be awed here.

From the museums it’s a short walk to St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. This is the most important church in the Catholic world, and it’s beautiful both inside and out.

Highlights include Michelangelo’s Pieta, which is often considered the most famous work of art in St Peter’s.

After visiting, you can walk down Via della Conciliazione to the River Tiber, admiring the hulking form of the Castel Sant’Angelo as you go.

When evening comes, you can enjoy a final dinner in Rome. Whether you choose an acclaimed restaurant or a casual cafe, it’s hard to go wrong here.

Day 14: Rome – Departure

On the final day of your London, Paris, and Rome itinerary, I recommend spending the morning (or afternoon, depending on your departure time) doing any last-minute shopping you didn’t have time to do or filling in any gaps in your sightseeing agenda.

You’ll probably have heard about some additional places while you’re in the city, so this is a good opportunity to tick them off your list.

Whether it’s a local market, a museum, or a famous gelato shop, there’s plenty to keep you busy before you depart Italy.

London, Paris, and Rome Itinerary

I hope you’ve enjoyed my London, Paris, and Rome itinerary. These three capitals are world-class cities, and there’s a lot to discover in each one. I’ve spent years exploring them, and I still don’t feel like I’ve seen everything. Happy travels!

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