One of the benefits of taking a vacation to western Europe is that the countries are so well connected via public transportation! Most capital cities are just a quick flight or train ride away, giving you the opportunity to easily see more than one country and culture in a short amount of time. But which countries should you combine? There are all sorts of options. But in this post, we will be sharing how we spent a 9 day itinerary for London, Amsterdam, and Paris.
This itinerary is great for people who like to see a lot in a short amount of time. It will be a whirlwind trip, but youโll get a solid taste of each place, and itโs perfect if you have limited PTO. There are two self-guided walking tours in this 9 day itinerary for London, Amsterdam, and Paris, so itโs also a great itinerary if you think a place is best seen on foot (we do!).
Why London, Amsterdam, & Paris?
Two reasons:
- These are typically 3 capital cities that most people have on their bucket list. Why choose between Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower, and the picturesque canals of Amsterdam when you can see them all in one go?
- If you are flying from the USA, these cities are typically where you can find reasonable airfare if youโre looking far enough in advance. We have alerts set on our phones on Going.com so that we can be notified whenever airfare drops from our home airports to these cities. Because getting there is usually the most expensive part! But once youโre there, it is super easy and generally inexpensive to travel to other parts of Europe (much cheaper than traveling between states in the USA!).
Should I fly or take the train between London, Amsterdam, & Paris?
This will all completely depend on your travel dates, how far out youโre making your reservations, and your personal preference. Trains are efficient enough that they can be a quicker option than flying. And they allow you to see a lot of the countryside that you would miss out on during a flight. But traveling by train can also be more expensive if you wait too long to book your ticket.
Our advice? Look at both options. We opted to do a combo of flying and train travel for our 9 day itinerary for London, Amsterdam, and Paris. But you canโt go wrong with either option.
If you opt for the train, where should you buy your tickets? Rail Europe and Trainline are two popular and largely reliable options for buying train tickets in Europe. They are 3rd party platforms similar to Booking.com. We have used both websites and never had any issues. You can also buy directly through the train operator โ Eurostar is the most common option that operates between the England, the Netherlands, and France.
9 Day Itinerary for London, Amsterdam & Paris
Day 1 โ Arrive to London & Conquer Jet Lag
Morning
Arrival: If youโre flying from the USA, thereโs a high probability youโll be taking an overnight flight and landing in London in the morning time. Both Heathrow and Gatwick airports in London offer train services to the city center.
From Heathrow, the Heathrow Express is the quickest option, getting passengers from the airport to Paddington Station in 15 minutes. Booking your ticket online in advance (at least 30-45 days out) can score you big discounts. Buying on the day is possible, but it will be more expensive. From Gatwick, the Gatwick Express is the quickest option and will get you to the city center in 30 minutes.
Store Your Luggage: Check with your hotel prior to your arrival if youโre able to check in early for free. But if not, no worries! Use Radical Storage to store your luggage near the activity you choose to do this morning. Itโs typically less than ยฃ5 / day and a reliable resource for travelers who want to hit the ground running when they reach a destination without having to lug their bags around.
Late Morning โ Afternoon
Pick A Museum: London is home to several incredible museums. Pick one and spend a couple of hours exploring it while you wait to be able to check into your hotel. We chose to explore the one closest to our accommodations, but below are some of our top picks. They all have at least one cafe too, so if you donโt want to think too hard on your jetlagged brain on where you should eat breakfast, just pop by their restaurant before you start exploring:
The National Gallery โ FREE Art museum in Trafalgar Square with over 2,300 paintings that range from the 13th century to the 20th century
The British Museum โ FREE museum located in Bloomsbury housing 8 million works tell the story of human culture from the beginning of time to present day
Science Museum London โ FREE museum in South Kensington with lots of interactive exhibits for kids to enjoy, and it has a play area in the basement. This is where we went on our last visit so Kaylaโs daughter could get some wiggles out after our long travel day! Even though this museum is free, you still need to reserve a time slot online in advance.
The Postal Museum โ Located in Clerkenwell, this museum is a hit with all ages. It tells the fascinating history of postal communications and its impact on society. One of the highlights is riding the Mail Rail. Book tickets in advance.
Evening
Check Into Your Accommodations: After your day at the museum, pick up your luggage from storage, and check in to your accommodations. We chose to stay at a VRBO in South Kensington, because the accommodations were cheaper than the city centre and thereโs a tube station that can get you anywhere you want to go in minutes.
Explore the Neighborhood & Have Dinner: Spend the evening exploring the neighborhood where youโre staying. Check to see if thereโs a park nearby to walk through (London has a TON), and grab dinner from a local restaurant. If youโre still recovering from jet lag, use Deliveroo or Uber Eats to have food delivered to your accommodations. Our go to for takeout in London is Sichuan PoPo.
Day 2 โ Self Guided Walking Tour of Londonโs Top Sites
Youโre going to be getting your steps in today, so wear your comfiest walking shoes! Our favs are the Vessi Weekend Sneakers โ they can be dressed up or down, are super comfy, and best of all โ THEY ARE WATERPROOF!
The walk totals approximately 4 miles (6.4 km). It has frequent opportunities to rest and is on flat ground the whole way. You will get to see some of Londonโs most iconic sites including Tower Bridge, Borough Market, the London Eye, The Globe Theatre, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey.
If you donโt feel like you can do the whole walk, choose the portion that seems most interesting to you and just do it instead!
We have a whole blog post dedicated to our Self-Guided Walking Tour of Londonโs Top Sites that includes time stamps, specific walking directions, fun optional side quests, and activities for kids to enjoy along the way. Use it to guide your way through today, but weโve listed the highlights from it below to give you a general idea.
Morning
Tower Bridge: You will want to start on the Tower of London side since the rest of the tour takes place on the other side of the bridge. While the Tower of London is an absolutely fantastic place to visit, you could spend a whole day there, so we advise you save it for a different day.
Book your tickets for Tower Bridge in advance. Your tour will allow you to take the 206 steps to the top OR an elevator. Once at the top, youโll get to walk across the glass bridge that is suspended above the Thames. Your eyes will probably be glued to the transparent floor that allows you to see the cars zooming across the bridge below, but donโt forget to look up โ literally! A mirror is above the glass walkway, allowing visitors to take selfies that show how cool it is to be suspended above the rest of the world! As you walk across, you will also have the opportunity to read about the history of the bridge and the people who built it.
Borough Market: As you walk along the Thames to Borough Market, youโll pass The Shard and London Bridge. Once at the market, youโll be immersed in a whirlwind of food, smells, and people. It will be crowded at lunch time, but not impossible to navigate.
To prevent yourself from feeling overwhelmed with the many options available, we recommend checking out the vendor options in advance. We had delicious Argentinian empanadas from Porteรฑa, and we could not resist trying the chocolate strawberries from Turnips that have gone viral on TikTok. They lived up to the hype and were absolutely DELICIOUS. If you want a snack for the road, you canโt go wrong with a jammy heart from The Cinnamon Tree Bakery.
Afternoon
London Eye: Head to the London Eye and see The Globe Theatre and Tate Modern along the way. We absolutely recommend booking a ticket in advance so you can get a birdโs eye view of the city. It takes approximately 30 minutes to do the full rotation, during which you have unobstructed panoramic views of London. Each car has plenty of standing room along the perimeter of the car with a bench in the middle for those who wish to sit. The queue can get long but moves fairly quickly. You can buy skip the line tickets to the London Eye if you donโt want to wait in the queue!
Not interested in riding the London Eye? You might enjoy exploring the nearby Graffiti Tunnel or visiting the Florence Nightingale Museum instead!
Westminster Bridge & Big Ben: Make your way to Westminster Bridge โ You canโt miss it because Big Ben is at the opposite end waiting to greet you. Before you cross, take the steps down to the water level for an excellent unobstructed photo spot featuring Parliament and Big Ben.
Cross the bridge and take a few pics with Big Ben, but youโll need to start making your way to Westminster Abbey. The Abbey closes at 4:30pm on a lot of days, so donโt spend too much time with Big Ben and Parliament before heading to Westminster โ theyโll be there when you leave the Abbey.
Evening
Westminster Abbey: You should purchase your tickets for Westminster Abbey in advance. Westminster Abbey is absolutely gorgeous and has a rich history. Here you can see the Coronation Chair (used for over 700 years) and the Royal Tombs of Edward the Confessor, Mary Queen of Scots, Elizabeth I, Henry V, and Henry VII to name a few.
Literature lovers will enjoy visiting the Poetโs Corner where over 100 of the worldโs greatest poets have been buried or memorialized, including William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Geoffrey Chaucer, and Rudyard Kipling. Other famous graves to lookout for are Sir Isaac Newton, Stephen Hawking, and Charles Darwin.
Day 3 โ Choose Your Own London Adventure
Youโve seen the highlights of London, so today is all about seeing what interests you most. Below are some ideas:
Stonehenge: Our visit coincided with the summer solstice, so we used our 3rd day in London to celebrate the summer solstice at Stonehenge. Visiting during the solstice is extra special, because you get to go inside the stone circle and touch the stones.
If you arenโt lucky enough to be there on the summer or winter solstice though, you can still easily do a day trip from London to Stonehenge. Itโs popular to combine Stonehenge with Windsor Castle, which is a great option for people who are fascinated by the Royal Family. Another popular tour option is combining Stonehenge with Bath, which allows you to see the ancient stones, the Roman baths, and the Jane Austen Centre.
Harry Potter Studios Tour: Harry Potter fans wonโt want to miss doing the Warner Bros. Studio Tour to see the film sets where the Harry Potter franchise was filmed. This tour includes 4-5 hours at the studios + transfers to/from the city so you donโt have to stress over the logistics.
Camden Market: For a quirky and eclectic experience. spend the day in Camden Market. The food courtyards offer a huge variety of street food options from around the world, the market itself is brimming with artisanal stalls selling crafts, art, and homemade items, and the elaborate storefronts make for great photo backdrops! If you want some help planning your day, Camden Market has a 24 hour guide thatโs a great jumping off point.
Day 4 โ Hello Amsterdam!
Morning
Head to Amsterdam & check in to your accommodations: We chose to stay at a VRBO in De Pijp. We love this area because tโs not overrun with tourists, is conveniently located near Museumplein, is well connected via public transportation, and itโs exactly what you envision when you think of Amsterdam. You can read all about why we love De Pijp (plus get some restaurant recs) in our blog post on The Best Area to Stay in Amsterdam.
Afternoon
Museumplein: Walk over to Museumplein, one of the most popular squares in Amsterdam that is lined with some of the countryโs best museums. Choose which one sounds most interesting to you to explore for a few hours:
Rijksmuseum โ This is the national museum of the Netherlands and will take you through 8,000 years of history through art and artifacts. Kaylaโs favorite part of the Rijksmuseum is the Cuyperโs Library โ itโs so beautiful! You can also see works from Van Gogh and Rembrandt, most famously The Night Watch.
Moco Museum โ This small, quirky museum shows modern and contemporary art, with works by Banksy frequently being on exhibit as well as immersive exhibits.
Van Gogh Museum โ This is the largest museum dedicated to Van Gogh in the world! Learn about the artistโs life and see some of his most famous works in person.
Stedelijk Museum โ Known as โThe Bathtubโ due to its unique shape, this museum showcases contemporary art and design
Evening
Amsterdam is famous for its canals, and itโs time for you to get up close and personal with them by taking a canal cruise! This luxury canal cruise picks up right by the Rijksmuseum, meaning you wonโt have to walk far to board your boat! Itโs a fabulous tour that lets you get acquainted with the layout of Amsterdam in a relaxing way.
Aboard your electric boat, your skipper will let you know all about the history of Amsterdam and the iconic landmarks youโll be passing. Youโll get your first glimpses of the Anne Frank House, the Jordaan, the Dutch National Opera and Ballet, the Seven Bridges Viewpoint, and so much more!
Day 5 โ Explore the Past & Present in Amsterdam
Morning
Stroopwafels for breakfast: Treat yourself with one of Amsterdamโs most well known treats for breakfast โ the stroopwafel. We went to Van Wonderen, which is known for having very Instagrammy (and thus more expensive) stroopwafels. But if you donโt care about aesthetics, look to see what places near your accommodations sell them! They can be found in shops all over the city.
Anne Frank House: Many have read Anne Frankโs diary that chronicles how she and her family lived in a secret annex during the Holocaust so that they could avoid being deported to concentration camps. But few realize that the annex was preserved after the Franks were forced out of their hidden world and that it can be visited today.
Eight people in total lived in the close quarters for just over 2 years. Anne faithfully kept a diary of her time spent there that has since been published and read by people world wide. She had dreams of one day becoming a famous writer. She achieved her goal, but sadly did not receive the recognition she yearned for until after her death in a concentration camp in 1945. The museum is a heartbreaking, but necessary reminder of the terrors Jews and other minorities endured during Hitlerโs reign.
Tickets go on sale 6 weeks in advance, and we strongly advise setting an alarm & getting them as soon as they go on sale. They sell out VERY quickly! If you miss out, the museum sometimes releases additional tickets at midnight the night prior. The museum is designed for ages 10 and up. However there are several playgrounds in the area for younger children to play at if parents want to take turns visiting the museum.
Afternoon โ Evening
Ferry to the NDSM Warf and see some street art: Lift your spirits by taking the ferry behind Amsterdam Central Station to the NDSM Warf. This FREE ferry runs every 20 minutes, and the crossing takes around 15 minutes.
Once you land on the Warf, head straight to the STRAAT Museum for Street Art and Graffitti. Situated in a former shipyard, this museum is so big that it feels open air. Light pours in from above, illuminating the massive colorful pieces of art. Itโs an incredibly beautiful museum, and it ended up being one of our favorite things we did on our girls trip to Amsterdam.
After the museum, spend some time exploring the area. There is a flea market next door to STRAAT where you can find lots of vintage clothing and other odds and ends. The NDSM Loods is a studio nearby where over 250 artists and craftspeople work daily. Itโs free to walk through, but please be respectful of the space and work going on there.
From STRAAT, itโs also only a 7 minute drive AโDam Lookout Swing if itโs on your bucket list and the EYE Film Museum if youโre still feeling artsy (you can also take the ferry back across from STRAAT and then take the shorter ferry to the AโDam Lookout Swing area).
After youโve finished exploring and had dinner, head back across the water!
Day 6 โ Free Day in Amsterdam
This 9 day itinerary for London, Amsterdam, and Paris has been BUSY so far. Today is a day to wind down and enjoy Amsterdamโs beautiful scenery at your leisure. Here are some of the areas you might want to explore:
De Pijp: Go to Albert Cuyp Market to try Dutch street food and shop. Take advantage of fewer tourists by taking pics on the empty canal bridges. Have a picnic or take a stroll at Sarphatipark. De Pijp is also where the Heineken Experience is located, and this tour will teach you all about the bottle and brewing process (and of course youโll get to try some for yourself!).
Jordaan: Considered by many to be the most charming neighborhood in Amsterdam, Jordaan has narrow canals lined with tall narrow 17th century buildings, lots of boutique shops, and countless restaurants and cafes. Here you can also find the Anne Frank House and several quirky museums.
If you want to see what one of the inside of the houseboats, pop into the Houseboat Museum. Wanna learn about Dutch cheese and sample them? Go to the Cheese Museum. Want to be able to say youโve been to Amsterdamโs smallest museum? Go to the Pianola Museum. And if youโre there on a Saturday, the Noordermarkt is an absolute must!
Binnenstad: The medieval heart of Amsterdam in the innermost circle of canals. Here you will find Dam Square, Oude Kirk Amsterdam, and the Red Light District.
For a little quiet oasis unexpectedly tucked into the heart of the city, visit the Beginhof. Since the middle ages, this quiet courtyard lined with 400 year old buildings has served as the home to a devout, semi-monastic community of unmarried Catholic women. After the Beginhof, head over to Van Stapele Koekmakerij for some of the best cookies youโll ever eat. This bakery only makes one type of cookie โ dark chocolate with a gooey white chocolate core. Theyโre made fresh all day long and thereโs usually a line wrapped around the building.
Day 7 โ Hello Paris!
Morning
Head to Paris! We opted to take the train from Amsterdam to Paris. If you decide to stay in Montmartre like we did, take an Uber to your accommodations. Amanda talked Kayla into walking with our suitcases + a stroller and it was ALL uphill. Never again.
Check into your accommodations in Montmartre. We found an Airbnb across from a park, which was perfect since we had a 2 year old with us. Itโs a little further out from the city centre, but you can reach it quickly via the metro or Uber.
Montmartre ended up being the PERFECT home base for us. It had cafes and restaurants nearby, grocery stores, and it is absolutely beautiful. It has a charming and village-esque vibe compared to the rest of Paris.
Afternoon / Evening
Get to know Montmartre. Our post on 12 Fun Things To Do In Montmartre has a list of activities you can fill your afternoon with. But here are some of the highlights:
Visit the iconic Basilica of the Sacred Heart and get a peep of the Eiffel Tower for the 1st time from its panoramic vantage point. Take a picture with the famous Little Pink House. Buy some artwork from the Artistโs Square. Ride the funicular. Look for fun street art and get a little lost wandering around the cobblestone streets.
For food, Le Coq & Fils is known for having what many people consider to be the best baked chicken in the world. It truly is delicious, we went twice! When you make your reservation, ask for a seat by the front window so you can have a view of Moulin de la Galette while you eat. We also really enjoyed The Hardware Sociรฉtรฉ. This Australian eatery is located on the street that winds beside the Basilica. It has hipstery Instagrammable vibes with neon signs, a cozy and attractive interior, and really delicious food.
Day 8 โ Self Guided Walking Tour of Paris Along the Seine
Itโs time to break out those walking shoes again! Today youโll be doing a leisurely self-guided walking tour of Paris that begins at the Eiffel Tower and winds its way along the Seine to the Louvre. It has lots of fun stops and opportunities to get to know The City of Love during the walk.
The walk will take 3-5 hours to complete at a leisurely pace, depending on if you just walk it straight through with minimal stops or if you decide to indulge in some of the museums and experiences on the way.
Youโll want to read our blog post on this self guided walking tour to see all the stops, historic details, food recs, and fun side quests. But below are the highlights:
Morning
Eiffel Tower: While most people have it on their bucket list to see during their time in Paris, first timers may not know that you can go inside the Eiffel Tower! For varying price points, you can purchase tickets to go up to the 1st, 2nd, and top floors of the Eiffel Tower. Not only will you have fantastic panoramic views of the city, youโll also be able to dine inside the Eiffel Tower if you wish!
After finishing your fun with the Eiffel Tower, make your way toward Pont dโlรฉna bridge. Just before you get to the bridge, veer right onto the wide walking path where youโll continue on your way for 1.5 miles (2.4km) toward Place de la Concorde. The walking path is very wide and parents should be comfortable letting their little ones out of the travel stroller to stretch their legs along the way since vehicles are not allowed on the path. It also has fantastic Seine River views for most of the walk!
Pont Alexandre III bridge: You can cross Pont de la Concorde bridge which will deposit you right at Place de la Concorde, but we chose to take the one just before it โ Pont Alexandre III bridge. This bridge is so incredibly beautiful and is one of the most ornate bridges in Paris! It has stunning gilded statues standing tall on pedestals at each corner of the bridge, dozens of beautiful old lampposts adorned with cherubs, and intricate stone garland along the outer sides with gilded details.
Afternoon
Place de la Concorde: From the bridge, itโs just a 10 minute walk to the largest square in Paris. Here, you will get to see an Egyptian obelisk over 3000 years old that dates back to the reign of Ramses III. Its twin remains at their original location in front of Luxor Temple in Egypt, which you can see with us in person on our group trips to Egypt! The square was also home to the executions of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette!
Jardin des Tuileries: Massive public garden that connects to the Louvre. It took over 100 years to complete! There are cafes dotted throughout, serene fountains, beautiful sculptures, and lots of shady trees that are perfect for picnicking under. Little ones will enjoy riding the carousel located at the heart of the gardens and older kids will love playing on the massive playground directly beside the carousel.
The Louvre Museum: The museum houses over 35,000 works of art, with the most famous one being Mona Lisa. Outside of the Louvre, youโll be able to get pictures with the iconic glass pyramids and the beautiful buildings that make up the Louvre. If you choose to go inside, we recommend touring the Louvre with a guide so you donโt waste valuable time trying to find the more well known pieces and youโll get to learn the history behind the incredible pieces of art youโll be seeing!
Evening
If you go inside the Louvre, it will probably take up the rest of your day. If youโre still up for adventure, you can walk 20 minutes further down the Seine to see Notre Dame Cathedral and the beautiful Sainte-Chapelle.
See the Eiffel Tower Lit Up at Night: If you time it just right, youโll be able to go on an evening / night time Seine River Cruise to see the city lit up at night. Did you even go to Paris if you didnโt see the Eiffel Tower in all its sparkling glory?
This Seine River Cruise leaves from the pier near Notre Dame and includes champagne + a biscuit shaped like Notre Dame Cathedral! For a little more money, you can take this tour and have live music and a gourmet dinner included in your cruise.
Day 9 โ Disneyland Paris
End your 9 day itinerary for London, Amsterdam, and Paris by visiting the most magical place on Earth: Disneyland. By ending your trip at Disneyland Paris, youโll have no problem sleeping on the flight back home!
You can read all about our day at Disneyland Paris, including step-by-step instructions on how to get there in our Disneyland Paris mini guide.
Disneyland Paris is technically located in Chessy, France. There is a train station located at the entrance to the park, making getting there from the city center a breeze. The easiest and cheapest transportation option is the RER A Train.
If youโve been to the Disney Parks in the USA, Disneyland Paris is much easier to navigate. Itโs smaller and more manageable. We loved that they had characters you canโt meet in the USA, that their version of Haunted Mansion is wild west themed, and that there are several interactive walkthrough experiences.
We also loved how Disneyland Paris pays homage to a lot of the older classics that you donโt see recognized as much at the parks in the USA. There are rides dedicated to Pinocchio and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. There is a storybook boat ride, miniature scenes from The Wizard of Oz, Peter and the Wolf, The Legends of King Arthur, and Fantasia. And thereโs a Frog and Toad themed restaurant!
Donโt forget to visit the DRAGON under the castle! Yes, you read that right. Underneath Sleeping Beautyโs castle, you can enter the dragonโs lair and see the monstrous dragon chained against the rocks. Heโs usually sleeping, but you may hear the animatronic dragon rumbling or see him move during your visit.
Let us know what you think about our 9 day itinerary for London, Amsterdam, and Paris in the comments below!
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