9-Day Winter in Europe Itinerary: London, Paris & Barcelona at Christmas

If you’ve ever dreamed of spending Christmas in Europe but only have a week off work, this 9-day Europe itinerary is for you! In just over a week, you can visit three incredible cities, London, Paris, and Barcelona, each with its own culture, personality, and holiday festivities. This winter in Europe itinerary is perfect for travelers who want to make the most of limited PTO while experiencing 3 famous cities & their festive Christmas energy.

This 9-day Europe itinerary combines the classic European attractions, like Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower, and La Sagrada Família, with Christmas festivities that you can only experience during the holidays. You’ll get to wander through traditional Christmas markets, admire famous light displays, go ice skating, and experience a festive afternoon tea.

I personally did this trip to Europe in December, but this Christmas in Europe itinerary works just as well in late November (when most cities already have their decorations up) or early January (when the holiday crowds have thinned out).

When it comes to weather, this itinerary gives you a little bit of everything. In London and Paris, you can expect chilly days in the 40s °F (5-10°C), occasional rain, and gray skies. In Barcelona, however, you’ll find mild winter weather. It’s usually sunny and around 60°F (15°C). For packing, bring a warm coat, waterproof shoes, and layers like sweaters and thermals for the colder cities. For Spain, a lighter jacket will be sufficient. A small umbrella and gloves will also come in handy – I ended up buying both of these on the trip!

9-day Winter in Europe Itinerary

Day 0: Overnight Flight to London

We started our adventure on a Friday night, taking a red-eye flight from New York to London. It’s the best way to maximize your time, especially if you’re only using 5 days of PTO for this trip! You’ll land Saturday morning ready to explore. Just make sure to pack everything you can to get a good night of sleep. For me, that’s an eye mask, neck pillow, and some melatonin (but even then, I can hardly sleep on planes).

Days 1–3: London

You’ll spend the first three days of your trip exploring London, which is absolutely magical at Christmas time! Every street is lined with twinkling lights, the shops are decked out with glittering displays, and there’s a Christmas market in almost every square.

Day 1: Covent Garden, Soho & London’s Christmas Lights

Our flight landed around 10 am, and we were thankfully able to head straight to our hotel and check in early. Heathrow and Gatwick airports both have express trains into the city center that take about 30–45 minutes. After an hour of relaxing (since neither of us slept on the flight), we headed straight to Covent Garden to start exploring and eat lunch.

We stopped at the Italian restaurant Circolo Popolare for a quick but delicious lunch. We both got pasta and a glass of wine. But if you want to try a London classic, definitely go to Dishoom. It’s a famous Indian restaurant with a few locations around London. I went on my last trip and loved that they had so many vegetarian options.

After lunch we spent some time walking around Covent Garden, which is one of London’s most festive spots in winter. The mall is filled with giant ornaments and bell decorations, and the outdoor square has a towering Christmas tree.

At this point, it was already dark in London (this happens around 4 pm in December), so we started walking over to Soho to enjoy the Christmas lights and do some shopping.

We did a little self-guided Christmas lights walk through Regent Street, Oxford Street, and Carnaby Street. As someone who had been dreaming of visiting London for Christmas for years, I was in awe. My friend and I spent a long time take pictures and just taking in the beautiful lights all around.

My biggest tip for seeing the Christmas lights is to bundle up! London is very cold in December, but you’ll want to spend a lot of time outside enjoying the lights and taking pictures. So wear lots of layers. The good thing is, if you’re still cold and need more layers, there endless stores to shop in, which will also give you a quick break from the cold. I bought some earmuffs that I ended up wearing in every picture for the rest of the trip (for the warmth and because I thought they were cute!).

We ended the night by visiting both the Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square Christmas Markets. We tried some mulled wine and checked out the knick knacks being sold at all the booths.

Day 2: Notting Hill, Tower Bridge & Ice Skating at Battersea

We started the morning in Notting Hill, one of London’s most charming neighborhoods. We first walked past the pastel-colored homes to take some pictures, before heading to Portobello Road to check out the shops and cafes. We ended up finding a place called Chai Guys, where I had the best chai and the best cardamon bun of my life.

Next, we headed across the city to visit the Tower of London, which is one of London’s most historic landmarks, home to the Crown Jewels and over 1,000 years of royal history. I wanted to visit in December because I heard the grounds were decked out with lights, wreaths and Christmas trees, and the decorations did not disappoint. They even had Christmas carolers right in front of the tower.

Book your tickets to the Tower of London online in advance to skip the line, and plan for 1-2 hours inside. If you join one of the free Beefeater tours, you’ll hear fascinating stories about the Tower’s history.

From there, we walked across the iconic Tower Bridge, towards the south side of the Thames. We followed the Queen’s Walk past the Winter by the River Market. This market has the prettiest view of the city, where you can see the Tower Bridge and the skyscrapers across the river.

For lunch, we wandered through Borough Market, one of the best food markets in the world. We each tried a few snacks, including the famous chocolate-covered strawberries.

If you have time afterward, visit the Tate Modern, which is a short walk away. We spent an hour at the Tate warming up and admiring the art.

At night, we took the tube to Battersea Power Station, which has been completely transformed into a shopping and dining center. In winter, there’s an outdoor ice rink set against the industrial chimneys, which are lit up with Christmas themed projections. We spent a couple hours ice skating and got some hot chocolate to warm up.

Day 3: Christmas Tea & Royal London

We kicked off our final day in London with Christmas Afternoon Tea at Sketch, one of the most whimsical tea experiences in the city. Their pink velvet room is decked out in Christmas decorations, there’s festive pastries, and even a ballerina who comes out to dance around the room. And make sure you go to the bathroom – it’s probably the most unique one you’ll ever visit.

Reservations are essential for afternoon tea at Sketch. I’d recommend booking a few weeks in advance, especially during December. If you’re not able to get a reservation there, try The Ritz or The Ivy, which both have special Christmas themed afternoon teas.

After tea, we headed toward Buckingham Palace. The palace itself isn’t open to visitors in the winter, but you can still see the changing of the guard ceremony (usually on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 10:45 a.m.). If you happen do be visiting London in summer, definitely get tickets to visit the State Rooms or the Royal Mews.

To fill the rest of the afternoon, we visited Westminster Abbey, one of the most stunning buildings in London. Entry tickets can be bought here online, and I highly recommend joining the free 30-minute tour inside. From there, it’s just a short walk to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, which are especially beautiful when illuminated at dusk.

We called it a night after that, but if you want to visit one more Christmas market in London, definitely head to the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, which is the biggest Christmas market in the city. There’s food and drinks, along with rides, ice skating and live performances.

Days 4–5: Paris

The next leg of your winter Europe adventure takes you to Paris. 2 days is not nearly enough time to explore the whole city, but I was so impressed with all we did in the little time we had. We got to see a few of the landmarks and enjoy some Christmas festivities!

Day 4: Arriving in Paris & Exploring Montmartre

We took an early morning Eurostar train from London to Paris, which takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes. Trains leave from St. Pancras International and arrive at Gare du Nord, so it’s an easy and comfortable journey.

If you prefer flying, there are quick 1-hour flights between the two cities, but by the time you factor in airport transfers, the train is usually faster and more enjoyable.

We arrived in Paris late morning and headed to our hotel in Montmartre, a bohemian neighborhood perched on a hill overlooking the city. After dropping our bags, we wandered up to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, which offers one of the best panoramic views in Paris. Entrance to the basilica is free, but you can also buy tickets to climb the dome to get a 360° view of the city.

From Montmartre, we walked down through the winding streets toward Galeries Lafayette, one of Paris’s grandest department stores. During Christmas, it’s home to an enormous themed tree under its glass dome. And don’t miss the rooftop terrace for a free view of the Eiffel Tower! We were rewarded with a rainbow and sunny skies when we got up there. London was so cloudy, that it was our first time seeing the sun in three days! It felt like a magical moment, as it was also my first time ever seeing the Eiffel Tower.

We then made our way to the Tuileries Garden Christmas Market, which is full of festive food stalls, a Ferris wheel, and cozy chalets selling gifts. We got a giant cup of mulled wine and relaxed in one of the iconic green chairs spread throughout the park.

If you have time, museums like the Musée d’Orsay and Musée de l’Orangerie are all within walking distance (plus the Louvre, but we’ll be visiting tomorrow). Book tickets to these museums in advance to avoid the lines.

We decided to skip the big museums and instead went to the Petit Palais, a small free museum filled with beautiful art and architecture. Then, we ended the evening strolling down the Champs-Élysées, admiring the Christmas lights and window displays all the way to the Arc de Triomphe.

Day 5: The Louvre, Eiffel Tower & Seine River Cruise

We started the day early with coffee and croissants at Cafe Carrousel, located right near the Louvre Museum, where we spent the morning. The Louvre can easily take an entire day, but we spent about three hours wandering through the highlights, including the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and Napoleon’s Apartments.

Booking your tickets online in advance is a must for the Louvre. Try to book an early time slot to avoid the crowds.

From the Louvre, we took the metro towards the Eiffel Tower. Tickets to the tower can also be bought online, and you can choose between going to the 2nd floor or all the way to the summit. The second floor is less expensive and offers stunning views, but if it’s your first time, the summit is worth the splurge.

I loved visiting the Eiffel Tower, but be aware that the experience can take a few hours if you’re going all the way to the summit. Besides spending lots of time taking pictures, you’ll also have to wait in lines to get on the elevators.

After taking a million photos at the Eiffel Tower, we boarded a Seine River Cruise, which departs right at the base of the tower. Even in winter, most boats have heated indoor areas, so you can stay cozy while admiring landmarks like Notre-Dame, Musée d’Orsay, and the Eiffel Tower twinkling above. We booked this cruise, which also included a class of champagne. There’s commentary given in both English and French about all the significant buildings you pass along the river.

For dinner, we returned to Montmartre and ate at Tentazioni, a tiny Italian restaurant that served one of the best meals I’ve ever had – an artichoke lasagna that I still think about.

Days 6–9: Barcelona

After the cold of London and Paris, you’ll be heading to sunny Barcelona for 3 days! December here is mild, with temperatures around 60°F (15°C). There’s not as many Christmas activities as you’ll find in the other cities, but the good weather makes up for it.

Day 6: La Rambla & Gothic Quarter

We took an early flight from Paris to Barcelona (about 1.5 hours) and arrived to the city in the early afternoon. After checking into our hotel, we went straight to Mercado de la Boqueria, located right off La Rambla. It’s a lively food market where you can find fresh fruit, tapas, and juice stands. I had some cheese, olives, and my favorite Spanish tapa, a tortilla de patatas.

From there, we walked to the Gothic Quarter and spent the afternoon exploring the neighborhood, one of Barcelona’s oldest. Don’t miss the Barcelona Cathedral. You can climb to the rooftop for a great view of the city. And if you’re into art, the Picasso Museum is also nearby (buy tickets online to skip the line).

That night, we had a cozy tapas picnic on our balcony while watching the sunset. Later, we headed out to Paradiso, a hidden speakeasy that serves some of the most creative cocktails I’ve ever seen. It was named the best bar in the world in 2022, so it can be hard to get into. We went on a Thursday, put our names down and were able to get in in 30 minutes.

Day 7: Sagrada Família & Park Güell

Our second day was all about visiting Antoni Gaudí’s masterpieces. We started our day at La Sagrada Família, which is breathtaking inside and out. Make sure to buy your tickets online in advance, as entry times sell out. If you want, you can purchase the option to climb up the tower.

We spent about 2 hours exploring the cathedral. It’s truly one of my favorite landmarks in the world and I can’t wait to see it completed one day.

For good photos of the outside of the cathedral, walk over to Plaza de Gaudí, across the pond. You’ll find unobstructed views and it’s a great photo spot.

Afterward, we stopped for a quick tapas lunch and made our way to Park Güell. On the way we passed Casa Vicens, which was one of Gaudi’s first architectural projects in Barcelona. We didn’t have time to go in and explore the museum, but getting to see the details on the outside was awesome.

Park Güell is huge park designed by Gaudi and features his signature whimsical architecture and colorful mosaics. What makes it so special is the seamless blending of nature and art, with organic curves, colors and textures that mimic the natural Spanish landscape. You’ll want to spend a couple hours exploring the park, especially if the weather is nice like when we were there. You can buy tickets for Park Güell here.

In the evening, we had dinner at La Paella de Su, where we shared a vegetarian paella that was perfectly crispy on the bottom. After dinner, we strolled along Passeig de Gràcia, admiring the Christmas lights and shopping at our favorite Spanish stores.

Day 8: Casa Batlló, Barceloneta Beach & Flamenco Night

For our final full day, we visited one more of Gaudi’s works, Casa Batlló. It’s one of Gaudí’s most imaginative masterpieces, known for it’s colorful mosaic facade, curved balconies, and shimmering roof, which has given it the nickname “House of the Dragon”. I loved the 360° experience in the basement, with projections about Gaudi’s works.

Afterward, since it was a warm, sunny day, we walked to Barceloneta Beach. It wasn’t quite swimming weather, but we sat on the sand for an hour enjoying the view of the Mediterranean.

That night, we ended our trip with a Flamenco Show at the Barcelona City Hall Theatre. It was an energetic, emotional performance that perfectly wrapped up our 3 days in Spain.

Day 9: Flying Home

On Sunday morning, we flew home from Barcelona and arrived back in New York in the afternoon, ready for work the next day.

I hope this 9-day winter in Europe itinerary helps you plan your own magical Christmas in Europe adventure! If you’re looking for more inspiration for your next European trip, check out some of my other posts on France, Portugal, and Italy. They’re full of itineraries, things to do, and solo travel tips to help you plan your next adventure abroad.

• 4 Days in Nice, France: The Perfect French Riviera Itinerary for Solo Travelers
• Lake Como for Solo Travelers on a Budget
• 13 Best Things to Do in Porto, Portugal
• Everything I Wish I Knew Before Walking my First Camino de Santiago

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