Lyon to London: 5 Days of European Charm

After landing and dropping your bags near the city center, kick off your time in France’s gastronomic capital by heading straight to Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse for an immersive taste of regional cheeses, saucisson, and fresh pastries. From there, take a scenic stroll down the bustling Rue de la République to Place Bellecour, crossing the Saône into atmospheric Vieux Lyon to wander through its cobblestone streets and hidden Renaissance traboules. Wrap up your afternoon exploring the charming exhibits at the Musée Cinéma et Miniature before sitting down for a classic Lyonnaise feast and craft beer under the soaring art deco ceilings of the historic Brasserie Georges.

Insider tip: Wear comfortable walking shoes with good grip for the cobblestones in Vieux Lyon, and make a dinner reservation at Brasserie Georges in advance, as this 1836 landmark fills up quickly with locals and visitors alike.

Begin your morning exploring the astronomical clock and stained-glass beauty inside Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste, followed by an authentic Lyonnaise lunch of pike quenelle at the storied Café Comptoir Abel. In the afternoon, venture south along the peninsula to the futuristic Confluence district to admire the cutting-edge architecture and science exhibits at the Musée des Confluences.

As evening approaches, take the tram out to Groupama Stadium for an electric match day experience, soaking in the stadium buzz and grabbing pre-match drinks at Au Fût et à mesure Parc OL or capping off the night with a celebratory pint at The Smoking Dog back in town.

Start your day with a peaceful morning stroll through the lush botanical gardens and expansive paths of Parc de la Tête d'Or before discovering early film history at the Institut Lumière. Head up to the bohemian Croix-Rousse district to explore its historic silk-weaving heritage, vibrant murals, and local culinary charm at Le Bouchon des Filles. In the afternoon, take the iconic Funiculaire de Lyon up to the Fourvière hilltop to wander through the ancient Odeon of Lyon and admire the mosaic-covered interior and sweeping city panoramas at the Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière. End your evening with a leisurely golden-hour walk along the riverbanks.

Insider tip: Take the funicular up to Fourvière to save your legs the steep uphill climb, but take your time walking back down through the shaded gardens and hidden staircases of Des Hauteurs Park to catch unique lookout angles over the city.

Board an early high-speed train from Lyon Part-Dieu into Gare de Lyon, stowing luggage or heading straight out for a whirlwind exploration of Paris’s most iconic central landmarks. Stroll through Place de la Bastille and cross onto Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis, soaking in views of Notre-Dame before walking along the Seine to the Louvre, Tuileries Garden, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, and Eiffel Tower.

After taking in the buzzing city atmosphere, make your way to Gare du Nord to board the evening Eurostar across the Channel to London St Pancras. End your packed travel day winding down with fresh seafood on the canal terrace at The Summerhouse before settling into your London accommodations.

Insider tip: When doing a high-intensity transit day across three major stations, allow at least 60–90 minutes prior to your Eurostar departure at Gare du Nord to clear both French exit checks and UK border control smoothly.

Start your morning in West London with a photo op at the famous Abbey Road zebra crossing before browsing vintage stalls and vibrant street life along Portobello Road Market. Stroll through Kensington Gardens to see Kensington Palace and the Albert Memorial, making your way past the Diana Memorial Fountain toward Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey. After viewing Big Ben and the historic lanes near Downing Street, cut through St James's Park toward the buzz of Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square. Cap off the evening with a traditional London pub crawl through historic favorites like The Sherlock Holmes, The Ship & Shovell, The Harp in Covent Garden, or the flower-covered exterior of The Churchill Arms.

Insider tip: Buckingham Palace State Room tours require timed-entry tickets booked well in advance during the summer opening months. For the pub crawl portion, many classic real ale taverns in Covent Garden get packed right after work hours, so aim for mid-afternoon or late evening if you want an open booth.

Fuel up with a traditional full English breakfast before diving into the creative stalls, vintage finds, and eclectic street food of Camden Market. Head south to admire the neoclassical courtyard at Somerset House, stopping for a pint or classic savory pie at The Old Bank of England on Fleet Street. Continue toward the City of London to take in the monumental dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral, then cross the river to explore the Crown Jewels and medieval towers at the Tower of London before walking across iconic Tower Bridge. Cap off your afternoon sampling artisanal cheeses, pastries, and gourmet bites under the railway arches at Borough Market.

Insider tip: Borough Market gets exceptionally crowded on Saturday afternoons; visit either right when hot food vendors open around 10:00–11:00 a.m. or closer to 3:30 p.m. to browse the food stalls without shoulder-to-shoulder queues.

Wrap up your final morning with a relaxed Aussie-style breakfast or ricotta hotcakes at the airy Granger & Co. in Notting Hill before checking out of your accommodations. Take the London Overground down to picturesque Richmond to explore the charming lanes, wander through the greenery of Richmond Green, and spot herds of wild deer in Richmond Park.

Fans of Ted Lasso won't want to miss sitting down for a traditional Sunday roast and a pint at The Prince’s Head (the real-life Crown & Anchor) right on the Green. Afterward, take the convenient transit connection straight into Heathrow Airport to check in, clear security, and board your flight home.

Insider tip: Sunday roast at The Prince’s Head is popular with both locals and Ted Lasso fans, so book a lunch table online ahead of time to guarantee your spot before catching your afternoon flight.