Your Perfect Paris 5 Day Itinerary
Planning a trip to Paris can be overwhelming, as there are so many incredible things to see and do. We're here to make things easy with an ideal Paris 5 day itinerary, as well as a condensed 2 day itinerary for those short on time.
The City of Lights is one of the top travel destinations in the world for a reason. This city offers endless beauty, a fascinating history, and more incredible food and drink than you could possibly stuff in your stomach (though you should definitely try). Visiting Paris is a must-do on any traveler’s bucket list, but planning your time there can be a little overwhelming. With so many amazing things to see and do, where do you start? We’ll make it easy for you – start here. We’ve curated your perfect Paris 5 day itinerary based on our own experiences in the city. For those short on time, we’ve also included a condensed 2 day itinerary of the most important sights. Of course, any vacation should be driven by personal preferences, so feel free to adjust the schedule to accommodate your interests. Look out for bolded items as the can’t miss priorities!
Just looking for a list of the best places to eat and drink in the city? Check out our posts 15 of the Best Places to Eat in Paris and 8 Cool Bars in Paris For Exceptional Cocktails.
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Activities At A Glance
(Click each Day to jump down for more information)
Five Days
*Day 1:
- Free walking tour with GuruWalk
- The Louvre
- Dinner at Brasserie LIPP
- Vedettes du Pont Neuf Seine River Cruise
- Perfume-Making Class
- Arc de Triomphe
- Shopping on Champs-Élysées
- Galeries Lafayette Haussmann
- Eiffel Tower
- Dinner at Tomy & Co
- Drinks at Gatsby
- Montmartre
- Dinner at Piccolo Caratello
- Moulin Rouge
- Brunch at Le Menec Paris 16
- The Palace of Versailles (make sure to plan this for a Saturday!)
- Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
- Lunch at Le Relais de l’Entrecôte
- Hôtel des Invalides
Two Days
*Day 1:
- Arc de Triomphe
- Stroll down Champs-Élysées
- Eiffel Tower
- The Louvre
- Dinner at Brasserie LIPP
- Vedettes du Pont Neuf Seine River Cruise
Day 2:
- Brunch at Le Menec Paris 16
- The Palace of Versailles
Why Visit Paris?
When it comes to Paris, this almost feels like a silly question. There are a million and one reasons to visit Paris. It houses a long list of iconic landmarks and attractions like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, a world-renowned bar and restaurant scene, a rich culture and important history, and of course, it’s stunningly beautiful. But perhaps the better question is, why choose Paris over other European hotspots like London, Rome, or Barcelona? In our opinion, Paris wins out in two key areas.Â
First and foremost is food. Paris has one of the best dining scenes in the world, and top chefs from all over the globe aspire to work here. While cities like Rome and Barcelona also have delicious cuisine, Paris just does it better. From light and buttery croissants to rich and savory escargot or duck confit, let alone all of the other international cuisines on offer, Paris is a foodie’s heaven (check out this foodie’s favorite restaurants here).Â
Paris also wins for romance, full of intimate venues with cozy lighting and chic terraces surrounded by the beauty of the city. No city we have traveled to has beaten Paris when it comes to beauty. Cobblestone streets and wide boulevards lined in trees, gorgeous gothic architecture, and plentiful gardens and twinkly lights truly give Paris a uniquely enchanting aesthetic.
Where To Stay?
For first-time visitors to Paris, we recommend a hotel in the 1st or 8th arrondissement (a Parisian neighborhood/district). These two districts will not be the cheapest, but they offer the most central location to key tourist attractions and neighborhoods with trendy bars and restaurants. A central location makes it easier to get the most out of your limited time in Paris, especially for a 2 day itinerary! Some top hotels in these arrondissements are Hôtel Vernet, Hotel Florida, and Hotel Louvre Montana. If your budget is tighter, move further away from the Seine to the 9th, 10th, or 11th arrondissement. Thankfully, Paris has an excellent metro system, so you’ll still be able to access all of the city’s attractions without too much added effort.
Paris Pass - Is It Worth It?
Throughout this post, we’ll highlight when attractions are included within the Paris Pass by adding (PPass) after the ticket price. The Paris Pass is a tourism pass that grants entrance to over 90 of Paris’s most popular museums and attractions at a bundled discounted rate. You can buy the pass for 2 to 6 consecutive days at prices starting at 180 EUR. But the real question is, is it worth it? Â
Well, that entirely depends on your itinerary. Generally, we find you have to sightsee pretty aggressively to make these packages worth it. We don’t love to travel that way, so if you’re following any of the days of our itinerary below, the answer is no – the Paris Pass will not save you money. However, it may still make your trip more convenient by avoiding separate ticket purchases, if you’ve got funds to spare.
Day 1 - Getting Familiar
- 10:00-12:00 – Start your day with a free walking tour via GuruWalk – don’t forget to tip!
- 12:30-6:00 – Grab a quick lunch and then head to the Louvre Museum. Make sure to budget some extra time for transit and getting through the lines, as well as all of the crowds in general. More on this below, and heads up – the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays.
- 7:30-9:30 – Head to classic French restaurant Brasserie LIPP for dinner. This warm and inviting brasserie (a relaxed French restaurant, similar to an Italian trattoria) specializes in an exceptional 100-day chicken, as well as a delicious duck confit and escargot. Not what you’re looking for tonight? Check out our other restaurant recommendations here.
- 10:00-11:15 – Set sail on the last river cruise of the night aboard Vedettes du Pont Neuf. This was one of our favorite activities, and a great way to see many of Paris’s top sites for only 14 EUR, as most are located along the Seine. Tickets can be purchased in person or online, here.
Pro tip: If you take the 9:15pm or 10:15pm sail, you’ll arrive at the Eiffel Tower right as it begins to sparkle (this happens every hour, on the hour, between sunset and 11:00pm). The view of the Tower from the boat is excellent, so make sure to arrive early so you can snag a seat on the unobstructed upper deck.
The Details
Walking Tour
Our favorite way to start off any new city is with a walking tour. It’s the best way to get familiar with the area, learn some fascinating tidbits about the city’s history, and pique your interest on which sites or museums you would like to add to your Paris 5 day itinerary. We reserve our tours through GuruWalk, which is an app that offers free – yes, free – walking tours in over 800 cities in 100 countries (and counting!).  Check out some of their most popular Paris tours below:
The Louvre
Ok, so this is a controversial opinion, but the Louvre was my least favorite thing we did in Paris. While it is, of course, home to some incredible masterpieces, it’s a little hard to enjoy them because of the overwhelming crowds. Looking forward to seeing the Mona Lisa? Good luck. It’s way smaller than you think it’s going to be, and continuously blocked off by a hundred people with their cell phones and cameras in the air. If you’re a fan of art, the Louvre is still a can’t-miss, but come prepared with comfortable shoes and lots and lots of patience. If art isn’t your top priority and you’re not a fan of crowds, I won’t judge you for skipping it and replacing it with something like the Luxembourg Gardens or the Grand Palais. You can skip the rest of this section and continue to Day 2.
For the brave at heart who are still committed, tickets for the Louvre are 22 EUR (PPass) and can – and typically should – be bought online, with a reserved entry time. In fact, during certain busy times of the year, this is the only way you can get in, a lesson Colby and I learned the hard way when we showed up intending to buy tickets onsite. Cell service in the Carrousel was not great (more on this entry point in the first tip below), so we were stuck struggling through the checkout process for a while. Save yourself this headache and buy your tickets in advance. Finally, let me share our best tips and tricks to make your visit to the Louvre as smooth as possible.
Louvre Tips & Tricks
- To cut down on time spent waiting in line, skip the main entrance at the glass pyramid and instead enter through the much less busy Carrousel du Louvre mall entrance. Take metro line 1 or 7 to the Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre stop and then take sortie (exit) 6 Carrousel du Louvre to enter the mall. You can follow the signs from there.
- Come with a full belly and a bottle of water, or buy one immediately upon entering. It will save you a lot of time backtracking to get to a café for a snack.
- Audio guides are 6 EUR and informative, but be aware they are on a ridiculous Nintendo 3DS. Yes – the audio guide is on a 3D video game system that came out 15 years ago. It’s heavy around your neck and a bit glitchy, but the content is interesting if you can get past this. If you’re more interested in a human guide, check out some of the top tours below.
- The Louvre isn’t particularly well air-conditioned. On a hot day, head to the Islamic Art exhibit, which is the coolest room in the museum. There is also ample seating and some restrooms in the downstairs portion of the exhibit that not many people know about, so it’s a nice place for a quiet retreat if you get a bit overwhelmed and need a rest.
- Don’t forget – the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays!
Day 2 - The Lap of Luxury
- 9:30-11:00 – Let’s start today with a unique experience – learning all about the art of fragrance and creating a custom perfume. Colby and I took the workshop below through Get Your Guide, which was a fun, informal class that allowed us to play around with a lot of scent creations. At the end, we took a bottle of our favorite concoction home with us – though I wouldn’t recommend hiring us as perfumiers anytime soon! If you prefer something a little more formal (or you just want to save a few bucks), our friends also enjoyed this shorter class at Fragonard (PPass).
- 11:30-12:00 – Next, head to one of Paris’s most famous landmarks – the Arc de Triomphe. Take some pics from across the street, or, if you’d like to climb to the top, access the Arc via the underground pedestrian passage. Tickets cost 16 EUR (PPass), and you’ll need to climb 284 steps to reach the top – no elevator here.
- 12:00-4:00 – From the Arc de Triomphe, make your way down Champs-Élysées – after all, you can’t come to Paris and not add a little shopping to your 5 day itinerary! This iconic avenue is lined with designer and more approachable brands, as well as cute cafés and restaurants. Stop for a bite, peruse the merchandise, or just enjoy a stroll down this famous Parisian street.
- 4:00-5:30 – Next up is Galeries Lafayette Hausmann, a famous mall not far from Champs-Élysées. Here you can find unique (expensive) brands that are practically more art than clothing, but the headline is the building itself. The interior is fantastically decorated, with a stunning steel-frame art nouveau glass dome. You can get a great view of the interior from the 3rd floor glass catwalk (but be prepared for a long line), and even better, there is a FREE rooftop terrace with incredible views of the city.
- 6:00-7:30 – Time for one of the highlights of the city – the Eiffel Tower. We recommend golden hour timing for this – more information below.
- 8:00-11:00 – For dinner, let’s keep the luxury theme alive with a meal at Michelin-starred Tomy & Co. For just 80 EUR each, enjoy an appetizer, main, and dessert from their set menu of timeless French cuisine. Afterwards, check out nearby Gatsby for a top-notch cocktail. Looking for more bars to hit? Check out our favorites here.
The Details
The Eiffel Tower
No Paris itinerary would be complete without a visit to the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower was built in 1889 and stands at 330 m (1,083 ft) tall, making it the tallest structure in Paris. It was actually the tallest building in the world until the Chrysler building in New York surpassed it in 1930. Now, many buildings across the world make the Eiffel Tower seem tiny, but none of those skyscrapers provide 360° views of the beautiful city of Paris.
When visiting the Eiffel Tower, you have two key choices to make. First is how far up you want to go (second floor or summit), and second is how you get there (stairs or elevator). Taking the elevator all the way up will be the priciest at 28 EUR, whereas taking the stairs to the second floor (674 steps) will cost you just 11 EUR (PPass). To be frank, we recommend stopping at the second floor. Since most buildings in Paris are not allowed to exceed seven stories, you don’t need to get that high up to see everything, and being closer to the ground actually allows you a better view of the buildings’ details. Plus, if you buy your tickets in advance and decide to take the stairs, you can avoid waiting in lines almost entirely.
Once you reach your desired floor, you can spend as much time enjoying the view as you like. After you’ve gotten your fill, head back down to the first floor to enjoy a drink at the surprisingly reasonably-priced beer garden. As part of Paris’s sustainability efforts, your beverage will come in a reusable plastic glass and include a refundable 2 EUR deposit. Make sure to drop your cup into the machine on your way out to get your change back!
Day 3 - Celebrating the City's Artists
- 10:00-6:00 – Paris has long been a city of artists, so it’s time to spend some time among them. Today, enjoy a leisurely stroll the famous neighborhood of Montmartre. More on this below.
- 8:00-10:00 – After putting on your fanciest duds for the night, feast yourself on some incredible Italian food at Piccolo Caratello. It’s right down the street from your next stop, and the burrata and tiramisu are to-die-for.
- 10:30-12:30 – Buckle up for an incredible night of cabaret at the infamous Moulin Rouge. Don’t let anyone convince you that the show is tacky, overrated, or not worth seeing if you don’t speak French. This 90-minute performance had me out of my seat and my jaw on the floor on more than one occasion. It’s full of dancing, beautiful costumes, and unbelievable feats (like a ballerina who went on pointe – on top of a man’s head!). Tickets aren’t cheap at over 100 EUR a pop, but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime show that you won’t want to miss. There’s also a 9:00pm show if you’ve finished with Montmartre early, or a 7:00pm package that includes dinner. Heads up – leave the kids at home, as all the women are topless.
The Details
Montmartre
Montmartre is the heart of Paris’s Bohemian movement. Once home to legendary artists like Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, and Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, Montmartre remains a home for Paris’s unique and artistic residents. It’s one of Paris’s most charming neighborhoods, so it’s the perfect place to wander and explore for a few hours, especially when you have more time during a 5 day itinerary. However, this also makes it a popular place to visit, so prepare yourself for crowds and keep an eye on your belongings. On the plus side, this heavy tourist activity makes it the perfect spot to pick up your classic souvenirs like patches and postcards.
While we encourage you to wander freely, there are a few spots in Montmartre you should make sure to hit:
Visiting Sacré-CÅ“ur Basilica is one of the best free experiences in the city. The basilica is lovely both on the inside and the outside, and its hilltop location sits at the highest point in Paris, offering panoramic views of the city. To reach the basilica, you can climb the 222 steps from the park entrance or take the funicular located to the left of the park for just 2 EUR. If the hilltop views aren’t enough for you, you can also pay 7 EUR to climb the 300+ steps of the dome of the basilica. It’s certainly a good way to earn your morning croissant!
Pro tip: A heads up for visiting Sacré-CÅ“ur – it’s one of the most infamous places in the city for pickpocketing and tourist scams. One scam in particular we saw firsthand is called the “bracelet scam” or “string scam.” Essentially, someone will try to tie a string around your wrist, and then insist you pay them for this “bracelet.” Just keep your hands in your pockets and an eye on your valuables.
Place du Tertre is the artist’s square. It’s lovely and picturesque – though a bit hectic – and is surrounded on all sides by adorable cafés and restaurants. All around the square, you’ll find some of the city’s best artists painting and sketching. Artists must apply through a very competitive process to get a space in Place du Tertre, with only 140 permits of 1 square meter (3 sq ft) being granted. Stroll through and admire their process, buy a piece to bring home, or even sit for a portrait.
The Wall of I Love You is an art installation in Square Jehan Rictus park displaying the words “I Love You” in over 300 languages. It’s a quick stop, but it makes for a cute photo op.
Another popular activity in Montmartre is to enjoy a food and wine tour, as Montmartre actually houses some hidden vineyards amongst its cobblestoned streets. Check out one of these top options if you’re interested in tasting some of the local delicacies:
Day 4 - The Palace of Versailles
- 09:30-11:00 – If you’ve planned your Versailles visit for a Saturday – an absolute MUST during the night show season of June to September – you’ll be at Versailles all day, so you’ve got time for brunch first. We recommend tasty crêpererie Le Menec Paris 16. If you haven’t yet, try a galette (like a crêpe, but with savory ingredients instead of sweet, like ham, egg, and Emmental cheese). From here, you can easily grab the RER C train to the palace.Â
- 12:00 – 11:00 – Spend the day at the Palace of Versailles, including a tour of the palace, the gardens, the musical fountains show, and, most magical of all, the night fountains show.
The Details
The Palace of Versailles
The Palace of Versailles is pure magic. While it is a bit outside of the city, it’s absolutely worth the journey and, in our opinion, a can’t-miss attraction, even for a 2 day itinerary. From the ornate splendor of the Hall of Mirrors to the beautifully manicured gardens, every inch of the estate displays the wealth and extravagance of the French Bourbon monarchy. Originally built by King Louis XIII as a simple hunting lodge, the estate was dramatically transformed by King Louis XIV in the back half of the 17th century. It was a decision that showcased French wealth, power, and taste, and the palace became admired and emulated by dynasties the world over.
We’ve got a lot of tips to share for visiting Versailles, so we’ve written a whole post about it here. If you’re short on time, here are the fast facts. Passport tickets to Versailles cost 24 EUR during the off-season (November to March) and 32 EUR during peak season (April to October) (PPass) and can be purchased here. Your visit requires timed entry, so make sure to buy in advance. You’ll want to buy this Passport ticket over the Palace ticket during peak season as it includes access to the gardens, which are only included in the Palace ticket during the off-season. Your ticket will also include access to an excellent audio guide via an app, which you’ll want to install and download in advance. We’ve got the full list of which of the 30+ hours of content you’ll need to download in our detailed Versailles post – read more here.
The Night Fountains Show
Visiting the Palace of Versailles is awe-inspiring any day of the week (though, note that they are closed on Mondays!), but it is particularly magical on days where the night fountains show is held. We highly, HIGHLY, encourage you to plan your trip around this event. The night show is a special performance from 8:30pm to 11:05pm where the fountains are running, baroque music is played, vendors sell food and wine, and a drone and fireworks display lights up the sky. We were lucky enough to attend Fire Night in 2024, when stunning pyrotechnics were also added to the show! Being in the gardens after hours is a truly special experience, and one that will stay with us forever. Note that the night show requires an additional, separate ticket priced at 33 EUR, which you can purchase here.
Pro tip:Â In 2025, the night fountains show is scheduled for every Saturday from June 7 to September 13, as well as three special shows on July 14 (Bastille Day), August 15 (Fire Night), and September 20 (Electro Night).Â
Day 5 - A Final Taste of History
- 10:00-11:30 – Let’s start the day with a visit to the iconic Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris. After years of restoration following the devastating fire in April 2019, Notre-Dame reopened its doors to the public in December 2024. The masterpiece of French Gothic architecture is free to visit and is open from around 8:00am to 8:00pm. Learn more about visiting the cathedral, as well as reserving an entry time in advance (optional) here. You can also employ a guide to enhance your experience at the cathedral, we recommend this top tour:
- 12:00-1:30 – For a uniquely Parisian experience, enjoy lunch at Le Relais de l’Entrecôte. This restaurant is famous for two things: its long lines, thanks to its “no reservations” policy, and its signature – or should I say only – dish, steak frites with a homemade sauce and walnut salad. It probably won’t be the best steak of your life, but the experience is fun and the fries are excellent. Make sure to budget at least half an hour wait time, but take comfort that the service is super efficient, so the line moves fast.
- 2:00 – 6:00 – To cap off your Paris 5 day itinerary, spend the afternoon at Hôtel des Invalides. If you’re a history buff, this may well be the highlight of your trip – more on this below.
The Details
Hôtel des Invalides
Established in 1670 by King Louis XIV, the Hôtel des Invalides was originally a hospital and retirement home for war veterans. Today, this site houses two main attractions: the Musée de l’Armée (Army Museum) and the Dôme des Invalides (a dome that houses Napoleon Bonaparte’s tomb).
Hôtel des Invalides is a gorgeous architectural work that’s worth passing through even if you decide not to visit the museum (though we really recommend you do, it’s fascinating and very well put-together). The building that houses the Army Museum features a grand, colonnaded courtyard full of antique canons, while the dome is gilded in gold and an impressive 107 m (351 ft) tall. The dome was inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, and it showcases intricate Baroque-style details and a breathtakingly beautiful interior, covered in sweeping frescoes and bas-relief sculptures. This is the final resting place of Napoleon Bonaparte, as well as a few other distinguished military leaders and Napoleon’s son. Give yourself at least 45 minutes here to walk around and soak in all the artistic details.
Inside the Army Museum, you’ll find a masterpiece in storytelling. Covering the period from 1643 to 1871 in the west wing and 1871 to 1945 in the east, here you can discover the tumultuous history of France through a military lens. Exhibits include interactive displays, plenty of storyboards, military instruments, weapons, and outfits, a room full of over 5,000 tiny figurines, and even Napoleon’s actual stuffed horse! That part was a little weird, not gonna lie. We found the displays so comprehensive that we didn’t even use our 5 EUR audio guides, so we would recommend skipping those.
Tickets to the Hôtel des Invalides are 17 EUR (PPass) and can be purchased here. The museum and dome are open from 10:00am to 6:00pm.
Wrapping Up Your Paris 5 Day Itinerary...
We hope you enjoy this Paris 5 day itinerary! Make sure to check out our post 15 of the Best Places to Eat in Paris and 8 Cool Bars in Paris For Exceptional Cocktails to help fill it out with all the best bars and restaurants the City of Lights has to offer. Comment below what you loved most about Paris!
Want a few more ideas of what to add to your Paris itinerary? Check out these top tours:
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