Paris is a city that effortlessly blends history, culture, and romance, making it a dream destination for travelers. Whether you're planning a 2-day Paris itinerary or stretching your visit to 4 days in Paris, maximizing your time is essential.
As someone who has explored the City of Light extensively, I know that the right mix of must-see landmarks, hidden gems, and smart planning can transform your trip from stressful to seamless.
In this ultimate Paris travel guide, I’ll walk you through the best ways to experience the city's iconic attractions, from the Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum to the charming streets of Montmartre and the artistic soul of the Left Bank. I’ll also share insider tips on public transportation in Paris, how to avoid crowds at top spots like Notre-Dame Cathedral, and where to indulge in the best French pastries and Michelin-starred restaurants.
Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, my Paris itinerary is designed to help you navigate the city efficiently while soaking in its unique charm. From choosing the best Paris Metro pass to finding affordable yet stunning accommodations near Champs-Élysées, I’ve got you covered. Ready to make the most of your Parisian adventure? Let’s dive into the ultimate guide to a seamless Paris experience.
First of all, I highly recommend having an internet plan to use your mobile phone in Paris since there is not much free Wi-Fi and it is great to have the possibility of constantly checking what to see and do in Paris or to be able to get a ticket to skip the line at a museum you wanted to visit.
I always choose the iRoamly Travel Sim Card for my trips.
It offers an international SIM or e-SIM card. Through the link above, you will have a discount and internet coverage throughout Europe.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the water in Paris is drinkable. So if you have a water bottle, bring it because you will find multiple places to refill it with drinking water! And before you start packing your suitcase, if you are not a European citizen, you will have to apply for a visa. Learn everything about ETIAS, the new mandatory VISA that you need to enter Europe, which should come into effect in mid-2025.
1. Essential Apps in Paris
Some apps that will be very useful in Paris are:
GOOGLE MAPS
It is essential to have internet and a map app in Paris . It has a very useful function that allows you to calculate the time of a journey at the time you want.
UBER
To travel around Paris in a safer way and reduce the risk of scams when using private transport.
THE FORK
To book restaurants and view ratings and cuisine.
FINDER TOILET
To find public restrooms near your location. Essential .
CHATEAU LA POMPE
This app will show you all the drinking water fountains in Paris.
LIME
To reserve electric bikes and ride around Paris, this app allows you to pay per usage time. You must park in the designated parking lots.
HELLO RATP
To check the status of metro networks and plan routes.
It is very important not to waste time taking subways or buses that are not in operation.
A VPN app to watch and enjoy your content abroad
There are many apps that do not work when you connect to a European network, so a VPN-type app can allow you to simulate that you are connecting from your home country.
This can be essential not only for watching your favorite series or enjoying content from your country, but also for working.
There are many alternatives but the one I use (after having tried several) is NordVPN. There is a one-month trial period (you can cancel it before the month is up and take advantage of it throughout your trip).
2. Where to Stay in Paris
Paris is divided into 20 districts or communes, the famous “Arrondissements de Paris”. To have a good experience in the city and be close to the main activity centres, I recommend that you stay in accommodations between the 1st and 11th arrondissements , that is, with postal codes 75001 and 75011.
If you are a fan of the Eiffel Tower or the Arc de Triomphe , and you are not so interested in being in the center of the scene, your postal codes will be 75015, 75016 or 75017. More residential and quiet areas, surrounded by embassies and diplomacy.
Finally, if you're a spa and wellness fan, here is a rare list of the best spa hotels in Paris.
3. Exchange houses: Where to Exchange Dollars in Paris
As you may know, in Paris, as in the vast majority of European countries, the Euro (€) is the official currency . You will be able to pay perfectly with your credit card, but if you want to do so with cash or paper, dollars will not be accepted anywhere .
There are several exchange offices in Paris, all over the city. If you are exchanging small amounts, they can be useful, but if you need to exchange a large amount of money, the best exchange offices are located a few meters from the Gare de l’Est station .
Normally the exchange rate is the official rate, or the difference is a few cents. We changed our money at the Cen Change house , which is located a hundred meters from the train station and also doesn’t charge commissions, but there are several houses with very good conditions.
4. Public Transportation in Paris
Paris is a super well-connected city with an incredible metro network that will allow you to get to any point in the city easily.
You can also opt for their buses, which will have a greater availability of hours, or directly opt for Uber and/or taxis . I always recommend that if you take a taxi, you look at the meter, make sure it is on and whatever it says is what you should pay. You should not pay extra.
USING PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN PARIS
To travel by metro, bus, funicular or tram , the ticket will cost €2.5. You can get it from the machines at the stations of each transport, or I recommend that you get the famous “Carnets” (10 individual tickets with a small discount — 1 ticket -) at the metro stations, which are valid for all transports.
You should bear in mind that each ticket is one journey. If you take a metro, you can use your ticket, make the connection (correspondence) and once you leave the network, the ticket is no longer valid. If you leave the metro and go to a tram, when changing transport networks, you must use a new ticket.
NAVIGO TRAVEL CARD
The card is super practical and we highly recommend it as it allows you to travel all over the city.
The Navigo card has a monthly charge of €88.4 while the weekly charge is €30 (€25 charge + €5 for the card — non-refundable like the oyster card) and you can use it unlimitedly to travel throughout the region: you can go to the city from the airport, go to Versailles, Disneyland Paris and more.
However, you should keep in mind that the week runs from Monday to Sunday . If you come from Wednesday to Wednesday, you will have to carry it for 2 weeks if you want to use it. On the other hand, it is a card for personal use and if you do not have the photo they ask for (4×4 passport photo) you may be fined at a checkpoint.
There is also the (Navigo) Liberté+ card , which is like a card with balances, which is recharged based on the number of trips. The ticket is cheaper than those issued in paper form and the value of the card is €2.5 .
PARIS BY BIKE
Paris is a city where the maximum speed is quite regulated (maximum 30km/h in most areas) and it is easy to ride a bicycle and there are many cycle paths .
I love it because you avoid the subway and walk around the city.
5. Guide of What to visit in Paris Day by Day
Now, in this guide I have designed a free itinerary for you so you know what to visit in Paris in 1, 2, 3 and even 4 days .
WHAT TO SEE IN PARIS ON DAY 1
I recommend waking up early to make the most of the day . Starting to explore the city at 9:00 am is a great decision .
Tour the Paris Islands
The Île de la Cité and the Île de Saint Louis are the heart of the city. Surrounded by the River Seine, they bear witness to the origins of Paris, although the Île de la Cité is the most touristic.
There you will find Notre Dame de Paris, the Saint Chapelle, the Conciergerie, the Place Dauphine and the Pont Neuf . Landscapes of ancient and medieval Paris , where the power of France has historically resided.
The Île de Saint Louis is more residential and quiet . It is not so touristy and I recommend it for a more casual and relaxed walk through Paris . I love this corner of the city.
VISIT THE LOUVRE MUSEUM
After the Pont Neuf, there is the Pont des Arts that connects us to the Louvre: the cour carré (I love how isolated this courtyard is from the hustle and bustle of the city) and the Pyramid.
If you are going to visit the museum, it is mandatory to get the ticket in advance , otherwise the queues will take up a morning .
If you love art, stay until it closes at 5:30 p.m. Otherwise, I recommend staying for a maximum of 3 hours , since the amount of people will take a lot of your energy and everything will start to become the same.
MUST-SEE SIGHTS IN THE CENTER OF PARIS
- Notre Dame Cathedral.
- Saint Louis Island.
- Palace of Justice & Clock.
- Louvre Palace. Tuileries Garden.
- Lovers’ Bridge (Pont des Arts) and Academy of Arts.
MUSEUMS IN THE CENTER OF PARIS
- Sainte Chapelle. Every day €11
- Conciergerie (Maria Antonietta Prison €14
- Louvre Museum . Wednesday to Monday €22
- Musée d’Orsay . Tuesday to Sunday €17
- Jeu de Pomme . Tuesday to Sunday €12 (
- Orangerie . Tuesday to Sunday €14
CHAMPS ELYSÉES AND WORLD EXHIBITIONS
After having lunch near the Louvre or near the Palais Royale and its beautiful gardens, what could be better than a walk, coffee and shopping on the most famous avenue in the world: Champs Elysées! Of course, keep in mind that if it’s the weekend, it will be crowded.
At the end of the Champs-Élysées is the great Arc de Triomphe. Before you get there you will find luxury shops, tea rooms and iconic restaurants and brands such as Nike and Adidas (with fully equipped shops).
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BRIDGE IN PARIS
At the height of Avenue Churchill, if you turn left, you will see the Invalides in the background . This was a former military hospital that today houses the French Navy Museum and the remains of Napoleon Bonaparte beneath the golden dome , one of the most majestic sights in the city.
Did you get very late while exploring the city? I can assure you that it won’t be a problem, as this part of the city, and all of Paris, is beautiful at night.
Before heading towards the bridge, you will find the Petit Palais on the left . It is a fine arts museum, free and very beautiful and quiet . It has a café with a flower garden where you can have a coffee or lunch.
Following the Seine River , you will arrive from Invalides after a 20-minute walk to the Eiffel Tower.
The architectural complex in front of the Eiffel Tower is the Trocadéro, ideal for morning photo sessions ( click here to book the best souvenir you can take from Paris , photos in front of the Eiffel Tower with a professional photographer).
The Tower is always incredible, but the sunrises and sunsets look even better because of the way it was painted: with an iridescent hue that creates a different sense of three-dimensionality thanks to the different shades of brown in which the floors are painted.
There’s nothing like enjoying Paris from the Seine River.
Near the Tower you will find many restaurants for dinner but on the Trocadéro side you will find options where you will be treated better : from the popular menus of Le Wilson and Le Malakoff , to the level of Café Trocadéro if you are looking for an option with a better view and a nicer place to enjoy, possibly, your first night in Paris .
MUST-SEE THE CHAMPS ELYSÉES AREA AND THE SEINE RIVER
- Champs-Elysées Avenue.
- Alexandre III Bridge and Invalides.
- Arc de Triomphe .
- Lovers’ Bridge (Pont des Arts) and Academy of Arts.
- Trocadero and Eiffel Tower.
MUSEUMS IN CHAMPS ELYSÉES AND SEINE PARIS
- Grand Palais. Every day.
- Petit Palais. From Tuesday to Sunday Free.
- Musée de la Grande Armée, Invalides . Daily €15.
- Yves Saint Laurent Museum. Daily €12.
- Tokyo Palace. Tuesday to Sunday €14.
- Arc de Triomphe . Every day €16.
- Eiffel Tower . Every day from €12.
WHAT TO DO ON DAY 2 IN PARIS: MONTMARTRE AND THE GRAND BOULEVARDS
In the morning, the artists’ quarter is prettier and quieter . From the Moulin Rouge to the Sacred Heart of Jesus at the top of the hill lies the Montmartre quarter .
On this walk through a labyrinthine neighborhood, you cannot miss the artists’ square , Picasso’s workshop, Amelie’s café , or the Plaza de Dalida for its view of the Sacred Heart of Jesus .
It is one of the neighborhoods of Paris that we tour with Loca Suelta in Paris on a guided tour where we visit many more points than those already recommended and where we also invite you to eat a crepe, walking through the most beautiful streets , as Van Gogh, Renoir and Picasso did .
Without a doubt, one of Loca Suelta’s star tours in Paris.
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BUY SOUVENIRS IN PARIS
If you are looking for cheap souvenirs, as you come down from the Sacré-Coeur (where we ended our tour of Montmartre), you will have to be careful of the human beings who will try to put bracelets on your hands and then charge you for them .
They will insist, but don’t let them. Here is a full guide on the neighborhoods where you should be careful in Paris. Walking down Rue de Steinkerque you will find shops selling souvenirs for 1 euro.
But Paris is the city of fashion, luxury and perfumes , so if you are looking for other kinds of souvenirs, we are going to the Galeries Lafayette.
MUST-SEE IN MONTMARTRE
- Sacred Heart of Jesus.
- Moulin Rouge
- Maison Rose .
- Artists’ Square .
- Wall of I love you.
MUSEUMS IN MONTMARTRE
- Montmartre Museum. Daily €15.
- Museum of Romantic Life. Tuesdays to Sundays Free.
OPERA, GALLERIES LAFAYETTE AND GRAND BOULEVARDS
This is the most Haussmannian Paris. When we talk about Haussmann, we are talking about the city prefect who, together with Napoleon III, transformed Paris as we know it today .
This part of the city features department stores such as Printemps and the famous Galeries Lafayette , a large department store selling major brands with one of the most famous views of Paris on the sixth floor. Admission to the viewing platform is free.
DISCOUNTED PERFUMES IN PARIS
Near the Opéra Garnier and the Galeries Lafayette , there is a perfumery called Fragance de l’Opéra at 3 Rue du Helder.
There they serve you in Spanish and in addition to making recommendations for classic perfumes and new products on the market , there is a section of super-cheap perfumes produced in the south of France (classic fragrances but without the packaging of the big brands).
The best part? You’ll get freebies and, depending on the amount you spend, there are discounts for the Loca Suelta community in Paris . Don’t forget to bring a copy of your passport (even if it’s on your phone) to get the extra 12% tax-free discount.
PASSAGES IN PARIS
In this episode we enter the Galerie Vivienne and tour the center of Paris.
You can visit the Opéra Garnier and walk along the grand boulevards of Paris where you will come across famous passages such as Passage Panoramas, Passage Verdeau and the Galerie Vivienne.
This area is full of restaurants, even in the Panoramas passage, and the Parisian nightlife is super lively! It is also a great place to have an aperitif and take advantage of the happy hour that is everywhere.
MUST-SEE IN THE PARIS OPERA AREA
- Opera Garnier.
- Passage Viviene.
- Place des Victoires.
- Palais Royale.
- Galeries Lafayette.
- Place Vendôme
MUSEUMS NEAR THE OPERA
- Opera Garnier . Tuesday to Sunday €15.
- Hôtel de la Marine . Wednesday to Monday €17.
- Musée d’Orsay . Tuesday to Sunday €17.
DAY 3 IN THE MEDIEVAL PARIS: REVOLUTIONS
It’s time to visit one of my favourite neighbourhoods in Paris: the Latin Quarter. It’s the university district, the neighbourhood of legendary cafés, the neighbourhood of philosophers such as Deleuze, Simone de Beauvoir, Jean Paul Sartre, Foucault and Julio Cortázar.
You will find the scene of May ’68 in France between Boulevard Saint Germain and Place de la Sorbonne.
You will also find the Pantheon in Paris with the remains of illustrious figures from the revolution to the present day and the Emily district in Paris .
Finally, the Luxembourg Garden is the ideal place to rest and get some fresh air, just as Marie de Medici did when she adopted it as her residence in 1612.
To learn more about what to visit in the Latin Quarter of Paris , book our semi-private tour of the Quartier Latin where we also enjoyed a coffee on a typical terrace , by clicking on this link.
You can have lunch in the Latin Quarter (a wide range of cuisine) and then cross the Seine to visit the Le Marais district .
MUST-SEE IN THE LATIN QUARTER OF PARIS
- Shakespeare And Company Bookstore.
- Emily neighborhood in Paris.
- Luxembourg Gardens .
- Saint André Market .
- Sorbonne University.
MUSEUMS IN THE LATIN QUARTER OF PARIS
- Cluny Museum . Tuesday to Sunday €14.
- Pantheon . Monday to Sunday €15.
- Musée d’Orsay . Tuesday to Sunday €17.
MEDIEVAL AGE AND INDEPENDENT DESIGN IN LE MARAIS
It is a neighborhood full of design, museums and ancient medieval palaces housed in cultural exhibition centers or big brand stores .
It is also the Jewish quarter of Paris where we can enjoy Yiddish cuisine along the also commercial rue de Rosiers .
You will be able to visit the first covered market in Paris, the Market of the Red Children, Renaissance palaces and gardens such as the Hotel de Sully and also the first square in the city, the Place des Vosgues .
Museums include the Pompidou Cultural Centre, the Jay Gicnac Museum and the highly recommended Carnavalet Museum, which traces the history of Paris from ancient times to the 20th century.
On one of the corners of the Place des Vosgues you can also visit the house of Victor Hugo , one of the most important French novelists and politicians of the 19th century (free entry).
We invite you to tour the neighborhood with us on our Le Marais neighborhood tour, by clicking on this link.
It is an ideal area to have an aperitif in one of the bars on Rue de Temple or Rue des Archives. If you are looking for a more touristy and youthful circuit, I recommend Rue Gamin, a few metres from the Bastille.
The neighborhood is full of LGBT+ Parisian emblems and its nights are super lively.
MUST-SEE IN THE PARIS OPERA AREA
- Places of the Vosges .
- Sully’s Hotel.
- Pompidou Cultural Centre.
- Rue des Rosiers.
- Saint Paul Church.
- Town Hotel .
MUSEUMS IN LEMARAIS
- Musée Carnavalet . Tuesday to Sunday Free.
- National Archives Museum . Tuesdays to Sundays Free.
- Shoa Memorial . Free from Sunday to Friday.
- Georges Pompidou Cultural Centre . Daily €15.
SPEND A DAY AT VERSAILLES
The Palace of Versailles is located 1 hour from Paris . I highly recommend that you visit it on a guided tour as there is a lot to see and this way you will save time and above all, you will be able to visit everything there is to see.
VERSAILLES IS NOT JUST A PALACE
In addition to the palace, where you can visit the hall of mirrors, Marie Antoinette’s room and Louis XIV’s bedroom .
The Gardens of Versailles are the most beautiful in the world
Possibly the biggest attraction of this complex and that is why I recommend you take a guided tour. The tour that our travelers book most often at the agency is the Tour of the Gardens of Versailles with entrance to the Palace.
Spend a morning at this scenic beauty and you should keep in mind that the fountains are on at weekends , so the fascination will be greater (between April and October inclusive). But they will be working at certain times and in a special sequence (that is why I insist you go with a guided tour or someone who knows the dynamics).
The trianons, especially the Grand Trianon , restored by Napoleon III , will complete the visit. They were built for Louis XV to get away from court life and the farm was built by Marie Antoinette , along with the Petit Trianon, to spend time with her children and take care of their upbringing.
6. Museums to visit in Paris
Paris is a city with an endless cultural life, so if you like history and art, I would plan in great detail the museums to visit in the city . In this article I tell you which are the TOP 5 museums to visit in Paris and in this other article I share with you the list of free museums in Paris.
However, if you are only in the city for a few days, these are 3 museums that will undoubtedly impress you.
Louvre Museum in Paris
When we talk about the Louvre, we are talking about the most important and famous museum in the world , and also about its main star: The Mona Lisa .
It’s a small citadel inside, it’s like a neighborhood in Paris and if you like and appreciate art, we recommend a guided tour. It really is a museum to visit several times. We ourselves at Loca Suelta in Paris go once a month and always discover new places.
I highly recommend a guided tour so that in the two or three hours that your mind is focused, you can see the most important things in this majestic museum.
VISIT THE MUSEUM D’ ORSAY, VAN GOGH, MONET, DEGAS AND MUCH MORE
It is the museum of the impressionists of Paris, located in the old Orsay station .
Museum of Invalides
The Musée des Invalides is one of my favourites . It is a museum of the history of the war in France , but it was formerly a hospital for war veterans built by Louis XIV. Under the great dome are the remains… sarcasm… of NAPOLEON BONAPARTE !!
Paris is a city full of museums and this is just a TOP 3 in our opinion. Obviously, you should not miss visiting the gardens and the Palace of Versailles. Ideally, on a guided tour as the trip is long and there is a lot to see.
We cannot forget the Navy Museum , the Stock Exchange Museum, the Orangerie Museum, the Pantheon, the Saint Chapelle or the Georges Pompidou Museum of Contemporary Art as some of the most notable.
7. Gastronomy: What to Eat in Paris & Typical French Dishes
Among the variety of dishes and typical foods, we could say that you will know French gastronomy if you check at least 5 points on this list:
Croissant
It is the country of flour, so if you don’t have problems with it, having a coffee with a croissant is a must .
Try a good Baguette
The baguette is at the heart of gastronomy and a French person can easily spend their evenings with wine, baguettes and cheese .
In the boulangeries (bakeries), you will find a wide variety of sandwiches or baguettes with all kinds of ingredients and they are exquisite .
Escargots
These are the famous snails . It’s impressive, isn’t it? Believe me, they are delicious because the art is in the garlic sauce, parsley and butter or lard in which the snail is cooked .
They are often served in their own little houses (shells), eaten with special cutlery and are a delicacy of French gastronomy.
Foie gras
It is a refined pate made from duck or goose liver paste . The art of foie gras lies in the animal’s diet. Lately, it has started to generate a lot of resistance from vegan sectors and animal rights activists.
It is an entry on many menus in Parisian bistros .
Coq au vin
A historical recipe . It is a traditional chicken stew cooked in red wine with onions, mushrooms and bacon . Super tasty.
Canard or duck
The famous duck à l’orange, always accompanied by potatoes . Although duck meat is a bit greasy , it is a very delicious dish and typical of several French regions .
Ratatouille
They are cooked vegetables that include courgettes, zucchini, eggplant, carrots, tomatoes, peppers and aromatic herbs. They can be stewed . The famous Raratouille that the critic tastes in the movie about the little mouse who cooks.
Beef Bourguignon
It is a classic of traditional French cuisine. It is a stew in which the meat is left to rest for 24 hours with a broth, red wine, peppers, carrots and aromatic vegetables and then everything is cooked over a low heat for at least 4 hours.
It can cook for up to 8 hours or more! The broth becomes super creamy and it is a dish that I highly recommend you try .
Crepes
The crepe dough is super thin and can be made either sweet or savory. You can add chocolate, strawberries, sugar and lemon.
Macarons
They are like little cakes or alfajores (a chef heard me say this and it kills me) made with almonds, sugar and egg whites. They are dry on the outside and soft, delicately filled on the inside. An exquisite array of colours, ideal to accompany a coffee.
Quiche Lorraine
Quiche is a classic lunchtime treat in Paris. It is a puff pastry tart filled with beaten eggs, cream, bacon and cheese. It can also be topped with other ingredients such as salmon and broccoli, mushrooms and/or onions.
Onion soup
Onion Soup , obviously much better for cold weather, but can be eaten all year round. The onion is cooked in white wine and served with a piece of garlic bread, olive oil and melted cheese on top .
Patisserie in general : éclairs, fruit tartlets, mille-feuille and more. Pâtisseries (pastries) in Paris are a true institution.
There are thousands of restaurants and cafes to eat in Paris . Below we will list some that are emblematic and classic, but generally, they do not fail.
