Paris Itinerary 2026
Paris is endlessly layered — there is no "done with Paris." This 5-day itinerary covers the iconic landmarks (Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Montmartre) alongside the neighbourhood markets, hidden courtyards, and classic bistros that define the city for anyone who's stayed longer than a weekend.
Paris Travel Guides
Day-by-Day Paris Itinerary
Icons: Eiffel + Champs-Élysées
Eiffel Tower
Book tickets online in advance (summit: €29.40). Arrive at 9am when it opens to beat the crowds. Walk the Champ-de-Mars gardens below for the classic photo before going up.
Musée d'Orsay
The world's finest Impressionist collection in a stunning Beaux-Arts railway station (€16). Book online. Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, and Degas are all here.
Champs-Élysées + Arc de Triomphe
Walk or take the metro to the Arc de Triomphe (climb to the top for €13 — sunset views are spectacular). Dinner in the 8th or a brasserie near Saint-Germain.
Tip: The Paris Museum Pass (€52/2 days, €66/4 days, €78/6 days) covers free entry to 50+ museums. Worth it if you're visiting the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, and Versailles.
Louvre + Le Marais
Louvre Museum
Book timed entry online (€22). Allow 3–4 hours minimum. The Winged Victory of Samothrace, Venus de Milo, and Mona Lisa are in different wings — download the floor plan.
Le Marais neighbourhood
Walk through the covered Passage du Grand Cerf, then explore Le Marais — Paris's most vibrant neighbourhood. Place des Vosges (Paris's oldest square), the Picasso Museum (€14), and dozens of independent boutiques.
Ile Saint-Louis + Notre-Dame
Notre-Dame's exterior is now fully restored (interior re-opens late 2024). Walk across to Île Saint-Louis for Berthillon ice cream (best in Paris). Dinner near the Seine.
Montmartre + Sacré-Cœur
Sacré-Cœur Basilica
Take the funicular up the butte (metro ticket, free). The interior is free; the dome climb (€8) gives the highest views in Paris. Arrive by 9am before the crowds.
Montmartre Village
Wander the village streets: Place du Tertre (artists' square), Dalí museum, Moulin de la Galette, and the vineyard. Lunch at one of the side-street bistros — avoid the main square restaurants (tourist traps).
Pigalle + Canal Saint-Martin
Aperitif in Pigalle or South Pigalle (SoPi) — Paris's most fashionable bar neighbourhood. Alternatively, evening stroll along Canal Saint-Martin past its iron footbridges and hipster bars.
Tip: Walk down from Sacré-Cœur via the vineyard stairs rather than the main steps — you'll pass the most charming streets of the butte with far fewer crowds.
Versailles Day Trip
Palace of Versailles (45 min by RER C)
Book palace tickets well in advance (€21.50). Arrive at 9am when it opens. The Hall of Mirrors and State Apartments require 2–3 hours alone.
Gardens + Trianon Palaces
The formal gardens are free to walk (fountain shows cost €10 on weekends). The Grand Trianon and Marie Antoinette's Petit Trianon are less crowded than the main palace and equally beautiful.
Return to Paris + Seine cruise
Return by 5pm. Evening Seine boat cruise (Bateaux Parisiens, €17) at sunset is one of Paris's most romantic experiences. Dinner in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
Markets + Farewell Paris
Marché Bastille or Marché d'Aligre
Paris's best food markets run Saturday and Sunday mornings. Try local cheeses, charcuterie, and fresh oysters. Marché d'Aligre has an adjacent flea market.
Palais Royal + Covered Passages
Walk through the neoclassical Palais Royal gardens, then explore the 19th-century covered arcades: Galerie Vivienne, Galerie Véro-Dodat, and Passage Jouffroy.
Dinner + Airport
Farewell dinner at a classic Parisian brasserie — Bofinger (Bastille) or Le Grand Colbert (near the Palais Royal). CDG is 45 min by RER B from Gare du Nord.
Tip: Buy a Navigo Easy card on arrival for unlimited metro/bus travel. A single metro ticket is €2.15; a carnet of 10 is €17.35. The RER B to CDG airport costs €11.80.
Practical Information
April–June (spring): mild weather, Paris in bloom, fewer crowds than summer. September–October for comfortable temperatures and off-peak prices. July–August is peak season.
Metro and RER are excellent (€2.15/trip). Walk whenever possible — Paris's best discoveries are on foot. Vélib' bike share is great for flat areas like the Marais and Canal Saint-Martin.
€150–250/day (mid-range). Budget travellers: €70–120/day in hostels and boulangerie lunches. Dinner at a decent bistro: €25–40/person with wine.
Book museum tickets and the Eiffel Tower online before you go — queues at popular attractions can be 2–3 hours long without pre-booked timed entry.
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Paris Itinerary: FAQs
How many days do you need in Paris?
4–5 days covers the main highlights. 7–10 days lets you explore every arrondissement properly. Many people return multiple times — Paris is that kind of city.
What is the best area to stay in Paris?
Le Marais (3rd/4th) for a central, walkable base. Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th) for a classic Left Bank feel. Opera/Grands Boulevards (9th) for affordable hotels near major transport links.
Is Paris expensive?
Paris is moderately expensive. A coffee at a pavement cafe: €2–3. Lunch at a brasserie: €15–25. Museum entry: €15–25. Staying in hostels and eating at boulangeries and markets can keep costs to €60–80/day.
Is Paris safe for tourists?
Yes, though pickpocketing is common around the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, and metro line 1. Keep bags zipped in front of you on the metro. Beware of "petition signers" and "gold ring" scams near tourist sites.