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Paris, France

3 days in Paris

3 days · 18 stops · France

Paris is made for slow café mornings, museum-hopping, and unhurried walks along the Seine, with each neighbourhood offering its own mood. You can spend one day in elegant boulevards and grand galleries, then drift into smaller streets for bistros, bakeries, and a more local rhythm. It shines in spring and early autumn, but the city has a way of feeling rewarding in any season if you like exploring on foot.

€724estimated for two — on-the-ground estimate, flights not included.

AI-estimated prices · Day 1 starts on a Wednesday · Check opening hours and closing days before you go

The 3-day plan, day by day

  1. Day 1 · Wednesday — Historic Paris and the Seine

    Easy first day with royal squares, river views, and classic Paris monuments

    6 stops€76 in stops, for two

    Morning

    1. 09:00

      Settle into the Opéra and Palais-Royal area

      Begin in the elegant central streets around Opéra and Palais-Royal, an excellent introduction to Parisian boulevards, arcades, and formal architecture. This area is easy to walk and gives the first day a smooth start before moving toward the river and the city's oldest quarters.

      Free

      TIPWalk through the covered passages if the weather turns cool or damp.

    2. 10:30

      Louvre Courtyard and Tuileries Garden stroll

      The Louvre's grand courtyards and the Tuileries offer one of the city's most iconic urban walks, with palace façades, broad gravel paths, and garden statuary. It is a rewarding way to absorb the scale of central Paris without committing to a full museum visit on the first day.

      75001 Paris, FranceFree

      TIPEnter the garden from the Louvre side for the strongest first view across the formal layout.

    Afternoon

    1. 12:30

      Lunch in Saint-Germain-des-Prés

      This classic Left Bank district is full of cafés, brasseries, and side streets that feel unmistakably Parisian. It is a comfortable place to pause for lunch and watch the rhythm of the neighborhood between bookshops, churches, and polished old façades.

      €25 per person

      TIPMenus are often better value at lunch than dinner.

    2. 14:00

      Île de la Cité walk and Notre-Dame exterior

      The historic island at the heart of Paris gathers together river views, bridges, and some of the city's oldest urban scenery. Walking around Notre-Dame and the surrounding quays gives a strong sense of Parisian history and the layered character of the center.

      Free

      TIPWalk the perimeter paths for varied views of the cathedral and the Seine.

    3. 16:00

      Sainte-Chapelle

      Sainte-Chapelle is one of Paris's most dazzling interiors, celebrated for its soaring Gothic space and walls of stained glass. The upper chapel is the highlight, especially when daylight is bright enough to illuminate the deep reds and blues.

      10 Bd du Palais, 75001 Paris, France€13 per person

      TIPSecurity lines can build up, so arriving mid-afternoon is often smoother than late morning.

    Evening

    1. 18:00

      Evening Seine riverside walk from Pont Neuf

      The riverbanks near Pont Neuf and the central islands are especially appealing in the early evening, when the stone embankments and bridges take on a warmer glow. It is a relaxed, scenic finish that ties together many of the city's best-known views in one walk.

      Free

      TIPStay on the upper quays for broader views, then dip down to the riverside paths where open.

  2. Day 2 · Thursday — Art, boulevards, and the Eiffel Tower

    A full day of major museum highlights, elegant avenues, and Paris at its most iconic

    6 stops€168 in stops, for two

    Morning

    1. 09:00

      Musée d'Orsay

      Housed in a grand former railway station, the Musée d'Orsay is one of the city's most rewarding museums for a first visit. Its strengths are Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces, and the building itself adds a sense of scale and drama to the experience.

      Esplanade Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, 75007 Paris, France€16 per person

      TIPGo straight to the upper floors first if you want the best-known Impressionist rooms before they get busier.

    Afternoon

    1. 12:00

      Lunch around Rue Cler

      Rue Cler is a lively market street lined with food shops, bakeries, and casual places to eat, making it an easy and pleasant midday stop. The atmosphere feels local yet accessible, with plenty to browse before or after lunch.

      €22 per person

      TIPPick up pastries or fruit here if you want a light snack for later in the afternoon.

    2. 13:30

      Champ de Mars and Eiffel Tower views

      The long lawns of the Champ de Mars create one of the most recognizable approaches to the Eiffel Tower. Even without going up, this area offers excellent photo angles, broad city vistas, and the unmistakable excitement of seeing Paris's best-known landmark up close.

      Free

      TIPWalk toward the tower from the École Militaire end for the most dramatic reveal.

    3. 15:30

      Arc de Triomphe

      Standing at the top of the Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe is both a national monument and a superb urban viewpoint. The terrace above reveals the striking geometry of Parisian avenues spreading outward in all directions.

      Pl. Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris, France€16 per person

      TIPUse the underground passage to reach the monument safely; never cross the traffic circle at street level.

    Evening

    1. 17:15

      Champs-Élysées promenade

      This famous avenue combines ceremonial grandeur with lively city energy, from major storefronts to broad pavements and polished façades. A walk here works best as a transition between monuments, letting you take in the scale and spectacle of western Paris.

      Free

      TIPThe avenue is long, so choose one section to enjoy at an easy pace rather than trying to cover it all.

    2. 19:00

      Dinner in the Latin Quarter

      The Latin Quarter offers a lively evening mix of old lanes, student energy, and many straightforward dining choices. It is a good place to end the day with a relaxed meal and a final walk through one of the city's most storied neighborhoods.

      €30 per person

      TIPWalk a street or two away from the busiest corners for a more relaxed atmosphere.

  3. Day 3 · Friday — Montmartre and Marais finale

    Village-like hilltop streets, market energy, and a stylish final evening in central Paris

    6 stops€40 in stops, for two

    Morning

    1. 09:00

      Montmartre walking exploration

      Montmartre still feels distinct from the grand boulevards below, with steep lanes, stairways, small squares, and changing views over the city. Walking here is one of the best ways to experience a more intimate and atmospheric side of Paris.

      Free

      TIPWear comfortable shoes, as the area includes hills, steps, and uneven pavement.

    2. 11:15

      Basilique du Sacré-Cœur

      The white-domed basilica crowns the hilltop and pairs a monumental interior with sweeping views from the surrounding terrace. It is one of the city's strongest panoramic stops and a natural centerpiece of any Montmartre visit.

      35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, 75018 Paris, FranceFree

      TIPThe terrace outside can be busy, so step to the sides for a calmer view over the rooftops.

    Afternoon

    1. 12:45

      Lunch near Marché des Enfants Rouges

      The streets around this historic market are ideal for a casual lunch, with food counters and nearby cafés adding plenty of variety. The wider Haut Marais area also rewards a slow wander, with a polished but relaxed feel and many small shops.

      €20 per person

      TIPGo a little before peak lunch hour if you want more choice inside the market.

    2. 14:15

      Place des Vosges and the Marais lanes

      Place des Vosges brings symmetry, brick arcades, and one of the loveliest formal squares in Paris, while the surrounding Marais offers layered medieval and aristocratic streets. This combination makes for an easy, rewarding afternoon on foot with architecture, boutiques, and plenty of small discoveries.

      Free

      TIPSpend a few minutes under the arcades around the square for shade, shelter, and good photo angles.

    3. 16:30

      Centre Pompidou exterior and Beaubourg area

      The Beaubourg quarter adds a more contemporary note, with the Centre Pompidou's bold inside-out architecture contrasting with the older streets nearby. Even from the outside, it is an engaging stop that broadens the sense of how varied Paris can feel from one neighborhood to the next.

      Place Georges Pompidou, 75004 Paris, FranceFree

      TIPUse the surrounding plaza for the best full view of the building's colorful exterior systems.

    Evening

    1. 18:15

      Final evening walk along the Seine from Hôtel de Ville

      A last riverside walk near Hôtel de Ville and the central quays offers a graceful close to the trip, with handsome civic architecture, bridges, and changing evening light on the water. It is a calm way to revisit the city's defining scenery before departure.

      Free

      TIPAim to cross one bridge during the walk for changing perspectives back toward the islands and embankments.

Where to stay

Paris, in a few questions

Is 3 days enough for Paris?

3 days in Paris gets you the headline sights at a brisk pace, with little room for a day trip. The plan below spends every one of them, morning to evening, with what each stop costs.

How many days do I need in Paris?

A long weekend gives you a good first taste, especially if you focus on a few neighbourhoods and one or two major museums. If you want to mix sightseeing with slower café stops and river walks, a few extra days make the trip feel much more relaxed.

When is the best time to visit Paris?

Spring and early autumn are especially pleasant for walking, outdoor cafés, and riverfront time. Summer can be lively and busy, while winter is quieter and works well if you prefer museums and indoor sightseeing.

Is Paris expensive to visit?

Paris can suit a range of budgets, but it is generally not a cheap city. Costs depend a lot on where you stay, how often you eat out, and how many museums or paid attractions you include.

How do I get around Paris?

Paris is easy to explore with a mix of walking and public transport. The metro is usually the quickest way to cover longer distances, while many of the most enjoyable areas are best experienced on foot.

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