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4 days in Paris

4 days · 21 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.

€1,128estimated 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 4-day plan, day by day

Day 1 · Wednesday — Historic center, Seine views, and an evening by the Eiffel Tower
Classic first look at Paris through its islands, riverbanks, and grand landmarks
5 stops€46 in stops, for two
Morning
1. 09:00
  Settle into the city center
  Make your way into central Paris and get oriented around the Seine so the rest of the day unfolds on foot and by short metro hops.
  €3 per person
  TIPKeep a contactless bank card or transit pass ready for metro gates and buses.
2. 10:15
  Île de la Cité and Notre-Dame exterior walk
  Begin on the island at the heart of Paris, where medieval streets, bridges, and river views give the city an immediate sense of history. The area around Notre-Dame is one of the best introductions to Parisian architecture and makes an easy, scenic first walk.
  Free
  TIPWalk around the cathedral from several sides for the best view of its flying buttresses.
Afternoon
1. 12:15
  Latin Quarter lunch and lanes
  Cross into the Latin Quarter for a lively stretch of old streets filled with cafés, bookshops, and small squares. It is a pleasant place to pause for a relaxed meal and absorb the everyday rhythm of the Left Bank.
  €20 per person
  TIPA fixed-price lunch menu usually offers the best value in this area.
2. 14:15
  Louvre courtyard and Tuileries Garden stroll
  Walk from the river toward the Louvre's monumental courtyards, then continue into the formal paths and fountains of the Tuileries. This route links some of Paris's most recognizable urban spaces and gives a strong sense of the city's grand scale.
  Free
  TIPPause near the garden chairs for a short rest before continuing west.
3. 16:30
  Champs-Élysées to Arc de Triomphe walk
  Continue along Paris's most ceremonial avenue, where broad sidewalks, aligned façades, and steady city energy lead toward the great arch at Place Charles de Gaulle. The walk is less about rushing and more about seeing how the city's formal planning opens into dramatic vistas.
  Free
  TIPUse the underground pedestrian passage to reach the Arc safely.
Evening
1. 19:00
  Trocadéro and Eiffel Tower evening views
  Finish the day at one of Paris's signature viewpoints, where the Eiffel Tower rises across the river and the light changes beautifully after sunset. The broad esplanade and surrounding streets make this a memorable place to end a first day in the city.
  Free
  TIPArrive before dusk for both daylight views and the illuminated tower.
Day 2 · Thursday — Louvre masterpieces, garden avenues, and Saint-Germain
Art-filled day with iconic museum rooms and elegant Left Bank streets
5 stops€174 in stops, for two
Morning
1. 09:00
  Louvre Museum
  Spend the morning in one of the world's great museums, where the collection ranges from ancient sculpture to celebrated European painting. Even a focused visit feels rewarding here, especially when you combine a few famous works with time in the quieter galleries and grand halls.
  75001 Paris, France€22 per person
  TIPBook a timed entry in advance and choose a small number of wings to avoid museum fatigue.
Afternoon
1. 12:30
  Palais-Royal and covered passages lunch break
  After the museum, step into the calmer arcades and gardens around Palais-Royal, then explore nearby historic passages with cafés and specialty shops. This pocket of central Paris feels intimate and elegant after the scale of the Louvre.
  €22 per person
  TIPThe covered passages are especially pleasant if the weather turns cool or damp.
2. 14:30
  Musée de l'Orangerie
  This compact museum offers a beautifully paced art stop, best known for Monet's immersive Water Lilies rooms. The setting encourages a slower visit, with just enough time to appreciate the collection without feeling overloaded after the morning.
  Jardin des Tuileries, 75001 Paris, France€13 per person
  TIPThe Monet rooms are most enjoyable if you linger a little before moving on quickly.
3. 16:30
  Pont Alexandre III and Invalides exterior walk
  Walk west across one of Paris's most ornate bridges, then continue around the esplanades and domes near Les Invalides. The sequence of river, bridge sculpture, and monumental architecture creates one of the city's most polished late-afternoon routes.
  Free
  TIPThis area is excellent for photos when the light softens later in the day.
Evening
1. 18:15
  Saint-Germain-des-Prés dinner and evening stroll
  End on the Left Bank among refined boulevards, literary cafés, and smaller side streets that stay lively into the evening. It is a classic neighborhood for a long dinner followed by an unhurried walk past shopfronts and old church façades.
  €30 per person
  TIPReservations are useful here on Thursday evenings, especially for dinner after 19:00.
Day 3 · Friday — Montmartre, grand boulevards, and a Seine cruise
Village-like hilltop streets paired with classic nighttime Paris views
6 stops€132 in stops, for two
Morning
1. 09:00
  Montmartre walking circuit
  Start in Paris's hilltop neighborhood of stairways, small squares, and shifting city views, where the street pattern still feels distinct from the rest of the capital. The appeal here is in wandering between artists' corners, quiet residential lanes, and sudden panoramas over the rooftops.
  Free
  TIPWear comfortable shoes since the district includes steep slopes and steps.
2. 11:45
  Sacré-Cœur Basilica
  Crowning the hill, the basilica offers a striking interior and one of the broadest viewpoints in Paris from its surrounding steps. It is both a major landmark and a natural pause point in Montmartre, with the city spread out below.
  35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, 75018 Paris, FranceFree
  TIPThe area gets busy by midday, so finishing your Montmartre walk here works well.
Afternoon
1. 13:00
  Rue des Martyrs lunch stop
  Head downhill to this well-loved market street, where bakeries, cheese shops, produce displays, and casual lunch spots create a lively local feel. It is a very good area for assembling a simple meal or sitting down for a classic bistro lunch.
  €20 per person
  TIPGo for a bakery dessert here; the street is especially strong for sweets and snacks.
2. 15:00
  Galeries Lafayette rooftop and Opéra area
  Spend the afternoon around the great department stores and boulevards of the 9th arrondissement, with time for the free rooftop terrace and a look at the Opéra district's grand façades. The contrast between retail energy and Belle Époque architecture makes this area rewarding even without much shopping.
  Free
  TIPHead to the rooftop first in case the terrace closes earlier than the store floors.
Evening
1. 18:30
  Seine river cruise from central Paris
  A one-hour cruise ties together many of the monuments you've seen on foot, this time from the water and in a gentler rhythm. Bridges, embankments, and illuminated façades give the city a different character as evening sets in.
  €18 per person
  TIPArrive 20–30 minutes early to join the next departure without a long queue.
2. 20:00
  Le Marais evening walk and dinner
  Finish in one of Paris's most enjoyable evening districts, where historic streets, small squares, and a wide choice of casual dining keep the neighborhood animated. It is an easy place to wander slowly after dinner and enjoy the city's after-dark atmosphere.
  €28 per person
  TIPWalk a few blocks off the busiest streets for a quieter dinner setting.
Day 4 · Saturday — Musée d'Orsay, riverbank walks, and a final neighborhood afternoon
A graceful last day of Impressionist art and relaxed Parisian streets
5 stops€116 in stops, for two
Morning
1. 09:00
  Musée d'Orsay
  Begin at this outstanding museum in a former railway station, especially strong in Impressionist and post-Impressionist art. The building itself is part of the experience, with airy galleries and memorable views through the giant clock windows.
  Esplanade Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, 75007 Paris, France€16 per person
  TIPSaturday mornings are popular, so a reserved entry time makes the visit much smoother.
2. 11:45
  Seine quays and booksellers walk
  From the museum, stroll along the riverbanks where stone embankments, bridges, and green book boxes capture a timeless image of Paris. It is a simple but deeply atmospheric walk that rewards a slower pace and frequent pauses.
  Free
  TIPKeep some coins or a card handy if you want to browse old prints or posters from the stalls.
Afternoon
1. 13:15
  Lunch around Place Dauphine
  Take lunch near this elegant square tucked behind the western end of Île de la Cité, where the mood feels calmer than the surrounding monuments. The shaded setting and central location make it an excellent midday pause.
  €24 per person
  TIPThis is a good point for a longer sit-down lunch before the final afternoon walk.
2. 15:00
  Jardin du Luxembourg
  Spend the afternoon in one of Paris's most beloved parks, with formal terraces, tree-lined promenades, statues, and plenty of places to sit. It offers a softer side of the city and an easy rhythm for a final unhurried exploration.
  75006 Paris, FranceFree
  TIPPick up a drink or pastry beforehand and enjoy it on one of the garden chairs.
Evening
1. 17:00
  Final stroll through Odéon and Saint-Michel
  Use the last hours for one more wander through Left Bank streets lined with cinemas, bookstores, cafés, and busy corners that feel quintessentially Parisian. This area is ideal for picking up small gifts and enjoying one last café stop before departure.
  €15 per person
  TIPSmall food shops here are good for easy souvenirs that pack well.
2. 19:15
  Departure transfer through central Paris
  Leave central Paris with enough time for the onward connection from your departure point.
  €3 per person
  TIPAllow extra time on Saturday evening when major boulevards can be busy.

Where to stay

2nd arrondissement / Opéra · about €220 a night Find a hotel here →

Paris, in a few questions

Is 4 days enough for Paris?

4 days in Paris gets you the headline sights without rushing, plus a neighbourhood most visitors skip. 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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The 4-day plan, day by day

Day 1 · Wednesday — Historic center, Seine views, and an evening by the Eiffel Tower

Settle into the city center

Île de la Cité and Notre-Dame exterior walk

Latin Quarter lunch and lanes

Louvre courtyard and Tuileries Garden stroll

Champs-Élysées to Arc de Triomphe walk

Trocadéro and Eiffel Tower evening views

Day 2 · Thursday — Louvre masterpieces, garden avenues, and Saint-Germain

Louvre Museum

Palais-Royal and covered passages lunch break

Musée de l'Orangerie

Pont Alexandre III and Invalides exterior walk

Saint-Germain-des-Prés dinner and evening stroll

Day 3 · Friday — Montmartre, grand boulevards, and a Seine cruise

Montmartre walking circuit

Sacré-Cœur Basilica

Rue des Martyrs lunch stop

Galeries Lafayette rooftop and Opéra area

Seine river cruise from central Paris

Le Marais evening walk and dinner

Day 4 · Saturday — Musée d'Orsay, riverbank walks, and a final neighborhood afternoon

Musée d'Orsay

Seine quays and booksellers walk

Lunch around Place Dauphine

Jardin du Luxembourg

Final stroll through Odéon and Saint-Michel

Departure transfer through central Paris

Where to stay

Paris, in a few questions

More Paris

Make this Paris plan yours.