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5 days in Paris

5 days · 26 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.

€1,586estimated 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 5-day plan, day by day

Day 1 · Wednesday — Arrival into the heart of Paris
Easy first day — Left Bank streets, river views, and a classic evening in central Paris
5 stops€124 in stops, for two
Morning
1. 09:00
  Transfer into central Paris and settle into the Left Bank
  Make your way into the Saint-Germain-des-Prés area, drop bags, and get oriented on the surrounding streets before heading out.
  €12 per person
  TIPKeep the first transfer simple and use the nearest RER or taxi option depending on where you arrive.
2. 10:30
  Walk the Luxembourg Gardens
  These formal gardens offer a gentle introduction to Paris, with tree-lined promenades, fountains, statues, and classic green chairs scattered around the lawns. It is an easy place to shake off travel fatigue while taking in elegant everyday Parisian life.
  75006 Paris, FranceFree
  TIPThe chairs around the basin are perfect for a short rest if you want to keep the day light.
Afternoon
1. 12:15
  Lunch around Saint-Germain-des-Prés
  This compact quarter is full of cafés, bakeries, and brasseries on handsome streets that feel unmistakably Parisian. It works well for a first meal because the atmosphere is lively throughout the day and the area is easy to continue exploring on foot.
  €22 per person
  TIPA fixed-price lunch menu usually offers the best value at midday.
2. 14:00
  Cross the Seine to Place de la Concorde via the Tuileries
  This walk links the Left Bank to some of Paris's most recognizable central spaces, moving from the river to broad formal gardens and grand city vistas. The Tuileries provide an open, graceful route with plenty of places to pause and take photos.
  Free
  TIPFollow the central garden paths for the clearest views toward the Louvre and Place de la Concorde.
3. 16:15
  Viewpoint stop at the Eiffel Tower from Trocadéro
  Trocadéro delivers one of the most memorable first views of the Eiffel Tower, with wide terraces and a dramatic open perspective across the city. It is especially rewarding as a simple scenic stop, giving you time to enjoy the monument without committing to a longer queue.
  Free
  TIPLate afternoon light often gives the clearest photos from the upper terrace.
Evening
1. 19:00
  Dinner and evening stroll on Rue Cler
  This food street and its surrounding lanes bring together market energy, neighborhood cafés, and an easy evening pace near the Champ de Mars. It is a pleasant place to settle into the city's rhythm with simple bistro fare and a final illuminated look at the Eiffel Tower area.
  €28 per person
  TIPGo a little earlier on weekdays if you want a quieter table on the street.
Day 2 · Thursday — Louvre and the historic center
Grand museum morning and a full sweep through historic Paris
6 stops€170 in stops, for two
Morning
1. 09:00
  Explore the Louvre Museum
  The Louvre is one of the world's great museums, with monumental galleries, celebrated masterpieces, and an extraordinary setting in the former royal palace. A focused visit works best, mixing a few famous highlights with time to enjoy the building's scale and atmosphere.
  75001 Paris, France€22 per person
  TIPBook a timed entry and choose a short highlight route so the museum stays enjoyable rather than exhausting.
Afternoon
1. 12:30
  Lunch in the Palais-Royal area
  The streets and arcades around Palais-Royal make an elegant break after the museum, with a mix of cafés and classic Parisian facades. The area feels central yet slightly calmer than the busiest museum entrances, which makes it ideal for a midday reset.
  €24 per person
  TIPArcade-side cafés are handy if the weather turns cool or damp.
2. 14:00
  Walk through Île de la Cité
  This island at the center of Paris layers royal, religious, and civic history into a compact walk by the Seine. The quays, bridges, and cathedral setting make it one of the most atmospheric places in the city, even during a short visit.
  Free
  TIPUse the riverside edges for the best views back toward the bridges and surrounding facades.
3. 15:45
  Visit Sainte-Chapelle
  Sainte-Chapelle is a jewel-like Gothic chapel best known for its soaring stained glass, which fills the upper chapel with rich color and light. The visit is compact and visually striking, making it an excellent historic stop in the middle of the afternoon.
  10 Bd du Palais, 75001 Paris, France€13 per person
  TIPLate afternoon light can be beautiful through the windows, but security lines can add time.
Evening
1. 17:15
  Browse the Latin Quarter
  The Latin Quarter combines student energy, older streets, bookshops, and casual places to stop for coffee or a small treat. Wandering here is rewarding because the area feels layered and lived-in, with interesting corners opening up from the busier main routes.
  Free
  TIPTake a few side streets off Boulevard Saint-Michel for a more atmospheric walk.
2. 19:30
  Dinner around Place de la Contrescarpe and Rue Mouffetard
  This old-market quarter is lively in the evening, with a mix of traditional dining rooms, simple wine bars, and a long pedestrian street full of local energy. It is a strong area for an unhurried dinner and a final stroll through one of the Left Bank's most characterful neighborhoods.
  €26 per person
  TIPThe upper end near Place de la Contrescarpe is especially pleasant for lingering after dinner.
Day 3 · Friday — Art, boulevards, and Montmartre
Impressionist masterpieces and a layered evening on Paris's hilltop quarter
5 stops€140 in stops, for two
Morning
1. 09:30
  Visit the Musée d'Orsay
  Housed in a grand former railway station, the Musée d'Orsay is one of Paris's most rewarding museums, especially for Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. The collection is approachable and visually rich, and the building itself adds drama to the visit.
  Esplanade Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, 75007 Paris, France€16 per person
  TIPStart on the upper levels if you want to reach the Impressionist rooms before they grow busy.
Afternoon
1. 12:30
  Lunch near Boulevard Saint-Germain
  The broad avenues and side streets near Boulevard Saint-Germain offer a comfortable lunch stop with many classic café options. It is a good area to pause between museum time and the afternoon because transport connections and walking routes are both simple.
  €24 per person
  TIPA terrace seat is ideal for people-watching if the weather is mild.
2. 14:15
  Galeries Lafayette rooftop and Opéra district walk
  This district brings together grand department-store architecture, wide boulevards, and the theatrical facade of the Palais Garnier area. The rooftop at Galeries Lafayette adds a free panoramic view that helps connect many of the city's major landmarks at a glance.
  Free
  TIPHead to the rooftop first in case access is busier later in the afternoon.
3. 16:30
  Explore Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur
  Montmartre mixes steep lanes, small squares, artists' corners, and broad views over Paris from the hill around Sacré-Cœur. The neighborhood rewards slow wandering, with a village-like feel that contrasts beautifully with the grand boulevards below.
  Free
  TIPWear comfortable shoes for the slopes and steps around the hill.
Evening
1. 19:30
  Dinner around Abbesses and South Pigalle
  The streets below Montmartre are full of modern bistros, wine bars, and casual dining spots set among busy neighborhood corners. It is an excellent evening area because the atmosphere stays lively while still feeling local and walkable.
  €30 per person
  TIPReserve ahead on a Friday evening if you want a sit-down bistro dinner.
Day 4 · Saturday — Markets, Marais lanes, and the Seine
A lively Saturday through elegant squares, historic lanes, and river scenery
6 stops€156 in stops, for two
Morning
1. 09:30
  Breakfast and browsing at Marché Bastille
  This large open-air market is one of the city's most enjoyable weekend scenes, with produce stalls, cheese, breads, and a busy local atmosphere. It gives a vivid sense of everyday Paris while doubling as a flexible stop for breakfast or picnic supplies.
  37 Bd Richard-Lenoir, 75011 Paris, France€15 per person
  TIPGo earlier in the morning for the fullest selection and the easiest browsing.
2. 11:15
  Walk Place des Vosges and the Marais
  The Marais is one of Paris's richest walking neighborhoods, combining aristocratic mansions, older street patterns, stylish shops, and hidden courtyards. Place des Vosges adds one of the city's most beautiful formal squares and a natural pause point during the walk.
  Free
  TIPStep into any open courtyard or passageway you notice; many of the nicest details are just off the main streets.
Afternoon
1. 13:45
  Lunch on Rue des Rosiers and nearby lanes
  This pocket of the Marais is animated and historic, with casual counters, bakeries, and busy pedestrian movement throughout the day. It is a good place for an informal lunch that keeps you in the middle of one of the city's most characterful districts.
  €18 per person
  TIPIt can be crowded on Saturday, so a takeaway option can save time.
2. 15:30
  Visit the Centre Pompidou exterior and surrounding streets
  The Pompidou area offers a striking contrast of bold modern architecture, open public space, and lively surrounding lanes in the Beaubourg quarter. Even if kept to an exterior-focused stop, it gives the afternoon a different visual energy and connects well to the nearby Marais streets.
  Free
  TIPUse the plaza for broad views back to the building's colorful exterior details.
Evening
1. 17:00
  Seine river cruise from central Paris
  A river cruise gathers many of Paris's monuments into one relaxed experience, linking bridges, embankments, and landmark facades from the water. It works especially well in late afternoon or early evening, when the city begins to glow and the pace naturally slows.
  €18 per person
  TIPChoose an open-air upper deck if the weather is clear for the best views and photos.
2. 19:00
  Dinner around Canal Saint-Martin
  The canal area has a relaxed evening mood, with waterside paths, bridges, and plenty of casual dining options in the surrounding streets. It is a pleasant place to end a full sightseeing day with a more contemporary neighborhood atmosphere.
  €27 per person
  TIPThe streets a block or two back from the canal often have easier walk-in options than the waterside corners.
Day 5 · Sunday — Palaces, avenues, and a final Paris walk
A polished last day of royal grandeur, elegant streets, and one more view of the Seine
4 stops€116 in stops, for two
Morning
1. 09:00
  Visit the Palace of Versailles
  Versailles offers ceremonial rooms, sweeping formal gardens, and a powerful sense of royal spectacle on a scale unlike anything in central Paris. The palace is a major sight, and a focused morning visit captures the highlights while still leaving room for a relaxed final afternoon back in the city.
  Place d'Armes, 78000 Versailles, France€21 per person
  TIPArrive on the early side and prebook entry, as Sundays can be particularly busy.
Afternoon
1. 13:45
  Lunch near the Champs-Élysées
  This central area makes an easy return point after Versailles, with many side streets and nearby avenues suitable for a comfortable lunch break. It is best enjoyed as a base for the afternoon rather than just a single boulevard, with plenty of elegant city scenery around it.
  €25 per person
  TIPLook one street away from the main avenue for calmer terraces and better value.
2. 15:15
  Walk the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe
  This famous avenue delivers the ceremonial scale of Paris, with broad pavements, monumental perspectives, and a strong sense of the city's grand urban design. Finishing at the Arc de Triomphe adds one of the capital's most iconic landmarks and a memorable closing photo stop.
  Free
  TIPUse the pedestrian underpass to reach the Arc safely once you arrive at the roundabout.
Evening
1. 17:15
  Final Seine-side stroll from Pont Alexandre III
  This section of the river pairs ornate bridges, broad views, and some of the city's most elegant monumental architecture. It is a fitting last walk, giving you time to absorb the Parisian streetscape one more time at an unhurried pace.
  Free
  TIPPause midway across the bridge for classic views toward the Invalides and the river.
2. 18:45
  Collect bags and transfer for departure
  Return to your accommodation, collect luggage, and continue to your departure point with time in hand.
  €12 per person
  TIPLeave a buffer for Sunday traffic or platform changes if using public transport.

Where to stay

Saint-Germain-des-Prés, 6th arrondissement · about €220 a night Find a hotel here →

Paris, in a few questions

Is 5 days enough for Paris?

5 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 5-day plan, day by day

Day 1 · Wednesday — Arrival into the heart of Paris

Transfer into central Paris and settle into the Left Bank

Walk the Luxembourg Gardens

Lunch around Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Cross the Seine to Place de la Concorde via the Tuileries

Viewpoint stop at the Eiffel Tower from Trocadéro

Dinner and evening stroll on Rue Cler

Day 2 · Thursday — Louvre and the historic center

Explore the Louvre Museum

Lunch in the Palais-Royal area

Walk through Île de la Cité

Visit Sainte-Chapelle

Browse the Latin Quarter

Dinner around Place de la Contrescarpe and Rue Mouffetard

Day 3 · Friday — Art, boulevards, and Montmartre

Visit the Musée d'Orsay

Lunch near Boulevard Saint-Germain

Galeries Lafayette rooftop and Opéra district walk

Explore Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur

Dinner around Abbesses and South Pigalle

Day 4 · Saturday — Markets, Marais lanes, and the Seine

Breakfast and browsing at Marché Bastille

Walk Place des Vosges and the Marais

Lunch on Rue des Rosiers and nearby lanes

Visit the Centre Pompidou exterior and surrounding streets

Seine river cruise from central Paris

Dinner around Canal Saint-Martin

Day 5 · Sunday — Palaces, avenues, and a final Paris walk

Visit the Palace of Versailles

Lunch near the Champs-Élysées

Walk the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe

Final Seine-side stroll from Pont Alexandre III

Collect bags and transfer for departure

Where to stay

Paris, in a few questions

More Paris

Make this Paris plan yours.