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Paris is a treasure of cultural and unique experiences, but 3 days in Paris is a short time to experience all. When you visit the city of Paris, prepare to be enchanted by its timeless beauty and rich cultural heritage. To make the most of your visit, I’ve put together a perfect 3-day Paris itinerary plan for you, so you can see and do as much as possible.

 

Europe is an absolute blast, and I’m sure you can’t wait to explore it. But, let’s face it, our vacations are usually just a few days long. So, we want to maximize every moment, minimize stress, and still have a blast. And Paris? Well, it’s no exception! That’s why I’ve got the perfect Paris itinerary just for you. Let’s make your days in Paris unforgettable!

 

Oh, Paris…

This city fills my heart with joy and sweet memories. 😊

You don’t need to search any longer—go ahead and get your tickets to this beautiful, romantic, lively, and culturally rich place. Paris is calling YOU.

 

I fell in love with Paris at first glance. It was my first time going to Europe, and I am happy that I started my European adventure in this city.

 

Before going to Paris, I heard so much negative feedback from people I know who visited Paris and didn’t like it. It surprised me to hear all of that, as I always thought that Paris was an amazing dream destination to go to. Well…so many people…so many opinions. Trust your guts only. I loved it and would be back for sure.

 

This Paris itinerary should give you an idea of the top activities if you have only three days in this city of Lights.

 

Read further to know what you must see and where to stay in Paris, the cost of Paris attractions, and more.

 

How to Navigate in Paris

The best way to tour Paris is by combining a mix of walking, using the efficient Metro system, and also adding a river cruise along the Seine to see the city from a different perspective. This allows you to immerse yourself in the city’s culture, easily access landmarks, and enjoy scenic views.

 

You can also rent a bicycle in France, Paris. Renting a bicycle in Paris is another fantastic way to explore the city. Paris has a growing network of bike lanes and bike-sharing programs like Vélib‘, which make it convenient and eco-friendly to pedal around and discover the city’s hidden gems.

The Perfect 3 Days Paris Itinerary

Day 1

1.Visit Eiffel Tower

This is an absolute must-see in Paris, especially if you are a first-time visitor—it’s a top priority. You’ll want to experience this iconic landmark twice: once in the daytime and once at night.

Some hacks when visiting the Eiffel Tower

• Go there early to avoid a crowd to take better pictures.
• If you want to get to the top of the Eiffel Tower, buy Paris attractions tickets online. Ticket prices vary. Check the direct access entrance ticket to the Eiffel Tower here.
• If you bought the Eiffel Tower tickets online (for a specific date), come right on time, or you can be denied entry if you are 30 minutes late.
• If you plan to visit the restaurant on the top of the Eiffel Tower, make a reservation prior. Just be patient as most likely there will be lines to go to the top, wait time for an elevator, and go down. You will also have the option to climb the stairs, which offers a fantastic city view.

Don’t forget to visit the Eiffel Tower at night as well, to experience its light show. The nightly show begins right when it gets dark (around 9 PM)  and continues until 1 am, with a brief 5-minute show every hour. The last one is 5 minutes more.

 

Consider the riverside the best place to see the show. Pretty much from any place along the Seine River. The show is amazing. It is always crowded at night, too, just keep that in mind.

2. Take a Break at Park Du Champ

The park is located within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower. It is a nice, quiet public park with a lot of trees and flowers. Nice place for a picnic, reading a book, or just for relaxation.

3. Try the Best Chocolate Croissant and Other Desserts

The selection of deserts in Paris is huge. From my experience, it was so hard to find a chocolate croissant (weird, right?!) in any cafe or restaurant I visited.

 

I finally found it in one of the restaurants, but it did not impress me with its freshness and taste at all :(. The place was really good itself, but the croissant was just ok. As I discovered later, the best croissants and other pastries can be found in the local pastry shops.

4. Take a Seine River Cruise

One of the best things to do in Paris is take a Seine River cruise. The view covers such famous iconic places as the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Musée d’Orsay, Notre Dame, a newly opened Russian church, and more.

 

Several companies sell such tours with different pickup points. I chose the closest to my location, and it was nearest to the Louvre. Tickets can be bought in person or online. The line is usually fast, so it is up to you what way you prefer.

Day 2

1. Visit the Home of the Mona Lisa, Michelangelo, and Others

Yes, that is the Louvre Museum. The busiest days are during the season, June-September. The slowest time is between December and January. Louvre is one of the main tourist attractions in Paris, France as well.

More Hacks for Visiting the Louvre Museum

• Visiting early and after 3 pm is the best option at any time of the year.
• You can buy your skip-the-line guided tour to the Louvre museum here. As a result, you save time and money. There should be a separate line for the ticket holders at the front of the Pyramid.

KEEP IN MIND: The museum is free for children under 18 and for young adults from the European Union under 26 AND  every first sunday, from october to march, the access to the museum is free for all visitors!

• If you have specific masterpieces in mind that you’d like to see, check the museum map first, or you might end up spending hours searching, just like I did when I was determined to find the Mona Lisa.
•  In case there is a huge line at the front of the Pyramid, use another entrance. The entrance of Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre metro station (on line 1), or the one at the 99, Rivoli Street by the Carrousel du Louvre.

2. Visit the Free Public Garden Palais de Tuileries

It is located between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde. After exploring the Louvre, I decided to take a break in this peaceful park. It was such a great experience. The park is like a huge garden with a variety of plants. On a sunny, warm day, it’s the ideal spot to unwind and soak in the beauty.

3. Visit the Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris

Unfortunately, it doesn’t look as beautiful as before and was totally destroyed after the recent fire, but you should go to check it out, anyway. I am so lucky that I had a chance to see that world’s most beautiful piece earlier. That is so sad that there is no chance to experience the same anymore, but we keep our hope that one day it will be fully renovated.

4. Visit Arc de Triomphe

Take a walk in the Champs-Élysées Business District (a good place to shop) and visit Arc de Triomphe, located just at the top of the Champs-Élysées.

Walking around the Arch is free, but to get to the top and enjoy the fabulous Paris view, you will need to pay a fee and climb about 280 stairs. Adult admission is 13 euros  (2023) and is free for kids under 18. Admission is also free if you are a citizen of one of the countries of the EU or are a non-European permanent resident of France (for the age range 18-25 years old).

Find Skip-the-Line Arc de Triomphe Rooftop Tickets here.

5. Enjoy a Classical Concert at One of the Churches in Paris.

I attended the piano concert at one of the small churches and must admit, it was the best concert of my life. It wasn’t crowded, and I was sitting very close to the piano player, so I really enjoyed the play. It will cost you some money, but it is worth it.

 

Planning your vacation in Paris and want to discover surrounding areas in France? Then check out the best day-trips-Paris and plan it ahead.

 

Day 3

1. Spend Quality Time in Montmartre

Exploring Paris with a well-planned day itinerary is the key to making the most of your visit to the City of Love. This activity is one of the fun things to do in Paris as it has everything: a spectacular panoramic city view, iconic architecture, small Parisian streets, great restaurants, and more.

It’s like tackling a massive hill (you’ll understand once you start the climb). I can’t deny I was pretty exhausted from the ascent. Wearing comfortable shoes is a must, as there’s quite a bit of walking involved.

Don’t miss these key streets: Rue des Martyrs, Rue Lamarck, Rue Caulaincourt, and Rue des Abbesses—they’re the heart of the action.

Get your tickets to the Sacré-Coeur and Montmartre Tour with Expert Guide here.

 

*Be aware of the street artists who are going to approach you and tell you how beautiful you are and if you want to get your portrait. Just say NO and move on.

Also, plan your time accordingly, as in Montmartre, you can spend hours.

 

The most impressive historical monument in Montmartre is Sacre-Coeur Basilica. The admission is free, and the views are the best. 

2. Have Lunch on the Scenic Patio

You might experience a grumpy service that happens in Paris, but Parisians love it when you speak their language and smile. So, try to say a few French words in return with a big smile, and you will see a difference.

3. Visit the Canal Saint-Martin

Explore Paris’s charming local eateries, cafes, and boutiques. Sit on waterfront benches and soak in the stunning Parisian views. It’s also a great spot to mingle with the locals.

Enjoy the best breathtaking views from the Seine River by taking the Seine River & Canal Saint-Martin Cruise from Musee d’Orsay.

4. Walk Cross Pont Alexandre III

The bridge itself is gorgeous. It has a gold ornament which makes it unique and applies to this sharp look. Pro-tip: It is also a good spot to take the best pictures of the Eiffel Tower.

 

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