Your Dream Paris Itinerary: How to Spend 3–5 Perfect Days in the City of Light

If it’s your first time in Paris, you probably want to see it all — the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame — but the city’s real magic is in the pauses: lingering at a café, wandering side streets, and watching the light change on the Seine. This Paris itinerary is designed for 3 to 5 days, balancing the big icons with slow, Parisian moments. It’s also laid out to minimize zig-zagging across the city — because you didn’t come all this way just to ride the Metro.

Whether you’re planning a 3-day Paris itinerary, a longer 5-day stay, or even a full week, use this as your flexible blueprint. And if you want to go deeper into one neighborhood, my Saint-Germain-des-Prés Shopping Guide is the perfect companion.

Quick Tips For Your Paris Itinerary Before You Go

• Best Months: May–June and September–October for fewer crowds and lovely weather.
• Currency: Euro (€)
• Language: French (though a few polite phrases go a long way)
• Getting Around: Walk when possible; otherwise, use the Metro or buses. Taxis and Uber are pricier, especially in peak traffic.

Paris Itinerary, Day 1 — The Icons: Eiffel Tower, Trocadéro & the Seine

Morning

• Begin at Trocadéro Gardens for the postcard-perfect Eiffel Tower view. Arrive before 9 a.m. for soft light and fewer crowds. The best spot is the terrace just left of the fountains.
• Head to the tower itself (book on the official site — 60 days ahead for elevators, 14 days for stairs).

Late Morning

• Walk along Rue de l’Université for a quieter Eiffel Tower photo spot framed by Haussmann façades.
• Pick up picnic supplies from Rue Cler — a baguette, cheese, fruit, and a bottle of wine.

Lunch

• Spread out your picnic on the Champ de Mars, watching the Iron Lady from the grass.

Afternoon

• Stroll the Seine to Pont Alexandre III, one of Paris’ most ornate bridges. Continue to Les Invalides, Napoleon’s tomb and the Musée de l’Armée.

Evening

• End your day with a Seine River cruise at sunset (Bateaux Parisiens or Vedettes de Paris both depart nearby). Watching the landmarks light up from the water is unforgettable. For more romantic ideas, see my 10 Romantic Things to Do in Paris.

Paris Itinerary, Day 2 — From the Louvre to Notre-Dame

Morning

• Enter the Louvre Museum via the Carrousel du Louvre underground entrance to skip the main pyramid line. Focus on the highlights — Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus de Milo — to avoid overwhelm. Book timed tickets in advance on the official Louvre site.

Lunch

• Skip the food court and try Le Fumoir, Loulou, or Café Marly for an elegant break.

Afternoon

• Wander Tuileries Garden to Place de la Concorde.
• Cross to Île de la Cité for Sainte-Chapelle’s kaleidoscopic stained glass and the newly restored Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Evening

• Cross to Saint-Germain-des-Prés for dinner — find my favorite addresses in the Saint-Germain Shopping Guide.
• Shopping for keepsakes? My Best Souvenirs from Paris guide has you covered.

Paris Itinerary, Day 3 — Montmartre & Artistic Paris

Morning

• Ride the funicular or climb the steps to Montmartre. Explore Place du Tertre, the terrace of Sacré-Cœur, and charming streets like Rue de l’Abreuvoir. Don’t miss the optical illusion “sinking house” near Sacré-Cœur.

Lunch

• Choose a traditional 9th arrondissement bistro — handwritten chalkboard menus are usually the best sign.

Afternoon

• Admire Impressionist masterpieces at the Musée d’Orsay, housed in a Beaux-Arts train station. Don’t skip the giant clock window for a unique Paris view.

Evening

• Wander the Left Bank, ending with golden-hour views from Pont Neuf.
• Check Paris, Month by Month to see seasonal highlights while you’re here.

Paris Itinerary, Day 4 — Versailles or Off-the-Beaten-Path Paris

Option 1 — Day Trip

• Palace of Versailles: Beat the crowds by starting at Marie-Antoinette’s Hamlet before touring the palace and gardens.

Option 2 — Stay in Paris

• Explore the Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Visit the Panthéon, relax in Luxembourg Gardens, then linger in cafés and boutiques with my Saint-Germain guide.
• Dedicated shopper? Don’t miss my Ultimate Shopping Guide to Paris.

Paris Itinerary, Day 5 — Markets & Hidden Corners

Morning

• Browse Marché d’Aligre (daily except Monday) or Marché Bastille (Thursday/Sunday).

Late Morning

• Explore covered passages like Galerie Vivienne, with mosaic floors, vintage shops, and cozy salons.

Afternoon

• Take your pick: Père-Lachaise Cemetery (Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, Edith Piaf) or Canal Saint-Martin for trendy cafés and street art.

Evening

• End your Paris itinerary with the Eiffel Tower’s nightly sparkle — every hour on the hour after dark.

Where to Stay for a First-Time Visit

• Saint-Germain-des-Prés — Romantic, central, and full of cafés and boutiques (see my guide).
• Le Marais — Historic and trendy, with boutiques and nightlife.
• 1st arrondissement — Steps from the Louvre and Tuileries.

See my full breakdown in Paris Neighborhoods: Where to Stay for an Epic Visit.
For design lovers, check my Fashion Insider Guide to the Most Stylish Hotels in Paris.

Top Sights to Add to Any Paris Itinerary

Eiffel Tower — Paris’ iconic symbol (from $17)
Louvre Museum — The world’s most-visited art museum (from $25.79)
Arc de Triomphe — Monument with rooftop views (from $25.79)
Musée d’Orsay — Impressionist masterpieces (from $18.76)
Sacré-Cœur Basilica — Free, panoramic views of Paris
Notre-Dame Cathedral — Free entry, newly reopened
Luxembourg & Tuileries Gardens — Paris’ most beautiful free parks
Palace of Versailles — Opulent château and gardens (from $24.62)
Sainte-Chapelle — Gothic stained glass wonder (from $22.27)
Pompidou Centre — Modern art & rooftop views (from $19.93)
Panthéon — France’s greatest figures rest here (from $18.76)
Palais Garnier — Paris’ opulent opera house (from $17.58)
Catacombs of Paris — Underground tunnels lined with bones (from $36.34)

Paris Itinerary FAQs

How many days do you really need in Paris?
Ideally, plan 5 days in Paris for a balance of sightseeing and slower Parisian moments. A 3-day Paris itinerary covers the highlights, while 7 days lets you add day trips like Versailles or Giverny.

Do and don’ts in Paris?
Do: greet with bonjour, book tickets in advance, and linger at cafés.
Don’t: expect quick service, eat on the go, or forget to say merci. See my guide to 10 Social Faux Pas in Paris.

Can you do Paris in 4 days?
Yes — 4 days in Paris is enough to see major landmarks (Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Montmartre, Notre-Dame) and one neighborhood like Saint-Germain or Le Marais. Follow the first 4 days of this itinerary.

What area in Paris is best for first-time visitors?
For first-time visitors, the best neighborhoods are Saint-Germain-des-Prés (romantic, central), Le Marais (historic, trendy), or the 1st arrondissement (walkable to landmarks). See my full guide: Where to Stay in Paris.

Paris Itinerary Tips for a Seamless Trip

• Book ahead for Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Sainte-Chapelle, and Versailles.
• Walk whenever possible — Paris is compact and best on foot.
• Visit big sights early or after 5 p.m. to avoid peak crowds.
• Mind Sundays — Shops may close, but parks, museums, and markets are lively.
• Brush up on etiquette with 10 Social Faux Pas to Avoid in Paris.

Final Word

This first time in Paris itinerary blends the must-see landmarks with moments to simply live in Paris — a coffee in the sun, a stroll along the Seine, a quiet bench in the Luxembourg Gardens.

To explore beyond the main sights, my Saint-Germain-des-Prés Shopping Guide takes you into one of Paris’ most elegant neighborhoods, from discreet designer boutiques to cafés where you could happily lose an afternoon.