Paris Itinerary: How to Spend 3–5 Perfect Days in the City of Light (2025 Update)
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 lies in its pauses: lingering at a café, wandering quiet side streets, and watching the light shift over the Seine.
This Paris itinerary is designed for three to five days, balancing must-see icons with slower, distinctly Parisian moments. It’s also plotted to minimize zig-zagging across the city, because you didn’t come all this way just to ride the Métro.
Whether you’re planning a 3-day Paris itinerary, a 5-day stay, or even a week, use this as a flexible blueprint. And if you’d like to go deeper into one neighborhood, download The Parisialite Edit: Saint-Germain-des-Prés Guide — my curated Left Bank itinerary with 50+ addresses, cafés, and boutiques.
How Many Days Do You Need in Paris?
Most travelers find that five days in Paris strike the perfect balance: enough time for landmarks, shopping, and slow afternoons in cafés.
If you only have three days in Paris, focus on one Right Bank day (Eiffel Tower, Louvre), one Left Bank day (Saint-Germain, Latin Quarter), and one artistic day (Montmartre or Le Marais).
With a full week, you can add day trips to Versailles or Giverny and explore emerging neighborhoods such as Belleville or the Canal Saint-Martin.
For inspiration beyond the tourist trail, browse Things to Do in Saint-Germain Paris and Paris Neighborhoods: Where to Stay for an Epic Visit — both connect seamlessly with this itinerary.
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 — polite basics like bonjour, merci, and s’il vous plaît go a long way.
- Getting Around: Walk when possible; otherwise, use the Metro or buses. Taxis and Uber are pricier and slower, especially in peak traffic.
- Read Next: 10 Social Faux Pas to Avoid in Paris
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.
➡ Related reads:
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 restaurants in my Saint-Germain 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. Plan your route with my Saint-Germain itinerary PDF.
- Shop local favorites from 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.
Related reads:
Where to Stay for a First-Time Visit
- Saint-Germain-des-Prés — Romantic, central, and full of cafés and boutiques (see Saint-Germain my guide).
- Le Marais — Historic and fashionable; read 20 French Brands Like Sézane to shop local style.
- 1st arrondissement — Steps from the Louvre and Tuileries.
More detail in Paris Neighborhoods: Where to Stay for an Epic Visit and 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)
(For ticket tips, see Paris Museum Pass: Is It Worth It?).
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 10 Social Faux Pas in Paris for more.
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.
About the Author
Pamela Clapp is a Paris-based fashion and digital-marketing consultant and founder of The Parisialite, a platform exploring French style, culture, and travel. Her work has appeared in seminars and guides that help travelers experience Paris through a local lens.
