2 Days in Paris – Quick Itinerary with Hotels & Resto Tips

Bonjour, traveler! Planning a quick trip to Paris and want to make the most of your time? This guide will show you how to explore all the must-see attractions in just 2 days!

Here at Miss Tourist, we have collectively spent over 6 years in Paris and here is our best-of-the-best itinerary!

From the iconic Eiffel Tower to the shopping frenzy at Champs Elysées to the Louvre and the romantic Montmartre, you can squeeze in all these beauties and more!

I’ll also share recommendations for the best hotels, restaurants, and experiences, plus tips to help you get around easily. By the end of this guide, you’ll have everything you need for the perfect Paris trip!

Quick Picks for Your Stay

Don’t have time to read? Download my Google Maps itinerary with the following stops:

• Day 1: Les Invalides, Eiffel Tower, Trocadero, Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysées, Place de Concorde, Tuileries Gardens, Louvre, Notre Dame
• Day 2: Optional Seine Cruise, Basilica of Sacré Coeur, Place du Tertre, Moulin Rouge, Quartier Latin

Here are the best hotels to book in Paris near the start of this itinerary:

And these are the best experiences to reserve in advance as part of the itinerary:

Here’s a handy map with all the stops in this 2-day Paris guide:

Day 1 – Central Paris, the main attractions

NOTE: I made this itinerary imagining you have 2 full days to explore Paris. If you arrive in the afternoon of Day 1 and only have the whole of Day 2 to explore, switch the itineraries and start from Day 2 at Montmartre. Trust me, it’s for a good reason (to catch a perfect sunset, but more on that later!).

As you can imagine, 2 days of city hopping in Paris is far from enough to get to know all its attractions. Still, you can see all the highlights!

The good thing about Paris is that its highlights are mostly located by (or within easy walking distance from) the Seine River. You basically have to make one long walk (around 10 km or 6.2 miles) to see them all!

For your convenience, I present the attractions below in the order they’re best to visit. The route for Day 1 is 100% walkable, and I’ll give you detailed information on how much time I suggest you spend on every attraction + how long it takes to walk from one place to another!

I recommend starting your day early; 8:30 AM would be perfect!

TIP 1: If you’re flexible with accommodation, pick a hotel closer to the start of the route or anywhere along it (near the Seine River in central Paris) for easy access to attractions and the metro.

TIP 2: If you’d rather not walk from one attraction to the next due to mobility or other reasons, the Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off stops at most attractions!

NOTE: I will write the ticket price of each attraction with paid entry. If there’s no price information about an attraction, it means it’s free.

1. Breakfast in a local bakery (8:30 AM to 9 AM)

To start your day off, either have breakfast in your hotel if you have that included, or stop by at a bakery for some fresh croissants! I loved buying ham and cheese croissants in Paris, they have such a unique taste, but the almond ones are also delicious!

Save yourself time and just have breakfast in a nearby bakery (they are everywhere) instead of looking for some very special place to eat. You’re short on time, after all!

Rue Saint Dominique is packed with bakeries and they’re all close to the start of the itinerary! My recommendation for La Parisienne (map), I used to eat here all the time.

2. Eiffel Tower and Champs de Mars (9 AM to 10 AM)

● Suggested visit time: up to 1 hour
● Nearest metro station: Bir-Hakeim (Line 6)
● Eiffel Tower ticket price: €22,60

Start Day 1 symbolically from the very symbol of Paris – the Eiffel Tower!

The Eiffel Tower was built for the World’s Fair in Paris in 1889. The 324-meter tall monument has quickly become the tourist-favorite spot in the city.

First, I suggest walking or taking the metro (depending on where your hotel is) to Champ de Mars (map). Champ de Mars is a large green space just beneath the tower, and you can take all the cool pictures or admire all the sights of the tower from here. Maybe even bring your food here for the ultimate Parisian breakfast experience!

Now I know what you may be thinking: I’m going to Paris, I must get to the top of the Eiffel Tower! But before you do that, hear me out: I actually advise against climbing the tower when you’re in town for just 2 days. It’ll take at least 2 hours for the whole thing (if you are lucky).

There are much better spots for captivating views of Paris where you can see the Eiffel Tower as well; I’ll mention them further below!

But if you’re still dying to climb the Eiffel Tower and there’s no stopping you, check out our guide on buying tickets the right way!

3. Trocadero (10:15 AM to 11 AM)

● Walking time from the Eiffel Tower: 15 minutes
● Suggested visit time: up to 45 minutes
● Nearest metro station: Trocadéro (Lines 6 and 9)

Trocadero is mainly known as this huge complex with museums, sculptures, and large gardens, but it’s also the main vantage point for capturing those Insta-perfect pictures of the Eiffel Tower! This (map) is the exact place I’m talking about.

I recommend spending anywhere from 10 minutes (just see the views and keep walking) up to 40 or 45 minutes here if you want to walk around the area.

NOTE: If you’re visiting in spring, you’ll LOVE all the blooming flowers around Champs de Mars and Trocadero, and you may need to factor in a bit more time for photo stops! I remember posting a whole folder of photos with different spring beauties in these 2 places.

4. Arc de Triomphe (11:30 AM to 12:30 PM)

● Walking time from Trocadero: 25 minutes
● Suggested visit time: 1 hour (if climbing the Arc)
● Nearest metro station: Charles de Gaulle-Étoile (Lines 1, 2, and 6)
● Ticket price: €16

After taking in all the views at Trocadero, start going up Avenue Kléber until you reach Arc de Triomphe.

INSIDER TIP: Since this is a steep climb, you can also take a quick metro ride from Trocadero to Arc de Triomphe (Green Line 6), which will take 10 minutes. I recommend the metro especially if you make longer stops at previous attractions just to catch up on time.

Built in 1806 to commemorate the fallen soldiers of France, the Arc de Triomphe also marks the Western end (or beginning) of Champs Elyées.

Now, remember those nice views of the city + Eiffel Tower I mentioned above? You can take the 284-stair way up the Arc de Triomphe for some cool views, it’ll take much shorter! Another cool thing is that you can see all 12 radiating avenues ending at Arc de Triomphe right under your feet.

Set aside at least 60 minutes if you want to climb. If not, just stroll around and marvel at the details before continuing to Champs Elysées.

5. Champs Elysées (12:30 PM to 1:30 PM)

● Walking time from Arc de Triomphe: 1 minute
● Suggested visit time: 1 hour
● Nearest metro station: Champs-Élysées – Clemenceau (Lines 1 and 13)

Champs Elysées is the most famous avenue in Paris. It’s 1.9 km (1.17 mi) long and stretches from Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde, your next stop on the itinerary. The French call it the most beautiful avenue in the world, and indeed, you’ll find the whole street lined with trees, vibrant cafés and restaurants, and shops of all kinds.

There’s always something going on here, but since you’re limited in time, I suggest just walking the perimeter of the street to feel the vibe and then moving forward. A straight walk through the street takes 30 minutes, but count in another 30 to 45 minutes for photo stops or a coffee break. You don’t want to rush it either!

This is also a great time to grab lunch if you get hungry. You can find some really nice bakeries and French restaurants for all tastes and budgets here.

There’s this iconic spot for traditional Parisian macarons, it’s called Ladurée (map), so try it if you’re interested! And Café Joyeux (map) is a super cute café/restaurant that hires people with disabilities and makes amazing food!

6. Pont Alexandre III & Place de Concorde (1:30 PM to 2:15 PM)

● Walking time from Champs Elysées: 5 minutes
● Suggested visit time: 45 minutes
● Nearest metro station: Concorde (Lines 1, 8, and 12)

As you descend from Champs Elysées towards Concorde, I recommend you turn right after the Général Charles de Gaulle statue (map) on Winston Churchill Street. Descend by the river and meet the glorious Pont Alexandre III – the most beautiful bridge in Paris!

This lovely bridge connects the Grand Palais, this huge exhibition hall all in glass domes, with Les Invalides, another important attraction where the Tomb of Napoléon is.

As you walk forward (without crossing the bridge), you’ll reach another iconic monument and square: Place de la Concorde (map) with its Luxor Obelisk! This place is most popular for being the spot where public executions took place during the French Revolution, but today, it’s a central place connecting different areas of Paris.

Just take in the views from the bridge and snap a few photos, then continue the walk towards Tuileries Garden.

7. Tuileries Garden (2:20 PM – 3:00 PM)

● Walking time from Place de Concorde: 5 minutes
● Suggested visit time: 45 minutes
● Nearest metro station: Tuileries (Line 1)

The Tuileries Garden is one of my favorite spots in Paris. This historic green space separates the Louvre from Place de la Concorde, and initially, it was built as part of a royal palace.

A walk here in spring and summer is especially beautiful, but you can pass here any time of the year. Beautiful landscaping, sculptures, fountains, and places to sit make this an ideal spot to take a break from all the walking.

8. Louvre (3:05 PM – 5 PM)

● Walking time from Tuileries Garden: 4 minutes
● Suggested visit time: 2 hours
● Ticket Price: €22
● Nearest metro station: Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre (Lines 1 and 7)

Exiting the Tuileries Garden, you’ll walk straight into the Louvre complex (map). Now if you were to ask me, should you climb the Eiffel Tower or see the Louvre if you’re staying only for 2 days, I’d definitely say go for the Louvre.

2 hours to see this museum is far from enough, but if you buy your tickets in advance and plan your visit wisely, you can skip the lines and see the highlights.

TIP 1: For visits up to 2 hours, focus on the Denon wing as this section has the most iconic artwork, including the Mona Lisa and Winged Victory of Samothrace. There’s also this guided 2-hour highlight tour of the Louvre, but make sure to fit the visit time (their 2:30 slot could work for this itinerary).

NOTE: The Louvre is open until 9 PM on Wednesdays and Fridays, so if you visit on any of these days, you’re in luck! Otherwise, it closes at 6 PM. The museum is closed on Tuesdays.

You can also just walk around the outside premises of the museum, where you can snap some photos of the iconic Louvre Pyramid and continue walking further.

TIP 2: You’d love to explore a French museum but find the Louvre too overwhelming for such a short time? Musée d’Orsay is way smaller, it’s centrally located, and has iconic works of Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, and other famed artists! 2 hours for this museum is more than enough.

9. Notre Dame (5:20 PM – 6:20 PM)

● Walking time from the Louvre: 20 minutes
● Suggested visit time: up to 1 hour
● Nearest metro station: Cité (Line 4)

At the time of writing, the Notre Dame Cathedral is still not open to the public following the big fire in April 2019. We will remove this note as the cathedral re-opens. Scheduled for December 2024.

Notre Dame, the iconic medieval church that has appeared in numerous books, movies, and songs, is yet another symbol of Paris. The cathedral’s construction started in 1163 and ended in 1345 (for the most part). Since its construction, Notre Dame has become one of the most important buildings in Paris.

After a fire in 2019, Notre Dame was carefully restored and is now open again, ready for visitors to enjoy its beautiful architecture and deep history!

You can just enter the cathedral and walk around or you could also go up the tower to see the view. Just note there are over 280 steep steps to the top, and it can be hard on the knees! Keep in mind that in this case it will of course take much longer too, about 1,5 h with all the lines and going up and down. But since you are so short on time, I would recommend just simply walking inside the cathedral, it is stunning!

10. Free time

That’s it for Day 1! After you’re done with Notre Dame, you have free time to do some shopping in the area or just hit a nice restaurant for dinner.

I recommend a stop at Shakespeare and Co. for book lovers (just in front of Notre Dame) and Bistro des Lettres (map) for dinner! This bistro has a cool concept where, after dinner, they give you a small letter to write to yourself (or someone else) that they send out next year! So nice!

There’s also this really nice piano bar (map) with live music, but the area brims with fun places to explore, especially just across the river in Marais. I’m sure you’ll find something that suits your taste!

TIP: Want to spend your evening with the most romantic views of Paris and the Eiffel Tower? Take a metro to Montparnasse Tower (map) and climb the observation deck for a nice surprise! Line 4 goes there directly from Cité to Montparnasse – Bienvenüe station, so you’ll be there in less than 20 minutes!

Finally, for the cruise fans, you can go on an evening dinner cruise on the Seine. They usually start around 8:30 PM aaaand some of them include a dinner too!

Day 2 – Montmartre, the artsy side of Paris

On Day 2, we’re climbing uphill and are going to explore the most romantic part of Paris – the Montmartre hill!

Montmartre is a perfect place to get lost in the traditional artsy Parisian atmosphere and is filled with charming narrow cobblestone streets, street artists on small squares, romantic vistas, and delicious cafés.

REMINDER: If you start your 2-day trip to Paris in the afternoon rather than early morning, feel free to swap the itineraries and do the Montmartre attractions on Day 1. You’ll be rewarded with the most amazing sunset views at the start of your visit!

1. (Optional) Seine Cruise (10 AM to 11 AM)

● Departure point: 7 Port de la Bourdonnais
● Nearest metro station: Alma-Marceau, Pont de L’Alma (RER)
● Link to book: 1-hour cruise
● Price: from €19

Now, after breakfast and before Montmartre (and if you haven’t already done the evening cruise), you can hop on a ride along the Seine. I recommend the cruise just to get one more nice look at the riverside and the attractions from another angle, but this is definitely not a must-do.

The cruises typically last up to 1 hour, so if you start early (the first cruise is at 10 AM), you’ll still have enough time to see the other attractions for the day.

For more details on different types of cruises on the Seine River, check out our dedicated guide on the topic!

I honestly enjoyed my time on the cruise, especially the view of the Notre Dame church.

2. Get to Montmartre (11 AM – 11:30 AM)

● Departing metro station: Alma Marceau
● Arriving metro station: Abbesses
● Commute time: 28 minutes

After the cruise, hop on the Alma-Marceau metro and take this metro route (Line 9 to Havre – Caumartin, then Line 12 from Saint Lazare to Abesses).

In less than 30 minutes, you’ll be in the heart of Montmartre, the most bohemian area of Paris.

As you exit the metro and on the way to the Sacré Coeur Basilica, you’ll pass by the iconic Wall of Love (map) with “I Love You” written in dozens of languages! Snap a picture here for some nice romantic memories of Paris! If I had a dollar for every time I saw someone propose here…I could probably buy myself a nice coffee and a few souvenirs in Montmartre 🙂.

3. Basilica of Sacré Coeur (11:40 AM – 1 PM)

● Walking time from the metro: 8 minutes
● Suggested visit time: 1.5 hours
● Price: free (€5 for the Dome)

You want to start your Montmartre visit with the Basilica of Sacré Coeur, the symbol of the area and Paris. However, you’ll have to take a steep flight of stairs to get to the Basilica from the metro. I say take your time and have a water bottle on you. Comfy shoes and some sun protection (especially if visiting during the summer) are also a must!

Entry to the basilica is free, but you can also climb the 300-stair dome to admire the views from the top! The price is €5. I climbed it, and it’s a nice view, but I was so dead by the time we got up and down the stairs that I didn’t feel like walking anymore.

Instead, you can admire the views from the stairs leading to the church. The view from there is so romantic! There are also many green spaces to grab a spot and enjoy the views.

4. Place du Tertre (1:05 PM – 1:45 PM)

● Walking time from Basilica: 4 min
● Suggested visit time: 40 minutes

Just a short walk from the Basilica, you’ll reach Place du Tertre, Montmartre’s main, most iconic square. With street artists lining the square making portraits of happy tourists, beautiful views, and crowds mingling, you’ll feel transported back in time.

Take time to soak in the atmosphere and grab a coffee from one of the many bistros here.

5. Walk the quaint streets of Montmartre (1:45 PM to 2:45 PM)

● Suggested visit time: 1 hour
● Top street: Rue de l’Abreuvoir
● Nearest metro station: Lamarck – Caulaincourt

The whole of Montmartre is filled with charming little streets where every stone tells a story. From homes of famous artists and singers to monuments built in their name to quirky shops and legendary restaurants, there’s so much to see here. So I suggest walking at least for an hour before returning to the city center.

The most iconic street here is Rue de l’Abreuvoir, it’s probably one of Paris’ most photogenic streets!

My favorite part in the area was the Vigne du Clos Montmartre (map), the oldest vineyard in Paris that produces up to 1,800 bottles of wine yearly! They make both rosé and red but don’t sell them to the public. You can join a guided tour with wine tasting or just pass around and check it out from the outside!

Another iconic sight is the Buste de Dalida built in honor of the iconic singer who used to live just a few houses below (map).

6. Moulin Rouge (3 PM – 3:45 PM)

● Walking time from Rue de l’Abreuvoir: 14 minutes
● Nearest metro station: Blanche

The last stop in our Montmartre itinerary is the iconic theater of Moulin Rouge. Known for its world-class cabaret shows, Moulin Rouge sits a short 14-minute walk down the main streets of Montmartre.

NOTE: If you’re not dying to see the building, you can hop on a metro immediately and return to the city center.

But for the fans, the short visit is so worth it! I don’t recommend getting in for a show since it’ll take too much time (unless you’re willing to sacrifice on some of the other attractions). You’ll always see tourists photographing its building with the recognizable red windmill, so feel free to do the same!

On your way to Moulin Rouge, you’ll also pass by some cool spots, like the Café des Deux Moulins (map) on Rue Lepic. This is where Amélie from the famous movie used to work! This is an ultra-touristy spot, but if you’re a movie fan, definitely hop in!

If you have to end your trip on the evening of Day 2, consider this the end of the itinerary. If not, keep reading.

7. Explore Quartier Latin in Central Paris (4:15 PM – 6:30 PM)

● Commute time from Moulin Rouge: 30 minutes
● Suggested visit time: 2 hours
● Nearest metro station: Notre-Dame des Champs 
● Top sights: Jardin de Luxembourg, Panthéon

Quartier Latin, or the Latin Quarter, is one of the city’s oldest and most important neighborhoods. It became a major educational center in the 13th century and has been one ever since (mostly thanks to the Sorbonne University).

Take the direct metro line 12 at Pigalle station (a 6-minute walk from Moulin Rouge) to the Notre-Dame des Champs. Then, it’s a short 7-minute walk to Jardin de Luxembourg, the area’s prominent landmark with tons of green spaces to sit, beautiful gardens, fountains, and sculptures.

TIP: Jardin de Luxembourg has dynamic working hours so it’s best to check the timetable on the official website for your exact dates. Or just think of it this way: it closes at sunset! This can be 4:45 PM in January or 9:30 PM in June!

In Quartier Latin, there are also ancient ruins from the Roman times, and most importantly, The Panthéon, then-church, now a mausoleum. This is probably the most important mausoleum in France as Voltaire, Victor Hugo, Jean Jacques Rousseau, Émile Zola, and even Marie Curie are all buried here (among many other distinguished French citizens).

The area is filled with restaurants and cafés, but also it’s super walkable to more central parts like Marais or Chatelet, both of which are ideal for grabbing dinner.

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Where to eat in Paris

Paris is one of the most popular cities for foodies, so choosing where to eat is no easy decision! Luckily, I cherry-picked some of the top-rated eateries near the prominent landmarks so you can do less thinking and more food tasting:

Around Eiffel Tower:

• Au bon accueil (map) – French, stylish bistro with meat and seafood
• Chez Pippo (map) – Italian, delicious pizza and cappuccino
• Amorino (map) – best place for ice cream

Around Notre Dame:

• Au Moulin à Vent (map) – one of the top bistros in Paris with mouth-watering veal
• Bistro des Lettres (map) – a chic bistro with a unique send-yourself-a-letter concept
• Le Mistral (map) – one of the oldest eateries in the area with views of the Eiffel Tower

In Montmartre:

• Le Poulbot (map) – best stop for traditional dishes (try onion soup)
• La Maison Rose (map) – a viral restaurant where Pablo Picasso used to hang out, serves traditional dishes
• Le Moulin de la Galette (map) – once a windmill and a dance hall and featured in Renoir’s painting, another popular spot for traditional food

Where to stay in Paris

For such short stays in Paris, it’s best to choose a central location (ideally near the Eiffel Tower or closer to Notre Dame). You’ll always be near a metro stop and can walk to most places!

To help you plan, I choose the 3 hotels I think will work best for the above itinerary:

• Luxury: Shangri-La Paris – Enjoy suites with direct views of the Eiffel Tower, all while being within walking distance of it
• Mid-range: Grand Hôtel Lévêque – Super close to where I used to live in Paris, a quiet street but just steps from the river and the action
• Budget: WS Tour Eiffel Laos – One of the best and cheapest hotels near Eiffel Tower with a delicious breakfast

NOTE: Hotels in the central areas of Paris tend to be more expensive. If you’d rather save money, explore our Paris area and accommodation guide for top-rated hotel recommendations in other, more affordable areas! Just make sure a metro station is nearby.

How to get around in Paris

Finally, to get around Paris, you can complete this itinerary on foot + on the metro. I prefer using the metro (rather than the bus) in Paris because it’s faster and doesn’t get stuck in traffic (but the buses do offer an opportunity to see the city).

Plus, Paris has a super-efficient metro system that covers all the central attractions. It’s not the cleanest or most pleasant-smelling metro, but it gets the job done.

TIP: Install the Bonjour RATP app on your phone to get a rechargeable transport card directly (it’ll connect to your digital wallet so you can pay for your ride instantly)! Plus, you can plan your commute with it. Still, Citymapper is the best app for navigation.

You can also get your ticket from the vending machines and pay with cash or a card. For short stays like yours, I recommend the Navigo Easy Pass multiple-trip ticket starting from €2.

NOTE: Central Paris is served by 2 different train-based transport methods: regular metro and RER, a train line connecting surrounding communities to Paris (including the airport and Versailles). The Navigo Easy Pass covers access to both.

Other popular means of transport in Paris include:

• Buses – a wide network of buses through all central and surrounding areas; Navigo Easy Pass covers the ticket
• Uber – quite common and sometimes cheaper than the taxi
• G7 taxi – the official taxi of Paris, you can schedule the ride with the app

THE AIRPORT: For such short stays, I definitely recommend booking a private transfer from the airport to the city (and vice versa). The taxi costs around €65 while the private transfer is around €72 to get from Charles de Gaulle airport to near the Eiffel Tower. The RER train is also a fast and cheap option if your hotel is located near the station.

Quick tips and things to know for your stay in Paris

Finally, here’s what to know to make your stay in Paris smooth and without surprises:

• English is widely spoken but not as much as in other European cities.
• If you do plan to enter some attractions, make sure to book skip-the-line tickets.
• Book your hotels and private transfer from the airport in advance to secure the best prices.
• Make reservations for popular restaurants (especially near Notre Dame and Montmartre).
• Use a crossbody bag to secure your belongings from pickpockets and stay alert. Main areas where they are active include metro exits, crowded attractions, ATMs, and landmarks.
• Never talk to strangers who ask you to fill out some forms on the street, it’s a common tourist scam in Paris.

📅 How many days:	2-4
🤩 Must see attraction:	Eiffel tower
🥐 Must try food:	Café & Croissant
🏨 Best hotel:	Shangri-La Paris
🌞 When to visit:	March to May/September to October

FAQs about 2 days in Paris

Final words

That’s it, dear reader! You’ve made it to the end of our 2 days in Paris guide! As you can see, the French capital is super versatile and offers memorable experiences regardless of how long you stay!

A final piece of advice, though, given the short nature of your stay: focus mostly on walking around the attractions and less on going inside. Pick one, maximum of two attractions where you’ll get in (my recommendation is to go to the Louvre or Musée d’Orsay). With all the crowds and distractions inside the landmarks, time will fly by so quickly you won’t even notice it.

Also, book your hotels and get tickets for Paris in advance to secure the best deals!

If you have any questions or concerns about your upcoming trip, comment below! I’ll be glad to help!

Au revoir,

Darija

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