2-day Paris itinerary: What to do on your next escape

Two days is just enough to get a taste of Paris. From the Louvre Museum, Seine River, Champs-Élysées, and more, this city is bound to get you falling in love with what it has to offer. To make the most of your trip, avoid visiting on Mondays and Tuesdays when many museums and attractions are closed, and follow this itinerary to explore the city's top tourist spots and popular Parisian districts. It’s complete with food recommendations and time-saving tips.

Paris is great for walking and this itinerary is optimized for maximum sightseeing on foot. However, the Paris metro is still a great way to get around, fast. Opt for one-way t+ tickets which can be purchased at the ticket desk in the metro station. Read our guide to the Paris Metro and learn how to use the Metro like a pro.

If you have a long weekend to spare, consider extending your trip and follow our 3-day or 4-day Paris itineraries instead.

For your convenience, stay in the 1st arrondissement, brimming with luxe hotels like Grand Hotel du Palais Royal and more affordable ones like Hotel Moliere. Alternatively, choose a hotel near the Eiffel Tower in the 7th arrondissement. You can even get a room with a view of the iconic tower at Hotel La Comtesse.

Begin the day in Île de la Cité, an island in the middle of the Seine River, and fuel up on a traditional French breakfast comprising croissants and tartines with butter and jam at Brasserie Les Deux Palais.

Check out Sainte-Chapelle to see its Gothic-style architecture and stained glass windows that depict scenes from both the Old and New Testaments. Then, walk into Marché aux fleurs—a flower market filled with the chirping sounds of birds—or snap a photo of the Notre Dame Cathedral facade.

To return to the mainland, cross Pont Neuf, the oldest stone bridge in Paris. Enjoy the river views and spot the many mascarons (stone faces) that decorate the bridge’s cornices.

The Right Bank is just minutes away from the Louvre Museum. If you wish to see the works of art inside, avoid the long lines by getting a skip-the-line ticket to the Louvre. This guided tour is led by an art historian who will give you all the insights into masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo.

Otherwise, walk to the courtyard to see the Louvre Pyramid and continue to the Tuileries Garden. This green space in the heart of the city is dotted with statues, ponds, and fountains. To the west of the garden is Place de la Concorde.

For lunch, pop into La Cordonnerie to sample classic French dishes such as foie gras and terrine de canard (duck pate) alongside a glass of wine. If you can’t decide what to order, just ask for the plat du jour, which is the day’s special dish.

End the afternoon with a walk along Rue Montorgueil, a bustling street lined with bakeries, florists, bistros, and shops selling cheeses and wines. Drop by the oldest patisserie in the city, Pâtisserie Stohrer, to sample its famous baba au rhum cake, or pick up some artisanal chocolates at A la Mere de Famille.

When evening comes, hop on the metro and alight at Charles de Gaulle–Étoile. This metro stop is conveniently located under the Arc de Triomphe. Buy a ticket and climb 284 spirals steps to reach the terrace of this historic monument. You’ll be rewarded with the symmetrical view of twelve avenues stretching towards the Parisian skyline.

Then you can stroll along Champs-Élysées, the famous tree-lined avenue which boasts a mix of high-end and mainstream fashion brands. Turn into Avenue Montaigne, which hosts the flagship store of Dior, and walk past the shop fronts of Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Versace to reach Pont de l'Alma.

Give your legs a break with a Paris sightseeing dinner cruise. Offered by Bateaux Mouches, the cruise comes with a four-course meal. As you glide along the Seine River, spot attractions like the Louvre Museum and Notre Dame Cathedral from a different perspective.

Kick off the second day of your Paris itinerary at Trocadéro Gardens in the 16th arrondissement. Located in front of Palais de Chaillot, this garden gives an unobstructed view of the Eiffel Tower. You can also cross Pont d'Iéna to reach the 7th arrondissement of Paris.

To scale the Eiffel Tower, save time with skip-the-line tickets by Mon Petit Paris . A guide will lead you to the observation deck on the second floor for some of the best views in Paris.

Head east to Saint Germain des Prés, a neighborhood that was once the literary and artistic heart of Paris, and grab a seat at Les Deux Magots. This legendary cafe dates back to 1812, but it was in the 1920s that great names like Pablo Picasso and Ernest Hemingway passed through its doors. Try a croque monsieur, the French version of a ham and cheese sandwich, and wash it down with a cup of hot chocolate. Then, wander down the narrow alleys to discover hidden art galleries and antique shops.

Cross the boundary to the Latin Quarter, home to the prestigious Sorbonne University. There are wallet-friendly bistros and bars around every corner to cater to student life. Step into Shakespeare and Company, an English-language bookstore where authors like Anaïs Nin, Richard Wright, and William Burroughs once sought inspiration.

Then, explore Mouffetard Market where Parisians shop for fresh local produce or visit Jardin des Plantes, a botanical garden where flowers bloom no matter the season.

Squeeze in a trip to the 18th arrondissement for Montmartre, a quaint hilltop district. The closest metro stop is Anvers, but you may want to alight at the iconic Abbesses station which was featured in the film Amélie. From Square Louise Michel, you have two options to reach the summit—a funicular or a series of steps. Either way, you’ll be treated to stunning views over the city as the sun goes down.

The white facade of the Sacré Coeur Basilica greets you at the hilltop. Admission is free, so enter to marvel at the cathedral’s lavish interior with gold mosaics and hand-painted murals.

Don't miss the chance to get your portrait painted by an artist at Place du Tertre and amble down Rue de l'Abreuvoir, a picturesque street with ivy-clad houses. Stop in front of La Maison Rose and Le Consulat for Instagram-worthy backdrops.

Round up your two days in Paris with a meal at Le Poulbot, which many have raved about. This small restaurant gets crowded quickly during mealtimes—so come for an early dinner if you don’t have a reservation. For starters, order the escargots or onion soup. Continue with the duck confit with homemade fries, then end on a sweet note with the panna cotta.

Ready to start planning your Paris trip? Build your own Paris itinerary with our Trips planning tool—start with all the best spots featured in this list and add on your own.