Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Paris?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Paris?
Many visitors spend at least 3 or as many as 7 days in Paris during their trip. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because your journey calls for making the most of every moment. The city offers the chance to spend time at the museums, discover the big city activities, take in a show, and sample the delicious cuisine.
Paris is not only the capital city of France, but it is one of Europe's most iconic cities. For many visitors, its a dream destination that is filled with wide boulevards, charming cafes, and world class landmarks. The food is widely recognized as some of the best in the world. The city sits along the River Seine, and a stroll down the river at night is a quintessential Parisian experience.
Do you have one or two days to visit Paris? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Paris?
Paris offers plenty of activities and attractions and remains a top choice for tourists. One day is probably not enough time here. You might feel rushed to see the main attractions of Paris such as the famous sights and museums, the big city activities, the theatre, and the food. To thoroughly enjoy all that the city has to offer, you'll probably want more time. Most travelers schedule at least 3 or as many as 7 days to fully experience the beautiful city. Nevertheless, if time is of the essence, we have some nice suggestions for your visit.
How to spend a day in Paris
When visiting Paris, you can't miss the Eiffel Tower as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you give yourself enough time to enjoy it.
Don't miss an evening at the theater while in town. Whether it's a musical, opera, ballet, or a famous Broadway-style production, Paris is known for its wide range of shows. There are world class theaters as well as smaller local venues where you can enjoy a show.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Art Nouveau and Art Deco tour near Opera ($142)
- Private Opera Garnier Theater 2-Hour Tour in Paris ($103)
- Admission ticket Arsène Lupine and the secret of the Opera ($31)
Paris is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. Some streets can feel a bit overwhelming, but there are many parts of the city that are easily explored on foot.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Paris?
Since it's a large city, you'll probably need more than a weekend to take advantage of everything to do in Paris. Two or three days still gives you a good amount of time to explore, though, as you'll have a chance to experience at least some of the major attractions. In addition to the great museums and landmarks and fun big city activities, visitors can enjoy the food, nightlife, and beautiful scenery by staying for a weekend.
The Louvre, Paris
How to spend 2 days in Paris
If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in Paris, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
Paris is home to renowned museums and iconic landmarks, so dive into the city's famous attractions. The city's historical sites rank among the most awe-inspiring globally. One of the most world famous landmarks is the Eiffel Tower. The city is also home to the world renowned Louvre, Notre-Dame, and Palais Garnier Opera House. In addition to the many iconic sights, there are beautiful buildings and hidden gems throughout the city.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Guided Professional Photoshoot by the Eiffel Tower ($142)
- Orsay Museum Semi-Private 8ppl Max Tour (Reserved Entry Included) ($145)
- Louvre Museum - Exclusive Guided Tour (Reserved Entry Included) ($145)
The delicious food of Paris is one of the main highlights of a trip to the region. Dining out is one of the highlights of a trip. Make sure you take the time to taste as much of it as possible during breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this city's best restaurants. And consider a food tour or cooking class. You can easily fit one into your schedule since many are just a few hours or half a day. There are countless local restaurants, markets, and patisseries to explore. Make sure you try the steak tartare, pate, and macarons.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Wine Tasting In Paris ($79)
- French wine and cheese tasting in Paris ($74)
- Paris Cheesemaking Workshop including Wine and Cheese Tasting with an Expert ($76)
Public transit in Paris is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. The city's metro system is very comprehensive. There's also a bus system that you can use to get around.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Paris, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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