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Eiffel Tower with Paris cityscape at golden hour
5 Days

5-Day Paris Itinerary

France

Budget · 5 Days
€495
Mid-range · 5 Days
€1,135
Best months
Jun, Jul, Sep
Hotel per night (mid-range)
€150

With 5 days in Paris, you'll have time to experience the city's highlights. The City of Light earned its nickname not from the Eiffel Tower's sparkle, but from its role as the birthplace of the Age of Enlightenment. Today, that spirit of intellectual curiosity lives on in its countless bookshops, galleries, and late-night philosophical debates in Saint-Germain cafés.

Perfect for couples
Perfect for art lovers
Perfect for food enthusiasts

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & First Impressions

Start your Paris adventure by getting your bearings and exploring the city's most iconic landmarks. Take time to soak in the atmosphere and discover why this destination captures the hearts of millions.

1

Eiffel Tower

Ascend Paris's most iconic landmark for panoramic views stretching across the entire city.

⏱️ 2-3 hours

💡 Tip: Book summit tickets months ahead. Evening visits offer sparkling light shows every hour.

2

Louvre Museum

Explore the world's largest art museum, home to the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and 35,000 works of art.

⏱️ 3-4 hours

💡 Tip: Wednesday and Friday evenings have smaller crowds. Download the official app for self-guided tours.

Day 2: Local Life & Neighborhoods

Experience Paris like a local today. Wander through authentic neighborhoods, discover hidden cafes, and get a taste of everyday life in France.

1

Notre-Dame Cathedral

Step inside the Gothic masterpiece that reopened in December 2024 after five years of restoration following the 2019 fire.

⏱️ 1 hour

💡 Tip: Entry is free; reserve a free time slot online to skip the queue. The nearby Île Saint-Louis is perfect for lunch.

2

Champs-Élysées

Stroll down Paris's most famous avenue from the Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde.

⏱️ 2 hours

💡 Tip: Climb the Arc de Triomphe for amazing views. The avenue is best experienced on foot.

Day 3: Art, History & Discovery

Uncover layers of history that shaped Paris. From ancient remains to modern marvels, today reveals the stories behind the city's evolution.

1

Montmartre

Explore the artistic hilltop neighborhood crowned by the stunning Sacré-Cœur basilica.

⏱️ 3 hours

💡 Tip: Visit early morning to enjoy quiet streets. Skip the portrait artists (usually tourist traps).

2

Palace of Versailles

Discover the opulent palace and gardens that symbolized the absolute monarchy of France.

⏱️ Full day

💡 Tip: Get tickets with timed entry. The gardens alone require half a day to explore properly.

Day 4: Day Trip to Champagne Region (Reims/Épernay)

Leave Paris behind for a day and head to Champagne Region (Reims/Épernay) (45 minutes by TGV to Reims).

1

Champagne Region (Reims/Épernay)

Visit the cellars where champagne was invented and taste directly from legendary houses. Reims Cathedral, where French kings were crowned, adds historical weight to the bubbles.

⏱️ Full day

💡 Tip: Highlights: Champagne house tours (Veuve Clicquot, Taittinger), Reims Cathedral, Avenue de Champagne in Épernay, Underground chalk cellars.

Day 5: Canal Saint-Martin (10th arrondissement) & Hidden Gems

Spend your last day away from the main sights: slow down in Canal Saint-Martin (10th arrondissement) and seek out a few places most visitors to Paris never find.

1

Canal Saint-Martin (10th arrondissement)

The neighborhood Amélie made famous, with iron footbridges crossing tree-lined canals. This is where young Parisians brunch on weekends, vintage shop on Rue Beaurepaire, and picnic on warm evenings.

⏱️ Half day

💡 Tip: Don't miss: Canal-side walks and picnics, Chez Prune café, Artazart design bookshop.

2

Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature

A quirky museum of hunting and nature in a Marais mansion, mixing old masters with contemporary art in theatrical rooms.

⏱️ 1-2 hours

💡 Tip: Overlooked by crowds heading to the Picasso Museum, this eccentric gem offers one of Paris's most imaginative museum experiences.

3

Square du Vert-Galant

A tiny park at the tip of Île de la Cité, at water level beneath the Pont Neuf.

⏱️ 1-2 hours

💡 Tip: The most romantic picnic spot in Paris—watch the sun set over the Seine while boats pass at eye level, steps from Notre-Dame but worlds away from crowds.

Top tours and experiences in Paris

The tours and tickets travellers book most, with ratings and reviews from Viator.

Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Access

Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Access

4.513,649 reviews2h 30m
Normandy D-Day Sites & Cemetery Day Trip from Paris with Lunch

Normandy D-Day Sites & Cemetery Day Trip from Paris with Lunch

4.810,433 reviews14h
Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise

Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise

4.47,510 reviews2h 30m
Louvre Museum Premium Guided Tour 6 GUESTS MAX Entry Included

Louvre Museum Premium Guided Tour 6 GUESTS MAX Entry Included

5.07,226 reviews2h 30m
All things to do in Paris →

Tours and prices from Viator, a Tripadvisor company. Prices change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.

Why Visit Paris

Shop at legendary markets like Marché d'Aligre where Parisians have bought their produce for centuries, far from tourist crowds.

Experience a city designed for living well—where parks invite picnics, café terraces face the street, and beauty is woven into everyday life.

Witness artistic masterpieces spanning millennia—from the Louvre's ancient Egyptian collection to cutting-edge installations at the Palais de Tokyo, all within walking distance.

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How much do 5 days in Paris cost?

Plan on roughly €495 on a budget, €1,135 mid-range or €2,200 for a comfortable trip, per person and excluding travel to Paris.

BudgetMid-rangeComfort
Accommodation (per night)€65€150€280
Food and drinks (per day)€22€45€90
Sightseeing and activities (per day)€12€32€70
Total per day€99€227€440
Total for 5 days€495€1,135€2,200

Estimates exclude flights and long-distance transport. Compare daily costs across cities

Where to stay in Paris

Hotels close to the centre of Paris, from budget to luxury. Prices are typical nightly rates at our last check.

D'win HotelBudget

D'win Hotel

0.2 km from the centre

€105 / night

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Grand Hôtel du LoiretMid-range

Grand Hôtel du Loiret

0.2 km from the centre

€149 / night

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Hotel DuoUpscale

Hotel Duo

0.2 km from the centre

€118 / night

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Hotel Le Grand MazarinLuxury

Hotel Le Grand Mazarin

0.2 km from the centre

€598 / night

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Compare the best neighbourhoods to stay in Paris

Hotel prices come from Traveloka, last checked on February 4, 2026, and change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.

Travel Tips

  • 1Book accommodation in the city center for easy access to attractions. Paris is best explored by combining walking with public transport.
  • 2The best time to visit Paris is April to June, September to November. Shoulder seasons offer fewer crowds and pleasant weather.
  • 3The local currency is Euro (€). Cards are widely accepted.
  • 4A few words in French go a long way with locals. Even "please" and "thank you" will earn smiles.
  • 5Download offline maps and translation apps before your trip. WiFi can be spotty in historic areas.
  • 65 days gives you time to see the highlights and discover some hidden gems.

Must-Try Food in Paris

Croissant au beurre (pure butter croissant)
Steak frites at a classic bistro
Jambon-beurre (ham and butter baguette sandwich)
Croque-monsieur (grilled ham and cheese)

💡 August is when Paris empties—many restaurants and shops close for annual vacation. Great for fewer tourists, harder for authentic experiences.

Neighborhoods to Explore in Paris

Le Marais (3rd & 4th arrondissements)

The Marais survived Haussmann's renovations, preserving its medieval street plan and aristocratic hôtels particuliers.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th arrondissement)

The intellectual heart of Paris where Sartre debated at Café de Flore and publishers still lunch at Brasserie Lipp.

Montmartre (18th arrondissement)

The hilltop village where Picasso, Van Gogh, and Toulouse-Lautrec once lived and worked.

Day Trip Ideas

With 5 days in Paris, you have time for a memorable day trip. Here are some great options nearby:

Versailles

40 minutes by RER C train

The palace that bankrupted France and inspired revolutions.

Giverny

1 hour 15 minutes by train + shuttle

Claude Monet's house and the gardens that inspired his most famous paintings.

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