How to Spend 3 Days in Paris: The Perfect 3 Day Itinerary

How do you plan 3 days in Paris, one of the world’s most iconic cities and Europe’s most visited? Packed with famous landmarks, incredible museums and no less than 20 arrondissements to explore, the city can feel a little overwhelming – but it doesn’t have to be!

With the right planning, you can see the perfect amount of Paris in a weekend. Watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle, wander through the Louvre, sip coffee on the charming streets of Montmartre and stroll along the Seine as you follow this expertly planned 3 day itinerary for Paris. You’ll also find plenty of practical tips to help you plan your trip, including how to get to Paris and where to stay.

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Is a weekend enough for Paris?

Truthfully, Paris is a city that could easily fill weeks of sightseeing, museum-hopping, café-sitting, and wandering along the Seine. But the good news is that even with just a weekend in Paris, you can see the highlights, soak up the atmosphere, and get a real feel for the city.

A well-planned 3 day Paris itinerary lets you experience iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Sacré-Cœur, enjoy the food scene from pâtisseries to bistros, and still leave room for a stroll through charming neighbourhoods. While you’ll have to prioritise your must-sees, a weekend in Paris is absolutely worth it.

How to plan a weekend trip to Paris

Paris is easy to navigate on a short trip, but a little planning goes a long way. Here I’ve laid out some practical information, like how to get to Paris and activities you’ll want to book in advance.

When is the best time to visit Paris?

Paris is an all rounder, meaning you can visit at pretty much any time of year and have a great trip! The only time I’d say to avoid is the peak of summer (July + August), as the hot temperatures aren’t great for navigating a city.

The shoulder seasons (April-June + September-October) are ideal for milder weather, fewer crowds, and beautiful spring or autumn scenery. And if you visit in winter, you can soak up the festive charm, quiet streets and (usually) lower prices.

How to get to Paris

If you’re flying into Paris, you’ll land at one of three airports: Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Orly (ORY) or Paris-Beauvais (BVA).

• From Charles de Gaulle, take the RER B train to Châtelet les Halles, and you’ll be in central Paris in around 45 minutes.
• From Orly, metro line 14 will take you to Châtelet in around 30-40 minutes
• Paris-Beauvais is around 70km from Paris, so you’ll need to take the shuttle bus to Porte Maillot or La Villette, then switch to the metro. The total journey will take around 2 hours.

If you’re travelling from another European city, Paris is well-connected by high-speed trains such as the Eurostar from London, Brussels, Amsterdam, or Cologne.

Attractions to book in advance

Paris is one of the most visited cities in Europe, so it pays to be organised when it comes to booking attractions. There are some museums and activities that will sell out, either due to popularity or limited capacity, so booking is a must if you want to visit during your weekend in Paris.

The activities below are all included in this itinerary.

Book these activities as far in advance as possible:

• The Louvre
• Musée d’Orsay
• Musée de l’Orangerie
• Catacombs (this has a limited capacity)
• Sainte-Chapelle
• Day trip to Versailles, Disneyland, or the Champagne region
• Moulin Rouge show

These activities shouldn’t sell out, but it’s worth booking to avoid queues:

• River Seine cruise
• Panthéon
• Arc de Triomphe
• Montparnasse Tower
• brunch + dinners, especially if you’re visiting at the weekend

Where to stay on a weekend in Paris

Hôtel Les Deux Gares (10th arrondissement): A bold, colourful boutique hotel with rich vintage details, retro flair and plenty of personality. ($$$)

Hôtel Dalila (Montmartre): A cute and homely boutique hotel that’s perfect for travellers who want a cheaper stay without compromising on charm. ($$)

The Hoxton (2nd arrondissement): Perfect if you want to be super central, this luxury hotel is walking distance to The Louvre and other main sights. ($$$$)

Les Jardins du Marais (Le Marais): A gorgeous, chic hotel that fits in well with the stylish Le Marais neighbourhood. ($$$)

The People Paris (Marais): Modern and well-appointed hostel that’s great for a central stay on a budget. ($)

The best itinerary for 3 days in Paris

Let’s get to the good part – the itinerary! Here’s exactly how I’d spend 3 days in Paris, balancing the must-see sights with relaxed moments, great food and plenty of time to experience the city.

Day 1 – City Centre Highlights

Morning

Your weekend in Paris can only begin with the city’s most iconic monument. But first things first, have breakfast at Carette and enjoy a hot chocolate with crepes and pastries. Then you can make your way to Place du Trocadéro for a breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower. My favourite way to enjoy the Eiffel Tower is by walking through the Trocadéro Gardens, over Pont d’Iéna and past the tower itself and then around Champ de Mars. This way, you can enjoy all the best views of the tower and see it up close.

From here, walk along the River Seine to Pont Alexandre III, one of Paris’s most ornate bridges, before heading to the Tuileries Garden for a morning wander. Swing by Place de la Concorde, then make your way to the Louvre Museum – but just for a quick peek, you’ll come back for a museum visit tomorrow morning.

Afternoon

It’s getting to lunchtime now, so grab some food nearby – I recommend Bistrot Victoires or Zapi.

Then, after lunch, take a relaxing stroll down the Champs Élysées, ending at the Arc de Triomphe. You can head inside the Arc and climb to the top for incredible panoramic city views (in my opinion, this is the best tower in Paris to climb because you’re so close to the Eiffel Tower).

It has been a step-heavy day so far, so unwind for the rest of the afternoon on a Seine river boat tour, and see some of Paris’ most iconic landmarks from the water.

Evening

When evening rolls around, enjoy a traditional French bistro dinner at Au Pied de Cochon, then head for cocktails at the iconic Harry’s Bar. Once it’s dark, catch sight of the Eiffel Tower sparkling to round out your first day in Paris in the most special way.

Day 2 – Museums + Montmartre

Morning

You’ve got a fairly early start for day 2 as you’re heading to the Louvre Museum for opening, so you can explore early before the major crowds flood in. Stop at a bakery on the way for a pastry breakfast (if it’s on your route, I highly recommend Du Pain et des Idées). Dedicate most of your morning to the Louvre – I recommend spending 2.5-3 hours here. You won’t see everything, but you also don’t want to get museum fatigue and burn out for the rest of the day’s sightseeing!

After your museum visit, stroll to Île de la Cité, visiting Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle. Grab brunch/lunch at Marcelle before heading into Le Marais. Explore the neighbourhood for an hour or two, and make sure you stop by Place de la Bastille, Place des Vosges and the covered passages. If you’re a museum lover, you might want to pop into the free Carnavalet Museum, and Boot Café is a great stop if you need a little pick-me-up.

Afternoon

Make your way to Montmartre for the afternoon and evening. Climb up to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, enjoy the panoramic views, see the Mur des Je t’aime, Moulin de la Galette, and the Sinking House, then wander the cobbled streets and soak up the atmosphere. You can stop for coffee at Simple Coffee or a snack at Amone. Then, if the weather allows, catch the sunset from Sacré-Cœur—it’s one of the best viewpoints in the city.

Evening

This evening, get dinner at Pink Mamma or La Maison Rose. If it takes your fancy, end your night with a Moulin Rouge show. It’s unapologetically theatrical and touristy, but if you’re curious about Parisian cabaret culture and want a memorable experience, it can be fun!

Day 3 – Left Bank + Wine Bar Hopping (or optional day trips)

Morning

We’re winding down this weekend in Paris with a more relaxed third day, fitting in the last main attractions that you haven’t seen yet. Start with brunch at Jozi (or Passager, but it’s a little further away), then explore the Left Bank. You can visit the Panthéon, Luxembourg Gardens, Paris Catacombs and maybe even Montparnasse Tower. Make sure you pop into Marin Montagut for a cute artisan souvenir, and Odette for the best choux pastries in the city.

Afternoon

Fit in a last museum to your trip, choosing either Musée d’Orsay or Musée de l’Orangerie to spend a few hours in. Make sure you grab lunch before you go – Le Relais de l’Entrecôte by Montparnasse is a great shout while you’re on the Left Bank.

If time allows in the late afternoon, head to the 20th arrondissement for a stroll around the Père-Lachaise Cemetery, where you can see the resting place of many famous names (like Oscar Wilde and Edith Piaf).

Evening

Spend a casual evening, wine bar hopping at Le Baron Rouge and Septime La Cave, then finish with dinner at Le Chalet Savoyard for a hearty, cosy meal. Or, if the weather is nice, grab some charcuterie and have an evening picnic at Champ-de-Mars, overlooking the Eiffel Tower as the sun goes down.

Optional Day Trips

If you’d prefer to leave Paris for a day, there are a few day trips you can do. Consider Versailles, Disneyland Paris or a tour of the Champagne region.

Highlights of a weekend in Paris

Here’s a round-up of all the spots included in this 3 day Paris itinerary for an easy overview.

3 Days in Paris interactive map

Things to see and do

Eating and Drinking