As the famous saying goes, Paris is always a good idea. And after spending a little time here, you’ll see why.
You could visit Paris a hundred times and still find something new, from grand landmarks and lively neighbourhoods to cosy cafés and tucked-away corners. I’ve put together this guide to help you make the most of your time, with ideas for different interests and itineraries, from the cinematic landmarks and food experiences to the lesser-known corners that are easy to miss.
I always recommend mixing the famous sights with time simply spent walking. Paris has a way of making even an ordinary stroll feel like a scene from a movie, whether you’re crossing a grand boulevard, wandering through a quiet courtyard or following the Seine. It’s best when you leave some room for a long lunch, an unexpected discovery or a riverside stroll.
Keep reading for my favourite things to do in Paris, plus practical tips I share with friends planning their first visit.
Table of Contents
ToggleParis must-sees for first-time visitors
If it’s your first trip, I’d prioritise the “big five”. You won’t see everything, but they’ll give you a real feel for Paris. Together, these experiences capture the art, architecture, history and unmistakable cityscape that make the French capital so memorable.
Climb the Eiffel Tower
- Best for: First-time visitors, couples and photographers
- Time needed: 1.5–2 hours
The Eiffel Tower is an obvious choice, but it earns its place on any Paris itinerary. As you climb, the views open up across the Seine, Champ de Mars and the city’s distinctive rooftops.
A good tip is to pair your visit with a walk around the Trocadéro and along the Seine. You’ll find some of the best views of the tower here, especially as the light changes, without needing to head to the top.
Give the Louvre a proper half-day
- Best for: Art lovers and first-time visitors
- Time needed: 2.5–4 hours
The Louvre is one of Europe’s great museums, but its sheer size can feel a bit overwhelming. Trying to see it all in one visit could leave you feeling more rushed than inspired. Instead, pick a few rooms or masterpieces you really want to see, then give yourself time to get lost in this artistic galaxy. The Mona Lisa is worth seeing, but don’t miss masterpieces such as the Winged Victory of Samothrace, Venus de Milo or Liberty Leading the People.
If your time is limited, I’d book ahead and have a rough route in mind before you arrive. The Louvre is currently open every day except Tuesday, with later opening hours on Wednesdays and Fridays, so these can be good options if you want a little more time to explore.
Step inside Notre-Dame
- Best for: History, architecture and culture
- Time needed: 1 hour
Notre-Dame is once again one of the essential places to visit in Paris. After the devastating 2019 fire, the cathedral reopened to visitors in December 2024, with its restored interior now accessible again.
I’d pair it with a walk around Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis rather than treating it as a standalone stop. A free timed slot can be booked online, which is useful if you want to minimise waiting.
Cruise along the Seine
- Best for: Couples, families and first-time visitors
- Time needed: 1–2 hours
A Seine cruise is one of the easiest ways to get your bearings. From the water, you’ll see several of the city’s major landmarks, including the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Notre-Dame and Eiffel Tower, without navigating another crowded pavement.
I especially like taking a cruise towards the end of the day. As the light softens, the river gives you a different perspective on the city and its grand riverside architecture.
See the Impressionists at Musée d’Orsay
- Best for: Art lovers and culture seekers
- Time needed: 2 hours
Housed in a grand former railway station, the Musée d’Orsay is one of my favourite places to see Paris through the eyes of its artists. Its collection spans the 19th and early 20th centuries, with major works by Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh and other Impressionist masters. Head up to the fifth floor, where the famous clock looks out across the Seine.
If you only have two days in Paris, it’s also easy to fit into an itinerary alongside the Eiffel Tower and a stroll along the river.
Explore Paris’s most iconic neighbourhoods
Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements, each boasting its own proud character. Wander through leafy squares, little cafés, old bookshops and quiet courtyards, stopping wherever something catches your eye. Sometimes, the best part of Paris is found in its local corners.
Wander through Montmartre
- Best for: Art lovers, couples and first-time visitors
- Time needed: Half a day
Start around Abbesses and make your way uphill towards Sacré-Cœur, taking the quieter streets instead of heading straight for the basilica. With its artists, cafés and village-like streets, Montmartre has a character all of its own, and it’s easy to see why it has inspired so many painters and filmmakers.
I’d leave time for the Musée de Montmartre or a coffee around Place du Tertre. Go early if you can, especially if you want to get a local feel of the streets around Sacré-Cœur without the crowds.
Get lost in Le Marais
- Best for: History, shopping and food
- Time needed: Half a day
Le Marais packs a lot into a relatively small area. Start around Place des Vosges, then head towards Rue des Rosiers, where Jewish bakeries and falafel spots are tucked among fashion boutiques, galleries and historic mansions. It’s a neighbourhood that rewards wandering, so leave an hour or two without a fixed route and see what catches your attention.
Slow down in Saint-Germain-des-Prés
- Best for: Couples, book lovers and café culture
- Time needed: 2–3 hours
For a classic Left Bank experience, head to Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Browse the independent bookshops, wander around the church and nearby streets, then settle into a pavement café and watch Paris go by.
From here, it’s an easy walk towards the Luxembourg Gardens, with plenty of places to stop along the way.
Walk beside the Canal Saint-Martin
- Best for: Repeat visitors, couples and a slower pace
- Time needed: 2–3 hours
Canal Saint-Martin feels a world away from the grand monuments of central Paris. Follow the water past its locks and iron footbridges, stopping for a coffee, picnic or drink along the way. The canal runs for 4.5km, with around two kilometres passing underground.
For me, it’s one of the nicest places to slow down and see another side of Paris. Come in the late afternoon, when the canal is at its most relaxed and the cafés start filling up.
Eat and drink your way around Paris
Food is an essential part of the Paris experience. Start the day with a buttery croissant, pick up a baguette for a picnic by the Seine, stop for a crêpe on the go, or settle into a neighbourhood bistro for steak frites.
Explore a Paris food market
- Best for: Food lovers and families
- Time needed: 1–2 hours
Paris has more than 80 food markets, so there’s no need to seek out one famous address. I particularly like the idea of visiting a market in the morning, picking up cheese, bread, fruit or pastries, then finding somewhere nearby for a picnic.
Marché d’Aligre is a good example, combining a covered food market with an outdoor market selling everything from produce to second-hand goods.
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Take a French food tour
- Best for: Curious eaters and first-time visitors
- Time needed: 2–3 hours
A food tour gives you more than something good to eat. You’ll get to sample cheese, chocolate, pastries and regional specialities while learning a little about where they come from and their place in French food culture.
I’d do one early in your trip. It’s a fun way to get your bearings, try things you might otherwise overlook and work out what you want to order for the rest of your stay.
Make time for wine and cheese
- Best for: Foodies and couples
- Time needed: 1.5–2 hours
Wine and cheese are a lovely way to slow down after a day of sightseeing. You don’t need to know your Bordeaux from your Burgundy either. A guided tasting lets you try different regions, grape varieties and French cheeses while learning a little about how they come together at the table.
Discover a different side of Paris
Once you’ve ticked off the classics, it’s time to see a different side of Paris. These are the experiences I’d choose when you want to get beyond the postcard sights and spend more time in the neighbourhoods, streets and corners that give the city its character.
Explore Père-Lachaise Cemetery
- Best for: History lovers, photographers and repeat visitors
- Time needed: 2 hours
Père-Lachaise is much more than a cemetery. Its winding paths, sculptures and old trees make it a peaceful corner of eastern Paris, while the graves of famous writers, artists and musicians give it plenty of history to explore.
The paths twist through different sections, and it’s easy to wander further than planned. Just remember that it’s still an active cemetery, so keep your voice down and be respectful around graves and visitors.
Walk the Petite Ceinture
- Best for: Alternative travellers and urban explorers
- Time needed: 1.5–2 hours
For something a little different, head to the Petite Ceinture, the former railway line that once circled Paris. Parts of the old tracks have been turned into green walking routes, while former stations and railway spaces now host cultural projects and local events.
It’s a side of Paris that feels far removed from the Louvre and the grand boulevards.
Spend an afternoon in Belleville
- Best for: Food lovers and repeat visitors
- Time needed: Half a day
Belleville is a great place to see the multicultural side of Paris. Wander between Chinese, North African and Middle Eastern food shops, cafés and street art, then make your way up to Parc de Belleville for views across the city.
Come hungry, leave full, and don’t be afraid to follow your nose.
Follow the Seine on foot
- Best for: Walkers, photographers and solo travellers
- Time needed: 2–3 hours
Sometimes, the best things to do in Paris cost nothing at all. Walk along the Seine, browse the riverside bouquinistes and cross the bridges whenever you fancy a change of scenery.
Start around Notre-Dame and walk towards the Louvre, or continue towards the Eiffel Tower if you have more time.
Take a day trip from Paris
You could visit Paris a thousand times and still have more to see, but it’s worth leaving the city for a day too. The surrounding region is full of historic towns, grand estates and places that make an easy change of scene.
Step into the Palace of Versailles
- Best for: History, architecture and gardens
- Travel time from Paris: Around 45 minutes
Versailles is the obvious day trip for a reason. The former royal residence is impressive inside, but I’d leave plenty of time for the gardens and wider estate too.
The easiest rail option is RER C to Versailles Château-Rive Gauche, followed by a 10-minute walk to the palace.
Wander through Monet’s gardens in Giverny
- Best for: Art lovers, gardeners and couples
- Travel time from Paris: Around 1.5 hours
Giverny is one of my favourite choices for a slower day outside Paris. Claude Monet’s house and gardens are closely linked to the landscapes that inspired his work, so it’s especially rewarding if you know his paintings.
Allow most of the day once travel is included.
Spend the day at Disneyland Paris
- Best for: Families, Disney fans and thrill-seekers
- Travel time from Paris: Around 45 minutes
Disneyland Paris is a great idea for families and little ones, but adults travelling without children can enjoy it too. With two parks, themed lands, rides, shows and restaurants, decide your priorities before arriving. From central Paris, the RER A takes around 45 minutes to Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy, right by the parks.
For a family-themed day out, it’s an easy choice. Read TUI Musement’s guide to the park to make the most of your visit.
Ready to discover Paris?
There’s no single way to experience Paris, and that’s exactly why I think it rewards repeat visits. Start with the landmarks you’ve always wanted to see, then leave room for a neighbourhood walk, a long meal or an afternoon with no fixed plan.
For more inspiration and bookable experiences, explore the Paris destination page, or browse the TUI Musement Paris blog guides to build a trip around the time you have.
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