To truly get to know a city like París you would need weeks or even months, but en un fin de semana in just a few days you can explore and discover some of the most important attractions.
A good walk through the center of Paris, along both banks of the Seine River, will let you enjoy the beauty of the city and some of its most remarkable buildings.
What to See in Paris in a Short Time
We'll give you two options below, see the best places in Paris on your own or with a guide. You can choose one or combine them.
Visiting Paris with a Guide
Walking through the city will always be our recommendation in cities like Paris. Heading out to the places you want to visit with a map in your head. Getting a little lost, discovering beautiful spots you hadn't planned on, and strolling down streets you never would have explored on a tour.
An affordable way to get acquainted with the city is by joining a free tour. Take a look at our selection of the best free tours in Paris and discover an endless array of places and curiosities.
However, we know that sometimes time is so limited that, to avoid stress and unnecessary exhaustion, it may be wiser to book a guided tour. Someone who knows the city inside out will guide you effortlessly. You can choose a full-day option with Louvre Museum tickets or to the Torre Eiffel, for example.
Getting Around Paris Easily and Quickly
Another great option for getting around more quickly and enjoying views of the city as you travel from one place to another is hopping on the Paris hop-on hop-off tourist bus with unlimited stops. It stops at 50 stops and follows 4 routes with 360° views from the open top deck of the bus. A practical option if you're visiting Paris with Kids, as they can mix walking with relaxing while taking in the scenery from the bus window.
Just like the bus, there is a boat in Paris with unlimited stops, called the Batobus.
Algo para tomar en cuenta, con Paris Pass tourist card ya tendrías incluido un crucero por el Sena y la excursión en autobús turístico con paradas libres. También incluye acceso a más de 70 atracciones parisinas, como el Musée d'Orsay o la Basilica of Sacré-Cœur en Montmartre.
Paris on Your Own
If you decide to explore on your own, here is a suggested itinerary:
Wear comfortable shoes and head straight to visiting the Eiffel Tower. To get there, walk from your accommodation if it is nearby, or you can take the Metro línea 6 and get off at the Bir Hakeim station, or hop on the línea 8 and get off at the École Militairestop. Also the RER train: line C, station Champ de Mars.
After admiring the famous monument you can cross the bridge at its foot, the Pont d'Iéna, to see it from the Trocadéro Gardens. For many locals and visitors, the most special view of the Eiffel Tower.
Then head back to the foot of the bridge but don't cross it — follow the Avenue de New York (to the left) and walk along the riverbank, where you will pass places such as the Museum of Modern Art, the bridge Pont de l'Alma, the Grand Palais, the Place de la Concorde and arrive at the beautiful Tuileries Gardens where you will first see the Musée de l'Orangerie and further along the The Louvre Museum and its pyramid. A must-see stop.
Next, you continue your walk along the river until you reach the Pont Neuf, the UNESCO World Heritage "Pont Neuf" that you must cross to reach the Île de la Cité, the small island in the middle of the Seine, the city's historic heart, home to the Notre-Dame Cathedral (currently closed for reconstruction) and other important tourist attractions such as the Sainte-Chapelle and La Conciergerie, Marie Antoinette's prison in Paris.
If after this great tour you still have time and energy, you can explore the Latin Quarter of Paris, crossing from the island via the Pont Saint-Michelbridge. This neighborhood has plenty of places to eat at more affordable prices.
Speaking of food, we have information about restaurants and must-try specialties on our page eating in Paris.
Taking this route at a leisurely pace will already fill a good part of your day, and if the weather is nice we recommend stopping at one of the parks and gardens of Paris you'll pass through to sit for a while and enjoy the view.
More route ideas in Paris
Shopping in Paris
The fin de semana is a great time to stroll through the Paris markets such as the Marché Monge (Latin Quarter) or the Marché Saxe-Breteuil (near Les Invalides and Napoleon's Tomb).
You can take some time to go shopping along the main calles de París (such as the Champs-Élysées) or visit some vintage or second-hand shops.
Day Trips from Paris
You can leave half a day free if you are interested in taking a day trip to the Palace of Versailles, as it takes several hours since it is located on the outskirts of the city.
If you want to see beautiful gardens without leaving Paris, in the Latin Quarter you can visit the Luxembourg Palace and Gardens.
If you do decide to spend a day visiting some of the areas around the city, you can choose from these options: day trips from Paris.
For Families or Couples
Si viajamos con los peques de la casa, a wonderful place for them is the Parc de la Villette which includes the City of Sciences and which in turn includes the City of Children among other spaces and services to enjoy with them a tarde inolvidable.
Check out our full recommendations if you are traveling to Paris with kids. Remember that Paris is home to some incredible places such as the fun Disneyland Paris, the Playmobil FunPark and the amazing Paris Natural History Museum.
For adults, a visit is highly recommended to visita al París nocturno and one of its most iconic landmarks, the Moulin Rouge, with its famous dinner shows featuring international performances and the legendary baile can-can.
Don't waste time, stay in the center
On a estancia de dos días it is important to choose a hotel céntrico y bien comunicado which, although not easy, can be found at a good price with some advance planning. Here is our selection that may be useful: hotels in Paris and apartments in Paris.
Getting from the airport to your hotel in Paris
It is also important, in order to no perder tiempo, to know exactly how you will get from the airport to the hotel:
- how to get from Orly Airport to Paris
- how to get from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris
- how to get from Beauvais Airport to Paris
Also, before you travel, learn a bit about how to get around by public transport and keep in mind these tips on safety in Paris, which areas are best to avoid, and how to protect yourself from the most common scams.
Everything about Paris:
You can round out the visit we have recommended in this post by choosing museums, monuments, parks and more things to see in Paris that you have always wanted to visit and don't want to miss out on.
