Paris itinerary in 3 days

Paris is considered by many to be the most romantic city in Europe, but it is also the capital of fashion and luxury. A weekend is definitely not enough to visit every corner of it, not even a week would be enough: you will have to make some sacrifices but by optimising your time with a few tricks and shortcuts you can see the great classics such as the Eiffel Tower and even the Louvre!
Here are all our tips on how best to organise a Paris itinerary in 3 days.

Consider buying a card: to save on the cost of individual attractions or transport, we recommend buying the Paris Pass, prices from €109.00, or the Paris Museum Pass, prices from €57.00.

Day 1

• Distance travelled: 8.7 km

• Places visited: Louvre Museum(ticket with scheduled entry €17.00 or entry with guided tour in Italian €65.00), Jardin des Tuileries and Place de la Concorde, Champs Elysées, Place Charles de Gaulle and Arc de Triomphe(priority entry to the top €13.00), Trocadero, Eiffel Tower(priority entry and access to the top €50.00), Seine River cruise with dinner (€85.00)

• Where to eat: Lunch at Le Pain Quotidien Champs-Elysées(Get directions), Dinner at Seine Cruise with 3-course meal

1 - Louvre Museum

Start this first day in Paris with one of the world's most famous museums: the Louvre Museum (Wed-Mon 9am-6pm, Tue closed; single entry €17.00, free for under 18s). Before entering, don't forget to take a photo in front of the iconic pyramid.

Here you can admire some of the world's best known works, from Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa to Canova's sculpture of Cupid and Psyche, from the Venus de Milo to the Nike of Samothrace. Dedicate a large part of the morning to the museum, opting for the ticket with scheduled admission or theentrance with guided tour in Italian.

Optimise your time and visit: the Louvre would take at least a day to see all the works inside. To optimise your time, you have two options: one is to buy the ticket with scheduled entry and try to get in at the earliest available time (9am); the second, and even better, is an entry with a guided tour of the Louvre in Italian: in this way, not only will you skip the queue at the entrance, but an Italian-speaking guide will show you the museum's greatest masterpieces, thus optimising your visit without the risk of missing the main works.

2 - Jardin des Tuileries and Place de la Concorde

Late in the morning, after your visit to the Louvre is over, enjoy a stroll through the beautiful Jardin des Tuileries, which is right next to the museum. This is the oldest garden in Paris, in typical French style, and is a truly magical place, full of statues and fountains (October to March 7:30am-7:30pm, April, May and September 7am-9pm, June to August 7am-11pm; free admission).

Once you have crossed the entire garden you will arrive at Place de la Concorde, one of the most famous squares in all of Paris! Uniquely beautiful, in the centre stands Obélisque de Louxor, an ancient Egyptian obelisk made of granite from Luxor, engraved with various hieroglyphics and a golden spire. Impossible not to take a photo!

3 - Champs Elysées

Devote the first part of the afternoon to discovering the Champs Elysées, probably the most famous promenade in Europe. From Place de la Concorde it leads to Place Charles De Gaulle, where the Arc de Triomphe is located, the second stop of the afternoon. We recommend that you walk it all the way: the two squares are 2.2 km apart, about 30 min on foot.

Enjoy a stroll among the shop windows of the haute couture shops, among the many French bars and bistros, feel like a real Parisian on this boulevard that is the symbol of the Parisian beautiful world and the elegance of the city. Drop by the Galeries Lafayette Champs-Élysées and stop for lunch at one of the many establishments.

Stop at Ladurée: just down the boulevard is Ladurée, the famous Parisian patisserie specialising in French macaroons. You'll find lots of flavours! Prices are high, but you can't visit Paris without tasting one of its iconic macaroons.

4 - Place Charles de Gaulle and Arc de Triomphe

Once you've walked all the way down the Champs Elysées, you'll arrive at Place Charles de Gaulle, one of the most important in Paris. This is where some of the most important streets of the French capital converge and is an important transport hub of the city.

But that's not all: the square is famous because at its centre is the famous Arc de Triomphe, one of the undisputed symbols of the city. Commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte to celebrate his military exploits, today it is without doubt one of the must-sees and is declared a National Monument. Reach under the arch and admire it up close: here is the eternal flame that has been burning for 100 years and on the walls you can read all the names of French battles and victories.

Climb to the top and enjoy the most beautiful view: it houses a small museum inside, but most importantly, you can climb to the top, where you will find a viewing platform with a splendid view of the Champs Elysées. Remember to book priority entry to the summit in advance.

5 - Trocadéro and Eiffel Tower

To round off the afternoon, walk from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place du Trocadero, one of the best spots from which to admire the Eiffel Tower! You can get around on foot - the two attractions are about 20 minutes away - or by the convenient metro. In this case, go to the Charles de Gaulle-Étoile stop, hop on line 6 and get off directly at Trocadero station.

This square, location of films, TV series and even cartoons, is the access point to the Palais de Chaillot, also known as the Trocadero, whose interior houses the Théâtre National de Chaillot, the Musée de l'Homme, the Musée de la Marine and the Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine. You admire it from the outside and take some photos of the iconic Eiffel Tower.

And then head straight for it, the symbol par excellence of Paris, by taking a leisurely stroll first through the Jardins du Trocadéro and then across the Pont d'Iéna, which passes over the Seine. Here, we recommend you climb the Eiffel Tower to admire the whole city from above! In this case, be sure to buy priority entry to skip the long queues, which are present at all hours of the day!

Enjoy acruise on the Seine: for this first evening in Paris, enjoy a wonderful cruise on the Seine with a 3-course dinner, where you can admire the illuminated city. Departure 18:45, duration 2 hrs. Meeting point Port de Solférino(Get directions).

Day 2

• Distance travelled: 7 km

• Places to visit: Musée D'Orsay(ticket with reserved access €17.00), Jardin du Luxembourg, Latin Quarter and Pantheon (€11.50), Île de la Cité, Cathédrale Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle (admission €11.50), Place des Vosges, Le Marais

• Where to eat: Lunch at Treize au Jardin(Get directions), Dinner at Breizh Café(Get directions)

1 - Morning at the museum: Musée D'Orsay, Musée Rodin or Musée du quai Branly

Paris is a city with an immense cultural and artistic scene. It is almost impossible to count all the museums in the city and, after visiting the Louvre on the first day, we recommend that you dedicate this morning to visiting a museum as well. We recommend the famous Musée D'Orsay, but there are also other alternatives.

Option A at the Musée d'Orsay (Tue-Sun 9.30am-6pm; entrance fee €16.00). One of the most famous in all of Paris, housed inside an old railway station. Inside you can admire works from all over the world, but one of the most important collections is certainly that of the Impressionist current.

Option B at the Rodin Museum (Tue-Sun 10am-6.30pm; entrance fee €14.00). This wonderful museum is completely dedicated to the sculptor and painter Auguste Rodin. Housed in a beautiful palace, surrounded by a lush garden, you can see some of his most famous works.

Option C at the Musée du quai Branly (Tue-Sun 10:30am-7pm; entrance fee €12.00). A truly unique museum, right from its particular architecture. Inside it houses a collection of some 300,000 ethnic works!

Evaluate the Paris Museum Pass: this is the Paris pass dedicated exclusively to museums. It lasts 2, 4 or 6 days and includes priority entry to over 60 museums and monuments. From €57.00.

2 - Jardin du Luxembourg

After visiting the Orsay Museum, take a 20-minute walk to the beautiful Jardin du Luxembourg, one of the most beautiful gardens in Paris! On the way, make a small diversions to admire the iconic Hôtel des Invalides from the outside, one of the most famous buildings in the French capital, located right in front of the Rodin Museum.

The Jardin du Luxembourg is a true piece of paradise, as well as being one of the most popular places in the city for tourists and Parisians alike. Admire the beautiful Palais du Luxembourg from the outside, stroll along the paths among the trees and beautiful flowering plants. Don't miss the beautiful fountains and statues scattered throughout the garden.

Takea picture of the Statue of Liberty: that's right, you got it! Paris also has its own Statue of Liberty, or rather, it has five, and one of them is in these very gardens!

3 - Latin Quarter and Pantheon

Devote the first part of the afternoon to discovering Paris' Latin Quarter, one of the city's most characteristic districts. You can easily reach it on foot from the Jardin du Luxembourg.

Packed with clubs, open 24 hours a day, it is also a hub of nightlife. But you visit during the day, admiring La Sorbonne, one of the oldest universities in France, from the outside and entering inside the marvellous Pantheon (10am-6.30pm; entrance €11.50). Built at the behest of King Louis XV, several of Paris's illustrious figures rest inside today.

Two alternatives for you: if you're travelling with children, here you'll also find the Jardin des Plantes, home to a botanical garden and a small zoo. If, on the other hand, you like mystery, then consider a visit to the Catacombs of Paris!

4 - Île de la Cité: Cathédrale Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle

Mid-afternoon walk to Île de la Cité, a small island on the Seine, connected to the two banks of Paris by several bridges. One of the most famous is the Pont Neuf, a stone bridge built in 1607.

It is home to Notre Dame Cathedral, one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world. Unfortunately, it was severely damaged by fire in 2019 and is currently closed to the public. However, admire it from the outside and read about its history on the panels outside.

Then take the opportunity to visit the Sainte-Chapelle, one of the most important monuments of Gothic art in Paris (1 April to 30 September daily 9am-7pm, 1 October to 31 March daily 9am-5pm; admission €11.50). Once inside, you will be immediately struck by the huge Gothic stained-glass windows, which cover an area of no less than 600 m2.

Admire the Conciergerie from the outside: the famous Gothic-style Royal Palace, a real piece of history. This place, in fact, became a prison during the French Revolution and its cells also housed Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France of the ancien régime. If you also want to visit the interior, take advantage of the combined Sainte-Chapelle and Conciergerie ticket.

5 - Place des Vosges and Le Marais district

Finally, end the afternoon by reaching Place des Vosges, the oldest planned square in Paris. From Île de la Cité, you can reach it on foot in a 20-minute walk or by bus line 96 from the Châtelet stop to Place des Vosges (10 min).

The square is completely surrounded by buildings and is located in the heart of Le Marais, one of the most characteristic districts of Paris. With a great location and a wonderful atmosphere, it is also one of the French capital's nightlife hotspots, thanks to the many clubs open until late at night.

Spend the evening in Le Marais: one of the trendiest nightlife districts in Paris. Here you can stay up late at some of the French capital's most famous clubs, such as Spyce, Le Cabaret and Tango. Le Marais is also the quintessential LGBT district, with gay entertainment concentrated mainly along Rue des Archives and Rue du Temple.

Day 3

• Distance travelled: 8.5 km

• Places visited: Cemetière du Père Lachaise (free) or Pompidou Museum (entrance fee €15.00), Galeries Lafayette, Opéra Garnier (priority entrance €12.00), Montmartre and Sacre Coeur Basilica (Basilica free, dome €6.00, dome + crypt €8.00)

• Where to eat: Lunch at Galeries Lafayette(Get directions), Dinner at Bouillon Pigalle(Get directions)

1 - Cemetière du Père Lachaise or Pompidou Museum

Photo by Peter Poradisch. On your last day in Paris, devote much of the morning to visiting one of the city's most unusual sights: the Cemetière du Père Lachaise (daily 8am-5.30pm; free entry). It has no less than 4 entrances and can be reached by metro line 2 or 3, depending on which entrance you choose.

The Père Lachaise Cemetery is also known as the'Artists' Cemetery', as some of the greatest figures of culture and art, such as Chopin, Oscar Wilde or Jim Morrison, rest here. And it is precisely the tomb of the leader and frontman of the Doors that is one of the most visited in the whole place, now a place of pilgrimage for music lovers.

Option B at the Pompidou Museum (daily 11am-9pm; entrance fee €15.00). This is Paris' famous museum of modern and contemporary art and one of the most visited in the city. Be careful though if you decide to visit: the museum opens at 11am.

Plan your visit: the Père Lachaise Cemetery is a huge place, you would need a week to visit it all. Already prepare an itinerary with the things you want to see. Alternatively, you can also join a guided walking tour, but in this case they are organised in the afternoon, at 14:30.

2 - Galeries Lafayette and Opéra Garnier

In the late morning you reach the world-famous Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, the largest and most important location of the Galeries Lafayette chain. It is also the first to be opened to the public, back in 1912. Enjoy a tour of its shops, especially if you visit Paris at Christmas. But, above all, take advantage of a great opportunity: climb onto the free rooftop terrace to admire a spectacular panorama of the French capital!

After lunch at one of the cafés in or near the shopping centre, head to the nearby Opéra Garnier, Paris ' marvellous opera house (daily 10am-5pm; priority entrance €12.00). During your visit, you will be able to admire its interior, including the theatre hall with Chagall's painting. There is also a small museum with the history of the place and paintings and works depicting ballet and theatre scenes.

If you are travelling with children: as an alternative to the Opéra Garnier, you can visit the Musée Grévin, the Wax Museum, the French answer to the famous Madame Tussauds chain, which is not in the city. Buy the entrance ticket and enjoy a few hours of family fun.

3 - Montmartre and Basilica of the Sacred Heart

Finally, in the second half of the afternoon, head to Montmartre, the iconic district of the Belle Epoque. It is a magical place where you can breathe in an atmosphere of yesteryear. From the Opéra Garnier you can reach it by metro line 12, from Gare Saint-Lazar getting off at Abbesses (10 min).

Enjoy a stroll through its streets. We recommend a free tour with an Italian guide who will introduce you to the district's history and most interesting corners. By the way, don't forget to take a photo in front of the famous Mur des Je T'Aim wall. Finally, head to the marvellous Basilica of the Sacred Heart, one of the most beautiful churches in the world (daily 6:30am-10:30pm; Basilica free, dome €6.00, dome + crypt €8.00). Situated on a small hill, from the top of which the view is truly marvellous, you can reach it by funicular railway or by following the historical staircase, which is very impressive indeed! Once there, we recommend climbing the dome to admire the view!

Spend the evening in Pigalle: the nightlife district bordering Montmartre and home to the famous Mouline Rouge. Here you can buy a ticket for the Moulin Rouge show or catch a show with dinner at the Moulin Rouge. Alternatively, the area is full of clubs!

Alternative day trip: Disneyland or Palace of Versailles

Alternatively, you can dedicate one of these days to visiting the area around Paris, or to a specific activity: we're talking about a day at Disneyland Paris or an excursion to the famous Palace of Versailles.

Disneyland Paris is the place we all dream of visiting at least once in our lives, where we can become children again for a day. If you are travelling as a family, it is definitely a must-see. In this case, we recommend that you buy a one-day ticket in advance. Alternatively, you can take advantage of the packages that offer admission and transport, and book your train and park express ticket in good time.

Alternatively, we recommend a visit to the Palace of Versailles, one of the most beautiful palaces in the world, a place of undeniable charm and the residence of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette until the French Revolution of 1789. Again, we advise you to book your entrance ticket with audio guide in advance and, if you don't want to go it alone, join an organised tour from Paris, transport included.

How much does a weekend in Paris cost

Paris is a very expensive city, both because it is the French capital and because it is one of the most mass-tourism-prone destinations in Europe. Fortunately, saving money on flights will be easy, given the many direct low-cost connections from Italy.

Once in the city, the best choice would be to stay in the Louvre district, the most central! The costs are definitely high, so if you want to save money book early or look around the Belleville neighbourhood(map of neighbourhoods here). Whichever neighbourhood you choose, you will then have to get around by transport, while you can discover the individual neighbourhoods on foot. We also recommend the tourist bus, ideal for getting acclimatised. Beware also of lunches and dinners: avoid places that are too touristy and look for typical French bistros.

Let's look in detail at the costs of a weekend in Paris:

• Costs for eating: around €70.00 per person per day (including breakfast, lunch, dinner)

• Costs for museums and attractions: average price €75.00 per person per day following our suggested itinerary including the Seine cruise with dinner

• Transport: average price €15.00 per person per day

• Hotels, accommodation and B&Bs: from €75.00 per room.

• Entertainment: from €30.00 per person per day (including snacks, coffee, aperitifs, drinks, ...)

• Total cost of a weekend in Paris: from €570.00 per person (excluding flights and/or transfers)

Before you go: useful tips

• Getting there: Paris has 3 airports. The most convenient solution is to take a private transfer, alternatively you can use public transport.

• Don't miss the cruise on the Seine: one of the must-do activities in Paris! You can enjoy a wonderful one-hour cruise, or opt for experiences such as a dinner cruise or a sunset cruise with aperitifs;

• Organise your itinerary as best you can: avoid wasting time on transfers. Enter museums at opening hours and when possible buy your ticket already, to save money consider buying the Paris Pass;

• Watch out for lunches and dinners: you can really spend a lot without realising it. To save money, prefer to have lunch at markets, fast food outlets or prepare a packed lunch. In the evening, enjoy dinner at a French restaurant.