Paris

Romance, art & café culture

The City of Light rewards slow wandering. Grand boulevards, hidden courtyards, world-defining art and a café on every corner – Paris is as much about lingering as it is about landmarks. These are the picks that go beyond the postcards.

Good to know

arrondissements spiralling out from the centre like a snail’s shell

~130

museums and monuments, from the Louvre to tiny ateliers

+15cm

the Eiffel Tower grows taller in summer as its iron expands

the Louvre is the most-visited museum on Earth

Local tips

Book museum and monument tickets online in advance – the queues are real.
A Paris Museum Pass covers 50+ sites and skips most ticket lines.
Buy a Navigo Easy card or a carnet for the metro rather than single tickets.
A friendly “Bonjour” when you enter a shop or café goes a long way.

Browse Paris

Paris at a glance

Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days
Best time to visit: spring and autumn
Highlights: Arc de Triomphe Rooftop and Sainte-Chapelle
Where to stay: Canal Saint-Martin and Bastille (11th)
Local picks: 97 hand-chosen recommendations
Getting around: walkable, plus easy public transport

Local tips for Paris

Stories and neighbourhood know-how from our local guides.

Local tipsWhere to Stay in Paris: Best Arrondissements for First-TimersWhere to stay in Paris? A local guide to the best arrondissements for first-timers, from Le Marais and Saint-Germain to…

Local tipsHow Many Days Do You Need in Paris? A Local’s GuideHow many days do you need in Paris? A local guide to the ideal trip length, what to do in…

Where to stay in Paris

Compare live hotel prices and availability on the map. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Bastille

Color Design Hotel

Vibrant, well-priced 3-star on a quiet street near Opéra Bastille and Gare de Lyon.

★ 4.9

12th Arr.

Coulée verte René-Dumont

The elevated planted walkway atop a former railway viaduct – the inspiration for New York’s High Line. Free.

★ 4.7

Marne-la-Vallée

Disneyland Paris

Two parks of rides and shows 45 minutes from the city by RER – magic for families and Disney fans.

★ 4.8

$$$

11th arrondissement (Bastille side)

Eden Lodge Paris

Why it matters: Eden Lodge is an eco-luxury property built around a zero-carbon promise, powered by solar and wood-pellet energy in a timber structure, and recognised on the city’s EU Ecolabel list. I

Champ de Mars

Eiffel Tower Summit

Ride the glass lifts 276m to the summit. Book the first morning slot or an evening visit to skip the worst lines.

★ 4.9

$$$

2nd (Montorgueil)

Experimental Cocktail Club

Le Marais

Fleux

Le Marais (4th)

Florence Kahn

Bois de Boulogne

Fondation Louis Vuitton

Frank Gehry’s glass-sail building in the Bois de Boulogne, with bold contemporary-art exhibitions.

★ 4.7

Golden Triangle

Four Seasons Hotel George V

Art Deco landmark off the Champs-Élysées with six Michelin stars and famed floral displays.

★ 4.8

$$$

Le Marais

Free’P’Star

A cult Marais vintage store giving piles of secondhand clothing a cheap, cheerful second life.

★ 4.7

Central Paris

French Macaron Class with a Chef

Hands-on patisserie workshop piping and filling the perfect macaron, with a pastry chef and a box to take home.

★ 4.7

9th Arr.

Galeries Lafayette Dome & Rooftop

Step inside for the 1912 stained-glass Belle Époque dome, then up to the free rooftop terrace’s skyline view.

★ 4.6

Canal Saint-Martin

Generator Paris

Design-led hostel near the Canal Saint-Martin with a Sacré-Cœur-view rooftop bar; dorms to private rooms.

★ 4.8

Day trip

Giverny & Versailles Full-Day Trip

Monet’s water-lily garden at Giverny in the morning, the Palace of Versailles in the afternoon – two icons in one day.

★ 4.7

$$$

Before you go

Things we recommend sorting before any trip. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Travel medical insuranceSafetyWing's Nomad Insurance works like a subscription: pay by the month, cover in most countries worldwide, and you can sign up even after your trip has started.Check prices on SafetyWing

Data the moment you landAn Airalo eSIM gets your phone online in 200+ destinations before you even leave the airport - no SIM swap, no surprise roaming bill. Use code UNLIMITED4YOU for 15% off your first Unlimited eSIM (through Sept 30, 2026).Get an eSIM on Airalo

Book your trip to Paris

Find the best hotels and book tours and experiences, all in one place.

Find hotels in Paris Book tours and experiences

Paris travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Paris?

Two to three days is enough to enjoy the highlights of Paris at a relaxed pace. See our Paris itinerary guide for a day-by-day plan.

Where is the best area to stay in Paris?

Stay central and walkable to the main sights for a first visit. Our where to stay in Paris guide breaks down the best neighbourhoods.

What are the best things to do in Paris?

Browse the local picks above, from top sights and museums to where to eat and stay.

What is the best time to visit Paris?

Spring and autumn usually bring the most comfortable weather and thinner crowds, though Paris is worth visiting year-round.