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.

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

$$$

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

$$$

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

$$$

South Pigalle

Grand Pigalle Experimental

Stylish SoPi boutique with Frenchie Pigalle downstairs, steps from Pigalle and Montmartre.

★ 4.8

Grands Boulevards

Grands Boulevards Experimental

Dorothée Meilichzon-designed rooms with a buzzy rooftop, near the Opéra and Le Marais.

★ 4.7

Châtelet

Hôtel Britannique

A warm, classic hotel near Châtelet and the Seine, beloved for its service and cosy rooms.

★ 4.7

Place de la Concorde

Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel

An 18th-century palace on Place de la Concorde, reborn with a serene spa and indoor pool.

★ 4.6

$$$

Oberkampf

Hôtel Fabric

A former textile factory turned design hotel with a hammam, near Place de la République.

★ 4.5

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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.