A complete, honest guide to Paris, France — where to go, what to eat, how to get around and the day trips worth your time. Art, romance & the finest cuisine.
Paris is a highlight of Europe, and Paris earns its reputation slowly — over long café mornings, riverside walks and the way evening light hits the limestone. Whether you have a long weekend or a full week, this guide helps you plan a trip that balances the must-sees with the moments that make a place stick.
Top things to do in Paris
These are the sights most first-time visitors build their trip around. Tap each one to add it to your shortlist — it saves as you browse.
Perfect 2–3 days in Paris
A simple, unhurried plan you can shape around your own pace.
The essentials
Hit the headline sights first — Eiffel Tower and Louvre. Break for lunch and try croissant, then spend the evening soaking up the atmosphere of Le Marais.
Go deeper
Go beyond the highlights: see Notre-Dame & Île de la Cité and Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur, then explore Saint-Germain-des-Prés at a slower pace. Leave time to sit in a café, browse a market and eat where the locals do.
Beyond the city
With a third day, head out of town — Versailles (the palace and gardens of the Sun King, a short train ride away) is the easy favourite, or swap in Giverny (Monet's garden and waterlily ponds in season).
Ready to book? Turn your Paris shortlist into reality
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Book Paris experiences →Paris on a budget — costs & money tips
Paris is one of the more expensive cities by global standards. Here’s roughly what to budget, per person per day, by travel style — these are indicative estimates to plan around, not fixed prices, and they exclude international flights. Use the currency selector near the top of the page to convert.
dorms/hostels, street food, public transport, mostly free sights
private room or 3★ hotel, a mix of cafes and restaurants, a few paid attractions
4★ hotel, restaurants, taxis when handy, tours and tickets
What things cost in Paris
- Accommodation£55–£170 / night
- Food£28–£75 / day
- Local transport£8–£20 / day
- Typical attraction£15–£45 / entry
See how Paris compares with 126 other cities →
Saving money in Paris
- Accommodation is the budget-breaker here — book early, consider hostels/aparthotels, or shoulder-season dates.
- Supermarket and bakery meals are excellent value; reserve restaurants for a deliberate treat.
- A transport pass and free viewpoints/parks keep daily spend sane in an expensive city.
Estimates assume mid-2020s prices and a typical exchange rate; high season, festivals and last-minute booking push costs toward the upper end.
Local intelligence — Paris at a glance
A quick orientation for Paris. Sunrise and sunset are live for today; connectivity and nomad-friendliness are Wander360 estimates to set expectations, not precise scores.
Staying safe in Paris
Most visits are trouble-free. Use the same street sense you would in any busy city: keep an eye on belongings in crowds and on transport, use licensed taxis or a rideshare app, agree fares in advance where meters aren’t used, and be wary of unsolicited “help” at ATMs or stations. For up-to-date, authoritative guidance always check your own government’s travel advisory (UK FCDO · US State Dept) before you travel.
For getting around Paris specifically, see the Getting around section on this page.
Where to stay & neighbourhoods in Paris
Paris is really a collection of distinct districts, and where you base yourself shapes the whole trip. Here’s each main neighbourhood — what it’s like and who it suits:
Le Marais
Boutiques, falafel and beautifully preserved mansions.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Literary cafés and Left Bank charm.
Canal Saint-Martin
Leafy, laid-back and full of young Parisians.
Once you’ve picked an area, you can book tours & tickets in Paris further down the page.
Food & drink in Paris
Eat like a Parisian: a bakery croissant in the morning, a long bistro lunch, cheese and wine in the evening. Markets and fromageries reward the curious.
Build your Paris food list — tap the dishes you want to try:
Getting around Paris
The Métro reaches almost everywhere cheaply; carnet/Navigo tickets and a good pair of walking shoes are all you need.
🚇 Public transport
Usually the fastest and cheapest way around Paris. Grab a rechargeable travel card or use contactless where supported, and download the local transit app for live times.
🚶 On foot
The centre of Paris is best explored on foot — it’s how you stumble on the small things. Wear comfortable shoes and keep a map app handy.
🚕 Taxis & rideshare
For late nights, luggage runs or awkward cross-town hops, ride-hailing apps are usually cheaper and clearer than flagging a cab. Confirm the car and plate before getting in.
✈️ From the airport
Check the official airport transfer options before you land — there’s almost always a train or express bus into Paris that beats a taxi on price.
Best time to visit Paris
Late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September) bring the best balance of weather and manageable crowds. Prices and crowds tend to follow the weather, so the shoulder seasons often give the best value.
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for visiting Paris.
Day trips from Paris
When you’re ready to venture beyond the city, these make for rewarding day trips:
- Versailles — the palace and gardens of the Sun King, a short train ride away
- Giverny — Monet's garden and waterlily ponds in season
Practical tips for Paris
🧭 Where to base yourself
For a first visit, Le Marais is a smart base — boutiques, falafel and beautifully preserved mansions. If that’s not your style, Saint-Germain-des-Prés works well too (literary cafés and Left Bank charm).
🍽️ Eat like a local
Don’t leave Paris without trying croissant, steak-frites, French cheese or macarons. Skip the obvious tourist spots and eat where you see locals queueing.
✨ Don’t miss
Make time for Eiffel Tower and Louvre. With a spare day, Versailles (the palace and gardens of the Sun King, a short train ride away) is well worth the trip.
💰 Money & payments
Cards and contactless are widely accepted in Paris, but carry some local cash for markets, small cafés and tips. Tell your bank you’re travelling and check foreign-transaction fees.
📶 Staying connected
A local eSIM or SIM is cheap and makes maps, transport and translation effortless across Paris — set it up before you arrive or at the airport.
🛡️ Stay aware
Keep an eye on your belongings in crowds and on transport in Paris, as you would in any busy city, and keep a digital copy of your passport.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Paris?
Three to four days is enough for Paris’s highlights — the main sights plus time to wander Le Marais — with an extra day for a trip to Versailles if you can spare it.
What is the best time of year to visit Paris?
Late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September) bring the best balance of weather and manageable crowds.
What food is Paris known for?
Eat like a Parisian: a bakery croissant in the morning, a long bistro lunch, cheese and wine in the evening. Markets and fromageries reward the curious.
Where should I stay in Paris?
Le Marais is a great first-time base (boutiques, falafel and beautifully preserved mansions). Saint-Germain-des-Prés is another good option for literary cafés and Left Bank charm.
What are the best day trips from Paris?
Two rewarding day trips are Versailles (the palace and gardens of the Sun King, a short train ride away) and Giverny (Monet's garden and waterlily ponds in season).
How do you get around Paris?
The Métro reaches almost everywhere cheaply; carnet/Navigo tickets and a good pair of walking shoes are all you need.
