Last updated on November 2nd, 2021 at 04:48 am
Bonjour Paris! The typical question that any potential traveler to Paris always has is “How many days in Paris is enough”. Is it enough to spend 5 days in Paris? Or need more time? And the answer to that is there is no set number of days.
Paris is a big city and it entirely depends on what your travel style is and your preference. Does history excite you and your family? In that case, museum hopping itself is going to take a significant amount of time.
But whichever your preference is, I would recommend keeping aside at least 5 days while you are planning for a Paris vacation with family. That will give you enough time to explore the city and its suburbs and give you some breathing space. This day by day itinerary will help you explore Paris in 5 days. It is spaced out along with daytrip suggestions from Paris that you can enjoy while visiting this iconic city.
Disclaimer: Things are changing rapidly – please double check what’s open before your trip and follow all local guidelines to keep yourself and others safe! This post contains affiliate links which means I may earn a commission if you click on one and make a purchase.
I can never decide whether Paris is more beautiful by day or by night
Midnight in Paris
Day 1 Of 5 Days In Paris Itinerary
a. Begin Paris exploration with the best view of the Eiffel Tower from Trocadéro
Start your day early with a visit to Jardins du Trocadéro. It is an open space with several fountains along a long basin and provides probably the best view of the Eiffel Tower. If you are visiting Paris for the first time, this view of the Eiffel Tower is something you are going to cherish for years to come.
The crowd around can be ignored for a sight of this magnitude!
From here, walk over to Eiffel Tower across the Seine river and reach the tower. It’s a 15 min walk. Alternatively, you can also take the metro.
b. Visit the Eiffel Tower
Its a no brainer that meeting Eiffel Tower up and close is one of the must things to do in Paris.
It is undoubtedly the icon of City of Light an we will begin our 5 days in Paris exploration with this iconic landmark.
Make sure to book your tickets to Eiffel Tower through Tour Eiffel site, beforehand to skip the line. Eiffel Tower has three levels and you can start with the topmost level. While it is an experience to ascend the stairs to the tower’s 2nd floor, I think it would be a bit too much since you have an entire day of Paris exploration remaining. So, save energy and time and take the elevator to the top. Do, not forget to video-record you ascend to the top of the Tower!
The topmost floor or the Summit has mesh all around and you can see the Paris skyline unfold in front of you. Spend some time here and also peek into Gustave Eiffel’s secret chamber at the summit.
Come down to the 2nd floor of the tower. There is an observation deck with a telescope on this floor and there is no mesh. Paris never looked prettier from here! The 2nd floor also has dining options and souvenir shops.
Make your way to the 1st floor now where you can dare to stand or sit on a transparent floor! This floor also has some dining options and you can stop by for some quick snacks and coffee. You can also dine at 58 Tour Eiffel if you fancy! It offers some unique views of Paris and certainly comes at a high price.
It will be time for the lunch break and you can settle down at one of the many roadside restaurants with outdoor seating arrangements.
Read more : Complete guide to visiting Eiffel Tower for the first time
c. Visit the Arch De Triomphe
Head on to Arc de Triomphe post-lunch.
Arc de Triomphe is another icon of Paris and a national emblem for France. It stands at the center of Place Charles de Gaulle and was commissioned by Napoleon to honor the victories of the French army under him.
An ascent to the top of Arc de Triomphe (a mighty 284 steps) will provide you a beautiful view of Paris & how various streets are radially built around the monument.
d. Walk the Champs-Élysées
It is now time to walk down the famous avenue of Champs-Élysées.
Champs-Élysées connects Arc de Triomphe with Place de la Concorde and is one of the most well-known commercial streets in the world lined with flagship stores of all fashion brands you can fancy. It is ideal for window-shopping unless you are planning to splurge!
e. Explore Paris on Seine Cruise
Take the metro and come down to the Eiffel Tower for the Seine Cruise. A trip to Paris is incomplete if you do not take the river Seine Cruise.
It is better to opt for the Seine cruise towards late afternoon/early evening because you will get to see the Eiffel Tower all lit up and twinkling.
There is an array of Seine Cruise on offer and you can check for Seine Cruise options from Bateaux Parisiens website.
We opted for a 60-min cruise in the evening.
This brings us to the end of Day 1 of the 5 day Paris itinerary.
Day 2 Of 5 Days In Paris Itinerary
a. Say Hi to Monalisa at Louvre museum
Louvre is the world’s largest museum and it takes several days to explore the museum. The current day’s museum was originally a palace belonging to the French monarchs. There are more than 380,000 objects and 35,000 works of art on display. The period of the artworks spans from the 6th century B.C. to the 19th century A.D.
That’s a mind-boggling number.
Hence do not try to explore everything if it is your first time there. It is not possible, practically. Go for a guided tour of Louvre if you prefer.
The museum’s main entry adorned by a modern installation of a glass pyramid is magnificent and is itself a work of art. Do not miss out on The Venus de Milo, The Winged Victory of Samothrace, Mona Lisa (obviously), and The Coronation of Napoleon (it was undergoing restoration when we visited last).
An estimated 3 to 4 hours is recommended for Louvre. Of course, if you are an art buff, the entire day can be spent at Louvre.
Timings: 9 AM to 6:00 PM, Closed on every Tuesday, 1st January, 1st May and 25th December
Tickets: Louvre is well-known for long queues and you will need to plan to skip the line.
- Book your tickets online in advance from Louvre’s Official Website
- Avail the skip-the-line facility offered by Paris Museum Pass or Paris Pass.
- Avail guided tours. In fact, they are one of the most preferred ways of exploring a place. The tour-guides share some of the best and lesser-known insights about the attractions making your visit more enriching.
Pro tip:
Rick Steve’s Audio guide will be your trusted partner for exploring Louvre. It provides you with the best information on where to start your Museum tour from, a doable museum route, and includes loads of details and history on the artifacts.
Download Rick Steve’s Audio Guide app beforehand.
b. Check out the former royal residence at Palais Royal
A few meters away from the Louvre museum in 1st arrondissement, is the gorgeous 17th-century French palace and its associated garden – Palais-Royal. Originally built as a residence for Cardinal Richelieu this place housed the French royal families until the Palace of Versailles was built.
The star of Palais-Royal is the modern installation of 260 black and white striped octagonal columns in the palace courtyard. It provides a great photo opportunity.
Palais-Royal is a highly under-estimated tourist attraction in Paris. If you are looking for some offbeat things to do in Paris, then Palais Royale should be on your list.
You get to see an amazing medieval French palace with a modern twist and almost zero crowds!
Tickets : It is free!
c. Admire the fabulous Gothic architecture of Notre Dame Cathedral
Notre Dame cathedral is one of the most beautiful medieval Gothic cathedrals in the world and boasts of stunning architecture, majestic towers, beautiful gargoyles, flying buttresses, and magnificent stained-glass windows, and an icon of the city of Paris.
Post the devastating fire in 2019, a massive restoration work has been started. Since the entrance to the cathedral and ascending the stairs to the top are restricted till further notice, you can admire the beauty only from outside. Nevertheless, Notre Dame cathedral has to be there on your Paris must-see list.
Read more : Paris Bucket List for first timers
d. Get awestruck by the stained glass windows at Sainte-Chapelle
Built in the 13th century by King Saint-Louis this Gothic-style church is well-known for exquisite stained-glass windows and undoubtedly needs to be part of your Paris Bucket list.
Whether or not you are into Gothic architecture, a visit to Sainte-Chapelle in central Paris is a must. Tag it along with your visit to Notre Dame.
Tickets: 11.5 Euro to 17 Euro. Tickets cannot be purchased at the site. Buy your tickets online.
That’s quite a good dose of museum and cathedral-hopping for the day. Time to take some rest and gear up for the next day.
Day 3 Of 5 Days In Paris Itinerary
Transcend to a magical world in Disneyland Paris
And who doesn’t love Disneyland! If traveling with family and young kids, a day trip to Disneyland Paris is a must. Disneyland is equally appealing to adults as well. Hence, if traveling to Paris with family, you will need to include a Dreamy Disneyland Day in your Paris itinerary.
I have kept Disneyland Paris on the 3rd day – it will be a hectic day. Don’t rush and take your time to immerse yourself in the Disney experience.
Start the day early and reach Disneyland when the Park opens. That way, you have the entire day to explore the main point of attractions within the park, take some rides and include a few character-meets.
Keep aside some time to visit the Walt Disney Park as well opposite Disneyland to get the feeling of Hollywood.
I would strongly recommend staying back for Disney Parade in the early evening and the magical Fireworks at night. This is a spectacle you must not miss out and it completes the Disneyland Paris experience.
It will be close to midnight when you will return to Paris from Disneyland.
A magical day worth spending!
Tickets : Disneyland Paris Official Website
Day 4 Of 5 Days In Paris Itinerary
Today is Paris neighborhood exploration day. Take this day slowly and immerse yourself in the Parisian air. After a fun-filled hectic day in Disneyland Paris, it makes sense to start the next day slowly.
a. Explore Montmartre – The bohemian and artistic neighborhood of Paris
Head on to the Montmartre area after breakfast and explore this culturally rich Parisian neighborhood.
Visit Sacre-Coeur cathedral, enjoy a panoramic view of Paris from cathedral steps, visit artist’s square, grab lunch in one of those cute Paris Restaurants, and more than anything else, do not rush.
I have an entire post on the best things to do in Montmartre to get you started.
b. Explore St-Germain-des-Prés – Paris’s chic and artsy neighborhood
After a nice lunch break, visit the other artistic neighborhood of St–Germain-des-Prés in the 6th arrondissement. St–Germain-des-Prés is well-known for its famous artist residents (read Picasso, Hemingway, and likes). This chic neighborhood has a great vibe with tons of restaurants, cafes, and shops.
St–Germain-des-Prés is best explored on foot through a neighborhood guided tour. Alternatively, hop on to a food tour at St-Germain to get a real taste of French food and also explore the neighborhood along the way.
I’ll confess! Food tours are my favorites and I do not miss a chance to avail one while traveling – the best way to get to know the city and its food!
Day 5 Of 5 Days In Paris Itinerary
a. Day Trip to Versailles
We are almost at the fag end of spending five days in Paris. Today we will start early to visit Palace of Versailles.
The symbol of the French monarchy of the 18th century, visiting the Palace of Versailles is probably one of the most sought-after day trips from Paris. As much as the palace is awe-inspiring to adults, the grandeur of yesteryears is equally appealing to the young kids.
The palace is a World Heritage Site. It used to be the former hunting pavilion for King Louis XIII. His son, Louis XIV transformed it to the lavish palace. The Court and Government was set up there and it continued to be the royal residence of French monarchs till the French Revolution.
The easiest way to reach Versailles is by RER Line C to Versailles Château – Rive Gauche, followed by a 10-minute walk to the Palace.
Go beyond the Palace tours and explore the Palace Gardens as well. Just ensure to book tickets in advance to skip the line. Versailles Palace was infamous for long queues during pre-pandemic days.
Palace of Versailles is famous (or infamous!) for very long queues. Hence, booking tickets in advance is highly recommended so that you do not lose out on time just by waiting.
Navigate to Versailles Palace’s official website to book the tickets beforehand.
Related : Tips for the perfect day trip to Versailles Palace from Paris
b. Explore Musée d’Orsay in Paris
This is your last evening in Paris. You can keep this as a free evening.
Else, you can visit Musée d’Orsay, one of the most exquisite museums in Paris. It is famous for its huge collection of Impressionist paintings by renowned painters of the world. It is a compact museum. However, if you are not much into art and all, it might seem a bit of drag. Choice is yours.
When to visit Paris?
Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world. Each time of the year has something special to be witnessed in this city.
However, bear in mind that peak seasons always bring in more crowd and is more expensive. So, choose your best time to visit Paris according to your requirement, kid’s holidays and certainly budget.
Spring: March to May (Shoulder season)
Spring in Paris witnesses comparatively less crowd and the weather still bears the touch of cold. It might rain in the evenings but not heavy showers. This is my most favorite time to visit Paris.
The city is affordable at this time of the year and if you are in Paris during late March and early April, the city will welcome you with the most colorful blossoms.
Summer: June to August (High season)
If you are in Paris this time of the year, you will meet more tourists than Parisians on the streets. The city gets over-crowded, museums and notable sites witness long queues. The temperatures tend to be on the higher side but just the perfect to let you stroll on the streets.
You will still need to prepare yourself for the rains as July is the rainiest month in Paris.
I do not prefer traveling during the high season as long waits and crowds around just bring in more irritation and less happiness while exploring a place.
Autumn: September and October (Shoulder Season)
Ahh, the fall season. Be ready to witness some of the best foliage colors in the city and also the weather is milder. After Spring, Autumn would be the next best time to go to Paris.
Winter: November to February (Low season)
Traveling to Paris during winter means you will save on budget and time, but the suitcase will be heavy as you need to pack chic winter outfits for the entire family. Though it’s cold, December in Paris is beautiful as the city prepares for the Christmas celebration and is adorned with cheery lights, Christmas markets.
If you have plans to ring the New Year bells in style, the end of December might be a good time to visit Paris. Also, January the cheapest month to travel to Paris.
Where to stay in Paris?
We debated and researched a lot before finalizing where to stay in Paris. Where to stay in Paris also depends on your budget and the type of local atmosphere you would like to experience.
Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements (administrative districts). While staying centrally is always the preferred option, central Paris is very expensive.
Arrondissements of Paris is a great article to orient you to Paris neighborhoods. Each arrondissement has its own character. While Latin Quarter is more famous for attracting the student crowd, Marais is well-known for chic boutiques and vibrant nightlife. Bear in mind, Paris is an expensive city. Hence accommodation cost is going to shoot up if not chosen wisely.
Both Saint Germain in the 6th arrondissements and the historic district of Le Marais (3rd and 4th arrondissements) are good areas to stay centrally while visiting Paris with family. We chose to stay at Saint Germain.
Check out booking.com for some affordable hotel options.
Check out Airbnb for vacation rentals.
How to get to Paris?
Paris has three international airports – Charles de Gaulle International Airport, Orly International Airport, and Beauv… ais. Charles de Gaulle (CDG) has connections to the most international destinations.
How to Move around in Paris?
When in Paris, travel like a local. And the locals’ favorite is public transport. Hop on to a bus or take the metro, commuting in Paris is easy.
My personal favorite is the Metro. Paris Metro Service is one of the oldest in the world and has a great network inter-connecting the city.
Paris is divided into 5 zones. Zone 1 to 3 is Paris-only while Zones 1 to 5 include Paris, suburbs, and the airport. If you have plans to take day trips to Disneyland or Versailles, it will be covered in Paris Visite Travel pass for Zone 1 to 5 category)
Paris Visite Travel pass is valid for 1, 2, 3, or 5 consecutive days.
What to eat and drink in Paris?
French cuisine is one of the best in the world and the best part is Paris is a food-lovers haven.
With the innumerable cafes and bars doting the streets of Paris, you are always up for a culinary treat.
You will need to walk a lot to explore Paris (it is pretty much the same across Europe and Europeans love walking!) and food breaks in between are most welcome if you are in Paris with kids.
Wake up to help yourself with fresh croissants, grab a crepe from a street vendor (my favorite filling is Nutella), take a chair at a roadside restaurant grabbing a ham sandwich, or indulge in sinful hot chocolate, the options are unlimited.
And certainly, French wines are there to round up your day.
I have an entire post on must-try food in Paris to share some of the most delicious picks from the city.
Mini Souvenir Guide to Paris
a. Eiffel Tower replica
Grab a replica of the Eiffel Tower from any of the roadside vendors. Eiffel Tower itself has a gift shop. It would be expensive there.
b. Macarons
A box of delicious and pastel-colored Macarons is the perfect foodie souvenir you can bring home from Paris. Grab them from Laduree (I love their mint-green and pink packaging).
Pro-Tip: Laduree has a store at Charles De Gaulle Airport. You can pick up one from there while returning from Paris.
c. Key Chains and Fridge Magnets
Key chains and fridge magnets are the perfect gifts for family and friends back home. They are easy to carry, affordable, and usable. Get a bunch of them in varied themes – a miniature Eiffel Tower or a pretty pink macaron.
Fridge Magnets are also available in various shapes – circular or rectangular with Paris Landscape printed on it.
d. French perfume
Nothing is more Parisian like a bottle of French perfume. Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, or Christian Dior – choice is yours!
e. French soaps
Marseille soap has been used in traditional French homes for ages and is a great souvenir to carry back home. Its key ingredients are pure olive oil, water, salt, and soda.
It is very difficult to get original Marseilles soap even in Paris.
You can pick them up from Marius Fabre’s boutique in Le Marais.
e. A Monalisa souvenir from Louvre’s Gift shop
After the Louvre museum tour, stop by the museum’s gift shop. It has a wide collection of art-related books, stationeries, stylish pouches with Monalisa print, and many more.
f. Angelina Bottled Hot Chocolate Souvenir
Hot chocolate from Angelina is sinful! The good news is you can carry home a bottled hot chocolate as well from this flagship store in Paris.
Frequently Asked Questions On Paris Itinerary
End of April, May and September are the best months to visit Paris keeping when the weather is nice and there are comparatively less tourists.
You have the option of taking a taxi, bus, or RER to commute from Charles de Gaulle Airport to your destination.
Taxis though on the pricey side is the best option if you have luggage, are tired, want a hassle-free option, and do not want to navigate through the public transport system if it is your first time in Paris.
RER B is the next best option that will take you directly to central Paris. Keep your ticket with you until leaving the station, you’ll need it to get out.
Yes! Paris is very much kid-friendly and every corner is a charm. With so many historical sites, museums, and pretty parks, Paris is appealing to young kids as well. Explore the city with them on foot (it’s a very walkable city), smile, eat, take photos, see art and the beautiful architecture and let them fall in love with the city.
The month of January is the cheapest time to visit Paris.
You can budget 50 Euros for per day meal in Paris. Breakfast – 10 Euros, Lunch – 15 Euros, Dinner – 15 Euros, Snacks – 10 Euros. This can be further brought down, if breakfast is also included in hotel or if you are buying a croissant from a bakery shop. Similarly, it can shoot up a bit as well, if you would like to experience a fine dining experience or taste the French wine!
You will certainly need at least 5 days in Paris to explore it and cover the most well-known destinations, if it is your first time there. You can also incorporate a few day trips to explore some destinations outside Paris because there are so many interesting places to visit!
Closing Thoughts On 5 Days In Paris Itinerary
As you could see, it is very much possible to explore Paris in 5 days. You can admire the city stars as well as opt for day trips. Let me know your favorite places in Paris that you would certainly like to keep in your Paris Itinerary.
