Two Days in Paris Itinerary: A First Timer's Travel Guide
Magical, romantic, and charming are all words that come to mind when I think of Paris.
It’s the city that pulls at your heart and leaves you wanting to come back. It happened to me.
Unfortunately, I didn’t spend as much time in Paris as I wanted to and I explored super slow. However, with two days in Paris, you can squeeze in a list of best things to do in the city.
With just a little time in the city, I fell in love with its beauty and charming vibe. Although Paris is a huge city, it’s easy to get around and you can see a lot in just a couple of days.
Here’s what you can fit into your itinerary if you only have two days in Paris.
Two Days In Paris: Day 1
Table of Contents
Visit The Louvre
With only two days in Paris, you’ll probably only have time for one major museum. I went with the popular option and opted for the Louvre.
The truth is, I wanted to see the Mona Lisa but like many other people who have gone to see it, I wasn’t impressed by it.
But you know what? It doesn’t matter because the Louvre is one of the biggest and most visited museums in the world and such and holds a large and interesting collection of art.
It has over 35,000 pieces of art and it’s likely you won’t have time to see them all! Some collections include the ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, Egyptian antiques, and paintings from various European artists.
Make sure you plan to spend the least 3 hours but up to half a day inside the museum.
Stop at the Louvre Pyramid
The pyramid is part of the Louvre. I listed it here as a separate thing to do because it’s free and you don’t have to visit the museum to see it.
It’s located in the front courtyard of the museum building and is a spectacular structure. You can go into the building (also free), to see the sunlight shine through.
I recommend going both, during the day and night. At night, it lights up and looks beautiful.
Shop along the Champs do Elyses
This two-kilometer stretch is perfect for a day or night time stroll. You find all types of luxury boutiques, restaurants, and night clubs. Lots of major events happen on this avenue and some major museums, such as the Petit Palais.
Champs-de-Elysees is popularly known as the world’s most beautiful avenue. I didn’t do much shopping, but I joined some friends who did.
Arc de Triomphe
At the end of Champs-Élysées, sits the Arc do Triomphe. It was built in 1806 to honor the victory of Napoleon’s French Army in the Battle of Austerlitz.
It sits in the center of a circular plaza with avenues sweeping in. It’s another iconic monument to Paris and a must-see. You can even enjoy some wonderful rooftop views of Paris!
Trocadero Square
This was one of my favorite spots in Paris and I went three times during my short stay. At Trocadero Square, you will have one of the most amazing views of the Eiffel Tower during the day or night.
It gets very crowded, but it is still worth visiting. You can get some great portraits of the Eiffel Tower from here. However, arrive at sunrise if you want photos without people in them.
My favorite time to visit was at night. People sit around to drink wine, listen to performing buskers, all while the Eiffel Tower Sparkles.
It’s the most magical feeling! I sat around with new friends I met from my hostel, sipped on wine, and talked about life. It was a special night indeed.
Two Days in Paris: Day 2
Eiffel Tower
Is there even a need to explain why you should visit the Eiffel Tower? Before I visited Paris, I figured the tower would be a simple popular steel structure that’s overrated, but I still wanted to see it because it’s iconic.
However, there is something about it that drew me in and made me fall in love with it. Especially when it twinkled at night and it felt extremely romantic.
It didn’t even matter that I didn’t have a partner to have a romantic night in Paris, I was enamored by the structure itself. Visiting the tower will give you a spectacular view of the city.
I recommend starting your day here because the lines get long and then continuing with your daily activities.
Cathedral of Notre Dame
Another Paris must-see is the Cathedral of Notre Dame. It’s mainly known for its Gothic architectural look, but it’s also known for being one of the oldest in the world.
Unfortunately, the Cathedral suffered serious fire damage in 2019 and is closed to the public until reconstruction is completed. However, you can see it from outside and then walk the surrounding area.
Hopefully once it’s repaired, we can enjoy the views of Paris from its towers once again.
Sacre Coeur Basilica
Another one of my favorite spots! Sacre Coeur, also known as the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, is located on the Montmartre hill that comes with amazing views of the city.
It’s a beautiful landmark and the church offers stunning art found inside the church. The Basilica is the second-highest point in the city after the Eiffel Tower and the second most visited church in the city after the Notre Dame Cathedral.
Visiting the Cathedral is free, but to visit the dome you must purchase tickets. Although it gets crowded, it’s worth the time visiting.
People come here to enjoy the view by sitting on the grass or by photographing the city.
Stroll the Seine River
The Seine River flows right through the heart of Paris and brings many people to stroll along its beauty. It is the perfect place to hang out on a bench, stroll, cruise, or even sunbathe.
One of the popular spots is at the Pont Des Arts bridge. It has stunning views of Paris and is a great hang out spot for people to picnic.
Here, you will also hear people with their music playing guitar and having wine while they picnic.
Along the riverbanks, you will find walking paths, cafes, restaurants, discos, benches, and grass.
Evening Picnic Champs De Mars
I highly recommend having a picnic at the famous Champs de Mars. This is a beautiful lawn where Parisians and tourists gather to have a picnic.
It boasts with a view of the iconic landmark, the Eiffel Tower. People gather to play music, to eat, and to simply sit to watch the twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower every hour at night.
When to Visit
It all depends on what you prefer. The summer is the most popular time to visit and will be more crowded and expensive, but a great time to catch some sun.
During the summer, there is daylight late into the night up until 10 pm. This was uprising but very convenient because you can enjoy all daylight.
In the Spring, you have a blooming Paris which also attracts many people. Visiting in the winter will cut your expenses the most.
That leaves us with Fall, which is perhaps the best time to visit as temperatures are still not too cold and there are fewer tourists are in the city.
Where to Stay
I stayed at the Vintage Paris Gare du Nord by Hiphopstels that’s located in the 9th district. It was about a 10-minute walk from the train station and 10-15-minutes to the Sacre Coeur and the Moulin Rouge.
The rooms are air-conditioned, have private bathrooms, a communal kitchen, and even a gym. The metro station is only 800 feet away allowing you easy access to all the major sites in Paris.
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Travel Booking Resources
Book Your Flight:
To find cheap flights, check Skyscanner and Google Flights. These search engines check airlines to find you the best deals. The more flexibility you have, the better flight deals available.
Book Your Accommodation:
Booking.com is my favorite booking site for hotels but it also shows great deals on hostels and apartments. Plus, when you reach Genius Level, you get special discounts, included breakfasts, and upgrades on some hotel rooms. Hostelworld is specifically for budget travelers who enjoy hostels. This is the best place for finding great options.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance and Visa Applications:
Travel insurance will protect you against theft, injury, illness, and cancellations. Sometimes unexpected things happen during a trip and protections will keep you covered. Two great options are: Safety Wing and World Nomads. Also, iVisa can help you get a visa if you need one.
Book Tours:
Sometimes the best way to see a place is through tours. I recommend checking out Get Your Guide for some fun and unique adventures wherever you go.
Check out my other travel resources to help you book your trip!
Disclaimer: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and purchase a product, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Please note I only recommend products and brands that I personally use or have used and believe in.
Two Days in Paris: A First Timer’s Travel Guide
