Last updated on January 20th, 2026
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From Notre Dame Cathedral to the Eiffel Tower, the peaceful Jardin des Tuileries, and beyond, there’s so much to do and see in Paris as a first-time visitor. Luckily, there’s plenty you can pack into a 2 days in Paris itinerary, if that’s all the time you have!
While one could easily spend a lifetime leisurely discovering all corners of Paris, sadly, that’s not an option for us all. So we have to do the best we can with the time we have in this gorgeous city.
After five visits to the French capital and currently living here for almost three months, I’ve tailored this 2-day Paris itinerary to be the perfect introduction to the city for first-time visitors.
Just this year, I was able to bring my mom along for a Euro-trip, and we spent 3 days in Paris, leisurely ticking off the sights and diving into the local cuisine.
This 2-day Paris itinerary aims to do just that, just a little bit more packed, as it’s one day shorter.
Let’s get started!
2 Days in Paris: Itinerary For First-time Visitors
Where to stay for 2 days in Paris
When you have only 2 days in Paris, staying somewhere central will make a huge difference when it comes to using your time efficiently.
For this, I would highly recommend staying somewhere in the 1st, 4th, or 6th arrondissement, if possible, closer to the Seine to be truly in the center of it all.
On the trip I did with my mom, I found this apartment just a few steps away from the Seine, just around the corner from a view of Notre Dame, and it made our 3 days in Paris so efficient and comfortable.
There were lots of attractions within walking distance, and its central location made it easy to come back to the apartment for an afternoon break before heading out for dinner.
Sadly, I don’t find that apartment anymore on the platform I booked it with, but basically anything between the Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain-des-Prés will do the trick.
Here are some options for places to stay in Paris for a central location:
- Hotel Korner Sorbonne: Affordable, modern, clean bedrooms in a great location, just 10 min walking from the Notre Dame Cathedral.
- Hotel De Suez: A mid-range hotel with artsy, modern bedrooms in a similar location to the first one, just a few steps away from Notre Dame.
- Hôtel de Fleurie: Artsy and chic bedrooms in the elegant Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood, close to many bars and restaurants.
⭐️ Tip for first-time visitors:
While staying near the Eiffel Tower might seem like a great idea as a first-time visitor, I would highly advise against it.
While it’s an iconic landmark and a must-see, staying around the Eiffel Tower will keep you too far away from most of the other sights in Paris.
Instead, stay somewhere central, and make the one trip to the Eiffel Tower when you want to tick it off the list.
Before you go: Quick Paris tips
- Learn some basic French expressions, like ordering coffee, hello, goodbye, please, and thank you.
- Bring comfortable yet fashionable outfits, don’t be that tourist in gym wear—it’s Paris!
- Pack comfortable shoes. You’ll walk a lot!
- Book your non-negotiables in advance. If you really want to see the Louvre, don’t leave it for the last minute—book your guided tour of the Louvre in advance.
- Download the Navigo App on your phone to easily purchase Metro tickets on the go.
- Get an E-sim to hit the ground running with data in France. I’ve been using Airalo E-sims for years now.
For transportation tips, other top things to do, places to eat and drink, and general planning advice, check out my full Paris for first-timers guide—it covers everything you need before your first trip to the city of Light.
Day 1: Paris classics
Day 1 of your 2 days in Paris itinerary focuses on the absolute essentials—the landmarks you can’t leave without seeing, plus some added “slow travel” moments to make the trip more than just a checklist.
Breakfast with a view of Notre Dame Cathedral
Start your perfect first day in Paris by heading to the French Bastards bakery location by Hotel de Ville, grab a couple of pain au chocolat and a coffee to go, and make your way to the Notre Dame Cathedral.
Grab a seat on the bleachers facing the iconic Cathedral for an epic breakfast with a view, and on a budget.
After breakfast, explore the Ile de la Cité, the little island the Cathedral is on, and stop by the cute little park behind the Cathedral.
If you want to visit Notre Dame Cathedral, I would highly recommend booking your free visiting slot in advance to avoid wasting precious time standing in line.
There’s no time to waste when spending 2 days in Paris.
Explore the lively Latin Quarter
Once you’re done admiring the beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral, it’s time to cross south of the Seine and explore the Latin Quarter.
This is one of Paris’ oldest neighborhoods, and has long been the city’s student hub, thanks to its proximity to Sorbonne University. Which means that nowadays the area is packed with affordable eats and lively bars.
Explore its winding streets, and stop by the popular Shakespeare and Co. bookshop, a tribute to Sylvia Beach’s original English bookshop, which first published James Joyce’s book Ulysses, and sold copies of Hemingway’s first books.
Another one of those historical spots in Paris where lots of artists, particularly renowned writers, crossed paths. While this is not the original location of the shop, the intention of supporting upcoming writers remains.
Their cute tote bags make for a perfect, practical souvenir, which is a great way to carry the books you might buy. For a cute trip memento, make sure to ask the cashier for a bookshop stamp on the cover of your new book.
Walk down to the elegant Saint-Germain Boulevard, lined with historic literary cafes
Walk down the lively Rue de Buci, lined with many cafes filled with locals out for an espresso or a midday glass of wine, and make your way towards Saint-Germain Boulevard.
Here is where you’ll find many of the historic literary cafes that many 1920’s famous writers, painters, and sculptors used to visit, such as Les Deux Magots, Café de Flore, Brasserie Lipp.
If you read Hemingway’s “A Moveable Feast,” you will recognize many of these places, and walking through this neighborhood will paint a picture of many of Hemingway’s everyday stories.
Les Deux Magots alone saw everyone from Simone de Beauvoir and Jean Paul Sartre, Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, James Joyce, and many more important artists of the time.
Lunch at Le Relais de l’Entrecôte for classic steak and frites
One thing we can’t miss on a 2-day Paris itinerary is some classic steak frites, and what better place to have it than at the popular “Le Relais de l’Entrecote“?
While this popular steak frites restaurant is busy at all times of the day, you’ll normally get a much shorter waiting period when visiting during lunch hours, between noon and 2:30 pm.
There’s really no menu here. Upon sitting down, you’ll be brought a salad plate with walnuts and vinaigrette.
Once done, you’ll be asked how cooked you want your steak, and then you’ll receive your plate of steak with green sauce and fries. And then a refill once you are done.
All this service goes without a lot of decision-making beyond choosing your beverage and a possible dessert.
It’s a fun, unique meal experience, the food is great, it avoids decision fatigue, and it ticks off a French dish off your list. A winner all around.
Optional museum visit: Louvre, L’Orangerie, or D’Orsay
If you’re more of a pack-it-all kind of traveler, you might want to fit in a quick museum visit in the afternoon. The best options for a Paris first-time visitor are: the Louvre, Musée L’Orangerie, or Musée D’Orsay.
If visiting the Louvre Museum, I would highly recommend booking a 2-hour guided tour of the highlights. There’s no way to visit this museum on a tight itinerary and leave it with your sanity intact. The place is massive.
Musée D’Orsay and Musée de l’Orangerie are much smaller in comparison, and easy to cover by yourself in around 2 hours.
If you are a big Monet fan, then you’ll want to visit L’Orangerie to admire the two gorgeous oval-shaped rooms where the full-size water lilies series is exhibited.
If you want a more rounded experience that includes sculpture work, a beautiful setting, and various famous works of art from Van Gogh, Cézanne, Monet, and Manet, then Musée D’Orsay is your best bet.
Whichever you choose, book in advance!
Stroll through the Tuileries Garden and walk along the Seine
If you need an afternoon pick-me-up, first head over to The Coffee, one of my go-to coffee shops in Paris, for a coffee to go.
Also, grab some macaroons from Ladurée—my favorite ones in Paris—either from the Carousel du Louvre underground shopping center, or stop by the shop nearby on Rue de Rivoli. You’ll need them for later.
Now that you are all stocked up, head into the expansive Jardin des Tuileries, Paris’ central park, where locals go for a walk with friends, a run, and we tourists can take advantage of the many chairs around the pond to take a small break.
Wandering around this garden is one of the simple pleasures of being in Paris, and one of my favorite things to do while in the city, no matter the season.
So take your time to cross the park, and then following the Seine you will come across the Petit Palais, the Grand Palais, and then finally the stunning Pont Alexandre III.
Magical sunset at the Eiffel Tower
After reaching Pont Alexandre III, you can start making your way through the left bank of the Seine until you arrive at the Eiffel Tower park. Keep an eye out for cool picture opportunities with the tower peeking through the side streets.
While seeing the Eiffel Tower up close is obviously on everyone’s Paris bucket list, trust me on this, you’ll want to go to the Trocadéro side of the river to get the best pictures from here.
Right over the Pont d’Iéna, by the river, from anywhere on this side, you’ll get unobstructed pictures of the Eiffel Tower, and without having to wait for people to get out of your way.
Once you’re done taking photos, grab a seat on one of the benches in the Trocadéro Gardens, pull out your Ladurée macarons, and enjoy your luxurious little treat while admiring the Eiffel Tower—and letting it sink in that you’re really in Paris!
Magic✨
Apéro at Cave Vino Sapiens and dinner at Le Bizetro
After taking your time admiring the Eiffel Tower, and hopefully getting to see it sparkle as well—it sparkles every hour after sunset—it’s time for a little apéro.
To grab a glass of wine before heading out for dinner, I’d recommend stopping by Cave Vino Sapiens, a small wine cellar steps away from the Eiffel Tower park.
Here, you can let the helpful servers guide you into trying a new French wine, maybe accompany it with some light snacks. I tried Sancerre here for the first time, and loved it!
For the ultimate French dinner during your first evening in Paris, make sure to book a spot in advance at Le Bizetro, a highly rated true French restaurant flooded with locals every day of the week. Except Saturday and Sunday, when it’s closed.
Here you can try high-quality, homemade French classics like escargots, steak tartare, entrecôte, and more.
Day 2: Charming neighborhoods & local Paris
On your second day of this 2 days in Paris itinerary, we’ll dive into more local areas and the neighborhoods that give Paris its charm.
Morning exploring picturesque Montmartre
For your second day in Paris, it’s time to head north to the bohemian, hilly neighborhood of Montmartre, a haven for artists throughout history.
Grab a pastry and a coffee to start the day at Leonie Bakery, an artisanal boulangerie, and enjoy it on an outdoor table to fully embrace the Parisian cafe life and set the vibe for the day.
After breakfast, make your way up the hill to see the iconic Sacré-Coeur Basilica, Montmartre’s iconic church, sitting high on top of the city.
You’ll definitely want your most comfortable shoes for this part of the day.
Entering the Sacré-Coeur Basilica is completely free if you have the patience to wait in line. While beautiful, the interior is quite simple, so if you’re short on time, I’d recommend skipping this and admiring the city views from the top of the viewpoint instead.
Take your time wandering the winding streets, walk down the picturesque Rue d’Abreuvoir, stop by the historic La Maison Rose, visit the Galerie Butte for some souvenir shopping, or for an even more unique souvenir, visit the artists painting live at Place du Tertre.
And for a cute photo with your significant other, make your way to “The wall of I love you”, which is exactly what it sounds like, a wall with “I love you” written on it in 311 languages. Cute!
Lunch at Cafe Breizh: Some of the best crepes in Paris
Exploring charming Montmartre can easily take all morning; once you’re ready to keep moving, make your way back into town to the trendy Le Marais.
Once in the neighborhood, it’s time for lunch at Cafe Breizh, for some of the best crepes in town, and one of my favorite places to eat in Paris on a budget—if ordering the classic crepes.
After many crepe-tastings throughout my many visits to Paris, Cafe Breizh has become a solid winner in my books.
Even the simplest of crepes are delicious, and you can see and taste that everything is made with high-quality ingredients.
I highly recommend the chorizo crepe, with extra grilled onions. If you want something sweet, you have to try their caramelized banana crepe with salted caramel and vanilla ice cream. It’s so so SO good!
Afternoon in the trendy Le Marais
This neighborhood is known as a local yet lively area filled with cafes, restaurants, bars, top coffee shops, and lots andlots of great shopping.
You could easily spend a day in Le Marais just browsing the cute boutique shops and incredible coffee shops in the area… but we’ll do what we can with the time we have.
If you need an afternoon pick-me-up at this point, you could stop by JŌHŌ or Cortado for a little coffee to-go.
Once fed and caffeinated, it’s time to hit the shops. These are some of the best shops in Le Marais to visit:
- Merci: French boutique shop with a curated selection of beautiful fashion and design items. Their totes are a great little souvenir that’s easy to pack.
- Sezane: Chic French fashion brand with everything you need to feel Parisian.
- Bobbies: French leather shoe brand with classic and effortless chic styles.
- Jonak: Another beautiful French leather shoe brand. Perfect to buy yourself a practical souvenir. I got a pair of boots this time around, and I love them!
- Caudalie: French skincare company that specializes in vinotherapy. They also have a spa here in Le Marais.
- Bon Parfumeur: French fragrance brand, creating unisex and clean scents. I’ve been using their 103 fragrance for years!
- Fleux: A vibrant concept store filled with fun, high-quality items.
Visit the photogenic Domaine National du Palais-Royal and stroll through the garden
After having shopped until you drop, make your way to the picturesque Domaine National du Palais-Royal, this is where you’ll find those black and white striped columns you see everywhere on Instagram.
To take the scenic route, walk along Rue de Rivoli, which will also take you to see the Hôtel de Ville, Paris’ city hall, and then keep walking along it until you get to the Louvre.
Across from the Rue de Rivoli, you’ll find Domaine National du Palais-Royal tucked away behind a small passageway.
Right past it, you’ll come across the peaceful Jardin du Palais Royal, another one of my favorite spots to slow down and feel Parisian, sitting on a bench, people-watching.
Make sure to also stop by the historic Galerie Vivienne, often considered one of the most beautiful covered passageways in Paris.
Afternoon Seine river cruise with a drink
A great way to finish off your 2 days in Paris itinerary is by hopping on a river cruise, preferably one including a glass of bubbly, to cheers to an incredible time in Paris.
Having done this as our company Christmas party this year, I can confirm that it is truly a magical thing to do in Paris.
This Paris river cruise comes highly rated and includes a glass of bubbles!
Check availability for the Seine river cruise here before it sells out for your dates:
Casual dinner at Le Balto, a local bistro
To close off a magical 2 days in Paris, head over to Le Balto in the Monnaie neighborhood, one of my favorite bistros in Paris.
Here you’ll find some classic French cafe classics, like onion soup, entrecote, omelets, salads, and more.
This is my go-to spot for casual lunch or dinner, as the food is of great quality, and the prices are reasonable, as it’s frequented mostly by locals.
Order their French onion soup, one of my favorite ones I had in Paris, and it’s under 10 euros, and their glass of champagne is a generous portion for 9 euros as well, and very tasty.
Definitely one of the best places to eat in Paris on a budget, and have a great local meal in a neighborhood bistro. The perfect way to finish a busy 2 days in Paris.
Make sure to grab a table outside for ultimate Parisian cafe vibes, plus the inside is not very cute.
Bon appétit!
Final thoughts on 2 days in Paris itinerary
Paris is such a bucket-list destination, and I can promise you that no matter how long you spend here, you’ll always find more things to add to your next trip.
But if 2 days in Paris is all you have, I’m sure this itinerary will allow you to make the most of your visit to this incredible city.
From breakfast with a view of Notre Dame, a walk through Jardin des Tuileries, seeing that Eiffel Tower sparkle at dusk, and more, this 2 days in Paris itinerary will give you a taste of all the essentials, while also allowing for some slow travel moments to savour the city, its pace, and the food scene.
If you do end up having some extra time in the city, make sure to check out our Paris itineraries for longer stays [coming soon].
Or maybe you’re already planning your next visit to the city of light.
Completely understandable, honestly.
Is there anything else you think belongs in a 2-day Paris itinerary? Let us know in the comments.