The Ultimate 4-Day Itinerary for Paris - Best Parisian Hotels, Restaurants, Museums, and Hidden Local Spots
Your Paris Essentials
Getting Around:
🚶Paris is a walkable city, and many attractions are within walking distance of each other.
🚴 Biking is also a popular option, with bike-sharing services like Vélib' offering rental bikes throughout the city.
Depending on where you are staying and your level of fitness, you can choose to either walk or use the public transport system.
👉 To follow this guide, we recommend two main passes that will allow you to travel across the city and enter almost any monument:
Cost: €30.75 for all zones
What is it?
A contactless smart card that can be used for payment in public transportation in Paris and the Île-de-France region.
Why should you get it?
How to get it?
⇨ Bring along a passport-sized photo to any ticket office in Paris.
How does it work?
⇨ Tap the card on the ticket stall and the gantry will allow you in.
⇨ Sales for the weekly pass begin on Monday and end on Thursday for the same week.
⇨ The validity of the pass depends on when you buy it (eg. if you bought it on Wednesday = 5 days validity from Wed - Sun).
⇨ Sales for the week begin the Friday before.
2. Paris Museum Pass
What is it?
A pass that grants you access to almost all of the major monument sites across Paris (eg. The Louvre, Arc de Triomphe) Validity lasts for 2, 4, and 6 consecutive days
Why should you get it?
⇨ Cheaper than getting individual tickets from the museum
⇨ Some museums allow you to skip-the-line with the pass
⇨ You are visiting at least 2 sites/day
❗NOTE: If you only plan to visit one or two of these attractions, the Paris Museum Pass may not be the best value money option. We've also included the links to book tickets for the individual attractions in the guide below.
How do I get it?
Online: The digital pass is the best option. Upon receiving the pass in your email, the first time you scan the code upon entering a museum will be the start date for your pass.
Physical: The physical pass is available at most museums on-site. However, we would highly recommend getting it at the Charles-de-Gaulle airport upon arrival.
Airport locations to get your physical pass:
📍 Terminal 2A | 2C 7:30 a.m. • 2:30 p.m. | Closed on Sundays
📍 Terminal 2B | 2D ARRIVALS [luggage delivery room] 7:15 a.m. • 8:45 p.m. | Closed on Sundays
📍 Terminal 2E ARRIVALS [gate 7] 7:15 a.m. • 8:45 p.m. | Closed on Sundays
📍 Terminal 2F ARRIVALS level [gate 11]7:15 a.m. • 8:45 p.m. | Closed on Sundays
Where to Find the Best Hotels in Paris?
Selecting a hotel for your 4-day trip will arguably be one of the most important choices you will make. There's accommodation for every budget you have.
⭐️ Legend:
€€€ - Above average | €€ - Average | € - Budget
Hotels with Eiffel Tower Views
Needless to say, this is where the prime real estate of Paris is, considering how many people are dying for an Eiffel Tower view from their balcony. If you want to tick that off your bucket list, be prepared to pay above-average prices for a stay in one of these hotels.
❗IMPORTANT: Read the notes to see which rooms have the Eiffel Tower view.
Hotels in the 3rd and 4th Arrondissement
Le Marais
Our absolute favourite neighbourhood to stay in! It's the beating heart of Paris right smack in the centre. Filled with amazing restaurants and world-renowned boulangeries (bakeries), this is our kind of neighbourhood!
Here are our personal recommendations:
Budget Hotels in Paris
Even though Paris is one of the most expensive cities in the world, it's still possible to visit it on a budget. You just need to look a little harder!
Cheaper accommodations are typically on the outskirts of Paris, often 30 to 45 minutes from the heart of Paris. What you save on accommodation, you pay with commuting time!
Here are two budget options to book:
DAY 1 - Sacre Coeur and Beyond: Unveiling the Charms of Montmartre
👉 MONUMENTS COVERED:
Sacré-Cœur
Montmartre
Musée d'Orsay
Pantheon
🍴DINING:
Carton Paris
Bouillon Pigalle
La Boite aux Lettres
Breizh Cafe
🛍️ SHOPPING:
La Grande Epicerie de Paris
MORNING
Breakfast:
No better way to kick-start your Paris adventure than a mandatory croissant for breakfast. This spot was crowned the 2022 winner of the coveted regional AOP prize for Best Croissant of Île-de-France, and is one of our favourite croissants in Paris.
Climb to the Sacré-Cœur:
This century-old church is a must-visit for all travelers coming to Paris. As an active place of worship, visitors are generally more respectful and you still get that sense of peacefulness when you visit.
❗NOTE: Sacré-Cœur is a popular monument and can get very crowded quickly. This is why we recommend going first thing in the morning so you can have the best experience without squeezing with others.
This stunning church was constructed in 1914 and holds some really interesting architectural gems to check out:
1. The Dome
The perfectly symmetrical architecture is so visually pleasing to look at.
2. The "Christ in Majesty" mosaic
The largest and most important work of art in the church
3. The Crypt (optional)
Entrance Fee: €8
Included in Paris Museum Pass: ✖
If you choose to pay the extra €8 to climb the 271 steps of the Sacré-Cœur bell tower, this is what your view will look like:
How to access the Crypt?
To access this viewpoint, the entrance is on the left of the basilica on the exterior. It is well worth the extra effort if you have the time and energy to climb it,
Alternative panoramic view:
Fortunately, a picturesque view awaits you just outside the front entrance of the basilica. The Sacre Coeur sits on the summit of Montmartre Hill, making it the second-highest point in the city.
You'll get this amazing view of the Parisian skyline to start off the perfect 4-days:
Stroll Montmatre:
Just a stone's throw away from the Sacre-Coeur is Montmatre. Montmartre is a charming neighborhood in Paris that is filled with an artistic and bohemian atmosphere.
It's no surprise that it was once home to many renowned artists such as Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gogh.
Sights to see in Montmatre:
Every turn you make is a picture-perfect moment waiting to happen. Here are the locations to visit to soak in the Parisian vibe.
📍 Place du Tetre
Place du Tertre in Montmartre has such a lively and artistic vibe. It's a bustling square filled with talented artists who showcase their work to tourists and locals alike. The perfect souvenir is a painting of the City of Love from an artist that lives and breathes Paris.
The best part? It's really affordable. Starting from 30 euros for a small painting, it's the ideal way to bring a piece of the city home with you.
📍 La Maison Rose
An iconic pink restaurant in the heart of Montmatre, this location is a gem. Although it is a pretty spot to visit, we wouldn't recommend the food here as it is quite average.
📍 Rue de l'Abreuvoir
This lovely street is a photographer's dream. The famous dome of the Sacre Coeur is just peeking out of the beautiful Montmartre buildings, what more could you ask for?
📍 Square Nadar
For dog lovers, this is the perfect spot to rest your legs while being surrounded by pups frolicking. Did we mention that you can also enjoy a view of the Eiffel Tower in the background?
📍 Square Suzanna Buisson
This is another quaint local park where you can see Parisians playing petanque, a French ball game. There are plenty of benches to sit on and enjoy the greenery.
AFTERNOON
Lunch at Montmartre:
There are tons of restaurant options at Montmartre. From the bouillons which serve inexpensive French meals to the prix fixe sets in the lovely restaurants, there's so much to discover.
Here are some of the places we love:
Visit Musée d'Orsay:
Entrance Fee: €16
Included in Paris Museum Pass: ✓
The Musée d'Orsay in Paris is a renowned art museum housed in a stunning Beaux-Arts railway station. It boasts an unparalleled collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces, including works by Monet, Van Gogh, and Renoir.
What should you not miss at the Musee d'Orsay?
You can't spend all day here so check out these pieces are stunning:
1. Musee d'Orsay clock
This iconic photospot is located on the fifth floor of the museum. If capturing a photo there is high up on your list, we'd recommend coming at the opening slot and making a beeline for the clock.
Otherwise, be prepared to wait in line for your chance to take a photo there.
2. Van Gogh Self-Portrait
3. Starry Night Over the Rhône (Van Gogh)
4. Blue Water Lilles (Monet)
5. The Siesta (Van Gogh)
Getting Tickets:
Paris Museum Pass holders: A reservation is not required. Head to the ticket control to scan your pass.
Non-Paris Museum Pass holders:
Visit Pantheon:
Entrance Fee: €11.50
Included in Paris Museum Pass: ✓
The Panthéon in Paris is a monumental neoclassical building that serves as a mausoleum and a tribute to the great figures of French history. Originally built as a church, it was later transformed into a temple.
Getting Tickets:
Paris Museum Pass holders: A reservation is not required. Head to the ticket control to scan your pass.
Non-Paris Museum Pass holders:
EVENING
Shopping at La Grande Epicerie de Paris:
Dinner at Pizza Populare:
Pizza Populare is owned by the same restaurant group as Pink Mama but it is truly a lesser-known gem in Paris than its much more viral counterpart.
Day 2 - A Day of Parisian Icons: Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and More
👉 MONUMENTS COVERED:
Eiffel Tower
Musee de l'Armee
Arc de Triomphe
🛍️ SHOPPING:
Avenue Champs-Elysées
MORNING
Eiffel Tower Photoshoot:
Rise and shine! No trip to Paris is complete without taking a few mandatory pictures with the Eiffel Tower. Unless you don't mind, we reccomend waking up early to get to these spots to avoid having a million people in the background of your photos.
Here's where to go for your Eiffel Tower picture-perfect moment:
1, Pont de Bir-Hakeim
2. Rue de l'Universite
3. L'Howea
4. Pont d'Iéna
5. Pont d’Alexandre III
6. Avenue de Camoens
7. Trocadero
Arguably the most famous location, this is a spot we would NOT recommend for photos UNLESS you are committed to waking up extra early (read: 7AM) to get your shot.
Visiting the Eiffel Tower:
Entrance Fee: from €11.30
Included in Paris Museum Pass: ✖
Admiring the eiffel tower from below is absolutely FREE.
Did you know you can climb the Eiffel Tower?
The first ascensions start at 9 am and continue in 30-minute intervals. But you'll want to arrive 15-30 minutes earlier to avoid missing your allocated timeslot.
This is what the view from the Eiffel Tower looks like:
How to ascend the Eiffel Tower?
There are two levels on the Eiffel Tower - the second level and the summit. Depending on which level you want to visit and how you want to ascend, the prices vary.
To access the second level:
Stairs (€11.30) | Elevator (€18.10)
To access the summit:
- By stairs to the second level and elevator to the summit (€21.50)
- By elevator from the first level to the summit (€28.50)
In our opinion, the view from the second level is good enough and there's no point in getting to the summit (other than bragging rights).
Just a heads up, it's really cold and windy up there so bring a jacket!
Getting Tickets:
AFTERNOON
Lunch - Steak Frites at Le Relais de L'Entrecôte:
Le Relais de l'Entrecôte in Paris is a popular restaurant known for serving only delicious steak-frites accompanied by their famous brown sauce.
Musee de l'Armee - War Museum:
Entrance Fee: €15.
Included in Paris Museum Pass: ✓
This one's for all the history buffs. You will find various types of weapons, uniforms, and armor used throughout the military history of France.
Getting Tickets:
Paris Museum Pass holders: A reservation is not required. Head directly to the entrance and scan your pass to enter.
Non-Paris Museum Pass holders:
Stroll along the famous Avenue Champs-Elysées:
The Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris is an amazing place to visit. It's a famous street where you can find lots of cool shops, restaurants, and theatres. You don't have to buy anything for you to experience it.
The best part is that it's located between the Arc de Triomphe and the Place de la Concorde, so you'll have great views of the city while exploring this iconic street.
EVENING
Sunset on the roof of the Arc de Triomphe:
Entrance Fee: €13.
Included in Paris Museum Pass: ✓
Did you know you can climb to the roof of the Arc de Triomphe? We would highly recommend doing this during sunset to have a paranomic view of the city.
❗NOTE: Depending on the season you're visiting Paris, this timing will change. During summer, the sunsets could be as late as 10pm. On the other hand, it's as early as 4pm in winter. So please check before you go!
From the roof, you have a 360-degree panoramic view of Paris. Oh, and did we mention you can also see the Eiffel Tower from the roof?
Getting Tickets
Paris Museum Pass holders: A reservation is not required. Head directly to the entrance and scan your pass to enter.
Non-Paris Museum Pass holders:
Dinner at Le Sens Unique:
Just around the corner along the avenue is a top-notch place to experience duck cuisine. Although the wise say that food near tourist attractions is more than likely to be bad, Le Sens Unique is an exception to this rule.
DAY 3 - Immersed in Culture: Saint Chapelle, Louvre, and More
👉 MONUMENTS COVERED:
Sainte-Chapelle
Notre-Dame
The Louvre
📷 PHOTO SPOTS:
Colonnes de Buren
🍴DINING:
La Maison d'Isabelle
MORNING
Breakfast with Croissants from La Maison d'Isabelle:
This boulangerie won the 2018 prize for the best croissant in Paris and it's another one of our favourite spots for croissants.
Visit Sainte-Chapelle:
Entrance Fee: €11.50
Included in Paris Museum Pass: ✓
Built more than 700 years ago, the church was built to house the relics of Christ (eg. the actual crown of thorns) which has since been moved to the Notre-Dame.
Here are the must-see things in Sainte-Chapelle:
1. Upper chapel
The stained-glass windows showcase scenes from the Old and New Testaments, featuring around 1,200 biblical figures.
Unless you're an expert on those, you'll probably just want to enjoy the spectrum of colours when the light hits the glass at different angles.
2. The Rose Window
This awe-inspiring rose window was installed in the late 15th century. It features 87 petals depicting the New Testament book of Revelations. At its center, Christ appears in glory, wielding a sword in his teeth.
3. Lower Chapel
The ceilings in the Lower Chapel have a protective and private feel. The stained glass windows date back to the 19th century and depict scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary.
During the French Revolution, Sainte-Chapelle suffered significant damage, including the destruction of statues and windows.
❗NOTE: Please come at least 30-min before your allocated time slot because there will be a queue to enter. If you end up missing your time slot, you will have to wait in line for a very very very long time.
Getting Tickets
Paris Museum Pass holders: Reservation is required. Reserve via this link and select the free ticket option:
Non-Paris Museum Pass Holders: Book your tickets here.
Admire The Notre-Dame:
❗NOTE: The church is currently under renovation and will only reopen in December 2024.
AFTERNOON
Explore the haven Rue Montorgueil:
Rue Montorgueil is one of our favorite streets in Paris. It's a lively and bustling place filled with shops, cafes, and restaurants
Here are some food options for lunch:
Don't miss out on these spots while you're there:
No trip to Rue Montorgueil is complete without a visit to Stohrer, the oldest patisserie in Paris. The shop is beautifully decorated and the selection of pastries will leave you spoilt for choice.
For the cheese lovers, this spot is where we would recommend for a large selection of high quality cheese.
Visit the Louvre:
Entrance Fee: €17
Included in Paris Museum Pass: ✓
They say if you spend one minute looking at every art piece in the Louvre, you will spend months to years being stuck here. Unfortunately, we haven't got all day. To conquer this monumental museum, you've got to be selective.
Here are the art pieces worth visiting:
1) Liberty leading the people
2) Winged Victory of Samothrace
3) The Napolean III apartments
4) The Coronation of Napolean
5) Mona Lisa
6) Wedding Feast at Cana by Veronese
Getting Tickets
Paris Museum Pass holders: A reservation is required. Reserve via this link:
Non-Paris Museum Pass holders: Book your tickets here.
Visit the Colonnes de Buren:
This is the perfect spot to get some photos. Have your subject sitting or standing on these monochromatic columns for the iconic photo to brag to your friends.
Hot Chocolat at Angelina:
After exploring the palace, it's time to have a cup of the most delicious hot chocolate at Angelina. This place is not all hype and lives up to its reputation. It's a luxurious experience because you'll have to pay €8.20 for a cup of hot chocolate.
Get a croissant and dip it in their hot chocolate. It's what the French do. It adds so much flavour to the croissant, making it the perfect pairing.
👉 Pro Tip:
1. Don't order the white hot chocolate as it tastes like milk. A world of difference from their hot dark chocolate.
2. If you're on a budget and unwilling to pay the high price for a cup, ordering a hot chocolate to-go will cost you less.
We like to order the hot chocolate to-go, and enjoy it at the beautiful Jardin des Tuileries right opposite Angelina.
EVENING
Dinner around the Louvre:
Here are some spots from budget to adventurous that we would recommend that are within 15-30 minutes away from the Louvre:
DAY 4 - From Versailles to Local Delights: A Day of History and Culinary Delights
👉 MONUMENTS COVERED:
Chateau de Versailles
🍴DINING:
Maison Kuntz Versailles Carnot
Marche des Enfants Rouges
Caractere de Cochon
Brasserie Dubillot
🛍️ SHOPPING:
Galeries Lafayette
MORNING
Grab breakfast at a boulangerie in Versailles:
You'll want to grab a quick bite before heading to the Chateau de Versailles.
Visit the Chateau de Versailles:
Palace Entrance Ticket - €19.5 (Palace ONLY)
Estate of Trianon Ticket - €12 (Entrance to the Gardens, Trianon, and Maison de la reine)
Passport - €28 (Entrance to both)
Included in Paris Museum Pass: ✓
Start your last day in Paris off with one of the grandest palaces in France. If this place looks familiar, it's because you've probably seen it in your history class before.
Every room in this palace is filled with gold engravings on the walls with elaborate artwork on every ceiling. This is probably what WE imagine it would be like if you were the king of France.
Located around 90 minutes outside of Paris, it's a day trip you won't forget.
Getting to the Chateau de Versailles
Metro
Take the RER line C to the station Versailles Chateau Rive Gauche
Bus
Take bus 171 from Pont de Sevres
Car
From the A13 motorway, take exit no.5 Versailles Centre, and follow the signs for the Palace of Versailles.
Must-see sights in the Chateau de Versailles:
Front of the Chateau:
Inside the Chateau:
The Gardens:
▶️ Undecided if Chateau de Versailles is worth the trip? Here are some videos we've created to help you decide:
Getting Tickets:
Paris Museum Pass holders: A reservation is required. Reserve via this link:
Non-Paris Museum Pass holders: Book your tickets here.
✨ Bonus Tips
1. Go on a Guided Tour
We've visited Chateau de Versailles on 4 different occasions but only got to fully appreciate the palace and it's history when we went on a guided tour.
This is why we would highly recommend a guided tour for the best experience, and we promise that you will leave with a greater appreciation for this iconic grand palace.
2. Visit the city of Versailles
Did you know that Versailles is a city itself and has much more to offer than just the Chateau de Versailles?
For a unique experience, we recommend going on a bike tour. This experience includes a skip the line priority access and guided visit to the Chateau, a visit to the city's local market, a picnic in the the garden and a visit to Marie Antoinette’s hamlet.
▶️ Watch our experience on a Versailles Bike Tour:
AFTERNOON
Visit the Marche des Enfants Rouges:
A vibrant market right in the centre of Le Marais (3rd Arrondissement). Home to a multitude of street food vendors, fresh fruit and vegetable produce grocers.
A must-try is the legendary creperie named Chez Alain Miam Miam located in the heart of this market. We recommend their generously filled sandwich and delicious Nutella crepe!
Shop for Aged Jambon at Caractere de Cochon:
This one is for fans of charcuterie and cured meats. This is a boutique shop completely dedicated to varieties of jambon (ham), saucisson (sausage), and terrine.
They also serve one of the best jambon-beurre sandwich across town.
▶️ Watch our visit to Caractere de Cochon:
EVENING
Last-minute shopping at Galeries Lafayette:
It's time to hit the biggest department store in Paris. There's a little bit of everything in this building from perfumed candles to pretty jewelry.
👉 Pro Tip:
Watch the sunset and Eiffel Tower sparkle on the rooftop (8th floor). Galeries Lafayette offers a free panoramic view of the city and is a gorgeous spot to watch the sun set.
Dinner at Brasserie Dubillot:
Here's what we recommend:
Appetiser: Poultry Rilette (left) and Dirty Salad (right)
Main: Skirt steak grilled to medium-rare perfection and seasoned just right.
Dessert: Paris-Brest- choux pastry with hazelnut cream
Watch the Eiffel Tower lightshow:
Did you know that the Eiffel Tower sparkles in specific time intervals?
Every hour by the hour, the iron lady puts up a fascinating light show (eg. 9 PM, 10 PM, 11 PM). The start timing changes based on the sunset timing.
👉 Pro Tip:
Our favourite spot to admire the light show is at Pont d'Iena. Grab a bottle of wine and a little dessert for a perfect end to your trip.
✨ Bonus Tips
👉 Opt for Lunch Formules
One of the cost-effective ways to dine out in France is to go for lunch instead of dinner. Restaurant meals in Paris often cost less at midday compared to eating out for dinner.
In many restaurants, set meals or the French call them formules are only available during lunch. In a formule déjeuner (lunch set), you can to choose either an entree + main or main + dessert for a reduced price. Or if your wallet permits, get an entree, main, and dessert for all under €30!
👉 Take the Roissybus (€16.20)
For a direct one-way transfer from Charles-de-Gaulle airport to the city centre, take the Roissybus.
The bus takes you right outside the Grand Opera of Paris without stopping. From there, take the metro from station "Opera" to your accommodation.
👉 Une Carafe d'Eau, S'il vous plaît
With this tip, you'll get to save €3-4 for every meal that can go towards your croissant funds instead.
In France, it is mandatory for restaurants to serve tap water to their patrons. And yes, it is 100% safe to drink. Tap water in France adheres to the World Health Organisation (WHO) standards and is tested by the French every day.
To order tap water, say "Une Carafe d'Eau, S'il vous plaît"
▶️ Watch this video for how to pronounce this phrase:
👉 A Little Bonjour Goes a Long Way
As basic as this tip goes, it's perhaps the most important one out there. You'll be surprised how many tourists start a conversation without any formalities. I can guarantee that you'll have a more pleasant experience with this word: Bonjour.
In France, it is a custom greeting that MUST be said when you enter a shop (boulangerie or restaurant included). Otherwise, don't be surprised if you're not treated enthusiastically when its your turn to be served.
It is considered extremely rude to not say bonjour upon entering. So don't skimp on the formalities and always start with a bonjour. Also, a "hello" doesn't count.
Here are some other French expressions to learn before your trip:
1) Parlez-vous anglais? (par-ley-voo-uhn-glay?)
Do you speak English?
2) Merci (mer-sea)
Thank you!
3) Je voudrais...(Juh voo-dray)
I would like..."say what you would like"
4) Pour les toilettes? (pour ley-twaa-let)
Where are the toilettes? (literally means: for the toilets?)
And there you have it!
We hope you enjoyed our ultimate guide on spending 4 perfect days in Paris. From exploring the charming streets of Montmartre to marveling at the iconic Eiffel Tower, every moment will be filled with wonder and excitement.
Need more food recommendations in Paris? Check out this FREE guide:
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