Welcome to the City of Love! Paris is a city that never fails to capture the hearts of its visitors, and there’s no better way to explore it than with a well-planned itinerary. Whether you’re a first-time traveler or a frequent visitor, there’s always something new to discover in this enchanting city. In this blog post, I’ve put together the ultimate 5-day Paris itinerary that will take you to all the must-see attractions and hidden gems, so pack your bags and get ready to fall in love with Paris!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links from booking platforms. By booking through my link you are supporting my work, thank you so much!
How to go to the city centre from Beauvais airport
We flew from Porto to Paris Beauvais at night, so that day is not included in the itinerary. We chose Beauvais airport because, although it is further away, we had that much time available, and the flights were significantly cheaper, already including the cost of transportation to the city center.
Between Paris Beauvais airport and the center of Paris, more precisely Porte Maillot, there is a transfer bus that takes 1h30 to go from one place to another. The bus timetables are set to fit in with the flights, both departures and arrivals, but there is no problem in going at a different time than the one for our flight.
The one-way ticket costs 16.90€ for adults and 9.90€ for children (<12 years old). The round trip ticket costs 29.90€ for adults and 19.80€ for children. These figures correspond to tickets purchased online, and if purchased in person they are slightly more expensive.
Upon arriving at Porte Maillot we went by subway to the accommodation of the first night, which was located in the northern part of the city. We chose to buy the pack of 10 metro tickets, which is €19.10, instead of individual tickets, which are €2.10 each.
Itinerário
Dia 1
The morning of the first day was spent in Montmartre since it was the closest area to our lodging that night. We woke up early to take advantage of the few hours of daylight (the trip was in February, and the days are still short), so by 8am we were already exploring the city. These were the places we visited:
Moulin Rouge
The Moulin Rouge is the most famous cabaret in the world. It was founded in 1889 and was one of the most extravagant places in town (there was even an elephant in the garden!). It is also linked to can-can, a French dance that emerged in 1830-1840. The Moulin Rouge is especially visited at night, when it is all lit up, and you can still watch its shows.
Wall of Love
This 40m2 mural is in the garden of Jehan Rictus square in Montmartre, where “I love you” is written in 250 languages.
On the way to the Sacré-Coeur Basilica we also passed the famous cafe “Le Vrai Paris”, all decorated with flowers.
Sacré-Coeur
I have few photos here because unfortunately, it rained all morning… From the outside stairs that go up to the basilica, looking to the right, is the famous “Sinking House”.
Admission to the church is free and it is open from 6:30am to 10:30pm. It is also possible to climb to the dome to see the city of Paris from above. The ticket costs 7€ and I chose not to go since it was very foggy and it was not possible to see much.
Le Consulat
We also passed by Le Consulat, but just for a few quick photos.
Rue de L'Abreuvoir & La Maison Rose
Known as the most beautiful street in Paris. Because it was raining a lot I didn’t take any pictures here. The fog also obscured the view of the Sacré-Coeur in the background. In this street you can find the famous La Maison Rose.
Then we went back to the hotel to check out and took the subway to the hotel where we would stay the next two nights. After dropping off our bags, we decided to spend the afternoon at the Louvre to escape the bad weather.
Louvre
The ticket for the Louvre can be bought online or on site. The ticket bought online is 17€ (book it here) and on site is 15€. Although online is more expensive, at least you can guarantee your entrance, which is especially important on the weekend. As I went with my sister and we are both EU residents under 26 years old, our entrance was free, and the ticket can be booked online aqui.
There are several entrances: the main one, and with the longest queue, being at the Louvre Pyramids. From my research, it is quicker to enter through the Carrousel du Louvre or Porte des Lions. However, our ticket said to enter through the Pyramids, so we didn’t want to risk being sent back, and went to that line. We only stayed in line for 10 minutes even though it was quite long. At the entrance, you go through the security check and then you go down to the area below the largest Pyramid. There you can get a map of the museum. Then, we went through a second ticket control, where they confirmed our age.
As I had already been warned, the orientation inside the museum is not the easiest thing ever, but the experience was very positive. We stayed about 3 hours in the museum (because my feet couldn’t take it anymore) and of course, we didn’t see everything, we chose the areas that interested us the most. Obviously, we did not miss the visit to the Mona Lisa! Our visit ended in the inverted pyramid inside the Louvre, the 5th pyramid.
Next we took the opportunity to take some pictures outside, but because it was a Saturday, the whole area was full of tourists (like us).
At the end of the day, we returned to our hotel – Bonsoir Madame – to rest. Bonsoir Madame is a boutique hotel in the 6th arrondissement, right next to the Jardin du Luxembourg. It is the perfect place for a quiet and luxurious stay. I stayed in one of the Superior Rooms – Les Collections, which was perfectly decorated. The hotel has a wellness center and gym, a varied and delicious breakfast, and a very helpful staff.
Eiffel Tower by night
After dinner we decided to go see the light show that happens the first 5 minutes of every hour at the Eiffel Tower, and it was magical. This was the moment when we really felt that we were actually in Paris.
Dia 2
Versailles
On the second day of the trip, because it was the first Sunday of the month (which is when most of the attractions in Paris are free for everyone), we opted to leave the city center to avoid confusion. We went to visit the Palace of Versailles. Although on this day the entrance was also free, the visit to the palace costs 19.50€ for >25 years old, and is free for <18 years old or <26 years old EU residents. Even those entitled to a free ticket should book their ticket online to guarantee their place (on this particular day tickets sold out a few days in advance). You can see all the information aqui.
There are several ways to get to Versailles:
- RER C train – there are several stations along the Seine River, the train runs every 15 minutes, it takes about 40 minutes to get to Versailles Rive Gauche station (it is a 10 minute walk from the palace). The price depends on the starting station.
- L-line train – departs from Paris Saint Lazare, takes 45 minutes to reach Versailles Rive Droite station (it is a 17-minute walk from the palace). The one-way ticket costs 4.95€.
- N-line train – departs from Montparnasse and takes 25 minutes to reach Versailles Chantiers station (it is a 20 minute walk from the palace). The one way ticket costs 4.05€.
We chose the latter option because we were closer to Montparnasse station.
The palace can be visited between 9am and 5:30pm, except on Mondays, and the gardens are open from 8am to 6pm. We went as soon as it opened to avoid crowds.
When we arrived at the ticket control we realized that we had booked tickets for the day before. Fortunately the Palace staff was super attentive, and even though the tickets for that day were sold out, they make some exceptions for this type of situation, and they let us in.
We used the free app Palace of Versailles to access the audio-guides of the different exhibitions and we found it super interesting. The palace is beautiful and we spent the whole morning getting to know its interior.
We took our lunch to eat in the palace gardens, which we saw in the afternoon. Because it was winter, they were not in their full splendor, and many statues were even covered with plastic. Still, the size of the gardens is impressive.
Seine river Cruise
We returned to the center of Paris in time to see the sunset on a 1-hour cruise along the Seine River. The tour was booked through GetYourGuide, and at the entrance to the boat you just show the QR code on your ticket. If you want to go at a specific time, as was my case, for the sunset, I advise you to be there half an hour earlier because the line can get long.
At the end of the cruise we still watched the Eiffel Tower light show and had a crepe that was delicious!
Dia 3
Trocadéro
The third day started at the Trocadéro, shortly after sunrise, and with negative degrees. We took advantage of the fact that there was hardly anyone there to enjoy the view.
The quietness was only interrupted by the souvenir sellers who tried to make conversation in order to sell us “free” bracelets or to offer help with the photos, and then they would ask us for money. Obviously, we declined everything.
Avenue de Camoes
This avenue has a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower so I did not miss the opportunity to take pictures.
Pont de Bir-Hakeim
One of the most beautiful bridges in Paris, overlooking the Tower.
Champs de Mars
The gardens next to the Eiffel Tower unfortunately had some construction work going on. It was here that we also encountered the largest number of scammers, trying to “offer” bracelets, saying it was tradition. We simply refused and went on our way.
Rue de l'Université
We had to go through one of the most famous streets in Paris. I had already seen many videos of this street full of people trying to take pictures, but we were lucky and the street was practically empty.
Square Rapp
Another little corner that I added to the map when I did my research of beautiful places to photograph in Paris. I will never get tired of this view of the tower.
Rue Saint-Dominique
This street is also heavily visited by content creators and you can see why, the view is gorgeous.
Arc de Triomphe
Next we went to the Arc de Triomphe. Access is through an underpass, although we saw a lot of crazy people running across the road (and getting honked at a few times). The climb is free for EU residents under 26, otherwise it costs €13. Free tickets must be purchased on site, others can be booked aqui. I ended up not going up because my companion had an injured knee, and the access to the top is by stairs.
Champs-Elysées
Next, we walked down the Champs-Elysées to see the different storefronts and went down by the river.
Pont Alexandre III
In my opinion, one of the most beautiful bridges in Paris. We only spent a short time photographing this area as we were in a bit of a hurry to get to the next location.
Opéra Garnier
The Opera is one of the places I was most looking forward to visiting. Tickets cost 14 euros for adults and 9 euros for people under 26 who are EU residents. Tickets can be purchased online here.
The Opera House can be visited between 10am and 5pm, with the last entrance at 4:15pm.
We visited at 4pm and the place was completely packed with people, which took away some of the magic and beauty I was hoping to find. In addition, the performance hall was closed that day. Probably at another time I would have had a better visit. I still think it’s a place to visit in Paris, but I don’t think it’s a must for a first visit to the city.
Place Vêndome
In the Place Vendôme are the most luxurious stores and hotels in Paris. Of course we came here just passing for the last place of the day!
jardin des Tuileries
We chose this garden to watch the sunset. On the way we stopped by Angelina to buy a hot chocolate and some macaroons. The amazing atmosphere and this golden sunset light made the end of this day even more beautiful. We even made some duck friends! (this we thought, soon after these feathered friends tried to steal our snack…). The lake was unfortunately empty, as were many others in town.
As evening fell, we checked into the hotel that was our home for the last two nights, the Victoria Palace. This 4-star hotel is located in the 6th arrondissement and has excellent service. I stayed in one of the Deluxe Rooms, on the 6th floor, with a balcony and a view of the beautiful streets of Paris, and was welcomed with a box of chocolates and an invitation to enjoy a glass of wine at the James bar. I really value a good hotel breakfast, and I can say that this one had a huge variety, and everything was great.
Day 4
Palais Royal
We started the day at the Palais Royal to see the Collones de Buren, the columns that are located in the courtyard of the Palais. Next to the courtyard there is also a very nice garden, with a small fountain and the typical green chairs.
Pont des Arts
Although it was not planned, we passed by the Pont des Arts where we ended up taking photos (and unwittingly influencing other tourists to imitate our photos on another bench further on).
Sainte-Chapelle
We headed to the Sainte-Chapelle with great curiosity to see the beautiful stained-glass windows decorating the chapel. We hadn’t booked a ticket because we had an idea that the entrance was free for everyone and bo ticket was needed (we were wrong). Therefore, we went to the ticketless line and while we waited we quickly booked our ticket online (free for those under 26) for the next visit (visits are every 30 minutes). We then moved to the line for those who had a ticket, and we were very confused when we realized that they were letting in all the people who didn’t have a ticket, while those who did had to wait for the next half-hour… For us it doesn’t make any sense, since it a non-guided visit.
For those aged 26 and over, the ticket costs 11.5€ and can be purchased here.
Despite this confusion, we entered the chapel, which is beautiful and I highly recommend that you visit.
Notre-Dame
Although the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral is still under construction, I could not miss this place. Around the cathedral they have put up some murals that tell its history and talk about the process of reconstruction. Meanwhile, I found information that an underground exhibition has opened right in front of the cathedral with this same theme. The exhibition is free.
Latin Quartier and Le Marais
We took a walk through the Latin Quartier and the Marais. The idea was to make a stop at Place des Vosges, but as soon as we arrived we realized that it was closed for construction.
Hôtel de Ville
This is the historic building of the Paris City Hall since 1357. It is a neo-Renaissance style building on the right bank of the Seine River.
Musée d'Orsay
We end the day at the Musée d’Orsay, which is open from 9am to 6pm (until 9:45pm on Thursdays), except on Mondays. Once again, admission is free for people under 26, and the adult ticket costs €16 online for €14 on site. Free admission is confirmed on site, it is not possible to reserve a ticket. You can buy the adult ticket aqui.
Some exhibitions were closed, and we made the mistake of trying to check the clock half an hour before closing time. Unfortunately, we were no longer allowed to enter that area. The works in the museum are beautiful and really worth a visit.
I spent the end of the day at the hotel creating content. The staff was super helpful and ended up helping me in some moments and giving tips to get the best photos.
Day 5
Jardin du Luxembourg
This garden is much larger than what I was able to visit, and super beautiful. After passing through a more forested area, we arrived at the main garden. Once again we found the typical green chairs around the lake, which was frozen. Although the Luzemburg Palace under construction was not the best view in the world, the garden was covered with flowers. It is in this garden that the Fontaine Médicis is also located.
Finally, we checked out of the hotel and went to have lunch before leaving for the airport. We found a street full of crepe restaurants, and we chose to have lunch at Crêperie Les Comorans, which had a lunch menu with 1 salty crepe + 1 sweet crepe for 10.90€ (we didn’t as for drinks since in Paris they always offer tap water in restaurants).
We took the metro to the Porte Maillot station, where we took the transfer to Beauvais airport.
This is how my trip to Paris ended! It definitely did not disappoint I cannot wait to go back.
I hope this article “Discovering Paris in 5 Days: The Ultimate Itinerary for Exploring the City of Love” helped you to plan your trip to Paris! Leave your opinion in the comments and follow me on social networks so you don’t miss my next trips. Usa #travelplannerholic para partilhares as tuas fotos comigo.
Um beijinho,
Catarina Vieira
Gostavas de guardar este artigo? Passa por cima da imagem para o juntares ao teu Pinterest!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links from booking platforms. By booking through my link you are supporting my work, thank you so much!