3 Days in Paris: Perfect First-Timer Itinerary
A realistic 3-day Paris itinerary that covers the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Montmartre and a Seine cruise—without running yourself into the ground. Includes where to stay, how to get around and which tickets to book in advance.
"Planning a trip to Paris? April is when the best weather begins — perfect for long walks and exploring without the crowds. It's an ideal spot for a romantic getaway."
We built this guide using recent climate data, hotel price trends, and our own trips, so you can pick the right month without guesswork.
3-Day Paris Itinerary At a Glance
Who This 3-Day Paris Itinerary Is For
This itinerary is made for first-time visitors who want to see the classics—Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Montmartre—while still having time for cafés, wine and aimless wandering.
Expect 15–20k steps per day with a mix of must-see sights and local neighborhoods. If you're traveling with kids or hate early mornings, feel free to start each day 1–2 hours later and skip one stop.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Paris
Eiffel Tower, Seine Cruise & Arc de Triomphe
Start with the big icons and get your bearings along the Seine.
Morning
Eiffel Tower (Summit or 2nd Floor)
No matter how many times you've seen it in photos, the view from the tower and the engineering up close still impress.
How to Do It:
- • Book official tickets on the Eiffel Tower website 60 days in advance. Choose a morning slot between 9–10:30am.
- • If summit tickets are sold out, book a 2nd floor ticket or a guided priority tour—these often have last-minute availability.
- • Take the elevator up but walk the stairs down from the 2nd floor for better views and fewer queues.
Tips
- → Watch out for bracelet sellers and petition scams around the base of the tower.
- → If you're afraid of heights, stick to the 2nd floor—the views are arguably better than from the summit.
Trocadéro Viewpoint
The best wide-angle view of the Eiffel Tower, especially good for photos.
How to Do It:
- • Walk across Pont d'Iéna towards Trocadéro and climb the steps for the elevated view.
- • If you're a photo person, come back at sunrise one morning for near-empty shots.
Tips
- → Don't buy souvenirs here—cheaper and nicer options in side streets later.
- → Be mindful of your bag when stopping for photos.
Afternoon
Seine Riverside Walk
Walking along the Seine lets you see a big chunk of central Paris at a human pace.
How to Do It:
- • Grab a simple lunch near Trocadéro, then follow the river east toward Pont de l'Alma and beyond.
- • If you're tired, swap the walk for a café stop and people-watching instead.
Tips
- → Stay on the lower riverside walkways where possible—they're quieter and more scenic.
- → In summer, bring a refillable water bottle; fountains are scattered along the river.
Arc de Triomphe & Champs-Élysées
Classic Paris boulevard plus rooftop views from the Arc de Triomphe.
How to Do It:
- • Take the metro to Charles de Gaulle–Étoile and exit directly under the Arc; never cross the roundabout traffic on foot.
- • Climb to the top of the Arc for sweeping views down 12 avenues, including a straight line to the Louvre.
Tips
- → Book skip-the-line tickets or visit early evening to avoid tour groups.
- → The Champs-Élysées itself is more about the feel than the shops—better shopping in Le Marais and Saint-Germain.
Evening
Seine River Cruise
Effortlessly tick off many landmarks—Notre-Dame, Louvre, Orsay—as they light up for the evening.
How to Do It:
- • Book a sunset or night cruise that departs near Eiffel Tower or Pont Neuf.
- • Arrive 20–30 minutes early to grab a good seat on the open deck.
Tips
- → Dress warmly; it can get windy on deck even in summer.
- → Skip the most aggressively touristy dinner cruises unless you specifically want that experience.
Louvre, Tuileries, Orangerie & Saint-Germain
Art-heavy day balanced with gardens and Left Bank cafés.
Morning
Louvre Museum
Home to the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and Winged Victory—plus thousands of lesser-known masterpieces.
How to Do It:
- • Enter via the Carrousel du Louvre or Porte des Lions to avoid the longest pyramid lines when open.
- • Follow a 2–3 hour highlights route: Mona Lisa → Italian Renaissance → Egyptian Antiquities → Greek sculptures.
- • Consider a small-group guided tour if you want context without planning your own route.
Tips
- → Closed on Tuesdays—swap with another day if needed.
- → Bring a light layer; museum air-con can feel chilly after walking.
Afternoon
Tuileries Garden & Musée de l'Orangerie
Classic Parisian park plus Monet's panoramic Water Lilies in an intimate museum.
How to Do It:
- • Walk through the Tuileries with a picnic or ice cream, then head to the Orangerie for Monet's Water Lilies.
- • Spend 45–60 minutes in Orangerie, then cross Pont Royal towards Saint-Germain.
Tips
- → Orangerie is closed Tuesdays (same as the Louvre)—if your Day 2 lands on a Tuesday, rearrange days or move Orangerie to your Day 3 flexible block.
- → Book timed tickets for Orangerie in high season to skip queues.
- → Tuileries is perfect for a mid-afternoon coffee or park bench break.
Evening
Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Historic cafés, bistros, and a perfect evening atmosphere.
How to Do It:
- • Stroll Boulevard Saint-Germain, peek into Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots for the vibe.
- • Book dinner at a bistro in advance (7:30–8pm slot) and finish with a stroll along the Seine.
Tips
- → Avoid restaurants with aggressive touts or multi-language menus posted outside.
- → For more local spots, look one or two streets off the main boulevard.
Montmartre, Sacré-Cœur & Canal Saint-Martin
Village feel, panoramic views and a more local evening.
Morning
Sacré-Cœur Basilica & Montmartre Streets
Panoramic city views plus steep little streets that still feel like an old village.
How to Do It:
- • Arrive by 9am to enjoy the steps before they get crowded.
- • After the view, wander behind the basilica toward Place du Tertre and Rue des Saules for quieter streets.
Tips
- → Beware the bracelet sellers at the base of the stairs—say a firm no and keep walking.
- → If you dislike hills, take the funicular up and walk down.
Afternoon
Choose-Your-Own Adventure
A bit of slack in the schedule to keep your trip from feeling rushed.
How to Do It:
- • Return to a neighborhood you loved and explore side streets.
- • Or visit a second museum: Musée d'Orsay (Impressionists), Rodin (sculpture & gardens), or the Pompidou (modern art).
Tips
- → Check closing days before booking: Musée d'Orsay is closed Mondays, Pompidou has long-term renovation plans (check official info).
- → If the weather is great, prioritize outdoor cafés and parks instead of another indoor museum.
Evening
Canal Saint-Martin Picnic or Drinks
Trendy, mostly local area with bars, wine shops and people hanging out along the water.
How to Do It:
- • Pick up picnic supplies or a bottle of wine from a nearby shop.
- • Join locals along the quays on a warm evening, or grab a seat at a bar if it's colder.
Tips
- → Keep valuables close after dark; it's generally safe but can be busy.
- → This area gives you a very different feel from the tourist center—soak it in.
Arrival & Departure: Flights and Airport Transfers
Fly into Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Orly (ORY). For this itinerary, aim to arrive by lunchtime on Day 1 and depart on the morning of Day 4.
From the airport, you can take RER B + metro (cheapest), airport bus, or book a private transfer for door-to-door convenience—especially useful if you're arriving late or with heavy luggage.
Where to Stay for 3 Days in Paris
For a first trip, stay in central arrondissements (1–7) to minimize travel time: Saint-Germain, the Latin Quarter, Le Marais and parts of the 1st/2nd are ideal bases.
If you're on a tighter budget, look at the 10th/11th or 9th (South Pigalle). You'll be a short metro ride from most places in this itinerary but pay less per night.
Avoid the very edge of the city or poorly reviewed cheap hotels—saving €20/night isn't worth feeling unsafe or spending an extra hour per day in transit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I swap the days around in this itinerary?
Can I squeeze Versailles into 3 days?
Is this itinerary suitable for kids or older travelers?
Do I need to pre-book everything?
What if it rains during my trip?
Why you can trust this guide
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- Official tourism boards and visitor guides
- GetYourGuide and Viator activity data
- Booking.com and Numbeo pricing data
- Google Maps reviews and ratings
Methodology: This guide combines historical climate data, current tourism patterns, and real traveler budgets to provide accurate, actionable recommendations for Paris.
Published: November 20, 2025
Updated: January 11, 2026
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