Paris is one of the most iconic cities in the world, and should absolutely be on your bucket list! There are so many different neighborhoods to explore; you can never get bored here.
This Paris Travel Guide will help you plan your trip to Paris, with recommendations for the best things to do, where to stay, where to eat, and how to get around.
Ironically, I kind of hated it the first time I visited. So I want to share all of my tips and tricks to make sure you don’t make the same mistakes!
I’ve been three times now – once solo, once with my boyfriend, and once with my mom, so I feel like I’ve gotten to experience it in a bunch of different ways.
I personally did not enjoy my time solo traveling – Paris can be pretty expensive, and I feel like so many of the spots I love experiencing with someone else. HOWEVER you can absolutely solo travel here – I’ve never felt unsafe and there are endless things to do.
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1. Eiffel Tower
Okay, duh! Seeing the Eiffel Tower in person is always so special for me, and an absolute must! Once the sun sets, it sparkles every hour for 5 minutes at the top of the hour.
You can also eat dinner in the Eiffel Tower! There are two restaurants: Le Jules Verne on the second floor and Madame Brasserie on the first floor.
2. Palace of Versailles
Versailles is about an hour away from the Paris city center, and is worthy of a day trip. I recommend planning to spend about 4 hours to really explore the palace and gardens.
And make sure to book your tickets in advance on the official website. Ticket sales open 3 months in advance, on the first business day of the month.
3. Montmartre
Montmartre is the 18th arrondissement of Paris, and the best place to watch the sunset over the city! Head to the steps of the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur for the best view.
During the warmer months, there are local musicians who come out to play live on the steps, making it a really fun and lively place to hang out all night!
Make sure to stop by the Fotoautomat on your way up – an old-fashioned photobooth in the streets of Montmartre! For the exact location, save my Google Maps list with all of these spots and more.
4. Louvre Museum
Another iconic landmark in Paris, the Louvre is the most-visited museum in the entire world and should definitely be on your itinerary.
I do not even think it’s possible to everything the museum has to offer in one day, but you can see pieces like the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Liberty Leading the People, and so much more.
Make sure to book your tickets in advance on the Louvre website. They become available 60 days in advance, and are likely to sell out.
Pro-tip: There are FOUR entrances to the Louvre! Most people wait outside in a huge line to go into the glass pyramid. You can avoid the large crowds by entering at Le Carrousel du Louvre, which you’ll access underground in the mall.
5. Champs-Élysées
The Champs-Élysées is a street lined with shops and cafés. At the end of the street you’ll find the Arc de Triomphe, where you can actually climb all the way up to the top and look out over the whole city.
Personally, I think it is a little overpriced, but if you are really wanting to go I recommend going on a Wednesday when it is a little cheaper! Here is the link to check out your options and buy tickets.
6. La Galerie Dior
While you’re near the Champs-Élysées, I also recommend checking out the La Galerie Dior. This is a stunning art museum that gives you the full fashion history of Dior with really engaging exhibits.
Plus, there is this insanely cool wall that is organized by color and has Dior handbags, shoes, dresses and every other fashion accessory you could imagine.
7. Notre Dame
The Notre Dame has finally reopened since the devastating fire in 2019, and is absolutely worth seeing in person. The stained glass art is spectacular and the architecture is unreal.
You are able to book a timeslot in advance, however I do not think this is necessary. We waited on a line to get in to the church and it only took us about 20 minutes.
8. Cooking Class
Doing a cooking class is a great way to immerse yourself in French culture. We did the macaron making class with Maison Fleuret, and it was so much fun!
Plus you get the most delicious souvenir to take back home with you!
They also have classes where you can learn to bake croissants, baguettes, and more. You can take a look at all of their classes here, or we actually booked this experience through Airbnb.
9. Afternoon Tea
Going for afternoon tea is another great way to experience French culture! There are a ton of tea rooms around Paris where you can go to get dressed up and spend a couple hours sipping tea and snacking on French pastries.
We went to Salon Proust at the Ritz Paris, and indulged in L’Impérial tea experience. It was amazing; the service was top-notch, the tea was delicious and the pastries were amazing.
Plus, they even gave us loose leaf tea to take back home with us!
Where to stay
Paris is divided into 20 neighborhoods called arrondissements. I’ll share my top 3 favorite arrondissements to stay, and hotel recommendations
Louvre (1st Arrondissement)
The 1st Arrondissement is on the right bank of the Seine and centrally located close to all of Paris’ main attractions. I stayed here in 2025 and loved being so close to the Tuileries Garden!
It was a great spot to walk around and sightsee, and I never felt unsafe here. I went for a long run early one morning starting at the Louvre, and along the Seine.
If you want to splurge, I highly recommend staying at the Ritz Paris. The service and amenities here are unmatched, and you will truly feel like French royalty during your stay.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th Arrondissement)
The 6th Arrondissement is on the left bank of the Seine and is known for its upscale shops, cafes and picturesque streets. I stayed here in 2023 and this totally changed my opinion of Paris!
I would compare it to being like the Beverly Hills of Los Angeles. Everything was really nice, and I felt very fancy and safe here.
We stayed at the Hôtel de l’Abbaye Saint Germain and I would definitely recommend it! The rooms are small, but really nice and the location is everything.
Élysée (8th Arrondissement)
The 8th Arrondissement is right where you want to be if you love shopping. This is right on the Champs-Élysées, so the second you step out of your hotel you’ll be surrounded by shops and cafés.
This is also very centrally located to the majority of the Parisian hot spots, plus tons of amazing restaurants.
Where to eat
Bakeries
1. Philippe Conticini
You may have seen the GIANT croissants on social media, but if not then let me be the first to share! Philippe Conticini has these XL Pain au chocolat and XL butter croissants available for pre-order and for sale in their shops.
If you are serious about buying one, I recommend placing your order online at least 2-3 days in advance.
Aside from the XL pastries, their regular-sized pastries are also very delicious.
2. Maison Fleuret
Outside of the cooking school, Maison Fleuret also has their own coffee shop with pastries. It also doubles as a little library, so you can come here and read or just enjoy the atmosphere!
3. Tout Autour du Pain
This is a family-owned bakery known for its croissants! Highly recommend stopping by here if you want to try (one of the) best croissants in Paris.
4. Ladurée
You might recognize this spot if you’ve visited one of their locations in the US! Ladurée is a pastry shop that is well-known for their macarons, and is definitely worth stopping by the original location while you’re in Paris.
Restaurants
1. Pink Mamma
Pink Mamma is an iconic Italian restaurant located in the 9th arrondissement, well-known for their glass rooftop view of Paris!
Remember to make your reservation when it becomes available online ASAP – bookings open 2 weeks before! If there are no reservations available, I recommend checking out another one of the Big Mamma Group’s restaurants. I’ve heard great things about all of them!
Pro-tip: Book the earliest time slot (usually 6 PM) AND show up at least 15 minutes before the restaurant opens! Seating is first-come, first-serve, so if you want a table on the top floor you’ll need to get there early.
2. Melagodo
Another Italian restaurant, but this one is a hidden gem located near the Eiffel Tower! It’s slightly off the main tourist paths, so you’ll get great prices and delicious food here.
You can make a reservation online in advance, or show up in person!
3. Miss Ko
Miss Ko is an Asian-Fusion restaurant right off of the Champs-Élysées. I got sushi here and it was phenomenal!
The atmosphere is really trendy and fun – I would highly recommend this spot for a lunch or dinner.
4. Pret A Manger
This is my favorite sandwich chain in Europe! It stands for “ready to eat” and offers a ton of different sandwiches that are pre-made and ready to go.
This is the perfect spot if you need to grab a quick bite to eat, or a sandwich to take on the go!
5. Café Cassette
Café Cassette is a great spot to grab brunch to fuel up for a big day of walking around! The flowers all over the café are so cute and make for the perfect Instagram.
I feel like a lot of these floral cafés in Paris don’t actually have great food or good service, but Café Cassette is the exception and worth visiting.
6. Beefbar Paris
If you’re in the mood for a steak, Beefbar is the place to go! There’s a big selection of beef, side dishes and wine selections so you will definitely not leave this restaurant hungry.
The ambiance makes it perfect for a date night, or fancy dinner to celebrate a special occassion!
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How to get around Paris
By Walking / Running
This is my personal favorite way to explore a new city! Compared to other big cities, I feel that Paris is more spread out than other places so you will definitely need to wear comfortable shoes.
It’s really pedestrian-friendly and easy to walk everywhere. Be careful not to cross the street to get to the Arc de Triomphe – there is an underground tunnel that will take you straight to the middle of the roundabout!
To stay active, I would definitely suggest going for a run in the morning to explore and see more of the city! There were so many people out and about going for runs and bike rides along the Seine.
By Metro / Bus
The public transit in Paris is incredible and covers every part of the city. I’ve found the Metro to be pretty clean and easy to navigate.
Each ride is €2.50, which is comparable to NYC Metro prices. You can also get a Paris Visite Pass for 1, 2, 3, or 5 consecutive days if you plan on taking the Metro a ton to get around.
I felt that the Metro was safe to take, even at night, but would be careful not to venture into areas you’re unfamiliar with at night. Particularly the 18th, 19th, and 20th arrondissements are known to be less suitable for tourists.
By Car
Both Ubers and Taxis are readily available in Paris. I found both options to be reasonably priced, and always nearby whenever I needed one.
I would not recommend renting a car in Paris. There are hardly any places to park a car, the streets are really narrow and a lot of them are one-way only.
If you plan to road trip around more of France, I would definitely rent a car for that, but pick it up when you are leaving Paris or drop it off before you get to Paris.
Best views of the Eiffel Tower
1. Pont d’Iéna
The bridge in front of the Eiffel Tower is closed off for pedestrians and makes for the most iconic photos. Just watch out for pickpocketers or other tourist scams here, since this is one of the most touristy spots in the entire city.
2. Jardin de la Tour Eiffel
The Eiffel Tower Gardens make for an excellent photo of the Eiffel Tower! They are sometimes closed off for maintenance, renovations or other reasons, but you can still go around the edges to get a great pic.
3. Passerelle Debilly
Passerelle Debilly is a pedestrian-only bridge that has amazing views of the Eiffel Tower plus the sunset! It is also a bridge where tons of people leave love locks, if you are interested in doing the same.
4. Pont de Bir-Hakeim
Pont de Bir-Hakeim is a popular bridge with a great view of the Eiffel Tower. You can also see La France Renaissante here – a bronze sculpture depicting Jeanne d’Arc.
5. Port de Debilly
This is hardly ever busy, and is a great secluded spot for a photo with the Eiffel Tower and the Seine in the background. You can also come down here to walk along the Seine and drink a glass of wine!
6. Rue de l’Université
I first came across this secret spot on Instagram – you’ll find this photo opportunity at the end of Rue de l’Université as you’re walking over to the Eiffel Tower!
If you’re planning a trip to Paris, feel free to send me an email or DM on Instagram with any questions or for personalized travel tips!
mariss
