Planning a whirlwind trip to Paris? Don’t worry—you can still experience the magic of the City of Light with a perfectly planned itinerary. This 2 Day Paris Travel Guide is designed to help you make the most of a quick trip, whether you’re visiting solo, on a weekend escape, or stopping by as part of a longer European adventure.

From iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame to charming neighborhoods, delicious cafés, and must-try pastries, this guide covers everything you need to know to enjoy Paris in just two days. But before we dive into your unforgettable 48-hour Parisian adventure, let’s cover a few basics.

Language:

French (obviously). I will say, knowing a little bit of the language goes a LONG way with the French people. You don’t have to be a pro, but maybe learn a few words and basic phrases to be respectful. If you at least attempt, they will appreciate that you’re trying.

Words and phrases we found helpful:

Bonjour: Hello

Merci: Thank you

Au Revoir: Goodbye

L’addition s’il vous plait: The check please

Toilettes: Bathroom

Currency:

Euro – many places don’t take American Express so just keep this in mind!

How to Get There:

Paris’ main international airports are Charles de Gaulle and Orly. We flew into CDG and took a taxi to our air bnb – it took about 45 min-1 hr.

Getting Around:

Walk: Depending on where you stay, Paris is pretty walkable. The closer you stay to the river Seine, the better in my opinion! We stayed in the 1st arrondissement (right across the street from The Louvre) and it was lovely.

Public Transportation: For places further than walking distance, their public transportation (buses and train) are really easy to navigate and use.

Hop on Hop off Bus: This might not be your jam but you can also book a Hop on Hop Off Bus Tour because it will provide transportation to all the main attractions in the city for one price and sitting on top of a double decker bus is such a great way to see the city from a different perspective. (and it’s fun to be a tourist!! Embrace it!!)

Pro Tip: Book a 48 hour ticket that way you have access to it for your entire trip. (some even include a boat tour!) This is the tour we booked.

Uber/Taxi: Finally, probably your most expensive option would be Uber and/or Taxi. I find this sometimes is the best option getting to and from the airport, going to a specific place that isn’t near a train stop and the times where you’re just plain tired and want to get back to the hotel quickly.

Where To Stay:

AirBnb: European hotels can be much smaller/tighter than American hotels so AirBnb is a great option for travelers who like a little more space and amenities like a washer and dryer in the building as well as a kitchenette to store snacks, leftovers, etc.

Hotel: Paris also has really lovely hotels throughout the city. This is where I stayed the first time I visited. Keep in mind when considering what to pack, most hotels have tiny elevators or no elevator at all so you’ll likely be carrying your things everywhere!

Day 1:

Begin your day with a cappuccino and croissant – the best way to start a day in Paris in my opinion. I would recommend Cafe de Flore or Carette for this but really any bakery you stumble upon will have incredible options.

(if you do go to Cafe de Flore, the street its on (Saint Germain) is a really fun street to explore in the Latin Quarter)

Musee D’Orsay

Head to the Musee D’Orsay and find Van Gough’s Starry Night! Be sure to book your tickets in advance online to avoid waiting in the long line!

Lunch at Pink Mamma

Fuel up for the rest of your day’s adventure with their mouthwatering pizza and pasta. They have fun drinks too! Make a reservation before you go and when you get there request a table on the rooftop – it’s the best room!

Sacre Coeur

After lunch head to the Sacre Coeur in the Montramartre neighborhood. This whole area is VERY hilly and steep so if you’re not up for climbing you may want to uber. We took the lime scooters and bikes as far as we could then walked the stairs the rest of the way.

I’ve seen some pretty big churches in my life and this one takes the cake by a landslide. French for “The Sacred Heart” this catholic church is dedicated to the sacred heart of Jesus. Climbing to the top is no easy feat but if you can muster up the strength to climb the 292 stairs you’ll reach the top of the dome with arguably some of the best views of the city.

Arc De Triomphe

This monument is one of the most famous in Paris and stands at the western end of Champs Elysees. For 16 euros you can climb the 284 stairs for incredible views of the city and the Eiffel Tower.

Champs Elysees

Think Rodeo Drive in Paris. This renowned avenue is famous for designer and luxury shops, cafes and it’s even the finish line for the Tour de France. This is such a lovely street to stroll and do some shopping.

Eiffel Tower

End your day with dinner and a crepe by the Eiffel Tower. There are plenty of restaurants around or for an extra dreamy experience, get some food from the market and have a picnic in the Trocadero Garden to soak up all the views. Once the sun sets, the tower sparkles for 5 minutes every hour on the hour and you don’t want to miss this!!

Pro Tip: going up the Arc de Triomphe instead of the Eiffel Tower is better because it’s cheaper, less crowded and you get to SEE the Eiffel Tower.

Day 2:

The Louvre

Begin your day with a visit to the world’s largest museum and home to the famous Mona Lisa, The Louvre. The Louvre is a museum unlike any other. If you plan to visit, book your tickets IN ADVANCE because they usually sell out. Make sure you visit the Apollo’s Gallery on the 4th floor. It’s breathtaking!

Notre Dame

Just a short walk from the Louvre is the widely known Notre Dame Cathedral. It’s said to be one of the best examples of French gothic architecture and is another thing to add to your “jaw dropping things of Paris” list.

Pantheon

As you continue west you’ll stumble upon the Pantheon which sits in the middle of the Latin Quarter, another incredible area to explore.

Jardin du Luxembourg

As you stroll through the exquisite Luxembourg Garden you MUST stop on the way out for a cup of famous hot chocolate at Angelina’s.

River Boat Cruise

End your day with a river boat cruise (they even have dinner cruises!) Paris is well known for the Seine that runs through the heart of the city providing a romantic and charming backdrop for its iconic landmarks. Hop on one of the many river boat cruises to see the city from a unique perspective – this is the one we did and it was so delightful. CLICK HERE

What to Eat:

While I cannot claim to know all the best places to eat in Paris (there is just SO much good food, here is what I can recommend after my two visits) and please do me a favor and eat French Fries at least once… you’re in FRANCE!

• Hot Chocolate: Angelina or Carette (Cafe de Flore is notable too)
• Macarons: Laduree or Pierre Herme
• Crepes: any of the carts/trucks!!
• Coffee/Lattes: La Terres de Cafe
• Breakfast: Cafe Blanc
• Lunch: Pink Mamma – their pizza is just *chefs kiss*
• Dinner: Le Train Bleu – touristy? Maybe, but it’s BEAUTIFUL and so fun

I hope this guide helps you as you plan for your quick trip to Paris. The city is quite large and while two days may not be enough to see it all, hopefully this guide gives you a good framework for how to make the most of and see the most in 48 hours. Thank you so much for reading and happy traveling!

Traveling with kids? Check out my Traveling to Paris with a Baby – A Complete Guide HERE!