There are so many things to do in Paris, places to see and history to learn, that a short visit to the city may sound a bit overwhelming. Definitely 3 days in Paris is not enough to admire every detail of the French capital, however, it is enough to see the most important attractions.

If it is your first time in Paris, this is a list for you! This beginner’s Paris guide will help you to plan your first visit in order to see all the main tourist points. You will definitely leave the city satisfied, despite the short period of time.

I highly recommend buying the Paris City Pass , for those staying 3 days in Paris for a week, it gives you FREE access to over 60 attractions, free transportation within zones 1-3, skips the line of most attractions, besides loads of discounts and many advantages during your stay in the city.

3 Days in Paris Itinerary

How to get around

Paris has a great, well-connected metro system, all the must-see places to visit in Paris are very easy to get to, and they normally have a metro station nearby. If you are thinking about using the metro, you can download the metro map here.

In my opinion, though, the best way to see a city is by taking the bus, as you can admire the views from the window while getting to your final destination, this is also a cheap option if you are traveling on a budget.

Now, if you want a cheap option where you will have all the comfort of being left exactly in front of every tourist point you want to visit, the best option of all, and my favorite option, is to buy the Hop on Hop off bus ticket.

It is the best option especially if you are spending a few days in Paris, as it will bring you to all the important spots, which will save you time from moving around and figuring out your way, plus it is a cheap option to get to all the tourist points in Paris.

Where to stay in Paris

Looking for a perfect stay in Paris? If you dream about waking up to a view of the Iron Lady, Paris’ iconic landmark, check these hotels with Eiffel Tower view.

For more option you can check the map of the hotels in Paris:





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What to do in Paris in 3 days: Day One

You can start your day by visiting the famous Notre Dame Cathedral, if you opted not to buy the hop on hop off bus, you should make your way to the metro station called St-Michel Notre Dame that brings you right in front of it. Notre Dame Cathedral is located in the Île de la Cité, which is the largest island in the Seine river.

The construction of the Cathedral started in 1163 by Pope Alexander III, but it was only completed in 1345. The entrance is free, however, from the expectation a long line in to get inside, but don’t worry, it is completely worth!

The interior is beautiful with some stained glass and statues decorating the cathedral, including the statue of Jeanne d’Arc, who is considered a hero of France and was beatified here in Notre Dame by Pope Pius X in 1909, becoming a saint 11 years later.

Probably the most famous piece inside though is the altar, which is definitely one of the most beautiful altars I have ever seen and counts with the iconic statue Pieta by Nicolas Coustou.

For a small fee, it is possible to climb to the top of Notre Dame, where you have a nice view of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower.

After leaving Notre Dame, you can explore the neighborhood a little bit. Along the channel, you will see the traditional Bouquinistes, selling used and antique books.

In a walking distance from Notre Dame, there is probably the most beautiful chapel in the city, known as Sainte Chapelle. Although it is famous, it is still a less tourist spot in Paris. To get inside though, you have to buy a ticket. Depending on the day, you will still need to face a long line.

The gothic chapel was built in 1246 to be the chapel of the royal palace. The palace building was completely destroyed though and the Palais de Justice was built on the same site.

Time to visit the symbol of Paris. If you opt for the metro again, Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel Station takes you really close to it.

The Eiffel Tower was built in 1889 by Gustave Eiffel to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution and to demonstrate France’s industrial prowess to the world.

It was not meant to be a permanent though and was built just for the 1889 Universal Exposition and was definitely not Parisian’s favorite landmark. However, it soon became a symbol of Paris.

A picnic in front of the tower is always a good idea during the summer, and also a common activity for Parisians, and you will see many people doing this especially on the weekends, so prepare yourself and buy some sandwiches on your way there.

Don’t miss the chance to climb the Eiffel tower, to have a panoramic view from Paris. I truly recommend booking your ticket prior though, otherwise, you will have to take a long line to buy your ticket then another long line for the elevator.

Seine Cruiser

If you have the opportunity, don’t hesitate to take the Seine Cruiser. At first, it might sound like a too touristic thing. However, you will not regret it especially if you have only a few days to see the whole city, with the cruise, you will see enough.

I did the tour with Bateaux Cruise, and it was amazing! If you are able to, choose a trip during the sunset time, this way you are able to see the city in the daylight, and with the city light when you are on your way back.

What to do in Paris in 3 days: Day Two

Time to explore some museums, Paris has plenty of museums, some very famous, others not that much, but in my opinion, it is the city with the biggest number of historically important and interesting masterpieces.

If you are a big fan of museums, you might be willing to visit the Louvre Museum, after all, it is the biggest museum in the world, and definitely the most iconic one.

But with a collection of over 380,000 objects, it requires time. If you only have 3 days in Paris, I don’t recommend you to visit it, especially during the summer, where the place is crowded and you need to wait for your turn to appreciate any piece of art.

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Of course, if the Louvre is a must for you, you can always make a quick visit, visiting only the most important masterpieces of the Louvre. You can buy your skip the line ticket for Louvre here.

Among its highlights are Mona Lisa, Venus of Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace.

Instead of visiting the Louvre Museum, you can pay to visit the Musée d’Orsay, one of the most famous museums in Paris, and just a walk away from the Louvre.

It contains paintings, sculptures and other masterpieces by important artists including Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh. Click here to buy your skip the line ticket.

If you are visiting the Musée d’Orsay, don’t forget to take a look at the Bal du Moulin de la Galette by Renoir, Self Portrait and Starring Night, both by Van Gogh.