.png)
48 Hours in Paris: The Ultimate 2-Day Travel Guide
- Sep 16, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: Mar 11
Paris is one of the most iconic cities in the world, but what if you only have two days to explore it? Whether you’re visiting on a weekend trip or stopping in the city as part of a longer European itinerary, this 48-hour Paris itinerary will help you see many of the city’s most famous landmarks in a short amount of time.
In this guide we’ll cover what to do in Paris in 2 days, including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame, Montmartre, and several neighborhoods that are perfect for wandering between attractions.
Is 48 Hours in Paris Enough?
Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world, and while you could easily spend weeks exploring its museums, neighborhoods, and cafés, two days is enough time to experience many of the city’s most famous landmarks. With a well-planned itinerary, visitors can see highlights like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, the Seine River, Montmartre, and several historic neighborhoods. Our trip to Paris was a bit spontaneous, and while we didn’t follow a strict schedule, we still managed to see some incredible places in less than 48 hours.
Best Time to Visit Paris
Paris is beautiful year-round, but each season offers a different experience.
Spring brings blooming gardens and mild weather, while summer is the busiest time with large crowds around major attractions. Fall tends to have fewer tourists and comfortable temperatures, and winter offers festive holiday lights and a quieter atmosphere around the city.
Day 1 in Paris: Arrival and Exploring the City
Our Approach: A Spontaneous Paris Itinerary
Since this trip was so spontaneous, we didn’t have a real plan, besides the must-visit Eiffel Tower stop. Sometimes we love exploring new cities without a set itinerary, and this was the perfect chance to just wander and enjoy Paris without pressure. So that was our approach: no fixed schedule, no reservations, just see what we could find as we walked around.
Landing in Paris on No Sleep:
Paris is served by several airports, but most international flights arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). The airport is located about 25 kilometers (15 miles) from the city center and is connected by trains, buses, and taxis. We landed at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) around 9:00 a.m., but at that point, we’d been up for nearly 20 hours and were exhausted. The original idea was to land early and spend the full day exploring. We made it to the hotel around 10:00 a.m., and thankfully, they let us check in early. We ended up paying €100 extra to get into the room right away, and honestly, we would’ve paid anything at that point just to sleep.
How to Get Around Paris
Paris is a very walkable city, and many of its major attractions are located fairly close together. During our trip we explored mostly on foot, which allowed us to see smaller streets and neighborhoods we would have missed otherwise. The Paris Metro is another excellent option for getting around quickly. The system is easy to use and connects nearly every part of the city. Taxis and rideshare services like Uber are also widely available if you need a faster way to travel between neighborhoods.
Where We Stayed in Paris: Hilton Paris Opera
Since our plans were so up in the air, we didn’t book a hotel until we were literally on the plane to Paris. It can be stressful to travel internationally without accommodations locked in, but before booking any last-minute trip, we always double-check that multiple hotels have available rooms, just in case. We ended up staying at the Hilton Paris Opera (full hotel review here), which looked great in the photos and was one of the more affordable options with same-day availability. We didn’t realize it was a bit farther from many of the major tourist attractions, but it still worked out well for our itinerary.
A Rough Start... and a Long Nap
Once we checked in, we planned to shower, order some room service, take a quick nap, and head out to explore in the late afternoon. But… one of us (definitely not me) fell asleep for over 10 hours. In my defense, I was exhausted and jet-lagged! While I slept, Elijah walked 15 miles across Paris, taking in a ton of the city’s highlights on foot. He said he felt pretty safe walking alone, even though he wandered down a few dark and empty alleyways around the city center. Around midnight, Elijah stopped at the McDonald’s across the street from our hotel and picked up a few French-exclusive menu items. I finally woke up just in time to steal a few of his fries, and we ended the night sitting in bed, listening to the sounds of the city through our cracked hotel window, trying to figure out what to do the next day.
Day 2 in Paris: Exploring the City's Most Iconic Landmarks
Recharged and Ready to Explore
After a rough first day battling jet lag, we knew we had to make the most of the time we had left in Paris. We were determined to shake it off and take in as much of the city’s charm as we could.
We woke up early the next morning with a fresh mindset and a loose plan: walk the city, visit the Eiffel Tower, and grab breakfast along the way. The weather was crisp, and for the first time on the trip, we felt rested.
A Walk Through the Morning Commute
Elijah mapped out a rough walking route, and I followed along. Outside our hotel, Paris was buzzing, bikes flying by, honking cars, students, and commuters moving fast. We left during peak commute time, and the sidewalks were packed. We tried to walk quickly and avoid blocking anyone, which honestly gave the whole experience a fun energy, like we were part of the city waking up.
Stop #1: Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe sits at the center of one of Paris’s busiest traffic circles and honors those who fought for France during the Napoleonic Wars. Visitors can also climb to the top for panoramic views of the city. We arrived by 9:30 AM, and to our delight, the area was practically empty, with only a few stray tourists. This gave us the perfect opportunity to take pictures and videos without the usual crowds. We even took a moment to sit on a bench and watch the bustling traffic circle around the Arc.
From there, we made our way to the Eiffel Tower, stopping for a quick breakfast at Café Belloy. We both opted for the classic breakfast, which included a hot beverage, fresh bread ), and orange juice. Elijah had a coffee, while I indulged in a hot chocolate, both were delicious. The service at Café Belloy was excellent, and our friendly server even helped us practice our French.
Stop #2: Eiffel Tower Views
The Eiffel Tower is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world and a must-see when visiting Paris. We left Café Belloy and headed towards the Eiffel Tower. It did not take us long to get there, and we were able to see it from both sides. Both sides offer great views, and it was not hard to get from one side to the other. We got there around 10:45 am, and there was a small crowd, but it was still pretty empty.
We stayed in the area until around 11:30 am, and there still was not a huge crowd formed yet. We went in early January, but I am sure that towards the summer, there will be more crowds! There was also a lot of construction work in this area, especially the park side of the tower, since they are preparing for the Olympics!
Stop #3: Champ de Mars
Champ de Mars is the large public park located directly in front of the Eiffel Tower and is one of the most popular places to relax and enjoy views of the monument. We sat in Champ de Mars, taking in the sights and enjoying the crisp winter air as we watched the Eiffel Tower stretch into the gray Parisian sky. Couples strolled by, wrapped in scarves, and kids played near the walkways, despite the cold, the area felt full of life.
As we relaxed, we talked about how spontaneous and surreal the day had felt so far. With no agenda, no rush, and no pressure, we got to actually experience the rhythm of the city.
Eventually, we decided to make our way back toward the hotel. The walk itself turned into its kind of adventure, we passed uniquely designed buildings, tucked-away galleries, and unexpected pieces of public art that we would’ve missed if we had taken a car or stuck to a rigid itinerary.
Discovering Paris on a Dessert Tour: The Second Half of Day 2
One of the best ways to experience Paris is through its famous pastries and desserts, so we decided to end our second day with a chocolate and dessert tour around the city.
A Sweet Idea: Booking a Dessert Tour
We decided, since it was still early in the day, that we should see if we could find tickets for a food tour. After a quick search, we were thrilled to discover that there was room for two more on a chocolate and dessert tour with Secret Food Tours (full experience review here). The idea of sampling Parisian sweets was too tempting to pass up. The tour started around 3:00 PM, so we went back to the hotel to warm up and relax for about an hour or so before heading out again. It was the perfect way to recharge and get ready for an afternoon filled with delicious treats.
Exploring the Moulin Rouge District
The meeting place for the tour was near the Moulin Rouge, so we left a little early to explore the iconic area before our tour. The neighborhood was bustling with life, and it was fascinating to see such a famous landmark up close.
Sampling the Best Sweets in Paris
We had an amazing time on the food tour, sampling eight different sweets from seven unique spots around the city. Each stop offered something special, but the éclair we had from À la Mère de Famille was truly life-changing! I had never enjoyed an éclair before, and I almost gave my piece to Elijah, but I'm so glad I didn't! The rich, creamy filling and perfectly crisp pastry made it an unforgettable treat.
Ending the Day Stuffed and Satisfied
We were so full from the tour that we ended up skipping dinner that night, opting instead to relax back at the hotel. Exhausted but happy, we fell asleep early, content with our delicious day in Paris.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Paris
We woke up at 3:00 AM to head to the airport and catch our flight to Rome, feeling exhaustion and excitement for the next leg of our adventure. Despite the early hour, we could get an Uber within seconds, and the quiet streets of Paris meant we didn't hit any traffic on our drive. Our trip to Paris was quick, but we made the most of every moment (when we were awake), soaking in the sights and flavors of the city in less than 48 hours. We explored iconic landmarks, indulged in delicious pastries, and even managed to squeeze in a spontaneous food tour. Hopefully, next time we visit, I won’t sleep through half of our stay! There’s still so much to see and experience in this incredible city.
Comments