5-Day Paris Itinerary: Complete Travel Guide to Attractions, Food & Hidden Gems

Planning your first trip to Paris? This 5-day Paris itinerary covers everything from the Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum to hidden local favourites in Montmartre and Le Marais. Whether you’re visiting Paris for the first time or returning to explore deeper, this Paris travel guide balances must-see attractions with authentic experiences. Learn the best time to visit Paris, how to skip lines at top attractions, navigate the Paris Metro, and discover where to eat like a local, all organised into a practical day-by-day plan with realistic timing, transportation tips, and budget breakdowns.

How to Plan Your 5-Day Paris Trip

This Paris 5-day travel guide offers flexible pacing for different travel styles:

• Relaxed pace: 6-8 km walking daily, longer breaks
• Standard pace: 10-12 km daily, balanced sightseeing
• Fast pace: 14+ km daily, maximum coverage

Best Time to Start Each Day in Paris (By Season)

• Summer (June-August): 8:30-9:00 AM
• Spring/Fall: 9:00-9:30 AM
• Winter (December-February): 9:30-10:00 AM

5-Day Paris Itinerary Overview (Day-by-Day Highlights)

Day	Highlights	Duration	Start Time
Day 1	Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées	Full day	8:30-9:30 AM
Day 2	Louvre Museum, Tuileries Gardens, Île de la Cité	Full day	9:00-10:00 AM
Day 3	Montmartre, Sacré-Cœur, artistic streets	Full day	9:30-10:00 AM
Day 4	Versailles Palace (or Musée d’Orsay if rainy)	Full day	8:30-10:00 AM
Day 5	Le Marais, Canal Saint-Martin, sunset views	Full day	9:30-10:00 AM

Paris Trip Cost Breakdown for 5 Days

Budget Level	Daily Cost	Includes
Budget	€80	Hostel, street food, walk-up attractions
Mid-Range	€140	3-star hotel, bistros, main attractions
Luxury	€250+	4-star hotel, fine dining, premium tours

5-Day Paris Itinerary

Day 1 – Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe & Champs-Élysées

• Morning (8:30 AM – 12:00 PM): Start at Trocadéro (Metro Line 9) for panoramic Eiffel Tower photos. Pre-book your Eiffel Tower tickets (€30-36 summit access) to skip 30-45 minute queues. Arrive 15 minutes early for security.

Key tip: Book Eiffel Tower tickets 4-8 weeks ahead during peak season (June-August).

• Afternoon (12:00 PM – 6:00 PM): Walk along the Seine to Pont Alexandre III, then continue to Arc de Triomphe (Metro Line 1 to Charles de Gaulle-Étoile). Climb the arch (€13) for city views. Stroll down Champs-Élysées for shopping and cafés.

• Evening (7:00 PM onwards): Book a Seine River cruise (€15-20) to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle (every hour after sunset for 5 minutes). Alternative: Dine at a riverside brasserie.

Walking distance: 8-10 km, Daily cost: €50-80 (tickets + meals)

 Day 2 – Louvre Museum, Île de la Cité & Latin Quarter

• Morning (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM): Visit the Louvre Museum with timed entry tickets (€22). Arrive at the opening to beat crowds, avoid 11 AM-3 PM peak times. Focus on highlights: Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory (2-3 hours sufficient). 

Alternative entry: Carrousel du Louvre entrance has shorter lines.

• Afternoon (1:00 PM – 6:00 PM): Walk through Tuileries Gardens to Île de la Cité. Visit Sainte-Chapelle (€13, book timed tickets) for stunning stained glass. View Notre-Dame exterior (currently under renovation).

Metro stations: Palais-Royal-Musée du Louvre (Line 1), Cité (Line 4)

• Evening: Explore Latin Quarter restaurants or return to Marché des Enfants Rouges for international cuisine.

Walking distance: 6-8 km, Daily cost: €45-70.

Day 3 – Montmartre, Sacré-Cœur & Artistic Paris

All Day (9:30 AM – 6:00 PM): 

Take Metro Line 2 to Anvers (easier access than Abbesses for stairs). Climb to Sacré-Cœur Basilica (free entry, €6 dome climb). Wander through Place du Tertre artist square, then explore hidden staircases and the Clos Montmartre vineyard.

• Best for: Photography, street art, authentic Parisian atmosphere
• Where to eat: Small cafés and patisseries scattered throughout Montmartre. Try the Musée de la Vie Romantique’s tea room.
• Walking distance: 8-12 km (hilly terrain)
• Daily cost: €30-50

Day 4: Versailles Day Trip

Full Day (8:30 AM – 7:00 PM)

Take the RER C train from central Paris to Versailles Château Rive Gauche station (40-45 minutes, €7.30 round trip). Book Versailles Palace tickets (€20-30) with timed entry.

Plan 5-6 hours minimum: Palace interiors (2 hours), gardens (2-3 hours), Trianon estates (1-2 hours).

• Rainy day alternative: Stay in Paris for Musée d’Orsay (€16) and covered passages (Galerie Vivienne, Passage des Panoramas).
• Daily cost: €50-8

Day 5 – Le Marais, Canal Saint-Martin & Local Paris

• Morning (9:30 AM – 1:00 PM): Explore Le Marais markets, Marché des Enfants Rouges (the oldest covered market) for breakfast. Visit Musée Carnavalet (Paris history, free entry) or Musée Picasso (€14).

• Afternoon (1:00 PM – 6:00 PM): Walk to Canal Saint-Martin for aperitifs along the water. Browse vintage shops in the 10th arrondissement.
• Evening (7:00 PM onwards): End your Paris trip with sunset views from a rooftop bar or a final Seine walk.

Walking distance: 7-9 km, Daily cost: €40-65

Paris Transportation Guide for 5 Days

Best transport options:

• Paris Metro: Most efficient for city travel (€2.15 per ticket, €16.90 for 10-ticket carnet)
• Paris Visite Pass: Unlimited travel, 2-day (€19.50) or 5-day (€40.10)
• Navigo Weekly Pass: €30 (Monday-Sunday), best value for 5+ days

Key routes:

• Eiffel Tower: Bir-Hakeim (Line 6) or Trocadéro (Line 9)
• Louvre: Palais Royal (Line 1)
• Montmartre: Anvers (Line 2)
• Versailles: RER C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche

Transfer times: Allow 25-35 minutes between major attractions via Metro.

When to Book Paris Attractions & Tickets

Book 4-8 weeks ahead:

• Eiffel Tower summit tickets
• Versailles Palace during the fountain shows
• Popular restaurants (Le Jules Verne, L’Ami Louis)

Book 1-2 weeks ahead:

• Louvre Museum timed entry
• Sainte-Chapelle tickets
• Seine River sunset cruises

Walk-up acceptable: Most museums during off-peak hours, neighbourhood cafés, Sacré-Cœur.

Where to Eat in Paris by Neighbourhood (5-Day Plan)

• Day 1 (Eiffel/Champs-Elysées): Café de l’Homme (Trocadéro views), bistros near Arc de Triomphe
• Day 2 (Louvre/Latin Quarter): Angelina (hot chocolate), Marché des Enfants Rouges stalls
• Day 3 (Montmartre): La Maison Rose, local pâtisseries on Rue Lepic
• Day 4 (Versailles): Picnic in palace gardens or La Flottille café
• Day 5 (Le Marais): L’As du Fallafel (Rue des Rosiers), Canal Saint-Martin wine bars
• Meal timing: Lunch 12:30-2:30 PM, dinner 7:30 PM onwards.

Final Thoughts – Is This the Best 5-Day Paris Itinerary?

This 5-day Paris itinerary balances iconic landmarks with authentic local experiences, giving you a complete introduction to the City of Light. From the Eiffel Tower’s sparkle to Montmartre’s cobblestone charm, you’ll experience Paris beyond typical tourist traps. Book your Eiffel Tower and Louvre tickets early, download offline Metro maps, and stay flexible with weather contingencies. Whether travelling on a budget or splurging on fine dining, Paris rewards thoughtful planning. Plan your next trip with Pickyourtrail’s best Paris tour packages for a hassle-free travel experience in 2026. 

FAQ’S

1. Is 5 days enough for Paris?

A: Yes, 5 days in Paris allows you to see major landmarks (Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Versailles) plus explore 2-3 neighbourhoods authentically. Add extra days for day trips to the Loire Valley or Champagne.

2. How much does a 5-day Paris trip cost?

A: Budget travellers spend €400-500 (€80/day), mid-range travellers €700-900 (€140/day), and luxury travellers €1,250+ (€250/day). This excludes flights but includes accommodation, food, and attractions.

3. Do I need to book Eiffel Tower tickets in advance?

A: Yes, always book Eiffel Tower tickets 4-8 weeks ahead, especially for summit access during peak season (May-September). Same-day tickets are rarely available. Walk-up queues exceed 2 hours.

4. Is the Paris Museum Pass worth buying?

A: The Paris Museum Pass pays for itself if you visit 3+ attractions over 2-4 days. It covers 60+ sites, including the Louvre (€22) and Versailles (€20), but excludes the Eiffel Tower. Calculate based on your specific itinerary.

5. What’s the best way to get around Paris?

A: The Paris Metro is the fastest and cheapest (€2.15 per ride). Buy a 10-ticket carnet (€16.90) or Paris Visite pass (€19.50 for 2 days). Most attractions are 2-3 Metro stops apart. Download offline maps.