Paris Travel Guide: Top Attractions, Itinerary, Transports, FAQs
Last Updated on 25/03/2025
This Paris travel guide is designed for first-time visitors, featuring the top 11 things to do in Paris, my 4-day itinerary, recommended areas to stay, transportation tips, and answers to common questions about travelling in Paris.
My Paris Story
Before jumping into all the practical details, let me share a little personal story about this city.
Back in secondary school, I read La Dame aux Camélias (The Lady of the Camellias), and it made me want to learn French so I could read it in its original language. That’s how my best friend and I ended up taking French classes at the Alliance Française. It was such a unique experience—studying alongside people from all ages and backgrounds. It really opened my eyes. Even though my friend and I took completely different career paths and have very separate lives now, there’s always been a special connection between us.
I always thought that Paris would be the first European city I’d visit. But as I like to say, “If something in life can go wrong, it will.” I ended up travelling to Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic first. I even moved to the UK before finally setting foot in France.
Then one day, after a particularly stressful time at work, I needed a break. Back in Hong Kong, I’d take quick trips to Japan, Korea, Taiwan, or Thailand whenever I felt this way. Living in the UK, Paris seemed like the perfect option. So, I booked a 4-day Easter getaway and finally made my dream of visiting Paris come true.
Paris Top Attractions List: Map & Categories
This map includes the top attractions in Paris, key metro stations, and recommended dining spots.
The map is set to English by default. Simply click on the 'Enlarge Map' icon in the top right corner to switch to your preferred language!
Click on the attraction articles below for detailed reviews (with tons of photos!) and visitor information (including an introduction, opening hours, map links, and ticket guidance).
For attractions without individual reviews yet, you can still find an introduction and visitor details here ⬇️
Paris Iconic Landmarks
- Louvre Museum (Musée du Louvre)
- Arc de Triomphe
- Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel)
- Notre-Dame Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame)
- Seine River (La Seine)
Montmarte & Special Experiences
- Montmartre
- Sacré-Cœur Basilica (Basilique du Sacré-Cœur)
- Moulin Rouge
Shopping & Markets in Paris
- Champs-Élysées Avenue
- Galeries Lafayette
- Bastille Market (Marché Bastille)
How Many Days in Paris? 4-Day Itinerary
How many days should you spend in Paris? For a first-time visit, it's recommended to allocate at least 3 days to explore the classic city centre attractions.
My actual experience was arriving on Friday evening and leaving on Monday, but my itinerary was quite relaxed, with very little planned for Monday. So, if I combine the activities from my first and last day, it essentially equals a 3-day trip.
- Day 1：Louvre Museum > ibis Paris Sacré-Cœur Montmartre Hotel
- Day 2：Breakfast at a café in Montmartre > Notre-Dame Cathedral (exterior only, by the time I visited, the cathedral was not re-opened yet) > Stroll along the Seine River > Lunch at Les Antiquaires > Eiffel Tower > Arc de Triomphe > Champs-Élysées > Dinner in Montmartre > Moulin Rouge show
- Day 3：Breakfast at Bastille Market > Galeries Lafayette > Lunch at Brasserie Le Bex > Sacré-Cœur Basilica > Montmartre district
- Day 4：Leisurely breakfast at Bel-ami > Leaving Paris
Paris Transport: City, Airport
Paris Airport to City Centre Transportation
Paris has three main international airports:
- Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)：The largest and busiest airport, serving most long-haul international flights.
- Orly Airport (ORY)：Located closer to the city centre, mainly handling domestic and European flights, as well as some long-haul.
- Beauvais-Tillé Airport (BVA)：Located further out, primarily serving budget airlines with flights to and from European destinations.
You can travel directly from CDG and ORY airports to central Paris' main attractions using the metro or RER (regional express train). However, for BVA, the best option is to take the official airport shuttle bus to Porte Maillot metro station in Paris, as it is located further from the city centre.
Additionally, if you have too much luggage or are travelling with children or elderly companions, you may consider:
- Private transfer service between Paris city centre and Charles de Gaulle Airport
- Private transfer service between Paris city centre and Orly Airport
- Transfer service between Paris city centre and Beauvais Airport
Getting Around In Paris
When getting around central Rome, walking is great, but the metro is the most convenient option. Use Google Maps to get real-time public transport routes, including transfer points and directions to your destination.
The metro stations most commonly used by tourists include:
- Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre – to Louvre Museum
- Cité – to Notre-Dame Cathedral
- George V – to Champs-Élysées + Arc de Triomphe
- Passy – to Eiffel Tower
- Blanche – to Moulin Rouge
You can't directly tap your credit card to enter the Paris Metro, but you can purchase a ticket using your credit card at the ticket machines inside the station. A single journey within zones 1-2 (where most tourist attractions are) costs €2.15 (2024 price). There's a discount if you buy a bundle of 10 tickets at once, but since I did a lot of walking during this trip, I didn’t get a multi-ride pass.
Where to Stay in Paris
Since I had to attend the 11:00 PM performance at the Moulin Rouge on one of the nights, and with the clocks going forward for daylight saving time that day, the show ended at 2:30 AM. I chose to stay at the Ibis Paris Montmartre Sacré-Coeur, just a 4-minute walk away from the venue. As part of the Ibis hotel chain, the service and quality were consistent with their other locations. However, I recommend keeping valuables with you and securing personal items in the room.
- Just a 4-Minute Walk from Moulin Rouge
- Since I attended the 23:00 show, it was already 01:30 AM when it ended. Plus, with France switching to daylight saving time that night, it was effectively 02:30 AM by the time I left. In this situation, having a hotel nearby was crucial!
- The hotel isn’t the newest, but it was clean and well-maintained.
- I paid around HKD 1,200 per night at the time of booking.
- Check the latest prices：Hong Kong｜Taiwan｜UK
On that day, the cleaner mistakenly thought we had checked out and threw away my makeup remover, which I had left in the bathroom, as well as my Louvre ticket, which was on the desk. Although the hotel manager later arranged compensation, it was a frustrating experience to return to the hotel in the early hours and find such important personal items missing.
Apart from the aforementioned incident, the hotel's location is very convenient. I would recommend staying in this area if you're planning to attend a show at the Moulin Rouge.
>>> Accommodation Selection Guide <<<
FAQs for Self-Guided Travel in Paris
Q: Do I need a travel visa for Paris?
A: The EU has announced the implementation of ETIAS starting from the second quarter of 2025. Visitors from 59 visa-free countries and regions, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the UK, will need to apply for and present an ETIAS authorisation for travel to Schengen countries for tourism, business, or transit purposes.
Q: Do I need to speak French in Paris? Can I communicate in English?
A: While French is the official language of Paris, most people at major tourist attractions, hotels, and restaurants can communicate in English. Learning a few simple French greetings like "Bonjour" (Hello) or "Merci" (Thank you) will help you connect better with the locals and make your experience more enjoyable.
Q: What payment methods are accepted in Paris? How much cash should I carry?
A: Paris uses the Euro (€). The main payment methods are credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express), debit cards (Visa Debit, MasterCard Debit), cash, and mobile payments such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. Cash is less commonly needed, and most payments can be made by card or mobile payment. However, it's a good idea to carry a small amount of cash for emergencies.
Q: What is the best time to visit Paris?
A: The best seasons to visit Paris are spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October), when the weather is pleasant and there are fewer tourists. Summer (July to August) is warmer but tends to be crowded, as many locals take vacations during this time.
Q: What is the voltage and plug type in Paris?
A: The voltage in Paris is 230 volts, and the plug types are C and F (both with two round pins). It's recommended to bring an adapter if you're using electronic devices from regions with different plug types.
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