Paris is endlessly rewarding — whether it's your first visit or your tenth. The iconic sights are iconic for good reason, the food is exceptional, and the city's neighbourhoods reward slow exploration. This guide covers the 12 best things to do in Paris in 2026, with honest advice on what to book ahead and what's best discovered on foot.
✔ Eiffel Tower summit — book timed entry well ahead
✔ Louvre — choose a guided tour or you'll get lost in 35,000 works
✔ Seine River cruise at sunset — one of Europe's great experiences
✔ A morning at a neighbourhood market — Marché d'Aligre or Rue Mouffetard
Top 12 Things To Do in Paris
Eiffel Tower — Summit Access
Paris's defining landmark is genuinely spectacular in person. The summit view across the city on a clear day is unforgettable. Book timed summit tickets weeks ahead — the queue without tickets can exceed 3 hours.
Book Summit Tickets →Louvre Museum
The world's largest art museum — home to the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and 35,000 other works. A guided highlights tour is strongly recommended; the museum is overwhelming without direction.
Book Louvre Tour →Seine River Cruise
Gliding past Notre-Dame, the Eiffel Tower, the Orsay and the Pont Neuf on the Seine is one of Europe's great experiences. Bateaux Mouches operate day and evening cruises — the evening one with dinner is exceptional.
Book River Cruise →Paris Food Market Tour
Croissants, cheese, charcuterie and wine — Paris's food culture is extraordinary. A guided market tour through Le Marais or Montorgueil introduces you to local producers and dishes you'd never find alone.
Book Food Tour →Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur
The hilltop village neighbourhood above Paris — cobbled streets, artists' studios, and the white-domed Sacré-Cœur basilica with panoramic city views. Best explored with a local guide who knows the quieter corners.
Book Montmartre Tour →Musée d'Orsay
The world's finest Impressionist collection — Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh and Cézanne in a converted Belle Époque railway station. Less crowded than the Louvre and in many ways more rewarding.
Book Skip-the-Line →Palace of Versailles Day Trip
Louis XIV's extraordinary palace and gardens — one of the world's great royal residences. Only 40 minutes from Paris by RER. Book combined palace + gardens tickets and go early before the coach parties arrive.
Book Versailles Tour →Le Marais Neighbourhood Walk
Paris's most atmospheric neighbourhood — medieval streets, the Place des Vosges, the Jewish quarter, concept stores and some of the city's best falafel. Wonderful to wander, even better with a local guide.
Book Walking Tour →Paris Catacombs
Six million Parisians rest in the underground ossuary beneath the city — one of the most extraordinary and eerie attractions in Europe. Book timed entry ahead; walk-up queues stretch for hours.
Book Catacombs Entry →Notre-Dame Cathedral
Reopened in December 2024 after the 2019 fire — the restored Gothic cathedral is more magnificent than ever. Free entry but timed tickets required in 2026 to manage visitor numbers.
Book Notre-Dame Tour →French Cooking Class
Learn to make croissants, crêpes, macarons or a three-course French dinner from a professional chef. One of Paris's most hands-on and memorable experiences — book at least a week ahead.
Book Cooking Class →Champagne & Wine Tasting
Paris has some of Europe's finest wine bars and guided tastings. A curated Champagne and French wine experience — with cheese pairings — is one of the most enjoyable evenings you'll spend in the city.
Book Wine Tour →Book Paris Tours — Before They Sell Out
Eiffel Tower summit and Louvre guided tours sell out weeks ahead — compare now
Browse All Paris Tours on GetYourGuide →Paris Travel Tips
Best time to visit: May–June and September–October. Spring in Paris is exceptional — the chestnut trees bloom, café terraces fill up and the city feels alive. Avoid August if possible — Parisians leave and the city feels emptied out.
Getting around: The Paris Métro is one of the world's best urban transit systems — fast, frequent and cheap. Buy a Navigo Easy card (loaded with carnets) rather than individual tickets. Walking is ideal in the central arrondissements, which are compact and beautiful.
Tipping: Service is included in French restaurant bills (service compris). Leaving 5–10% extra for excellent service is appreciated but not expected. Never tip at a café counter.
FAQs
How many days do you need in Paris?
3–4 days covers the main sights comfortably. 5–6 days allows you to explore neighbourhoods (Le Marais, Saint-Germain, Montmartre, Canal Saint-Martin) and day-trip to Versailles. A week lets you slow down and really live in the city.
Is Paris expensive?
More than most European cities, yes — but less than London. Budget €80–120/day for mid-range travel (accommodation, food, transport, one attraction). Eating lunch at a café formule (set menu) dramatically reduces costs versus à la carte dinner prices.
Do I need to book the Eiffel Tower in advance?
Yes — always. Timed summit tickets must be booked online in advance. Walk-up queue times can exceed 3 hours in peak season and summit tickets are often fully booked days ahead.