How to Spend 24 Hours in Paris for an Unforgettable Experience?

Paris is a city filled with beauty, culture, history, food and so much to see and do. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or simply a chance to explore one of the world’s premier cities, Paris is sure to exceed your expectations.

If you have just 24 hours in Paris, you’ll need to make the most of your time. To plan the perfect day trip, here’s how you can spend 24 hours in Paris and make it an unforgettable experience––all while seeing the very best that the iconic city has to offer.

Begin the Day with a Trip to the Eiffel Tower

When it comes to iconic landmarks, the Eiffel Tower is the ultimate representation of Paris. No matter how many times you’ve visited before, starting off your day with a trip to the Eiffel Tower is always thrilling.

You can reach the tower via the RER C line or Metro 6 from several of Paris’ most popular hubs, like Montparnasse and Trocadero. After you reach the tower itself, make sure to bring your camera so you can snap some photos to commemorate your experience. You can either opt to take an elevator all the way up or climb the stairs for a more immersive experience. You can even take part in a guided tour or book one of the Eiffel Tower’s restaurants for a meal with a view.

Experience Parisian Breakfast

Whether you’ve just returned from the Eiffel Tower or are continuing your day with a later start, grabbing breakfast like a local is a must-do. There are plenty of traditional French bakeries throughout Paris, such as Julien and Côte d’Azur that serves up classic French croissants that are flaky and buttery, as well as tartines, omelettes and more.

If you’re looking for something a bit different than the typical café fare, there are also plenty of amazing Asian, Middle Eastern and North African spots throughout the city––from peking duck in Maison Prunier or falafels from L’As du Falafel to poké bowls from Ohana Poké or sweet treats from Kooma Art Café.

Explore the Louvre

After breakfast, it’s time to explore one of the most iconic places in Paris––the Louvre Museum. Home to 35,000 works of art displayed over 60,600 square meters of space, this iconic museum has something for everyone. As one of Europe’s largest attractions, you should plan to spend at least a few hours exploring its seemingly endless galleries, collections and exhibitions filled with art from the prehistory through modern times. You can purchase skip-the-line tickets ahead of time, which is especially helpful if you’re short on time.

You might also consider taking part in a guided tour of the museum to learn about famous works first-hand from a knowledgeable guide. The guided tours also specialize in different topics, such as Ancient Egypt or Impressionism collections. Tours typically last around two hours and cover much more cases than you could do on your own in such little time.

Afternoon Shopping

If the weather is nice and you want a break after exploring the Louvre Museum, head over to Notre Dame. If it’s too crowded (especially during peak season!) or rain hasn’t kept crowds away, consider going shopping instead––Paris is legendary for its boutiques, vintage clothing stores and high-end labels.

From the Marais district on Rue des Francs Bourgeois and Rue de Rosiers for emerging fashion labels, to luxury stores on Avenue Montaigne and Galerie Vivienne for big-name designers, there are plenty of shopping opportunities for every type of budget. After shopping around for souvenirs and gifts for yourself and your loved ones, head back to your hotel to rest before dinner.

Enjoy a Relaxing Dinner

Since you’ve been on your feet all day, make sure to take the time to enjoy some delicious food options in Paris. Meat-eaters will be in luck––especially if they visit one of Paris’ smoky steak frites joints. But if you’re vegetarian or vegan, don’t worry! There are plenty og options for vegetarians and vegans alike as well, including stellar sushi spots, bakeries and more.

Head back to an area like Le Marais or Rue des Trois Frères near Boulevards Montmartre for a range of bistros that offer classic French cuisine like steak tartare, boeuf bourguignon or cassoulet. Or, if you feel like having a fancier dinner with someone special––reserve a table at Lasserre for dishes like langoustine tartelette accompained by an enviable selection of wines.

End the Day on the Seine River

After an unforgettable day out in Paris, take time to relax by winding down on the renowned Seine River. Instead of just passing by it––hop onto a river cruise and immerse yourself into this unique experience. Bateau EBIZO offers several options depending on your budget and preferences: hop on board for a romantic dinner cruise, an hour tour (complete with historical commentary about Paris) or even a night river tour––all with stunning views of Notre Dame and boats lit up with white lanterns all around!

And just like that, another day trip in Paris has come and gone! Though 24 hours may be too little time for all that Paris has to offer, with careful planning you can still make it an unforgettable experience––one that will stay with you for many years to come!