5 days in Paris is enough for the essentials without rushing, provided you anchor each day to one major sight and book it before you arrive. The plan below does exactly that: one anchor per day, a free alternative beside it, and an evening in a neighbourhood worth the walk. Admission for the 5 booked sights comes to about €104 per person, on top of a typical €100–€220/day.
Day 1 — Eiffel Tower, then Le Marais
Day 2 — Louvre Museum, then Montmartre
Day 3 — Musée d'Orsay, then Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Day 4 — Palace of Versailles, then Belleville
Day 5 — Sainte-Chapelle, then Le Marais
Day 1 — Eiffel Tower
Morning. Tour Gustave Eiffel's world-famous tower and opt to visit the summit to get amazing views of Paris! — Entry from €24 — rated 4.2/5 by 4,046 Tiqets customers. Check tickets and times.
Afternoon (free). Permanent Museum Collections — The permanent collections of the Musée Carnavalet (Paris history), Petit Palais (fine arts), Musée d'Art Moderne and Maison de Victor Hugo are all free. A full day of world-class art at zero cost.
Evening. Le Marais — Paris's most stylish neighbourhood — medieval lanes lined with cutting-edge galleries, the Place des Vosges and some of the city's best falafel. Equally beloved by art lovers, foodies and the LGBTQ+ community.
Day 2 — Louvre Museum
Morning. Secure your Louvre Museum tickets online to fully explore Paris' monumental art collection and cultural artifacts from around the globe. — Entry from €29 — rated 4.2/5 by 2,447 Tiqets customers. Check tickets and times.
Afternoon (free). Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur — Entry to Sacré-Cœur Basilica is free. The climb offers one of Paris's best panoramas. The surrounding Montmartre streets, vineyard and Place du Tertre are free to explore.
Evening. Montmartre — The artists' hill: steep staircases, the white dome of Sacré-Cœur and the last surviving vineyard in Paris. Tourist-busy by day but atmospheric at dusk when the crowds thin and the city lights up below.
Day 3 — Musée d'Orsay
Morning. Behold breathtaking Impressionist masterpieces in the magnificent Orsay station in Paris. — Entry from €13 — rated 4.6/5 by 24,760 Tiqets customers. Check tickets and times.
Afternoon (free). Parks & Gardens — The Jardins des Tuileries, Champ de Mars (Eiffel Tower views), Parc des Buttes-Chaumont and the Canal Saint-Martin are all free and among the most pleasant spots in the city.
Evening. Saint-Germain-des-Prés — The intellectual heart of Paris — Café de Flore, Les Deux Magots and the Musée d'Orsay. Upscale shopping on boulevard Saint-Germain and the finest cheese shops in the city.
Day 4 — Palace of Versailles
Morning. Book your Palace of Versailles tickets in advance for timed entry, instant digital delivery, and smooth access to the Sun King’s estate. — Entry from €12 — rated 4.4/5 by 15,234 Tiqets customers. Check tickets and times.
Afternoon (free). First Sunday of the Month — On the first Sunday of each month (Oct–Mar), the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Versailles and many national museums are free for all visitors — one of Paris's best-kept budget secrets.
Evening. Belleville — The authentic, multicultural Paris that Instagram hasn't fully discovered yet. Street art, panoramic city views from the Parc de Belleville, and a thriving restaurant scene from Chinese to North African.
Day 5 — Sainte-Chapelle
Morning. See stunning stained glass light fill this 13th-century Parisian chapel. — Entry from €26 — rated 4.5/5 by 8,582 Tiqets customers. Check tickets and times.
Afternoon (free). Permanent Museum Collections — The permanent collections of the Musée Carnavalet (Paris history), Petit Palais (fine arts), Musée d'Art Moderne and Maison de Victor Hugo are all free. A full day of world-class art at zero cost.
Evening. Le Marais — Paris's most stylish neighbourhood — medieval lanes lined with cutting-edge galleries, the Place des Vosges and some of the city's best falafel. Equally beloved by art lovers, foodies and the LGBTQ+ community.
What it costs
| Day | Booked sight | From |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Eiffel Tower | €24 |
| Day 2 | Louvre Museum | €29 |
| Day 3 | Musée d'Orsay | €13 |
| Day 4 | Palace of Versailles | €12 |
| Day 5 | Sainte-Chapelle | €26 |
| Total | 5 booked sights | €104 |
Prices are Tiqets “from” rates in euro at the time of writing and move with date and demand; the live figures are on our Paris guide. Meals, transport and accommodation are not included.
Best Time to Visit
May–June is Paris at its finest — mild weather (18–24°C), café terraces in full swing and the city at its most beautiful before the summer crowds arrive. Perfect for outdoor markets and long evening walks.
Getting Around Paris
Métro is the fastest way around — 16 lines covering the entire city. A single ticket costs €2.15; a 24h Navigo pass is €9.10. Buy a carnet (pack of 10) for savings if staying several days.
Best window for this trip: May – September.
Staying a different length? See 2 days, 3 days in Paris. To reshape this plan around your own dates, budget and interests, run it through the AI planner.