1 Day in Paris: The Perfect 24 Hour Itinerary

Looking for the perfect 1 day in Paris itinerary? Here’s exactly how I’d spend my time in the City of Light if I only had 24 hours!

I often hear the saying ‘Paris is always a good idea’, and I completely agree. The city is vast and so interesting. There’s honestly so much to do from some of the most famous monuments in Europe to more off-the-beaten track and quirky attractions that you might not visit the first time around. 

So, since there’s so much to do in the city, what if you only have one day in Paris? Is it still worth visiting? In my opinion, yes it’s still worth taking the time to explore a little bit of the city – it’s always a good idea after all!

So, if you only have a day in Paris, here’s the perfect itinerary.

9:00 – Visit the Eiffel Tower

I recommend starting the day nice and early with Paris’s top attraction – the Eiffel Tower! There’s no denying that this place will be on your bucket list and, since the queues grow longer and longer as the day goes on, it’s best to start with the big one!

You can either go to the second floor or the summit of the Eiffel Tower. If you want the full experience, I recommend the summit and there are two ways to get there.

You can either walk up a LOT of stairs or take the elevator. Which one you choose will affect not only your legs but also your ticket price. 

The summit tickets cost €70 to reach by the lifts or €54 to go via a combination of the lift and the stairs. So, no matter which way you visit, it’s certainly not the cheapest thing to do in the city!

But, it’s also a right of passage for everyone visiting and I couldn’t write a one-day Paris itinerary and leave this off the list!

You’ll need around 1.5 – 2 hours here, especially with all the photos you’ll want to take at the top.

✅ If you hate reeeeeally long queues, book your tickets in advance!

11:00 – Wander down Champs-Elysees

After you’ve arrived back at the bottom of the Eiffel Tower, head to the most popular street in Paris.

This place is ideal for a little bit of window shopping and browsing the racks. You’ll find a range of stores from luxury boutiques like Louis Vuitton to high-street stores like Zara.

It’s also the ideal place to pause for a cup of coffee or a creamy French hot chocolate before you carry on your day. You can also treat yourself to exquisite pastries at Ladurée you could even go for a peaceful stroll through the scenic Jardins des Champs-Élysées. 

Don’t miss the impressive Grand Palais and Petit Palais for art and exhibitions, and capture the historic grandeur of Place de la Concorde.

12:30 – Climb the Arc de Triomphe

This is one of my favourite places in all of Paris. Located right in the centre of the city (and in the middle of the most bonkers roundabout I’ve ever seen), the Arc de Triomphe is a huge Triumphal Archway commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1806.

It’s both beautiful and a great slice of Parisian history. 

✅ For one of the most iconic views in Paris, you can’t miss this!

14:30 – Notre Dame Cathedral

I recommend taking public transport to this next stop. Luckily Paris’s metro system is very good and you can take a direct 12-minute train to Hotel to Ville which is just a 10-minute walk to the Notre Dame Cathedral. Overall, it should take you around 25 minutes to get here. 

If you love architecture and history, you’ll love the Notre Dame Cathedral. It’s one of the most significant Gothic Cathedrals in the world, and so beautiful. The two towers offer more panoramic views over Paris and the interior is stunning.

Unfortunately, due to the fire of April 2019, the cathedral is still closed, but in my opinion, it’s still worth viewing from the outside. 

15:00 – Sainte-Chapelle

Located just a 10-minute walk away from the Cathedral, you’ll find the beautiful Sainte Chapelle. This stunning Gothic chapel is also well worth a visit during 1 day in Paris and, in my opinion, it houses one of the most impressive stained glass windows in the city. 

Inside the chapel is a kaleidoscope of colours and the different designs are truly stunning. There are so many windows that the upper chapel’s walls seem like they’re made entirely from glass. The effect is beautiful, especially in the sunshine. 

The lower chapel is just as beautiful and my favourite part is its starry ceiling. Sainte-Chapelle is easily one of the most remarkable and exquisite examples of Gothic art in the world.

Top Tip: If you visit in the Spring, Île de la Cité (specifically Square Jean XXIII). It’s possibly the best place to see cherry blossoms.

16:00 – Palais Garnier

Our next stop in Paris is one of the most incredible buildings in the city. The Palais Garnier, a very fancy opera house and a stunning example of the city’s rich cultural heritage.

It is mostly known (aside from operas, of course), for its remarkable architecture. You’ll find elaborate sculptures, a lavish marble staircase, and a dazzling auditorium with a pretty impressive ceiling painting.

The interior is equally magnificent, with red velvet seats and an impressive chandelier that weighs over six tons!

If you’ve ever wanted to visit the home of the famous Opera Ballet or the setting for The Phantom of the Opera, the Palais Garnier should definitely be on your list!

To visit, you’ll need to book a ticket and, once again, I strongly recommend you book in advance. Tickets cost €15, so it’s not as expensive as other attractions.

✅ This is one of the most beautiful buildings in Paris

18:00 – Seine Dinner Cruise

Finish your day in Paris with a cruise on the Seine River. I love a river cruise and think there’s no better way to see a city than from the water. It gives a completely new perspective and, let’s be real, the views are pretty excellent!

Plus, why not combine your cruise on the river with some delicious French cuisine and opt for a dinner cruise? This option allows you to dine under the stars and with a view of the Eiffel Tower and many of Paris’s other top sights gliding past you. 

It’s the perfect way to end a day in the city. 

✅ For the most perfect way to see Paris, I recommend this river cruise.

Where to Stay for 1 Day in Paris

There are so many options when it comes to where to stay in Paris. The city is brimming with hotels, boutique apartments, and even budget hostels.

If you’re looking for some of the most fantastic places to stay, here are my top choices: 

• £££ – Shangri-La Paris – For those dreamy Eiffel Tower views, this place is perfect. It’s definitely not the cheapest, but it’s classy, romantic, and perfect for a special occasion.
• ££ – Kube Hotel – Possibly the coolest hotel in Paris, the Kube Hotel actually has its own ice bar! The rooms are adorned with chic artwork plenty of white space and plenty of room. 
• £ – Mama Shelter East – For those visiting the city on a budget, this hotel is ideal. Only 800 yards from the metro line, you’ll find a simple style, comfortable rooms, and easy access to the city centre.

✅ Check out my full review of the best places to stay in Paris for any budget. 

Is 1 day in Paris enough?

If I’m completely honest, no, one day isn’t enough to see everything there is to see in Paris. 

But, if you’re short on time, it’s a great way to cross the most popular sights off your list whilst getting a taste of what the city has to offer. 

There’s so much to do in the city and the surrounding area, that you’ll need at least 5 days to see everything. If you’re considering staying longer, check out my two-day itinerary and three-day itinerary for Paris.

When is the best time to visit Paris?

Paris is a year-round city, but each season has its perks.

Summer has the warmest weather but the biggest crowds. It also brings the highest prices, so prepare to spend more if you’re visiting during peak summer. 

The shoulder season months of March-May and September-November bring more affordable prices. But you’ll have more unreliable weather and rain in March and November especially. 

December brings Christmas markets, a festive atmosphere, and chilly weather. Also, prices can increase slightly around this time too. 

January and February are usually the quietest months in Paris and they’re usually quite rainy and cold. But you’ll find much cheaper prices during this time so it’s a great time to go if you can stand the weather. 

Personally, my favourite times to visit are during May and October as the weather is usually quite pleasant and you don’t have the crowds or prices of peak summer. 

How to get around Paris?

Paris is a pretty walkable city for the most part. However, this is one city in Europe where I don’t recommend walking everywhere, especially if you’re only in Paris for a day! 

Some of the attractions on this list are over an hour to walk between and, quite frankly, you wouldn’t have enough time to see it all. 

Luckily, the city has a fantastic public transport system and I recommend making the most of the metro for this itinerary. Getting around in general is pretty easy with the metro. Journeys are reliable, affordable, and usually pretty quick. 

You can buy a one-day travel pass for zones 1-5 for €20.60 or a single journey for just €2.15. For this itinerary, you’ll likely only need to make one return journey, but you may need to make more than that depending on which part of Paris you’re staying in.

Is it worth spending one day in Paris?

Yes, I think it’s worth it. the French Capital is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and it’s well-known for a reason.

There’s a lot to see and it’s completely beautiful, so if you only have one day to see Paris, it’s worth making the most of it and crossing some of the top spots off your bucket list. 

No, you definitely won’t see everything that the city has to offer, but it’s a great way to get an introduction. And, as I said at the start of this blog post, Paris is always a good idea!

👉 Looking for somewhere to stay for your 1 day in Paris? Check out my favourite places to stay in Paris, even if you’re on a budget!