Your Ultimate Travel Guide To Paris

Paris. There are a thousand and a thousand adjectives to describe this beautiful city. From its charming monuments and streets to its timeless elegance, Paris is a city you’ll love whether you are on a romantic trip or if you are a solo traveler. So with this ultimate Paris travel guide, we’ll help you plan an unforgettable trip to the French capital.

The first thing when planning a trip is to choose the best month/season to make the most of your visit. We recommend that you visit Paris during the shoulder seasons. This is our recommendation not only for Paris but for all trips and destinations. In fact, traveling in the high season (summer) results in more tourists and longer queues at the main attractions. Also, in the shoulder seasons, you’ll still get the good weather and you’ll love the colors of spring with cherry blossoms or brown-gold autumn tones. We love the cherry blossoms in the photos!

Paris offers countless possibilities to stay during your trip. We recommend two solutions: hotel or Airbnb. Many people prefer to stay in an Airbnb more than a hotel because they tend to cost less and offer more space. Also, Airbnbs often come with a kitchen so besides saving money on the accommodation itself, you can save money by eating in. Instead, if you are looking for a different experience, choose to stay in a Parisian hotel. We’ve selected the best hotels famous for their hospitality, first-rate amenities and above all breathtaking views of the Eiffel Tower. Remember that as an Airbnb Associate, we earn a small commission if you book through the links on this page, at no extra cost to you!

Beautiful Airbnb located in the heart of the 2nd arrondissement, a perfect starting point for exploring Paris. In addition, this elegant apartment boasts a bright bedroom with large glass windows just in front of the bed. Thus, you can wake up every morning with Paris in your eyes. This apartment is designed for two people, has a minimalist design and offers several comforts to brighten your stay.

This is a superb studio located on the first floor which can accommodate up to three people. The apartment features a quirky tropical design that feels like you are on a Caribbean island. It also boasts several high-end amenities such as a Jacuzzi and Sauna just a few steps from the Queen Size bed. This exceptional studio is located in the 17th district of Paris in the heart of a quiet and family-friendly neighborhood, with its large avenues and local shops.

This modern-looking Airbnb is located in the 15th arrondissement near many famous spots within walking distance. In addition, the apartment boasts a balcony with a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower from the ninth floor. It’s perfect for couples or for a single person. In the vicinity of the Airbnb you will find the metro station just 5 minutes away, a supermarket, shops, very popular restaurants.

With its 105 newly renovated rooms and suites, the Hotel Château Frontenac provides its guests with a warm welcome in a luxurious and peaceful environment. This charming hotel is located in the middle of the Golden Triangle formed by the Champs-Élysées and the Avenues Montaigne and Georges V. Thus, its location is a strong point, perfect for shopping and exploring Paris. In fact, landmarks such as the Arc de Triomphe are about 11 minutes away on foot, the Grand Palais 14 minutes, the Eiffel Tower instead is 21 minutes away. Some of its rooms and suites boast a balcony with a wonderful view of the Eiffel Tower. Also, breakfast is complete in everything!

Located in the former home of Prince Roland Bonaparte, this 5-star luxury hotel offers high-end amenities and a unique view of the Eiffel Tower. The property is located in the 16th arrondissement within walking distance of the Champs-Elysées and other city landmarks. Additionally, this stunning hotel boasts 100 rooms and suites with a distinct French-meets-Asian style. With bars, lounges, the Chi Spa and a Michelin-starred restaurant, The Shangri-La Paris is the perfect choice for your luxury vacation in the French capital.

Opened in 1913, this legendary Parisian hotel is located on the famous avenue of couture, in the 8th arrondissement. Style, romance and luxury are perfectly blended in every aspect of the Hôtel Plaza Athénée. Its bright rooms and suites boast iconic Paris views and high-end amenities. Furthermore, this charming hotel boasts perhaps some of the most beautiful and elegant suites for its most important guests. Hôtel Plaza Athénée is also home to five restaurants and bars, all overseen by the wonderful and world-renowned chef, Alain Ducasse.

Paris is a city that offers countless things to see and do whether you are on your first visit or are a regular visitor to the French capital. Below we list some of the most famous sights to visit especially if it’s your first time in Paris.

Without a doubt, the Eiffel Tower is the symbol of Paris as well as one of the most famous monuments in the world. Our advice is to admire it from all positions and it’s thrilling when it shines for 5 minutes every hour after sunset. Also, it’s possible to climb the tower but remember to book this activity in advance.

The Louvre is an extraordinary museum that boasts countless works of art and stunning architecture. We recommend that you spend at least one day visiting this museum. Also, plan out which works and areas of the museum you are most interested in. Of course, check out the Mona Lisa if you can make your way through the crowd.

At the top of the famous Avenue des Champs-Élysées is the Arc de Triomphe, one of the most stunning Parisian monuments. It’s possible to climb to the top of the arch to enjoy one of the best panoramic views of Paris, especially at sunset.

Considered the true heart of Paris, this small island is home of the Notre Dame Cathedral. Also, this area is full of pretty cafes like Au Vieux Paris and many others that you can find here.

This palace is the ultimate symbol of the splendour and elegance of the French monarchy. Located 20 kilometres from central Paris, this stunning palace has been the seat of the Royal Court since 1682 and the seat of the French government for just over 100 years. During your visit, don’t miss its beautiful gardens outside the palace.

The Montmartre district is one of the most charming in Paris and you’ll find several vintage shops and quirky cafes in its streets. Also, at the top of the hill stands the beautiful Sacré-Cœur Basilica plus a wide view of Paris just outside the church.

Paris, the City of Love, is a unique place in the world that deserves to be visited at its best. For this reason, we’ve selected for you more than 20 tips for visiting Paris for the first time. Moreover, these tips will be very useful even if you have visited Paris other times in the past in order to avoid mistakes. Below is a list of the fundamental tips, for the complete list here you can find the complete article.

Many think that the Eiffel Tower is the heart of Paris. However, the Eiffel Tower, despite being in the central area, is located west of the heart of Paris. In fact, Île de la Cité, the larger of the two natural islands on the River Seine, is considered the very heart of the City of Love.

Don’t get us wrong, Paris is a place best explored on foot. However, sometimes it’s essential to take public transport. So we advise you to use the metro and the bus. Taxis may not be the best choice for city traffic. Also, to save money, buy a pack of ten metro tickets instead of a single ticket. When using public transport beware of common scams and keep a close eye on your belongings at all times. Don’t trust anyone trying to sell you metro tickets. In fact, they usually just want to steal your money. Buy tickets only from official vendors or from the machines.

As in all big cities in the world, even in Paris, you have to beware of scams. Most of these scams happen in tourist areas, especially close to important sights or in very crowded places like the metro. In fact, we recommend that you be more careful around Montmartre and Le Marais. Also, as mentioned before, keep a close eye on your belongings at all times and keep your wallet in a safe place.

If you plan to visit many attractions and travel a lot by public transport then seriously consider purchasing the Paris Pass. In fact, with this pass, you’ll have the possibility of free entry to a choice of over 60+ top Paris attractions. Also, you’ll get free, unlimited use of public transport inside central Paris. The Paris Pass will be very useful for you not to waste time stuck in queue and enjoy the attractions to the fullest. You can find more information and purchase the Paris Pass here.

The Mona Lisa, one of the most famous works in the world by Italian master Leonardo da Vinci, may not be exactly what you expect. Starting with its size, the Mona Lisa is actually pretty small! Furthermore, it’s not possible to stand still and admire it for hours. In fact, this work is well protected by security guards and surrounded by a constant crowd. So you’ll have just a few seconds to look at the Mona Lisa (if you can get close) and then walk away to allow others to do the same. To be honest it’s not the best museum experience ever!

In Paris as in France and in many other European countries the currency is the Euro (€). You will find several ATMs in all tourist areas. In addition, most restaurants and hotels accept credit card payments. However, it’s wise to carry a small amount of cash with you so you can pay anywhere in the city.