10 Unmissable Things to Do in Paris

Paris doesn’t just look like the City of Light. It earned the nickname in part because it was one of the first European capitals to embrace street lighting, long before neon signs and smartphone flashlights made nights feel bright anywhere. And that’s exactly the charm: Paris is at its best when you let it glow around you, whether you’ve come for the grand landmarks, the neighbourhood atmosphere, or simply the excuse to wander with no agenda.

If you’re planning a trip to Paris (or you’ve already booked the tickets and you’re mentally rearranging your calendar), you’ll know the feeling: excitement… and a slight panic that you’ll miss the good bits in between the headlines. The truth is, the most memorable Paris moments are often simple: a viewpoint that stops you in your tracks, a street that pulls you uphill “just to see what’s there”, an evening plan that turns into a story you’ll retell.

So, to help you shape a Paris plan that feels easy to follow (and even easier to enjoy), we’ve pulled together some suggestions for things to do in Paris, the kind that slot neatly into a weekend or a longer stay and make the city click. Keep scrolling to discover what we’d put at the top of your itinerary.

1) Go up to the Galeries Lafayette rooftop terrace for a (nearly) unbeatable skyline view

If you want that “I can’t believe I’m in Paris” moment without major queues or ticket faff, make the rooftop terrace at Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann your first stop, as it’s one of the easiest things to do in Paris on day one. From the 8th floor, you’ll get a sweeping panorama that takes in major landmarks, including views stretching from the Eiffel Tower towards Montmartre, plus a cluster of icons such as Opéra Garnier, Sacré-Cœur and Notre-Dame on a clear day.

What to do once you’re up there:

• Take your time: This is a “slow scroll” view, so linger, spot landmarks, and enjoy the rooftops.
• Aim for golden hour: The terrace is a favourite for sunsets, and it’s easy to see why.
• Keep expectations realistic: It’s not the highest viewpoint in Paris, but it is one of the easiest (and most satisfying).

Practical tips:

• Terrace hours: The terrace is typically open 10.00am–8.30pm (11.00am–8.00pm on Sundays; the store stays open later).
• Weather watch: In bad weather, the rooftop can close temporarily, so it’s worth having this as a flexible, first-day plan.

2) Wander Montmartre’s lanes (and, if you fancy, end at the Moulin Rouge)

Montmartre is Paris at its most storybook: cobbled streets, little squares, artists at easels, and sudden viewpoints that make you stop mid-walk. A lovely way to do it is to treat it like a slow meander rather than a checklist.

A simple, do-able route:

• Start around Abbesses and drift uphill through the quieter streets.
• Pop into Sacré-Cœur (it’s open daily and free to enter, which makes it an easy win even on a packed itinerary).
• Keep wandering past Place du Tertre (the classic little square) and look out for Montmartre’s more “village-y” corners, including its vineyard and small gardens.
• Finish down towards Pigalle, where you can decide whether to call it a night… or go full Paris and book a cabaret evening.

If you want the big finish: the Moulin Rouge is right at the foot of the hill, and it’s still one of the city’s most iconic nights out. It runs the Féerie revue twice each evening, and seats can go quickly, so it’s one to book ahead if it’s on your wish list.

A small note: Montmartre can get very busy, especially around the most photogenic spots, and that's part of the reason why locals have been vocal about overcrowding. Going early (or later in the evening) makes it feel far more magical.

3) Do a proper Parisian café stop (yes, with your chair facing the street)

This is the simplest thing to do in Paris: sit down at a café, order a coffee or hot chocolate and something flaky, then angle your chair towards the street and let the city provide the entertainment. It’s a small ritual that captures Paris at its most everyday and effortless, the kind of pause that makes even a quick break feel properly part of the trip.

How to do it like a local:

• Choose a terrace seat facing the street. The whole point is people-watching, that's why so many café chairs are angled outward.
• Sit side-by-side if you’re with someone. It can feel odd at first, but it’s very Paris: the street is the entertainment.
• Don’t rush. Once you’ve ordered, it’s normal to linger. Just be mindful of freeing up prime terrace tables at peak times.

What to order:

• Morning: a coffee and a pastry.
• Anytime: hot chocolate (Paris does it exceptionally well).
• Late afternoon: swap to an apéro drink and lean into the slow pace.

4) Find the right place to stay (without trawling through endless listings)

Paris has a lot of hotels, which is great until you’re 47 tabs deep and still unsure. The fastest way to get to a good shortlist is to start with the kind of stay you want, then let our categories do the narrowing for you.

On Travelmyth, pick one (or a few) categories and we’ll filter Paris down to places that match (with prices compared across booking sites), so you’re choosing from a curated-feeling list, not the entire city.

A few category combos that work especially well in Paris:

• Romantic + Boutique-style Hotels for a stay that feels like part of the trip
• Family Friendly Hotels for an easy, practical base
• Spa + Indoor Pool Hotels when you want a proper end-of-day reset
• Cheap Hotels when you’d rather spend on museums, cocktails and pastries
• Hotels for Honeymoon or Luxury Hotels if you’re going all-in

Then fine-tune by price range and sorting, and you’ll land on a “yes, this one” option much faster.

5) See the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night (it’s the Paris moment)

If you have only one “after dark” thing to do in Paris, make it this. Every evening, the Eiffel Tower is lit in gold, and it sparkles for 5 minutes at the beginning of every hour after dusk.

How to time it:

• Arrive 10 minutes before the hour so you can grab a good spot, then enjoy the full five-minute show.
• The sparkle schedule is tied to nightfall, so it’ll feel later in summer and earlier in winter.
• On the official guidance, the tower closes at 11.45pm, with the last sparkle typically at midnight.

Best places to watch it:

• Jardins du Trocadéro: arguably the classic viewpoint — wide, cinematic, and directly facing the tower.
• Champ de Mars: right at the base of the tower, ideal for an easy evening wander (or a picnic if you’re that way inclined).

6) Visit the Louvre (but do it strategically, not heroically)

The Louvre is one of those places where it’s easy to over-plan, and even easier to burn out. The smarter move is to pick a handful of “must-sees” and build your visit around them, rather than trying to cover the entire museum in one go.

Good-to-know logistics:

• Opening days & hours: The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays. On Wednesdays and Fridays it’s open later (until 9.00pm), while other open days typically run until 6.00pm.
• Last entry: usually 1 hour before closing, and galleries start clearing around 30 minutes before.

How to make it enjoyable:

• Go late if you can: That evening opening (especially Wed/Fri) is a great way to dodge the most intense crowds.
• Aim for 2–3 hours, not “the whole day”: You’ll see more by seeing less.
• Check the day’s status before you set off: Like many major attractions, opening can be affected by operational issues. There have been recent staff strike disruptions reported, so it’s worth a quick check on the day.

7) See Notre-Dame (and reserve a free time slot to keep it stress-free)

Notre-Dame is back on the must-do list of things to do in Paris, and it’s still one of the most moving stops in the city, whether you’re there for the architecture, the history, or the atmosphere.

What to expect as a visitor:

• Entry is free, and you can visit with or without a reservation, but a free time slot is strongly recommended to reduce queueing.
• The cathedral usually receives exceptionally high attendance (especially weekends/holidays), so it's suggested to aim for weekdays or quieter times.

How to do it smoothly:

• Book your slot online: Use the official reservation portal/app, choose a time, and you’ll get a digital ticket by email.
• If you’re going without a reservation: arrive early, as queues can be long, and there’s a risk you won’t get in at peak times.
• Check the “usual” opening pattern: The official reservation page notes the cathedral is usually open 8.00am–7.00pm daily, with later opening until 10.00pm on Thursdays, but hours can vary for events.

8) Take a half-day (or full-day) trip to the Palace of Versailles

Versailles is the perfect escape when you want a change of pace from the city centre: it’s close enough to be easy, grand enough to feel special, and it’s one of the best things to do in Paris when you fancy a half-day or full-day trip that delivers a real sense of grandeur, especially once you step out into the gardens.

How to do it smoothly:

• Book in advance via the official ticket office (strongly recommended).
• Consider the Passport ticket if you want to see “the whole estate” in one visit.
• If you choose a Passport with timed Palace entry, your ticket is tied to a specific time slot (valid for a short entry window at set times).

Don’t miss the gardens:

• The Gardens are open daily from 7.00am to 8.30pm, with last admission at 7.00pm (and they can close in exceptional weather).

9) Do a night cruise on the Seine (Paris from the water hits differently)

Paris after dark is made for the river: bridges lit up, monuments glowing, reflections on the water. It’s one of the easiest ways to feel the “City of Light” magic without adding more walking to your step count.

Two easy ways to do it:

• Go all-in with a dinner cruise: Bateaux Parisiens’ dinner cruises, for example, typically depart at 8.30pm.
• Keep it simple with a sightseeing cruise: there are also commentary cruises with departures running well into the evening (including late options on many days, depending on season and demand).

Quick tip: aim for a later sailing if you want the most dramatic illumination.

10) Slow down in the Luxembourg Gardens

After the museum queues and landmark-hopping, this is your reset button. The Luxembourg Gardens are one of the things to do in Paris that allows you to move at a gentler pace: grab a green chair, people-watch, and let the city feel… liveable.

Plan it like a local:

• The Gardens adjust opening times every fortnight to match sunrise/sunset, so check the schedule before you go.
• It’s an easy, no-pressure stop, ideal for your final afternoon when you just want a gorgeous place to breathe.

Mini itinerary

Want a simple plan? Here’s how we’d slot the highlights above into a 2-day or 3-day trip.

Where to stay in Paris

Paris hotels range from “once-in-a-lifetime” indulgence to smart, central bases that keep your spend for museums, cocktails and pastries. Here are four options that cover different travel styles:

1)  Shangri-La Paris — for a proper splurge (and serious wellness)

If you’re going all-in, this is the kind of hotel that turns a Paris trip into an occasion. The highlight is CHI, The Spa, built around a 17-metre indoor pool filled with natural light, plus a terrace and holistic treatments.

Best for: anniversaries, big celebrations, luxury lovers who want downtime built in.

2)  Hotel La Lanterne & Spa By Timhotel — for a central base with a quiet “reset” perk

In the Latin Quarter, La Lanterne is a strong all-rounder: walkable, comfortable, and ideal for long museum days. It also has an indoor swimming pool and hammam, with the spa typically open 8.00am–10.00pm, perfect for an easy wind-down after a full day out.

Best for: a long weekend where you want to explore hard, then recharge properly.

3)  Maison Souquet, Hotel & Spa — for romantic, “secret Paris” vibes

A boutique-style hideaway with theatre-level atmosphere, perfect if you want your hotel to feel like part of the trip, not just somewhere to sleep. As a hotel with a spa space (the Salon d’Eau) features a ten-metre pool, plus a hammam and treatment room.

Best for: couples, honeymoon energy, and anyone who’d rather do Paris moody and glamorous than minimal and modern.

4)  ibis Styles Paris République Le Marais — a more affordable, very central option

Not every Paris stay needs chandeliers and a spa. This one is all about value and a seriously convenient base: a bright, design-forward economy hotel steps from Place de la République and the République transport hub, making it easy to bounce between neighbourhoods with minimal effort.

Best for: budget-conscious travellers who still want to be well connected (and start the day fed).

Conclusion

Paris is best when you mix the big icons with the small rituals: start with skyline views, get wonderfully lost in Montmartre, linger in a café with your chair turned towards the street, then tick off the classics: the Eiffel Tower sparkling after dark, the Louvre, Notre-Dame, Versailles, a Seine cruise, and a slow final hour in the Luxembourg Gardens. Put together, it’s the kind of long-weekend itinerary that covers the essential things to do in Paris without feeling like you’re sprinting between landmarks.

To make the trip feel more you from the moment you arrive, tailor your stay as carefully as your sightseeing: browse Travelmyth’s 60 hotel categories and mix-and-match what matters most (from budget-friendly bases to romantic escapes and everything in between) to build a truly personalised accommodation shortlist. 

View all hotels in Paris

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