Paris is always portrayed as the city of romance. Its numerous cafes and thriving art scene have been the setting of so many movie scenes and stories. Unsurprisingly, tourists from all over the world flock to the city of love to partake of the famed Parisian charm.

I have fallen in love with Paris the first time I visited it. It was artistic and magical! Unfortunately, the cost of living in Paris, as with the rest of Europe, is pretty high. Unless you are ready to splurge, vacationing in Paris for a long time might not be a very good idea.

Whether you are planning on touring all of Europe or traveling under budget constraints, there is a way for you to enjoy Paris in just two days. In this article, I will teach you how to plan your 2 days in Paris itinerary. Trust me, it’s a lot easier than you might think.​

What You Will Need

Of course, you can figure out what to do in Paris when you get there, but this will only take up your time. That said, I highly suggest you plan your itinerary well before your trip. This will allow you to book an accommodation and a return flight accordingly. It will also help you pack better and lighter.

​When making an itinerary for your two-day stay in Paris, you will only need two things:

City Map​

Listing down all the attractions you want to see might seem like the best and easiest way to make your Paris itinerary, but it has its fallbacks. For one, that method disregards the location of each of the attractions. Also, it doesn’t take into consideration your drive or commute.

​This is why whenever I plan my itinerary, I always make sure that I have a city map on hand. This allows me to identify which spots to visit first, depending on their proximity to my accommodation and their locations. This also allows me to plan my commute accordingly.

If you can find a travel map which indicates the routes taken by public vehicles, then all the better! It would really help if you already know where to take buses in Paris by the time you get there.​

Travel Brochure

Paris is a city has a lot to offer. Whether you are into arts, architecture, fashion, or food, Paris has something in store for you. Because there’s so much to see in Paris, it helps to have a list of its main attractions and what you can do there,

Travel brochures are handy because they give you a run-down of famous sites and what you can do there. They also give you quick tips on how to get there and how much you would likely spend.

Now that you know the things you will need to make your Paris itinerary let’s get down to business: the actual planning.​

Four Easy Steps

Step 1: Pick an Accommodation

Since you’d only be in Paris for one night, booking a hotel room or an inn would be the best option for you. It wouldn’t be the cheapest option, but since you’re staying for a very short time, you wouldn’t have to spend much either.

Picking an accommodation is a crucial step in planning your itinerary because it gives you a starting point. This is also crucial for the next steps.

​Step 2: Identify Which Places You Want to Visit

There are Open Buses in Paris. These tourist buses go around the city, passing by around 50 central tourist spots. You can get off the bus and explore whichever place might catch your fancy. If you’re not too sure which sights you want to see, then the Open Bus is for you.

Most of the time, however, tourists visit Paris knowing full well which particular places they want to see. As I’ve said, Paris has a lot to offer, so it’s best to identify early on which specific spots you want to visit. My suggestion is to keep your itinerary to about five per day, so you can enjoy your trip better.

It’s tempting to try to visit as many spots as you can, but this never really worked well based on my experience. Rushing from one destination to another only takes away the fun. It’s also bound to be more tiring and more stressful.

​Step 3: Plan Your Route

For destinations that are close to your chosen accommodation, I suggest visiting them by foot. A stroll around Paris is always refreshing, allowing you to take in the romantic vibe of its many stores and outdoor cafes. It’s also one of the best ways to admire the city’s fine architectural pieces.

Of course, there’s no stopping you from visiting famous spots that are far from where you are staying. This is where good planning comes in. Check the city map and plan your route, taking into consideration the respective locations of the places you’re visiting​.

If you don’t plan on renting a car, determine the bus stops so you know exactly where to board the bus and where to get off. If possible, pick buses that will pass by city landmarks. This way, you can still see them even if you don’t actually stop by.

Step 4: Know Where You’re Eating

This might sound completely unrelated, but trust me on this one. Paris teems with famous restaurants and delightful cuisine, which you must definitely try during your stay. Famous restaurants would typically be jam-packed and would require reservations, especially during peak season.

If you are lucky enough to get a reservation, it is imperative that you adjust your itinerary to accommodate that failure to arrive at the restaurant on time could lead to forfeiture of your reservation, so it’s best to plan your day accordingly.

Personally, I prefer to eat at fancy restaurants only at dinner. This gives me ample time to go back to my hotel room, freshen up, and take a leisurely stroll under the city’s romantic evening glow. It’s also the best way to cap off a day devoted to exploring the city.

Regardless of where you plan to eat, the most important thing to consider is your planned activity for the day. Pick a restaurant close to the places you’re visiting.

Pro Tips

Go to restaurants a little before or after lunch or dinner. This way, you can avoid the crowd. This is especially true if you’re visiting during peak season.

​2 Days in Paris: What to Do and How to Do it – Conclusion

​There really is no need to pay for professional itinerary services. Even if this is your first time to visit Paris, you can easily plan your itinerary yourself. All you have to do is to make some quick research and determine which places you want to see.

Also, just because you only have two days to spend in Paris doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the city. With proper planning, you can make the most out of your two-day trip.