My favourite things to do in Paris as a tourist (in 2026)

I first visited Paris as a kid. And maybe because of that, it never quite made it to the top of my adult travel list. But earlier this year, a train journey from London to Barcelona took me through the city, and I decided to take it as a sign to stick around a little and experience it through the eyes of my well-travelled adult self.

And I am so glad I did. The same city I vaguely remembered from childhood has become one of the most charming cities I have visited in recent years! The architecture, the café culture, the neighbourhoods you could wander for hours without a plan, and all the delicious wine. I loved every second of it!

So no matter whether you are visiting for the first time, or heading back for another hit of this beautifully romantic city, here is my guide to my favourite things to do in Paris, as a tourist.

Check out the iconic attractions

It goes without saying that if you are new to Paris, you really must see some of its iconic attractions, like the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame Cathedral. But no, that doesn’t mean I am suggesting you go inside/up on every single one.

I think it is just as magical to gaze at these sights from afar, whilst wandering around the city, or on a boat going down the Seine (more on that below!)

However, the view from the Eiffel Tower is spectacular, and it is an impressive structure. Just like Notre Dame and the Arc de Triomphe. So, if you do decide to venture into and up any of them, expect queues and throngs of other tourists. Or make sure to get there super early!

Here are some of the key iconic attractions in Paris:

• Eiffel Tower
• Notre Dame Cathedral
• Arc de Triomphe & Champs-Élysées
• The Moulin Rouge (I’d recommend going to take a look, but the shows are expensive)

Wander around the neighbourhoods

I love strolling through different neighbourhoods aimlessly and seeing what I discover. There are four neighbourhoods in Paris that I love to get lost in: Le Marais, Montmartre, Quartier Latin, and Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

Le Marais is the historic Jewish quarter, packed full of restaurants and shops. As you can imagine, there is some great falafel to be enjoyed here! Make sure to check out the beautiful square, Place des Vosges, whilst in the area. And if you are up for a spot of shopping, I have found this to be a great place for boutique shops!

Montmartre is, in my opinion, one of the prettiest areas with beautiful cafes, pristine streets, and a lovely village feel. Although be warned, some spots are very touristy (like Place du Tertre). But on top of this, this area is home to many of the key filming spots of Amélie. And not to mention the beautiful view over the city from Sacré-Coeur.

Quartier Latin, or the Latin Quarter, is one of the oldest parts of the city and has a wonderful bohemian energy to it. Think narrow cobbled streets, buzzing café terraces, and a lively student atmosphere thanks to the nearby Sorbonne University. It is also home to the iconic Shakespeare and Company bookshop (although not the original shop), which I think is worth a browse if the queue isn’t too long!

Saint-Germain-des-Prés is known for its literary history, its beautiful boulevards, and some of the city’s most famous café terraces. Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots are both here. They are some of the most famous cafés in the city, once frequented by Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Hemingway, and Picasso. But, yes, they are touristy.

Take a river cruise

One of my favourite ways to see Paris is by boat, along the river Seine. Much like London, the river cuts through the middle of the city. With many of the key iconic attractions living alongside it (like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Louvre).

Not only do I love being on the water, but I also love seeing all of the beautiful sights from this angle. For example, I love seeing the Eiffel Tower rising in the distance, with the water in front.

There are a few different types of boats you can take, including a boat bus (The Batobus), guided cruises, and gourmet dinner cruises (with beautiful nighttime views). I like the Batobus for sightseeing; you can hop on and off at the top spots along the river, which beats the metro!

Visit some museums and galleries

Paris is home to some of the world’s greatest museums and galleries, and whilst you could easily spend a whole trip working through them, here are the three I would recommend.

The Louvre is the obvious one, and I guess it wouldn’t be a guide to Paris without a mention of it. If you decide to go, make sure to do so with realistic expectations. It is vast, it is busy, and if you are hoping to get a decent look at the Mona Lisa, expect a crowd. Book your tickets in advance and give yourself plenty of time.

The Musée d’Orsay is, in my opinion, the more enjoyable of the two big museums. Housed in a stunning converted railway station, it is home to one of the best collections of Impressionist art in the world, including Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh. It feels more manageable than the Louvre, and the building itself is worth the visit.

The Jeu de Paume is a smaller, lesser-known gallery near the Tuileries Garden, and a bit of a hidden gem. It hosts rotating contemporary photography and art exhibitions (I managed to catch a Martin Parr exhibition here, which was excellent), and also has a cinema. If you are after something a little different from the blockbuster museums, it is well worth a visit!

Drink coffee in a square

Nothing feels more French to me than sitting outside a cafe, facing a beautiful square or a busy street, and sipping on a coffee or a cold beer whilst watching the world go by. Here are a few of my favourite spots to do exactly that:

• Place des Vosges in Le Marais is arguably the most beautiful square in Paris. There are cafés tucked under the arches, and on a sunny day, it is an absolutely perfect place to sit and do nothing for an hour.
• Place de la Contrescarpe in the Latin Quarter has a much more neighbourhood feel to it. It is smaller and less grand than Place des Vosges, with café terraces spilling out around the edges.
• Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés is where you will find Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore (mentioned above). As I mentioned earlier, they are on the pricier and touristier side, but the setting is hard to argue with.

For my fellow vegan readers, check out my favourite vegan food in Paris!

Buy antiques at a flea market

Whilst I’m not normally one to visit flea markets on my travels, Paris does them really well, so I feel it is rude not to!

The most famous is Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen. It is the largest antiques market in the world, open on weekends and Mondays. It is huge, sprawling, and can feel a little overwhelming at first, but there are some treasures to be found!

For something smaller and more manageable, Marché aux Puces de la Porte de Vanves on the southern edge of the city is a lovely alternative. It runs on weekend mornings only (get there early as it winds down by early afternoon) and has a more intimate, neighbourhood feel.

Marché de Montreuil is the most local of the three, but also more of a jumble sale than an antiques market. If you like digging through piles of stuff, then you’ll love this one!

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Where to stay in Paris

Honestly, I recommend staying in (or nearby) any of the four neighbourhoods mentioned above – Le Marais, Montmartre, Quartier Latin, or Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

I stayed at HOY, a wellness hotel near Montmartre, on my last trip to the city, and it was stunning. The rooms were beautiful, the staff were super friendly, and the location was perfect.

With a plant-based restaurant on-site (serving breakfast from 7.30 am), a yoga studio, and thoughtfully designed spaces and rooms, it is the perfect place to stay.

Book your stay at Hotel HOY