Let’s talk about awesome, cool and fun things to do Paris! And what else would be more handy than a big list of +28 entertaining way to spend your time in Paris?
Curious?
Paris is known as the city of love, but it has much more to offer! There is so much more to experience apart from the famous Eiffel tower, Montmartre, and the Louvre. You already know that, that’s why you are here, right?!
If you enjoy travel tips outside the tourist box, have a look at our 5 best-kept secret tips here and of course the 3 best hostels in Paris.
Our friend Emily knows the french capital like the back of her hand. Instead of giving you an overloaded list of 100 things to do in Paris, we picked the really unique ones. Together with her we are keen to share with you 28 FUN things to do in Paris.
(We updated this guide in October, 2024)
Those recommendations are partially surprising, funny, and unique. If you are wondering what not to miss in Paris, you’ve come to the right place.
Spending a full week in the French capital? Check out the guide one week in Paris.
We cover:
- the coolest and unusual things to do
- Where to stay in Paris
- How to get around
- Skip-The-Line Tickets (to prepare the trip)
After the hilarious fun things to do in London and the Amsterdam fun compilation we just decided to do another one for Paris.
Simple because we like to have fun!
Alright, let us talk about the entertaining part and what to do in Paris:
1. Paris Catacombs (unique!!)
Legendary, scary, interesting!
The Paris Catacombs are quite something to visit, very unique.
Go underground and experience the dark side of the French capital.
There are also night tours available.
One of the perfect things to do in Paris at night!
The Catacombs of Paris are underground ossuaries in the french capital. Here they hold the remains of more than 6 million people in just a small part of a tunnel network built to consolidate Paris’ ancient stone mines.
Extending south from the Barrière d’Enfer (Gate of Hell) former city gate, this ossuary was created as part of the effort to eliminate the city’s overflowing cemeteries.
The Paris Catacombs are just as much a symbol of city at the Notre Dame or Eiffel Tower.
They contain bones representing some 2,000 years of history, and their construction was a unique civil engineering project that helped give rise to the modern-day city.
See a different and completely surprising side to the “City of Lights” on a unique adventure beneath its streets!
Good to know: I highly recommend to join a tour around the Catacombs.
Update: You can only join tours now! You have to pre-book a tour!
Below I included an interesting video. It covers part of the secret history of Paris, the Catacombs.
2. Become a local (with 5 hidden Things to do)
How about some hidden things to do in Paris? We hear you!
We collected our absolute top-notch secrets in our free guide of hidden gems to to Paris.
Here we share our best 5 tips, including
- a jazz-style museum bar (yes, indeed!)
- best crepes in town. The best part? The crepes is HUGE and cheap!
- the best instagram-worthy coffee shop
- and 2 more secrets
You can download the hidden things to do in Paris for free.
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Not sure? Have a look on what’s included in the guide.
No pressure, but once thing is certain:
You will love our secrets!
3. Take a Sunset Cruise
This is our latest discovery. And it rocks as it is one of the few things to do in Paris at night on this list.
Instead of taking a cruise by day, jump on it by sunset and night, and experience the city of lights illuminated. The tour takes around 1 hour and goes around the city.
You can find prices and schedule directly here.
Good to know: the snacks and drinks were not included when we joined. There is a bar inside the boat with good prices. We recommend a red wine 😉
4. Get drinks with a view at Perchoir
The original Perchoir has become so popular- it is a rooftop bar that is open year round! – that they’ve opened two more seasonal rooftop bars for the spring and summer months.
Le Perchoir Marais is on top of the BHV department store next to Hotel de Ville, Paris’ city hall, and offers a far-off view of the Eiffel Tower.
The newest addition for summer was the Perchoir de l’Est, located at Gare de l’Est.
If you’re looking to enjoy a good cocktail high above the city, these spots are for you – just get there early when the weather’s good!
5. Climb 300 steps to a tower (NOT the Eiffel tower!)
Yes, yes, the Eiffel tower is on the bucket list for Paris of everyone coming here. And yes, this is very exciting!
Yet, do not limit yourself.
There is another tower to climb with awesome views.
The towers of the Sacre Coeur basilica in Montmartre are open to the public. For a small fee, you can climb the 300 steps up to the dome for a panoramic view over the city.
Find prices and tours of Montmartre here.
For the travelers seeking for more information and interesting facts during their visit, have a look at the sacré-coeur and Montmatre tour with an expert guide.
Personally, I preferred the 2 hours walking tour.
If you happen to be in Paris during summer (usually before end of September), you can also climb to the top of the Saint Jacques Tower in the city center. The climbs leave every hour and cost 10€ (or 8€ if you’re an EU citizen/resident). Happy climbing!
Quick note: Looking for places to visit in 2 days? Climbing the Montmartre and Eiffel Tower has to be on your list.
6. Oh la la, Take a river cruise…
How about some romantic things to do in Paris?
During the summer season, there’s a free river cruise every Saturday organized by a group who, on Facebook, goes by J’Peux Pas, J’ai Peniche! (loosely translated: I Can’t, I’m On a Boat).
There are tables on deck that you can sit at if you buy a bottle of wine or liquor, and a band plays right through the boat cruise.
The cruise leaves at 10PM, so you can also experience Paris by night from the river. They create an event for each cruise so you can make reservations, simple as that!
My best tip: Take a sunset cruise!
The beautiful 1-hour cruise for sunset takes you around the Seine and you will see the illuminated Paris and its sights such as Eiffel Tower and romantic bridges.
This was really one of my absolute highlights!
If you are not around the Seine during sunset, there are also cruises during daytime.
The best cruises in Paris are:
- Day Cruise on a glass-topped trimaran along the river
- 2 hour dinner cruise
- Eiffel Tower & Seine Cruise Package
7. …or directly rent a boat
This unique collection about fun things to do in Paris would not complete without RENTING A BOAT!
Up on Canal de l’Ourcq, which is an extension of the Canal Saint Martin, itself feeding from the Seine, you can rent an electric boat from Marin d’Eau Douce and spend a few hours with friends exploring the waterways of the northeastern part of the city.
That is a serious super cool thing to do in Paris!
Boats can accommodate 5-11 people depending on which one you rent, and the larger sizes have removable tables so you can even have a picnic on the boat!
Photo by Marindeaudoucefrance
8. Cool Vintage Car Tour (top thing to do!)
From water to the street!
When I visited Paris the first time, a local friend who lives near Paris picked us up. We went in a lovely restaurant and afterwards he insisted on driving us around Paris by night.
Magical, seriously!
The city looked so different, less busy in traffic, but more busy in nightlife, sights were illuminated. Really, really beautiful!
Therefore, I had a look on what you can do.
Hop in a super stylish Vintage car and let the driver cruise you around. Find the Vintage Car tour here.
Enjoy Paris like never before under its evening illuminations, and cruise the city streets in a vintage French convertible; a Citroen 2CV! Drive down the famous Champs Elysees and see the Eiffel Tower’s glittering lights.
Your personal driver will collect you from your hotel, or any other central Paris location, and drive down the Champs Elysees, to the beautiful Arc de Triomphe. Gaze at the marvelous Eiffel Tower, even more impressive at night when it is completely lit-up in a rainbow of illuminations.
Pass the Louvre, continue to Notre Dame Cathedral, Opera Garnier, Ile de la Cité, Petit et Grand Palais, and more.
Basically, you have an awesome unique experience driving around the city. PROMISED!
What do you need?
- No driving license needed (you have a driver)
- time and your booking 🙂
My personal tip: I still think the sunset cruise was even more special. If I were you, I would do the sunset cruise on your first night, then the vintage car tour on the second.
9. Disney Land (for Families only?)
Yes, Disney Land Paris is just around the corner.
It is one of the major attractions to visits. No doubt, this would be an awesome family-thing to do. But, that’s not to say the theme park is nothing for the individual traveler or friends.
This is something we recommend to everybody into theme parks.
There are several day-packages. Of course, the very minimum is to spend 1 full day at Disney Land.
10. Pub Crawl
Party and nightlife anyone?
Obviously Paris has a vibrant nightlife, full of cool pubs, club sand places you may not even remember the next day.
Join more hostel travelers, locals, nightlifer’s and party people at the best pub crawl in Paris including free shots and free club entry.
Usually it is a wide mix of nationalities, travelers and locals, and depending on the night more women than men. What is pretty much guaranteed, you will end up making new friends and having a good time.
The 6 hours pub crawl covers
- Get free admission to 3 bars in Paris
- Enjoy 1 free shot
- Save with happy hour prices
- photos
- fun guide
- a good time
The pub Crawl starts from 15€, more information here.
11. Eat a delicious brunch (who wouldn’t love that?)
Good brunches are becoming a thing in Paris, and the places that offer them are more numerous by the week, it seems. And this list would not be complete without food; after all eating great food is fun too!
So, here we go.
For the weekends brunch:
- PaperBoy,
- Le Poutch, and
- Hardware Societe are three of the best.
Good to know: Brunch is always popular on the weekends. In some places we would recommend making a reservation beforehand.
If you’re only around on a weekday:
- try the avocado toast at Ob-La-Di,
- the shakshuka at Cafe Oberkampf, and absolutely
- don’t miss the pancakes at local favorite Holybelly.
Just be sure to get an early start- they all fill up very quickly!
12. Visit a chateau (as day trips)
If you feel the need to escape the city, there are several small castles within the near Paris area- Yes, there are other ones besides Versailles!
Chateau de Sceaux (pronounced so, not sko) has stunning gardens, Chateau de Vincennes is a bit more rugged, and Chateau de Saint Germain en Laye comes with an adorable town to explore.
The best part?
They’re all accessible by public train (check Omio.com for schedules) that runs out of Paris. Getting there is easy. All chateaus are outside the city and require some transport and time. These are at least half-day trips.
Here is a list of gorgeous Chateaus near Paris to visit with a trip:
- Versailles Chateau and its gardens (here is the Skip The Line Ticket)
- Loire Valley Chateaux
- Chateau de Fontainebleau
For visiting the gorgeous Versailles, you need to purchase a ticket. Remember that!
13. Full-Day Tour of Versailles with Lunch
Castles are obviously amazing and can be fun for the whole family.
A very convenient way to explore Versailles is the full day guided tour to Versailles. It includes lunch and transport, skip the line tickets and basically everything you need.
This is the full, carefree package!
- Transportation in a luxury air-conditioned coach
- Expert guide
- Entrance fees to Versailles and both Trianon palaces (+ skip the line)
- Lunch at La Petite Venise restaurant (including drinks)
The tours are offered in English, Spanish, Japanese and French.
14. Stroll through the Paris version of NYC’s Skyline
The Promenade Plantee is a walkway built on an old overground railroad line that runs from close to Place de la Bastille through the 12th arrondissement of Paris.
As its name suggests, it’s lined with plants and is absolutely beautiful in the spring when the flowers are blooming.
You can stroll for approximately 4.5 kilometers along the path, which isn’t all built on the overground railroad- after that portion ends, it becomes a path called the Coulee Verte and can be followed almost all the way to the Bois de Vincennes.
This second part is great for biking.
But you’ll annoy everyone if you continue onto the Promenade Plantee on your bike.
Photo by clmtz_
15. Have a picnic – and some wine!
We already talked about some romance.
Let’s add some more.
While the Seine and the big gardens are the most famous places to picnic, if you want to really sprawl out and spend your afternoon lying on the grass in the sun, head towards the outskirts of the city – specifically, Parcs Monceau, Montsouris, and Buttes Chaumont.
Monceau is located between the 8th and 17th arrondissements and is the easiest to access; Montsouris is the biggest and has tons of grassy space to spread out; and you get Paris bonus points if you can find the waterfall in Buttes Chaumont– many Parisians don’t even know it’s there!
Photo by @theglitteringunkknown
16. Discover a forgotten railroad
Okay, now this one is serious fun! It is also one of the unusual things to do in Paris.
Paris is an old city, and many of its old relics have become fun places to explore.
Similar to the Promenade Plantee in that it’s a no-longer-used railroad line, the Petite Ceinture (little belt) encircled Paris between 1852 and 1934.
After falling into disuse, sections of it were reopened to the public beginning in 2007.
It’s a fascinating and calm place to go for a walk- you won’t feel like you’re in Paris anymore!
Quick note: Hanoi in Vietnam also has amazing rail roads inside the city, perfect for taking photos.
Curious? Read 31 best things to do in Vietnam
Photo by dimitryroulland
17. Carbaret Show at Moulin Rouge
Do you want to do something really Paris-like, something unique and different?
Alright, get ready!
Take your seats at one of the world’s most famous cabarets at a performance of the Moulin Rouge show “Féerie,” created by Doris Haug and Ruggero Angeletti, and choreographed by Bill Goodson.
100 artistes, including 60 Doris Girls, parade in 1,000 flamboyant costumes of feathers, rhinestones and sequins.
To make it even better: During the show you will enjoy half a bottle of Champagne as you relish an extravagant delight. This is an awesome activity for a girls night out, a hen or stag party and even as a coupe thing to do!
Check all options for Moulin Rouge here, including dinner, Champagne and VIP tours.
18. Richest National Modern Art Museum in Europe
No kidding, the Centre Pompidou is known to be the richest national modern art museum in all of Europe. And that tells you quite something.
Discover one of the most surprising architectural pieces of the 20th century, built inside out. Admire one of the most important collections of modern and contemporary art in Europe and marvel at the stunning rooftop view, from where you can see iconic Parisian landmarks.
This is especially interesting for the design and art lover.
Since I am personally interested in this topic, I consider the Pompideou and Louvre Musem the best museums in Paris.
BTW: The building itself is also beautiful with its outside-tube, worth it to walk by at least!
19. Taste the best cocktail in Paris
Similar to the craft coffee revolution, craft cocktails are becoming increasingly popular among foodies and visitors alike.
While the general online recommendations are good, check out the up-and-coming bar la Resistance in the Marais neighborhood.
The philosophy behind French cocktails is balance- you should never taste a drink and think, “oh, that has vodka/ whiskey/ lime” in it, and the head barman’s carefully curated menu ensures that you’ll be drinking something you’ve never tasted before.
The barman at la Resistance was recently nominated for best bartender in France, so you know you’re getting some amazing cocktails.
And it’s a great atmosphere, with the front windows opening entirely to let people and chairs spill a bit into the street.
Plus, its central Marais location puts you in a great position to try some of the food in our next suggestion!
20. Eat non-Parisian food
We told you, there will be more best places to eat.
The interesting thing about France is that food comes from all of its different french regions- crepes from Bretagne, Camembert from Normandy, choucroute from Alsace, bouillabaisse from Marseille- and while you can get them all in Paris, it’s fun as well to try the different iterations on foreign dishes.
Try the rue Sainte Anne for Japanese cuisine, rue des Rosiers for amazing falafel (the lamb kebab from Miznon is hard to beat), Schwartz’s Deli or Hamler’s for amazing burgers, and Chinatown in the 13th for a delicious variety of southeast Asian options.
21. Shopping in the Marais
Far from the glitz and glamour and crazy, touristy crowds of the Champs Elysees or the Grands Magasins (Galeries Lafayette and Printemps), the Marais is a much more interesting place to shop. Maybe veen the best place to shop your souvenirs from Paris.
BTW: You can go the way up to the La Fayette Gallery. The roof top terrace is free to visit and comes with an awesome panoramic view.
This is one of my favorite free things to do in Paris!
Its streets are lined with little boutiques, some of whose names you may recognize, but are equally likely to be a new brand’s pop-up store, a small boutique whose owner is behind the counter, or a cool concept store.
Merci is a local favorite, with the famous car in the courtyard, but Fleux is equally cool, with four different physical stores on the same block and a wide range of items and prices.
22. Wander through the street markets
Is there anything more French than a classic street market to buy fresh produce, meats and cheeses?
The Marché Bastille is one of the largest in the city and takes place on Thursday and Sunday mornings, but the city’s market streets are also great to stroll through on a random afternoon.
Rue Montorgueil in the 2nd arrondissement, Rue Mouffetard in the 5th, Rue Poncelet in the 17th, and Rue des Levis in the 17th are all more informal market streets where one can get delicious pâté, berries, and a freshly baked baguette for a picnic in one of the parks mentioned before!
23. Notre Dame (but with an Audio Guide)
Be smart when booking activities in Paris.
Make your own way to the entrance of the Notre-Dame de Paris and skip the line here easily.
In front of the Notre-Dame, you will find a queue on the right hand for all the people who would like to enter the cathedral. Just beside the line, you will find a short line on the left side separated by blue cordons. This is the skip-the-line entrance for you.
Update: Regarding the tragic fire on April 15 in 2019, all tours to Notre Dame were currently cancelled.
Please check up to date Notre Dame tours here for information up to date.
Once inside, you will be given your audio guide device at reception allowing you to explore the inside and outside of the impressive cathedral at your own pace.
Start inside the magnificent monument, listening to commentary about the transept and choir’s Pietà, designed by the sculptor Nicolas Coustou.
Hear about the treasury that houses the holy vessels, ornaments and liturgical books.
See the silver statue of the Virgin Mary dating back to the 14th century, along with the chapter house, nave and the paintings of “Les Grands Mays” in the chapels.
24. Admire the stained glass in Sainte-Chapelle
Most people go to the Ile de la Cité to see Notre Dame, but some say it is not even the prettiest church on the island!
The Sainte-Chapelle was built by King Louis IX to house the relics of Christ’s Passion, including the Crown of Thorns, and has one of the most beautiful collections of stained glass in the world.
Go on a sunny day to really get the full effect of the refracting colors.
25. Learn how to become Parisian in one hour
The English-language hit comedy show “How to Become Parisian In One Hour” has been entertaining expats and tourists since 2009 with a Frenchman’s take on the cultural differences between French and Americans.
This show is super funny!!! Have a look at the official trailer I included below. It shares the hilarious story on how to dress and how to do your shopping as a Parisian.
A great recommendation for a fun night out with friends and as couples. Also good for surprises and birthdays!
Find more information and buy tickets from 24€ here.
26. Cherry blossom hunting
If you have the chance to visit Paris in the spring, we recommend doing it in mid-April, so you can see the cherry blossoms turning the city a gorgeous, fluffy pink.
You can find a complete guide to the blossom season on Theglitteringunknown blog.
27. Dancing on the rain Seine
On the banks of the river in the Jardin Timo Rossi by Gare d’Austerlitz, there are mini amphitheaters where people gather on summer nights to dance.
Don’t know how?
There are plenty of people willing to teach! And if dancing’s not your thing, bring along a bottle of wine and just observe.
28. Cooking Class with a Parisian Chef
Visiting France is about Romance, Wine, french music and excellent food.
Same as we recommend for a fun thing to do in Barcelona, you can join a cooking class in Paris.
Learn how to find fresh ingredients at the local French market and prepare a full course meal.
Indulge in delicious, gourmet food and pick up hints and tips from your Chef.
What do you cook here?
- Visit a typical French market
- Learn how to prepare fresh, and turn your ingredients into a delicious 3-course meal
- Learn a variety of mouth-watering, french recipes
- Cook in a group and have fun and relax
- Receive all the recipes of the prepared meals
There are private classes available.
29. Ice skate on the Eiffel Tower
Normally the Eiffel Tower experience feels like a total tourist trap, but the opportunity to go ice skating on one of the world’s most famous monuments is just too good to miss!
Running from late November/early December to just before spring, the magical ice rink on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower will definitely be an unforgettable part of a holiday trip to Paris.
So, yes, this is actually inside the Eiffel Tower, not just in front.
Super unique!
30. Go Karting in Paris
I’ve to admit: I love go Karting. Seriously!
Because, well, Go Karting is absolutely entertaining. If you want to try it in the french capital, check out the Expat Magazine for more info.
31. Escape Rooms (PURE FUN!!)
Escape Rooms were popping up all over Europe during 2015 and 2016. And of course there are plenty here as well.
Here you can find overview of 3 best escape rooms in Paris.
We also enjoyed an escape room in Prague as well as in Skopje.
32. Go for a Bike Ride
Paris was the city that originated the “hire bike” system.
In Paris it’s called Velib, and it’s free for the first 30 minutes! Just pop in your credit card, grab a bike and go!
A few tips: find another station to switch out the bike every 30 minutes (time resets after you return the bike) and beware of backwards seats – that’s the Parisian signal for “this bike has problems”!
BTW: You can also join a bike tour here.
33. Escape to a fun-fair world
For some people, even hearing the word “museum” is like pulling teeth, but this one is absolutely worth it.
If you’ve seen Midnight in Paris, you’ll recognize this place as one of the party scenes from when Owen Wilson’s character goes back in time.
It’s called the Musee des Arts Forains.
It’s filled with beautiful carnival rides from an age gone by – some of which you can even ride!
The museum is open to the public by reservation only, and you go with a tour group, so it’s a more intimate experience without tons of people climbing all over the rides.
You can make your directly at www.arts-forains.com!
34. Romantic Dinner in the Eiffel Tower
Alright, let’s add something REALLY SPECIAL to this list.
Dine at the chic 58 Tour Eiffel located on the first floor of Paris’s most iconic monument. Enjoy panoramic views of the city while you feast on your choice of a 3 or 4 course meal. Sip Champagne in the romantic ambiance of the restaurant’s soft lighting.
No, this is not a joke.
You can actually have a romantic meal in the Eiffel Tower!
This is a perfect romantic thing to do in Paris for couples and dates! Maybe it’s even an awesome place to ask the big question?
Check all Eiffel tower ticket options here
35. Go for a stroll down the middle of the Seine
The Allee des Cygnes, or Swan’s Alley, is a man-made island that runs between the Pont de Bir-Hakeim (better known as the Inception bridge) and the Pont de Grenelle, with the smaller Statue of Liberty gracing its western end.
It’s a beautiful spot for a stroll or even a bike ride on a warm evening, and offers great views of the Eiffel Tower between the breaks in the trees.
Psssst: The photo below was taken along Allee des Cygnes.
Photo by gl0be_trotter
36. Pizza-Picnic on the Canal Saint Martin
This is for couples looking for romantic things and ideas in Paris!
The Canal Saint Martin, located in the 10th arrondissement in the northeast of the city, is a great place to picnic on its own. But what makes everything better, especially a picnic? Pizza!
You can order one pizza from Pink Flamingo.
They’ll give you a pink balloon.
You go find a spot on the canal and wait with your pink balloon, and they’ll deliver your pizza right to you! Isn’t that absolutely cool?!
This is great for groups of friends, first dates and as well as couples.
Looking for more places to eat in Paris? Keep scrolling.
37. Aquarium in the heart of the city
More than 10.000 sea creatures in one place.
This aquarium is a special experience for families, especially the kids will love it, being curious about the magnificent sea world.
Find schedule and prices here.
Read: How to book with Tiqets.com – a review
38. Lucha Libre – a fun place!
If you ask me for a list of fun places in Paris, I would put Lucha Libre on it.
In fact, it would be the number 1!
This is a unique activity for friends…and maybe some couples?! Up to you…
Their motto is:
- drink
- eat
- dance
- fight
FIGHT?!?! – you may wonder
Wanna guess why?
You can dress up as Mexican wrestler and beat up your buddy with a suit inflatable sumo.
Sounds pretty hilarious, right?! It is!! So even if you are not up for a fight, this is something unique thing to do in Paris at night.
You know what…a photo does not do justice to this, let’s call it interesting fight.
Here’s a video:
39. Impressionist Art with Monet and Renoir
Paris and Art, that goes hand in hand!
Discover one of the finest collections of Impressionist art in the world with masterpieces by Monet, Renoir, Degas and Cézanne
The Musée d’Orsay is housed in the stunning Beaux-Arts style Gare d’Orsay railway station on the left bank of Paris’s River Seine.
It’s rich in history, both in the works that are hung on its walls, and through the grandeur of the building itself. A recent renovation has given the museum more exhibition space and vibrantly colored gallery walls, to match the works on display.
Compare rates and reviews at: Get Your Guide | Tiqets
40. Rollerblade through the city by day (or by night)
There are a couple of groups that organize massive group skates– we’re talking thousands of people- on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons.
Friday nights are organized by Pari Roller and begin at Place Raoul Dautry by Montparnasse train station at 10pm, returning to the same place at 1am.
Sunday afternoons are organized by Rollers & Coquillages and begin at boulevard Bourdon near Bastille at 2:30pm, returning at 5:30pm.
All you need are a pair of rollerblades and a bit of confidence in your skating (and knowing how to brake).
Skate rentals are available from Nomadeshop.
That could be convenient if you forgot to pack them or travel with low-cost no-luggage solutions…
Get in touch directly with the shop about opening times and rental conditions (deposit, etc…)
41. Walk through the forests
This list would not be complete without some free things to do in Paris.
Just outside the city on the eastern and western ends, the Bois de Vincennes and the Bois de Boulogne, respectively, provide plenty of tree-covered walking paths which change into stunning shades of yellow and orange during the autumn months.
It’s a perfect escape from the city to get back in touch with nature!
Paris in 2 days?
What to do in Paris in 2 days only?
You really have to focus on the main sights while enjoying it at the maximum.
This also includes to get all your skip the line tickets before. The lines in Paris can be super long. You can easily wait 3 hours before going up the Eiffel Tower.
We love to buy our tickets with Get Your Guide. It is super easy, safe and all you need is your phone to show the voucher.
The sights and tours we recommend for 48 hours only are:
- Go up the Eiffel Tower (find all ticket options here)
- Take a river cruise
- Montmartre
- Louvre Museum
- Champs-Élysées
- Notre Dame
- Arc de triomphe
Another way to save a lot of time and focus on sightseeing is taking the 1-Hour Illuminations River Cruise.
Take a night cruise on the River Seine and see Paris illuminated for the night. Enjoy panoramic views on board a classic Bateaux Parisiens pleasure boat
Spending a full week in the French capital? Check out the guide one week in Paris.
Fun things to do in Paris on a Map
Is there anything super unique and awesome we missed? Let us know in the comments 🙂
We put also all the best things to do in Paris on a map. That way, it will be easy for you to navigate through the city.
We also created a free to download PDF with all the fun things to do in Paris here.
Where to stay in Paris?
Obviously you need to sleep somewhere. Here is our insider knowledge on the different types of accommodation
Best HOSTELS:
For everyone on a budget, I recommend the 3 coolest hostels in Paris.
Quick overview:
Read our detailed article about the 3 best hostels in Paris. These 3 budget accommodations are high quality, they can be even recommended for couples.
Want to party? Then you need a party hostel, obviously. The best hostels for partying in Paris are:
- St. Christopher’s Inn Gare Du Nord
- The People – Paris Nation
- The People – Paris Bercy
- The People – Paris Belleville
- The People – Marais
- Generator Paris
- Jo&Joe Nation
- Extra: Jo&Joe Gentilly
Read the detailed guide to best party hostels in Paris here.
BEST HOTELS in Paris:
For hotels, I recommend checking Booking. They list all accommodations you need.
In case you want a personal recommendation, I would go for Hotel Regina.
You cannot beat that location and the design? It reminds me of the glory of Paris itself. Certainly, this is something special. You will love it, no doubt!
BEST APARTMENTS:
Especially for groups and families, apartments is the better option.
The Private Apartment – Montorgueil – Etienne Marcel are top-rated apartments with a great location in the very city center.
You can easily walk to Notre Dame and the Louvre Museum.
You can also check out Airbnb for more apartment deals. Here is a 35€ Airbnb discount for your very first booking. Here’s your guide how to use Airbnb.
BEST AIRBNB:
Prefer an AirBnb? I found this apartment near the Eiffel Tower is the Parisian typical flat you want to experience. It is good for up to 4 guest and it is near the RER Train station, the metro and plenty of bus station.
The Eiffel tower is just 200 meters and you will also be able to walk to plenty of other main sites, such as:
- Champs Elysées
- Museum du Quay Branly
- Champs de Mar
Note: this apartment gets booked very fast but there are more stunning apartments on Airbnb.
How to get around Paris?
A very convenient way to get around is the Hop On Hop Off Bus. It is the best way to save time and get to the sights.
The bus and metro is also another more budget option. When buying the ticket for the public transport, have a look for the 2-days tickets. This is usually the best rate. You pay a fix price and can use the metro and bus as often as you want.
My preferred way is still the bike. Paris is quite bike-friendly.
Skip The Line Tickets in Paris, France
As mentioned before you can wait a long time in the queues. And again, this is important for everyone looking for places to visit in Paris in only 2 days.
There are a few things that you have to buy your tickets beforehand.
This can be because there is simply limited entrance or it is just to skip huge lines. For the Louvre Museum you can easily wait up to 2 hours in line.
Every minute waiting in a line is too much precious time you can spend in a better way.
So, let us have a look on the skip the line tickets you should get as soon as possible.
- Eiffel Tower Tickets: Summit-Level Access (2-3 hours lines in rush hour)
- Louvre Museum
- Arc de Triomphe Rooftop Access
- Versailles
- Paris Catacombs (you need to pre-book)
Stay online with Pocket WiFi
The easiest way to stay online and have WiFi wherever you are, is a pocket WiFi. We reviewed Hippocket WiFi, a french start-up, offering such tiny gadgets.
Read our full review of Hippocket WiFi including a short video on how it works.
Summary +28 fun things to do in Paris
Why on earth are you still here?
You should get some cool entertainment right now in the french capital. But okay…besides these different and alternative tips, we got you some more useful travel information for your Paris experience.
Here is the list:
- 3 days in Paris – a simple itinerary to follow
- 5 best-kept secret tips for Paris (the official Geeky Guide to download for free!)
- 3 best hostels in Paris
We teamed up with Emily, official contributor at Hostelgeeks and the girl behind The Glittering Unknown, to bring you these 28 fun things to do in Paris.
More guides to Fun Things to do in Europe:
Travelling around France? Make sure you stay in our gorgeous 5 Star Hostels:
- best hostels in France – our big country guide
- best hostels in Marseille
- best hostels in Nice
- best hostels in Bordeaux
Over to you: Questions?
Do you have any questions?
We would be thrilled to help you.
In fact, your comment and question helps us to improve the article. It will help you, it will help us andit will help all fellow travelers looking for the coolest things to do in Paris. Therefore, do not be shy. Just leave us a comment below.
Enjoy and have fun in Paris,
The Hostelgeeks
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