A Paris Travel Guide: 2 Amazing Days in Paris What to Eat, See and Do

Table of Contents

Introduction

A 2 day Paris travel itinerary is sooo necessary when you are planning a quick city getaway. If you are looking for things to do in Paris? Well here is a full Paris travel guide just for you. Paris is well known for being one of the best cities in the world the city of love, romance and culture. I have been to Paris countless times, so many that I have lost count; I visited Paris around this time last year in May 2022 for a long weekend via Eurostar. I also went to Paris for a cute romantic weekend in 2019.

So I missed my first train because I had not realised I needed to be at the station at least 90 minutes before the train departed. Paris is an absolute must if you’re considering a trip to France. Here’s a guide on what to do, what to eat, things to see, and where to stay. This is a helpful Paris travel guide that will provide a clear 2 days Paris travel itinerary for you if you are keen on a quick and easy trip to Paris with a friend, solo or on a romantic holiday.

About France (Paris)

The capital of France is Paris, a major European city known for its art, fashion, gastronomy and culture. The best times to visit are June to August and September to October. However, I have been several times all year round, including May 2022 and January 2023. Depending on when you visit can have an overall difference in your cost.

Key Things to Know Before Going to Paris

Internet: You’ll definitely want internet while exploring the city. I usually use **Airalo for an eSIM**, which allow you to get mobile data as soon as you land.
Travel Insurance: I recommend anyone travelling should have travel insurance which you can get via SafetyWing here.
Payments: Most places in Paris accept card payments, so you rarely need to carry much cash.

Entry Requirements for a Short Stay in Paris

Before you travel to Paris, check the ‘Entry Requirements’ section for current entry restrictions and requirements. You can check for visas here.

Food in Paris

When you think of food in Paris, France I think of easy on the palate. Some of my ultimate faves are croissants, pain au chocolat, macroons, baguettes and croque-monsieurs: Paris’s best culinary specialities!

Try escargots de Bourgogne (some snails) if you like challenging your palate. Either way, you will be satisfied with the food in the city of Romance. Later I will share more on what to eat in Paris so keep on reading.

Getting to Paris

When I visited Paris in May 2022, I travelled from King’s Cross St. Pancras. Unfortunately, I missed my train to Paris and had to wait for the next one. If you are going via Eurostar, get to the station at least two hours before your train departs. The beauty of going via Eurostar is that you can take more of your luggage and not stress too much about the airport.

Getting around Paris

After going to Paris several times, I purchased myself a metro card, for which you need a passport photo. I suggest using Google Maps to get around the Metro; however, Uber is easy and affordable.

2 Days in Paris Travel Itinerary

Now what to do in Paris. There are plenty of activities and attractions to do in Paris. Use this 2 days Paris travel itinerary below:

Day 1

The Eiffel Tower is undoubtedly Paris’s most iconic monument. You can only go to Paris to see the iconic Eiffel Tower. I would suggest taking a stroll around the Champ de Mars, enjoying the Trocadéro Gardens view, and considering going up the tower for a panoramic view of the city. You will have to purchase a ticket, which you can do here.
Arc de Triomphe is one of the most famous monuments in Paris and is certainly not to be missed. You can easily access the monument. It has a staircase of 284 steps or a lift which allows access to the attic room. I suggest booking early to avoid long queues, which can be done here.

Day 2

The Louvre Museum is a true beauty and not to be missed. The surroundings are truly astonishing. Spend a few hours at the Louvre Museum and check out the art, including the famous Mona Lisa. You can book a tour here.
Luxembourg Gardens, you can take a break from sightseeing and picnic at the park or even have a romantic stroll.
The Cathedral of Notre Dame is a beautiful, iconic church with Gothic architecture. Explore the interior and climb to the top for a breathtaking view of Paris. Book your tour here.

Other things you can do

Take a boat cruise on the Seine River.
Visit the Musée d’Orsay

Short Stay in Paris Suggestions

There are so many short stay in Paris options when it comes to booking accommodation in Paris. Stay by the Eiffel Tower if you can, as you will be close to the Eiffel Tower, which is such a beautiful sight to see when you are in Paris. Here are my suggestions:

Pullman Paris Eiffel Tower – I have done a review of the hotel here.
Le Parisis – Paris Tour d’Eiffel

I have also added some other short stay in Paris options in an interactive map below:

I would suggest booking the Deluxe room with the Trocadero view. The room I stayed in was 618, if you book via the link you will get the exact hotel room. You must pay separately for the breakfast, which you should book the day before when you are at the hotel. Book the hotel room here. I have also added the maps below for the hotel:

What to Eat in Paris

When you think of Paris, you must think of the food as a culinary paradise. I get asked what to eat in Paris all the time. And I am here to tell you that there are countless dishes to explore. My suggestion? Please don’t hesitate to try local specialities or seek recommendations from the locals to discover the most hidden gems. Bon appétit! Here is what I had during my trip :

Croissants: Start your day with a croissant – you can’t go wrong with a classic French croissant. Look for a bakery that specialises in traditional, flaky, buttery croissants. Try going to Eric Kayser or Maison Landemaine.
Steak Frites, I had it cooked rare as I wanted to get the real authentic taste of the steak. I had some chips – or should I say French fries? Look for bistros or brasseries that specialise in this classic dish.
Soupe à l’oignon (French Onion Soup): This rich, wholesome dish consists of caramelised onions in a flavorful beef broth, topped with melted cheese and a slice of bread.
Escargots de Bourgogne (Snails): This is for adventurous foodies like me who like to try something new. The famous escargots (snails) are cooked in delicious garlic and parsley butter. Should we do Cooking Travel Talks for France via Instagram?
Macarons: I love a good old macaroon – pistachio is my fave. Paris is famous for its colourful and delicate macarons. They are sweet almond meringue cookies filled with various flavoured creams that are a treat for your taste buds. You must go to Ladurée. Don’t go anywhere else for these treats.

What to Eat in Paris? Other things to try

Cheese and Wine
Crêpes
Baguettes

Restaurants you will want to visit:

More Travel Tools & Resources for 2 Day Paris Itinerary

My Instagram and TikTok have quick snap videos for your Paris Travel guide and DM me if you have any questions about your trip.
Before even thinking about your short stay in Paris, I recommend visiting the Foreign Advice Page for U.K. travellers. Check if you need visas here.
Book with Viator or Get Your Guide if you want specific tours for Paris. Please read the reviews before booking!
Get travel insurance, I recommend anyone travelling should have travel insurance which you can get via SafetyWing here.
I used Airlo, an e-SIM card, for data. You can purchase it here and use the code ADEBOL5279 for a discount.

Ending my Paris Travel Guide

Visiting Paris for the 5th time reminded me that returning to a country will always be different. Whether you’re travelling with a loved one, friend or solo, the experience will always be somewhat different.

I suggest only staying in Paris for a few days -or just using my 2 days Paris itinerary and just enjoying your trip with ease. Honestly, you will go back again and again. It is such an accessible city to revisit and navigate. You could pair it up with another town in France. As always, I hope this guide was helpful, and I look forward to writing more helpful guides for you! Have you been to Paris? What did you get up to? Let me know in the comments.

Do you have any questions? Please do not hesitate to drop them in the comments on my Paris travel guide; I’ll happily answer them.

Speak soon.

Love MBV X