Discover Paris in 48 Hours: A Dynamic 2-Day Itinerary of Top Attractions

Are you planning to visit Paris on your next tour? But are you struggling to figure out what to do and how to do it? Facing difficulties while managing time? Then welcome to a free solution zone.

Imagine going on a tour with a short time in hand, and you couldn’t cover most of the attractions! Now you are all upset after returning from the tour when you should have been relaxed and full of energy. 

Say goodbye to all these worries! We have made a foolproof plan for your trip. With our Paris itinerary 2 days, you will have everything you need to know. So prepare yourselves and get a pen and paper to note down all these points.

From a 2-day Paris itinerary to complete guidance on what to do and where to stay, this article is about to solve all your problems. Keep reading till the end and make your 2 day itinerary Paris plan with us.

What is this 2 days in Paris itinerary about?

This Paris 2-day itinerary is a complete guide to staying in Paris. This guidance will help you make your plan and enjoy your trip. From a first-timer to a regular traveler, you will learn about all the gems of Paris. And how to make your trip more enjoyable and relaxing. 

You will find every bit of information that you need to explore all the top attractions in Paris in just 48 hours. Mostly this plan is for a solo traveller, but you can enjoy it with family too. Enjoy the trip! And happy travel!

Is a two days in Paris itinerary enough?

A question that everyone is curious to know! Is a 2-day Paris itinerary enough? Well, this is a question that needs a detailed answer.

To be honest with you, 2 days might be a little less. Paris is a city of culture, arts, and intricate architecture. Covering all the attractions in 2 days is a mission-impossible job.

However, it’s not impossible to cover the top most fascinating attractions in Paris. When exploring, you will know that there are some of the best places that you can cover in a time-limit.

Best Things to Do in 2 day Paris Itinerary

You will never run out of things to do in Paris! The city itself is a piece of art. The hypnotic beauty of Paris will never fail to amaze you.

From museums to monuments, Paris has a lot to offer. However, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, the Seine River Cruse, and the Louvre Museum are some of the most important places. Don’t forget to include these in your list. 

And it is guaranteed that you will be able to cover these places in just 2 days. Keep reading to learn how and about time management.

When is the best season to get around Paris?

If you are curious about the timing, then here are your answers. Find the weather details for each season to get an idea of when is the best time to visit Paris.

Spring: Spring is the prettiest season to travel. A clear sky and sunny days will make your trip pleasing. Spring in Paris starts in March and lasts until May. With the temperature rising to 19 °C (67 °F) and dropping to 4 °C (39 °F), Paris feels like heaven. This is the peak season for tourists.

Summer: The driest season in Paris is summer. This season starts in June and ends in August. With no rain, this is also a good season for tourists. The temperature is high at 24 °C (75 °F) and low at 13 °C (55 °F). This is the perfect time for a picnic.

Autumn: Holidays are over and the locals are returning, but luckily you will get fewer crowds throughout this season. Autumn comes with a wet season and slightly chilly weather. Starting in September, this season lasts until November. According to the weather, the temperature will be 21 °C (70 °F) during the day, and at night it will drop to 5 °C (41 °F).

Winter: With chilly and wet weather, the temperature rises to 8 °C (46.4 °F) and drops to 2 °C (35.6 °F). Fewer crowds and time for many holiday festivals. During this season, many sales, discounts, and festivals make the Paris tour more enjoyable.

Final Suggestion: Pick the spring and autumn seasons to enjoy your Paris itinerary for 2 days. A little increase in tourists in spring will not harm your enjoyment, right? And you will not have to witness the crowds in autumn and can enjoy a relaxing tour.

Overview of Paris

The beautiful Seine  River divides the most important attractions in Paris. On the right bank of the river, there are locations including the Champs-Élysées and the Louvre. The left bank holds the Eiffel Tower and the Latin Quarter.

In the middle part of the river, there are two islands called Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis. From here, it’s easier to enjoy the view of Notre Dame and other famous places. The city of Paris consists of 20 different parts known as the arrondissements. From 1 to 20, the lower numbers are close to the river.

2 Days in Paris Itinerary

Start your perfect 2-day itinerary with the perfect guideline. Here, you will find everything you need to plan your itinerary.

Overview of Paris itinerary two days

Day 1 of Paris itinerary 2 days

• 9 AM: Arc de Triomphe
  
• 10 AM: Seine River Cruise
  
• 11.15 PM: Eiffel Tower
  
• 13:30 PM: Hotel des Invalides
  
• 15:35 PM: Rodin Museum
  
• 17:00 PM:  Musée d’Orsay
  

Day 2 of Paris Itinerary 2 days

• 9:00 PM: Pantheon
  
• 10.15 PM: Notre Dame Cathedral
  
• 11.45 PM: Conciergerie in Île de la Cité
  
• 13.00 PM: The Holy Chapel
  
• 15.10 PM: The Louvre Museum
  
• 17.00 PM: Palais Garnier Opera House
  

2 Days in Paris Itinerary: Day 1 tour of Paris

Let’s start the first day of our 2 days in Paris itinerary. For the day 1 itinerary in Paris, we have outlined all the top attractions. It includes the Eiffel Tower, the Champ de Mars, the Louvre Museum, the Place de la Concorde, and the Arc de Triomphe. Find the complete plan here, with every piece of detail. 

9 AM: Arc de Triomphe

One of the city’s masterpieces was made from the inspiration of the Arch of Titus in Rome. With 49 meters in height, the entrance is 44 meters wide. It is located at the heart of Place Charles de Gaulle.

The construction of the arch took 20 years to be completed. Today, many music festivals take place here. Start strolling through this arch early in the morning.

10 AM: Seine River Cruise

The Seine River Cruise is one of the activities that you need to experience. The cruise lasted almost an hour. And the Eiffel Tower is just beside the river. Enjoy the sweet breeze with the breathtaking view of the site.

You can get a free ride if you have the Paris pass. However, it becomes more beautiful in the summer. This cruise is also family-friendly, so you can take your kids and other family members if you want.  

Tips:

• Remember to book your reservation before the trip.
  
• If you find the online tickets sold out, then there is also a last-minute ticket option.
  

11.15 PM: Eiffel Tower

Visiting Paris and not including the Eiffel Tower on the list? Not fair! For starters,  we will start with the Eiffel Tower. Gustave Eiffel built the famous, iconic tower in 1889. This tower is now one of the most celebrated monuments in Europe. 

There are three levels of the Eiffel Tower. The first level, the second level, and the top of the tower, or the summit. You will get the best view from the second level. So, you won’t have to get to the top of the tower to enjoy Paris.

Opening time: The Eiffel Tower is open from 9 am to 12.45 am.

Pro Tips

• Even if there is an option for getting onsite tickets, that’s not recommended.
  
• You can check out online tickets to reserve your booking before the trip.
  
• There’s also a possibility that online tickets are not available, so check the last-minute tickets for direct reservations.
  

13:30 PM: Hotel des Invalides

After visiting the Eiffel Tower, you can take a taxi or cover the distance on foot to the Hotel des Invalides. If you take a taxi then it would take only 5 minutes. But if you decide to walk, keep a good 30 minutes. 

This is a museum complex located between the Eiffel Tower and the Faubourg St-Germain. With several museums, this place is filled with war veterans.

Here you will find some of the most memorable war heroes’ burials. Napoleon Bonaparte is one of them. The main museum, the Musée de l’Armée, features the history of the French military and displays a vast collection of interactive things.

Opening Hours: It is open from 10 am to 5 pm. And from 10 am to 5.30 pm only on Sundays from October to March 31st. And from April to September, the timing changes to 10 am to 6 pm.

15:35 PM: Rodin Museum

Walk for 10 minutes, and you will reach your next destination, the Rodin Museum. The Rodin Museum was created in 1919 and dedicated to the works of Auguste Rodin. He is known as the father of modern sculpture.

The vast collections of Rodin are distributed in two different sites. The Hotel Biron is another place where you will find Rodin’s collection.

Opening Time: The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 am to 6.30 pm.

17:00 PM: Musée d’Orsay

End your day 1 of your Paris itinerary 2 days at the Musée d’Orsay. Take a taxi to reach the destination in 4 minutes, or walk for 14 minutes and enjoy the surroundings.

This museum is a great way to invest at the end of the day. With its rich artistic display, this museum is famous for impersonal artwork. This is also a family-friendly location to have a memorable holiday.

Manet’s A Picnic on the Grass is one of the top attractions here. Besides, you will find Renoir, Monet, Degas, Manet, and Pissarro’s works. Visit the third floor of this museum to discover more works by all the renowned impressionists.

Opening Time: It is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9.30 am to 6 pm.

Pro Tips:

• To save time, look for the online tickets before you start the journey.
  
• If you found the tickets unavailable, then check out these last-minute tickets.
  

2 Days itinerary for Paris: Day 2

This is the last day of your Paris itinerary 2 days. So why not make it a museum and church day? There are many stories and histories surrounding the church. You can explore them and learn all the interesting stories. Here’s the plan for you.

9:00 AM: Pantheon

Start the second day of your 2 day itinerary in Paris with the Pantheon. This neoclassical style of building was planned in 1750 to honour Paris’s patron saint, St. Genevieve. 

But, unfortunately, the construction started after 15 years, and it was finished in 1789. 

This was originally a church, now holding the remains of Émile Zola, Victor Hugo, and Marie Curie. 

This iconic dome is often compared to St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. It is easily noticed from a distance. This monument is right on the left bank of the River Seine.

Opening Hours: The Pantheon is open every day from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm.

10.15 AM: Notre Dame Cathedral

After 8 minutes or 15 minutes, if you walk, you’ll reach Notre Dame Cathedral. This most popular tourist spot in Paris draws around 10 million visitors every year. This gothic architecture sits right in the heart of the city. 

This Catholic church has been serving for over 700 years. Under Bishop Maurice de Sully’s observation, the church started taking shape in 1163. 

Victor Hugo’s novel “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” in 1831 was successful in capturing people’s attention. Later, the attraction became more popular.

Opening Time: This place is open from Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 6:45 pm.

11.45 AM: Conciergerie in Île de la Cité

The Conciergerie is on the Île de la Cité and has a rich history linked to the city’s past. It was mainly part of the royal residence and later served as a prison during the French Revolution. 

During this time, it was known by the nickname “the antechamber to the guillotine.” Today, it is well known as a testament to Paris’s history. Helps visitors get insights into its medieval architecture.

Opening Hours: This place opens from 9.30 am to 6 pm.

12.45 PM: The Holy Chapel

After a 229-meter walk, you will reach the Holy Chapel. King Louis IX of France first proposed the offer to house relics of the cross and the crown of thorns in the La Sainte Chapelle, or the Holy Chapel. 

Its stunning gothic architecture portrays the French Renaissance period and attracts visitors worldwide. One of its main attractions is the oldest stained-glass window in France. 

It is one of its best attractions and also the oldest. Featuring around 1,100 panels with biblical scenes and saints. However, it faced damage during the French Revolution. The chapel was restored in the 19th century. 

Opening Time: It opens from 9 am to 5 pm.

13.45 PM: The Louvre Museum

Either you walk for 18 minutes or take a 4-minute taxi ride to the Louvre Museum. One of the top attractions in Paris is Monalisa, and you will find it in the Louvre Museum. Alongside, learn about the Louvre Museum’s history.

The collections in this museum come from the personal treasures of King Louis IV of France. The museum displays a vast amount of artwork that you will never find anywhere else.

Pro Tips:

•  Make sure to reserve your Louvre Museum direct access.
  
• If the tickets are sold out, then click here for the last-minute tickets.
  

Opening Hours: The Louvre Museum opens at 9 am and closes at 6 pm. 

16.00 PM: Palais Garnier Opera House

End the trip with the Palais Garnier Opera House. Charles Garnier designed the house and opened its doors to the public in 1874. The luxurious baroque and rococo styles stand out. 

It is located on the Boulevard des Capucine. However, its green copper dome and ornate face are adorned with arches, sculptures, and bronze busts, making it elegant. There is a statue of Apollo at the top. It can provide accommodation for 2000 guests.

Enjoy the inside, decorated with velvet, sculptures, and gold leaf. The sophisticated chandeliers and marble staircase make it more attractive. Spend the last few hours here and fill your soul with the amazing artistic architecture.

Opening Time: The place opens at 10 am and closes at 5 pm.

How to Save Money on Your Paris in Two Days Trip?

If you are determined to save money and also enjoy a Paris itinerary for a 2-day trip, then we might have something planned for you. For starters, you can always choose an off-season for your 2 day itinerary in Paris.

During the winter season, the end of autumn is an off-season for tourists. Fortunately, there are many things to do in Paris. And you will be showered with sales and discounts. 

With fewer crowds and more space, you can enjoy a relaxing trip. Also, the offers allow you to save money at the same time.

Another way of saving money is that you can get the Paris pass or the Museum pass to explore the city. This allows you to explore almost 50 museums at a discounted price. So, have an enjoyable trip on a lower budget than others.

Conclusion

Paris is the ultimate destination for all art lovers around the world. And everything is possible if you plan everything. A Paris itinerary for 2 days needs lots of planning to ensure a perfect holiday.

However, for your comfort, we have gathered all the information. You will find an explanation of the Paris itinerary for 2 days, with all the attractions and how to get there. And as a treat, we have summed up some accommodation suggestions for you.

So, did this article help you plan your 2-day itinerary in Paris? Then leave a note to let us know your opinion. Also, suggestions are welcome. You can also check out our Paris one-day itinerary plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I go to the second or top level of the Eiffel Tower?

If you have time, then go to the top level of the Eiffel Tower. But we would suggest that you stay on the second level and enjoy the view of the tower.

Should I get the Museum Pass in Paris for 2 days?

Definitely yes, it saves time and money. If you are an art and culture lover, then this is a must for you. It allows you to visit most of the attractions in Paris while avoiding the long lines.

When is the best time to visit Paris for two days?

We suggest you visit in the spring or in the fall season to get the most out of your 2 days in Paris itinerary lonely planet.

What is the cheapest time for 48 hours in Paris?

Paris is the cheapest in the winter season. From early December to February are the months to look for the cheapest period to go to Paris.

How many days are ideal for a Paris trip?

You should at least have four days to explore Paris. For an ideal 2-day trip to Paris itinerary, four days are enough.