Paris 2 Day Itinerary: Classic Highlights to Hidden Gems
Paris is one of those cities that lives up to the hype—romantic, historic, and endlessly walkable.I visited on a quick weekend from London, and visited for 2 days myself. I curated this 2 day Paris Itinerary based on my experiences to help you do the same—with a blend of iconic sights, local gems, and just enough flexibility to let the city surprise you.
The best part is that you don’t need a full week to experience it. If you’re planning a multi-city Europe trip and working with limited PTO, 2 days in Paris is the perfect amount of time to hit the highlights and still catch those unexpected, personal moments.
TL;DR – Paris 2 Day Itinerary
Day 1: Historic Icons & Neighborhood Vibes
- Stay near the Panthéon for easy access to the Latin Quarter
- Breakfast at L’Ecritoire
- Visit the Panthéon
- Walk the university neighborhood (Sorbonne)
- Lunch at Sacré Frenchy!
- Macarons from Pierre Hermé
- Street crepes for dinner
- Explore the city (time your trip with Nuit Blanche if possible)
Day 2: Brunch, Scenic Walks & Eiffel Tower Picnic
- Brunch at Angelina (make a reservation ahead of time)
- Walk to the Eiffel Towertopping at Sainte-Clotilde, Saint-Sulpice, and local markets for picnic supplies
- Picnic on the Champ de Mars with meats, cheeses, and macarons
- Walk or metro back, then head out for drinks at Lavomatic, Experimental Cocktail Club, or Le Baron Rouge
Day 1: Historic Icons & Neighborhood Strolls
Morning
If you only have 2 days in Paris, location makes a huge difference. We stayed in an Airbnb right next to the Panthéon, and it was one of the best decisions of the trip. Being centrally located meant we could walk to nearly everything, which saved time and gave us more space to explore naturally.
Start the morning at L’Ecritoire. It’s an adorable Parisian café with good, affordable food. It’s in the main area of Sorbonne, which has a fun and young energy. We stayed right above the restaurant, making it even more convenient!
Afternoon
After your breakfast, visit the Panthéon. It may not be the flashiest attraction in Paris, but it genuinely surprised me. Inside, there’s a giant pendulum quietly swinging, sculptures and frescoes lining the interior, and crypts honoring French legends. It felt both grand and peaceful—a solid way to kick off a first-time trip.
If you have the energy, take a walk around the neighborhood to get a feel of the city after. You’ll get to know the university area as well as Paris itself.
To try more French food, I recommend stopping by Sacré Frenchy!. It’s in the neighborhood, has good eats, and good ratings. Plus, it’s close to the next stop.
After, we wanted some dessert so we stopped by Pierre Hermé. It is a macaron shop with some of the most delectable desserts you can find in the city. They’re famous for it… so if you go, be prepared to pay a slight premium.
Feel free to walk around with your macarons or just relax for a bit before the evening.
Evening
After a short bit of rest, I recommend going for some local street food. When I went, we stopped by a local crepe stall (they have them all around the city) and grabbed some to-go crepes. They were delicious, fresh, and the perfect treat to keep us going for the night.
Pro Tip: Try to go during a city-wide event to make the most out of the 2 day Paris itinerary. We planned our trip around Nuit Blanche, an annual all-night art festival that I randomly discovered while researching last-minute weekend trips. It’s not super well known, but it completely changed the vibe of our visit. That night, we were standing in a town square, dressed in white parkas, watching old films projected onto the buildings—and even onto us. It was immersive, kind of surreal, and nothing like I expected to find in Paris. I personally thought it was the highlight of the trip!
If your trip doesn’t align with Nuit Blanche or other fun events, the evening is still a great time for a relaxed dinner and a walk along the Seine (the river that goes through the city).
Day 2: Brunch, Scenic Walks & Eiffel Tower Picnic
Morning: Start with Brunch at Angelina
Start your day at Angelina. It is a Paris classic, and honestly, it’s worth the hype. The space feels like old-world luxury, the service is elegant, and the hot chocolate is thick and indulgent—basically a melted chocolate bar in a cup.
I paired the hot chocolate with the smoked salmon toast with a poached egg and it was beautifully done. This is a spot you’ll want to make a reservation for ahead of time—it gets busy, especially on weekends.
Midday: Walk Toward the Eiffel Tower (Slowly)
After breakfast, give yourself time to walk through the city toward the Eiffel Tower. It’s about a 40-minute walk. It sounds unconventional and long, but my friends and I did this when we visited and it was actually a great way to get to know more of the ins and outs of the city. It’s a perfect way to get to know Paris in just 2 days.
To make the walk more adventurous, we stopped at a ton of local churches and shops along the way. I recommend looking at Basilica Sainte-Clotilde, a peaceful, lesser-known church that’s just a short detour. It was completely empty when we visited. Another is Église Saint-Sulpice, a Catholic church with beautiful architecture. These weren’t planned stops when we walked, but they ended up being some of the most memorable–quiet, ornate, and totally off the tourist path.
We also passed through a few local markets and shops to grab everything we needed for a picnic later in the day: cured meats, baguettes, fruit, cheeses, and, of course, macarons from some local shops. Everything packed easily into a tote and felt like such a luxe little lunch setup without spending a ton.
Afternoon: Picnic at the Eiffel Tower
No trip to Paris is complete without visiting the Eiffel Tower, especially a 2 day trip.
Once you reach the Champ de Mars, claim a spot on the grass in front of the Eiffel Tower. Spread out your market finds, take a ton of photos (this is your moment), and just chill. We spent a few hours here—eating, people-watching, and soaking up the view. Yes, it’s touristy, but it didn’t feel that way. It felt easy and exactly how I wanted my last afternoon in Paris to be.
Evening: Head Home, Then Head Out
After the picnic, either walk back or hop on the metro depending on where you’re staying. If you’re traveling solo or with girlfriends, I recommend taking the metro or a cab after dark—stay safe, especially at night.
If you’re not ready to call it a night, Paris nightlife has no shortage of options. For cocktails, check out:
- Le Comptoir Général – funky, creative, and great vibes
- Experimental Cocktail Club – classic speakeasy style
- Lavomatic – a hidden bar behind a laundromat (yes, really)
If you’re more into wine and conversation, head to Le Baron Rouge or Septime La Cave for cozy, curated sips. Or just do what we did: pick a bar that looks cute, grab a seat outside, and let the night flow.
Final Thoughts
This Paris 2 day itinerary isn’t about cramming in every museum or climbing every monument. It’s about balance—seeing what makes the city famous while also leaving space for unplanned discoveries. It’s the kind of trip that fits easily into a multi-city Europe itinerary, especially if you’re short on time but still want something meaningful.
If you’re a full-time professional trying to make travel work on weekends or limited PTO, this plan was made for you. You’ll walk a lot, eat well, and leave with just enough Paris in your pocket to make you want to come back. If you want more info about Paris, check out all of my Paris blogs here.
