With world famous sites, incredible art and history, and connections all over Europe, it’s easy to see why this enduringly romantic destination remains one of the most visited capital cities in the world.

Although you may hear some contrasting opinions about Paris in regards to its tourism, cleanliness and overall vibe, we personally love the city and think the experience is largely dependent on what you make of it. From our time spent in the capital, we put together what we consider the best ways to enjoy your visit, whether you’re coming for a weekend or a longer stay.

One of our favourite stories of the Eiffel Tower is AJ Hackett’s first (very illegal) bungy test, which ties together two of our favourite cities (Queenstown and Paris) from opposite sides of the world.

1. Stroll or cruise along the Seine

Seine River, Pais — The *Pont Alexandre III bridge was one of our favourites on the river for it’s gilded details and it’s view of the Eiffel Tower and surrounds.*

Whether it’s window shopping the boutiques that line the river or people watching from a café, the Seine is a short walk from many highlights within the city centre. Combine this with one of our recommendations below, including exploring the surrounding neighbourhoods or stopping into the museums along the way, to make for a great day out.

If you’re not into crowds, consider heading out in the early morning, you’ll get it largely to yourself and be able to dip into a café just as the city wakes, watching it come alive while enjoying a coffee and croissant. Tip, if you’re not into espresso, remember while you’re in the city to specify you’d like ‘un café crème’, a coffee with hot milk.

There are also multiple cruises you can take on the Seine, and as you stroll along you’ll see boats both small and large meander down it at all times of the day. Although there are many day cruises, consider one in the evening, choosing either a dinner tour which allow you to watch the city lights come on from the water, or an open- air tour after dusk to watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle (the latter was one of my highlights).

2. Visit the city’s most renowned architecture

The Paris skyline is one of the most recognised the world over, and the city itself can be synonymous with some of its more famous buildings such as the Eiffel Tour, Notre-Dame and Arc de Triomphe. Although firmly on the tourist trail, we think it’s warranted, as the palaces, cathedrals, and monuments are as stunning as they are interesting, with each having a unique history and style.

Visit Notre Dame and see the restoration project that is beginning to take shape, and then head further south to the Latin Quarter to see the Panthéon. Afterwards, head to the Arc de Triomphe via the Champ Elysées, where you’ll be able to find lots of shopping opportunities. Head north to Sacré-Cœur, or stay within the centre to ogle at the wealth of the Palais du Luxembourg. If you’re looking to get access into any of these sites for a closer look, see below for our recommendation to get a Paris Museum Pass, which includes a few of the sites mentioned here.

If you’re looking for a lower key day, even consider just strolling the backstreets of some of the wealthier arrondissements. The buildings, whether they are housing some upscale bistro or boutique, or purely residential, will all leave you seriously impressed.

3. Enjoy the city’s unique districts

*The Sacré-Cœur in charming Montmartre, a quaint quartier in Paris’ 18th arrondissement. From the steps of the Basilica, you can get a fantastic view of the city.*

Paris is renowned for its very distinct districts, known as arrondissements, or quartiers, which refer to the twenty postal districts that spiral out from the centre, each of which have their own distinguishing features.

Head north to charming Montmartre which features cobblestoned streets that surround the awe-inspiring Sacré-Cœur. Montmartre is also home to the most fantastic chocolaterie which has a replica of the best of Parisian architecture made entirely of chocolate - we definitely recommend stopping here if you’re in the area. Head east of the Louvre to find yourself in the hip district of Le Marais, known for its boutiques and thriving LGBTQ+ scene. Venture just south of the Seine in the centre to St Germain, which is an expensive but beautiful area steeped in literary and art history.

Although Paris is an extremely walkable city, if you’re looking to explore the neighbourhoods and surrounds, consider either renting a bike for the day via the city’s bike-sharing platform Vélib' Métropole, or use one of the motorised scooters found across many European cities, there are plenty of companies who have them here. If neither of these appeal, head down to the Métro, the quickest way to get around the city as the transport links are quite extensive. It’s straightforward and inexpensive, and you can get easy tickets once underground, just pick up a t+ and expect to pay a couple of Euros p/p per journey.

Looking to travel to the City of Love with your SO? Here are our tips for travelling with a partner…

**4. Pack a picnic and head to one of the parcs to enjoy**

Paris has so many delightful parcs in and around the city centre, and we think one of the best ways to experience them is with a picnic and a couple of good books. In season, it’s one of the best ways to spend an afternoon in the city to still enjoy the sun, but avoid the bustle on the streets.

Head to the local boulangerie, fromagerie and patisserie near your accommodation and pick up all of the essentials. If you’ve already explored the city and know where your favourite neighbourhoods are, head there and seek out the local parc to enjoy, but if you’re needing a bit of inspiration, here were our favourites:

The Jardin des Tuileries near the Louvre (above, left) has plenty of benches and green space, and the garden hosts a small cafe if you’ve forgotten anything. In the spring and early summer, the trees and flowers are in full bloom, and because of its location, it still gets a lot of footfall, so it’s a cool place to people-watch. Other sweet parcs around the centre include the Parc du Champ de Mars (under the Eiffel Tour), the Parc de Bercy on the Seine, and the Garden du Luxembourg at the Palais.

One of our personal favourites outside of the city centre to the east, and somewhat off the tourist trail, was the larger Bois de Vincennes, which has the lovely Lac Daumesnil (above, right). We rented a rowboat and enjoyed the atmosphere of a pop-up Carnival that was going on during our stay in the city.

5. Immerse yourself in a cultural day

The famous Louvre Museum. The crowds themselves will remind you it’s the world’s most visited museum, so come on a weekday morning or choose one of Paris’ lesser known museums to enjoy a slightly quieter cultural day.

Whether it’s art, history or theatre, you have your pick in Paris, known all around the globe for its cultural sites and museums, all of which offer a unique insight into France’s history.

Spend a day in the the famous Louvre and/or the Musée d’Orsay or explore some of the smaller museums tailored to your particular interests, whether that be the Musée de l'Armée (home of Napoleon's tomb), Musée du quai Branly, or the Musée Picasso-Paris.

To get access to all of the sites, consider getting a 2, 4 or 6 day Paris Museum Pass, which offers admission to over 50 sites in Paris. If you’re under 26, know that many museums around Paris offer discounts, so bring an ID, and avoid weekends if possible! Although Sundays offer discounted rates for all ages, it brings about a crowd because of it, and we think it’s worth paying a bit extra to see the art minus the throngs of people.

If theatre is more your style, there is nothing more notably Parisian than Moulin Rouge. Head north for an evening of Cabaret that has been delighting guests since 1900.

Not able to get to Europe just yet but love the idea of Paris? Check out our post on how to bring a destination to you and re-create a Parisian experience in your own home.

As Paris is so accessible to the rest of Europe, we think it’s definitely worth a visit, whether as a final destination or as a stopover on your way elsewhere. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to stay longer as we did, the city can certainly surprise you in a positive way.