Here’s a 5-day budget-friendly itinerary for Paris, perfect for first-time travelers who want to experience the city’s best attractions, food, and culture without overspending — all while enjoying the magic of the City of Light! 💶✨
🗓️ Day 1: Classic Paris – Icons on a Budget
🌞 Morning:
- Eiffel Tower (Trocadéro View) – Free viewpoint
- Optional: Climb the tower’s 2nd floor stairs (~€11.80)
- Stroll through Champ de Mars
🍽️ Budget Lunch:
- Grab a baguette sandwich or crêpe (~€5–8)
🏛️ Afternoon:
- Arc de Triomphe (~€13 or free for EU residents under 26)
- Walk down the Champs-Élysées
🌇 Evening:
- Seine River walk or sunset picnic near Pont Alexandre III
- Budget dinner in the Latin Quarter (~€10–12)
🛏️ Budget tip: Stay in a hostel (like Generator Paris or The People Hostel) or a budget hotel in Montmartre or République (~€30–60/night).
🗓️ Day 2: Museums & Culture
☀️ Morning:
- Louvre Museum (~€17, free on 1st Sunday of the month)
- Walk around Tuileries Garden
🥖 Lunch:
- Eat at a boulangerie or grab a lunch menu special (~€8–10)
🖼️ Afternoon:
- Musée d’Orsay (~€14) – amazing for Impressionist art
- Stroll along the Seine or check out the booksellers (bouquinistes)
🌃 Evening:
- Explore Le Marais — vintage shops, cafés, galleries
- Try falafel at the famous L’As du Fallafel (~€7)
🗓️ Day 3: Montmartre Magic
🌄 Morning:
- Start early at Sacre-Cœur Basilica (free)
- Explore Montmartre streets, see Le Consulat, La Maison Rose, and Place du Tertre
🍝 Lunch:
- Local bistro menu (~€10–12)
🎨 Afternoon:
- Visit Espace Dalí or the Musée de Montmartre (~€10)
- Chill in Square Louise Michel with Eiffel views from afar
🌆 Evening:
- Optional: See a show at Moulin Rouge (budget standing tickets if available)
- Or free/cheap live jazz in a local bar
🗓️ Day 4: Island Sights & Latin Quarter
🌞 Morning:
- Explore Île de la Cité:
- Notre-Dame Cathedral (free exterior, inside closed until end of 2024)
- Sainte-Chapelle (~€11.50 – gorgeous stained glass)
🍲 Lunch:
- Eat in the Latin Quarter — many budget restaurants (~€9–11)
📚 Afternoon:
- Visit Shakespeare & Company bookstore
- Relax in Jardin du Luxembourg
🌇 Evening:
- Sunset from Montparnasse Tower (~€15) or free rooftop at Galeries Lafayette
🗓️ Day 5: Parks & Local Life
🌿 Morning:
- Visit Canal Saint-Martin or Parc des Buttes-Chaumont – calm, local vibes
- Have coffee and croissant at a local café
👜 Shopping (optional):
- Browse thrift shops in Le Marais or vintage markets (like Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen)
🍷 Farewell dinner:
- Enjoy a menu formule (3-course meal) in a cozy bistro (~€15–20)
- Watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle one last time from Trocadéro or Pont de Bir-Hakeim
💰 Budget Breakdown (approx. per day/person):
| Category | Daily Estimate |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | €30–60 |
| Food | €20–25 |
| Attractions | €10–15 |
| Transport (Metro) | €5–7 |
| Total | €65–105/day |
🟢 Total for 5 Days: ~€350–500
🎫 Budget Tips:
- Get a Navigo Easy Pass for unlimited metro travel (weekly pass ~€30)
- Many museums are free on the first Sunday of the month
- Tap water is drinkable – bring a bottle
- Picnic instead of restaurants — fresh food from markets is amazing
