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Paris, France - Eiffel Tower and Seine River cover photo

3-Day Paris Summer Backpacker Adventure

⚖️Balanced Mix🎒Budget Travel
3 dayssummer

Discover Paris on a budget with free walking tours, local markets, street food, and authentic neighborhoods. Enjoy summer vibes while walking and using public transport.

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Our #1 travel tip

Before Day 1: Book a FREE walking tour

Free walking tours. Yes, actually free. No credit card needed. No catch.

Local guide, 2-3 hours

Major sights, hidden gems, local stories

100% tip-based

Guides earn only tips, so they give their absolute best

You tip what feels right

At the end, just tip whatever you feel is right

I've done these in dozens of cities and they've been the highlight of almost every trip. If you're visiting Paris, France, do this on your first day. You'll thank me later.

Adrijana, founder of City Buddy
Browse FREE walking tours
Day 1Orientation & Iconic Landmarks
Morning
Free Walking Tour

~3 hours

Start your day with a free walking tour around the central Paris neighborhood near Notre-Dame. Look for tours starting at Place Saint-Michel to soak in historic and iconic sights on foot.

Book FREE walking tour
Afternoon

Champ de Mars

Champ de Mars

Spend your afternoon relaxing at Champ de Mars park beneath the Eiffel Tower. Bring a picnic or walk around the open green spaces near the Avenue de la Bourdonnais.

4.6(219k reviews)~2 hours
Afternoon

Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower

Visit the Eiffel Tower's base and consider a ticket to go up for city views if budget allows. Buy tickets online early to avoid long lines.

4.7(481k reviews)~1.5 hours
Evening

Find a street food vendor near Champ de Mars

Find a street food vendor near Champ de Mars

Explore street food vendors along Rue Saint-Dominique, a lively street near Champ de Mars, for affordable authentic snacks like crepes or falafel wraps.

4.6(219k reviews)~1 hours

Meals

Recommended traditional local cuisine

Breakfast
Find a local bakery in the Latin Quarter and try a buttery croissant with coffee, a classic simple French breakfast.
€3-5
Lunch
Grab a sandwich or salad from a nearby street café around Champ de Mars to keep it light and budget-friendly.
€7-10
Wine
Dinner€7-10

Look for street food near Champ de Mars such as a savory crepe or falafel wrap. Try pairing with a glass of wine for an authentic Parisian evening experience.

Wine
Use the Metro and buses for easy access around central Paris. Purchase a carnet of 10 tickets for cheaper fares. For late nights, Uber and Bolt operate with prices starting around €2.5 per km.

AccommodationLatin Quarter (historic neighborhood in central Paris)

This area is close to many iconic landmarks and has budget hostels, cafes, and lively streets.

Hostel in Latin Quarter (historic neighborhood in central Paris)
€40-60/night

This area is close to many iconic landmarks and has budget hostels, cafes, and lively streets.

Search hotels in this area
Day 2Art, History & Neighborhood Strolls
Morning

Louvre Museum

Louvre Museum

Explore the world's largest art museum with a focus on the Denon Wing to see masterpieces like the Mona Lisa. Enter via the Pyramid entrance early to avoid the largest crowds.

4.7(361k reviews)~3 hours
Late Morning

Walk through Jardin des Tuileries

Walk through Jardin des Tuileries

Stroll from the Louvre's Pyramid exit through the Tuileries Garden, enjoying sculptures and fountains along Rue de Rivoli towards Place de la Concorde.

4.6(117k reviews)~1 hours
Afternoon

Explore Montmartre

Explore Montmartre

Wander the cobblestone streets of this artsy neighborhood, visit Sacré-Cœur Basilica, and check out Place du Tertre where artists display their work.

4.7(159k reviews)~3 hours
Evening

Try local snacks at a Montmartre street market

Try local snacks at a Montmartre street market

Find a street market near Abbesses metro where locals buy fresh produce and quick bites like crepes or croque-monsieur.

4.7(159k reviews)~1 hours

Meals

Recommended traditional local cuisine

Breakfast
Find a bakery near the Louvre and try a flaky croissant with café au lait for a light start.
€4-6
Ratatouille
Lunch€6-8

Pick up a ratatouille baguette sandwich from a market stall or café in Montmartre, combining local veggies with fresh bread.

Ratatouille
Escargots
Dinner€10-15

Sit at a Montmartre street food stand and enjoy escargots along with a glass of local red wine.

Escargots
Use the Metro for quick travel between Louvre and Montmartre. Walking is ideal within Montmartre. Apps like Uber, Bolt, and Heetch provide taxis priced around €2.5 per km.

AccommodationLatin Quarter (historic and vibrant area on Left Bank)

Central to city sights and well connected to Metro for easy access to Montmartre and Louvre.

Hostel in Latin Quarter (historic and vibrant area on Left Bank)
€25-40/night

Central to city sights and well connected to Metro for easy access to Montmartre and Louvre.

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Day 3Gardens, Markets & Unique Finds
Morning

Visit Luxembourg Gardens

Visit Luxembourg Gardens

Explore the expansive Luxembourg Gardens located in the 6th arrondissement near Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Perfect for a morning stroll among statues and fountains, enter via Rue de Médicis for a peaceful start.

4.7(123k reviews)~2 hours
Late Morning

Visit Marché Saxe-Breteuil

Visit Marché Saxe-Breteuil

Head to Marché Saxe-Breteuil on Avenue de Saxe near the Eiffel Tower. This market offers fresh local produce and picnic snacks. Ideal for a budget traveler wanting to savor authentic Parisian flavors.

4.5(155 reviews)~1.5 hours
Afternoon
Visit a bookshop with historic charm

~2 hours

Visit a historic bookshop in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, such as one around Rue de l'Ancienne Comédie, featuring classic literature and an old-world ambiance.

Book tours & ticketsView details, tips, opening times & more
Evening

Find a local bar in Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Find a local bar in Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Seek a local bar in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés area famous for its artistic history. Order a glass of Pastis, a traditional anise-flavored spirit, and enjoy the lively Parisian atmosphere.

4.7(123k reviews)~2 hours

Meals

Recommended traditional local cuisine

Breakfast
Find a small café in Luxembourg Gardens or nearby and try a croissant with café au lait for a classic Parisian start to your day.
Around 5 EUR
Lunch
At Marché Saxe-Breteuil, grab a freshly made sandwich with local cheese and baguette or try crepes from a street vendor for an affordable, tasty lunch.
Around 7 EUR
Ratatouille
DinnerApproximately 15 EUR

Find a casual bistro in Saint-Germain-des-Prés offering Ratatouille accompanied by a glass of wine for a traditional French dinner within budget.

Ratatouille
Use the Metro and buses to get around efficiently in the 6th arrondissement and Saint-Germain-des-Prés. For short trips, Uber and Bolt operate with fares around 2.5 EUR per kilometer. Walking is very practical in this central area.

AccommodationSaint-Germain-des-Prés (historic neighborhood with vibrant nightlife and close to major attractions)

Staying here places you in the heart of this day's attractions with budget-friendly hostels available to backpackers.

Hostel in Saint-Germain-des-Prés (historic neighborhood with vibrant nightlife and close to major attractions)
$40-60/night

Staying here places you in the heart of this day's attractions with budget-friendly hostels available to backpackers.

Search hotels in this area

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Budget Breakdown

Accommodation / night$110
Food / day$8
Transport / day$6
Activities / day$5
Daily total$129
Trip total$387

Accommodation based on budget hostels approx. $110/night. Food cost focusing on street food $8/day. Transport via metro/bus $6/day. Activities budget set for mainly free or low-cost experiences $5/day.

Good to Know

Walkability: Paris is very walkable, enjoy exploring on foot to save money.
Street Food: Affordable and tasty, typically around $7 per meal.
Public Transport: Use Metro, Bus, RER for efficient and budget-friendly travel.
Tap Water: Safe to drink, carry a reusable bottle to stay hydrated.
Taxi Apps: Use Uber, Bolt, or Heetch for fair priced taxis.
Language: French is spoken, but English is understood well enough for tourists.
Safety: Average safety, be cautious especially in crowded areas and night.
Weather: Best months to visit are May, June, September for pleasant weather.
Healthcare: Excellent healthcare available if needed.
Accommodation: Hostels provide budget-friendly options around $110/night.

Pre-Trip Checklist

Documents

Booking

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