Need to central hostel in the heart of Bangkok? Then look no further than Khaosan by the Bliss, a Revolution social hostel right on the famous Khao San Road in Bangkok! From social evenings, great facilities, plenty of events and the best social atmosphere, this hostel is one to check out!
This is a very social hostel, so for those who want the most relaxing atmosphere, this may not always be for you. However, if you want to have a good time, get involved in fun evening activities, and meet lots of cool people, then this is the hostel for you!
Want to book your stay at Khaosan by the Bliss? Find out more here!
*There are affiliate links in this post – they do not come at any extra cost to you, but just means we can earn commission to help us pursue this further 🙂
*This was a gifted stay, however all views are our own and genuine to our experiences.
Location
Revolution Hostel in Bangkok is located perfectly off Khao San Road with a small alleyway taking you to the start. It is remarkably quiet considering only a stone’s throw away is the hustle and bustle of Khao San but it’s no means silent. Revolution always seem to locate near a 7/11 which is perfect for their customers to grab snacks from.
The side street offers a few food spots but is otherwise quiet with limited activity during the day.
Revolution also offer further stays in these locations : Chiang Mai, Pai, Kanchanaburi (new site) and Koh Tao, with more coming soon! We will be sharing further reviews on these other hostels.
Private Room Experience
At Revolution Bangkok, we stayed in a private room which had all the required amenities for our stay. The room was big enough for us 2, and also offered a separate toilet and shower room which was a nice touch. The shower room was rather large which can definitely be a problem when staying in Hostels in a city.
The room also had great storage space for all your gear. But one of the best features was a mosquito covering around the windows to allow for natural air in at night but none of the bugs. Mosquito bites can be an issue in South East Asia so these nets really helped us sleep easy at night!
Breakfast wasn’t included in our stay but they offer both westernised and local options at a budget-friendly cost! Perfect for any traveller.
Other Rooms
For dorms, Revolution offer 16, 10, 8, 6 & 4 bed dorms. So if you don’t mind the larger rooms, or want a smaller dorm, they have options for you. They also offer female only dorms if you would rather. All of these rooms come equipped with your own bed, a towel, access key, shared bathroom access, a bed light and personal charging port which is essential for all travellers. Find out more here.
Social Areas
The social areas are great! They have a balance of busy and quiet which suits any of their guests. First up, is the quiet reception area that is a great place to order and eat food, enjoy the peace or relax with friends. Here they have tables dotted about and even offer some board games which is the perfect ice-breaker for meeting new people.
The outside area is where it’s at! This is where all the evening activities and entertainment happens which includes gender bender night, quiz nights and so much more. Here there are benches which soon fill up in the evening and they even have a pool table. There is also an outside bar and a small stage in the corner where they present the events. Beyond the pool table is a small stone garden area with stalls and tables for when the social areas are super busy.
Tours Available
The hostel offer a great display of tours in Bangkok including temple hopping, river boat tour and a pub crawl. Although we didn’t partake in these tours during our stay, we did enjoy their gender-bender night activity and later in the night joined some rev reps and rev enthusiasts out on Khao San Road to a nightclub. The evening was really fun and turned out to be a late one… 5am!!
If we had more time we would have loved to enjoyed a river boat tour and maybe even the pub crawl but all of the people we met highly recommended the tours.
Would We Recommend
Revolution, Khao San By The Bliss is by no means everyone’s cup of tea but if you LOVE party, or even just travelling alone and want to meet people, then this is the hostel for you. The hostel do amazing with creating ice-breakers to meet fellow travelers and organise some amazing trips for all to enjoy. The daily evening events really offer some great entertainment even if you want to sit and observe the carnage.
Staying in the dorms have good privacy considering you are sharing the room with others. The curtains give good privacy, and you have all the space required for your luggage and more! The private rooms are very similar to a hotel as they are super spacious and provide great comfort when you need a night away from dorms.
The social areas really are the hotspot for the hostel and provides more than enough space to meet people and have a great time during your stay. The staff are also very welcoming and supportive when you are staying and are happy to help with any further plans out of or around the city. We would totally recommend staying at this hostel and when we visit Bangkok again, we look to stay here!
We also recommend using these when planning your next trip!
Trip.com– Find amazing flight deals, with over 2 million flight routes, and being one of the world’s leading online travel agencies.
Airalo – With over one million people using Airalo, it is our go to eSIM provider for our worldwide trips! Having data packs from over 200 countries, find combined area packages and deals to suit your travel style and data needs!
Booking.com – Offering over 28 million accommodations to book, we will always use booking.com! Having a rewards system built in, the more you book, the more perks you get!
HostelWorld – You cannot budget travel without hostel world! Having over 17,000 hostels, boasting over 13 million reviews, hostel world is one our of top websites for budget travel! They are now offering more ways to meet people abroad, with meet ups, group chats and more available!
Get Your Guide – Book unique (and common!) experiences and activities worldwide, including skip the line tickets to big attractions worldwide!
Eat With– Experience authentic travel experiences with locals worldwide! Use eat with to book unique and intimate dining experiences, such as dinner parties in big restaurants, big feasts with a local family, cooking classes with a local and more!
ETKA – Every age from 3 to 85 can buy ETKA’s travel insurance, offering multilingual 24/7 chat support, and your insurance policy within 2-3 minutes!
If you would like to support our own travel Journey, please check out all our other blogs, and subscribe to the newsletter where we are currently uploading daily blogs!
Want a central hostel in the heart of everything while in Zagreb? After spending one night in this traveller friendly hostel/hotel combo, we wanted to share more! The Chillout Hostel has the best of both worlds; hostel dorms for the budget friendly extrovert, and hotel and private facilities for those liking a bit more privacy!
Carry on reading to hear about our experience in this hostel, and why you should be staying here for your next Zagreb trip!
*This post contains affiliate links, which we may earn from. This does not come at an additional cost, but helps us to pursue this dream 🙂
Situated in the heart of Zagreb city centre, Chillout Hostel is in Ilica 16, right next to all of the landmarks, nightlife, shops, restaurants and more! Just on the doorstep you will found countless things to do and see! It is also near tram links, meaning easy access around the rest of the city!
The hostel itself shares areas with the Timeout Heritage Hotel, so you will enter the same entrance for both!
Private Room Experience
For our stay, we stayed in a private room, with private en-suite bathroom. This came at €60 per night for 2 people.
To begin with, the room was beautiful and extremely unique! The walls were covered in a newspaper print, with fascinating and quirky stories printed throughout! It then had green and gold accents… it really was stunning! The room had high ceilings and a balcony (somewhat communal? It was chained off between rooms but still visible to other rooms).
We had a double bed which was comfy, a full length mirror, a vanity dresser, wardrobe and fridge to keep things cool! (Please don’t forget to grab your snacks though… as sadly we forgot our chocolate in there 😦 …)
The bathroom was very clean. We had a sink with a large mirror, then a shower cubicle with a GREAT water pressure… oh the little things in life! The flooring even had glitter running throughout!
We were also given an electronic key card for entry, which also gives you additional perks which we will explain a bit further down!
Other Rooms Available
Within the Chillout Hostel, you can book a standard double en-suite (which we booked), a mixed dorm of 6 bunk beds (from around £30), or a mixed dorm of 4 bunk beds (from around £35).
The dorms include their own en-suite bathrooms, and as many European accommodations, you will need to pay a city tax additionally.
Social Areas
The hostel had many social areas!
We decided to have a drink in the rooftop terrace the evening we arrived- there is a great cocktail menu, it just depends what your budget is as most cocktails were €10+. The terrace was busy, staff were attentive, and music was playing etc!
Another area was the downstairs seating, which you would’ve walked through to reach check out! Although we didn’t sit here, we saw many people using this as a working area in the morning, but a social area in the evening!
Bunker Nightclub
Now this was fun! Additional to the social areas mentioned above, this hostel features it’s own built in nightclub!
We mentioned the key cards didn’t we? So, the entry fee of the nightclub is squashed once you show your key card, meaning free entry to their club!
Each night is themed different, with our stay falling on the 00’s disco night! However, it was mores a late 00’s-10’s music, with the odd more modern song included!
The club was split into different areas, with extremely cool neon graffiti throughout! The drinks were a little expensive, however that is to be expected in most night-clubs.
Tours available
At the hostel desk you will find different posters and leaflets, including some discounts for tours! One of the discounts included is for the museum of hangovers, something we will soon be sharing about!
Just ask at the front desk for any assistance.
There is also a group chat you can join, telling you about anything happening at the hostel!
Would we recommend staying at the Chillout Hostel?
We would recommend staying at the Chillout Hostel! It was in such a great location, with clean facilities and friendly staff. You can book it here.
Is it worth the cost?
For a capital city hostel in Europe, we did think the price was okay! In comparison to local hotels we couldn’t really complain!
There was a few cheaper options, but for this location and the nightlife we are happy with our choice!
Our favourite must-needed travel resources
Where to Fly
Trip.com – Find amazing flight deals, with over 2 million flight routes, and being one of the world’s leading online travel agencies.
Kiwi – Use Kiwi’s amazing service that is pioneering in the flight space! They use virtual interlining, which means they can provide seamless connecting flights into one single itinerary!
CheapOair – Being one of the fastest growing online travel companies in the US, CheapOair offers great flight deals, hotel rooms, rental cars and more!
Where to Stay
Booking.com – Offering over 28 million accommodations to book, we will always use booking.com! Having a rewards system built in, the more you book, the more perks you get!
HostelWorld – You cannot budget travel without hostel world! Having over 17,000 hostels, boasting over 13 million reviews, hostel world is one our of top websites for budget travel! They are now offering more ways to meet people abroad, with meet ups, group chats and more available!
Vrbo – Find stunning vacation rentals with Vrbo! Offering over 2 million paid listings in 190 countries, find memorable experiences with this accommodation service!
Where to Explore
Viator – A trip advisor company, viator offers over 300,000 experiences over 200 countries, including water sports, walking tours, boat trips, food tastes tours and more! Including activities for many budgets, check out Viator!
Eat With – Experience authentic travel experiences with locals worldwide! Use eat with to book unique and intimate dining experiences, such as dinner parties in big restaurants, big feasts with a local family, cooking classes with a local and more!
Get Your Guide – Book unique (and common too!) experiences and activities worldwide, including skip the line tickets to big attractions worldwide!
Where to get Connected
Airalo – With over one million people using Airalo, it is our go to eSIM provider for our worldwide trips! Having data packs from over 200 countries, find combined area packages and deals to suit your travel style and data needs!
Where to be Protected
ETKA – Every age from 3 to 85 can buy ETKA’s travel insurance, offering multilingual 24/7 chat support, and your insurance policy within 2-3 minutes!
Our Top Traveller’s Essentials
Backpack – Osprey Farpoint 40 – This backpack is a staple amongst many travellers! Being a lot cheaper than the luxury brands, this is a quality backpack from a well known brand. It boasts quality durability, is lightweight with a great framework and is a great option for most people! This backpack has a hip strap to help carry the bag, a breathable harness strap, and comes in multiple colours!
Compression Packing Cubes – Compression cubes are our favourite packing accessory! These cubes are similar to the normal packing cubes, but feature a compression zip, meaning you can compress your clothes down… this makes packing easier, limits the space you are using, and means more room for souvenirs etc!
Powerbank – Don’t lose power when travelling! It isn’t always guaranteed to find charging ports, so we would always suggest carrying a spare power bank, just incase you do run low on power when you need it!
Universal Travel Plug Adapter – Most backpackers/travellers visit multiple countries during one trip. And that means it isn’t guaranteed you will be using the same plug head during each place. A universal plug is great as it lets you switch between each plug head style all in one item! We love ours, it has USB slots meaning multiple items can be charged at once.
Thank you for reading our review of the Chillout Hostel in Zagreb!
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Known as the city of love, this French capital is bursting with amazing things to do and see. Perfect for last minute vacations, or to find amazing luxury hotels of world, or even to just see lots of tourist attractions, Paris has it all.
We visited in February 2023, and it was such a beautiful trip! We visited over Valentine’s Day, and we did have such an amazing time. We were spoilt for choice with activities, and things to do, so we still couldn’t fit in everything we wanted in a 4 day period!
We couldn’t find many blog posts that shared a variety of activities, and things to do, so we have decided to make our full comprehensive guide, to help others in the same situation! We will share the best places to visit in Paris, the best tourist places in Paris, what to eat here and more!
*This post includes affiliate links, where we might earn a small commission, however all opinions are genuine and our own.
How long should I stay in Paris?
This is such a tricky question, because there isn’t really a right or wrong answer. Due to being such a famous capital, along with the location, the prices are not cheap… This definitely isn’t a fully budget friendly spot!
We would suggest if you have a flexible budget, to aim for roughly 4/5 days, including room to go to Disneyland Paris (if this is of interest to you). With this you can focus on a lot more sightseeing, alongside seeing some more unique places to visit!
However, if you are on a tighter budget, we would recommend a 2 day break (maybe just a weekend getaway), so you can still see your most important highlights, but you aren’t having to worry as much about the costs around you! Sadly, money doesn’t stretch far in Paris.
When to visit Paris?
This again is very much down to preference. We would mostly suggest the spring and autumn months, due to the crowds being slightly smaller, but the weather being a lot more pleasant! Prices always increase around holidays so this would help with keeping a lower budget!
Quick facts about Paris
Currency : Euro €. We found card usage extremely easy here, and didn’t once handle cash!
Data while abroad : We used international roaming, which was part of our sim-contracts in the UK (most providers offer this so check with your contract).
SIM card : If you do not have roaming opportunities, you can buy an e-sim from as little as $4.50! We usually use Airalo which you can find here. They also offer a Europe-wide sim starting from $5, so we will link this here for those backpacking around Europe!
Closures : Paris is known to have some different opening hours/days. Most shops are open Monday – Saturday from 9am to 7pm, however some smaller shops have limited (or none) opening hours on Mondays. Most museums are also closed on Tuesdays. In the lesser touristic areas, a lot more places (including restaurants) are closed on Sundays.
Transport : There is some great transport options, with the metro being something we used heavily. Just make sure you are getting the right tickets, as we thought we’d found a great discount, which turned out to be the wrong ticket (and we got charged)
Where should I stay in Paris?
This trip we were lucky enough to stay with a friend of Jacks, however Paris is full of options for accommodation!
We are huge advocates of hostels, due to the lower costs, the access to social areas, and generally have found the experience a lot more enjoyable!
We will share 3 hostels below, for those who like a budget-option, those who like some privacy, and those who want to be in the centre of the city!
Hostels:
The budget traveler – Jo&Joe. This hostel is honestly such a great value for money, with dorms starting from only £19. They do offer all-female dorms also if this is something you would be interested in! There is an option for a ‘private space’ from only £24. There is lockers and USB ports within your accommodation, and you can get breakfast included as an option whilst booking! This hostel is on the outskirts of Paris, and the centre can be easily accessed by a train. Find this hostel here!
The Private Room – We chose this accommodation for it’s great location, the Plug Inn Montmartre by Hiphophostels is a great private option! These private rooms have private bathrooms (which isn’t always a guarantee when visiting regular hostels), and has an impressive location, being only 3 minutes away from the Sacré Coeur, and 2 minutes from the Moulin Rouge. This option is more pricey, being around £90 a night, with the addition of a damage deposit being required. You can find this hostel here.
The Central Option – Being only a rough 20 minutes walk from the Eiffel Tower, this hostel is great for being central, whilst not breaking the bank! The 3 Ducks offers dorm rooms from only around £33, and fun fact- this hostel is the oldest in the whole of France! You can pay additionally for breakfast whilst booking, alongside offering free wifi, maps of Paris, safety boxes and aircon. They offer live music, due to being attached to a bar, so is great for social travellers! Find this central hostel here.
Best places to visit in Paris
Museums
The Louvre – Home to the Mona Lisa, the Louvre is a world-renowned museum that is a must visit for Paris trips. With entry from €22, there is some budget options here! For the first Friday of the month, after 6pm, visitors can have free entry! There is also free admission for under 18’s, under 25 year old residents of the European Economic Area, and Disabled visitors, Art teachers, journalists etc, with valid proof. This museum is very big, so we suggest leaving a lot of free time to explore! Also be ready to walk a lot! We suggest this museum towards the start of your trip, when you have more energy!
The Centre Pompidou – Being home to the largest modern art collection in Europe, the Centre Pompidou is a cool museum to explore. The architecture is unique, and is known to be a massively revolutionary museum of it’s kind. Tickets start from roughly €15, and they offer reduced tickets €12. On the first Sunday of the month, admission to the permanent collection, and the Galerie des enfants is free for all visitors. This museum is a great for modern art lovers, however it might not be everyones cup of tea.
Musée D’Orsay – Sadly, we never found time for this amazing museum, but we still had to include it! Housed in a train station, this museum hosts an impressive collection of artwork, from artists such as Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet and Toulous-Lautrec. It also holds sculptures and a range of arts from the art nouveau era. Admission is €16, with a reduced fee of €12 on Thursdays from 6pm. The first Sunday monthly is free admissions for all visitors, however booking is necessary. There is also free tickets for those with disabilities (with a carer), those under 18, and EU Citizens under 25.
Musée des Arts Décoratifs – Housing a large textile collection, for fashion-lovers keep an eye on this spot! We recommend checking their exhibition collection for your trip dates, as some of their guest exhibitions have been impressive! Aimee was lucky enough to see the Christian Dior exhibition here a few years ago, alongside some others such as : Barbie, Harpers Bazaar, Thierry Mugler and more, with a current exhibition being for Iris Van Herpen. We would suggest going for the exhibitions, which tickets are roughly €15, which is inclusive of the permanent collections admissions too.
Galerie de paléontologie et d’anatomie comparée – Who said museums had to be just art? We visited this museum for the first time last year, and it was a great surprise! We haven’t seen this museum on many recommended lists, so we wanted to shout it out! Part of the French National Museum of Natural History, this museum is a unique one, showing the bones of many animals, and explaining the science! We saw the bones of a giant sloth which was cool, alongside dinosaur bones- how cool! Tickets are from €12, with reduced and free fares offered, similar to those mentioned above.
Tourist Attractions
The Eiffel Tower – Let’s start this list with arguably one of the most famous landmarks worldwide. The Eiffel Tower is a distinct monument, and one to tick off your list! We must say, our unpopular opinion is that we weren’t overly fussed with the Eiffel Tower, however, if you have never seen it we would suggest still making that a highly on your itinerary. There is options to go up the tower, alongside restaurants, if your budget permits this!
The Arc de Triomphe – Would you believe we found this by mistake last trip! We were walking along some of the designer shops ‘window shopping’, and ended up coming across this! It was stunning! This is a monument for those who fought and died during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic wars. We saw it at nighttime, and being all lit-up was really pretty. It a great sight to see and take a photo of, and you can also go into it! Entrance is €13 (or free for certain groups), and is great to see the skyline of Paris!
The Catacombs – Not for all, but the underground catacombs of Paris is something on our to do list! Containing the remains of over 6 million people, the catacombs is an underground maze under this famous city. Only a small amount has been explored and is open to the public. It is believed it was made due to relocation of the Parisian cemeteries. Admission is from €29, and audio guide purchase is recommended. Reduced and free rates are available for certain groups.
The Notre Dame Cathédrale – Due to the tragedy of the fire, not all of the Notre Dame has yet been rebuilt. It is due to be reopened in December 2024, but we still recommend going by if you can. We saw some amazing street performances nearby, and it is still something great to see.
The Palais Garnier – This opera house is beautiful. This historic opera house is a sight to see, with intricate architecture and stunning interiors. Entry is not free, however there is a chance to still see shows here, which if within your budget would be amazing! Even just to view outside is great.
The Sacré-Cœur Basilica – Being one of Aimee’s favourite Parisian spots, the basilica is such a sight. A roman Catholic Church at the summit of Montmarte, this building is an impressive 83m and is beautiful inside and out. We aren’t religious, but anyone can appreciate this for sure! Entry is free, however due to being up the hill, it is a little tricky to get to! So keep this in mind.
Other highlights of Paris
Food
Let’s be honest, we all know there is many foods to try in France! From sweet treats, to famous dinner dishes, there is a lot to try!
We would always suggest visiting a bakery, and trying fresh croissants, pain au chocolat, and baguettes- it’s a favourite of ours! We once brought a fresh baguette and ate it while on the metro (maybe we did get some odd looks but SO worth it)!
For lunches we suggest trying a croque monsieur, which is one of Aimee’s favourites! If not, just a nice fresh baguette sandwich is always so nice. Be sure to try some meats and cheeses- it is Paris!
For dinner if you feel up to it, escargot is a well known food from France. Alongside cuisses de grenouille… which we would know as frogs legs. Would you be willing to try these? If not, maybe opt for something like coq au vin, or a French onion soup!
Shopping/ fashion
This isn’t one of the fashion capitals for no reason! Paris is the best excuse to shop till you drop, with so many different places to browse! You will find so many shops, from big scale designers, to small brands you’ve never heard of (but will surely fall in love with)!
Maybe you would be lucky enough to visit over fashion week and get a ticket to a show! Some big designers do offer off-calendar tickets during Fashion week for others to see (who wouldn’t usually be invited), so if this is your type of thing definitely keep an eye out!
One other little thing to note is walking along the river, and browsing through artist’s prints and postcards. There is some major talent, and walking here is beautiful and interesting. Maybe you can get a tote bag of a beautiful French painted scenery!
Souvenirs
We wanted to add this fun little addition. Some great souvenirs of course include a little Eiffel Tower (usually a keyring), a beret (so iconic!), little music boxes, and snow globes! We also love postcards to collect, and since Paris is full of so many monuments there is such a massive variety of postcards to choose from!
Day trip from Paris
Disneyland Paris
We wanted to add this as an addition, since we don’t think many people think of doing it this way!
Within the centre, there is an option to train it straight into Disneyland itself! You can from there then purchase a day ticket to explore one, or both parks! Make sure you leave early to make the most of the day!
You can also book into the themed restaurants, which we did for a buffet dinner!
Let’s be honest Disney isn’t a cheap trip, but this option of doing it as a day trip does help a bit with that. Disneyland is a magical place, and definitely did enhance our trip even more. You can embrace your inner child for a day! The magic of seeing your favourite characters never dies.
What do you think?
Paris is a beautiful city filled with amazing things to do, just remember to budget well, and keep costs in mind!
We hope this guide helps to build your perfect Paris itinerary for your cheeky trip to the city of love! Let us know your thoughts below, and if you would add anything else!
Like this post? Share it with friends to plan your next trip!
Known as the city of love, this French capital is bursting with amazing things to do and see. Perfect for last minute vacations, or to find amazing luxury hotels of world, or even to just see lots of tourist attractions, Paris has it all.
We visited in February 2023, and it was such a beautiful trip! After visiting over Valentine’s Day, we had such an amazing time. Being spoilt for choice with activities, and things to do, we still couldn’t fit in everything we wanted in a 4 day period!
We couldn’t find many blog posts that shared a variety of activities, and things to do, so we have decided to make our full comprehensive guide, to help others in the same situation! We will share the best places to visit in Paris, the best tourist places in Paris, what to eat here and more!
*This post includes affiliate links, where we might earn a small commission, however all opinions are genuine and our own.
This is such a tricky question, because there isn’t really a right or wrong answer. Due to being such a famous capital, along with the location, the prices are not cheap… This definitely isn’t a fully budget friendly spot!
We would suggest if you have a flexible budget, to aim for roughly 4/5 days, including room to go to Disneyland Paris (if this is of interest to you). With this you can focus on a lot more sightseeing, alongside seeing some more unique places to visit!
However, if you are on a tighter budget, we would recommend a 2 day break (maybe just a weekend getaway), so you can still see your most important highlights, but you aren’t having to worry as much about the costs around you! Sadly, money doesn’t stretch far in Paris.
When to visit Paris?
This again is very much down to preference. We would mostly suggest the spring and autumn months, due to the crowds being slightly smaller, but the weather being a lot more pleasant! Prices always increase around holidays so this would help with keeping a lower budget!
Quick facts about Paris
Currency : Euro €. We found card usage extremely easy here, and didn’t once handle cash!
Data while abroad : We used international roaming, which was part of our sim-contracts in the UK (most providers offer this so check with your contract).
SIM card : If you do not have roaming opportunities, you can buy an e-sim from as little as $4.50! We usually use Airalo which you can find here. They also offer a Europe-wide sim starting from $5, so we will link this here for those backpacking around Europe!
Closures : Paris is known to have some different opening hours/days. Most shops are open Monday – Saturday from 9am to 7pm, however some smaller shops have limited (or none) opening hours on Mondays. Most museums are also closed on Tuesdays. In the lesser touristic areas, a lot more places (including restaurants) are closed on Sundays.
Transport : There is some great transport options, with the metro being something we used heavily. Just make sure you are getting the right tickets, as we thought we’d found a great discount, which turned out to be the wrong ticket (and we got charged)! Trainline offer a variety of train routes in France, so definitely check them out here!
Where should I stay in Paris?
This trip we were lucky enough to stay with a friend of Jacks, however Paris is full of options for accommodation!
We are huge advocates of hostels, due to the lower costs, the access to social areas, and generally have found the experience a lot more enjoyable!
We will share 3 hostels below, for those who like a budget-option, those who like some privacy, and those who want to be in the centre of the city!
Hostels:
The budget traveler – Jo&Joe. This hostel is honestly such a great value for money, with dorms starting from only £19. They do offer all-female dorms also if this is something you would be interested in! There is an option for a ‘private space’ from only £24. There are lockers and USB ports within your accommodation, and you can get breakfast included as an option whilst booking! This hostel is on the outskirts of Paris, and the centre can be easily accessed by a train. Find this hostel here!
The Private Room – We chose this accommodation for it’s great location, the Plug Inn Montmartre by Hiphophostels is a great private option! These private rooms have private bathrooms (which isn’t always a guarantee when visiting regular hostels), and has an impressive location, being only 3 minutes away from the Sacré Coeur, and 2 minutes from the Moulin Rouge. This option is more pricey, being around £90 a night, with the addition of a damage deposit being required. You can find this hostel here.
The Central Option – Being only a rough 20 minutes walk from the Eiffel Tower, this hostel is great for being central, whilst not breaking the bank! The 3 Ducksoffers dorm rooms from only around £33, and fun fact- this hostel is the oldest in the whole of France! You can pay additionally for breakfast whilst booking, alongside offering free wifi, maps of Paris, safety boxes and aircon. They offer live music, due to being attached to a bar, so is great for social travellers! Find this central hostel here.
Best places to visit in Paris
Museums
The Louvre – Home to the Mona Lisa, the Louvre is a world-renowned museum that is a must visit for Paris trips. With entry from €22, there is some budget options here! For the first Friday of the month, after 6pm, visitors can have free entry! There is also free admission for under 18’s, under 25 year old residents of the European Economic Area, and Disabled visitors, Art teachers, journalists etc, with valid proof. This museum is very big, so we suggest leaving a lot of free time to explore! Also be ready to walk a lot! We suggest this museum towards the start of your trip, when you have more energy! Find tickets here.
The Centre Pompidou– Being home to the largest modern art collection in Europe, the Centre Pompidou is a cool museum to explore. The architecture is unique, and is known to be a massively revolutionary museum of it’s kind. Tickets start from roughly €15, and they offer reduced tickets €12. On the first Sunday of the month, admission to the permanent collection, and the Galerie des enfants is free for all visitors. This museum is a great for modern art lovers, however it might not be everyones cup of tea. Find self-guided audio tickets here.
Musée D’Orsay – Sadly, we never found time for this amazing museum, but we still had to include it! Housed in a train station, this museum hosts an impressive collection of artwork, from artists such as Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet and Toulous-Lautrec. It also holds sculptures and a range of arts from the art nouveau era. Admission is €16, with a reduced fee of €12 on Thursdays from 6pm. The first Sunday monthly is free admissions for all visitors, however booking is necessary. There is also free tickets for those with disabilities (with a carer), those under 18, and EU Citizens under 25. Find tickets here.
Musée des Arts Décoratifs – Housing a large textile collection, for fashion-lovers keep an eye on this spot! We recommend checking their exhibition collection for your trip dates, as some of their guest exhibitions have been impressive! Aimee was lucky enough to see the Christian Dior exhibition here a few years ago, alongside some others such as : Barbie, Harpers Bazaar, Thierry Mugler and more, with a current exhibition being for Iris Van Herpen. We would suggest going for the exhibitions, which tickets are roughly €15, which is inclusive of the permanent collections admissions too.
Galerie de paléontologie et d’anatomie comparée – Who said museums had to be just art? We visited this museum for the first time last year, and it was a great surprise! We haven’t seen this museum on many recommended lists, so we wanted to shout it out! Part of the French National Museum of Natural History, this museum is a unique one, showing the bones of many animals, and explaining the science! We saw the bones of a giant sloth which was cool, alongside dinosaur bones- how cool! Tickets are from €12, with reduced and free fares offered, similar to those mentioned above.
Tourist Attractions
The Eiffel Tower – Let’s start this list with arguably one of the most famous landmarks worldwide. The Eiffel Tower is a distinct monument, and one to tick off your list! We must say, our unpopular opinion is that we weren’t overly fussed with the Eiffel Tower, however, if you have never seen it we would suggest still making that a highly on your itinerary. There is options to go up the tower, alongside restaurants, if your budget permits this! Find tickets here, that allow access to the summit if you want to visit!
The Arc de Triomphe– Would you believe we found this by mistake last trip! We were walking along some of the designer shops ‘window shopping’, and ended up coming across this! It was stunning! This is a monument for those who fought and died during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic wars. We saw it at nighttime, and being all lit-up was really pretty. It a great sight to see and take a photo of, and you can also go into it! Entrance is €13 (or free for certain groups), and is great to see the skyline of Paris! Find rooftop access tickets here.
The Catacombs – Not for all, but the underground catacombs of Paris is something on our to do list! Containing the remains of over 6 million people, the catacombs is an underground maze under this famous city. Only a small amount has been explored and is open to the public. It is believed it was made due to relocation of the Parisian cemeteries. Admission is from €29, and audio guide purchase is recommended. Reduced and free rates are available for certain groups. See this combined tour of the Catacombs, and a river cruise, with audio guidehere!
The Notre Dame Cathédrale – Due to the tragedy of the fire, not all of the Notre Dame has yet been rebuilt. It is due to be reopened in December 2024, but we still recommend going by if you can. We saw some amazing street performances nearby, and it is still something great to see.
The Palais Garnier– This opera house is beautiful. This historic opera house is a sight to see, with intricate architecture and stunning interiors. Entry is not free, however there is a chance to still see shows here, which if within your budget would be amazing! Even just to view outside is great. Enjoy a full tour and sightseeing river cruise here.
The Sacré-Cœur Basilica– Being one of Aimee’s favourite Parisian spots, the basilica is such a sight. A roman Catholic Church at the summit of Montmarte, this building is an impressive 83m and is beautiful inside and out. We aren’t religious, but anyone can appreciate this for sure! Entry is free, however due to being up the hill, it is a little tricky to get to! So keep this in mind. This full guided walking tour around Montemarte explores areas around the Sacré-Cœur, visiting sights like the Moulin Rouge and the Place du Tertre. Find tickets here.
Other highlights of Paris
Food
Let’s be honest, we all know there is many foods to try in France! From sweet treats, to famous dinner dishes, there is a lot to try!
We would always suggest visiting a bakery, and trying fresh croissants, pain au chocolat, and baguettes- it’s a favourite of ours! We once brought a fresh baguette and ate it while on the metro (maybe we did get some odd looks but SO worth it)!
For lunches we suggest trying a croque monsieur, which is one of Aimee’s favourites! If not, just a nice fresh baguette sandwich is always so nice. Be sure to try some meats and cheeses- it is Paris!
For dinner if you feel up to it, escargot is a well known food from France. Alongside cuisses de grenouille… which we would know as frogs legs. Would you be willing to try these? If not, maybe opt for something like coq au vin, or a French onion soup!
This food tourwill take you around the 16th Arrondissement with a local, allowing you to try different French pastries and chocolates, all whilst learning about famous French literature from Ernest Hemingway to Victor Hugo. Find tickets here.
Shopping/ fashion
This isn’t one of the fashion capitals for no reason! Paris is the best excuse to shop till you drop, with so many different places to browse! You will find so many shops, from big scale designers, to small brands you’ve never heard of (but will surely fall in love with)!
Maybe you would be lucky enough to visit over fashion week and get a ticket to a show! Some big designers do offer off-calendar tickets during Fashion week for others to see (who wouldn’t usually be invited), so if this is your type of thing definitely keep an eye out!
One other little thing to note is walking along the river, and browsing through artist’s prints and postcards. There is some major talent, and walking here is beautiful and interesting. Maybe you can get a tote bag of a beautiful French painted scenery!
Paris is always world renowned for amazing fashion and designers, so experience luxury and create an unforgettable souvenir with Lady Gaga’s hat maker, in a truly unique workshop experience! Learn about hat making craftsmanship skills, discover pieces for by Lady Gaga, and choose your colours, shape and accoutrements ready fro your made-to measure hat! Find this experience here.
Souvenirs
We wanted to add this fun little addition. Some great souvenirs of course include a little Eiffel Tower (usually a keyring), a beret (so iconic!), little music boxes, and snow globes! We also love postcards to collect, and since Paris is full of so many monuments there is such a massive variety of postcards to choose from!
Day trip from Paris
Disneyland Paris
We wanted to add this as an addition, since we don’t think many people think of doing it this way!
Within the centre, there is an option to train it straight into Disneyland itself! You can from there then purchase a day ticket to explore one, or both parks! Make sure you leave early to make the most of the day!
You can also book into the themed restaurants, which we did for a buffet dinner!
Let’s be honest Disney isn’t a cheap trip, but this option of doing it as a day trip does help a bit with that. Disneyland is a magical place, and definitely did enhance our trip even more. You can embrace your inner child for a day! The magic of seeing your favourite characters never dies.
What do you think of Paris?
Paris is a beautiful city filled with amazing things to do, just remember to budget well, and keep costs in mind!
We hope this guide helps to build your perfect Paris itinerary for your cheeky trip to the city of love! Let us know your thoughts below, and if you would add anything else!
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