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The Definitive Guide

Do the Eiffel Tower Right.

Less stress. More magic.

Tickets Views Secret Angles Food Walks Day Plans
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The Experience

Not Just a Monument.
A Masterpiece of Moments.

324 metres of iron, 20,000 light bulbs, and 7 million visitors a year. The Eiffel Tower isn't just something you see — it's something you feel. We'll show you how to feel it at its absolute best.

Eiffel Tower at night with golden lights Night Sparkle
Eiffel Tower from Trocadéro gardens Trocadéro View
Eiffel Tower at sunset golden hour Golden Hour
Eiffel Tower wide shot across Seine Seine View
Eiffel Tower in spring with cherry blossoms Spring Bloom
0m Height
0 Year Built
0M+ Visitors/Year
0 Light Bulbs

Tickets & Access

Skip the Chaos.
Master the Entry.

Elevator or stairs? Summit or second floor? Morning or twilight? We decode every ticket type, every entry route, and every time slot so you never waste a second in the wrong queue.

Summit Access

Elevator to the top. The ultimate Paris panorama from 276m.

From €26.80

Second Floor

Elevator ride to the viewing platform at 116m. Best for most visitors.

From €17.10

Stairs + Elevator

Walk up to the 2nd floor, then elevator to the summit. The adventurer's route.

From €20.40

Stairs Only

674 steps to the 2nd floor. Shorter queues, deeper experience.

From €10.70
View Full Ticket Guide →

Timing Is Everything

When the Tower
Truly Shines.

Sunrise over Paris

Early Morning

9:00 – 10:30

Shortest queues. Crisp light. The tower almost to yourself.

Low crowds
Paris midday skyline

Midday

11:00 – 15:00

Peak crowds. Harsh light. Best avoided unless it's your only window.

Heavy crowds
Eiffel Tower sunset golden hour

Golden Hour

17:00 – 19:00 (summer)

Warm light paints the iron gold. The most photogenic hour of all.

Moderate crowds
Eiffel Tower light show at night

Night Sparkle

Every hour on the hour

20,000 bulbs glitter for 5 minutes. Pure Parisian magic from Trocadéro.

Moderate crowds

Viewpoints

Where to Stand.
What You'll See.

The Eiffel Tower looks different from every angle. These are the spots locals guard jealously and photographers wake up early for.

Trocadéro esplanade with Eiffel Tower
01

Trocadéro Esplanade

The classic, head-on view. Arrive before 8am for photos without selfie sticks in every frame.

Best time: Sunrise Crowd level: High by 10am
Champ de Mars gardens facing Eiffel Tower
02

Champ de Mars

Lay on the grass, look up. The full tower framed by lawns and sky. Ideal for picnics.

Pont de Bir-Hakeim bridge with Eiffel Tower
03

Pont de Bir-Hakeim

The cinematic bridge from Inception. Iron arches frame the tower in layers of steel and light.

Rue de l'Université street view of Eiffel Tower
04

Rue de l'Université

A narrow street with Haussmann buildings framing the tower perfectly. Paris at its most cinematic.

Seine River cruise view of Eiffel Tower
05

Seine River Cruise

Watch the tower drift past from the water. The reflection doubles the magic at twilight.

Photo Spots

Your Best Shot
Is Waiting.

Fast shots, cinematic compositions, and secret angles that most tourists walk right past. Know exactly where to stand and when to shoot.

Eiffel Tower through tree branches

Through the Trees

Champ de Mars, southeast corner

Eiffel Tower reflection in puddle

Rain Reflection

Trocadéro after rain

Eiffel Tower from below looking up

Look Up

Directly beneath the tower

Paris rooftop panorama with Eiffel Tower

Rooftop Panorama

The 7th arrondissement rooftops

Eiffel Tower at blue hour

Blue Hour

Pont d'Iéna, 30 min after sunset

Street with Eiffel Tower in background

Street Frame

Avenue de Camoëns

Eat & Drink

Taste the View.
Savour the Walk.

From Michelin-starred restaurants to baguette picnics on the grass — the best way to eat around the Eiffel Tower, whether you're on a budget or celebrating.

Fine dining restaurant

Fine Dining

Le Jules Verne and more — Michelin stars with a view.

Parisian cafe terrace

Café Culture

Croissants, espresso, and people-watching in the 7th.

Picnic spread on grass

Picnic on the Grass

Baguette, cheese, wine. Champ de Mars. That's the plan.

Bakery with fresh pastries

Budget Bites

Crêpes, falafel, and bakeries within a 10-minute walk.

Explore Dining Guide →

Neighborhoods

Beyond the Tower.
Into the Soul of Paris.

The Eiffel Tower sits at the crossroads of Paris's most enchanting neighborhoods. Each one offers a different flavor of the city.

7th Arrondissement Parisian streets

7th Arrondissement

The tower's home turf. Grand boulevards, hidden gardens, and the best walk-up views in the city.

You're already here
Trocadéro and 16th arrondissement

Trocadéro & 16th

The grand viewpoint, Art Deco palaces, and the quieter, more elegant side of Paris.

10 min walk across the Seine
Champ de Mars park

Champ de Mars

The grand lawn stretching to École Militaire. Joggers, lovers, and the best sunset picnic spot.

Steps from the base
Les Invalides dome

Les Invalides

Napoleon's tomb, military history, and a golden dome that rivals the tower's sparkle.

15 min walk southeast

Day Plans

Your Perfect Day,
Planned to the Hour.

Whether you have 2 hours or 2 days, we've mapped every minute so you don't waste a single one.

Quick visit Eiffel Tower
2 Hours

The Express Visit

Short on time? See the tower, snap the shot, grab a crêpe. Efficient, unforgettable.

  • Trocadéro photo stop
  • Walk across Pont d'Iéna
  • Tower base + Champ de Mars
View Itinerary →
Half day Eiffel Tower experience
Half Day

The Golden Afternoon

The signature experience. Ascend, eat, wander, and catch the sunset from the perfect spot.

  • Ascend to the Summit
  • Lunch at Café de l'Homme
  • Champ de Mars picnic
  • Sunset from Bir-Hakeim
View Itinerary →
Full day Eiffel Tower and surroundings
Full Day

Tower & Beyond

Dawn to sparkle. The complete Eiffel Tower day with neighborhoods, food, and hidden gems.

  • Early morning ascent
  • Rue Cler market walk
  • Seine-side lunch
  • Les Invalides visit
  • Night sparkle from Trocadéro
View Itinerary →

Walking Routes

Walk Paris
Like You Live Here.

Seine riverside walk
3.2 km 45 min Easy

The Seine Promenade

From the tower base along the riverbank to Pont Alexandre III. Paris at water level.

Champ de Mars to Invalides walk
2.8 km 40 min Easy

Tower to Golden Dome

Champ de Mars through elegant streets to Napoleon's golden-domed Invalides.

Trocadéro gardens walk
4.5 km 60 min Moderate

The Photographer's Loop

Hit every major Eiffel Tower photo angle in one glorious loop through both banks.

Common Questions

Everything You Need
to Know.

Quick answers to the most common questions about visiting the Eiffel Tower.

How much do Eiffel Tower tickets cost in 2026?

Adult ticket prices for 2026: Stairs to 2nd floor €10.70, elevator to 2nd floor €17.10, stairs + elevator to summit €20.40, and elevator to summit €26.80. Children under 4 enter free. Reduced rates are available for ages 4–11 and youth 12–24 on select tickets.

What is the best time to visit the Eiffel Tower?

Early morning (9:00–10:30) has the shortest queues and best light. Golden hour (17:00–19:00 in summer) is the most photogenic. Avoid midday (11:00–15:00) when crowds are heaviest. The nightly light show sparkles every hour on the hour after dark.

Should I take the stairs or the elevator?

Stairs (674 steps, €10.70) offer shorter queues, unique close-up views of the ironwork, and a more intimate experience. The elevator is required to reach the summit at 276m. The best compromise: stairs to the 2nd floor then elevator to the summit (€20.40).

How far in advance should I book tickets?

Book 60 days ahead when tickets are released. Summit elevator slots sell out within days during peak season (June–September). Morning slots (9:00–10:30) have the shortest waits. Arrive 15 minutes before your time slot for security screening.

What are the Eiffel Tower opening hours?

Mid-June to early September: 9:00–00:45 (stairs close at midnight). Rest of the year: 9:30–23:45 (stairs close at 18:00). The tower is open every day of the year.

Where are the best photo spots?

Top spots: Trocadéro Esplanade (classic frontal view, arrive before 8am), Pont de Bir-Hakeim (cinematic framing), Rue de l'Université (Haussmann street view), Champ de Mars (lay on the grass, look up), and Seine River (twilight reflections).

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the Eiffel Tower?

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