1-Day Montmartre Itinerary
If you're visiting Paris, spending a day exploring Montmartre should be high on your itinerary. Known for its artistic history, charming streets, and village-like atmosphere, Montmartre offers a completely different side of the French capital.
Perched on the highest hill in Paris, this historic neighbourhood feels like a quaint French village tucked away from the city's busy boulevards. With its winding cobbled streets, cosy cafés, talented street artists, and the iconic Sacré-Cœur Basilica overlooking the Paris skyline, Montmartre is one of the most picturesque areas to explore. Whether you're visiting for the first time or returning to discover more hidden corners, this 1-day itinerary covers the highlights and our favourite spots to help you make the most of your visit.
Things to Do in Montmarte
Despite its compact size, Montmartre is packed with things to see and do. Whether you're interested in history, art, architecture, or simply soaking up the atmosphere, you could easily spend an entire day wandering its charming streets.
The best way to experience Montmartre is simply to wander. While there are plenty of famous landmarks to tick off, some of our favourite moments came from getting lost down quiet side streets, stumbling across hidden cafés, and discovering beautiful corners away from the busiest crowds.
Here are some our of our highlights from our day in Montmartre:
Wander the Streets of Montmartre
One of the best things to do in Montmartre isn't a landmark at all - it's simply getting lost.
Unlike many parts of Paris, Montmartre is best explored without a strict plan. Wander through the winding cobbled streets, climb hidden staircases, and turn down whichever alley catches your eye. Around almost every corner you'll find colourful cafés, ivy-covered houses, independent boutiques, street art, and viewpoints overlooking the rooftops of Paris.
Some of our favourite moments came when we stepped away from the main attractions and explored the quieter side streets. They were far less crowded, full of character, and felt like a world away from the busy city below.
Our advice? Put the map away for a while and just explore. Montmartre is one of those places where every street has something to offer, and sometimes the best discoveries are the ones you weren't looking for.
Experience the Artists of Place du Tertre
When strolling around Montmartre, it's almost inevitable that you'll stumble upon Place du Tertre, the neighbourhood's artistic heart. This lively square has been a gathering place for artists for more than a century and remains one of its most iconic spots.
Today, dozens of painters, sketch artists, and caricaturists fill the square, creating portraits and showcasing their work throughout the day. Even if you're not planning on sitting for a portrait, it's worth spending some time here to watch the artists at work and soak up the atmosphere. The surrounding cafés are the perfect place to pause for a coffee while taking in the energy of the square.
It can get busy, especially during the middle of the day, so we recommend visiting earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon if you'd like a quieter experience. Whether you're browsing the artwork or taking home a hand-drawn souvenir, Place du Tertre is a stop that perfectly captures Montmartre's creative spirit.
Where to Eat in Montmartre?
Some of the best travel memories come from completely unplanned moments, and this was certainly one of them.
While wandering through the streets of Montmartre, we spotted a couple dining outside a small restaurant, enjoying what looked like a rich beef stew served with incredibly creamy mashed potatoes. It immediately caught both of our attention. We carried on exploring for a little longer, but neither of us could stop thinking about it, so we turned around and headed straight back.
The restaurant was a charming little spot called Mamie Colette, tucked away on one of Montmartre's quieter streets. With just a handful of tables and a single waitress looking after the restaurant, it had a warm, intimate atmosphere that felt a world away from the busy tourist hotspots nearby.
Although we glanced through the menu, we'd already made our decision. We ordered the traditional Beef Bourguignon with French aligot, a wonderfully rich and tender slow-cooked beef stew served with aligot - a silky, cheesy mashed potato that stretches with every spoonful. It was without question the best Beef Bourguignon we've ever eaten and quickly became one of our favourite meals from our time in Paris.
If you're looking to experience authentic French comfort food while exploring Montmartre, we'd highly recommend adding Mamie Colette to your itinerary.
Visit the Sacré-Cœur Basilica
No visit to Montmartre is complete without seeing the magnificent Sacré-Cœur Basilica. Sitting at the highest point in Paris, this iconic white-domed church is visible from across the city and offers some of the best panoramic views of the French capital.
The basilica is free to enter, making it one of the best-value attractions in Paris. Inside, you'll find beautiful mosaics, impressive architecture, and a peaceful atmosphere that provides a welcome escape from the busy streets outside. If you're happy to tackle even more steps, you can also climb to the dome for an even higher viewpoint over Paris (for an additional fee).
Outside, the wide staircase leading up to Sacré-Cœur is almost as famous as the basilica itself. It's a popular place to sit and admire the skyline, listen to street musicians, or simply watch the world go by. We recommend visiting in the morning if you'd like to avoid the biggest crowds, although the views are just as spectacular later in the day.
Whether you're interested in its history, architecture, or simply the incredible views, Sacré-Cœur is undoubtedly the highlight of any visit to Montmartre and a place you won't want to miss.
