Is Paris worth visiting? An unfiltered review after visiting the City of Love

Every time I write an article like this, I know it comes with a certain level of privilege.

Not everyone has the opportunity to leave their hometown, let alone travel internationally and stand beneath the Eiffel Tower.

So who am I to complain about a place that millions of people dream of visiting? Shouldn’t I simply feel grateful that I had the chance to experience Paris?

At the same time, I think honest travel writing has its place.

Not everyone has the luxury of visiting every destination on their bucket list. Sometimes, they only have the time and money for one big trip.

And when that happens, reading different perspectives can help them decide whether a place matches their expectations, interests, and travel style.

So if you are currently deciding whether Paris is worth visiting, especially if you have to choose between Paris and another destination, I hope this will help.

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Paris: The good

Stunning views and beautiful architecture

There’s a reason why millions of people visit Paris each year and millions more dream of visiting.

That’s because Paris is beautiful.

I have not explored every corner of the city, but the places I visited left a strong impression on me.

Standing at the top of Montmartre, overlooking the rooftops of Paris, was one of those moments when the city genuinely felt like it belonged in a movie.

The view from Sacré-Cœur Basilica was especially memorable, with the city stretching endlessly into the distance.

What impressed me most was not just the famous landmarks, but also the smaller details.

The intricate carvings on old buildings, the grand boulevards, the elegant balconies, and the historic churches made me want to stop and look at them for hours instead of simply walking past.

And of course, there is nothing quite like seeing the Eiffel Tower in real life for the first time. No matter how many photos or videos you have seen, standing in front of it feels different.

Paris (at least some parts of it) has a way of making everyday scenes look cinematic.

A quiet street lined with old buildings, a couple sitting outside a cafe, or even a random corner with flowers spilling from a window box can feel like a postcard.

A city of art and culture

Paris has long been considered one of the world’s greatest cultural capitals.

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the city became a major hub for artists, writers, and intellectuals.

Famous figures such as Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, Claude Monet, and many others either lived in Paris or spent significant periods of their lives there.

This artistic legacy is still visible today.

Paris is home to some of the world’s most famous museums, including the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and Centre Pompidou.

Whether you are interested in Renaissance paintings, Impressionist masterpieces, modern art, or ancient artefacts, Paris has something to offer.

The city is also an architectural treasure chest. Walking through Paris feels like moving through centuries of history.

You can find medieval structures, Gothic masterpieces, Haussmann-era buildings, and modern architectural designs all within the same city.

The Gothic style, in particular, has deep roots in France, with iconic examples such as Notre-Dame Cathedral and Sainte-Chapelle showcasing the incredible craftsmanship of medieval builders.

For travellers who love art, history, and architecture, Paris is almost impossible to ignore.

Fashion capital of the world

Paris’ reputation as the fashion capital of the world needs little introduction.

Some of the biggest names in fashion history are French, including Chanel, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Hermès, and Louis Vuitton.

France’s influence on fashion can be traced back centuries, particularly to the reign of Louis XIV, when fashion became closely associated with French culture, luxury, and status.

Today, Paris remains one of the world’s most important fashion cities. Twice a year, designers, celebrities, models, and fashion enthusiasts gather for Paris Fashion Week, one of the biggest events in the global fashion calendar.

But honestly, you don’t need an invitation to a runway show to appreciate Parisian style.

Just step out onto the streets and be prepared to feel frumpy next to the Parisians’ understated, effortless elegance. 😂

Cafe culture: the Parisian way of life

One of the things that makes Paris special is its cafe culture.

The first cafes appeared in Paris in the 17th century, and over time, they became much more than places to drink coffee.

Historically, cafes served as meeting points for writers, philosophers, artists, and intellectuals to exchange ideas.

Today, they remain an important part of everyday Parisian life.

Unlike many places where people grab coffee quickly before rushing to work, Parisians often take their time.

Sitting outside a cafe, sipping coffee, reading a book, or simply watching people walk by is almost a cultural experience in itself.

Even if you are not a coffee lover, spending a slow morning at a Parisian cafe is something I would recommend.

Order a drink, enjoy a pastry, and give yourself permission to do absolutely nothing for a while.

French cuisine: more than just “kwa-sons”

French cuisine has long been regarded as one of the world’s most influential culinary traditions, and Paris is one of the best places to experience it.

Of course, there are the classics everyone knows: buttery croissants, fresh baguettes, macarons, cheese, wine, and delicate French pastries. But Paris offers much more than the foods that appear on every travel checklist.

The city is home to countless restaurants, from tiny neighborhood bistros to world-renowned fine dining establishments.

For travelers who enjoy food, Paris is a place where even a simple meal can become a memorable experience.

Whether you want to splurge on an unforgettable tasting menu or simply sit at a small cafe with a croissant and coffee, Paris makes eating part of the journey.

The only thing standing between you and unlimited indulgence?

Your wallet.

Paris: The bad

Overtourism

Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world, and it definitely feels like it.

No matter when you visit, chances are you’ll be sharing the city’s most famous attractions with thousands of other people.

During peak season, expect long queues for landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Palace of Versailles. Even in the shoulder seasons, popular attractions can get incredibly busy.

Unfortunately, overtourism brings other problems too. Prices around major attractions tend to be hiked up, public transportation can become packed, and iconic photo spots often require a lot of patience.

And then there’s something many travel brochures conveniently leave out.

Like any major capital city, Paris isn’t spotless.

It struggles with traffic, litter, graffiti, unpleasant smells, and petty crime. If you’ve built up an image of Paris as one giant outdoor movie set, the reality can come as a surprise.

Rude locals

One of the most persistent stereotypes about Paris is that the locals are a tad unfriendly.

In surveys conducted by the Baltic News Network and The Daily Mail, France topped the list as one of the rudest countries in the world.

I’d also heard countless stories about rude waiters, impatient shopkeepers, and Parisians refusing to speak English even when they very well can.

Naturally, I was curious to see whether the stereotype was true.

The answer?

Yes… and no.

Like most large cities, people in Paris tend to be busy. They usually aren’t interested in making small talk with strangers, especially during rush hour.

If you’re coming from a culture where cashiers, waiters, or random people on the street regularly chat with you, Paris can feel noticeably less warm.

Personally, I didn’t have any particularly bad encounters.

Were people overly friendly? Not really.

Were they as rude as the internet makes them out to be? Not in my experience.

Scams and pickpockets

Paris is generally safe, but it’s also one of Europe’s biggest tourist destinations, which unfortunately makes it a magnet for scammers and pickpockets.

One of the most common scams involves someone approaching you with a clipboard and asking you to sign a petition.

Once you do, they may pressure you into making a donation or use the distraction while an accomplice targets your belongings.

Other common scams include the “friendship bracelet” trick, the gold ring scam, fake ticket sellers, and distraction thefts on public transportation.

None of these scams are unique to Paris, but they’re common enough that it’s worth being prepared.

Homelessness

Like many major cities around the world, Paris has a visible homelessness problem.

During my visit, I saw people sleeping beneath bridges, in doorways, and on metal grates above subway ventilation shafts, where the warm air offered some relief from the cold.

It’s not something you’ll often find mentioned in travel guidebooks, but it’s a reminder that beneath Paris’ romantic image lies a real city with real social challenges.

The postcard version of Paris certainly exists.

But so does everything outside the frame.

“Paris Syndrome”

As beautiful as Paris is, not everyone who visits leaves happy.

For some people, the overwhelming sense of disappointment is so intense that there’s even a medical term for it: Paris syndrome.

It’s a psychological condition in which visitors experience intense disappointment because the real Paris doesn’t match the idealized version they had imagined.

Considered an extreme form of culture shock, Paris syndrome can even manifest in physical symptoms such as anxiety, dizziness, hallucinations, and vomiting.

Most documented cases have involved Japanese tourists, whose expectations of Paris are sometimes shaped by highly romanticized portrayals in popular culture.

Imagine expecting every street to look like a movie set and everyone to be endlessly romantic.

Now imagine arriving in a noisy capital city with traffic jams, graffiti, crowded trains, impatient commuters, litter, and people simply trying to get through their workday.

Combined with physical exhaustion, homesickness, and cultural barriers, that can be quite an emotional whiplash.

Every year, the Japanese embassy in Paris reportedly repatriates up to 20 tourists experiencing severe symptoms, often with a doctor accompanying them. The embassy has also operated a 24-hour helpline to assist those affected.

Paris Syndrome was first identified in the 1980s and, although it remains relatively rare, cases continue to be reported.

While it has historically been associated almost exclusively with Japanese tourists, there have also been reports of Chinese tourists experiencing similar symptoms.

The verdict

So…

Is Paris the most beautiful city in the world?

For me, no.

Having traveled to more than 60 countries across four continents, I’ve visited many places that I personally found more beautiful.

New Zealand left me speechless. Santorini was stunning. Bali has landscapes that I could never get tired of.

Even within Europe, I found myself falling harder for cities like Porto, Prague, Amsterdam, and Bruges.

But that’s the thing about beauty. It’s deeply personal.

Is Paris worth visiting?

Yes.

Despite everything I’ve said, I still think Paris is worth visiting.

You just need to visit it for the right reasons.

If you’re expecting every street to look like a postcard and every moment to feel like a romantic movie, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.

If, however, you appreciate art, history, architecture, museums, food, and centuries of culture packed into one city, Paris offers an incredible amount to explore.

Just remember that it’s also a modern capital city.

Streets get dirty, tourists crowd the landmarks, scammers target visitors, and homeless people sleep on sidewalks.

Those realities don’t necessarily make Paris a bad destination. They simply make it… real.

Maybe that’s why I don’t think Paris is overrated. I think our expectations of Paris are.

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Have you visited Paris? Did you like it? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Here is a video of my trip to Paris in 2013: