Stunning Views From the Eiffel Tower (Climbing Tips, Photo Diary +FAQs)
Planning to visit the Eiffel Tower but want to get a sneak peek of what you’ll get? This post will give you tips plus photos of the views from the Eiffel Tower!
The Eiffel Tower is no doubt the most famous landmark in France and the country’s international icon. With such, it’s no surprise that climbing it is on everyone’s bucket list for Paris.
But before climbing it, many people usually ask themselves the kind of views they can get from there! Yes, the Eiffel Tower provides some of the best views of Paris but what exactly do you see from up there?
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To help you answer that question, I’ve put together this article that shows some of the best views from the Eiffel tower, both in pictorial and in notes.
Spoiler alert; The view from the top of the Eiffel Tower is incredibly amazing; just breathtaking!
Psst… If you’re looking for places to enjoy the views of the Eiffel Tower itself instead? Read this post! Also, I have a post that shows all the best Eiffel Tower photo spots that are worth checking out.
Before you get to enjoy the views from the top of the Eiffel Tower, you need to know some details about climbing it.
At this point, I will assume that you know some of the history and facts about Paris and the Eiffel Tower in particular so I’ll not go into those details instead I’ll go straight to the actual moment of climbing it and the views you’ll enjoy when you reach the summit.
Before You Go, Here’s How to Plan Your Visit To Paris: Practical Quick Tips
WHERE TO STAY
Best Eiffel Tower Views: Hôtel Le Walt (8.9)
Luxury stay: Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel (8.3)
Mid-range stay: Hôtel Eiffel (8.6)
Budget Stay: People – Paris Bercy (8.8)
Apartment Rental: Résidence Charles Floquet (9.2)
BEST GUIDED TOURS
Louvre Museum guided tour: (4.5/5)
Seine River Dinner Cruise: (4.7/5)
Montmartre Walking Tour: (4.8/5)
Le Marais Walking Food Tour: (4.9/5)
Versailles Guided Tour: (4.7/5)
Eiffel Tower Guided Tour: (4.7/5)
Private Transfer from CDG Airport to Paris: (4.7/10)
MUST-DO EXPERIENCES HAPPENING NOW IN PARIS
Château de Lumières in Vincennes: A fascinating show on the history of the château through the centuries
Candlelight show: Perfect if you want to be treated to a candlelit music show in a beautiful Parisian venue: (4.8/10)
Cabaret at Moulin Rouge: A cabaret in the iconic Moulin Rouge is a must: (4.7/10)
Psst… Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation, and more. If you’re considering travel insurance for your trip, check out World Nomads.
How To Climb The Eiffel Tower
There are 2 ways to climb the Eiffel Tower; you can either take the steps or the elevator! In brief, it is either “Steps to the second floor + elevator to the summit” or “Elevator to the second floor + elevator to the summit” I’ll explain each in detail!
Climbing the Eiffel Tower by steps
To go to the top of the Eiffel Tower by steps, you’ll need to take 674 steps to reach the second floor! From there, you can take an elevator to the summit because it’s not allowed to take the steps from that point.
I recommend taking the steps if you’re in good shape as it can be quite challenging if you’re in bad shape!
I actually took the steps the first time I climbed the Eiffel Tower because I wanted to take on the challenge! It was a bit tiring as you’d imagine compared to the elevator but it’s more exciting and rewarding.
Where to buy the tickets for stairs + elevator?
If you opt for stairs+elevator, unfortunately, you can’t buy the tickets online! You’d have to buy the tickets onsite! The queue is usually not long since not so many people want to take use this option!
One of the advantages of taking the steps on top of the thrilling experience is that the ticket is way cheaper compared to taking the Elevator. This is one way to save money if you’re traveling on a budget.
Pro tip* Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes!
Climbing the Eiffel Tower By Elevator
Climbing the Eiffel Tower by Elevator is the easiest option! You just have to show up, take the elevator to the second floor and another one to the third floor.
While it’s easy and fast, it’s also a bit expensive compared to steps and the queues are insane if you don’t buy your ticket in advance.
Speaking of tickets, make a smart choice and buy your ticket here in advance to skip the long lines!
Since there are so many tickets for the Eiffel Tower, it can be confusing to know the exact one to buy! Below is a breakdown of some of the tickets and what each offers.
- Eiffel Tower: Direct Access with Host to 2nd Floor by Elevator: This ticket will give you access to the first and second floors but no access to the summit.
- Eiffel Tower: Direct Access with Host to Summit by Elevator: This ticket will give you access to both the 1st and the 2nd floor plus the summit.
(I love the views from this angle (in the photo above) because you can see the Seine snaking through the various bridge! It’s pretty beautiful.)
Which ticket should you opt for?
It really depends on you but I recommend opting for the one that comes which the summit access so that you fully take in all the views from the Eiffel tower from every level. I mean, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience so why just go halfway!
Alternatively, if you prefer having a guide show you around while giving you all the history and information you need to know, I recommend booking this tour!
From the photo above, you can see Passerelle Debilly bridge, the top of the Arc de Triomphe, Paris’ roofs, and of course the Seine River.
Eiffel Apartment at The Top of The Eiffel Tower
While enjoying the views from the top of the Eiffel tower, don’t forget to peep inside the Eiffel Apartment and see the wax figures of Gustave Eiffel, his daughter Claire and Thomas Edison.
Though called an apartment, it was never slept in but rather acted as Gustave’s office where he met with other prominent persons.
Views From The Eiffel Tower (Photo Diary)
The views from the Eiffel Tower are simply breathtaking! From Paris’ famous landmarks to the city’s roofs, the views here are what you’d call a million bucks!
To give you an idea of what to expect, below are some of my (unedited) photos of the views from the top of the Eiffel Tower.
From this direction, ( photo above) you’re able to enjoy views of the Trocadero square, Trocadero gardens, some buildings in La defense, and of course the Seine.
The above photo shows quite a number of Parisian landmarks. You can see the Sacré-Cœur at the hill, the roof of the Grand Palais, the roof of Opera Garnier, Pont Alexander III which is my favorite bridge in Paris and so many others.
More landmarks you can see from the above photo include the Invalides, the Pantheon, Pont Alexandre III, and the beautiful roofs of Paris.
FAQs About Climbing the Eiffel Tower plus its views
What View Can You See From The Eiffel Tower?
Some of the views you can expect from the Eiffel tower viewing deck include the Notre Dame Cathedral, Sacré Coeur, Arc de Triomphe, and the River seine as it snakes through the stunning bridges of Paris, Champs de Mars, Invalides, and so many others!
How Much Does It Cost To Climb Eiffel Tower?
This really varies a lot depending on whether you climb by steps or the elevator! Do you just stop at the second floor or do you continue to the summit?
It also depends on who you are! If you’re a student, below 25 years, handicapped, then you can get a discount on the prices.
However, you can go back and look at the previous section where I linked to the various tickets depending on how you want to climb the Eiffel Tower.
Is Climbing The Eiffel Tower Hard?
Generally speaking, it’s not hard to climb the Eiffel Tower. It can take anywhere between 20 to 45 minutes to reach the second floor depending on your physical shape and how many rests you take to enjoy the views.
If you pack water (I made the mistake of not carrying it..oops), wear comfortable walking shoes, and you’ll be good to go.
Remember, no one is chasing you! You can go as slow or as fast as you want! The experience should be enjoyable and not a punishment.
How Long Does It Take To Enjoy The Views From The Eiffel Tower
This also depends on how long you spend at each level! How many photos do you want to take and how crowded it is!
But if I were to give an estimate, I would say, plan for 2 hours excluding the queuing time to buy the tickets if you don’t buy one earlier –which I don’t recommend though!
Final Thoughts of the View From the Eiffel Tower + Tips for climbing it
With those tips for climbing the Eiffel Tower and the stunning photos of the views from the Eiffel tower viewing deck, I hope that I’ve inspired you to climb this iconic monument.
Have you climbed the Iron lady so far? What was your favorite view? Was it spotting the famous landmarks or enjoying the beauty of how the seine crosses the city or the general picture of how everything works together? Let me know in the comments below.
NEVER TRAVEL TO PARIS WITHOUT TRAVEL INSURANCE
One of the biggest mistakes you’ll ever make when planning a trip to Paris is to forego Travel Insurance!
You might think that it’s expensive, but when you think of how much it will save you when you lose your valuables or even get sick, then you’ll know that it’s NOT that expensive!
Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for
more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation, and more. If you’re considering travel insurance for your trip, check out World Nomads.
Check out these posts to help you plan your trip to Paris
- Unusual things to do in Paris
- Fun things to do in Paris in April
- Facts About the Louvre museum
- Must-try Pastries in Paris
- What to do in Paris at night
- Best things to do in Paris in January
- How to spend Christmas in Paris
- Fun facts about Paris
- Best things to do in Paris in Spring
- Where to find the best views of Paris
- Big mistakes to avoid in Paris
- What to Pack for Paris
- Skip the line tickets for Paris’ popular attractions
- Interesting jokes about Paris
- Paris captions for Instagram
- Famous quotes on Paris
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