The Best Time To Visit The Eiffel Tower For Spectacular Views, According To Rick Steves

Around the world there are a few landmarks that have become iconic emblems of their cities. Big Ben in London, the Colosseum in Rome, and the Statue of Liberty in New York City are just a few examples. The Eiffel Tower in Paris might be the most iconic of all. You'll find images of the Eiffel Tower displayed in homes, on clothing, and even worn as jewelry. Visiting Paris sits high on the bucket list of travelers from all over the world, and the Eiffel Tower perfectly encapsulates the elegance and beauty of the city. Even though it's often crowded with hordes of tourists, it's one of those destinations that everyone needs to experience at least once in their lifetime.

Rick Steves, a top European travel expert, often suggests avoiding super touristy destinations, but the Eiffel Tower is not one of the attractions he recommends skipping. "Some of Europe's most famous attractions are so clichéd (read: crowded and expensive) that you might be tempted to skip them. The Eiffel Tower, for example, can be seen for free from all around Paris; why bother paying to visit it? The answer is simple: This icon of European travel is a once-in-a-lifetime, I've-been-there experience," he wrote on his website. 

The travel guru has also shared the best time to visit the iconic landmark: sunset. As Steves wrote in a collection of Eiffel Tower tips, "For the best of all worlds, plan to arrive close to sundown to see the views, then stay as it gets dark to see the lights."

Rick Steves describes visiting the Eiffel Tower and climbing to the top as one of Europe's best thrills. "Sure, it's crowded and expensive, and other spots in Paris offer (arguably) better views. But once you make the eye-popping ascent — and ear-popping descent — you'll be in the exclusive society of some 250 million people who have made the Eiffel Tower one of the most visited monuments in the world," he wrote on his website. 

Arriving close to sundown ensures that you experience the Eiffel Tower at its best, according to Steves. I couldn't agree more. I visited Paris for the first time in my early 20s with my mom. We had spent our first day sightseeing and riding the touristy Big Red Bus in the rain. By the late afternoon we were so tired and cold that we almost skipped walking to the Eiffel Tower. I'm so thankful we didn't. As we climbed the seemingly endless staircase, the sun peaked out from behind the clouds and a breathtaking rainbow stretched across the city skyline. We continued to climb as the sun began to set, igniting the sky over Paris in shades of orange, pink, and purple.

According to Rick Steves, there are plenty of incredible places to watch the sun set in Paris, but from the Eiffel Tower's central location you can see the whole city spread out around you and enjoy panoramic views in every direction. Paris is a beautiful city, but at sunset it might be the most beautiful city in the world. Visiting the Eiffel Tower at sunset will undoubtedly be a travel memory you'll cherish throughout your life.

Once the sun dips below the horizon, the experience only continues to become more enchanting by the minute. First, you'll be begin to see the lights from the buildings and homes around the city flicker on. You'll soon discover why Paris is often called the City of Lights. At dusk, the city begins to twinkle like a thousand stars and you can see it all from the top deck of the Eiffel Tower.

As darkness falls, the tower itself lights up. "At the top of the hour, a five-minute display features thousands of sparkling lights lassoing the tower," Rick Steves wrote. "However impressive it may be by day, the tower is an awesome thing to behold at twilight, when darkness fully envelops the city, and the tower is resplendent with its spectacular light show." Rick Steves recommends spending time on the second floor for the best view from the Eiffel Tower. 

Steves also recommends carving out enough time to enjoy the views of the Eiffel Tower's light show from below. He says that the grassy lawn beneath the tower is one of the best spots. You can also head across the river to Place du Trocadéro. Before visiting the Eiffel Tower there are a few things you should know. For the entire experience, Rick Steves said you should budget at least three to four hours, "to wait in line, get to the top, and enjoy the views and exhibits on your way back down." He also reminded travelers that the minimum amount of time to reach the top and get back down is about 90 minutes.