12 Best Things to Do in Montmartre: Best Spots + Hidden Gems

Montmartre quickly became one of our favorite areas in Paris.

It feels completely different from the rest of the city — more relaxed, creative, and full of character. Walking through its narrow streets, past small cafés and ivy-covered buildings, we often forgot we were still in a busy capital.

Most visitors come here for the famous Sacré-Cœur viewpoint, but it offers much more than just the basilica. From lively squares filled with artists to quiet corners that feel like a small village, this neighborhood is perfect if you enjoy slow exploring, photography, and places with a unique atmosphere.

We explored the area over one relaxed afternoon and found that 3–4 hours is ideal to see the highlights without rushing. If you like stopping for coffee, photos, or a relaxed meal, you could easily spend half a day here.

Choosing the right base in Paris can also make visiting Montmartre easier, especially if you want to explore early in the morning before the crowds arrive.

Below are the best things to do in Montmartre based on our visit — including must-see sights, hidden spots, and practical tips to help you plan your time.

Best Things to do in Montmartre

1. Watch sunset from Basilica Sacré-Cœur

Watching the sunset from the steps in front of Sacré-Cœur was easily one of our favorite experiences in Montmartre. The basilica itself is already impressive, but the real highlight is the wide panoramic view over Paris, which slowly turns golden as the sun goes down.

This spot is perfect for couples, photographers, or anyone who enjoys scenic viewpoints with a lively atmosphere.

During our visit, there were also several street musicians and performers singing, which made the moment feel even more special, although there were also quite a few street sellers walking around the area.

We recommend arriving about 45–60 minutes before sunset to secure a good place to sit, especially in high season when the steps fill up quickly. Plan to spend around 30–45 minutes here, or longer if you want to fully enjoy the atmosphere.

While it definitely feels busy and a bit chaotic at times, we still think the view and overall vibe make it absolutely worth visiting at least once.

Insider Tip: Never buy bottled water from street sellers here — some refill used bottles.

2. Explore the interior of Sacré-Cœur

While most people visit Sacré-Cœur mainly for the view, you can also step inside the basilica. Compared to the busy square outside, the interior feels surprisingly calm and peaceful.

The highlight is the impressive ceiling mosaic, one of the largest in the world. If you enjoy historic architecture or churches, it’s definitely worth a quick look.

The visit usually takes 15–20 minutes, so it’s easy to include in your walk. Entry is free and no reservation is required. You can also climb the dome for an even higher viewpoint, but this requires more time and many stairs.

The best time to visit is usually earlier in the morning or later in the day, when the crowds tend to be slightly smaller.

When we visited, we didn’t realize the entry is free and assumed the line would take too long, so we decided to skip it and continue exploring the neighbourhood.

Official Website: sacre-coeur-montmartre.com

3. Walk around Place du Tertre

Place du Tertre is the liveliest square in Montmartre and one we actually discovered by accident while wandering through the neighborhood. It wasn’t on our original list, but we ended up really enjoying the atmosphere here.

The square is filled with artists painting portraits, musicians playing live music, and visitors slowly exploring cafés and small shops. Yes, it’s very touristy, but it still feels special and lively.

The surrounding streets are lined with restaurants, souvenir shops, and bakeries, while the central square feels like an open-air gallery. You’ll see dozens of artists offering different portrait styles, from quick sketches to more detailed paintings.

Plan to spend 30–45 minutes here, especially if you stop for a drink or portrait.

Insider Tip: Don’t miss the nearby Escaliers de la Rue de Cavalrie, a very photogenic set of stairs with beautiful views over Paris and one of our favorite photo spots in the area.

👉 Explore Montmartre on a guided walking tour with a passionate local to discover hidden corners and stories you’d likely miss on your own →

4. Enjoy the atmosphere of Rue Norvins

Rue Norvins is one of the main streets leading to Place du Tertre and perfectly captures the feel of Montmartre. This narrow cobbled street is lined with small boutiques, cafés, bakeries, and restaurants, making it a pleasant place to slow down and enjoy the surroundings.

We liked that even though it’s popular, it still feels cozy and full of character, with historic buildings and little details that make the area feel more like a small village than part of a big city.

Plan around 15–20 minutes here, or longer if something catches your attention.

We also included Rue Norvins in our suggested Paris itinerary because it connects many of the neighborhood’s most interesting spots in a very natural way.

The street is lively throughout the day, but we personally enjoyed it most in the late afternoon when the light makes the cobblestones look even more picturesque and the atmosphere feels relaxed but still vibrant.

5. Visit Rue de l’Abreuvoir & photograph La Maison Rose

Rue de l’Abreuvoir is one of those spots that’s easy to miss if you don’t know about it in advance, but it turned out to be one of the most picturesque streets we saw here.

The narrow cobbled road, charming buildings, and quiet atmosphere make it feel very different from the busier parts of the neighborhood. It’s a great stop for anyone who enjoys photography or simply wants to see a more peaceful side of Montmartre.

At the end of the street, you’ll find La Maison Rose, a small French restaurant that became famous mainly thanks to its soft pink exterior. Even though it’s an actual restaurant, most visitors come here primarily to take photos, as the building itself looks incredibly photogenic from almost every angle.

The location also appeared in Emily in Paris, which made it even more popular in recent years.

You only need about 10–15 minutes here, but it’s definitely worth including in your walk if you enjoy charming photo spots. Early morning or late afternoon usually offers the best light and fewer people, which makes the experience much more enjoyable.

6. Photograph Cabaret Au Lapin Agile

Just a short walk from La Maison Rose, we found another hidden gem that many visitors miss — Cabaret Au Lapin Agile. This historic cabaret sits on a quiet corner and looks almost like something from a painting, with its pastel-colored walls, green window shutters, and ivy growing around the building.

The setting feels incredibly picturesque, especially because the street around it is calm and far less crowded than the main spots in Montmartre.

When we visited, we actually came across several artists sitting nearby, each trying to capture the scene in their own style. Watching them paint the cabaret from different angles made the moment feel very authentic and cool. It made the area feel even more special to us.

You only need around 10–15 minutes here, and if you enjoy photography or quieter corners, it’s definitely worth including in your walk.

7. See the hidden vineyards of Montmartre

Just opposite Cabaret Au Lapin Agile, you’ll find one of the most unexpected sights in Paris — a small vineyard right in the middle of the city. 

Clos Montmartre is one of the last remaining vineyards in Paris and a reminder that this used to be a rural village long before it became part of the capital.

The vineyard dates back to the 1930s, when locals decided to preserve this historic tradition, and today it produces a limited amount of wine each year that is mostly sold at charity auctions.

Even though the vineyard is fenced and closed to the public, we still found it very interesting to see it from the outside, especially because it feels quite unusual to come across rows of grapevines surrounded by Parisian buildings.

It’s a quick stop that only takes about 5–10 minutes, but it adds another unique layer to Montmartre’s history and character.

The area is calm and much less crowded compared to the streets near Sacré-Cœur, which makes it a nice break from the busy parts of the neighborhood.

If you’re already visiting La Maison Rose and Cabaret Au Lapin Agile, it makes perfect sense to stop here as well since everything is located within a very short walking distance.

Insider Tip: The vineyard looks especially beautiful in spring and early autumn when the vines have more color.

8. Visit the Église Saint-Jean de Montmartre church

Église Saint-Jean de Montmartre was actually the very first sight we saw when we stepped out of the Abbesses metro station, and it immediately caught our attention thanks to its unusual look.

Unlike many classic Paris churches, this one stands out with its reddish brick facade and Art Nouveau style, which makes it feel quite different from the traditional architecture you’ll see elsewhere in the city.

It’s a quick stop, but a very interesting one, especially if you appreciate architecture or like noticing small details while exploring a new neighborhood.

Even if you’re not planning to go inside, the exterior alone is worth a short pause while walking towards the heart of the neighbourhood. We spent around 5–10 minutes here, mostly just observing the details and taking a few photos before continuing uphill.

Since most visitors arrive via the Abbesses metro station, this is a very easy stop to include at the beginning of your walk.

Insider Tip: Right next to the metro exit, you’ll also find the famous Abbesses carousel, which is another photogenic little corner worth a quick look.

Official Website: saintjeandemontmartre.com

9. Spot the historic Moulin de la Galette windmill

Moulin de la Galette is one of the few remaining windmills in Paris and a reminder of the time when Montmartre was still a rural village surrounded by fields and vineyards.

Today, the historic windmill is tucked between residential buildings, which makes it surprisingly easy to miss if you don’t know where to look.

The windmill dates back to the 17th century and was once part of a popular dance venue that inspired famous artists like Renoir. Today, it’s a part of a restaurant. It’s a very quick stop that usually takes around 5–10 minutes, and since it’s located slightly away from the busiest streets, the area feels noticeably quieter.

👉 Join a guided Montmartre walking tour to discover local favorites and hidden spots you might otherwise miss →

10. Visit Rue de la Bonne at dusk

Rue de la Bonne is known for its picturesque set of stairs lined with elegant lanterns, creating one of the most charming little corners. The street offers a beautiful framed view towards Sacré-Cœur. It’s a lovely stop, especially if you enjoy finding photogenic streets away from the main crowds.

The best time to visit is at dusk, when the lanterns slowly light up and give the street a warm, cozy glow. We really liked how peaceful it felt here in the evening, and the soft light made the whole area even more atmospheric.

It’s a quick stop that usually takes around 10–15 minutes. There are actually several similar streets and staircases in the area, so it’s worth wandering around a little. We also liked Rue Becquerel.

11. Have an artist draw your portrait

Having your portrait drawn is one of the most traditional experiences in the neighborhood and a nice way to connect with its artistic history. It’s ideal if you’re looking for a unique souvenir from Paris that feels more personal than typical gifts.

Around Place du Tertre, you’ll find many artists offering different styles, from quick sketches and caricatures to more detailed paintings. Each artist has their own approach, which makes it interesting even if you’re just walking by and watching them work.

We really enjoyed simply observing the artists at work — it adds to the creative atmosphere that Montmartre has been known for for centuries.

Prices can vary quite a bit, so it’s worth taking a short walk around the square before deciding which artist you prefer.

12. Enjoy a café or dinner in Montmartre

This is one of the best areas in Paris to slow down and enjoy a coffee, glass of wine, or relaxed dinner in a cozy setting.

The neighborhood is full of small cafés and traditional restaurants with outdoor seating, where you can simply sit back and people-watch on the narrow cobbled streets.

After walking around for a few hours, this was exactly what we needed — a short break, something tasty, and time to just enjoy the atmosphere.

There are plenty of options, from small bakeries perfect for a quick coffee and pastry to more elegant restaurants ideal for a longer dinner.

Insider Tip: We personally liked places slightly away from the busiest streets near Sacré-Cœur, where the atmosphere felt more relaxed and prices were often a bit more reasonable.

Best places to eat

There’s no shortage of restaurants, but finding places that feel both authentic and worth the price can take a bit of research. We tried a mix of casual spots and more traditional restaurants, and these were the ones we’d happily return to.

• Sacrée Fleur Montmartre – Our go-to spot when we were after a proper French dining experience. The restaurant specializes in high-quality steak and classic French dishes.
• Le Poulbot – A charming restaurant offering traditional French cuisine. We loved that it’s local, but not too fancy. The menu includes a good variety of French favorites.
• Chez Pitou – A smaller and more casual spot that’s perfect if you’re looking for something simple, quick, and affordable.

Final Thoughts

Montmartre ended up being one of our favorite areas in Paris. Beyond the famous Sacré-Cœur viewpoint, the neighborhood offers charming streets, lively squares filled with artists, and plenty of small hidden corners that make exploring here feel really special.

It’s definitely worth setting aside half a day to enjoy it at a relaxed pace.

If you’re planning the rest of your trip, we recommend also checking our guide covering the main highlights across Paris, which will help you put together a smooth itinerary and make the most of your time in the city.