Eiffel Tower

It's not the tallest structure in the world, nor is it the oldest, but it's probably the most easily-recognized construction in the world - and perhaps the favorite of many travelers. You can find replicas of the Eiffel Tower from Las Vegas to Almaty, Kazakhstan - and if imitation isn't the best compliment, it surely shows that architect Gustave Eiffel hit upon crowd-pleaser! >> And if you'd like to pay your respects to Mr. Eiffel and thank him for designing this iconic Parisian landmark, you can visit his grave - one of many famous graves in Paris! If you're planning a trip to Paris, you'll be happy to know that the Eiffel Tower is open seven days a week throughout the year. Even though the hours change between the summer and winter seasons, you can visit the Eiffel Tower night or day. Get there early to beat the rush, or wait until sunset when crowds diminish and the tower takes on a nighttime allure. Book before you go. This is the single most useful thing to know about the tower now. Timed tickets sell out days ahead in summer, the queue for same-day tickets is long, and the lift to the top is the first thing to sell out. Buy from the official Eiffel Tower website and nowhere else - resellers charge a large markup for the same ticket. There is also a security perimeter around the base, so allow extra time to get through the bag check even with a ticket in hand. >> Still searching for the perfect place to stay? Check out these budget hotels near the Eiffel Tower - and these hotels with a view of the Eiffel Tower! If you're feeling energetic and plan to take the steps rather than the lift, remember that the steps will not allow you access to the top level (for this level, you must take the lift - but you can walk to the 2nd level and then take the elevator to the very top if you like). Also, please note that taking the steps is not an option during evening hours - stair access closes well before the lifts do. Here's a short video from Rick Steves showing you what it's like to walk down the stairs from the second to the first level of the Eiffel Tower: Admission Fees to Eiffel Tower: Tickets are priced by how high you go - first floor, second floor, or the summit - and by whether you take the lift or the stairs. There are reduced rates for under-25s and for children, and under-4s go free. Stairs are considerably cheaper than the lift, and a stairs-plus-lift combination to the summit is cheaper than taking the lift the whole way. Current prices are on the official site; they are reviewed regularly, so it is not worth quoting a figure here that will be wrong by the time you read it. Eiffel Tower Open Hours: The Tower is open every day, all year long. Hours run roughly 9:30am to 11pm for most of the year, extending to around 9am to midnight over the summer, with the stairs closing earlier than the lifts and last admission before closing time. Check the official Eiffel Tower website for the exact hours on the day you plan to visit. Eiffel Tower Trivia How to Get to the Eiffel Tower: The Eiffel Tower is located on Paris's Left Bank in the 7th arrondissement. Tour Eiffel 5 avenue Anatole France Champ de Mars 75007 Paris Metro in Paris: Line 6, Bir-Hakeim & Dupleix stops; Line 6 & 9, Trocadero stop; Line 8, Ecole Militaire stop RER train: Line C, Station Champs de Mars-Tour Eiffel Paris bus lines: 42, 69, 72, 82, 87 original photos, from top to bottom, by: TaylorMiles, Amit (Sydney), Al Ianni, neilalderney123, and Christine