You’ve got 2 or 3 days in Avignon and you don’t want to waste a single hour wandering around thinking “so… what now ?”. Fair enough. Avignon is compact, intense, sometimes crowded, but honestly pretty amazing if you know where to focus. I’ll walk you through a simple itinerary, tested, adjusted, and slightly opinionated. Ready ?

Second thing, before diving in : where you sleep matters more than you think here. Staying inside or just next to the old town saves a ton of walking and backtracking. I’ve seen a lot of travelers choose places like https://hotel-grillon.fr because it keeps things simple, central, and you’re not exhausted by day two. Avignon looks small on a map, but your feet will disagree.

Day 1 – The essentials (and yes, they’re worth it)

Let’s be honest : your first day is all about the historic core. Start early if you can, especially in high season.

Palais des Papes is unavoidable. And no, it’s not “just another old palace”. This thing is massive. Cold stone, echoing halls, narrow staircases… it feels more fortress than palace. Plan around 2 hours if you actually want to understand what you’re seeing. Audio guide helps. Without it, it’s impressive but confusing, frankly.

Right outside, take a breath on Place du Palais. Street musicians, café terraces, that Provençal light bouncing off pale stone. Grab a coffee. Watch people. That’s part of Avignon too.

Then walk up to Rocher des Doms. It’s a small climb, nothing dramatic, but the view hits you : the Rhône, the bridge, the city walls. If it’s hot (it often is), the shade up there feels like a gift.

Afternoon ? Head to the famous Pont d’Avignon (Pont Saint-Bénézet). You don’t cross it fully, and yes, people always ask why. But standing halfway, looking at the river, you get it. Quick visit, 30–40 minutes max.

Finish the day wandering inside the ramparts. Get lost on purpose. Rue des Teinturiers, with its old water wheels, is especially nice in the evening. Dinner there ? Solid choice.

Day 2 – Local life, food, and a slower rhythm

If it’s a morning except Monday, go straight to Les Halles. This is Avignon waking up. Cheese smells, olives everywhere, bakers shouting prices. Grab something simple : fougasse, fruit, maybe a sandwich. Eat it standing, like everyone else.

Late morning, museums. I’ll be honest : you don’t need all of them. Petit Palais is the one I’d pick if you like Italian medieval painting. Calm, cool, and surprisingly good.

After lunch, cross the Rhône to Île de la Barthelasse. Bike or bus, both work. Suddenly Avignon looks distant, quieter. Vineyards, paths, open sky. It’s not spectacular, but that’s the point. It breathes.

Back in town, late afternoon is perfect for shopping small boutiques or just sitting with a drink. Avignon rewards slowing down. Evening ? Wine bar near Place des Corps-Saints. You’ll find one.

If you have 3 days – get out (just a little)

This is where it gets really good.

Option one : Villeneuve-lès-Avignon. Five minutes across the river, but totally different vibe. Fort Saint-André for views, then the Chartreuse du Val de Bénédiction. Quiet, almost meditative. I find it underrated, maybe because it’s not “technically” Avignon.

Option two : Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Yes, the wine village. About 20 minutes by car. Even if you’re not a wine expert, the landscape and small cellars are worth it. Just don’t overdo tastings if you’re driving back.

Practical tips (read this, seriously)

When to go ? April–June and September are ideal. July is intense. Festival d’Avignon is incredible, but crowds are real, prices jump, and reservations become mandatory.

Getting around : Inside the walls, walk. Everywhere. For outside trips, buses are fine, trains too, but a car helps for villages.

How many days is enough ? Two days = highlights. Three days = comfort. More than that ? Only if you’re using Avignon as a base.

Common mistake ? Trying to see too much. Avignon isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about atmosphere. Let it happen.

So, 2 or 3 days ? Both work. Just don’t rush it. And maybe leave one evening unplanned. Those are often the best ones, right ?