One of the world’s most recognizable landmarks, the Eiffel Tower’s spire is visible across the entire French capital—but nothing beats getting up close and personal with the iron giant. You can brave the lines during a spontaneous visit or book ahead to make things seamless. Opt to visit its second level, still an impressive 377 feet (115 meters) up, for a more budget-friendly way to explore, or soar all the way to its summit, some 906 feet (276 meters) above street level.

Whether it’s from the 377-foot (103-meter) 2nd-level observation deck or the 906-foot (276-meter) summit, the 360-degree view from the Eiffel Tower is almost as iconic as the external view of the Iron Lady herself. Take the glass elevator to the top, and you’ll see the Arc de Triomphe, Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre, Les Invalides, and other recognizable landmarks. With an abundance of skip-the-line, private, nighttime, and self-guided Eiffel Tower tours, reaching these heights couldn’t be simpler.

If you have kids in your crew and everyone is moderately fit, it’s lots of fun to ascend the Eiffel Tower via the stairs. There are three viewing platforms on the tower and the stairs can get you to the second level. If you want to go to the tippy top, it’s elevator-only. We suggest you book your Eiffel Tower tickets in advance if you visit in the busy summer months, especially if you want to go all the way to the top. Tickets for the final portion often sell out.

It's crowded, it's expensive, and there are probably better views in Paris. But visiting this iconic, 1,000-foot-tall, Industrial Age ornament rarely disappoints, even in an era of skyscrapers. Book well in advance to make the eye-popping ascent and ear-popping descent, and you'll join the quarter of a billion people who've made the Eiffel Tower the most visited monument in the modern world. The top is memorable, but the lower two levels offer more recognizable views of the big monuments.