A Travel Price Comparison for France Calais vs. Arles for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Calais or Arles?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Calais or Arles? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Calais

Calais is a coastal, authentic, and undiscovered city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Arles

Arles is a compact, quaint, and historic town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Calais and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Calais or Arles?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Calais than Arles. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Calais is very popular for its beaches and big city activities, while Arles attracts visitors for its museums, food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Arles is more touristy than Calais and is known for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh. Calais is famous for being a gateway for travelers to France. It is also well known for The Town Hall.

How is Calais different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Arles and Calais. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Calais or Arles?

Arles is a must-visit destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Arles on the map. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

Is the Food Better in Calais or Arles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Arles is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Arles is an experience not to be missed. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Calais or Arles Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Calais and Arles.

Calais has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

If you're looking for night time activities Arles has a few options to choose from. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Calais or Arles Better for Beaches?

Calais is very good for the beach. However, Arles is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Calais to enjoy the beach. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Arles is not a beach destination.

Is Calais or Arles Better for its Old Town?

Arles is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Arles can be explored in its historical center. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Calais or Arles?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Arles and Calais.

Many visitors go to Calais to go shopping. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Arles. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is Calais or Arles Better for Families?

Calais is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Calais. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Calais or Arles Better for Couples?

Arles is well known for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Arles frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Calais or Arles Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Calais and Arles.

You'll find some public transit in Calais, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

While Arles offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Is Calais or Arles a more walkable city?

Arles is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Arles is a very walkable destination. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Calais Worth Visiting? and Is Arles Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arles or Calais?

How long in Calais or Arles?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Calais or Arles to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Calais than Arles because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Calais, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arles.

Families should spend more time in Calais than Arles. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Calais, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Arles than Calais. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Arles that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arles than Calais if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Arles.

One day in Calais or Arles?

In Calais, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this coastal destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Arles. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Calais or Arles?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Calais. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Arles is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Calais or Arles?

Calais is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Calais. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arles. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Calais or Arles?

You'll find food and shopping around the undiscovered destination of Calais. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Arles. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to France, The Best Tours for Seniors to France, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Calais and Arles, we can see that Arles is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Calais Expensive? and Is Arles Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Calais or Arles?

Calais has a larger population, and is about 39% larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Calais and Arles, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Calais or Arles?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Calais or Arles in the Summer?

Both Arles and Calais are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Calais this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Arles for the family-friendly experiences.

Calais is cooler than Arles in the summer. The daily temperature in Calais averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Arles fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Arles. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Calais. Calais usually receives less sunshine than Arles during summer. Calais gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Calais usually receives more rain than Arles. Calais gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Calais or Arles in the Autumn?

Both Arles and Calais during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Calais for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Arles in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Calais is cooler than Arles. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Calais in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Arles averages at about 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Calais often gets less sunshine than Arles. Calais gets 119 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun.

Arles gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Calais usually gets less rain in October than Arles. Calais gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Calais or Arles in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Calais and Arles. Many visitors come to Calais in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Arles for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Calais can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Calais is generally much colder than Arles. Daily temperatures in Calais average around 4°C (40°F), and Arles fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Calais usually receives less sunshine than Arles during winter. Calais gets 57 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Calais usually receives less rain than Arles. Calais gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Calais or Arles in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Calais as well as Arles. Most visitors come to Calais for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Arles because of the natural beauty.

Calais is much colder than Arles in the spring. The daily temperature in Calais averages around 9°C (47°F) in April, and Arles fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arles. In the spring, Calais often gets less sunshine than Arles. Calais gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun.

Calais usually gets less rain in April than Arles. Calais gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Arles and Calais