Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Calais?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Calais?

Many visitors spend one to three days in Calais during their visit. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because there's so much to see and do. This city offers a number of attractions to explore, including the beaches, the museums and landmarks, the big city activities, and the restaurant scene.

Many people overlook this part of France for the more popular southern regions, but those who do visit can enjoy sandy beaches and nice wine and cheese. UK visitors often arrive by ferry and enjoy some shopping as they pass through.

Do you have one or two days to visit Calais? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Calais?

With only one day, you might feel a bit pressed for time when it comes to exploring the main attractions. After all, Calais is a nice city that isn't very crowded with tourists since it only has a few sights and attractions. To fully embrace Calais, a longer visit is better. Most travelers tend to plan one to three days to experience the beaches, the museums and landmarks, the big city activities, and the restaurant scene. Nevertheless, if your schedule is limited, we can provide some suggestions to maximize your visit.

How to spend a day in Calais

The beautiful beaches await you in Calais, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. 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.

You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. 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.

The public transit in Calais is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. 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.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Calais?

A weekend in Calais is often considered ideal, as many tourists spend approximately one to three days here. This amount of time is perfect to relax at the beach, browse the museums, enjoy the city's energy, and taste delicious cuisine. Further down, you'll find our recommendations to kick off your adventure.

Calais, France

How to spend 2 days in Calais

With a weekend (two to three days) in Calais, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.

You'll find a few good museums and historic landmarks here, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. 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.

The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. 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.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Calais, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.