Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Lille?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Lille?
Not sure how much time you'll need in Lille, France? Most people spend one to three days in Lille during their visit. After all, the culinary city will let you enjoy a meal at a restaurant, go shopping, learn about the history of the town, and grab some drinks at a bar.
Lille is a convenient stop off between Paris and Brussels. Many of the sights are in the lively old town, particularly around the main square - Place du Général de Gaulle. The area is also filled with local restaurants that serve up traditional dishes. Many visitors pass their time wandering the city, while shopping and dining on unique offerings.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Lille? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Lille?
Three days is more than enough time to see pretty much everything in Lille, as it's not as large as some other cities. You can move at your own pace and relax in your hotel. Enjoy a meal at a restaurant, go shopping, learn about the history of the town, and grab some drinks at a bar. You could also use Lille as a base for exploring the nearby destinations. You'll find some great day trips in the region.
How to spend 3 days in Lille
Shopping in Lille is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. The city is filled with shopping opportunities. Almost any store you could want is in or around the old town and the two main shopping centers in town are McArthur Glen and A l'Usine. Also by the train station is a shopping mall.
The delicious food of Lille is one of the main highlights of a trip to the region. Dining out is one of the highlights of a trip. Make sure you take the time to taste as much of it as possible during breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this city's best restaurants. And consider a food tour or cooking class. You can easily fit one into your schedule since many are just a few hours or half a day. The city has a cuisine all its own. There are many local dishes that are recommended with some of the most popular being les moules (mussels), the Welsh (a beer and cheddar cheese dish), and la carbonade flamande (beef stew). Most dishes are served with a hearty side of fries. The mussels are a favorite and are served with various toppings including local cheese. You can expect your very own pot of mussels with each order. Many of the restaurants around the main square (General de Gaulle Square) offer these local specialties. Outside the old town you'll also find plenty of international restaurants including Asian street food.
A few tour suggestions include:
- 1 Hour Private Lille Tour by Convertible 2CV with a Local Products Tasting ($71)
Lille is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. The old town in particular is compact and best explored on foot, but even outside of the old town, many areas are easily explored on foot.
Don't miss Grand Place (Place du Général de Gaulle) during your trip to Lille, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. With its young population and countless places to hang out, there's rarely a dull night around town. The most popular nightlife areas are Rue Masséna and Rue Solférino. The city also offers plenty of theaters and shows that you can enjoy.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Lille International Pub Crawl with Free Shots & fun Games ($30)
Public transit in Lille is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. There is a metro as well as trams and buses throughout the city.
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The old town (Le Vieux Lille) is charming to explore. Many of the buildings are from the 16th or 17th centuries and feature very ornate architecture. The area is filled with shops and restaurants and it stays active throughout the day. This is an area where locals and tourists alike live and play.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Lille : Private Custom Walking Tour With A Local Guide ($65)
- Lille Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour ($12)
- Lille Old Town Walking Tour With A Guide ($42)
Lille is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The city is all about the historic architecture, which give it a lot of beauty. The buildings in the old town have very ornate details.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Lille : Private Custom Walking Tour With A Local Guide ($65)
- Lille Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour ($12)
- Lille Old Town Walking Tour With A Guide ($42)
Is 4 days enough time in Lille?
Four days provides ample opportunity to explore the entirety of Lille at your own pace to experience the cuisine, the shops and boutiques, the historic old town, and the nightlife. Then you can use this city as a convenient base for venturing into smaller destinations nearby where you'll discover exciting day trip options.
How to spend 4 days in Lille
Having 4 days in Lille will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
This city offers some good museums and historic landmarks, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. Pick the ones that appeal to you the most and get started. The city offers an amazing atmosphere, with many of the most beautiful buildings near Place du Général de Gaulle (the main square). Top rated attractions in town include Palais des Beaux-Arts, Musée du Louvre-Lens, and Eglise Saint-Maurice.
La Piscine Museum is worth visiting for around 2 hours, which is great for backpackers. Known for its collection of fine arts and decorative arts, entry is €9.
Make sure to set aside around 2 hours for Hospice Comtesse Museum, which is €4. It's great for anyone and is known for its collection of Flemish paintings and decorative objects.
Make sure to set aside around 3 hours for Palais des Beaux-Arts, which is €7. It's great for backpackers and is known for its extensive collection of European art.
It's worth around 1 hour for Lille Cathedral. Entry is free. It's known for its modern Gothic architecture and stained glass windows.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Is 5 days enough time in Lille?
With five days at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Lille has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Lille as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying the cuisine, the shops and boutiques, and the historic old town at your own pace, as this medium sized city offers a variety of fun activities for students. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
How to spend 5 days in Lille
With 5 days in Lille, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
After you've explored most of Lille, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Lille.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Lille, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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