Calais Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Calais
Calais
Calais
Calais
Calais

Visiting Calais, which is renowned for its busy port and great heritage, will give you a new outlook on the charming towns of northern France.

Located between the North Sea and the Channel, Calais is often in the news because of its proximity to Great Britain, but holidaymakers shouldn't forget that, above all, it's a town that deserves to be explored for what it actually is: a welcoming destination with sprawling beaches and a rich heritage.

One of the pleasures of travelling is also to visit places that often you've only seen one side of. Calais is well worth a visit, and the residents of Calais are proud to share their cultural and maritime identity with visitors. The town was controlled by the English for two centuries, a period of history immortalised by Rodin's famous sculpture in the gardens of the town hall, which depicts the surrender of six burghers of Calais, handing the keys to the town to Edward III. Vauban's fortifications are still a major presence in the town, which often had to defend itself against invaders: Fort Nieulay and Fort Risban, as well as the citadel, are remnants of this period. For its part, the belfry shows off how proud the people of Calais are of their architectural heritage, and provides an opportunity to admire the surrounding area from a height of 75 metres.

Another of Calais's attractions is its lighthouse, a UNESCO world heritage site be sure to climb the 271 steps to take in the exceptional 360-degree view of the Opal Coast. As France's main passenger port, Calais is a constant whirl of ferries and liners continually weaving around each other.

For lovers of delicate, expertly crafted textiles, the Caudry museum of lace and embroidery is a must to discover the town's history of lacemaking, producing lace that is still highly regarded in haute couture.

As a cross-Channel hub, Calais can be reached by train via the Eurostar, or by ferry, with regular crossings from Dover to Calais ferry port.

Where to stay in Calais

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Calais City Center

4/5(64 area reviews)

The ample dining options and captivating waterfront views are top of the list for many visitors to Calais City Center. A stop by Calais Lighthouse or Tour de Guet might round out your trip.

Calais City Center
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Port

4/5(8 area reviews)

Port is a destination visitors seek out for its beaches, abundant dining options and seaside views. You might want to check out attractions like Port of Calais or Calais Beach while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Port
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Calais Fréthun

4/5(76 area reviews)

Calais Fréthun is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Cité Europe and Channel Outlet while you're in town.

Calais Fréthun
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Gare

You'll enjoy the museums and seafood restaurants in Gare. You might want to make time for a stop at Calais Hotel de Ville or Burghers of Calais.

Gare
Holiday Inn Calais by IHG
Holiday Inn Calais by IHG
4 out of 5
6, Boulevard des Alliés, Calais, Pas-de-Calais
The price is £82 per night from 29 Jun to 30 Jun
£82
29 Jun - 30 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Calais. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
8/10 Very Good! (968 reviews)
"This is a great place to stay when coming from the ferry. We were foot passengers and picking up a car at 5:00 on a bank holiday. We had a sea view which looked at the ferries going by and many fishing boats. I would definitely stay here again."

Reviewed on 18 Jun 2025

Holiday Inn Calais by IHG
ibis Calais Car Ferry
ibis Calais Car Ferry
3 out of 5
2 Rue Greuze, Quartier Beau Marais, Calais, Pas-de-Calais
The price is £72 per night from 19 Jul to 20 Jul
£72
19 Jul - 20 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Calais. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
8/10 Very Good! (664 reviews)
"always good to see friendly staff. comfortable bed fairly quiet. could do with changing the dinner menu a little more often but generally great stop over .v dog friendly. car park well lit"

Reviewed on 9 Jun 2025

ibis Calais Car Ferry
HECO Calais Centre - Gare
HECO Calais Centre - Gare
1 out of 5
3 Quai du Danube, Calais, Pas-de-Calais
The price is £38 per night from 26 Jun to 27 Jun
£38
26 Jun - 27 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Calais. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
6.2/10 (690 reviews)
"This is good value for money, but it’s showing its age, so it’s a good compromise, the staff are friendly and helpful, the place is clean and I would be happy to stay here again. The real down side is the lack of air conditioning and no lift for the upper floors. Good local breakfast, set me up for ..."

Reviewed on 4 May 2025

HECO Calais Centre - Gare
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Domitys Le fil de soie
Domitys Le fil de soie
18 Rue Van Grutten, Calais
Stay at this aparthotel in Calais. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Port of Calais and Grand Théâtre de Calais are ...
10/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
Central Calais Apartment
"A beautifully furnished apartment in Calais. Clean and well equipped. Underground and secure car parking. Toiletries provided. Swimming pool and gym. Balcony. Very pleasant and friendly staff. Highly recommended."

Reviewed on 1 Apr 2025

Domitys Le fil de soie
All Suites Appart Hotel Dunkerque
All Suites Appart Hotel Dunkerque
3 out of 5
Quai Freycinet 1, avenue de l'universite, Dunkirk, Hauts-de-France
Stay at this 3-star residence in Dunkirk. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,494 reviews)
"I visited for the Dunkirk Little Ships event and this was an ideal location. Very good for parking and local free busses. Modern and in a very good location for what I needed."

Reviewed on 27 May 2025

All Suites Appart Hotel Dunkerque
Evancy Trésors d'Opale
Evancy Trésors d'Opale
117 Rue des Nations, Camiers, Pas-de-Calais
Stay at this aparthotel in Camiers. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Le Poulier and Nautic Beach are located nearby.
9.2/10 Wonderful! (95 reviews)
"Nice hotel , clean rooms , booked a room for 4 adults and 2 children one was under one and the other 16 months No cots we’re provided. Rooms would have been great for only four people and two older children. Walls in rooms were very thin could hear people talking in next room. Bunk beds were provided ..."

Reviewed on 16 Jun 2025

Evancy Trésors d'Opale
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Calais

3.8
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
15
5 - Excellent 19%
4 - Good
38
4 - Good 48%
3 - Okay
24
3 - Okay 30%
2 - Disappointing
3
2 - Disappointing 4%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Seems to be recovering.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Calais seems to be improving since the dark days of the Sangatte camps. We have always enjoyed our visits here but now the townS people that we have spoken to seem to be brighter and more positive.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Great restaurants, bars and cafes

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Much regeneration to the seafront and much improved

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Nice place beautiful town hall and many other sites just some people can be very rude

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Some areas are nice, some areas quite run down, no more than any other large town/city. It is a port after all. Plenty to see and do either on a day trip or weekends stay, weather depending. Only big issue is what will happen after Brexit 樂

Cities near Calais