A perfect weekend trip to Calais from Dover by ferry

Are you in the mood for a weekend escape to Calais for a real french experience with original recipes, melting cheese, and crunchy baguettes? Ah oui! Take the ferry to Calais from Dover, the closest English town to France to experience a great 2-day getaway with Ferryhopper.

The impressive building of the City Hall in Calais

Day 1 strolling around the historic city

Eat some scrambled eggs, take your reusable travel mug (always sustainable♻️), and your bags and let’s go to the port of Dover! Head to Terminal 7 to catch the Dover-Calais ferry which is only about 14 minutes away from the check-in desks. Keep in mind that If you’re a foot passenger you can only travel with P&O Ferries. 

However, cycling in the region of Calais is very popular with several sign-posted routes so if you’re planning to explore it by bicycle (or a vehicle), you can also travel with DFDS Seaways and Irish Ferries. At that point, you will probably head towards the ferry relaxed and proud of your past self for making the smart decision to book your tickets in advance as many ferry routes are sold out.

After spending 90 minutes onboard snuggling up on the comfy chair watching your favorite TV series or reading your book (for the bookworms out there!🤓), it’s already time to disembark. Welcome to the city where medieval castles, war domed bunkers, and renaissance buildings coexist harmonically evidencing the tumultuous history of Calais.

Drop your bags in the hotel and start your tour from the impressive City Hall in Flemish style with a beautiful 72-meter belfry. There, in front of the flamboyant building in red and white tones, you will see   Auguste Rodin's sculpture    ,  depicting six leading citizens who were taken after the Siege of Calais.  

If you are into Rodin’s art, you should also visit the Museum of Fine Arts. It’s located in the old part of the town in the heart of an artificial island surrounded by canals and harbors. And the best part of day 1 in Calais is yet to come! Only 2 minutes from the Museum of Fine Arts, it is the best shopping street, the famous Rue Royale where you will find handmade souvenirs, local shops, restaurants, and cute cafes.

Also, before heading back to the hotel, follow your nose to the cheese paradise in the corner of Rue Royale for Vieux-Boulogne, french cheese made from raw cow’s milk in the Pas-de-Calais region with a reddish-orange rid brushed with beer. Cheers!

The statue of Rodin depicting six leading citizens of Calais

Day 2 starting from the dragon's den

Did you wake up today in Calais with dragon breath? No worries, you are right on point! Tame the Dragon of Calais with your morning breath (preferably before it toasts you😛) and ride its spiky back. Feel your spine tingle while the Dragon spouts fire and vapor and explore the city’s beautiful promenade from 12 meters high in an adventurous 45-minute ride.

And if you think you’ve seen it all after riding this stupendous creature, we have another question for you. Have you ever seen a lighthouse situated among residential streets? Well, the Lighthouse of Calais is located opposite a church and is surrounded by buildings.

There is more! According to the legend, the two skeletons which were discovered when the foundations were laid are still haunting the Lighthouse. So, if you are into spooky tales, climb its 271 stairs and enjoy the 360° view of Calais.

The imposing Lighthouse of Calais

Now, if you had enough of the panoramic views for today, let's leave heights and dive deep into the city's eventful past. Visit the World War II Museum housed in an authentic bunker that once served as the headquarters of the Navy to the Port of Calais and transmission center for the entire Northwest region of France.

The dusty uniforms and the old photographs displayed in the museum will thrill you and if you're a real war buff you can't miss the Batteries of Oldenburg and Waldam, both located near the port since the Second World War. 

Also, as we are digging deep into the city's history, did you know Calais is the International City of Lace and Fashion? Learn all about the history of lacemaking going back almost 200 years, and find old sketches from Chanel and other fashion designers evidencing the use of lace in high fashion.

Finish the day with a visit to a gastropub with great panoramas across the port, smell the fishermen’s daily catch ready to be served on a plate, and bon appetit! Then, head back to Rue Royale to try the delightful local cake called Le Calais made with a macaroon pastry, coffee buttercream, and almonds!

The delicious traditional local cake of Calais

After a perfect weekend including dragon riding, a haunted lighthouse, quaint Flemish architecture, and finger-licking French delicacies, you hate to leave Calais and take the ferry back to Dover. However, before you go, make sure to buy some of their divine cheese.

Take your car or a taxi and you will be at the port in about 10 minutes or take the free bus shuttle service connecting the new Terminal to the city center and the train station of Calais. Make sure to download Ferryhopper’s App to check your ferry in real-time at any time and make the onboarding process easier with online tickets on your phone.

As the ferry leaves the port, feel the sea breeze from the deck and take some last photos from the beautiful city of Calais before it slowly fades away on the horizon. The trip is coming to an end in about 90 minutes but happy memories from Calais will last forever. Goodbye for now traveler and enjoy your trip back to Dover. Au revoir!