France · 2026 itinerary
Arras 3-Day Itinerary
A day-by-day plan for Arras: the best attractions in order, where to eat, how to get around — with free hotel briefings for your stay.
Arrive & Explore the Highlights
The two main squares of Arras, surrounded by 155 unique Flemish-Baroque buildings with arched arcades. The Place des Héros has the Gothic belfry at one end.
🕐 Always open
Free entry💡 Visit early morning or late evening when the squares are quiet and the setting sun lights up the sandstone facades. Tuesday and Saturday markets fill both squares if you want local bustle.
Hotels near Grand Place and Place des Héros →A 75-metre UNESCO-listed Gothic belfry offering panoramic views over the city and surrounding countryside from the top. Climb the 300-odd steps.
🕐 Daily 09:00-12:30 and 14:00-18:00 (shorter hours off-season, closed Mon in winter)
0💡 Costs €6 (2024). Skip the queue by visiting on a weekday afternoon. The ticket also covers entry to the nearby Hôtel de Ville, but the belfry view is the main event. Weather-dependent: check visibility before climbing.
Hotels near Belfry of Arras (Beffroi d'Arras) →La Grignotte · ££
L'Artisan Gourmand · ££
Deeper Into Arras
A network of medieval chalk tunnels and quarries beneath the city, used as bomb shelters in WW1. Guided tours show carved chambers and shafts.
🕐 Wed-Mon 10:00-12:00 and 14:00-17:00 (closed Tue, shorter hours Nov-Mar)
💡 €5 entry, but free on the first Sunday of each month (except July-August). Book ahead in summer as groups are limited to 25. Wear stout shoes – the floor can be damp.
An interactive museum focused on food, agriculture and nature, housed in a former art deco water tower. Exhibits include an indoor beehive, a vertical garden and a rooftop greenhouse.
🕐 Tue-Sat 10:00-18:00, Sun 14:00-18:00 (closed Mon)
💡 Adults €7, but the rooftop garden is free to access (no ticket needed). Good for kids or a rainy day. The café on site does decent local flatbreads for under €10.
Tomate Cerise
La Pizzerie de Beaurains
Final Favourites & Departure
A restored WW1 underground quarry used by British and New Zealand troops to shelter 24,000 soldiers before the 1917 Battle of Arras. Guided tour includes a shor
💡 €8.50 (2024), but free for under-18s. Book online at least a day ahead – tours sell out. Entry includes a multilingual audio guide. Combine with the Wellington Memorial park just above – it's also free.
Flunch
La cave du Yeti
Getting Around Arras
Buy a ticket from the driver or the Artis app. The hotel is a 3-minute walk from the stop. Avoid this after 8pm — service gets sparse.
Pre-book with a local Arras company like Taxis Arras to avoid surge pricing. Worth it if you're arriving late or with heavy luggage.
Buy tickets on SNCF Connect a few weeks ahead to get the cheapest fares. The station is a 10-minute walk from La Maison de Josephine.
Works if you're already in central Paris and have a strict budget. The bus drops you near the old town, a 15-minute walk to the hotel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for Arras?
Three days covers the main highlights well. You can see the key attractions like Grand Place and Place des Héros and get a genuine feel for the city. For a more leisurely pace or to explore neighbourhoods in depth, a 5-day trip is better.
What is the best time to visit Arras?
See our full best time to visit Arras guide — it covers weather month by month, peak vs. shoulder seasons and how to avoid the crowds.
Where should I stay for this itinerary?
A central location saves transit time between sites. Top options include Hôtel Express by Holiday Inn, The Originals City, Les Clés des Places. See the full ranked list with free briefings for each.