Things to Do in Dunkirk

A free outdoor memorial and commemorative area dedicated to Operation Dynamo, with panels and a gun battery.

💡 Pair with the War Museum—it’s just across the road. No queues.

UNESCO-listed 58-metre tower from the 15th century, rebuilt after war damage. Climb the 228 steps for a view of the port and coastline. Small exhibition inside.

🕐 Open daily June-Sept 10:00-18:00; Oct-May Weds-Sun 10:00-12:30 & 14:00-17:30. Last entry 30 mins before close.

💡 Go on a clear morning for the best light over the sea; the climb is steep but there's a bench halfway. Entry is €4 for adults, free for under-26s with a EU student card.

Compact museum in a former bunker dedicated to Operation Dynamo. Displays of original equipment, photographs, and a short film about the evacuation. Finds an honest balance between military and civilian perspectives.

🕐 Mon-Fri 09:00-12:00, 14:00-17:00; Sat-Sun 10:00-12:00, 14:00-18:00; closed Jan

💡 Entry costs about €5 (free for under-12s). Allow 45 minutes—it's small but dense. Combine with a walk along the nearby beach to see where the troops were picked up. No café on site.

A working harbour museum with historic ships tied up outside, including a three-masted barque. Inside: model ships, navigation tools, and stories of the fishing and ferry trades.

🕐 Open daily 10:00-12:30 & 14:00-18:00. Closed Tuesdays, January, and some public holidays.

💡 The combined ticket with the War Museum is good value; the ship tours run only when weather permits—ring ahead to check.

Long sandy beach with promenade, popular for walking, swimming, and kids' play areas.

🕐 Open 24 hours

💡 Arrive before 11am in summer for a decent spot on the free beach; the east end is quieter.

Woodland park around a 17th-century fort. Paths through old ramparts, a small lake with ducks, and decent views over the harbour from the top of the earthworks.

🕐 Dawn to dusk

💡 Great spot for a cheap lunch—there are benches and shade. The fort interior is usually locked except for occasional heritage days, so don't plan on going inside.

A long, sandy beach backed by dunes and pine forest, west of the main port. Good for walking, birdwatching, and kite flying. No facilities on site.

💡 Park at the Cale de Malo free lot and walk west for the emptiest stretches. Bring water and a windbreak—it gusts.

Wide, sandy beach with a long promenade. Popular for walks, kite-flying, and paddleboarding. Less crowded than central beaches, with lifeguards in summer.

🕐 24 hours

💡 Walk north from the centre along the seafront for 20 minutes—the sand is cleaner and quieter. Bring a picnic; the beachfront cafés overcharge.

Lively working port with free viewing points along the quays; ferries and container ships, plus street art nearby.

🕐 Public areas always accessible

💡 Walk from the Belfry down to Quai des Hollandais for the best vantage; late afternoon is quieter for photos.

Bronze statue of the 17th-century corsair Jean Bart in the central square. The pedestal is scarred by shrapnel from WWII. Square has benches and a fountain.

🕐 Accessible 24/7; square market operates Saturday 8:00-13:00.

💡 Stand at the north side of the statue for the best photo with the belfry behind it. The square is busiest during the Saturday market.

UNESCO-listed 58m tower with panoramic views over the city and port; climb the 180 steps.

🕐 10:00-12:30 and 14:00-17:30 (closed Tuesdays, limited winter hours)

💡 Adults €5; combined ticket with Museum of Fine Arts saves €2.50. Low cost for the view.

66-metre Gothic belfry with a carillon playing tunes every hour. Climb the 256 steps for a panoramic view of the city, harbour, and coast.

🕐 Wed-Mon 10:00-12:30, 14:00-18:00; closed Tue

💡 Buy a combined ticket with the Musée Portuaire for a slight discount. Go on a clear day; the view is wasted in fog. The stairs are narrow—leave bags at the bottom.

Large maritime museum in a historic warehouse on the harbour. Covers the port's history from fishing to wartime evacuation. Three ships moored outside are included in the ticket.

🕐 Tue-Sun 10:00-12:30, 13:30-18:00; closed Mon

💡 Entry is free on the first Sunday of each month. The tickets also get you onto the three historic ships nearby—check the weather forecast before you go.

Museum focused on Operation Dynamo and WWII evacuation with over 2,500 artifacts and immersive displays.

🕐 10:00-18:00 daily (closed Mondays from Nov to Mar)

💡 Go on the first Sunday of the month for free entry; otherwise, €6.50 is still good value.

Housed in the Bastion 32 bunker, this museum covers the 1940 evacuation of Allied troops from the beaches. Displays include weapons, uniforms, and a model of the harbour.

🕐 Open daily 10:00-18:00 (closes 17:00 Nov-Mar). Closed Mondays in winter.

💡 Visit after 4pm on weekdays when it's quietest; the audio guide adds context without being overwhelming.