A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Delft vs. Calais for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Delft or Calais?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Delft and Calais can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Delft

Delft is a quaint, charming, and historic town. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping. See Delft travel costs.

Calais

Calais is a authentic, undiscovered, and coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and beaches. See Calais travel costs.

Delft and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Delft or Calais?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Calais than Delft. While Delft is larger than Calais, Calais has more sights and attractions for tourists. Calais is better known for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Delft is more popular for its historical sights. Delft is more touristy than Calais and is popular for its charming canals, cobblestone streets, and blue and white ceramic pottery. Calais is well known for being a gateway for travelers to France. Also, Calais is famous for The Town Hall.

How is Delft different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Calais and Delft. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Delft or Calais?

Spend time exploring the notable sights and museums in either Delft or Calais.

Delft is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several museums that highlight the culture and history of the area. The Vermeer Center offers an immersive experience into the life and work of the famous Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer, who was born in the city. The Royal Delft Factory teaches visitors about the city's iconic blue-and-white pottery. The Delft Museum of Technology and the Old Church also provide insight into the city's engineering, cultural, and religious history.

Calais offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

Is the Food Better in Delft or Calais? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Delft and Calais offer a number of notable restaurants to choose from.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Delft. There are several local dishes like stamppot (mashed potatoes with vegetables) or a frikandel (a Dutch snack). The town has countless casual eateries and cozy cafes where you can enjoy pastries, coffee, and Dutch pancakes (pannenkoeken). There's also a selection of international restaurants around town that serve Italian, Asian, and Middle Eastern cuisines. Local markets and street food stalls provide affordable options, such as fresh herring or delicious Dutch cheese.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Delft or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Calais is a city with good options for nightlife. However, Delft is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Calais. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Delft is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. It has a low-key and relaxed nightlife scene with a variety of cozy pubs, bars, and cafes, many of which are located along the scenic canals.

Is Delft or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is a city with good options for its beaches. However, Delft is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Calais. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Delft is not a beach destination.

Is Delft or Calais Better for its Old Town?

Delft is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Delft. The city's old town is known for its picturesque canals, historic buildings, and cobblestone streets. The heart of the old town is centered around the Market Square, where you'll find iconic landmarks such as the New Church (Nieuwe Kerk) and the City Hall.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Delft or Calais?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Delft and Calais.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Delft. The city center is home to many unique shops selling local crafts, Dutch design, and traditional Delftware pottery, making it a great place for souvenirs. You'll also find popular international brands and stores along the main shopping streets. For a more local shopping experience, visit the weekly market in the Market Square, where you can buy fresh produce, flowers, and regional goods.

Calais offers some nice shopping areas. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Delft or Calais Better for Families?

Both Delft and Calais are notable to visit with kids.

Delft is a family-friendly town. There are boat tours on the canals. There's also the Vermeer Center which has an interactive experience where you can learn about the famous artist, Johannes Vermeer, in a way that's engaging and educational. The Royal Delft Factory is another great stop, where children can see traditional blue-and-white pottery being made and even try painting their own ceramics. If your kids need to stretch their legs, there's the Delftse Hout park which has a large playground, nature trails, and even a petting zoo.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Calais. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Delft or Calais Better for Couples?

Both Delft and Calais are notable destinations for a couple's getaway.

Delft is a nice destination for couples. There are many romantic activities for couples like walking through the picturesque canals and cobblestone streets. There are also quaint cafes and romantic restaurants. You can also take a boat ride along the canals or enjoy a peaceful walk through Delftse Hout park.

Calais makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Delft or Calais Better for Students?

Delft is well known for students. However, Calais is not popular with students.

Delft is a very popular town for students and younger travelers. It is home to Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), which is a well respected technical university. The city has a vibrant student atmosphere, with plenty of student-friendly cafes, bars, and activities.

Calais is not popular with students.

Is Delft or Calais Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Delft is well known for its public transit. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Delft. There's a bus network that is reliable and convenient. The city's train station is centrally located and offers direct connections to major cities in the Netherlands, making it a great hub for exploring the region.

While Calais offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Delft or Calais a more walkable city?

Delft is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Delft on foot is easy. The town's compact size and charming layout mean that most of the main attractions, such as the Old Church, New Church, and Market Square, are within walking distance of each other.

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Delft Worth Visiting? and Is Calais Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calais or Delft?

How long in Delft or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Delft and Calais. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Calais than in Delft. Usually, 1 day is a good amount of time for Delft, and 1-3 days is enough time in Calais.

Families should spend more time in Delft than Calais. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Delft, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Delft than Calais. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Delft that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Delft than Calais if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Delft.

One day in Delft or Calais?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Delft. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Calais, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this authentic destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Delft or Calais?

Delft is a great place to explore. A weekend may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Calais. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Delft or Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Delft. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Calais is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Calais. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Delft or Calais?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Delft. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the authentic destination of Calais. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Netherlands, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Netherlands, The Best Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Delft and Calais, we can see that Calais is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Delft Expensive? and Is Calais Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Delft or Calais?

Delft has a larger population, and is about 28% larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Delft and Calais, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Delft or Calais?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Delft or Calais in the Summer?

Both Calais and Delft during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Delft for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Calais in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Delft is generally around the same temperature as Calais. Daily temperatures in Delft average around 17°C (62°F), and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Calais, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Delft. In the summer, Delft often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Calais. Delft gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun.

Delft usually gets more rain in July than Calais. Delft gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Delft or Calais in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Delft and Calais. Many visitors come to Delft in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Calais for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Delft is cooler than Calais in the autumn. The daily temperature in Delft averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Delft usually receives less sunshine than Calais during autumn. Delft gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Delft usually receives more rain than Calais. Delft gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Delft or Calais in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Delft as well as Calais. Most visitors come to Delft for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Calais because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Calais can be very cold. Delft can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Delft is much colder than Calais. Typically, the winter temperatures in Delft in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Calais averages at about 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Delft often gets less sunshine than Calais. Delft gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun.

Delft usually gets more rain in January than Calais. Delft gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Delft or Calais in the Spring?

Both Calais and Delft are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

In April, Delft is generally cooler than Calais. Daily temperatures in Delft average around 8°C (46°F), and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

Delft usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Calais during spring. Delft gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Delft usually receives more rain than Calais. Delft gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Calais and Delft