Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Dover?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Dover?

Many visitors spend two to four days in Dover during their visit. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because there's so much to see and do. This town offers a number of attractions to explore, including the beautiful scenery, the hiking, the museums and landmarks, and the restaurant scene.

Dover is home to the iconic White Cliffs of Dover. This spectacular sight offers views down the coastline and highlights the remoteness of the setting. On the east side you'll find the Dover Castle, which warrants at least a few hours of exploration.

Do you have one or two days to visit Dover? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is one day enough time in Dover?

With only one day, you might feel a bit pressed for time when it comes to exploring the main attractions. After all, With a variety of sights and attractions, Dover is a fairly popular choice for tourists. To fully embrace Dover, a longer visit is better. Most travelers tend to plan two to four days to experience the beautiful scenery, the hiking, the museums and landmarks, and the restaurant scene. Nevertheless, if your schedule is limited, we can provide some suggestions to maximize your visit.

How to spend a day in Dover

Don't miss the White Cliffs of Dover during your trip to Dover, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

Dover is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The stunning White Cliffs of Dover are an iconic sight that is not to be missed.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Official Canterbury Guided Walking Tour - 11.00 Tour ($20)
  • Official Canterbury Guided Walking Tour - 14.00 Tour ($20)
  • Private Guided Walking Tour of Canterbury ($163)

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Dover?

As a small town, Dover offers plenty of activities and attractions for visitors. A weekend is probably not enough time here. You might feel rushed to see the main attractions of Dover such as the beautiful scenery, the hiking, the museums and landmarks, and the restaurant scene. To thoroughly enjoy all that the town has to offer, you'll probably want more time. Most travelers schedule two to four days to fully experience the rustic town. Nevertheless, if time is of the essence, we have some nice suggestions for your visit.

How to spend 2 days in Dover

With a weekend (two to three days) in Dover, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the town has to offer.

Known for it's hiking, Dover sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. There are many beautiful countryside walks that take you through the rolling hills and along the iconic white cliffs. Some of the best hikes in the area include The England Coast Path, The North Downs Way Saxon Shore Way.

You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. The town has a growing food scene that includes waterfront restaurants and local dishes. Find a restaurant with a view to make sure you take full advantage of the setting.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Canterbury Food Tour: Discover Culinary Delights ($150)

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Dover, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

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