Budget · 5 Days
€355
Mid-range · 5 Days
€840
Best months
April to June
Hotel per night (mid-range)
€105
With 5 days in Arles, you'll have time to experience the city's highlights. Beyond its famous sons and stones, Arles pulses with a contemporary creative energy, most notably during the world-renowned Rencontres d'Arles photography festival that transforms the entire city each summer. The light that captivated Van Gogh—that intense, crystalline Provençal light—still bathes the terracotta rooftops, the Rhône River, and the bustling Saturday market on Boulevard des Lices.
Perfect for art lovers
Perfect for history buffs
Perfect for photographers
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & First Impressions
Start your Arles adventure by getting your bearings and exploring the city's most iconic landmarks. Take time to soak in the atmosphere and discover why this destination captures the hearts of millions.
1
Roman Arena
Experience Roman Arena, one of Arles's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into France's culture and heritage.
⏱️ 1.5-2 hours
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
2
Van Gogh Trail
Experience Van Gogh Trail, one of Arles's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into France's culture and heritage.
⏱️ 1.5-2 hours
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
Day 2: Local Life & Neighborhoods
Experience Arles like a local today. Wander through authentic neighborhoods, discover hidden cafes, and get a taste of everyday life in France.
1
Alyscamps
Experience Alyscamps, one of Arles's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into France's culture and heritage.
⏱️ 1.5-2 hours
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
2
Saturday Market
Experience Saturday Market, one of Arles's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into France's culture and heritage.
⏱️ 1.5-2 hours
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
Day 3: Art, History & Discovery
Uncover layers of history that shaped Arles. From ancient remains to modern marvels, today reveals the stories behind the city's evolution.
1
Fondation Vincent van Gogh
Experience Fondation Vincent van Gogh, one of Arles's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into France's culture and heritage.
⏱️ 1.5-2 hours
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
2
Camargue
Experience Camargue, one of Arles's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into France's culture and heritage.
⏱️ 1.5-2 hours
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
Day 4: Day Trip to Avignon
Leave Arles behind for a day and head to Avignon (40 min by train or car).
1
Avignon
The historic city of the Popes, home to one of Europe's most important Gothic palaces and a famous medieval bridge. A major cultural center with excellent museums and dining.
⏱️ Full day
💡 Tip: Highlights: Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes), Pont Saint-Bénézet (the 'Pont d'Avignon'), Rocher des Doms gardens, Les Halles covered market.
Day 5: Hauture & Hidden Gems
Spend your last day away from the main sights: slow down in Hauture and seek out a few places most visitors to Arles never find.
1
Hauture
The elevated district south of the Arena, offering a more local, lived-in perspective. It's a maze of quiet, sloping streets with fewer tourists, traditional houses, and stunning panoramic views over the city's rooftops and monuments.
⏱️ Half day
💡 Tip: Don't miss: Les Alyscamps (Roman necropolis), Église St-Honorat des Alyscamps, Rue du 4 Septembre.
2
Espace Van Gogh
The courtyard garden of the former hospital where Van Gogh was treated after cutting off his ear, now a cultural center and municipal library.
⏱️ 1-2 hours
💡 Tip: The garden has been meticulously replanted to match his painting 'The Garden of the Hospital in Arles.' It's a serene, living tribute that feels more intimate than the marked trail spots.
3
Rue du Sauvage
A particularly beautiful and quiet medieval street in the Hauture district, lined with ancient stone houses and architectural details.
⏱️ 1-2 hours
💡 Tip: It captures the authentic, unpolished medieval character of Arles away from the main tourist drags, perfect for atmospheric photos and quiet exploration.
Top tours and experiences in Arles
The tours and tickets travellers book most, with ratings and reviews from Viator.
4x4 Camargue Safari 4h - Private Tour - Departure from Arles
4.947 reviews4h
from €449
Check availability
Arles Small groupe tour : Private Day Trip to Luberon Villages
5.015 reviews8h
from €1,000
Check availabilityAll things to do in Arles →
Tours and prices from Viator, a Tripadvisor company. Prices change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Why Visit Arles
Savor Authentic Provençal Life: Lose yourself in the vibrant Saturday market on Boulevard des Lices, one of Provence's best, bursting with local olives, cheeses, textiles, and santons. Enjoy the slower pace of café culture in the Place du Forum, shaded by plane trees.
Explore Layers of Architectural History: From the Romanesque grandeur of the Church of St. Trophime and its haunting cloister, to the medieval lanes of the Hauture district, to the striking modern architecture of the Luma Arles arts complex by Frank Gehry.
Walk in Van Gogh's Footsteps: Follow the 'Van Gogh Trail' to see the exact locations immortalized in his Arles period paintings, like the Starry Night Over the Rhône site at the riverbank, the reconstructed 'Jardin de la Maison de Santé' (Garden of the Hospital), and the Fondation Vincent van Gogh which contextualizes his legacy with contemporary art.
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How much do 5 days in Arles cost?
Plan on roughly €355 on a budget, €840 mid-range or €1,550 for a comfortable trip, per person and excluding travel to Arles.
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (per night) | €45 | €105 | €180 |
| Food and drinks (per day) | €18 | €38 | €75 |
| Sightseeing and activities (per day) | €8 | €25 | €55 |
| Total per day | €71 | €168 | €310 |
| Total for 5 days | €355 | €840 | €1,550 |
Estimates exclude flights and long-distance transport. Compare daily costs across cities
Where to stay in Arles
Hotels close to the centre of Arles, from budget to luxury. Prices are typical nightly rates at our last check.
Budget
Mid-range
UpscaleHotel prices come from Traveloka, last checked on February 4, 2026, and change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Travel Tips
- 1Book accommodation in the city center for easy access to attractions. Arles is best explored by combining walking with public transport.
- 2The best time to visit Arles is April to June, September to October. Shoulder seasons offer fewer crowds and pleasant weather.
- 3The local currency is Euro (€). Cards are widely accepted.
- 4A few words in French go a long way with locals. Even "please" and "thank you" will earn smiles.
- 5Download offline maps and translation apps before your trip. WiFi can be spotty in historic areas.
- 65 days gives you time to see the highlights and discover some hidden gems.
Must-Try Food in Arles
Gardiane de Taureau (bull meat stewed in red wine with olives)
Tellines à la Provençale (tiny clams sautéed with garlic & parsley)
Riz de Camargue (short-grain rice from the delta)
Taureau aux Sarments (bull grilled over vine cuttings)
💡 Buy the 'Arles City Pass' (€16-€29) for bundled entry to most major monuments and museums, including the Arena, Theatre, Baths, and museums. It pays for itself after 3-4 sites.
Neighborhoods to Explore in Arles
La Cité (Historic Center)
The compact, pedestrianized heart of Arles, encircled by remnants of Roman walls.
La Roquette
The historic fishermen's quarter nestled between the Rhône River and the old town walls.
Luma Arles / Parc des Ateliers
A former railway yard transformed into a groundbreaking contemporary arts campus, anchored by Frank Gehry's dazzling, twisting tower of stainless steel.
Day Trip Ideas
With 5 days in Arles, you have time for a memorable day trip. Here are some great options nearby:
The Camargue
20-30 min by car
A vast, wild river delta unlike anywhere else in France, famed for its white horses, pink flamingos, black bulls, and unique cowboy (gardian) culture.
Les Baux-de-Provence & Carrieres de Lumieres
40 min by car
Combine a visit to a stunning, fortified medieval village perched on a rocky outcrop with an unforgettable sound-and-light show projected inside a vast, immersive former quarry.
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