Once a fortified harbor and later the stage for 1940’s Operation Dynamo, Port de Dunkerque (Dunkerque) blends maritime grit with seaside ease. The port’s quays shelter modern museums and a working harbor; just beyond, dune-backed beaches unfurl for miles along the North Sea.

Expect a rich mix: the poignant Musée Dunkerque 1940 – Opération Dynamo, bold contemporary art at FRAC Grand Large and LAAC, and a skyline punctuated by the UNESCO-listed belfry of Saint-Éloi. In winter, the flamboyant Dunkirk Carnival spills into the streets; in summer, Malo‑les‑Bains becomes the city’s sunlit living room.

Practical notes: DK’Bus urban buses are famously free within the Dunkirk metro area, a gift to visitors and locals alike. Seafood and Flemish comfort food rule the table—think mussels, carbonade flamande, and potjevleesch—best paired with regional beers like 3 Monts or Thiriez. Museums often close on Monday or Tuesday; check hours before you go.

Dunkerque

Dunkerque’s heart beats between the Bassin du Commerce and the windswept promenade of Malo‑les‑Bains. The city honors its seafaring past at the Port Museum—complete with a three-masted tall ship—and at Fort des Dunes, where sand meets stronghold.

Art lovers find a surprise: a striking glass-and-steel FRAC Grand Large across from the LAAC’s sculpture garden dotted with 1960s–70s icons. Between them runs a thread of bold architecture and public art that sets Dunkirk apart from many French beach towns.

Food-wise, you’re in French Flanders. Brasseries around Place Jean-Bart pour local ales; beachfront spots serve mussels with sea views; and nearby Bergues, a walled town made famous by a beloved French film, hosts cozy estaminets.

• Where to stay (search by neighborhood: Malo‑les‑Bains for beach access; Centre/Jean‑Bart for sights and dining):
  • VRBO – apartments and seafront stays in Dunkerque
  • Hotels.com – hotels near Malo‑les‑Bains and city center
• How to get to Dunkerque (typical times/costs; book via Omio):
  • Train Paris → Dunkerque: ~2h10–2h30 with a change in Lille; ~€25–€65. Search trains on Omio
  • Train Lille → Dunkerque: ~0h35–0h50; ~€8–€15. Search trains on Omio
  • London → Dunkerque (rail): Eurostar to Lille + TER; ~4h00–4h30 total; ~€95–€160. Search trains on Omio
  • Dover → Dunkerque (car ferry): ~2h crossing with DFDS; check schedules/fares. Search ferries on Omio
  • Budget buses (Paris/Brussels): ~3–4h; from ~€10–€25. Search buses on Omio
  • Flying into Europe? Find flight options to Paris, Lille, or Brussels. Search flights on Omio | Long-haul options: Trip.com or Kiwi.com

Day 1: Arrival, Operation Dynamo, and a harborfront evening

Afternoon: Arrive and drop bags. Start at the Musée Dunkerque 1940 – Opération Dynamo (Bastion 32), the underground HQ from which the evacuation was coordinated. Galleries trace the May–June 1940 battle with maps, artifacts, and first‑hand accounts; budget ~1.5–2 hours (adult tickets typically ~€8–€10).

Stroll to the Place Jean‑Bart, dominated by the statue of the city’s famed privateer. Climb the Belfry of Saint‑Éloi (UNESCO listed) if open for city and sea views. Pop into a nearby café for a pick‑me‑up—order a café allongé and a speculoos biscuit and soak in the square’s bustle.

Evening: Dine aboard the historic paddle steamer Princess Elizabeth moored in the Bassin du Commerce—a “little ship” that took part in Operation Dynamo and now hosts a restaurant and events. Expect seasonal French dishes and local seafood; reserve ahead for a waterside table.

Cap the night with a beer on Place Jean‑Bart—ask for regional brews like 3 Monts (strong blond from nearby St‑Sylvestre‑Cappel) or Thiriez Blonde (Esquelbecq). If you prefer a night walk, the illuminated quays between the Port Museum and the Bassin offer photogenic reflections of cranes and masts.

Day 2: Malo‑les‑Bains, dunes and fort, art by the sea, and Flemish flavors

Morning: Head to Malo‑les‑Bains for a beachfront breakfast: grab pastries from a local boulangerie along Avenue de la Mer and eat on the promenade. Walk east along the shore to Plage de Leffrinckoucke and the sand‑buried bunkers. Continue to Fort des Dunes (Leffrinckoucke), a late‑19th‑century fort whose galleries recount 1940’s fighting amid wind‑whistled ramparts (allow ~1–1.5 hours; typical tickets ~€7–€9; seasonal opening).

Afternoon: Return to the inner harbor for culture. Start at FRAC Grand Large — Hauts‑de‑France, a dramatic contemporary art space facing the docks; rotating shows pair coastal industrial backdrops with cutting‑edge art (plan ~60–90 minutes). Cross the canal to LAAC – Lieu d’Art et d’Action Contemporaine, known for 20th‑century works and an outdoor sculpture garden studded with color (another ~60–90 minutes). Many exhibitions are family‑friendly with interactive elements.

Between museums, step into the Musée Portuaire (Port Museum) to explore Dunkirk’s maritime story and board historic ships like the three‑masted Duchesse Anne. In season, the museum also runs harbor boat tours (~1 hour) that glide past grain silos, shipyards, and container terminals—an eye‑level look at today’s Port de Dunkerque.

Evening: For a classic Flemish dinner in town, book Le Grand Morien on Place Jean‑Bart, a long‑running brasserie where locals dig into carbonade flamande (beef simmered in beer), moules‑frites in season, and welsh—a decadent cheddar-on-bread bake. Pair with fries and a malty Bière de Garde.

If you’re up for a short excursion (20 minutes by car/bus), try nearby Bergues, a walled town ringed by canals. Two beloved spots: Le Bruegel (rustic estaminet famous for potjevleesch and carbonade; reservations smart) and the cult‑favorite Friterie Meunier for golden frites doused in house sauces—simple, perfect, and very northern France.

• Coffee, breakfast, lunch ideas:
  • Malo‑les‑Bains boulangeries along Avenue de la Mer for croissants, pain au chocolat, and “ficelle picarde” style savory crêpes to-go for a beach picnic.
  • On‑site café at Fort des Dunes (when open) for a light lunch: quiche, tartines, and regional beers after your rampart walk.
  • Harborfront brasseries near the Bassin du Commerce for lunch plat du jour—look for daily fish from the Côte d’Opale and mussels in white wine when in season.
• Evening drinks:
  • Bars around Place Jean‑Bart pour local ales (ask for 3 Monts, Thiriez, or Anosteké). On warm nights, terraces fill with a lively after‑work crowd.
  • For a sea breeze, opt for a Malo‑les‑Bains promenade bar at sunset; order a chilled Picpoul or a coastal gin‑tonic and watch kites dance over the surf.

Getting around and tips

• Transit: DK’Bus is free throughout the Dunkirk metro—handy for hops between center, Malo‑les‑Bains, and Leffrinckoucke.
• Bike: The coast is flat and bike‑friendly; consider a rental to link Malo, the dunes, and the museums in one scenic loop.
• Seasonality: July–August brings beach buzz and longer hours; November–March is quieter, with the vibrant Dunkirk Carnival (dates vary) lighting up weekends.
• Museums: Many close Monday or Tuesday; check schedules and temporary exhibitions, especially at FRAC/LAAC.

Where to book your transport and stay: Trains/buses/ferries via Omio Trains, Omio Buses, and Omio Ferries; flights to or within Europe via Omio Flights (or long‑haul via Trip.com / Kiwi.com), and lodging via VRBO or Hotels.com.

In two days, Dunkerque reveals its layers: wartime resilience, bold contemporary culture, and a beach town’s easy rhythm. You’ll leave with sea salt on your skin, art in your camera roll, and a taste for Flemish comfort you’ll want to recreate at home.