If you’re searching for things to do in Arles, you’re probably expecting a charming Provençal town, neatly polished, effortlessly pretty, and just waiting to be admired.

That’s not what you get.

The first time I arrived in Arles, I had to double-check where I was. Had I not driven myself there, I genuinely wouldn’t have believed I was in France. The faded facades, baked under a relentless Mediterranean sun, felt far closer to Alexandria than Aix-en-Provence. There was a grit to it. A rawness. A sense that this city had lived a few lives and wasn’t particularly interested in tidying itself up for tourists.

And that’s exactly why it works.

Because once you stop expecting perfection, Arles reveals itself as something far more interesting.

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Where Is Arles (And Why You Should Care)

Before diving into the best things to do in Arles, it helps to understand why this place matters.

Arles sits in southern France, right on the Rhône River, acting as the gateway to Camargue. It’s technically Provence, but not the polished, lavender-field version you might be picturing.

It’s older. Rougher. More layered.

Roman ruins sit beside slightly crumbling buildings. Art history meets everyday life. And instead of feeling curated, it feels… lived in.

It’s also incredibly well positioned. From here, you can explore Camargue, dip into the Alpilles, or simply stay put and let the city unfold at its own pace.

1. Wander the Streets (Without a Plan)

Let’s start with the simplest, and arguably best, thing to do in Arles.

Walk.

Not with Google Maps. Not with a carefully planned route. Just… walk.

Because Arles doesn’t reveal itself through a list of attractions. It reveals itself through details. The chipped paint on a shutter. A door that looks like it hasn’t been touched in decades. Laundry hanging between buildings like it’s part of the architecture.

It’s the kind of place where you turn a corner and suddenly think, this is why I’m here, without being able to point to anything specific.

And that’s the beauty of it. It’s not trying to impress you.

It just… exists.

If you want to know what you are looking at, and understand the complex and fascinating history of Arles, then I highly recommend a walking tour with a local!

2. Visit the Arles Amphitheatre

Right in the centre of the city sits one of its most iconic landmarks, and one of the most impressive things to do in Arles.

Built around 90 AD, the amphitheatre once held over 20,000 people. Today, it still dominates the skyline, quietly reminding you that Arles has been important for a very long time.

From the outside, it’s striking. From the inside, it’s something else entirely.

Stand in the centre and look up. The arches frame the sky in a way that feels almost cinematic. You can almost hear the echoes of what this place once was: crowds, noise, spectacle.

And then there’s the contrast.

Because just outside those ancient walls, modern Arles carries on as if it’s no big deal. Which somehow makes it even more impressive.

3. Explore the Roman Theatre of Arles

A short walk away, the Roman Theatre feels quieter. Less dramatic. Easier to overlook.

But don’t.

The structure is partially ruined, with only fragments remaining. Columns rise into the sky without context. Stones sit where they’ve fallen. It feels incomplete, and that’s exactly what makes it powerful.

Here, you have to imagine. You have to fill in the gaps.

And in doing so, you become part of the experience rather than just an observer.

4. See Café Van Gogh (But Manage Expectations)

You already know it. That bright yellow café immortalised in one of Vincent van Gogh’s most famous paintings. Well, that café is right here in Arles!

Yes, it’s busy. But also… it’s still worth it.

Not because it’s going to change your life. Or because the coffee will be exceptional. But because there’s something oddly satisfying about seeing something so familiar in real life.

5 Follow a Vincent van Gogh Walking Trail (But Don’t Expect Magic to Be Handed to You)

Arles and Van Gogh are inseparable.

This is where he painted some of his most famous works, and the city has leaned into that with a self-guided walking route that takes you to the exact spots where he set up his easel.

You’ll find little panels showing the painting alongside the real view.

And here’s the interesting part… Sometimes they match perfectly. Sometimes they don’t.

Buildings have changed. Angles feel off. The light isn’t quite the same. And suddenly you realise, you’re not just following a trail, you’re trying to step into someone else’s perspective.

Which is a lot harder than it sounds.

This isn’t about ticking off locations. It’s about seeing how differently two people can experience the same place.

6. Wander Through Alyscamps (Unexpectedly Atmospheric)

This one surprises people.

A long, tree-lined avenue filled with ancient sarcophagi doesn’t sound like a highlight… but it is.

There’s something about the repetition. The symmetry. The quiet. It feels removed from the rest of the city, like you’ve stepped into a different layer of time.

Van Gogh painted it. But more importantly, it’s one of those places that slows you down without trying.

7. Visit the Fondation Vincent van Gogh (For Context, Not Just Art)

You don’t need to be an art expert (or enthusiast) for this to be worth it.

The Fondation isn’t about overwhelming you with paintings, it’s about giving context to what Arles meant to Van Gogh, and how that still resonates today.

It connects the dots, between the city, the light, and the work.

8. Discover LUMA Arles

If everything else in Arles feels rooted in the past, LUMA is the complete opposite.

Bold. Modern. Slightly confusing.

Designed by Frank Gehry, the tower rises out of the landscape like something that wasn’t meant to be there…. yet just like the Guggenheim in Bilbao, it works!

Inside, you’ll find exhibitions that challenge, provoke, and occasionally leave you wondering if you’ve missed something.

But even if contemporary art isn’t your thing, the space itself is worth visiting. It shows a different side of Arles, a city that isn’t stuck in its history, but actively adding to it.

9. Walk Along the Rhône River

When the city starts to feel a little intense, head to the river. The Rhône gives you space. After weaving through narrow streets and centuries of history, suddenly everything opens up. The air feels different. The pace slows. You’re no longer navigating, you’re just moving.

This is where Arles exhales.

Walk along the river as the day softens into evening. The light turns golden, reflecting off the water and warming the facades you’ve just passed. Locals drift by without urgency. Conversations happen in low tones. Nothing is rushed, and for once, you don’t feel like you need to be either.

It’s one of the few places in the city where you’re not looking at something. You’re just in it. And somehow, that shift makes it one of the most grounding things to do in Arles.

10. See the Baths of Constantine (Quick but Worth It)

This isn’t a long visit but it’s a good one.

Perched near the river, these Roman baths give you another glimpse into how advanced, and extensive, Arles once was.

Short. Impactful. Worth stopping as part of yourriver stroll.

11. Get Lost in La Roquette (The Arles Most People Miss)

If you only stay around the main sights, you’ll miss the best part of Arles.

La Roquette is where the city feels lived in. Slightly scruffier. Slightly quieter. A mix of locals, creatives, and people who don’t seem particularly interested in whether you’re visiting or not.

Walk here without a plan.

This is where Arles stops being a destination and starts being a place.

12. Step Into Arles Cathedral (Even If You’re “Not a Church Person”)

It’s easy to skip churches when you’ve seen a few.

Don’t skip this one.

The entrance alone is worth it with its intricate carvings that feel more like storytelling than decoration. Inside, it’s calm, grounded, and a welcome contrast to the heat and brightness outside.

You don’t need to spend long here, but definitely include it in your walking tour.

13. Walk Through the Place de la République (And Actually Notice It)

Most people pass through here. Few people pause.

This is the heart of Arles, a mix of history, daily life, and movement. Sit for a bit. Watch how the city flows around it.

It’s not about the square itself. It’s about what happens in it.

14. Visit the Markets (For a Taste of Real Life)

If you’re in Arles on a market day, this is non-negotiable. Stalls stretch through the streets, overflowing with produce, cheeses, bread, olives, spices… everything you associate with southern France, but without the performance.

Locals shop here. They chat. They take their time.

And if you do the same, if you slow down, taste something, buy something small, you start to understand Arles in a completely different way.

15. Visit the Musée Départemental Arles Antique (Underrated and Worth Your Time)

If you want to understand just how important Arles once was, this is where it clicks.

The museum houses everything from Roman artefacts to an actual barge pulled from the Rhône.

It adds depth to everything you’ve seen outside.

16. Sit, Eat, and Observe

This might sound simple. It isn’t. Because in Arles, food isn’t just something you fit between activities, it’s part of the experience.

Order a gardianne de taureau, the region’s traditional bull stew, slow-cooked in red wine and served with Camargue rice. It’s rich, slightly gamey, and deeply tied to the landscape around you.

Add a bit of tapenade on bread (olive, caper, anchovy) and suddenly something simple feels like a ritual.

And then sit. Watch. Because Arles isn’t just about what you do. It’s about what you notice when you stop doing.

17. Take a Day Trip to Camargue

This isn’t just a “nice if you have time” kind of trip. This is the reason Arles works so well as a base. Within 30–40 minutes, everything changes.

The narrow streets and textured facades give way to open land. The structure of the city disappears. And suddenly, you’re in a landscape that feels almost empty: flat, wild, and quietly surreal.

This is Camargue.

And it’s nothing like Arles.

What you can actually do on a day trip:

Flamingo spotting
Whether you go to the Parc Ornithologique du Pont de Gau or simply drive through the wetlands, flamingos are the highlight for most people. And unlike a lot of wildlife experiences, this one doesn’t always require effort, you’ll often spot them just… there.

Horse riding (the iconic experience)
This is what draws most people in. White Camargue horses, marshlands, beach rides. Just manage expectations, this is something to plan properly rather than assume will just happen.

My experience didn’t happen due to a misunderstanding (maybe something to do with my terrible French), therefore I would recommend booking online so you know it is definitely happening!

Explore Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
A slightly chaotic, sun-soaked seaside town where you can wander, grab lunch, and feel like you’ve reached the edge of something. It’s touristy, yes, but also full of character.

Visit Aigues-Mortes and the salt flats
A completely different experience again. Medieval walls, narrow streets, and just outside is the vast pink salt flats that feel almost unreal when the light hits them right.

Drive or cycle (this is underrated, but essential)
Honestly, one of the best things you can do is just drive or cycle. No strict plan. No pressure to “see everything.” The landscape unfolds slowly, and that’s exactly how it should be experienced.

Why it’s worth it

Because it gives you contrast. Arles is layered, textured, and full of history. Camargue is open, minimal, and quietly wild. One without the other would feel incomplete. Together? They make the trip.

Practical tip

You’ll need a car. This isn’t a place that reveals itself on public transport, and the best moments tend to happen between places, not at them.

Final thought

If you’re in Arles and you don’t go to Camargue… You’ve only seen half the story. One of the best things about Arles is what’s just outside it.

For a full list of what to do in Camargue, check out my Guide to Camargue.

How Long Should You Spend in Arles?

• 1 day: Enough to see the highlights
• 2 days: Where the city starts to make sense
• 3+ days: Combine with Camargue and surrounding areas

Where to Stay in Arles

La Petite Étape — for affordable, friendly, and genuinely good value

This is where I stayed, and honestly, it’s one of those places that quietly overdelivers.

From the outside, it’s nothing flashy. But step inside and you get a space that feels thoughtfully put together rather than just functional. Clean lines, warm wood, pops of colour, and little details like plants, artwork and soft lighting that make it feel like someone actually cares about how it feels to stay there.

And that matters more than most people realise.

My room was simple but comfortable, with an ensuite bathroom (always a win at this price point), and access to a shared kitchen that was actually usable, not one of those token “technically there” setups. If you’re staying a couple of nights, it’s the kind of place where you can settle in rather than just pass through.

But what really stood out was the host.

Benoit is one of those people who strikes the perfect balance of friendly, welcoming and helpful if you need it, but not overbearing. The kind of host that makes you feel like you’ve made a good decision without making a big deal about it.

At around €44 a night, it’s also one of the best-value options you’ll find in Arles, especially considering the standard and the fact you’re not sacrificing comfort to save money.

He also has multiple apartments, so even if this exact one isn’t available, it’s worth checking what else he’s offering.

Why I’d recommend it

• Clean, comfortable, and thoughtfully designed
• Ensuite + proper kitchen access (rare at this price)
• Genuinely good value for money
• Friendly host who actually enhances the stay

Who it’s best for

If you’re someone who:

• Wants something affordable but not basic
• Values comfort and cleanliness over luxury
• Likes staying somewhere that feels a bit more personal
• Solo travellers who fancy sharing travel stories

If you still prefer the idea of a hotel

Here are three options that cover all bases:

Hôtel Jules César Arles – MGallery — for character with a twist

A former convent turned boutique hotel, this is one of the most memorable places to stay in Arles. The interiors are bold, slightly eccentric, and full of personality, very much in keeping with the city itself.

It’s central, comfortable, and ideal if you want something that feels a bit different without sacrificing convenience.

Hôtel Spa Le Calendal — for location, location, location

If you want to step out of your hotel and be right in the middle of everything, this is it. Set between the amphitheatre and the Roman theatre, you’re within walking distance of pretty much everything you’ll want to see. It’s simple, well-positioned, and makes exploring Arles effortless.

L’Arlatan — for design lovers

If you like your hotels with personality, colour, and a bit of edge, L’Arlatan delivers.

It’s stylish without being pretentious, creative without trying too hard, and feels very aligned with the artistic energy of Arles. A great choice if you want your accommodation to feel like part of the experience, not just somewhere to sleep.

Final Thoughts: Things to Do in Arles

Arles isn’t polished. It’s not trying to impress you. And that’s exactly why it works.

The best things to do in Arles aren’t just about ticking off landmarks. They’re about letting the city surprise you. Letting it challenge your expectations. Letting it show you something a little different.

Because sometimes, the places that don’t try too hard are the ones that stay with you the longest.