Before you go

Your trip to Canterbury.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Canterbury – Inglaterra Destination Canterbury and Kent about 95 km from Londres

How to get there

London Gatwick Airport (LGW) Crawley · 110 km
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) Londres · 130 km
Canterbury West railway station 1 km
Canterbury East railway station 1 km
Canterbury Bus Station 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Confirm before booking. From London the fast train departs St Pancras and reaches Canterbury West in under 1 hour; there are also trains from Victoria and Charing Cross to Canterbury East. Both stations are a 10–15 minute walk from the cathedral.

How many days

One full day for the cathedral, the Abadia de Santo Agostinho, the church of São Martinho and the medieval centre. With one overnight you’ll have time for a boat trip on the Stour and to continue on to Dover the next day.

When to go

From May to September, with long days and boats running on the river; July sees school groups and university graduations at the cathedral. In December there is usually a Christmas market. In winter it is cold and gets dark early.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The centre is small and largely closed to traffic, and trains connect the town with London and Dover. Use park-and-ride car parks if you arrive by car. Driving is on the left.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Canterbury

Morning
Cathedral
Arrive at opening time to the cathedral, with the crypt, the Martyrdom and the Trinity Chapel.
Afternoon
Santo Agostinho and São Martinho
Exit via the east gate to the Abadia de Santo Agostinho and walk up to the church of São Martinho.
Late afternoon
River Stour
Boat trip on the Stour, which passes under the medieval houses, and a walk to the Westgate.
Evening
Medieval centre
Have dinner in a pub or restaurant on the streets around Mercery Lane and the High Street.

2 days in Canterbury

Day 1

Morning
Cathedral
Cathedral at opening, with time for the cloister and the chapter house.
Afternoon
World Heritage
Abadia de Santo Agostinho and the church of São Martinho, on foot.
Late afternoon
Westgate and the river
Westgate gate, the riverside gardens on the Stour and the boat trip.
Evening
Pub
Dinner in a pub in the medieval centre.

Day 2

Morning
Castelo de Dover
About a 25-minute train to Dover and a morning at the castle and the wartime tunnels.
Afternoon
Falésias Brancas
Walk along the top of the Falésias Brancas, starting from the National Trust visitor centre.
Late afternoon
Dover seafront
Go down to the seafront and harbour to see the cliffs from below.
Evening
Return
Return to Canterbury or continue to London by train.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Canterbury or Cantuária?

In Portuguese there is the form Cantuária, used mainly for the archbishop, but the name most commonly used by travellers is Canterbury.

Which station to use in Canterbury?

Canterbury West takes the fast trains from St Pancras; Canterbury East takes those from Victoria. Both are within walking distance of the cathedral.

Are there boat trips in Canterbury?

Yes, on the River Stour, with boatmen who tell the city's history, generally from spring to autumn.

What are the Canterbury Tales?

The work by Geoffrey Chaucer from the late 14th century, featuring stories told by pilgrims on their way to the tomb of Thomas Becket.

Back to Canterbury