I hear that two days isn’t nearly enough time to see all of Bristol’s highlights, but I certainly tried to pack a lot into my weekend in Bristol as a guest of Visit Bristol.
From wandering the city’s many museums and seeking out its street art hotspots to eating in stylish restaurants and bantering with local traders (plus plenty of stops for snacks) there’s so much to see and do in England’s largest southwest city. Bristol’s tourist attractions are numerous, but some of the most interesting places in Bristol are the local hangouts.
It may be big, but it’s walkable and I never found myself strolling for more than 15 minutes to any of the places on this itinerary for a perfect weekend in Bristol. The city had been on my UK bucket list for quite some time thanks to its colourful streets and ahem, shared love of cider. I urge everyone to visit while the sun is shining.
In just 48 hours in Bristol, I managed to see some of the quirky city’s best bits and squeeze in lots of the top Bristol things to do.
Here’s a full itinerary, in case you’re planning your own trip. I’ve included recommendations for Bristol’s best places to see, where to eat and where to stay so you can have the perfect weekend break in Bristol.
Top things to do in weekend in Bristol: full weekend itinerary
Day 1
1. Start with the best breakfast spot in Bristol
To kick off your first day out in Bristol, start with filling your belly.
I have it on good authority from a local that one of the best breakfast spots in Bristol is Ironworks Supply on Broad Street. They serve mouthwatering pancake stacks, millennial-friendly open toasts and other brunch favourites.
2. Discover Bristol’s street art scene
Once you’re fuelled up, get your comfy shoes on and prepare to explore Bristol’s most famous tourist attractions by foot. Join a street art tour with local company Where the Wall. The two-hour tours begin at 11am and a local artist will take you around the city to see some of Bristol’s best street art.
I can’t recommend this tour highly enough – the guide gave us so much insight into Bristol’s creative, alternative culture and highlighted just how revolutionary street art can be.
My favourite piece of street art in Bristol is painted on the side of a house formerly owned by Massive Attack, who ran an informal cocktail bar on the ground floor.
I won’t tell you too much more – that’s the tour guide’s job.
3. Refuel at Bristol’s oldest pub
All that walking is thirsty work, so whet your whistle at The Hatchet, Bristol’s oldest pub. It dates back to 1606.
4. Spend a penny at Bristol’s coolest shopping destination
If you’re not quite ready for lunch, take a look around the indie businesses housed in shipping containers in Wapping Wharf. Be sure to stop into the Bristol Cider Shop for a bottle of local nectar – all of the cider they sell is manufactured within 50 miles of Bristol.
5. See Bristol’s maritime attractions
You can also find The Matthew there, which is a replica of the boat sailed by John Cabot when he discovered Newfoundland in 1497.
If you’d prefer to delve deeper into Bristol’s maritime past, visit The M Shed, a social history museum on the harbour. It’s one of the best free things to do in Bristol and on certain dates, you can even take a steam train ride along the harbour!
6. Scoff at the best lunch places in Bristol
At lunchtime, drop in to Pieminister on Broad Quay. The local piemakers serve some mouthwatering, stick-to-yer-ribs pies and sides. Other good lunch choices are The Real Greek Bistro, Woky Ko for Asian bao created by a Masterchef finalist, or Wahaca for Mexican food.
For dessert, choose a scoop (or two) of delicious gelato at Swoon on the College Green on your way to the harbour.
7. Do some Bristol sightseeing by boat
Keep your fingers crossed for blue skies as you take an afternoon tour of the Floating Harbour on the Bristol Packet. It takes just 45 minutes but is wonderfully relaxing (especially when the sun is shining which, thankfully, it was when I was aboard) and offers a new perspective of the city. The commentary is especially entertaining.
Book your Bristol boat tour here.
8. Shop at a local market
Back on dry land, browse the harbourside market (weekends from 10am – 4pm) for locally-made items and vintage fashion.
9. Take a look around one of Bristol’s many museums
Afterwards, head to the newly-opened Being Brunel Museum. Here, you can learn about famous Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel and see the SS Great Britain, his masterpiece.
If you’re not afraid of heights, you can even climb the rigging to 25 metres above ground level for a birds’ eye view of the vessel.
I thought the museum was super interesting and would definitely recommend doing this if you’re in Bristol with kids.
Still got time to spare? You can take a tour of Spike Island, Bristol’s international centre for contemporary art and design, which is housed in an old docklands tea factory. It’s one of the most interesting places to visit in Bristol.
10. Eat at Bristol’s most Instagram-friendly restaurant
Get your gladrags on and head to The Florist on Park Street at dinnertime. It’s probably the most Instagram-worthy bar and restaurant in Bristol, with floral wall art that’s perfect for posing in front of.
11. Sample some of the best cocktails in Bristol
If you’re in the mood for an after-dinner cocktail or two, try Bambalan in Colton Tower or one of the other bars near Millennium Square. There are free movie screenings there in the summer months!
The night doesn’t have to end there – there are plenty of buzzing nighttime venues on Bristol’s harbour, just take a walk.
12. Or try one of the more alternative things to do in Bristol at night
Not up for a night on the tiles? Bristol’s planetarium at We The Curious (the UK’s only 3D indoor planetarium, which is housed in an exciting interactive Science centre) runs nighttime audiovisual shows that will blow your mind. It’s a great thing to do if the heavens open and you’re after indoor activities in Bristol.
Day 2
13. Get your caffeine fix
Hope you’re wearing comfy shoes, because today involves lots of walking. Before you set off, grab a to-go coffee at Full Court Press, which comes highly recommended by my Bristolian buddy Jess, who invited me to experience her city. Follow her on Instagram for some seriously wanderlust-inducing Bristol pics!
14. Where to find Bristol’s colourful houses
One of the most fun things to do in Bristol is hunt for a house painted in your favourite shade.
It’s time to take in those jaunty multicoloured houses that Bristol is famous for, up-close. Walk up towards Royal York Crescent (England’s longest residential crescent) and towards Clifton for some serious ‘grammable eye candy.
If you’d like a deeper insight into what makes Bristol unique, it’s worth booking a walking tour. I was lucky because I had a local to show me around, but I always try to find someone – a tour guide or friend – to impart some insider wisdom when I visit a new place.
15. Grab lunch like the locals
St Nicholas Market in the Corn Exchange is a must-visit in Bristol and you can kill two birds with one stone by eating lunch there courtesy of one of the local vendors, who serve international flavours from their stalls (it’s not open on Sundays, FYI).
If you’d prefer a more leisurely lunch, enjoy afternoon tea at Mercure Bristol Holland House Hotel.
16. Wander around the most historic things to see in Bristol
Architecture geeks can’t miss Bristol Cathedral, a grand building that’s featured in a lot of films, and St Mary Redcliffe Church, an 800 year old Gothic masterpiece.
17. Shop local
Bristol is a haven of indie business, and home to Europe’s longest shopping street with purely local vendors, Gloucester Road. If you’ve come to Bristol to shop, you’re in luck: it’s got one of the largest Primark stores in the country. You’ll find it’s also a treasure trove of vintage shops – try Urban Fox, Dutty and Loot.
18. Find the best things to do in Bristol with kids
If you’ve got kids with you and they don’t fancy traipsing around the shops, they’ll love Bristol Aquarium or Watershed, an arts cinema and digital creativity centre.
To see the city from above, you could climb Cabot Tower for unrivalled views over Bristol or head to world-famous Clifton Suspension Bridge, which has a visitor centre and the option to do a tour.
19. Book dinner at one of Bristol’s best restaurants
In the evening, dine in an elegant restaurant in a converted barge at Glassboat or feast on Michelin-starred tapas at Paco Tapas.
If you’d prefer something more casual, try The Stable for pizza or Three Brothers Burgers.
20. Raise a glass to the end of your Bristol city break
Visiting Bristol with your partner? Why not end the trip with one of the most romantic things to do there!
Toast the end of your weekend in Bristol with a glass of wine or fizz at Hotel Du Vin. The hotel is housed in The Sugar House, a restored collection of Grade II listed sugar warehouses.
21. Dive into Bristol’s nightlife scene
It’s your final goodbye to the city, so an early night should be the last thing on your mind. Bristol is hiding a cool collection of speakeasy bars, so make it your mission to find these on your last night. The Milk Thistle is a favourite.
Alternatively, catch a show at the Old Vic, the UK’s oldest continuously working theatre. You can also check what’s on at Colston Hall.
Now the question is… how much can you actually fit in to your weekend in Bristol? I challenge you to try to do everything I’ve mentioned – and share any other recommendations or Bristol tips in the comments section!
Enjoyed this Bristol weekend itinerary? You’ll love my list of 9 quirky reasons to visit Bristol!
Important information for visiting Bristol
How to get to Bristol
Bristol Temple Meads is the main city centre railway station. It’s a 15-minute walk from the city centre, or you can take a ferry.
You can drive to Bristol on the M5 and M4.
Bristol airport is eight miles south of the city and is accessed via the A38.
Search for cheap flights to Bristol
I hopped on the Bristol Flyer bus from Bristol Airport, which took me straight to my hotel on Redcliffe Way.
If your weekend in Bristol isn’t blessed with good weather, you can buy tickets for a hop on – hop off bus tour to see the main tourist attractions.
Where to stay for a weekend in Bristol
I was hosted by the ideally located DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in the city centre. Some friends stayed at The Bristol and The Marriott.
If you’re looking for a real treat, try Hotel du Vin. It’s perfect for couples planning a romantic weekend in Bristol.
Search all hotels and accommodation in Bristol using the map below
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Use my Travel Resources page to plan and book your weekend break in Bristol
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The capital of South West England is well worth a visit, especially in the Spring and Summer months when the city’s colourful streets really shine.
Whether you’ve got two days or two months to explore Bristol, you’ll never be at a loss for things to do and the friendly locals will always make sure you’re on the right path. There’s a sense of community and innovation in Bristol that’s truly contagious, and that’s what made me so keen to go back.
Even if you’re planning a weekend in Bristol on a budget, there are plenty of free things to do, including the city’s museums and galleries. With cheap flights from London, there really is no excuse not to plan a weekend in Bristol this year.
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TeaPartyPrincess says
You fit in so much! Your pictures are lush too, you’re really caught the vibrancy of the city.
Cora |
newgirlintoon says
I’ve visited Bristol many times but haven’t done half of these things! Such a great itinerary and I’m feeling so inspired to revisit, thank you so much for posting this!