Colourful, alternative and packed with young people: Brighton quickly became my new favourite UK city when I first visited. Here’s my brilliant Brighton day trip itinerary for first-time visitors.
While Brighton’s attractions are numerous and diverse, one of the best things to do in Brighton is simply to take an aimless walk around the city and soak up the atmosphere, which vibrates with a contagious energy.
The south east seaside destination has just enough grit to hold appeal for edgy folk in their 20s and 30s, but it still has the classic British beach attractions that have made day trips to Brighton popular with Brits since the 18th century.
The LGBTQ capital of the UK feels like a place where anything can happen.
The city wears its personality on its sleeve and it’s reflected right back in its residents’ faces.
I spent my entire day trip to Brighton gushing about how much I loved the place!
Seriously, can I just move there?
What to do on a Brighton day trip
Here’s what to see in Brighton on a day trip. I’ve included the usual tourist attractions, photogenic places in Brighton and quirky spots that will make your day trip to Brighton super memorable.
1. Walk along Brighton Pier
Brighton Palace Pier is a must-see if you’re only in Brighton for a day trip, so head there to start your day in Brighton.
One of the most photographed piers in Europe, this 1,722ft long Victorian pier epitomises everything that’s golden about a day at the seaside.
Grab fish and chips and wander the fairground attractions, two arcades and various stalls on the pier.
This is one of the best free things to do in Brighton. You don’t have to pay to people watch there!
If you’re enjoying a Brighton day trip with kids, you can take them to the indoor soft play on the pier. Ideal for rainy days!
Get ideas for more things to do in Brighton with kids on Zena’s Suitcase’s site.
2. Sunbathe on Brighton Beach
Brighton’s beach might not be the comfiest on the old bum bones – there are about 614,600,000 pebbles lining the shore – but it’s popular among sunbathers in the summertime.
You can rent a deck chair and spend the day chilling and watching the waves if you so desire – or do some water sports if you’re feeling brave.
Book a jet ski ride to kick your day in Brighton up a notch here, or book a powerboat ride here.
There are loads of bars, cafes and other facilities lining the seafront.
Don’t miss the famous colourful beach huts, which are over in Hove!
3. Take a stroll along the Promenade
Brighton’s seafront promenade is probably the loveliest I’ve been to in Britain.
As well as lots of bars and restaurants with outdoor seating that give the city a real cosmopolitan vibe, there are galleries in the Artists’ Quarter that spill out onto the paving from the arches.
You can pick up unique souvenirs here and there are plenty of free activities to keep kids busy, including a basketball court.
You’ll also find a free fishing museum, ice cream shops, seafood stalls, children’s play areas and of course the carousel.
You could easily spend the best part of an afternoon soaking up Brighton’s seafront attractions!
4. Pose with the Upside Down House
The peculiar Brighton tourist attraction on the promenade is amusing to take a photo with, but the real intrigue is inside this curious structure!
Within the aquamarine house that’s turned on its head; you’ll find the ‘UK’s first inverted photo experience’.
The Upside Down House is a museum of illusions that’s brilliant if you’re looking for a rainy day activity in Brighton.
This is one of the most fun places to go in Brighton with kids, and you’ll come away with great pictures to remember your day trip to Brighton.
5. Reach high on a flight on the Brighton i360
The Brighton i360 is a unique attraction in Brighton for all ages.
Buy a ticket and enter a futuristic glass pod, then soar 415ft into the sky to take in breathtaking panoramic views of Brighton’s cityscape from the top of the observation tower.
There’s an onboard bar where you can order a sparkling wine and an exhibition room back on the ground, which details the creation of the tower.
You’ll need to book your i360 flight online in advance. You can do this here.
The attraction also has an open-air rollerblading rink, so you can get your skates on and have some fun there too!
6. Visit the Royal Pavilion
This might be one of the best places to go in Brighton for photographers, but unfortunately all the scaffolding meant the Royal Pavilion wasn’t looking its best during our day out in Brighton!
Built as a seaside retreat for King George IV, this historic house was later redone with inspiration from Indian architecture.
These days it radiates Regency grandeur with an oriental aesthetic.
While it’s magnificent to take in from the outside, you can also book tickets online in advance to explore the interior of this grand structure.
There’s an imposing banqueting room, royal bedrooms and a music room complete with pagodas where Rossini performed in 1823.
7. Wander along North Laine
If you’re planning a day trip to Brighton, you cannot miss North Laine!
This vibrant mecca for the alternative is a melting pot of colour, bohemian style and gastronomy. It’s a hive of activity and is viewed as the cultural hub of Brighton.
Join the outlandishly dressed throngs for a stroll around the countless independent shops, boutiques and galleries, then pull up a pew in the street for a light bite and enjoy watching life unfold in what has to be one of England’s most fascinating streets.
It’s Brighton’s diversity that made me fall in love with the city, and nowhere is it better epitomised than North Laine.
Saturdays get very busy on North Laine, so if you’re visiting Brighton on a day trip at the weekend you should take this into consideration.
TIP: Get around Brighton with ease via City Sightseeing hop-on-hop-off bus tour. It’s a simple way to see more of Brighton if you’re only there for 24 hours.
8. Go shopping for vintage gems
If you’re into vintage fashion, Brighton is your spirit city.
North Laine is jam-packed with overflowing vintage shops and antiques bazaars.
If you’re ever lost for things to do in Brighton when it’s raining you can easily lose a whole morning wandering the shelves of Brighton’s vintage treasure troves.
Some of my favourites are Snooper’s Paradise, To Be Worn Again and Waiste Vintage.
Take a deep breath and get ready to rummage.
I actually got a headache because I was so overwhelmed with the sheer quantity of stuff in these shops and felt like my eyes couldn’t possibly take it all in at once!
9. Explore The Lanes
Brighton’s Lanes are a rabbit’s warren of narrow streets lined with independent shops, pubs and eateries.
Once a tiny fishing town, this is another of the top places to visit in Brighton, whether it’s your first visit or your thirtieth.
Walking around the Lanes is a bit like stepping back in time in the best possible way.
If you’re in the market for some one-of-a-kind jewellery, I highly recommend a trip to the Lanes’ jewellery quarter.
We went early in the morning when the Arabic jewellers were finishing their coffee and catching up on the cobbles before opening their shops.
10. Hunt out Brighton’s street art
No modern city would be complete without its fair share of street art and Brighton is no exception.
Among the rainbow coloured houses and vibrant shopping streets, you’ll find a plethora of incredible wall murals and less curated graffiti that conveys the city’s bold character.
Some of the most well known street art areas in Brighton are The Prince Albert Pub on Trafalgar Street, with its lurid depiction’s of some of Britain’s late great artists, and Gloucester Road, Kensington Street and Orange Row.
I reckon Brighton’s street art rivals Bristol’s – what do you think?
11. Visit Brighton’s top museums
If your day trip to Brighton isn’t blessed with dry weather you can take shelter and find amusement in some of the city’s museums and galleries.
Brighton Museum in Pavilion Gardens is a must-visit. It’s open all week except Mondays.
There’s also the Crane Kalman Brighton Gallery for photography lovers, Hidden Gallery for contemporary art and the Brighton Toy and Model Museum which will appeal to children and adults alike.
You’ll find lots of small independent galleries around the city. Just wander in and you might find something truly special!
12. See Brighton’s Marina
Did you know that Brighton’s boasts one of Europe’s largest floating Marinas?
Whether you drive along the coast or stroll along the beach towards the area, Brighton’s Marina is worth visiting.
Buy lunch in one of the many cafes and restaurants and browse the high-end shops that line the attractive harbour.
There’s free parking, an outdoor ping pong and chess tables so you can even have fun at the Marina if you’re visiting Brighton on a budget.
If you take your bike along for your day in Brighton, you can cycle along Brighton’s coastline and finish at Newhaven & Seaford beach, where you can jump on the train back to the city.
13. Experience Brighton’s nightlife
Brighton offers visitors a great night out whether you’re there with friends, family or your significant other.
There are clubs tucked away in the beachfront arches, stylish bars for date night and plenty of traditional but quirky pubs rising from corners around the city.
Some of our favourite watering holes are Patterns on the beachfront during the day, Seven Stars for funky late night vibes and The Mash Tun for a decent pint.
The World’s End is a unique pub in Brighton, where you can play retro arcade games as you sip!
For a top-notch night out in Brighton that will introduce you to some new friends, why not join a local bar crawl?
14. Extending your day trip to Brighton?
From Brighton, you can easily visit nearby Cambridge and Greenwich on a day trip. Book your adventure here.
Alternatively, set sail to the Isle of White!
Where to eat on your Brighton day trip
Trying to recommend the best place to eat in Brighton isn’t easy. With more bars and restaurants per head than anywhere else in the UK bar London, Brighton has a plethora of excellent eateries so you’ll be spoiled for choice when your stomach starts rumbling.
We had mouthwatering Middle Eastern wraps at Lavash on North Laine, which I’d definitely recommend if you’re into that sort of cuisine.
It took me right back to my time in Dubai!
For daytime light bites along Brighton seafront, try West Beach Bar & Kitchen.
They have a beachfront terrace that’s great for watching the world go by and their fish goujons are delicious.
If you’re a carb queen like me, let me direct you to NuPosto. We had a beautiful Italian meal there on the night of our arrival in Brighton.
If you love South Indian food and craft beer, you HAVE to eat at Curry Leaf Cafe in the Lanes.
They’ve won loads of awards and the kooky decor gives the place a wonderfully laid-back feel.
Their Thali trays look incredible, but we were just after something to keep us going for the long drive back Up North so we ordered some open naan wraps.
They were SO tasty – I had paneer and Tom had tandoori chicken.
If you’d like to support some of Brighton’s many independent foodie businesses, book a foodie walking tour which will take you to visit the city’s best-loved independent food producers and street-food vendors.
The tour I’ve linked above includes vegetarian and vegan options.
Got a sweet tooth? This doughnut tour or this chocolate tour will satisfy that!
How to get to Brighton
If you’re planning a day trip to Brighton from London, you can travel via National Express or Southern Rail.
Where to stay in Brighton if you have more than a day
We were hosted at the City Centre ibis and couldn’t fault it.
It’s right next to the station and a quick walk to the Lanes and seafront, so the location is perfect if you only have two days in Brighton.
We had a partial sea-view, the staff were great and their hygiene standards were flawless.
Plus, I just love those grab n’ go breakfasts… in my world, that means sending Tom down to grab them so I can go back to bed.
If you’re after a luxury hotel in Brighton, you can’t go wrong with Malmaison Hotels – but always book direct on their website because they usually have great deals that are only available there.
You can search for your ideal Brighton accommodation using the Booking.com map below.
Booking.comIf you’re planning a day trip to Brighton or visiting the city while exploring England on a trip from overseas, you’re in for a real treat.
It’s a bohemian city where diversity is celebrated with vigour, and I think every city in the UK could be improved if it took a leaf out of Brighton’s book.
I hope this mini Brighton day trip itinerary has given you loads of inspiration to find the best things to do in Brighton and top places to head to on your visit.
I just wish the city wasn’t such a long drive from Sunderland – or I’d be there every weekend!
More UK travel guides you might find useful
Best things to do in Scarborough
Girls weekend in Manchester guide
Berwick-upon-Tweed trip planning guide
What to do in Leeds on a weekend break
How to have a perfect day out in Knaresborough
Glamping sites in Northumberland
Unique accommodation for couples in Northumberland
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