Bristol

Travel Guide

Wills Memorial Building featuring a city, heritage elements and night scenes
Bristol which includes a sunset, a river or creek and a bridge
Bristol
Bristol showing a sunset, a river or creek and a bridge
Bristol
With a youthful arts and entertainment scene, international festivals and many family-friendly attractions, Bristol is one of the U.K.’s most vibrant cities.

Visit Bristol to enjoy a diverse entertainment scene, some of the best produce Britain has to offer, locally brewed beer, and many museums and historical displays.

The River Avon is Bristol’s lifeblood and the city’s harbor is a great place to start your visit. Once a center of the shipping industry, the harbor area has now been regenerated into one of culture and entertainment. It’s the site of the annual Bristol Harbour Festival, one of the U.K.’s largest festivals. The harbor is also home to the steamship SS Great Britain. Buy a ticket and climb aboard to learn about the vessel’s eventful life at sea, and understand why it’s considered to be a marvel of its time.

In the city center, visit St. Nicholas Market and spend a morning or afternoon browsing stalls selling anything from old records and handmade jewelry, to hot sauces and haberdashery. On Wednesdays, head here to buy fresh produce at the farmer’s market, then enjoy a snack made with locally sourced ingredients. Pair your food with a Somerset cider or a beer from the local Butcombe and Zerodegrees breweries.

By night, Bristol offers a range of entertainment options from classical music at Colston Hall, to theater at the Bristol Old Vic and Bristol Hippodrome.

The city also offers plenty of activities the whole family can enjoy. Attractions like We The Curious, Bristol Aquarium, Bristol Zoo Gardens and M Shed get kids burning energy while they learn. Another Bristol landmark, the Clifton Suspension Bridge, is a short drive from the center of town. Families will also enjoy the city’s festivals, including the Bristol Festival of Nature, Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, Europe’s largest hot air balloon event, and the Bristol Festival of Puppetry.

Bristol is one of the warmest, and sunniest,  cities in the U.K. This is due to its position in the south, and its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. You’ll find better accommodation deals outside the warmer months, which are between May and September.

Getting around Bristol is easy and the city actively promotes public transportation. Make use of the excellent bus service, or rent a bike and see why this city is considered so cycle-friendly.

Where to stay in Bristol

Cabot Circus Shopping Centre showing street scenes and shopping as well as a small group of people

Bristol City Centre

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

The fantastic nightlife and popular shops are just a few highlights of Bristol City Centre. Make a stop by St Nicholas Market or Old Vic Theatre while you're exploring the area.

Bristol City Centre
Clifton featuring street scenes as well as a couple

Clifton

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

Clifton is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Clifton Downs and Observatory and Clifton Cathedral while you're in town.

Clifton
St. Mary Redcliffe Church showing a bay or harbor

Bristol Floating Harbour

4.5/5(13 area reviews)

The fantastic nightlife and popular shops are just a few highlights of Bristol Floating Harbour. Make a stop by Bristol Aquarium or We The Curious while you're exploring the area.

Bristol Floating Harbour
Ship to Shore ~ Public Art by John Buck. My fave of the sculptures on the Quay. :)

Portishead

You'll enjoy the parks and art galleries in Portishead. You might want to make time for a stop at Portishead Lake Grounds or Parish Wharf Swimming Pool.

Portishead

Filton

2.5/5(2 area reviews)

Filton is well-liked for its shopping. If you'd like to do some sightseeing in the greater Bristol area, you might plan a trip to The Mall at Cribbs Causeway or Bristol Zoo Project.

Filton
St. Mary Redcliffe Church featuring heritage architecture and a church or cathedral

Redcliffe

Redcliffe is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to St. Mary Redcliffe Church and Banksy Graffiti Thekla while you're in town.

Redcliffe
Aztec Hotel & Spa
Aztec Hotel & Spa
4 out of 5
Aztec West, Almondsbury, Bristol, England
The price is CA $132 per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
CA $132
CA $158 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Bristol. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
Refreshed and restored
"It was only one night but staying in a terraced room overlooking the lake we were fully refreshed for a full day ahead. Breakfast was excellent and my food allergies well catered for."

Reviewed on Jun. 26, 2025

Aztec Hotel & Spa
Delta Hotels by Marriott Bristol City Centre
Delta Hotels by Marriott Bristol City Centre
4 out of 5
2 Lower Castle Street, Old Market, Bristol, England
The price is CA $110 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
CA $110
CA $132 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Bristol. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (327 reviews)
"Stay was lovely and the hotel was beautiful and clean"

Reviewed on Jun. 29, 2025

Delta Hotels by Marriott Bristol City Centre
Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel
Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel
4 out of 5
College Green, Bristol, England
The price is CA $145 per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
CA $145
CA $174 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Bristol. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), 24-hour room service, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,087 reviews)
"Amazing stay"

Reviewed on Jun. 28, 2025

Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
PREMIER SUITES Bristol Redcliffe
PREMIER SUITES Bristol Redcliffe
4 out of 5
30-38 St Thomas Street, Bristol, England
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Bristol. Enjoy free WiFi, dry cleaning or laundry services, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Bristol Hippodrome ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (157 reviews)
"All good except poor wifi - about 10Mb/s"

Reviewed on Jun. 29, 2025

PREMIER SUITES Bristol Redcliffe
PREMIER SUITES PLUS Bristol Cabot Circus
PREMIER SUITES PLUS Bristol Cabot Circus
4 out of 5
Quakers Friars Cabot Circus, Bristol, England
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Bristol. Enjoy free WiFi, dry cleaning or laundry services, and bicycle rentals on site. Popular attractions Cabot Circus Shopping ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (172 reviews)
"Was massive space we loved it.like a home from home"

Reviewed on Jun. 20, 2025

PREMIER SUITES PLUS Bristol Cabot Circus
Your Apartment I Clifton Village
Your Apartment I Clifton Village
4 out of 5
26-28 Regent St, Bristol, England
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Bristol. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour business center, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Bristol Hippodrome Theatre ...
7.2/10 Good! (86 reviews)
"Excellent location in the heart of Clifton village. Well appointed apartment, parking not guaranteed but plenty of off street parking nearby. Overall excellent value for money."

Reviewed on Jun. 14, 2025

Your Apartment I Clifton Village
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Bristol

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
12
5 - Excellent 48%
4 - Good
11
4 - Good 44%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 8%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Achieng

The Brunel museum is well worth the price of admission, as is the restored ship, SS Great Britain.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Nice mix of historical buildings and modern updated amenities.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

I was only there for quick visit but the waterfront and downtown are bustling areas and lots to see, but bring some sunshine, it was very wet when I was there.

4/5 - Good

Chelsea

Super nice mix of modern and historical, most people where very friendly.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

bad traffic conditions during the day.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great time in Bristol docks area

Cities near Bristol