What to do in Bristol

Activities, attractions and tours

Wills Memorial Building featuring a city, heritage elements and night scenes
Wills Memorial Building featuring a city, heritage elements and night scenes
Bristol which includes a sunset, a river or creek and a bridge
Bristol Floating Harbour which includes art and interior views
Bristol showing a sunset, a river or creek and a bridge

Bristol Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Bristol has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Bristol is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Bristol to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Bristol Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Bristol.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Bristol attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Top places to visit

1. University of Bristol

Experience student life in and around an acclaimed institute of higher education at the University of Bristol. It is recognizable for its landmark buildings, museums and its proximity to a busy nightlife district. The origins of the University of Bristol date back to 1595 and it received a royal charter in 1909. It counts Nobel Laureates, such as Sir Winston Churchill, among its former chancellors, professors and students.
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University of Bristol

2. Bristol Hippodrome Theatre

Visit the Bristol Hippodrome for a wide variety of performances and to see the domed ceiling that can be opened up to the night sky.
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Bristol Hippodrome

3. Cabot Circus Shopping Centre

At Cabot Circus Shopping Centre you can shop at popular brand-name stores, dine on contemporary cuisine and have fun at an adventure golf course. Cabot Circus Shopping Centre opened in 2008 and replaced a precinct of post-war retail buildings. It features three split-level shopping streets covered by a striking shell-shaped roof. The roof’s glass panels create the effect of an outdoor mall while protecting visitors from unfavorable weather conditions.
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Cabot Circus Shopping Centre which includes shopping and interior views

4. Thornbury Castle

Set in an estate of lush parkland and glorious Tudor gardens is Thornbury Castle. Spend a day enjoying the regal elegance and sumptuousness of this one-time residence of British monarchs. Treat yourself to a night of romance in the castle’s ornate rooms. Dine on meals inspired by food grown in the castle gardens and indulge in therapeutic massage treatments.
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Thornbury Castle which includes heritage elements, interior views and a house

5. Clifton Suspension Bridge

The Clifton Suspension Bridge spans the River Avon and links Clifton, a shopping district in Bristol, to Leigh Woods in the county of Somerset. Opened in 1864, the bridge is the brainchild of renowned mechanical and civil engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. It has become a major landmark of the area, and is worth visiting even if you don’t need to cross it.
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Clifton Suspension Bridge featuring a bridge, a sunset and a river or creek

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Recommended things to do in Bristol

Number of things to do
168
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Self-Guided Walking Tour of Bristol with Audio Guide: CA $9
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Bristol

Discover the most popular places to visit in Bristol

University of Bristol

University of Bristol

4/5(13 reviews)

Wander between campus buildings and architectural landmarks, visit museums, catch a theater show and admire outdoor art displays at this city center university.

University of Bristol
#Bristol #England #Atyeo

Ashton Gate Stadium

Catch an event at Ashton Gate Stadium during your trip to Bristol. Check out the shops and top-notch restaurants in this walkable area.

Ashton Gate Stadium
Bristol Hippodrome which includes theatre scenes, performance art and interior views

Bristol Hippodrome Theatre

This historic theater offers a wide variety of entertainment, from West End productions and Broadway shows, to traditional pantomimes and opera.

Bristol Hippodrome Theatre
Thornbury Castle which includes a castle and heritage architecture

Thornbury Castle

5/5(2 reviews)

Walk the grounds once traversed by royalty, dine in a dungeon and spend the night in a room fit for a king.

Thornbury Castle
Cabot Circus Shopping Centre which includes shopping and interior views

Cabot Circus Shopping Centre

4.5/5(10 reviews)

Discover new fashion trends, watch the latest releases from Hollywood and play a round of miniature golf at this modern retail mall.

Cabot Circus Shopping Centre
Clifton Suspension Bridge featuring a bridge, a sunset and a river or creek

Clifton Suspension Bridge

4.5/5(8 reviews)

Both striking and practical, this bridge has long been the symbol of the city of Bristol.

Clifton Suspension Bridge
The Lakeside walk in the Newton Park campus of Bath Spa University is my favourite place to go between lectures. The natural beauty of this campus is one of the reasons I chose to apply to this university. I still find it crazy how quickly I can feel immersed in the great outdoors, whilst still being close to the university buildings. Filled with swans, ducks, herons and a 15th century tower across the lake, there is plenty to sit back and appreciate. #Trovember Photo Contest

Bath Spa University

Walk around the campus at Bath Spa University as part of your travels around Newton St. Loe. Check out the shops and lively bars in this walkable area.

Bath Spa University
Bristol Southmead Hospital Direction Sign Brunel Quarter A, Way out, Bristol Brain Centre, Bristol Breast Care Centre, MacMillan Wellbeing Centre, Limes Quarter, Science Quarter

Southmead Hospital

Though Southmead Hospital might be what brings you to town, perhaps you'll have a chance to explore more of Bristol while you are here.

Southmead Hospital
SS Great Britain featuring signage

SS Great Britain

4.5/5(3 reviews)

Climb aboard this museum ship to learn about its long and eventful life at sea.

SS Great Britain

Explore areas of 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 beating heart of Bristol is packed with stunning architectural landmarks, shopping districts, centuries-old pubs and live music venues.

Bristol City Centre
Clifton which includes street scenes as well as a couple

Clifton

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

This picturesque suburb of Bristol is home to iconic city landmarks, an excellent zoo and boutiques set inside Georgian- and Victoria-era buildings.

Clifton
St. Mary Redcliffe Church showing a bay or harbour

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 We The Curious or Millennium Square while you're exploring the area.

Bristol Floating Harbour
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 Banksy Graffiti Thekla and Redcliffe Caves while you're in town.

Redcliffe
Arnolfini Gallery

Harbourside

Harbourside is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Wills Memorial Building or We The Curious.

Harbourside
Castle Park showing wild flowers, heritage architecture and a garden

Bristol Old City

Bristol Old City is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to St Nicholas Market or Broadmead Shopping Centre.

Bristol Old City

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Bristol

Wells

Wells

The Grand Pier featuring views, signage and a sandy beach

Weston-super-Mare

Tintern Abbey showing heritage elements, heritage architecture and building ruins

Chepstow

View of Newport Sands Beach from the golf club. Newport, Pembrokeshire, Wales. UK

Newport

Worcester Lodge entrance to Badminton Park the Estate of the Duke of Beaufort, Didmarton, Gloucesterhsire, Cotswolds, United Kingdom

Badminton

The Church was built between 1215 and 1225. As with many Norman churches built at this time it is located on a knoll and has magnificent views over the vale of Sodbury

Chipping Sodbury

Mill Lane Bluebells, Portbury
Photo by BarnabyKirsen (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0)

Portbury

A CrossCountry Class 220 approaches Filton Abbey Wood at speed with a southbound service.
Photo by Mattbuck (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0)

Filton

Frequently asked questions

Is Bristol worth visiting?
One of the most popular things to do in Bristol is visit Bristol Cathedral. Check this leading sight off your itinerary, then experience more of the area's nature and dining.
How do I spend a day in Bristol?
SS Great Britain and We The Curious are two excellent places to begin your vacation adventures. Be sure to explore the dining and shopping options in Bristol while you're in town too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Bristol?
Don't go home without visiting Bristol Cathedral, rated the top tourist attraction in Bristol.
Is three days enough to stay in Bristol?
You can easily enjoy leading attractions like Bristol Cathedral, We The Curious and Clifton Downs and Observatory with a three-day getaway in Bristol. On average, many travellers book two days here. There's plenty to experience nearby too, so stick around longer and head to Bath.
Is Bristol a walkable city?
With popular neighbourhoods and leading sights within walking distance of the city centre, Bristol is a great destination to discover on foot. Have fun wandering between Bristol Cathedral and We The Curious. Then take a stroll through Bristol Floating Harbour, located 2 kilometres from the centre, and Redcliffe, which is roughly 2 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Bristol with kids?
If you are after activities and sights for all of your group, check out these excellent ideas for what to do in Bristol with kids.

What to do in Bristol for adults?
Whether you're a food lover, culture enthusiast or thrill seeker, there are loads of things to do in Bristol for adults including Baldwin Street and Arnos Vale Cemetery.
Are there free things to do in Bristol?
From visiting parks to strolling around hip neighbourhoods, it's a breeze to discover free things to do in Bristol. If you're looking for inspiration, ask a local tour guide for recommendations. Bristol Cathedral is a must for anyone wishing to save on their sightseeing adventures.

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