Bristol Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Wills Memorial Building showing heritage elements, night scenes and a city
Bristol which includes a bridge, a sunset and a river or creek
Bristol
Bristol featuring a bridge, a sunset and a river or creek
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 At-Bristol, 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 featuring shopping and street scenes as well as a small group of people

Bristol City Centre

5/5(1 area review)

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 which includes street scenes as well as a couple

Clifton

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

Travellers come to Clifton for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Clifton Downs and Observatory and Clifton Cathedral while you're in town.

Clifton
St. Mary Redcliffe Church showing a bay or harbour

Bristol Floating Harbour

4/5(23 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
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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

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 a church or cathedral and heritage architecture

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
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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$170 per night from 13 July to 14 July
NZ$170
13 July - 14 July
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! (331 reviews)
"Comfortable room, very clean. The only thing was that the food was not cleared away quickly enough from the outside seating area which attracted a gull who started eating the leftover food."

Reviewed on 3 Jul. 2025

Delta Hotels by Marriott Bristol City Centre
Mollie's Motel & Diner
Mollie's Motel & Diner
3.5 out of 5
Cribbs Causeway, A4018, Bristol, England
The price is NZ$170 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
NZ$170
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Bristol. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (2,101 reviews)
"Just came back from a great little stay at this hotel, the room was really nice and staff friendly and helpful. Would defo use again"

Reviewed on 5 Jul. 2025

Mollie's Motel & Diner
Ramada by Wyndham Bristol West
Ramada by Wyndham Bristol West
3.5 out of 5
Gordano Motorway Service Area M5 J19, Portbury, Bristol, England
The price is NZ$107 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
NZ$107
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Bristol. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,004 reviews)
"Convenient stay off the M5. Dog friendly. Breakfast included. No bath in the family room & room a bit hot!"

Reviewed on 5 Jul. 2025

Ramada by Wyndham Bristol West
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 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 20 Jun. 2025

PREMIER SUITES PLUS Bristol Cabot Circus
4 Berkeley Sq - YourApartment
4 Berkeley Sq - YourApartment
3 out of 5
4 Berkeley Square, Bristol, England
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Bristol. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and premium bedding. Popular attractions Bristol Hippodrome Theatre and Cabot ...
8/10 Very Good! (42 reviews)
Basement flat nr Clifton
"Small basement flat, with shower. No access to outside space but window coukd be opened to allow fresh air. Hot weekend in Bristol but flat was still cool. Some communication from the managers had to chased (check in details etc.) but friendly and efficient once asked. Good base for a night or ..."

Reviewed on 30 Jun. 2025

4 Berkeley Sq - YourApartment
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 29 Jun. 2025

PREMIER SUITES Bristol Redcliffe
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

Activities

Reviews of Bristol

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
12
5 - Excellent 44%
4 - Good
14
4 - Good 52%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 4%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

We were a little alarmed and sadden by the large amount of homeless people in the area. Also the lack of police in the area. We saw drug deals happening on the streets while we were sitting with our children having breakfast.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Because we only spent the night there, we able to walk across the road to a beautiful shopping centre and movie theatre . Very friendly environment. We wish we spent more time in Bristol.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Was only in Bristol for a few hours so did not get to see much, but what we did see was very nice

5/5 - Excellent

ZestLearning

Clifton village and surrounding area is heritage at its best. Beautiful architecture and easy, warm vibe

Cities near Bristol