Blog & Guides

Welcome to the Visit Bristol blog, your one-stop shop for ideas, inspiration and handy tips to make your time in Bristol that bit better!

From suggested itineraries to festival round-ups and unmissable things to do, our guides aim to showcase the best of the city, whatever the time of year. We publish new blogs every week and keep our blog posts up-to-date with the latest information, so you can trust that you’re getting the most accurate and useful tips for your trip.

Planning a trip with the family? Check out our guides on Places to stay with kids in and around Bristol and Things to do with teenagers. We’ve also got a list of 60 free things to do to keep costs down.

Coming here to sample as much of the food scene as you can? Have a read through our list of Bristol’s Michelin-starred restaurants, top cocktail bars and pub gardens, or find the best places to go for vegan food while you’re here. We’re sure you’ll also want to try a tasty Sunday roast while you’re here – we've rounded up a few of the best of those too!

If you’re local to Bristol, or here for a few days, we’ve also got plenty of suggestions for day trips to the north, south, east and west of the city so that you can experience as much of the region as possible. Maybe you want to tick off all of the World Heritage Sites near Bristol, or discover our most accessible outdoor attractions.

We’ll also have seasonal guides to help you get the most out of Summer in Bristol, from rooftop bars to scenic cycle routes, or find out what’s on for Christmas in and around the city.

Keep checking back for more brilliant Bristol inspiration!

Category: Accommodation

Mercure Bristol Grand bedroom - Credit Jose Coello

Places to stay in Bristol for Christmas shoppers

Nov. 08, 2023

Take any stress out of Christmas shopping in Bristol this year by extending your day trip into an overnight stay or short break. Allow us to guide you through the best areas for gift shopping and the remarkable places to stay in each. Jump on board First Bus to explore shops, markets and more across…

22 Bristol breaks for every kind of traveller

Mar. 08, 2023

Discover what makes Bristol’s accommodation offering special and make the most of limited-time and year-round offers. Whether your idea of the perfect hotel has a storied past, gives a warm welcome to pooches or has a spa you can escape to – Bristol has accommodation you’ll love. To give you an idea…

Bed with red headboard and blue bedding - Credit Berkeley Suites

Bristol on a budget: Get the best deal on accommodation

Mar. 08, 2023

It doesn’t matter how far your budget stretches – there are ways to get a great deal on accommodation in Bristol. Whether you prefer to rest your head in a cheap and cheerful hostel or a luxury hotel, here are our four top tips for getting more for your money: Look for special offers on…

A red dog sat on a grey bed in the corner of a room - Credit Jamie Street

Bristol's best dog-friendly hotels

Mar. 07, 2023

In Bristol you’re never far from green space, the city is home to over 400 parks and gardens and it’s just a short journey out of the city centre to beautiful countryside. Add to that some fantastic dog-friendly hotels and you have a great city break with a dog in tow. So, instead of leaving a…

A 2 silver airstreams on a roof - Credit Brooks Guesthouse

B&Bs, cottages and guesthouses for your next Bristol break

Mar. 07, 2023

Traditional bed and breakfasts, cosy cottages and elegant guesthouses – we've got them all in Bristol, both in the city centre and just beyond on the greener fringes of town. From refurbished historic homes to cottages on a working farm, here are some top picks to consider for your next Bristol…

Fun facts you never knew about Bristol hotels

Aug. 11, 2020

Bristol has a rich and eventful history and so it’s only fitting that behind some of its biggest hotels, lies a wealth of fascinating facts. Take a look at these little nuggets… The Bristol One of Bristol’s only Harbourside hotels, this former motel was built in 1966 – at a time when the majority of…