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! 

Popular reads

Things To Do

24 Things to do in Bristol in 2024

  • 22 min read

With a seemingly never-ending list of sights to see and experiences to tick off, how can you pack the best of Bristol into your year? Our top 24 things to do in 2024 is here to help, covering everything from uniquely Bristol attractions to outdoor adventures. It’s no surprise Bristol was…

Latest blogs

Twixmas holiday activities in Bristol

Don't just sit around eating turkey sandwiches – banish the lull between Christmas and New Year and find fun Twixmas holiday activities in Bristol. Pay a visit to Brunel’s SS Great Britain Step back in time and explore the historic dockyard and ship, which reopens on 27 December and is open daily up…

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Sacred Bristol at Christmas: Carols, concerts and services

If you’d like to add a touch of the spiritual to your Christmas celebrations, we’ve put together a list of the most enchanting and unique, sacred spaces around Bristol. Bristol Cathedral Bristol Cathedral is an extraordinary building filled with secrets of Bristol’s past. Christmas is a busy time…

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The ultimate Bristol Christmas gift guide

Frantic for ideas on what to get your loved ones for Christmas? Worry no more! Visit Bristol’s elves have searched Bristol's sensational shopping selection high and low to sniff out the top Bristol-themed gifts that’ll have your nearest and dearest dancing a Christmas jig for joy. Fact…

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Where to see Santa in Bristol this Christmas

He's making a list, he's checking it twice; he's gonna find out who's naughty or nice, Santa Claus is coming to Bristol. Here are all the places you can meet the jolly old man in red…#MerryBristmas! Jump on board First Bus to explore festive events across the city, and if you're coming from out of…

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24 Festive things to do in Bristol

Christmas markets, winter wonderlands, enchanting light trails, festive events and experiences, not to mention the magnificent theatre productions – Bristol is brimming with exciting things to do this Christmas. Everyone's welcome to our place this Christmas. Here's our round-up of what’s on this…

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Travel the season with First Bus

Whether you’re coming to Bristol to do your Christmas shopping or for a festive evening with friends, why not forget about the stresses of traffic and parking and hop on a First Bus instead? These are some of our favourite things to do in Bristol, and how to get there by bus. Quick links: Fare…

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Shop local at Bristol Christmas Markets

During the festive season, there are countless Christmas market stalls in Bristol to potter around – more than enough for you to give Santa and his elves a good run for their money on the present-sourcing and yuletide-treat-eating front. So don your thermals, savour the street food and get your…

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Places to stay in Bristol for Christmas shoppers

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…

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Christmas light trails in and around Bristol

Grab a warm coat and a woolly hat and head out to experience a little bit of Christmas magic with a twinkly festive light walk in and around Bristol. Remember to tag us in your photos and videos on Instagram and TikTok, and include #MerryBristmas in your posts! Jump on board First Bus to explore…

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Bristol’s best winter walks

Crisp air, frost-coated foliage and beautiful views - an invigorating wintry walk is the perfect way to experience Bristol this season. So head out on one of these head-clearing strolls around Bristol… The Harbourside When the mist rises on a chilly winter’s morn, the Harbourside is a sight to…

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