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: Itineraries

A surfer riding a wave at The Wave inland surfing lake near Bristol - credit The Wave

How to spend a Monday in Bristol

Oct. 06, 2026

Monday blues? Not in Bristol. Swap work for play and get your fill of culture, adventure, great food and good times in the city. Here are some top ways to keep the weekend vibes going and kick off your week in the best way possible. Visit Bristol's top attractions Many of Bristol's most popular…

Person stand up paddleboarding in harbour

A solo traveller's guide to Bristol

Sep. 14, 2026

Planning a solo trip to Bristol? Bristol is a great option for independent travel and has gained a reputation as a friendly, safe, and fun city. Book the perfect solo adventure with our tips below... Skip to: Travel | Where to stay | Top things to do | Day trips Getting to and around Bristol…

Cast of Rivals walking in hallway - credit Disney+

8 ways to have an 1980s ‘Rivals’-inspired break in Bristol

May 10, 2026

The adaptation of Dame Jilly Cooper’s novel ‘Rivals’ is a shocking and steamy antics tale of the social elite of 1980s England. The series was filmed in and around Bristol, so we've put together a list of locations where you can experience some ‘80s nostalgia once you've watched the show on Disney+…

A family cycling on the Strawberry Line path in North Somerset - credit Visit West

10 ways to have a sustainable break in Bristol

Apr. 29, 2026

Looking to minimise your impact on the environment or city when you come to Bristol? We've got plenty of eco-friendly ideas to help with planning your trip, from transport choices to activities and tasty food and drink. First of all, if you've picked Bristol as a place to visit, you've already…

Beautiful towns and villages near Bristol

Mar. 26, 2026

Bristol is the confluence of the beautiful counties of Somerset and Gloucestershire, home to varied landscapes, rolling countryside, stunning natural wonders, and plenty of charming historic villages! Here are some of our favourites, all waiting for you on the city’s doorstep. If you don't drive or…

Banksy's Mild Mild West mural in Stokes Croft, Bristol - credit Morgane Bigault

Banksy and other street art hotspots in Bristol

Mar. 23, 2026

Visiting Bristol is like browsing an outdoor urban gallery. Tour the city’s streets and you’ll struggle not to find a brightly coloured, cutting-edge piece of spray can art embellishing the walls. The birthplace of Banksy, Bristol’s constantly evolving graffiti culture has made street art one of its…

A view of the Beeses riverside pub on the banks of Conham River Park in East Bristol - credit Paul Box

The local's guide: Hanham

Mar. 20, 2026

Riverside walks, hidden nature reserves and a High Street that still feels like a community If you’re looking for a Bristol neighbourhood that balances proper green space with everyday local life, Hanham is a brilliant place to explore. Sitting on the eastern edge of the city, it offers riverside…

A view of Troopers Hill park in East Bristol - credit Visit Bristol

The local's guide: St George

Mar. 02, 2026

Heading eastwards in Bristol? We asked St George local Helen Applin for a one-day itinerary and her top tips on what to see and do while you're visiting... Bristol City Centre seems to have it all: shopping, restaurants, bars. Then there’s the tourist meccas, Bristol Dockyards and Clifton…

A balloon from the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta flying over the Totterdown area of the city - credit Paul Box

The local's guide: Totterdown

Feb. 10, 2026

Close to Temple Meads station and within walking distance to the centre, Totterdown’s popularity is growing as a place to both live and visit. Thriving local businesses, award-winning cafes and a warm, community feel make this suburb well worth exploring. Faye Jenkins tells us about her home turf in…

A view of the harbour area in the town of Keynsham near Bristol - credit Nick Smith

The local's guide: Keynsham

Jan. 19, 2026

This rural market town is nestled on the south-eastern borders of Bristol. We asked local resident Monika Komar to share an itinerary and tell us some of the best spots to seek out... Hop on a train from Bristol Temple Meads, and a mere eight minutes away is Keynsham; part Bristol suburb, part…