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: Things To Do

Bar at Flight Club Bristol - credit Flight Club

Things to do at night in Bristol

Aug. 28, 2024

No matter what time it is, there is always something to do in Bristol. Nightlife in Bristol is legendary whether you are a party-goer or want a more cultural night out. Here are some of our top picks for things you can do in Bristol at night. Activity bars to play and socialise Not one for chilling…

People sitting on the Bristol Harbourside with Pero's Bridge and the cranes outside M Shed in the background

The ultimate Bristol student bucket list

Aug. 27, 2024

If you’ve landed a place to study in Bristol, congratulations – you’re in for a brilliant three years. With all-round friendly vibes and a particularly buzzing student community, unbeatable nightlife, cracking culture and a renowned foodie scene, we’re certain you’ll love your soon-to-be second…

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

Banksy and other street art hotspots in Bristol

Aug. 26, 2024

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…

Paddleboarders in front of Hotwells on Bristol Harbourside - credit Visit West

8 of Bristol's best water-based activities

Aug. 12, 2024

With our lovely harbour at the heart of the city, it’s no surprise that Bristol is awash with water-based things to do. These range from a leisurely cruise on a boat tour right up to a day of adventure on a canoe or stand up paddleboard. Here are eight of Bristol’s best water-based activities to…

An wide shot of the Great Bath at The Roman Baths in central Bath, near Bristol

Best day trips east of Bristol

Aug. 05, 2024

As capital of the South West, Bristol makes the perfect base to explore the very best the region has to offer. World-famous attractions, ancient landmarks and gorgeous countryside are all just a short train journey, car ride or cycle away! So why not add a few extra days onto your stay in the city…

A view of the Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare near Bristol at sunset - credit Dave Peters

Best day trips south of Bristol

Aug. 01, 2024

As capital of the South West, Bristol makes an ideal base to discover the very best the region has to offer. Iconic attractions, historic landmarks and stunning countryside are all just a short bus, train journey, car ride or cycle away! So why not add a few extra days onto your stay in the city and…

Old City Sounds 2023 on King Street in Bristol - Credit Julian Preece / Bristol City Centre BID

Nine ways to make the most of #SummerInBristol

Jul. 31, 2024

From soaring hot air balloons to bustling Harbourside festivals, incredible live music to new cultural event spaces, food festivals to family fun; there’s something very special about #SummerInBristol... Read on to find out why Bristol is always a good idea: find out what’s coming up and how to make…

A group of balloons lifting off in a mass ascent at Bristol International Balloon Fiesta - credit Paul Box

Top 6 tips for Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

Jul. 29, 2024

Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is one of the most popular and striking outdoor events on the calendar. This year, the world-renowned free Fiesta returns to Ashton Court between Friday 9 August and Sunday 11 August 2024. Each morning and evening of the fiesta you can join one of the fiesta's…

British Airways Concorde Alpha Foxtrot supersonic airliner inside Concorde Hangar at Aerospace Bristol - credit Adam Gasson

Best day trips north of Bristol

Jul. 15, 2024

Bristol makes the perfect base to explore the very best the region has to offer. So why not add a few extra days onto your stay in the city and tick off some iconic sites at the same time? Here’s our pick of the best day trips north of Bristol, from castles and historic towns to animal attractions…

Exterior of Tyntesfield House, near Bristol - credit Andrew Butler

Best day trips west of Bristol

Jul. 01, 2024

As capital of the South West, Bristol makes the perfect base to explore the very best the region has to offer. World-famous attractions, iconic landmarks and beautiful countryside are all just a short train, bus journey, car ride or cycle away! So why not add a few extra days onto your stay in the…