9 min readPlanning 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
Bristol is well connected to other parts of the UK and beyond, with an international airport just half an hour from the city centre, a major train station, and multiple coach routes.
If you're flying into Bristol Airport, the regular Airport Flyer bus service will take you directly to the city centre, close to many of Bristol's main hotels and attractions.
Arriving by train? Bristol Temple Meads is just 90 minutes from London with GWR, and also has regular services from major cities such as Cardiff (50 minutes away), Birmingham (1hr 20 minutes), Oxford (1hr 45 minutes), and Manchester (3 hours).
Image - GWR
Once you're here, you'll find that the city centre itself is very walkable and clearly signposted, but if you want to explore more areas of the city, there are numerous bus routes to choose from, as well as local train services. If you want the most scenic option for getting around, hop on the Bristol Ferry waterbus!
There are also escooters and e-bikes that you can rent from locations across the city.
- Read more about public transport in Bristol
- Plan a journey with TravelWest
- A guide to taking the bus in Bristol
Image - Bristol Ferry
Where to stay
The most popular areas to stay in for solo travellers are the city centre and Clifton, where you're close to transport links, attractions and great food and drink.
The Old City is the best option if you want to be close to some of Bristol's most historic buildings, as well as the popular foodie location St Nicholas Market. Many of the city's walking tours start around here, and you're just minutes from Bristol's buzzing Harbourside, so it's a good area to base yourself if you want to do some sightseeing.
The Bristol Wing is a great budget option for solo travellers, with both private and shared dorms available, and a sociable vibe. If you want a more boutique experience, book into one of the smaller rooms at Hort's Townhouse or Brooks Guesthouse. Moxy Bristol is a stylish, modern hotel close to Bristol's main shopping areas of Cabot Circus and Broadmead, as well as the nightlife and street art of Stokes Croft.
Image - Hort's Townhouse
Park Street is a shopping and nightlife hotspot, which is well situated between the Centre and Clifton. It's also home to some key attractions, such as Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, RWA, Bristol Cathedral and Brandon Hill Park, where you'll find Cabot Tower.
Book one of the solo rooms at The Berkeley Square Hotel at the top of Park Street, or if you want to stay at the bottom of the hill, you could opt for the Bristol Marriott Royal.
Image - Park Street
Clifton is Bristol's glamorous district on the hill, with gleaming Georgian architecture, independent shops, grand views and excellent bars and restaurants. If you're looking for a quieter area to stay when you're taking a rest between sightseeing, Clifton is a great choice. You'll also be on the doorstep of iconic landmarks, including Clifton Suspension Bridge, Royal York Crescent and Clifton Observatory.
The Clifton Hotel, The Rodney Hotel and The Washington all have single rooms with lower rates for solo guests, plus the option to include breakfast in your booking. Looking to treat yourself? Book a cosy room at the Hotel du Vin Bristol Avon Gorge to enjoy stylish interiors and a view of the suspension bridge over breakfast.
Image - Single room at The Rodney Hotel
Top things to tick off your list
If you're only here for a short solo trip, here are some must-dos for while you're here...
1. Check out Bristol's Street Art
Bristol is the hometown of Banksy and countless other internationally renowned artists. You'll find murals and stencils all over the city, but the best places to see a concentration of street art is Nelson Street in the city centre, Stokes Croft, and North Street and East Street in Bedminster. Book a street art tour or graffiti stencil workshop to learn more and meet some other street art fans!
Image - Street art on Nelson Street
2. Hit the Harbourside
Formerly Bristol's working docks for hundreds of years, the Harbourside is now home to museums, galleries, restaurants and cafes. Take a boat trip, or pay a visit to the world's first ocean liner Brunel's SS Great Britain, see contemporary art at Arnolfini or Spike Island, or learn more about Bristol's past and present at M Shed. You'll also find plenty of bars and restaurants on boats, and even a nightclub!
Image - Bristol Harbourside
3. Sample Bristol's food scene
One of the best-known things about Bristol is that it's a great place to eat! Book a food tour if you want the inside scoop from a local and to meet other foodies; otherwise, head to St Nicholas Market in the Old City, or Wapping Wharf on the harbourside to sample some of the city's best independent traders.
We're also lucky to have many breweries, distilleries, vineyards and cidermakers in and around the city, so make sure to look out for (or ask) about local options when you visit a bar or restaurant, or book a tour to see them for yourself!
Image - Food tour with GOOD Stories in Food
4. Learn about Bristol's epic history
Bristol's origins can be traced back to the Roman period, with hundreds of years of history visible in its oldest buildings, such as St James Priory, Bristol Cathedral, The Red Lodge and St Mary Redcliffe. Book onto a local guided tour to find out more and hear the tales of some of Bristol's former residents, from Blackbeard the pirate to Hollywood legend Cary Grant!
Image - Bristol Cathedral and Bristol Central Library
5. Watch some live music
Bristol is jam-packed with great music venues, so you're never short of options to see some fantastic live music. Check the latest listings at the city's bigger music venues Bristol Beacon and St George's if you want to take a seat for a gig, or head to some of Bristol's top grassroots venues for a more intimate experience, including Exchange, Strange Brew, Zed Alley and The Louisiana.
You can also catch live music throughout the week at many of the city's pubs, from nightly jazz performances at The Old Duke in the city centre, to local bands and DJs at The Canteen on Stokes Croft.
Image - The Stable
Bristol comes alive with festivals throughout the year, from free flagship festivals Bristol Light Festival, Bristol Harbour Festival and Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, to popular events Love Saves the Day, Bristol Craft Beer Festival, Bristol Sounds, Bristol Pride, Feast On and FORWARDS.
Image - Bristol Sounds
6. Explore Bristol's neighbourhoods
Don't just stick to the city centre, venture into one or more of Bristol's brilliant districts, whether you opt for the Georgian grandeur of Clifton, the indie shops, bars and restaurants of Gloucester Road, the colourful houses of Cliftonwood, or the impressive murals around Bedminster.
Image - Colourful houses in Cliftonwood - credit Jess Siggers
7. Discover a greener side of the city
Bristol is home to over 400 parks and gardens, ranging from scenic pockets in the city centre, such as Queen Square or Castle Park, to vast parks such as Ashton Court Estate or Blaise Castle Estate. Check out our guides to walking or cycling in Bristol, and enjoy a calmer side of the city!
There are also several walking, cycling and running groups and events in Bristol if you're looking for ways to meet new people in the city.
Image - Ashton Court Estate
8. See a show
Whether you're a fan of musicals, comedy or circus, you're well catered for in Bristol. Bristol Hippodrome hosts a range of dazzling West End shows throughout the year, or you can see a mix of local and touring productions at Bristol Old Vic, Redgrave Theatre, The Wardrobe Theatre and Tobacco Factory Theatres.
Image - The Wardrobe Theatre
9. Do some set-jetting
You may recognise Bristol in the background from many of your favourite films and TV shows, as the city has been used as a filming location many times, including for much-loved series Skins, Doctor Who, Rivals, and The Outlaws.
Bristol was awarded UNESCO City of Film status in 2017, and you can take a self-guided tour of filming locations with our handy guides, or check out Bristol Film Office's Bristol Movie Maps.
Image - Doctor Who filming in Bristol in 2023 - credit Logan Walker
10. Try something new
If you're keen to meet some like-minded folk while you're in Bristol, there are plenty of local meetups and socials you can find online, from social gaming to LGBTQIA+ groups.
Booking a workshop, tour, or experience is another great way to meet people, with some of the most popular for solo travellers including stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, cookery classes, wine tasting, and even making your own terrarium!
You can also browse local experience websites, such as Yuup and The Indytute, for more classes and workshops.
Image - Sailing with All Aboard Watersports
Day trips
Staying in Bristol for a bit longer? Bristol is surrounded by stunning countryside and landscapes on all sides, from scenic coastlines and the rolling hills of Somerset and the Mendips to the south of the city, or you can head east to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bath, or north to the Cotswolds and Malvern Hills.
Book an excursion to nearby historic landmarks and Cotswolds towns, or make your own way with our suggested day trips by public transport:
- Day trips from Bristol by train
- Explore the Mendips with the 376 bus
- Go on a Chew Valley adventure with the X91
Image - The Roman Baths in Bath
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