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!

Tag: City Centre

Mother’s Day gifts with the Love Bristol Gift Card

Mar. 19, 2025

Give Mum the gift of Bristol this Mother’s Day and support local with the Love Bristol Gift Card Mother’s Day is right around the corner - Sunday 30th March - but have no fear, we’ve rounded up a go-to guide of Bristol independents where the mother figure in your life can be treated with a Love…

Avon Gorge Hotel Du Vin restaurant - Credit Hotel Du Vin

Bristol's best rooms with a view

Feb. 10, 2025

From Harbourside hotels and waterfront views to dramatic Avon Gorge-edge vistas, ancient spires and Somerset countryside, these Bristol hotels have rooms with beautiful, awe-inspiring and interesting sights to be seen: On the waterfront: The Bristol On a busy stretch of the city’s Floating Harbour…

Bristol Museum & Art Gallery - Lunar New Year Pandas Lion Dance

Where to celebrate Lunar New Year in Bristol

Jan. 20, 2025

Bristol has plenty going on to kick off the Year of the Snake – join in the celebrations at these special Lunar New Year Events. Lunar New Year at Wai Yee Hong, 1 February Chinese supermarket Wai Yee Hong host the biggest free Lunar New Year celebrations in the city. Dance and martial arts…

Mysterious figure on St Nicholas Street - credit Charlie Revelle-Smith

Itinerary: Take a dark tour of Bristol

Oct. 16, 2024

Local author of the Weird Bristol history books, Charlie Revelle-Smith, takes us on his personal tour of some of Bristol’s macabre and gruesome history. From haunted pubs to bloody murder, wrap up warm and retrace the steps of our city’s darkest days… The Tour Map The route is approximately two…

Glassboat at night - credit 6 O'Clock Gin

Bars and restaurants on boats in Bristol

Aug. 16, 2024

Dine with a difference on board one of the converted boats that are moored on Bristol’s Floating Harbour. Three Brothers Burgers This popular burger joint on Welsh Back has plentiful outdoor seats on the quayside, as well as large tables inside the restaurant. The menu is a simple selection of…

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 people holding a large pride banner - Credit Bhagesh Sachania

10 things to do at Bristol Pride 2024

Jun. 19, 2024

Bristol Pride is back for 2024, celebrating its 15 th anniversary with a spectacular and diverse lineup of events across the city between the 29 June and the 13 July. The main festival day returns on Saturday 13 July on The Downs, with four stages, circus tent, family and youth zones. The legendary…

A fmaily eating ice cream on a bench outside Wookey Hole hotel - Credit Wookey Hole

Places to stay with kids in Bristol and beyond

May 29, 2024

Bringing the family to Bristol? After experiencing the excitement of the city’s attractions, adventurous activities and delicious food and drink, you’ll need somewhere to rest and recharge. Luckily, there are countless places to stay with kids, whether you fancy a city centre hotel with big…

Crowds along the harbour at Bristol Harbour Festival - Credit Paul Box

Bristol’s festival line-up in 2024

May 15, 2024

Ready for dancing to live music, tucking into delicious street food and sipping pints of cider in the sunshine? Bristol’s festival calendar is jam-packed in 2024. There’s a festival for everything in Bristol, from ballooning to music headliners, cider to cinema. Avoid any inkling of Glastonbury FOMO…

Mercure Bristol Grand lobby with street art - Credit Jose Coello

Where to stay for parents visiting students in Bristol

Jan. 10, 2024

Dropping your son or daughter at university for the first time or visiting throughout the year is the perfect excuse to book in a short break to Bristol. You can get to know the city they've chosen to spend their uni days in a bit better and make your way around the many attractions on offer at the…