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

Forwards Festival Bristol at sunset - credit khaliphotography

Bristol’s festival line-up in 2025

May 05, 2025

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 2025. There’s a festival for everything in Bristol, from ballooning to music headliners, cider to cinema. Avoid any inkling of Glastonbury FOMO…

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

Places to stay with kids in Bristol and beyond

Apr. 23, 2025

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…

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…

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…

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…

Bed with red headboard and blue bedding - Credit Berkeley Suites

Bristol on a budget: Get the best deal on accommodation

Mar. 08, 2023

It doesn’t matter how far your budget stretches – there are ways to get a great deal on accommodation in Bristol. Whether you prefer to rest your head in a cheap and cheerful hostel or a luxury hotel, here are our four top tips for getting more for your money: Look for special offers on…

Colourful houses in Kingsdown, Bristol - credit Jess Siggers

The local's guide: Cotham and Kingsdown

Mar. 12, 2021

Want the inside scoop on where to eat in the foodie districts of Cotham and Kingsdown? Check out this itinerary from a local resident. Gin peddler, cocktail connoisseur and food fanatic Danny Walker tells us why this hilly suburb of Bristol is worth the climb... Kingsdown is a happy little suburb…