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!

An artwork at the Upfest street art festival on North Street, Bristol - credit Upfest

26 Things to do in Bristol in 2026

Dec. 18, 2025

With a seemingly never-ending list of sights to see and experiences to tick off, how can you pack the best of Bristol into your year? Our list of 26 things to do in 2026 is here to help, covering everything from uniquely Bristol attractions to outdoor adventures. Plan the perfect city break around…

Christmas Day lunch at Coppa Club in Clifton, Bristol - credit Coppa Club

Where to go for Christmas Day lunch in Bristol

Dec. 16, 2025

Want to take the stress out of the big day? Gather your family or friends and book a table at one of these restaurants or pubs, which are serving a special lunch on Christmas Day. Hort's Townhouse Cosy up in this sprawling city centre gastropub and tuck into three indulgent courses for your…

Neon Tree at Westonbirt Arboretum by Culture Creative - credit Sony Music

Christmas light trails in and around Bristol

Dec. 12, 2025

Grab a warm coat and a woolly hat and head out to experience some Christmas magic. Create your own new Christmas traditions with a festive lights walk in and around Bristol. Remember to tag us in your photos and videos on Instagram and TikTok, and include #MerryBristmas in your posts! Jump on board…

Review: Treasure Island at Bristol Old Vic

Dec. 11, 2025

Find out what Kathryn from the Visit Bristol team thought of Treasure Island, which is lighting up the Bristol Old Vic until 10 January 2026. A rip-roaring swashbuckling musical adventure for Christmas, Treasure Island at Bristol Old Vic is a great family adventure and a perfect way to celebrate…

A view of the Clifton Suspension Bridge in West Bristol covered in snow, looking towards the Abbots Leigh area - credit Angharad Paull

Bristol’s best winter walks

Dec. 10, 2025

Crisp air, frost-coated foliage and beautiful views - an invigorating wintry walk is the perfect way to experience Bristol this season. So head out on one of these head-clearing strolls around Bristol… The Harbourside When the mist rises on a chilly winter’s morn, the Harbourside is a sight to…

Main bar at The Highbury Vaults in Bristol - credit Youngs

Cosy pubs in Bristol

Dec. 05, 2025

When it’s cold or rainy outside, there’s nothing better than finding a comfy corner in a traditional pub. Here are a few of our favourite places to get snug in the colder months. The Cottage Inn Come rain or shine, it's hard to beat the view across the harbour from The Cottage. On colder days, pull…

Girl playing with giant bubble at We The Curious, Bristol - credit Lisa Whiting

200 intriguing things to do at We The Curious this Christmas

Dec. 01, 2025

A day out at Bristol’s surprising science experience, We The Curious, is the perfect way to enjoy some time out together over the busy winter holidays. You’ll find We The Curious right in the heart of Bristol’s historic harbourside. Step out of the cold and through the rainbow-coloured entrance to…

A couple surrounded by cangled watching the sunset - Credit Visit West

Top places to propose in Bristol

Nov. 30, 2025

If you're plotting where best to get down on bended knee and pop the question to your beloved, then consider Bristol your amorous wing-lady. The city’s unique, jaw-dropping backdrops are bound to capture the mood and help you put a ring on it! Here are some of the most romantic places to propose in…

Prior Shop homewares - CREDIT Prior Shop

Sustainable and ethical shopping in Bristol

Nov. 28, 2025

Bristol is celebrated for its independent, eco-conscience spirit and has a long association with the green movement. As well as being the first UK city to win the award of Green Capital in 2015, Bristol is the UK’s first cycling city, and home to the pioneering Sustainable Fashion Week. In stark…

Bristol Cathedral alter with Christmas trees and candles - Credit Bristol Cathedral

Christmas carols, concerts and services in Bristol

Nov. 26, 2025

If you’d like to add a touch of the spiritual to your Christmas celebrations, we’ve put together a list of the most enchanting and sacred spaces around Bristol. Bristol Cathedral Bristol Cathedral is an extraordinary building filled with secrets of Bristol’s past. Christmas is a busy time for the…