Harbourside

Once a busy dock where sailors and merchants would trade goods and set sail for voyages of discovery, Bristol's Harbourside is now an attractive, modern development filled with restaurants, bars, shops and hotels.

The area is alive with the buzz of Sunday markets, waterside restaurants and bars and a whole host of sports and activities including yachting, paddle boarding, cycling and rowing.

Top attractions

Stroll around the water’s edge and you will find Millennium Square acting as a fantastic central hub, with its fountains and big screen as well as world-class attractions such as Brunel’s SS Great Britain, We The Curious, Bristol Aquarium, Arnolfini, Spike Island, Watershed, Underfall Yard and M Shed.

There are various tours you can book to explore more of the area, including the Brunel's SS Great Britain Walking Tour and the All About Bristol Walking Tour.

One of the best ways to see the Floating Harbour is from the water, so we'd recommend taking a boat trip, booking a paddleboarding session with SUP Bristol or canoeing with the Adventurous Activity Company. If you're feeling brave, there are also great views to enjoy from the top of the rigging at Brunel's SS Great Britain!

You can even see a couple of Banksy artworks around the harbourside, including The Girl with the Pierced Eardrum by Bristol Marina, or The Grim Reaper on display at M Shed.

Harbourside food and drink

You're never short of options when it comes to eating and drinking around Bristol's historic Floating Harbour. Enjoy some picturesque views from the waterside terraces at Harbour House, Riverstation, No.1 Harbourside, Mud Dock or Arnolfini Harbourside Bar, while sipping a cocktail or munching some lunch.

The Ostrich and The Cottage boast some of the best views from their front terraces, while Rick's at The Bristol or The Architect Bar are top choices for cocktails overlooking the harbour.

Wapping Wharf has oodles of choice just a stone's throw form the water's edge, from sushi at Seven Lucky Gods, to tapas at Gambas, Mexican dishes at Cargo Cantina, or locally-brewed beers at Junction.

Or you could just let the world pass you by whilst watching the boats head in or the swans swim past, whilst dangling your feet over the edge with a cold glass of cider in hand.