Bristol travel guide

Bristol, England, experiences a maritime climate, characterized by mild temperatures and moderate rainfall throughout the year. Summers (June to August) are warm with average highs around 22°C (72°F), while winters (December to February) are relatively mild with average lows about 3°C (37°F). The city gets most of its rainfall during autumn and winter, and occasional snowfall can occur, especially in higher areas.

Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) are transitional seasons, with temperatures ranging between 12°C (54°F) and 18°C (64°F). Bristol is known for its high wind speed, especially in the winter months, due to its coastal location. Travelers should note that the weather can change quickly throughout the day, so it's advisable to dress in layers and always carry an umbrella.

Although Bristol is one of the sunniest cities in the UK, with over 1600 hours of sunshine annually, it's important to be prepared for cloudy days and sudden showers, typical of British weather. Despite the inconsistencies, the city's climate adds to its charm, offering different experiences with each season.

Home to plenty of top attractions, Bristol is more than just a wonderful city in England. Bristol is a travel hotspot and a great place to experience a mix of the traditional and modern culture of England.

One fascinating sight in Bristol is the unforgettable Clifton Suspension Bridge. Considered one of the most well-known attractions in the city, a visit to this spectacular travel destination is something you shouldn’t miss on your trip to Bristol.

Clifton Suspension Bridge is open for visitors at any time of the day and is located at Bridge Rd, Leigh Woods, Bristol BS8 3PA, UK.

For more information about what you can expect during a vacation in England, check out our list of top attractions in Bristol below. Discover the best places to visit in Bristol, including the fascinating Clifton Suspension Bridge, Brunel's SS Great Britain, M Shed, Queen Square, and Castle Park.

Use this map to find the location of all top attractions in Bristol.

Traveling is all about gaining new experiences. You can have that and more in the city of Bristol.

Bristol offers numerous tours and activities for travelers to choose from. Walking Tours, Historical Tours, and Audio Guides are only a few of the many experiences you can book for your holiday in England.

Explore the most popular experiences you can join in Bristol by clicking on one of the top-rated tour categories below.

Travelers in Bristol can choose from 13 categories of top-rated tours and tickets.

By joining this highly recommended tour, travelers get to learn more about what makes Bristol one of the best travel destinations in England.

Bristol also offers plenty of budget-friendly tours and activities that promise travelers a unique experience in the city. The affordable Bristol Street Art: Banksy Graffiti Outdoor Escape Game is the cheapest tour in the city, and is a popular Historical Tour. This experience costs around 8 EUR and allows travelers a great time in Bristol. This Historical Tour is available in 1 language: English. Around 24 travelers have given this activity an average rating of 4 stars out of 5.

Secure an unforgettable experience for your upcoming trip to Bristol and book a top-rated tour in the city. Discover the best tours, activities, and tickets in Bristol below.

Discover the best things to do in Bristol. Choose from 61 fantastic tours and activities available in the city.

Select your dates and number of travelers in the search bar below to receive the best recommendations for your vacation in Bristol. Click the green button to view your options.

Bristol, England, boasts a diverse food scene, offering everything from street food to high-end dining experiences. One of the best places to eat in Bristol is the Harbourside, renowned for its vibrant food stalls and restaurants. Here, you can try traditional dishes such as Cornish pasties and fish and chips, or explore the flavours of global cuisines. For a more upscale dining experience, Clifton Village is home to some of Bristol's finest restaurants, where you can enjoy locally sourced produce and exquisite seafood dishes. Don't miss out on Bristol's famous Cheddar cheese and cider, which can be sampled at local pubs and bars throughout the city. Bristol's food markets, such as St Nicholas Market, are also not to be missed, offering a variety of fresh produce and artisanal foods. With its diverse culinary offerings and traditional English dishes, Bristol promises a delightful gastronomic journey for all food lovers.

Bristol, England offers a vibrant nightlife scene that caters to all preferences. The Harbourside is often considered the best area for bars in Bristol, with an abundance of pubs, clubs, and cocktail bars offering a lively atmosphere. Be sure to visit The Apple, a cider barge that has become a Bristol institution.

Moving slightly north, you will find the edgier district of Stokes Croft, the city's cultural hub, known for its underground clubs, art collectives, and bohemian vibe. The Old Market, Bristol's LGBTQ+ heartland, hosts a variety of clubs and bars, with The Old Market Assembly and Bristol Bear Bar being particularly popular establishments.

Music lovers should not miss the live performances at Thekla, a cargo ship turned nightclub. For those interested in craft beers, King Street is a must-visit, home to several unique brewpubs and beer bars. Dress codes are generally casual, but some upscale venues may require smarter attire. Last but not least, remember that most places operate until around 2 am, with a few venues open till the early morning.

For an unforgettable shopping experience, Bristol, England, is a city that should not be missed. The best place to go shopping in Bristol is the vibrant Cabot Circus, offering over 120 stores, including high-end brands and unique bouties. A close second is the Clifton Village, famed for its independent shops selling handcrafted jewelry, antiques, and unique homeware. For a more traditional shopping experience, don't miss out on St Nicholas Market, the city's oldest market dating back to 1743. Here, you can find local crafts, vinyl records, vintage clothing, and delicious street food. If you're on the hunt for distinct Bristol fashion, head to Gloucester Road, known for its eclectic mix of independent shops and vintage fashion stores. Don't leave without picking up a piece of Bristol Blue Glass or a Bansky print as a souvenir. Bristol is a city filled with shopping surprises, from its diverse range of stores to its beautiful shopping districts, providing an exciting shopping experience for everyone.

Bristol, England, offers a plethora of free activities that cater to a variety of interests, making it a perfect destination for travelers on a budget. One of the best free things to do in Bristol is to explore the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, which houses a collection of art, archaeology, geology, and natural history. Take a leisurely stroll through the stunning St. George Park, a Victorian-style park with a lake, tennis courts, and a skate park. History buffs will enjoy a visit to the M Shed, a museum that showcases Bristol's history through exhibits of art, culture, and the industrial heritage of the city. For art enthusiasts, the outdoor gallery of street art, especially the works of world-renowned artist Banksy, is a must-see. Lastly, the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge offers breathtaking views of the Avon Gorge. Its visitor center, detailing the history and construction of this engineering marvel, is also a free treat for the inquisitive mind.

The most popular way to experience Bristol is by visiting the city as part of a road trip across multiple destinations in England. However, it is also common for travelers to go to Bristol on both shorter and longer getaways, to get a break from everyday life, relax, and experience something new.

With Guide to Europe you can find road trips, city breaks, and weekend getaways in England, ranging from budget to luxury. Whether you’re planning a multi-day road trip across England, or you just want to enjoy a few days exploring Bristol, there is a vacation package for you.

Discover the most popular vacation packages in Bristol below.

Travelers have a great selection of vacation packages to choose from in England. In fact, you can choose from as many as 175 different top-rated vacation packages to take you to Bristol, and even more if you expand your search to include a bigger area of England.

To help narrow your choices down, here are some of the best vacation packages for exploring the city of Bristol.

For an epic vacation, discover Bristol and other top destinations in England on a top-rated holiday like the 10-Day England Road Trip from Bristol to Tavistock, Exmouth, Southampton, and London. This vacation package provides travelers with tons of opportunities to experience not only the most popular attractions in Bristol, but also in other top places to visit in England. If Brandon Hill, Bristol Zoo Gardens, Brunel's SS Great Britain, Clifton Downs, and Clifton Suspension Bridge are on your bucket list, this is the perfect vacation package for you.

If you would like to go on a budget vacation in Bristol, book the popular Cheap 3-Day England City Break in Bristol and spend as little as 398 EUR. This vacation will take you on a journey to experience some of the most incredible attractions and sights in Bristol, including the fantastic Castle Park, Brandon Hill, Queen Square, Bristol Zoo Gardens, and Clifton Downs.

Get more Bristol vacation ideas on this site and discover the greatest selection of vacation packages in Europe. Scroll down to find the best vacation packages in England that match your needs and budget.

Discover and compare 175 vacation packages that take you to the wonderful city of Bristol.

The best flights, hotels, and activities in Bristol get fully booked quickly. Use the search tool below to find the best vacation packages in England. Your customized holiday package to Bristol is only a few clicks away!

Over the years, more airlines have started offering flexible and direct flights to Bristol, making it one of the most accessible travel destinations in England. However, it is usually cheaper to fly to Bristol, England, in May.

The cheapest one-way flight to Bristol costs around 18 EUR and is offered by the airline Ryanair. The flight leaves on June 29 at 3 and departs from Poznań–Ławica airport in Poznań, Poland.

The cheapest round-trip flights to Bristol cost approximately 45 EUR in total. The departure flight leaves on May 21 and the return flight is scheduled on May 23. The flight time is around 1 hour per way.

The return flight is operated by London Stansted.

Use the search tool below to find the cheapest flights to England and the city of Bristol from your city of departure.

Travelers visiting Bristol in England can fly to Bristol airport directly from 1530 destinations worldwide.

The three most popular routes to Bristol airport and the city of Bristol in England depart from Bristol airport in Bristol, England, Greenville–Spartanburg International airport in Greenville, the United States, and Cochin International airport in Kochi, India.

Travelers can fly to England by choosing from from 1 weekly flight(s) from Bristol; from 3 weekly flight(s) from Greenville; and from 1 weekly flight(s) from Kochi.

The airline that operates most flights to England is Qatar Airways. Qatar Airways offers 28 scheduled flight routes to England.

Discover the most popular flights to Bristol below. Click to view flights to Bristol, England from destinations all across the globe.

A trip to the fascinating Bristol, England, means opportunities to relax at any of the 6 different types of places to stay in the city. Overall, travelers can choose from the following: 234 hotels, 94 vacation rental apartments, 38 cottages, 3 guesthouses, 1 hostel and 0 bed & breakfasts. While each type offers varying amenities and rates, there is no denying that Bristol provides a great selection of lodging options ready to cater to every kind of guest.

Among all these choices available in the city, Future Inn Bristol is one of the top picks of travelers in Bristol.

The hotel is located at Bond Street South and boasts many great utilities, including Air conditioning, Restaurant, and Free Wi-Fi.

Budget accommodations are also incredibly popular among travelers in Bristol. Cheaper alternatives allow travelers to save on accommodation costs and have more to spend on other experiences.

In Bristol, travelers looking for an economical yet top-rated place to stay usually choose The Washington. For approximately 45 EUR, guests can book a comfortable Unknown at this popular hotel.

Below is a list of all 6 different types of places to stay in Bristol. Select the type you prefer to compare options under each category and find the best accommodation.

Hotels are travelers' go-to accommodations in Bristol for the unique experience they provide. So if you're the kind of traveler who prefers staying at hotels, you'll be glad to know that the city is home to around 371 hotels.

Besides offering basic amenities, many hotels in Bristol provide meals and extras, such as shuttle services, spa facilities, tour desks, and other services. But because not all hotels in Bristol are created equal, finding the best in the city often requires careful research. For your convenience, we've done all the research to make it easier for you to check out all the top hotels in Bristol.

If comfort, convenience, and affordability are your non-negotiables, check out Future Inn Bristol, the top 4-star hotel in the city. When all you need is a pleasant place to rest and sleep in between your activities in Bristol, the highest-rated 3-star hotel, Arnos Manor, is for you.

Below is our hand-picked list of the best hotels in the Bristol. Travelers are encouraged to book early as these hotels quickly reach capacity.

Click the arrows or swipe the list to see each hotel's ratings, reviews, locations, rates, and more. You can read detailed descriptions of each hotel by clicking the cards.

Use the Accommodation Search tool below to find available stays in the city of Bristol on specific dates. This handy feature also allows you to compare prices and amenities.

Enter the preferred check-in and check-out dates. Then, select the number of guests and rooms. Click the Search button to find all the available hotels and places to stay in the city of Bristol that match the information provided.

Discover and choose from our broad range of popular car rental options in the city of Bristol to find the best car for your travel plans. Travelers in Bristol can choose from small cars, medium cars, large cars, estate cars, mini vans, SUVs, convertibles, premium cars, camper vans, mini campers, vans, cars. All car rentals come with CDW insurance for added protection throughout your trip.

Renting a car is a popular choice among travelers who want to explore England at their own pace. The most popular type of car rental among small groups of travelers in Bristol is a TopLevel.

Another very popular type of car to rent in Bristol is a TopLevel. This car is particularly popular among couples and solo travelers touring the city of Bristol.

Check out all options available in Bristol and book the car rental for your upcoming adventures in England below.

Get ready to hit the road and explore the beautiful city of Bristol. Find the best deals on a variety of popular car rentals in Bristol, England, or any other destination in Europe by using the search tool below.

Enter your pick-up and drop-off location, driver's age, and dates. Click the green button to view your options.

When unsure of where to go next, use the map below. This map shows the locations of all the best destinations in England. Use the map to plan your trip and find the best routes.

Travelers in England can catch flights to domestic airports in Bournemouth, Birmingham, Nottingham, Liverpool, and Leeds. Domestic flights in England are operated by 3 airlines: Ryanair, Jet2, and easyJet. There are around 10 scheduled flight routes operating to Bristol on a weekly basis.

From Bristol, travelers can book scheduled flights to 9 domestic destinations. The most popular flights from Bristol depart to many top-rated destinations in England and are offered by Ryanair, Jet2, and easyJet.

Traveling to another city or region in England? Use the flight search tool below to quickly find the cheapest one-way or round-trip flights from Bristol to different local destinations.

Enter all the necessary information and click or tap on the Search button to see a list of the available domestic flights in England on the selected dates.