City centre and harbourside
The city centre
You'll find the bustling Cabot Circus, St Nick's market and Castle Park in the city centre.
Cabot Circus and Broadmead are home to our largest collection of high street shops. You can browse for everything from fashion to food and pick up anything else you might need.
Walk down to St Nick’s market to discover incredible food from independent and local vendors. In the surrounding streets you can take your pick from dozens of restaurants, bars and coffee shops.
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Must visit: Playground Coffee
This unique café offers board games as well as coffee.
The Christmas Steps
The Christmas Steps are home to a picturesque collection of independent shops. Between St Michael's Hill and Broadmead, this quaint street makes for a popular photo op.
Drop by The Scrandit bar and restaurant for one of their food pop-ups, or head into Chance and Counters board game café to explore their collection of games.
The harbourside
Situated between Clifton and Cabot Circus is the harbourside.
In this cultural heart of the city, the Bristol Harbour Festival takes place every summer. This weekend of live music, arts and food is free for all to attend.
Weekly food markets, restaurants and attractions make the harbourside a popular destination all year round. Cross the bridge to the opposite side of the harbour to:
- Climb aboard the SS Great Britain
- Visit M Shed museum
- See Banksy’s 'The Girl with the Pierced Eardrum' mural.
Across the river you’ll also find Wapping Wharf, a unique shopping area built out of repurposed shipping containers. Restaurants, boutique stores and an independent bookstore are just some of the highlights.
Millennium Square
Millennium Square is one of the most recognisable spaces in Bristol.
It's home to Bristol Aquarium and We the Curious – a unique interactive science experience that is home to our iconic planetarium.
King Street
Around the city centre and harbourside you'll find many pedestrianised areas.
King Street is one of the most popular, located just past the harbour and populated with independent bars, eateries and outdoor seating.
Enjoy live jazz music at The Old Duke, or hear sea shanties at the Llandoger, Bristol’s 1664 pub that allegedly inspired Robinson Crusoe and Treasure Island.
Bristol Old Vic, first opened in 1766 and the second largest theatre in the city, can also be found here.
