What Are The Best Things To See and Do in Brighton?

For those looking for a charming city with plenty of exciting things to see and do, Brighton is an ideal destination. Situated in the South of England, this captivating and historic seaside resort is a lively haven of diverse attractions. Like nowhere else on the British coastline, Brighton is a town that beautifully combines Victorian elegance with a modern, cosmopolitan atmosphere – making it a firm favourite for holidaymakers, summer tourists and city-goers. Right from the stunning seafront to quirky attractions, there’s something for everyone. So, if you’re looking for the best things to do in Brighton, from tourist highlights to lesser-known gems, it can be a bit overwhelming. That’s why we decided to write a guide for you that should help you make the most of this glorious city by the sea.

The Iconic British Seaside

When it comes to the classic and most loved outdoor attractions in Brighton, the pier is a great place to start. The Victorian-era Brighton Palace Pier is one of the most celebrated landmarks of this type of British architecture and is a must-see while visiting the city. Enjoy amazing rides and arcades or simply take a long stroll along this full-length walkway, admiring the impressive waves crashing beneath it. An additional unique seaside experience involves cycling along the iconic waterfront cycle track in Hove or even taking part in one of the jetty diving expeditions – which can be found easily online.

Exploring The Best Of History And Culture

Brighton indeed has a lot of history to show off. The Royal Pavilion is for many an enigmatic symbol of this former grandeur of Brighton and one of the most photographed sites on Britain’s south coast. The Royal Pavilion manifests itself as an impressively large prefabricated Indian palace with minarets inspired by Mughal architecture. If you love staring at artworks of both modern and classical masters, don’t miss out on the opportunity to visit the two main museums in Brighton; The Booth Museum of Natural History and The Brighton Museum & Art Gallery. Both of these cultural institutions are fantastic repositories of information, featuring some priceless artifacts and collections.

Independent Shops & Boutiques

For those looking to treat themselves with a unique shopping experience, Brighton has plenty of unique and independent stores to explore. This is a great chance to get your hands on that perfect piece of souvenir or gift item to remember your trip by or pick out some unique handcrafted pieces made by local artisans. Some of the top spots include Boho Bazaar Emporium, Stick & Ribbon and Beyond Retro Vintage Clothing to name a few: colourful shops filled with all sorts of trinkets and indie gems, pieces of fashion and homeware for even hardcore bargain enthusiasts who fancy a good hunt for some gems.

Real Ale, Good Food & Musical Magic

Speaking of urban attractions, there is no excerpt from them if we don’t mention its vibrant music, food and drinks scenes. The whole city is alive with delightful eateries and pubs as well as music venues. Choosing from all these delights is not easy but here are some top picks for your culinary exploration: The Hope & Ruin is an indie music bar showcasing upcoming local talent, while The Coal Shed serves some delicious steaks cooked in their Josper grill and Belgravia pub uses only local meat & veg and microbreweries. If you are looking for some good beer and ales then we suggest taking a trip to the historic Knot and national award-winning bar – The Sticky Mikes Frog Bar.

Other Attractions

Brighton offers plenty of other exciting attractions as well – which are worth your time visiting or at least checking out during your trip. Whether you “re looking for something fun to do outdoors or indoors, Brighton covers it all. For adventure lovers, there are beautiful rolling hills in the nearby South Downs National Park that are ideal for hiking, cycling or simply exploring nature. For animal lovers, the SEA LIFE aquarium has more than 5,000 seafaring creatures and plants in their tanks including rays, seahorses and even sharks – you can even find more unusual creatures such as axolotls. Plus for city-seekers wanting more urban exploration there’s the famous Lanes shopping area with an array of independent boutiques and restaurants which resides alongside the great Brighton beachfront – so you really get the best of both worlds combined.

Conclusion

Whether you’re looking to tour some historical sites or explore unique shops and eateries, Brighton has something to offer for everyone. With its amazing nightlife, spectacular coastal views and plenty of outdoor activities – this gorgeous British seaside town continuingly discovers new forms of entertainment for all generations to enjoy. As someone who once lived in this city for years I highly recommend visiting it at least once – I’m sure it will become a place you will never forget! When researching this guide, we found a great website listing all the top sights and attractions in Brighton, which we highly recommend checking out if you plan on visiting this captivating city anytime soon.