Best Things to Do in Brighton

Just an hour from London is Brighton, one of England's most interesting coastal destinations. From its popular Brighton Pier to the Royal Pavilion, a palace of exotic architecture, you'll find plenty to see and do in Brighton to enrich your visit. Here are the highlights so you can start planning your itinerary for the city.

Brighton Palace Pier, opened in 1899, is one of the city's key attractions. With a Victorian style that reflects the opulence and elegance of the era, it is a pier known for the wide variety of attractions it offers, from a market to an amusement park. There you can enjoy a day of entertainment for the whole family and sample British classics such as fish and chips.

What makes this place unique is the mix of modern attractions with vintage elements that evoke the nostalgia of old British piers. Carousels, fairground games, arcade machines and a Ferris wheel with panoramic views are just some of the entertainment options you can find on this pier. It is also a venue for concerts and other shows, and there are pubs open until late.

If games aren't your thing, you can also stroll along the pier by the sea or admire the Victorian architecture of Brighton Palace Pier, with its Moorish-style main pavilion. A good option to learn more about this place is to book a guided tour of Brighton, which usually includes a visit to this pier and other interesting spots in the city.

Useful information

• Address: Brighton Palace Pier, Madeira Dr, Brighton BN2 1TW, United Kingdom.
• Opening hours: every day from approximately 10:00 to 23:00.
• Price: walking along the pier is free, although some attractions have different prices.

One tourist destination that attracts thousands of visitors every year is undoubtedly Brighton Airways i360. This innovative 162-metre tower offers 360-degree panoramic views of the city from a height of almost 140 metres. Since its opening in 2016, thanks to its elegant and contemporary design, it has become a prominent symbol of the city. In relation to its height, it is one of the slimmest towers in the world.

In addition to the views, the Brighton i360 offers various adrenaline-fuelled activities such as the chance to walk on top of the capsule or descend 138 metres in approximately 5 minutes, secured by a rope.

This futuristic tower also houses a restaurant, a gift shop and a play area. It is also a venue for special events and exhibitions throughout the year. British Airways i360 is located near the city centre, at the end of Brighton West Pier.

Useful information

• Address: Lower Kings Road, Brighton BN1 2LN, United Kingdom.
• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from approximately 11:00 to 18:00.
• Price: from £25 for adults and from £13 for children under 16.

If you're interested in history, architecture and art, don't miss the Royal Pavilion, a palace that was once the royal residence of King George IV. Built in the Indo-Saracenic style, it stands out for its combination of Indian and Chinese influences. Today, it is home to a museum where performances, exhibitions and other cultural events are held.

The Royal Pavilion is an ideal palace to visit if you are interested in discovering how kings and courtiers lived and exploring luxurious halls and rooms, such as the music room, the banquet hall and the royal bedrooms. You can also stroll through the beautiful Regency-style gardens surrounding the palace.

Guided tours are offered at the palace at specific times, allowing you to visit highlights such as the tunnels and cellars or the private apartments of King George IV, which are not usually open to the public. They also provide a wealth of information about the palace's history and architecture. Another way to explore the exterior is to book a guided bike tour of Brighton, an activity that combines culture and physical activity.

Useful information

• Address: 4/5 Pavilion Buildings, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1EE, United Kingdom.
• Opening hours: from April to September every day from 9:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. and from October to March from 10:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
• Price: from €22 per adult and around €14 for children under 18.

Brighton's nightlife wouldn't be complete without its pubs, which are the soul of the city after sunset. Since the 19th century, these places have witnessed the social and cultural life of the city, and they remain meeting places where locals and tourists converge.

Whether you prefer a traditional brewery like The Cricketers or a modern cocktail bar by the beach, Brighton has something for everyone. At places like The Mesmerist, you can sample traditional Mexican dishes, and at The Black Lion, you can not only drink but also enjoy live music.

If you want to explore several pubs in one night, The Lanes and Hove are the perfect areas to do so, where you'll find a mix of traditional pubs and modern cocktail bars. You can go alone and enjoy a quiet experience or book a pub crawl in Brighton to discover the city's most iconic pubs with a local guide.

If you visit a coastal city like Brighton, you can't miss a stroll along its famous beach. And if you want to take a dip, you'll have to pluck up your courage, even in summer, as the waters of the English Channel are quite cold compared to those of the Mediterranean. However, it is a popular spot for sports such as kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and windsurfing.

The beach, which stretches for 8 kilometres, offers both quiet areas and livelier spots near the iconic Brighton Palace Pier. On the seafront, next to the pier, you will also find Sea Life Brighton, an aquarium that opened in 1872 and has been renovated several times over the years.

At Brighton Beach, you can discover several iconic attractions, such as the aforementioned Brighton Palace Pier, with its amusement park, arcade and pubs; or British Airways i360, the modern 162-metre observation tower offering panoramic views of the city, the beach and the sea. You will also find a wide variety of restaurants and bars along the promenade.

Without a doubt, this promenade offers something for everyone, a clear example of which is the nudist area of Brighton Beach. This area is located east of the pier and is one of the few public beaches in England where nudism is permitted.

The Brighton Museum & Art Gallery stands out as one of the most important museums on the south coast of England. This museum combines contemporary art collections with historical exhibitions and houses everything from decorative art pieces to important collections of modern art and photography.

Among its permanent exhibitions, a collection of 20th-century art stands out, as well as galleries dedicated to fashion and decorative art. In addition, temporary exhibitions ensure that there is always something fresh and interesting to discover.

Apart from the exhibitions, the museum offers other activities such as artist talks, art workshops and film screenings, among others. A convenient way to get to the museum is to take the Brighton tourist bus, which stops at the city's main attractions.

Useful information

• Address: Royal Pavilion Gardens, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1EE, United Kingdom.
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from approximately 10:00 to 17:00.
• Price: from £11 for adults and £5 for children aged 5 to 18.

Volk's Electric Railway is the oldest working electric railway in the world. Opened in 1883, its carriages run along the Brighton coastline from the aquarium to Black Rock.

To experience Volk's Electric Railway, you don't need to book in advance. Simply go to one of its three stations (the aquarium, Halfway station or Black Rock station) and buy a ticket. The entire journey takes about 25 minutes.

During the trip, you will see some of the most iconic sites on the Brighton coast, such as the futuristic British Airways i360 tower. The journey ends at Black Rock, where you can visit the marina or enjoy a day at the beach.

In addition to the trip, I recommend visiting the museum located at the Aquarium Station. There you can learn about the history of the railway and discover more about Magnus Volk, the pioneer behind this Victorian engineering achievement, as well as his other inventions.

Useful information

• Address: There are three stops: Aquarium Station, Paston Place (in the Peter Pan play area) and Black Rock Station (a five-minute walk from Brighton Marina).
• Opening hours: March to December, daily from 10:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Price: a return ticket costs around €7.70 for adults and from €5 for children aged 4 to 15.

Preston Park is Brighton's largest urban park. With 63 acres of green space, it is ideal for a picnic on a sunny day or a leisurely stroll through its wildflower gardens, walled garden and famous rose garden. It is also home to one of the largest and oldest elm trees in Europe.

The park has numerous sports facilities, including tennis courts, football pitches, basketball courts and a historic cycling velodrome. It also has areas for less common sports such as softball and stoolball, and a children's play area for the little ones.

The park's biodiversity extends to Preston Park Rock Garden, the largest municipal rock garden in the country, full of trails, streams and fascinating plants. In addition to its natural attractions, Preston Park has historic buildings such as the Clock Tower and the Tiled House, which offer a glimpse into the past and have been carefully restored to maintain the original character of the park.

Preston Park is also an epicentre for events in the city, hosting concerts, fairs, family days and the famous Brighton Gay Pride parade. The park also has cafés, ideal for relaxing after exploring the different corners of this green gem of Brighton.

Useful information

• Address: Preston Rd, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 6SD, United Kingdom.
• Opening hours: open 24 hours a day, every day.
• Price: free.

The Brighton Dome, known for its golden dome and neoclassical architecture, is located in the gardens of the Royal Pavilion. Built in 1805 as a concert hall for the Prince Regent, this building has evolved to become a key venue for entertainment and culture in Brighton.

The Dome has a rich musical and artistic history. Among its most memorable events are the launch of Pink Floyd's famous album Dark Side of the Moon and the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974, where the Swedish band ABBA rose to worldwide fame.

If you are passionate about music or interested in learning more about this place, I suggest you attend one of its concerts or sign up for a guided tour to explore more of its musical history. In addition to the events, the Dome is an ideal place to stroll, enjoy its café and soak up the creative atmosphere that always surrounds it.

Useful information

• Address: Church St, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1UE, United Kingdom.
• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from approximately 10:00 to 17:00.
• Price: Admission is free, unless you want to attend one of the many events held there.

If you have already explored Brighton and want to make the most of your visit to the south coast of England, taking excursions from this city is an excellent option. Brighton is an ideal starting point for discovering other nearby places of interest, such as historical sites and breathtaking natural landscapes.

Among the most recommended excursions from Brighton are visits to the South Downs National Park, where you can go hiking and enjoy panoramic views of green hills and white cliffs. You can also book a wine tour in Sussex and taste a selection of local wines while learning about the region's wine-making tradition.