At Brighton Getaways we regularly get asked what are the best things to do in Brighton and Hove when our guests arrive for a short stay, having booked with us directly or via our partner platforms like Airbnb, booking.com or Expedia.com.
As locals and experts in the city of Brighton and Hove, we thought we’d give you a guide on just some of the best things to do and must-see attractions in the city.
So, in no particular order…
The Brighton Palace Pier
Having been officially renamed recently back to the ‘Brighton Palace Pier’ this quintessentially British landmark is a stunning example of a Victorian pleasure pier.
The Grade 2 listed structure was opened in 1899. It is some 1,722 feet long and contains 85 miles of wooden planking.
Stripy deckchairs, fish and chips, arcades, hot doughnuts, dodgems, candy floss, rock; it’s all here and no trip to Brighton is complete without a visit.
It’s open every day apart from Christmas Day with several bars and restaurants serving local beer and delicacies.
The Royal Pavilion
Also known as the Brighton Pavilion, this stunning and truly exotic building, complete with minarets and domes, was originally built as a seaside retreat for the then Prince of Wales in the late eighteenth century.
Developed by John Nash in the early 1800s into it’s current appearance, the Pavilion is an incredible site for visitors to Brighton and attracts around 400,000 people visitors every year.
The Royal Pavilion is a splendid site at dusk and throughout the Christmas period.
i360
The 162 metre (531 feet) high i360 is the city’s newest major attraction and opened in the summer of 2016.
Located adjacent to the West Pier, the tall observation tower can be seen from all over the city and was designed by the same team as built the London Eye.
The projected 740,000 visitors per year are treated to breathtaking 360-degree views across the East and West Sussex coast and countryside.
‘Flight’ pods depart every 30 minutes and last around 20-25 minutes.
The West Pier
In front of the i360 lies the remains of the famous West Pier.
The West Pier once rivalled it’s Palace Pier neighbour but was officially closed in the 1970s due to safety concerns as it fell into disrepair.
Granted Grade I listing in 1982, there were on-going hopes that the pier could be saved however the great storm of 1987 shelved those plans and the fire of 2003 robbed the city of one of it’s historical treasures.
Large parts of the architectural remains continue to fall into the sea as one of the most photographed structures in Brighton & Hove slowly disappears.
The area next to the West Pier Arches is now home to market traders.
Devil’s Dyke
Often overlooked by visitors to Brighton, this wonderful 100 metre valley in the South Downs Way is located just outside of Brighton.
Popular with paragliders and walkers, the Dyke can, on a clear day, afford visitors a view as far as the Isle of Wight.
Take the 77 bus from Brighton to Devil’s Dyke (£3 single, £4.50 return) which runs every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday and seven days a week from mid-June until mid-September.
Brighton Beach
What can we say? Probably one of the most photographed beaches in the UK with hardly a grain of sand.
The beach attracts visitors all year round and during the summer months bars, bands, barbecues and beer take over, making this one of the prime spots for lazing away a few hours and soak up the rays.
The Brighton Festival
Held annually over 3 weeks in May, the Brighton Festival is only second to Edinburgh as the UK’s biggest arts festival.
Performers come from around the world for this wonderful array of music, dance, theatre, art, circus, art, film, literature, family and outdoor events.
The Festival is over 50 years old and many of the events are free.
The Lanes and North Laine
No trip to the city is complete without a wander down the narrow maze of alleyways of The Lanes (famed for it’s unique antique and jewellery stores) in the city’s historic quarters.
Not to be confused as the same thing, a few hundred metres away is the North Laine area – a retro shoppers delight.
The Royal Pavilions Gardens
Should you have an hour or two to spare on a sunny day, a walk around the pavilion grounds is a must.
Winding paths, lawns for a picnic, buskers and a fine view of the Pavilion itself.
Should you have an hour or two to spare on a sunny day, a walk around the pavilion grounds is a must.
Winding paths, lawns for a picnic, buskers and a fine view of the Pavilion itself.
Brighton Toy and Model Museum
Located underneath Brighton train station, the toy and model museum is a fantastic option for the kids.
Now over 25 years old, this small museum underneath Brighton Station exhibits over ten thousand toys and models.
Hove Lawns and Beach Huts
The multi-coloured beach huts stretch a couple of miles from the Brighton/Hove seafront border as far as Hove Lagoon.
Any visit to the city should include even a short stroll down the regency seafront taking in the iconic huts.
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