Visit Brighton
The quintessential seaside town: brilliant things to do in Brighton
Unique historical buildings, a buzzing art scene, city shopping, and a cosmopolitan nightlife - there’s more to Brighton than beaches and ice cream. An inclusive, free-thinking city in the heart of Sussex, Brighton is the perfect blend of modern culture and exotic architecture, sea and countryside.
Famous Brighton must-sees
For a blast of classic ‘seaside’, no trip to the famous coastal town is complete without a stroll along the Palace Pier. Bit of Brighton pier history: it was formerly a landing stage for passenger ships from Dieppe in France. Nowadays, it has everything from fish and chips to classic fairground rides!
Close by is the Royal Pavilion, an exotic palace with a colourful history. Built as a pleasure palace for King George IV, this flamboyant home mixes Regency grandeur with the visual style of India and China.
One of the top Sussex attractions - literally! - is the British Airways i360. From inside you can enjoy stunning aerial views of the city and coastline as you glide up 140 metres.
Looking for fun things to do in Brighton with kids? A good family day out could involve visiting the oldest operating aquarium in the world - home to 3,500 mesmerising creatures including turtles, sharks and seahorses. Based opposite the city’s iconic pier.
Eccentric and Diverse
For quirky gifts, vintage clothes, jewellery and much more, don’t miss The Lanes. A shopper’s paradise of independent shops and boutiques, the area is a historic maze of twisting alleyways.
There are many art galleries, including the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery and numerous public artworks across the city.
The city has a packed calendar of events to suit all tastes. The Brighton Festival each May is the largest multi-arts festival in England, offering a rich programme of theatre, music, concerts, talks and more. Brighton Gay Pride, at the beginning of August, is one of the most popular weekends in the country and the UK’s largest celebration of diversity.
Where to eat in Brighton
There are many great places to eat in Brighton and Hove - way too many top spots to list here - but some of our favourites include:
Plateau - for sustainably-farmed sharing plates, organic wines, perfect cocktails, and a relaxed vibe.
Terre a Terre - an award-winning restaurant, serving top-quality vegetarian food in a chic, modern setting.
64 Degrees - a small restaurant in the Lanes with an open kitchen by Great British Menu 2017 winner, chef Michael Bremner. Daily changing menu of tasty small plates using fresh, local produce.
Riddle & Finns - two locations: one in the Lanes, the other is our favourite choice of Brighton Beach restaurants. Both specialise in local seafood, oyster, and Champagne dining.
Here’s a full guide to the best things to do in Brighton.