A Wonderful Weekend in Brighton: 9 Best Things To Do
Explore the narrow cobbled alleys of The Lanes, admire the diverse art scene, enjoy the varied and experimental restaurants, have a drink in an alternative bar and browse the many independent boutiques. Here’s our guide to a wonderful weekend in Brighton.
Brighton is one of our favourite places in the UK! It’s vibrant, colourful, alternative, incredibly welcoming and has a great atmosphere. Packed full of so many things to do, a weekend in Brighton should be at the top of everyone’s lists!
Flea markets, vintage shops, independent eateries, record stores, bric-a-brac boutiques, countless bars, salty sea air and so much more, a weekend in Brighton is something you’ll forever cherish.
At only an hour from London, it’s possible to visit Brighton on a day trip and get a good feel of the city. However, we’d definitely recommend visiting for a weekend to get the most out of your trip.
In this guide to a wonderful weekend in Brighton, we’ll cover the best things to do, where to stay, how to get there and more.
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Contents
Things to do on Your Weekend in Brighton
Explore Brighton Palace Pier
One of the first things to do on your weekend in Brighton is explore Brighton Palace Pier.
Stretching at almost half a kilometre into the ocean, you could easily while away a few hours with the many activities there are to do.
Start off in the arcade whether it’s on the 2p slot machines or a VR simulator before grabbing an ice cream and walking the length of the pier to the amusement park.
Then, head for some food at one of the numerous eateries. Fish and chips, pizza, rice, noodles, hot dogs, vegetarian, frozen yoghurt, churros, the list is endless. End your visit to Brighton Palace Pier with a cocktail in the Sunset Garden.
Meander Brighton Lanes
No weekend in Brighton is complete without getting lost in The Lanes.
The Lanes are Brighton’s historic quarter and are constantly alive with energy! The narrow maze of intertwining streets is lined with antique shops, hipster cafes, record stores, quaint tea rooms, quirky bars, traditional pubs and independent boutiques.
One of the best things to do in Brighton is browse the unique and edgy stores that sell everything from retro paraphernalia and replica mod clothing to erotica, vegetarian shoes and vintage vinyl records.
Once you manage to drag yourself away from the shops, soak up the atmosphere at one of the many independent alfresco dining options. Some of the city’s best bars, restaurants and cafes are hidden away in these colourful streets.
Enjoy the Nightlife
Brighton is renowned for its vibrant and diverse nightlife. Whatever your taste in music, you’re sure to find something you like for your weekend in Brighton!
From techno clubs and live music venues to 60’s throwbacks and classic rock n roll, your options in Brighton are limitless! Every night is a good night out with talented musicians and DJ’s both from Brighton and far and wide making an appearance.
If dancing isn’t quite your thing and you’d rather kick back with a drink, Brighton has you covered. Upmarket cocktail bars, traditional pubs, microbreweries, Alice in Wonderland-themed bars, pubs with vintage artefacts and 20th-century furnishings, you name it.
Many of the city’s bars and clubs are found in The Lanes so you’ll easily stumble upon something you’ll love.
Chill at the Beach
Without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Brighton is to chill at the beach. Brighton Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the UK so, it can get very busy. This is all part of its appeal as the best thing about Brighton is how energetic it is!
Although the water is pretty chilly (we’re in the UK after all), it’s a great place for watersports. The beach is housed in a small cove so the waters are pretty calm making it ideal for standup paddleboarding, kayaking, windsurfing, sailing, wakeboarding and more.
The beach is pebbly so it’s not ideal for hours of sunbathing, however, there are deck chairs you can rent. Alternatively, one of the most fun things to do in Brighton is to have a cold pint in one of the bars lining the beach and soak up the beachy vibes.
Hike the Seven Sisters
Something you may not immediately think of when planning your weekend in Brighton is where you can hike. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with the nearby South Downs National Park.
Located in the South Downs National Park are the Seven Sisters Cliffs; some of the UK’s most striking natural scenery. The Seven Sisters Cliffs are a series of magnificent white chalk cliffs plunging into the ocean surrounded by picturesque countryside!
Hiking trails reward visitors with spectacular views of these cliffs. The best hike is the 22-kilometre Seaford to Eastbourne, renowned as one of the prettiest coastal walks in England.
Endless views over the shimmering English Channel to one side and rolling green countryside to the other.
If you’re limited on time, there are shorter walks you can do, or even drive to one of the beaches or viewpoints along the way to see these iconic white cliffs.
Our Top Tip: the Seaford to Eastbourne walk is also a great day trip from London.
Savour the Delicious Food
One of the top things to do in Brighton on a weekend is try its diverse culinary scene!
Brighton is renowned for being fiercely independent and doing its own thing. It doesn’t follow the trends, anything goes and that’s exactly why everyone loves it so much and returns time and time again!
As well as the streets and shops screaming out alternative, it’s also very prominent in its dining scene; priding itself on locally sourced, sustainable and organic produce.
You’ll happily stumble upon many independent restaurants as you meander The Lanes. Chairs and stools spill out onto the pedestrianised streets with smells of foods from around the world wafting through the narrow alleys.
All-day brunches, South Indian street food, upmarket seafood restaurants, organic cafes, silky homemade pasta, artisan cheesemakers, vegan fried chicken, the list goes on!
Some of our favourite restaurants in Brighton include Riddle and Finns which serves world-class oysters, locally sourced and sustainable seafood, champagne and cocktails. They have two locations, one on the seafront and one in The Lanes.
Wai Kika Moo Kau, a vegan and vegetarian cafe serving delicious fresh food made to order.
Finally, the Curry Leaf Cafe, serving home-style South Indian Street Food and a great range of UK craft beers served in a colourful, relaxed, dining space.
Marvel at the Royal Pavilion
You may think you’ve left the UK and somehow arrived in India as you stand outside Brighton’s Royal Pavilion.
Dating back to the early 1800s, the Royal Pavilion was built as a seaside residence for King George IV. The current appearance of the Pavilion is owed to architect John Nash who designed the building in the Indo-Saracenic style, prevalent in India at the time.
The pavilion’s interior is just as spectacular with opulent furnishings and immense grandeur. However, if you’d rather save the £18 admission fee, you can enjoy the architecture on the outside from the gardens.
The gardens surrounding the pavilion are beautiful! Winding paths meander around beds of shrubs and flowers providing a different view of the pavilion at each bend. Or, if you need a break after walking around The Lanes, the green lawns to laze on are lovely.
Visiting Brighton’s Royal Pavilion is one of the most unique things to do in Brighton and will make sure your trip is even more memorable.
Visit the Art Galleries
Even if art galleries aren’t your thing, you should definitely visit at least one on your weekend in Brighton. Brighton is a hub of creativity, attracting artists, designers, performers, writers and musicians. This has led to a fantastic and thriving art scene.
Brighton is wonderfully independent and diverse and attracts all manners of self-expression you’re bound to find something you like. Art galleries line the narrow streets in The Lanes and keep your eyes peeled for vibrant street art on the buildings.
Building on the city’s ethos of supporting local, IO Gallery is an art gallery run by artists for artists based in Brighton. Showcasing around 100 artists at any time, the range of artwork on display is incredibly varied.
One of the free things to do in Brighton is to visit the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, located next to the Royal Pavilion. This museum is free to visit and houses collections ranging from 20th-century decorative art to up-and-coming fresh local talent.
These are just two of the many art galleries you’ll find in Brighton. Meander the streets and see what you stumble across, or check what’s on when you’re there.
Cycle Along the Seafront
We’re going to our finish our weekend in Brighton guide off with cycling along the seafront.
Brighton has a similar BikeShare scheme to the Santander Bikes in London, making it really easy for tourists to explore further without walking that far or jumping on public transport and missing some of the views.
Download the app, find a bike on the map, unlock it with a pin and away you go. There are various payment options starting from 8p a minute on pay-as-you-ride to 30-day passes for £32. Pedal bikes and e-bikes are both available.
Everything You Need to Know For Your Weekend in Brighton
Where Should I stay?
Base yourself close to The Lanes or the seafront for your weekend in Brighton. Brighton is fairly compact, so as long as you’re based near one of these areas you’ll be within walking distance of everywhere.
For a luxurious stay, nestled in the cobbled alleys of The Lanes, check out the Hotel du Vin. Dine underneath the vine-covered pergola before sinking into an armchair in the bar with a choice of over 100 whiskies and a selection of rums and cocktails.
For a mid-range hotel option, head to the Queens Hotel and Spa with great views across the beach and Brighton Palace Pier. With a prime location overlooking the sea and a short walk to The Lanes, the friendly staff here will be sure to make your stay memorable.
For a good budget option, check out the Ibis Brighton City Centre. This no-frills, basic but clean hotel is almost next to the station making it a great base to explore the city. Note, if you’re driving, the hotel has parking but it’s a bit of a walk.
When’s the Best Time to Visit Brighton?
In the UK, the only thing you can guarantee about the weather is that it’s unpredictable!!
May, June and September tend to be the best months, in general, for a weekend in Brighton as they’re outside the summer holidays and should still be quite warm.
One of the many things we love about this city is that it’s great at any time of the year and in any weather. We spent a weekend in Brighton in January 2020 and although it was cold and windy, it was dry and we had some lovely walks along the seafront.
The pubs and restaurants are cosy at this time of year too.
How do I get to Brighton?
The best way to get to Brighton is by train. Brighton Station is approximately a 20-minute walk from The Lanes and the beach.
We wouldn’t recommend driving as it’s always so busy, the streets are narrow and have multiple one-way systems and most of the streets require a permit.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our weekend in Brighton guide. Let us know if you have any other recommendations or any questions 🙂