I have finally decided to write the long waited for Brighton travel guide. My first trip to Brighton was about a year ago and after coming back home I couldn’t stop talking about returning to the idyllic British city. And that’s why earlier this year I packed my bags and traveled to Brighton for the second time! I’m in love with Brighton and so should you. Most travelers only know about London not even looking for other possibilities in the UK. Read this Brighton travel guide and decide if the lovely seaside city only an hour away from London is the right destination for you. Skip to the end of my Brighton travel guide if you only want tips for day trips from London to Brighton.
Basic facts of Brighton for travelers:
When you start planning a trip to Brighton in Britain, remember to keep in mind at all times that there’re several cities called Brighton all around the world. Mixing these places up is easy (it happened to me so believe I know!) Britain’s Brighton is in fact only a part of a city called Brighton and Hove.
Population: 290 000
Language: English
Currency: British pound
Time zone: UTC/UTC+1 (they use summer time)
Summer weather: average day temperature of 21°C
Winter weather: average day temperature of 7°C
Should I travel to Brighton?
In my opinion: YES! The city is beautiful, easily accessible, and a real treat for anyone fond of small alleys or getting lost. In addition, there are so many things to do or see in Brighton. It mixes the best sides of shopping holiday, beach days and city breaks. All these within a walking distance! If this wasn’t enough to make you interested in traveling to Brighton, just check out their pier! (The new one, not the old abandoned one.) I love wooden piers and Brighton’s is my favorite. The gaming halls full of claw machines and coin games are like a heaven. Totally one of the must things to do in Brighton.
When to travel to Brighton?
You can visit Brighton around the year but their tourist season is during summer because the winter weather would be too cold for beach life. The temperatures and conditions are generally the same as in London but the sea affects them a little bit. In winter you can enjoy snow days in Brighton while autumn and spring are perfect for those travelers who want to enjoy the empty color full streets of Brighton.
Both of my own visits have been in spring so I can’t really give a full opinion on this. However, there’re things to do in Brighton all around the year so no worries! You won’t get bored.
How long should I stay in Brighton?
A weekend is enough to get the feeling of Brighton but you can really extend your holiday as long as you want. London is easily accessible by train so you can even make Brighton your home base for day trips to the close-by cities. If you are a traveler who just wants to book her days full of attractions and things to do in Brighton, I would say that 4 to 5 days is an ideal time for the trip. For me, this city was more about getting lost walking the small alleys, drinking chai latte in bohemian cafes, and sitting half of the day on their beautiful beach enjoying the sun. Far from traditional sightseeing. If you want a relaxed holiday with not so many planned thins to do this Brighton travel guide is perfect for you.
How to get to Brighton?
The easiest way to get to Brighton is from London. You can take a train or bus to Brighton from all airports in London, however, some of them will have several changes or they will last for hours. I recommend flying to London Gatwick Airport. Gatwick Airport is halfway from London to Brighton when you take the train. The train journey to Brighton from London takes about an hour while from Gatwick Airport the trip will only last half an hour.
Is Brighton expensive?
The prices are at the same level as in London. You can find cheap budget hostels in Brighton but also better and more expensive five-star hotels. Food in Brighton is quite pricey if you want a real meal. Pizza and other cheaper options are available. Main attractions in Brighton are expensive but fortunately, most of the must-visit places in Brighton are totally free! So, you can have either expensive or budget holiday in Brighton. In the best case scenario combine these two.
Those travelers who are on a budget should continue reading this Brighton travel guide for more money saving tips for your holiday.
The most important tourist attractions in Brighton
- Royal Pavilion: This beautiful building is the true diamond of things to see in Brighton. The pavilion doesn’t fit in the rainy UK with its exotic Indian and Chinese heritage. Nowadays the Royal Pavilion is a museum where you can see the redecorated original settings from 200 years ago. As the old seaside home of the King, Royal Pavilion will charm you with its luxurious and dark past. It’s quite expensive but worth it!
- Brighton Palace Pier: In the modern era word “palace” has disappeared from the name and most people call it the Brighton Pier. The pier build in 1899 sometimes goes by “the new pier” because a little farther away on the beach you can see Brighton’s abandoned old pier standing in the water. Brighton Pier is my favorite thing to do in Brighton. What there wouldn’t be to love in old wooden pier?
- Brighton Pier Fair: There is a small fair on the wooden pier and it should be on your list of must things to do in Brighton. Their haunted house is a well-known attraction but unfortunately, it has been closed every time I have been in Brighton. The arcade halls are my favorite part. Claw machines, coin games, and other arcade games are kind of a big thing in my family. I’m blaming them for the lost money!
- Brighton Marina: Brighton’s marina is the modern commercial center of the city. Bars, shops, restaurants, cafes, theaters, minigolf, and bowling. Brighton Marina was built about 40 years ago and it’s the biggest marina in the country. I wouldn’t recommend this place for claustrophobics because part of the marina is underwater! But the above water area is BEAUTIFUL. Maybe not the most important thing to see in Brighton but still worth of visit.
- The Lanes: Brighton’s historic quarter has small alleys to get lost around but also cute cafes and bars where the locals meet. Just walk around to experience the idyllic atmosphere of Brighton that changes to something more modern and electric the closer the night comes!
- North Laine: Colorful street art and small businesses with inviting fronts. This bohemian street is the heart of Brighton and paradise for all shoppers! Old record shops, flea markets, and cafes selling cakes from your dreams. If you don’t walk around the Lanes and North Laine, you can’t say that you have visited Brighton. Sorry, not sorry…
- Museums: Brighton isn’t a city of museums like London but they have one bigger museum and several small interesting ones. I personally visited and liked the most important place aka Brighton Museum & Art Gallery where they show you everything from changing art exhibitions to archeological findings. Other museums that were recommended to me (and that I skipped, ups…): Brighton Toy and Model Museum, Booth Museum of Natural History, Brighton Fishing Museum, and so many more small galleries or art shops! Visiting at least a few of these museums should be on your must things to do in Brighton list.
- British Airways i360: Every real tourist destination needs an observation deck. In Brighton, this has been taken to a whole new level. Their observation deck spins and takes you slowly to 138 meters. Again, this attraction is a little expensive but what observation tower wouldn’t be? The views are amazing and my favorite thing to spot up high were the graffiti paintings on the roofs of the close-by buildings. Clever!
Cool things to do in Brighton
- Sea Life Brighton: If you love aquariums as much as I do, skipping the world’s oldest aquarium in Brighton build in 1872 isn’t a possibility. I have seen bigger, more modern and more enchanting aquariums but the old building has its own charm. Remember to book tickets to their behind the scenes tour early because when I went to Brighton it was already fully booked for every day. You get to see what happens inside the aquarium where visitors don’t usually go.
- Undercliff Walk: If you are staying for a longer time in Brighton and want to spend a day walking/hiking next to the sea, 5 kilometers long Undercliff Walk on Brighton Beach is a perfect choice. The path goes between Black Rock (near Brighton Marina) and Saltdean. The cliffs on your way are made of chalk that was formed on the sea thousands of years ago. (Or something like that… Read more here.)
- Police Cell Museum: You can visit this museum only by taking part in a tour that introduces you to the bloody history of Brighton’s old police cells. You will spend your day in the cells and hear interesting stories of prisoners, murder and solving crimes!
- Walking Tours: One of my recent favorite things to do wherever I travel are the walking tours. Like all the bigger cities, Brighton has several free and cheap walking tours that teach you everything there is to know about the city. Take at least one walking tour to learn the basic things of Brighton and to get some unique tips from the local guides.
- Ghost Walk of The Lanes: Brighton is a city with a dark past and a lot of paranormal activity. I went to the Ghost Walk of The Lanes walking tour because it’s one of the most recommended tours in Brighton. I can agree with that statement. If you aren’t scared of ghosts and stories of murderers, Ghost Walk of The Lanes is a must thing to do in Brighton. Darkening evening, scary props, and the small alleys of the Lanes will make your experience extraordinary! (And your walk back to your accommodation deadly scary…)
- Brighton Open Market: This is the place to buy your local souvenirs. They sell local handicrafts and food in permanent market stalls but also in changing stalls around the decked market square. Check before your trip if Brighton Open Market has any events during your stay. For example, when I was in Brighton for the first time they had Fairytale Market and it was magical!
- Search for cool graffiti and street art: You can find art on Brighton streets where ever you walk in the city. The Lanes and North Laine are some of the best spots for graffiti sightings but any side street will do. I recommend doing googling before your trip so you don’t miss the most famous pieces of art like two policemen kissing.
- Relax on the beach: My last tip is also the most obvious one: relax on the beach and just have a fun day playing by the sea! You can walk on the beach from Brighton Pier until the Brighton Marina. The walk is about 3 kilometers but on the beautiful settings that will feel like nothing. If you return after dark or during the sunset, the lights of Brighton Pier are must see.
Low budget holiday in Brighton
Can you make a low budget holiday to Brighton? Yes, if you are ready to skip some of the must to do things in Brighton and if you can contain your shopping needs, it will be easy. Hostels are a must choice for budget travelers. There are several of them around Brighton and the prices are super cheap. Just be careful because not all hostels are clean, peaceful, or near the main street. For example, on my first trip to Brighton, the hostel I was staying in had a bar on its first floor. They played music half of the night so loud that it felt in our room like you were part of the party. (May sound fun but not after a long day of sightseeing…)
Cheap accommodation isn’t the only thing you can save in during your Brighton holiday. This student city offers many budget options. Museums, Sea Life, and the Royal Pavilion are nice but not necessary or must to do things in Brighton on budget. You can see the most important part of the Royal Pavilion from outside and the free walking tours (with voluntary fees) will tell you all the information you need to know about Brighton or its history.
The most important places to visit are also free – let’s not count the money you will use for shopping. The Lanes and North Lane are colorful, full of small alleys, and covered in small idyllic shops, cafes, and restaurants. All this is free. Well, if you don’t buy all the shops empty like I would love to do, it will be free. Brighton Pier is also free to visit and so is the beach. Just walk around and enjoy the Brighton atmosphere. Especially in summer you can find several free events, concerts, and plays all around the city.
Useful tips for Brighton to remember
Brighton is a moderately safe city and there aren’t too many things to keep in mind regarding your safety. However, these things are good to know before your trip so you can get most out of the experience.
- Drugs: Okay, don’t get most out of the drugs during your visit to Brighton. This city is well known because of its high drug usage. Mostly you will see marijuana. It’s used either secretly or so normally that you don’t even realize before people are doing it. Someone will probably offer you drugs but just say that you don’t use and there shouldn’t be any problems.
- Homeless people: Regarding the government, Brighton has the worst homelessness rate in Britain (when we don’t count London in the equation). You can clearly see this while walking around the city at evening or night time because most of the doorways and parks are full of people in their sleeping bags. Even then generally speaking they won’t bother you and are just normal people who don’t have a home. If you have an extra penny consider giving it to someone who needs it and if you don’t have anything to spare just smile while walking towards.
- It’s a party city: Staying in shared accommodation means that people will return in the middle of the night even during weekdays. If you are staying near a bar, the music may disturb you through the day. But it’s not only a bad thing! You can always meet new people or just take over the whole hostel room in the evenings because everyone else is at a party. Experiencing at least one wild party in Brighton is a must thing to do!
- Check the events during your stay: It was a huge surprise for me how many events, concerts, and other things to do there happens in Brighton every week! Even better many of these things are free. Just remember to check them before you go because sometimes the tickets are sold out quickly.
- Airport security after Brighton: If you’re staying in a hostel or shared accommodation while in Brighton, I recommend reserving a little extra time for the airport when returning home. The security may want to do a random drug test for your things or you may happen to meet one of those cute dogs. Even if you kept away from drugs the results are probably going to be positive. However, don’t worry! As long as you haven’t used anything and don’t carry anything illegal with you it’s going to be a simple package check. Tell them honestly that you were staying in a hostel so you think that someone was using something near your things. It will make the process faster and being honest is always a good thing.
Day trip to Brighton from London
Trains between Brighton and London operate several times per hour so you can travel to Brighton at any time. The journey lasts about an hour and will take you to the Brighton station. Just step outside the station building from its main doors and keep walking along the street. This will take you to the beach which is the best place to start your adventure around Brighton. After you have arrived at the beach and enjoyed the view, start your day in Brighton. Here is my Brighton one day itinerary suggestion:
- Walk along the beach towards the British Airways i360. It’s the tall tower on your right side if you have walked straight to the beach from the train station. After arriving at the observation tower, buy your tickets. Check the time of your ride and then remember to go back to British Airways i360 at the right time.
- After buying tickets and possibly visiting the observation tower, continue your way towards the Brighton Pavilion through the Lanes. Stop for coffee and shopping whenever you want. You can either buy a ticket to the Pavilion or just admire it from its park.
- Right next to the Brighton Pavilion, you can find the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery.
- Now it’s time to walk the famous North Laine. Remember to keep eye on interesting graffiti paintings on your way. Definitely, a must thing to do in Brighton.
- If you haven’t yet eaten, find a restaurant or walk to the Brighton Pier and eat fish and chips with a sea view. Continue enjoying the pier on its fair and gaming halls or go to the world’s oldest aquarium that you can find on the other side of the street in front of the Brighton Pier.
- As your last activity in Brighton go for the Ghost Walk of The Lanes and then walk back to the train station along the beach. This way you can see the sight of Brighton Pier’s beautiful lights in darkness as your last memory of the city.
I loved Brighton but what now?
Have you stayed in Brighton for long enough but would like to continue somewhere else? Don’t worry because you have an almost endless amount of possibilities! Here are some of my favorites:
- London: Only one hour by cheap train and you will be in London. And then from London (even if it has always new things to see and experience), you can literally travel anywhere in Britain. With the cheap buses, you can travel around with only a few pounds.
- Manchester: Well known soccer city is about 3 to 5 hours train trip away from Brighton but you can get cheap deals every now and then for the tickets. Bus from Brighton to Manchester takes a few hours more but the best prices are also under $10.
- Paris: Does this recommendation surprise you? In fact, you can go by bus from Brighton to London and from London to Paris. It’s surprisingly cheap even if flying would be faster.
- Bournemouth: Another seaside town worth seeing in Britain. Take a cheap bus from Brighton but be ready to sit for about 5 to 6 hours.
- Bristol: Busses starting from one pound go between Bristol and Brighton. The trip takes about 5 hours but the night bus is always a practical decision. Bristol is an interesting city full of passion, culture, and things to do.
Have you ever visited Brighton or planning on going to see this seaside town? If you haven’t yet been to Brighton, I totally recommend it! I’m in love with this colorful city… Like always all comments and questions are more than welcome.
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