Welcome to Bristol
Enjoy a stay in this vibrant city.
Bristol is famous for it's thriving art and culture scene - it is the home of street artist Banksy after all - and is home to many venues for live music and theatre. It's also full of interesting architecture with buildings ranging from medieval to very modern. There's plenty to enjoy on a city break in Bristol.
YHA hostels in Bristol
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Things to do in Bristol
Five free things to do in Bristol
M Shed
Just a short walk from YHA Bristol, M Shed is a harbourside transit shed turned museum, dedicated to telling the story of the city of Bristol, charting its journey from prehistoric times to the thriving city we see today. If social history and learning about the fabric of a place are your thing, then you’ll love it!
Bristol Balloon Fiesta
An image of Bristol that is becoming evermore iconic is that of the annual Bristol Balloon Fiesta, Europe’s largest meeting of hot air balloons. The August event attracts over 100 hot air balloons from across the world, providing a stunning spectacle for all to enjoy.
Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
With world class collections, an abundance of interesting objects and a varied calendar of exhibitions, Bristol Museum and Art Gallery is thought-provoking and family friendly. Not only this, but the building in which the gallery is housed is a piece of art in itself!
Banksy Walking Tour
Take a tour of the city in search of the various works of famous Bristolian and worldwide phenomenon, Banksy, which adorn the walls of numerous public spaces around the city.
Bristol Harbour Festival
Each year, Bristol’s harbourside becomes home to an array of food and craft stalls, complemented by live music ranging from classical orchestras to grime artists. The festival seeks to celebrate the diversity and rich artistic heritage of the city of Bristol.
Add Bristol to your bucket list
Bristol is one of Britain’s most culturally vibrant cities, with a growing reputation as a brilliant destination for lovers of history, art, quirky festivals, nightlife and high quality food and drink. There’s so much to see and do in the city. Whether it’s iconic attractions such as Bristol Cathedral and the SS Great Britain you’re after, or a more laid back pace with a locally produced beer and cider whilst sat in one of the city’s expansive range of pubs and bars, you’re bound to return from a trip to Bristol with a soft spot for its charm and character.
No trip to Bristol is complete without heading up to Clifton - a stunning suburb and home to gorgeous Georgian architecture, independent shops and of course, Brunel’s Clifton Suspension Bridge which stands proudly over the River Avon, with superb views across to the city
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At-Bristol
With over 300 hands-on exhibits to explore, live shows and a planetarium, this is one of the most exciting interactive science centres in the country.
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Bristol Aquarium
Explore the wonders of the underwater world at Bristol Aquarium with thousands of natural creatures to view in over 40 naturally themed displays.
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M Shed
From its tragedies to triumphs to the extraordinary lives of ordinary people, Bristol has incredible stories to tell and you'll find plenty of them here. M Shed is a museum all about Bristol.
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SS Great Britain
The SS Great Britain is dubbed the ship that changed the world! Discover the world's first great luxury liner, right here in Bristol. A treat for nautical lovers of all ages.
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St Nicholas indoor markets
St Nicholas indoor market is one of the city's best kept secrets. As well as great places to eat, there are loads of independent retailers selling books, clothes, art and music.
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Undercover Rock
Learn the thrills and challenges of this exciting sport. Undercover Rock provides everything from indoor taster sessions to major rock climbing adventures.
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Walking and Rambling in Bristol
If you're planning on staying at YHA Bristol, why not download a free map and get out exploring?All our self-guided walks start and end at a YHA hostel and are graded so that you can explore the area
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Watersports in Bristol
This lovely area is great for water sports, so whatever mode of water transport takes your fancy, take the plunge and enjoy some fun on, or in, the water!
View some of our popular Bristol blogs
Bristol: on tour
The South West’s biggest city is a gem, but knowing where to start your explorations can be tricky – we take three separate city tours to give you some guidance...
A season of affordable city breaks
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A tale of seven cities – our guide to literary locations
As theatres, museums, libraries, and arts venues open up again, we’re using good books to guide our autumn city breaks. Here’s our guide to seven cities with YHA hostels, looking at literary locations..