Bordeaux is the type of city where you just wish you had a home here. Imagine having a house somewhere in between the beautiful historic buildings, surrounded by open and green spaces, and living out your life at a slow, more relaxed pace. If it weren't for the language barrier, I could definitely see myself living here.
That just goes to show how beautiful Bordeaux is, and it's a city that you should definitely visit while you are in France. Within this guide, we will discuss all the cool things you can do here, from wine-tasting to exploring its rich history. Here are the 8 best things to do in Bordeaux:
Bordeaux Itinerary Map
| ❤️ Must Visit: | Miroir d'eau |
| ☀️ Day Trip: | St. Emilion |
| 🌤️ Best time: | May-September |
| 🕓 Time to spend: | 1 day |
Tips: Get the Bordeaux City Pass if you want to visit multiple museums in the city and save money on entrance fees, public transportation, and more.
8 Best Things to Do in Bordeaux
1. Visit Place de la Bourse
One of the first places you should visit when you are in Bordeaux is Place de la Bourse - the main city square where the roads to all the tourist attractions converge, which makes for a great place to start your exploration.
The square is also known for its classical and elegant 18th-century architecture surrounding it. One of the most notable buildings on the square you should check out is the Palais de la Bourse and admire its incredible Neoclassical-style façade, adorned with columns and sculptures.
- Central Hostel (Budget)
- ibis budget Bordeaux Centre Bastide (Mid-Range)
- Hôtel Singulier Bordeaux (High-End)
- Full-Day tour to Saint-Emilion and Medoc, from Bordeaux (9 hours)
- Saint Emilion Day Trip with Sightseeing Tour & Wine Tastings from Bordeaux (8 hours)
- St-Emilion & Médoc Combine Day Tour including Wine Tastings and Lunch (9 to 10 hours)
If you want to learn a bit more about Bordeaux and its rich history, you can also check out the National Museum while you are here, as it is located just opposite the palace.
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Where to Stay in Bordeaux?
2. Be Blown Away by Miroir d'eau
Before we explore the winding streets of Bordeaux, you'd better make your way across the road from Place de la Bourse and witness one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the city: the Miroir d'eau, a large shallow reflecting pool, one of the largest of its kind.
Because of the shallow water of the Miroir d'eau, the surface of the water mirrors the surrounding architecture of Bordeaux and creates a stunning visual effect resembling a perfect mirror. This makes it one of the best photo spots in the city.
The place is extremely photogenic, especially just before sunset, when the weather is calm and the buildings are starting to be illuminated by the city's lights.
Not only that, but the mirror is also equipped with a fountain system that creates a fog effect reaching up to almost 2 meters, making it even more atmospheric. It is one of the best things to do in Bordeaux, so be sure not to miss it!
3. Walk the Pont de Pierre Stone Bridge
After you are done with Miroir d'eau, you can walk along the river and cross the Pont de Pierre Stone Bridge for a nice view of the city over the Garonne River.
The stone bridge is an incredible piece of history that showcases the impressive technical prowess of the French empire during the 19th century. The bridge was built to connect the left bank of the river to Quartier de la Bastide.
The stone bridge is approximately 500 meters in length, which is pretty long for the time, and it features 27 arches, which is symbolic because Bordeaux has historically had 17 letters.
The bridge is a feat of engineering in and of itself, given its length and ability to withstand the strong current of the Garonne River. Not to mention the incredible view of the city that you can see from the bridge. So, be sure not to miss it.
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4. Check Out Porte Cailhau
After you are done with the bridge, it is time to explore Bordeaux proper, and the first piece of history you will encounter right off the gate is Porte Cailhau, a castle-like gate that was built in the late 15th century as the main entry point to the city.
Like many gates of its time, the Porte Cailhau served as a defensive fortification during periods of conflict. It also served as a grand entrance for visiting dignitaries and was used for various ceremonies and celebrations, thanks to its distinct Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles.
You can go inside and learn more about the structure from the small museum inside, and you can climb the tower for a nice view of Quartier de la Bastide and the river. The entrance fee is 5 EUR, and the place is open from 10 AM to 1 PM and again from 2 PM to 6 PM every day.
5. Visit Basilique Saint-Michel and its vintage market
On Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, the street in front of the stunning Basilique Saint-Michel is converted into Les Puces de Saint Michel, a vintage market where you can stroll around and acquire some truly unique items as souvenirs.
The locals are out in droves on those days, from 6 AM to 1 PM, and you will find all kinds of interesting shops selling paintings, trinkets, or even a broken vintage camera, which I bought as a reminder of my time in this city. The market is definitely worth a look, even if you don't plan to shop, so be sure to check it out while you are here.
6. Walk through Grosse Cloche
After the market, you can make your way to the tourist strip of Rue Ste Catherine, but first, you have to check out Grosse Cloche or Big Bell in English. It is a famous historical bell and clock tower built in the 15th century as a gate and a part of the city's medieval fortifications, as well as to alarm people in case of fire.
The tower is an impressive example of Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles, with its beautiful cone-shaped towers flanking an opening with a large bell at the center on both sides. The bell tower is also topped with a distinctive clock and a weather vane.
I was unable to go inside when I was there, and I don't think it is open to the public at the moment because I couldn't find any information about it. However, you can still appreciate its beauty from the outside, especially during the blue hour in the evening with the city's lights and all.
7. Hang out at Rue Ste Catherine
One of the main tourist strips of Bordeaux, Rue Sainte-Catherine, is best known for being one of the longest pedestrian shopping streets in Europe, with a total length of approximately 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles). It stretches from Place de la Victoire to Place de la Comédie.
Lined on both sides of the street, you will find a wide variety of shops, boutiques, department stores, and international brands, making it one of the most popular spots for both tourists and locals.
You will also find plenty of cafes and restaurants here, so if you are looking for a place to hang out in Bordeaux, Rue Ste Catherine is a great place to start.
8. Spend an Afternoon Wine-tasting in the French Countryside
Of course, Bordeaux and this part of France are best known for their wine, and one of the best things to do here is to go wine-tasting in the French countryside and explore some of the surrounding cities like Médoc and St. Emilion.
You can spend the afternoon on an organized tour and visit Médoc and St. Émilion, two of the most famous wine regions in France, stopping at charming châteaux, enjoying the sights, and sampling local wine.
The tour should take about 6 hours, which makes for a great half-day trip if you are into wine-tasting. Be sure to book a wine-tasting organized tour in advance.
How to Get to Bordeaux?
The best way to get here is to fly into hub cities like Paris or Lyon and take a train or a bus from there. I would recommend that you browse through Skyscanner or Expedia to find all the cheap flights from where you live to France and compare them so that you can find the one that best fits your itinerary.
I took the train from Avignon to Bordeaux. It was not the cheapest option, but it dropped me off right in the city center, a few minutes' walk away from the hostel. If you value your time, the train is your best bet. However, if you want to save money, you can also go with the bus from whichever city you are coming from. You can book the train/bus here.
How to Get Around Bordeaux?
Walking is the way to go in Bordeaux. It is a beautiful city surrounded by green spaces and beautiful architecture. There no reason not to walk in this wonderful city! Otherwise, the tram is your main mode of transportation if you want to stray off the beaten path. I used it a couple of times as my hostel was a little further out and they were on time and affordable.
Daily Budget
Traveling here will typically cost you more than visiting most other countries. You can expect to spend around $45 - $65 USD per day per person, including food, accommodation, and transportation.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
What to Pack for Bordeaux, France?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Bordeaux, France:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Down Jacket: In freezing temperatures, a down jacket is essential. The Columbia Men's Lone Fir Hooded Jacket (for women) is my choice. They are warm, lightweight, and available in various colors.
- Wool Beanie: A wool beanie is perfect for keeping your head and ears warm.
- Wool Gloves: I always have wool gloves handy to keep my hands warm in cold weather.
- Wool Socks: Don't forget to keep your feet warm with wool socks.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
That is it for the 8 Awesome Things to Do in Bordeaux for First-Timers. Have we missed anything? Have you found the guide useful? Let us know in the comments below!
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to plan your trip to Bordeaux, France! Here are some resources to help you get your trip going:
Are you planning to travel to Bordeaux, France independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for France
I hope you found this guide helpful in your trip planning. If you want to read more about France, I have written a few more travel guides, all listed here:
- Looking for a complete travel guide to France? Check out my 2 Weeks in France.
- Are you traveling to France as part of a bigger Europe trip? Be sure to check out my 3-month itinerary for Europe from Portugal all the way to Sweden.
- Packing for a trip to visit a region as big as Europe can be extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe - The Essential Packing List.
- Want to visit Europe in winter? Better prepare for the cold. Here's a winter packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe in Winter - The Essential Packing List.
- Paris is one of the most popular destinations in Europe and one of the most overcrowded cities as well, but it doesn't have to be. Here are the 10 Hipster Things to Do in Paris.
- Avignon, the city of antiquity, is hard to miss when planning a trip to France. Here's a complete guide on 8 Best Things to Do in Avignon.
- Looking to go hike in the French Alps? Don't go without seeing this guide: The Ultimate Day Hiking Guide to the French Alps.
- Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
- You can also watch my France travel video here: "Dear France" travel video.
- To see all articles about France, visit the France Travel Guide page.
- Looking for a place to go after France? How about Spain, Germany, or Switzerland? Visit our Spain travel guide page, Germany travel guide page, and Switzerland travel guide page for more.
- Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
- Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
- Or, if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Western Europe Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.