Best 16 Attractions to See and Cool Things to Do in Brighton, England

April 1, 2023 Mustafa Natalwala 2365 Views

Brighton is an oceanside resort city in the East Sussex county of England, UK. The city sits 76 km south of London facing the English Channel. People visit Brighton for its fun vibes and chic lifestyle. There are loads of fun things to do in Brighton City as well as the towns surrounding it.

Although Brighton’s history dates back to the Bronze Age, the current version you would see of the city began forming in the Gregorian era. It was a quick getaway resort town for trendy Londoners. Some of the best places to visit in Brighton date back to that era. It still retains many of that period’s qualities in its architecture, art, design, tourist attractions, cuisine, activities, and lifestyle. You will see Gregorian palaces, mansions, historical buildings, old entertainment venues, public parks, and vineyards. These are some of the most beautiful places to see in Brighton owing to their ornate architecture, collection of artworks, and posh interiors.

But alongside, the city has also experienced an ultra-modern revamp in all the same aspects. You will witness a blend of classical and contemporary in all the things to see in Brighton. The old narrow-lane neighborhoods have now become trendy hubs for shopping, dining, social hangouts, art, and nightlife. These areas have become Brighton tourist attractions for all kinds of quirky stuff in fashion, jewelry, home decor, artworks, food, desserts, beverages, and so on. In the same lanes, you will find classic Brighton attractions to enjoy English high tea and Sussex’s sparkling wines. Although, if you truly want to experience the Sussex wines you can take a day’s break from Brighton sightseeing and head on a wine-tasting tour of the surrounding vineyards.

There are quite a few places to go in Brighton for entertainment as well. The famous pier is one of the top entertainment venues in the city with a variety of games, rides, and activities for people of all ages. There are also quite of fun activities in Brighton along the beaches and you also have facilities to just chill and enjoy the ocean.

If you are a football fan, you should definitely check out a game at Brighton & Hove Albion stadium, home to the Premier League Club, especially if they are playing against their long-time rivals Crystal Palace or one of the top 4 premier league clubs. The atmosphere is electrifying.

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Table of Contents

Top 16 Tourist Places to Visit in Brighton in 3 Days (Trip Itinerary)

Day 1

1. Brighton Palace Pier

Built in 1899, this is considered one of the finest piers in the world. It is known for its iconic Victorian palace-like structure. It is also popular among locals and tourists alike for a variety of top things to do in Brighton. The pier has food outlets, arcade games, rides, slides, video games, and thrill rides. Plus you get a great view of the ocean. You will need about 2 hours to enjoy the pier when you visit Brighton.

2. The Lanes

This historical neighborhood was a part of the Brighthelmstone settlement. It is one of the best places to visit in Brighton if you really want to experience the city. The entire neighbourhood comprises narrow brick-paved lanes. The area feels like a maze. While exploring these lanes you will find famous stores, funky restaurants, antique stores, tearooms, art galleries, historical pubs, specialty shops, cafes, and more. People can also find several historical things to see in Brighton including flint stone walls, 400-year-old fishermen’s cottages, old buildings, and more. You will need a couple of hours to tour this area.

I suggest you should try a Guided Walking Tour of Brighton to gain more information about the history of The Lanes.

3. Royal Pavilion

This building was first built in 1787 as a seaside house for the Prince of Wales. It is one of the most beautiful places to see in Brighton. It was designed by Henry Holland and draws heavily from Russian, Islamic, and Turkish architecture. The Royal Pavilion is known for its white domes, minarets, themed gardens, arches, and carved designs. The palace has opulent vintage interiors filled with period furniture, paintings, sculptures, photographs, and historical artifacts. You will need about 2 hours from Brighton travel to tour this palace.

I suggest you should book your Ticket to The Royal Pavilion in advance.

4. Brighton Museum and Art Gallery

This museum is part of the Royal Pavilion, built in former cavalry barracks. The museum has a variety of different exhibits dedicated to history and culture. World Stories takes you on a tour of different cultures that reside in Brighton. In the Performance Gallery, you can learn about the performing arts of these cultures. You will also see exhibits concerning artworks, artists, fashion, history, social history, and more. It is one of the most interesting Brighton tourist attractions. You will need about 2 hours to tour this museum and gallery.

5. Brighton Toy & Model Museum

This museum exhibits toys dating back 100 years. You will see how people used to play in different eras. The museum has stuffed toys, model trains, cars, aircrafts, lego sets, and more. It is an amazing Brighton attraction to bring out your inner child. You will need about an hour to tour this museum.

Day 2

1. Ditchling Beacon

This chalk hill is popular for its viewpoint and outdoor activities to do in Brighton. Rising to 248 meters above sea level, this is the highest point in East Sussex. People come here for hiking, bicycle trails, horse riding, kite flying, and picnics. You will see grasslands full of wildflowers, especially orchids. You can easily spend a couple of hours on this hill when you visit Brighton.

2. Preston Manor

This manor house dates back to 1738, but its history goes back to the 13th century. The museum in-house will tell you about the various residents of this manor. You will also get insight into the life of an upper-class family during the Edwardian period. It is a major historical highlight of Brighton sightseeing and you will need about an hour to tour this manor.

3. Preston Park

Spread over 63 acres, this is one of the largest parks in England. The park has facilities for several sports including basketball, tennis, softball, football, cricket, bowling, and more. It is also known for other best things to do in Brighton for entertainment and leisure including picnics, nature trails, cycling trails, etc. The park also hosts several events and festivals. You can easily spend an hour or so exploring the activities in this park.

4. North Laine

This colorful neighbourhood is one of the best places to go in Brighton for shopping, dining, entertainment, and nightlife. The area has some unique stores selling all kinds of local items in fashion, beverages, food, and drinks. It is a quirky and trendy hotspot for all the cool things to do in Brighton. You will need about an hour or so to explore this area.

5. British Airways i360

Designed by the creators of the London Eye and standing 138 meters tall, this is one of the highest observation towers in the world. You can amazing views of the city and the South Coast. You can see many Brighton tourist attractions from this tower and learn about them from an app. You will need about an hour for this activity.

I suggest you should get your Ticket to British Airways i360 Tower in advance.

Day 3

1. SEA LIFE Brighton

This aquarium is housed in an 1872 building and is considered the oldest aquarium in the world. You will see sharks, turtles, octopuses, jellyfish, corals, frogs, seahorses, rays, and more. The aquarium is divided into various zone, each with its own fun activities to do in Brighton. You can tour the pools in a glass bottom boat, explore the underwater world through tunnels, and admire the classic victorian architecture. It is one of the best places to visit in Brighton for families. You will need 2 to 3 hours to tour this place.

I suggest you should book your Ticket to SEA LIFE Brighton in advance.

2. Volk’s Railway

Built-in 1883, this is the oldest electrical railway in Britain. The route only runs for 2 km along the city’s beach. While not exactly among the top historical Brighton attractions, it is still a fun activity to enjoy on your way to the beach. You only need 30 to 45 minutes to ride this railway.

3. Booth Museum of Natural History

This museum opened in 1874 with the taxidermy birds collection of Edward Thomas Booth. Not it is a natural history museum that showcases 525,000+ insects, 30,000+ plants, 50,000+ minerals, and more. The museum has skeletons of whales, primates, rhinoceros, dodo bird, and other animals. It also has fossils of dinosaurs discovered in Sussex. You will need about an hour from Brighton travel to tour this museum.

4. Brighton Zipline Experience

Brighton beach has the longest and tallest zipline on the south coast of England. You will start from the tower and zoom towards the beach with the ocean on one side and the city on the other. It is one of the most fun things to do in Brighton and you only need 20 to 30 minutes for this experience. The tower has dual ziplines, so you can even race with your friends, family, or significant others.

I suggest you should get your Ticket for Brighton Zipline Experience in advance.

5. Brighton Beaches

Speaking of beaches, you should head out to the beaches in Brighton for some fun activities. You can come here to just stare at the ocean, relax on the sandy coast, enjoy bicycle tracks, and more. Some of the most popular beaches include Brighton Beach, Ovingdean Beach, Brighton West Beach, Rottingdean Beach, Saltdean Beach, and Hove Beach. These are the best places to go in Brighton for leisure, dining, shopping, and nightlife as well. You can easily spend a couple of hours chilling at any of the beaches when you visit Brighton.

6. Sussex Vineyards

Sussex is well known for its sparkling wines. The region is home to several vineyards. You can take a day from Brighton sightseeing of wine tasting, dining, and exploring how these drinks are made.

I suggest you should book a Tour of Sussex Vineyards on an Iconic Vintage London Bus.

If you are looking for more interesting things to see in Brighton, check out the sections below. We have compiled an exhaustive list of attractions and activities that you can enjoy in the city and around it.

Things to do in Brighton

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Brighton

Royal Pavilion
Brighton Museum and Art Gallery
Brighton Toy and Model Museum
Volk’s Electric Railway
Booth Museum of Natural History
Preston Manor
Phoenix Art Space
St. Peters Church
Fabrica Contemporary Art Space
Brighton Fishing Museum
Church of St. Bartholomew
Old Police Cells Museum
Jubilee Clock Tower
Art 5 Gallery
The Grange
The Regency Town House
Lewes Castle & Museum
Anna’s Museum
Monk’s House
Brighton Chhatri
The Angel of Peace
Hove Museum of Creativity
Newhaven Fort
Anne of Cleves House
West Blatchington Windmill
Ditchling Museum of Art and Craft
Lewes Priory
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Arundel & Brighton
Friends of Shoreham Fort
Jack & Hill Windmills
Culture 24 Museum
Marlipins Museum

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Brighton

Devil’s Dyke Valley
Stanmer Nature Park Reserve
Wild Park Local Nature Reserve
Whitehawk Hill Local Nature Reserve
Saddlecombe Farm and Newtimber Hill
Ditchlington Beacon Grassland
Mount Caburn
Truleigh Hill
South Down National Park

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Brighton

Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club
Brighton i360
Preston Park
Brighton Palace Pier
Sea Life Aquarium
Brighton Dome
Queen’s Park
Brighton Racecourse
Grosvenor Casino
Hove Park
The Level
Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf
Victoria Gardens
St. Ann’s Well Gardens
Blakers Park
Withdean Park
Dyke Road Park
Yellowave Beach Sports Venue
East Brighton Park
Old Steine Gardens
One Garden Brighton
Valley Gardens
Rendezvous Casino
Hove Lawns
Genting Casino
Pells Pool
Washbrooks Family Farm
Sky High Trampoline Park
Southover Grange Gardens
Funplex
Centenary Park
Plumpton Racecourse
Ridgeview Wine Estate
Albourne Estate
Kinsbrook Vineyard
Bluebell Vineyard
Upperton Vineyard
Trotton Estate
Court Gardens Farm
Wildwood Vineyard
Black Dog Hill Vineyard
Drusillas Park

Shopping in Brighton

Brighton Open Market
North Laine
Brighton Marina
Enter Gallery
The Lanes
Churchill Square Shopping Centre
Open Market
Kemptown Market
Seven Dials
Brighton Marina

Beaches in Brighton

Brighton Beach
Brighton West Pier
Ovingdean Beach
Brighton West Beach
Rottingdean Beach
Saltdean Beach
Hove Beach
London Road Viaduct
Shoreham Beach
Beachy Head Cliff
Seven Sisters Cliff

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventures in Brighton

Hiking
Zipline
Bicycle trails
Swimming
Paddleboarding
Kitesurfing

Sightseeing in Brighton

Brighton Marina
North Laine
Upside Down Houses
Brighton Beach Bandstand
Regency Square
Brighton Beach Huts
Undercliff Walk
The Lanes
Kings Road Arches
Foredown Tower

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Brighton

Pavilion Gardens Cafe
The Black Lion
Metrodeco Cafe
The Mesmerist
Boho Gelato
The Cricketers
Terre a Terre
Ohso Social Beach bar
The Painting Pottery Cafe
That Little Tea Shop
Marroco’s
Browns Brighton
Ten Green Bottles
Metropole Bar
Brass Monkey Ice Cream
Iydea Vegetarian Kitchen
The World Famous Pump Room
Lost in the Lanes
Rockwater Hove
Petit Pois Restaurant
Captain’s
Tinto Taperia
The Connaught Pub
Las Iguanas
Cote Lewes
Indian Summer
Artbox Cafe
Adelfia
Fourth and Church

Where to Stay in Brighton?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range, and Budget Hotels in Brighton. You can check the below-listed hotels for your perfect stay in Brighton.

Luxurious Hotels

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

Custom Tours Package in Brighton

How to Reach Brighton?

By Air

You can reach Brighton through Shoreham Airport, also called Brighton City Airport. It sits just 8 km away from Brighton. It is the oldest airport in the UK and the oldest purpose-built commercial airport in the world that is still operational.
As London is not too far from the city, you can also use Heathrow and Gatwick Airports to reach Brighton. These airports are connected to several cities in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania. You can get buses and cabs to get to the city from the airport

By Road

England has a well-developed train network. You can get direct trains to visit Brighton from several cities in the UK. It falls on railway routes Southern, Thameslink, Gatwick Express, and Great Western Railway. These routes connect Brighton with London, Bedford, Leicester, Gatwick, Cambridge, and several other cities in England.

You can also get buses from many cities in the country to reach Brighton. Some of the most popular bus services for Brighton travel include National Express, Stagecoach, and Brighton & Hove Buses.

If you are planning to reach Brighton by car, you should head south on route A23. If you are traveling along the southern coast, you can use route A27.

By Water

The closest port to visit Brighton is Newhaven. You can get ferries to get here from Dieppe in France

Image Reference

Brighton Palace Pier – Will Eames / PixaBay
The Lanes – Terekhova / Flickr
Royal Pavilion – Gary Stearman / PixaBay
Brighton Museum & Art Gallery – Allie_Caulfield / Flickr
Brighton Toy and Model Museum – Marko Mrdjenovič / Flickr
Ditchling Beacon – grassrootsgroundswell / Flickr
Preston Manor – Martin Robson / Flickr
Preston Park – Gary Stearman / PixaBay
North Laine – Simon / Flickr
British Airways i360 – Matt Kieffer / Flickr
SEA LIFE Brighton – Hassocks5489 / Wikimedia Commons
Volk’s Railway – R~P~M / Flickr
Booth Museum of Natural History – Hassocks5489 / Wikimedia Commons
Brighton Zipline Experience – C.Suthorn / Wikimedia Commons
Brighton Beaches – Martina Bäcker / PixaBay
Sussex Vineyards – Steve Gardner / Flickr