Brighton Travel & Vacation Guide

With more than 30,000 seating capacity and high-class facilities, the American Express Stadium is the brand new home of Brighton and Hove Albion FC. The stadium has different kinds of sections that vary from a family stand to a singing section to suit individual preferences, and of course, create a delightful and exciting football experience.

Make the most out of your wonderful stay in Brighton Beach, by learning the basics of sea kayaking conducted by the qualified B.C.U. coaches of B.K. Kayaking. The courses are designed for beginners or as refresher courses for those who already have experience. Just bring a towel and a pair of tight-fitting shoes, because all the equipment needed will be provided.

The Booth Museum of Natural History, named after its founder, Edward Booth, houses over half a million specimens and data about natural history that has been compiled over many centuries. There are dinosaur bones, killer whale skeletons, British bird exhibits, a wide variety of preserved insects and a lot more. Through interactive displays, hands-on activities and distinctive exhibitions, this museum never fails to bring natural history to life.

In just an hour and a half, you can relive the colourful history of Brighton through guided walking city tours. Join Brighton City Walks and discover the secrets of Brighton and how it evolved from a humble fishing village into a fashionable tourist destination.

Curious about Brighton’s historical past? Come and visit the Brighton Fishing Museum and relive Brighton’s idyllic past as a modest fishing village and how it evolved into a contemporary beach holiday destination.

The Brighton Marina is one of the most popular spots in the city. It is one of the biggest man-made marinas in Europe and accordingly offers a complete package of fun and excitement from its fancy restaurants, boutiques, shops and service centres to its casinos, leisure and gaming areas and water activities.

The Brighton Museum and Art Gallery features superb exhibits that depict Brighton’s history and its cultural heritage. With a lot of interactive displays, valuable artworks and interesting furniture in vibrant galleries, it is definitely worth visiting.

Formerly known as the Palace Pier, this picturesque Victorian pier has always been included in the list of holiday destinations in Brighton and venue for special events. It offers rides and attractions for the whole family, plus a lot of fancy restaurants, food kiosks and bars to choose from.

Bohemia is a popular and award-winning cocktail bar that serves nothing but fresh and home-made modern European dishes, breakfast, lunch and dinner, and they also have terrific cocktails and spirits served by its skilled barmen.

Concorde 2 is an esteemed live music venue and night club that features state of the art music and lighting system. This is a very popular venue in Brighton because of its professional value, friendly approach and great live music, including some of the world’s best international performers.

Lucky Voice Brighton is a great venue for those who want to sing their hearts out. They provide private karaoke rooms and outstanding cocktails that are perfect for chilling with friends, parties and other celebrations. They also have a cocktail bar for those who simply want to relax and drink.

This is a classy lounge bar that serves a wide range of cocktails and liquors in a sophisticated way, but at reasonable prices. Make your selection from their long drink list and enjoy a fun night with your friends, any day of the week. Their cocktail classes are particularly popular.

Medusa Bar is a cosy and relaxed bar that offers a great selection of liquors, tasty cocktails as well as refreshing drinks served by top notch bartenders. Come here for a fun but relaxed night with your friends and listen to the vibrant live music or enjoy one of their comedy nights.

Merkaba Bar states that "great cocktails create memorable moments" and this is a good place to prove it. The elegant interior, the exciting cocktail list and the vibrant atmosphere all contribute to an awesome and unforgettable experience.

Named after the founder of the Proud Group, this former Brighton Ballroom has evolved into retro supper club and a burlesque restaurant. They offer appetizing 3 course meals, a wide array of cocktails and wines, cabaret and burlesque performances and a dance floor for an awesome nightlife experience.

In the award winning Hotel du Vin you find this traditional British pub. Pub du Vin is a bar and bistro that serves traditional and famous ales, house beers as well fancy wines to perfectly match the battered fish and chips and other delectable dishes.

The Brighton Marina is one of the most popular spots in the city. It is one of the biggest man-made marinas in Europe and accordingly offers a complete package of fun and excitement from its fancy restaurants, boutiques, shops and service centres to its casinos, leisure and gaming areas and water activities.

Wondering where to start your shopping experience in Brighton? Head to the bustling Brighton Square with its more than 20 different shops, restaurants, cafés and leisure areas, which provide a pleasurable experience to its shoppers. While Brighton Square does have some shops, including fashion boutiques, gift shops, and speciality stores, its main appeal lies in its proximity to other major shopping areas such as North Laine and the Lanes. The North Laine is famous for its independent shops, vintage stores, and eclectic boutiques, while the Lanes offer a mix of high-end shops, antique stores, and artisanal boutiques nestled in narrow, picturesque alleyways.

Just a few minutes off the beach, you will find the great Churchill Square Shopping Centre with over 80 shops, boutiques, cafés and restaurants in one place. Some of the major chains represented here are Debenhams, River Island, H&M, Zara and many more.

Fair is an award-winning boutique on Queens Street, specialising in fair trade and ethical fashion. They sell world-class brands, made only of sustainable and organic materials, with the latest designs in mind.

Considered to be one of the most trusted jewellers in Brighton, Julian Stephens Goldsmith offers a great collection of inimitable and elegant jewellery. Here you will find everything from meaningful rings to exquisite bangles, necklaces and earrings made of platinum and 18-carat gold, plus handmade charms.

The Lavender Room is a lovely fashion, gift, and lifestyle boutique situated in Brighton's vibrant North Laine area. It offers a curated selection of treasures to delight shoppers—from simple silver jewelry to vintage-style homeware and limited edition prints.

Papillon is located in the heart of Brighton’s North Laine. It offers a wide array of unique and fabulous housewares and interior items from different countries. Here you will find high-quality products at affordable prices.

If you are in need of souvenirs you can buy gifts and keepsakes in the Royal Pavilion Shop. They sell posters, postcards, greeting cards, stationery and books of various genres, as well as t-shirts with prints of Brighton attractions. The Brighton Museum Shop has also a wide array of Brighton products for sale. From the creative masterpieces created by the local artists and craft makers to home furnishings, jewellery and accessories, the Brighton Museum shop has it all. What is even better about this shop is that the proceeds from the sales are used to restore and maintain the museum.

For travel to the UK, citizens of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland (except Irish citizens) need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). However, those planning to work or study in the UK for more than six months will need to obtain the appropriate visa. Additionally, residents of nine other countries — including Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States — can also visit the UK for up to six months without a visa, but they will still need an ETA. To ensure a smooth journey, it is advisable to consult the UK government website for any specific visa requirements or regulations.

Gatwick Airport is the nearest international airport. It takes about 35-60 minutes to get to Brighton. From the railway station at the south terminal, you can catch the train, which takes only 30-40 minutes and leaves several times a day. The National Express bus takes one hour and is slightly cheaper.

Heathrow Airport, the largest of the six international airports serving London and its surroundings, is located approximately two hours away from Brighton. The airport is accessible by coach, taxi and train. Coaches from Heathrow to Brighton take from 2 hours to 2 hours and 30 minutes. If you choose to take the train, the best option is to get to London and from there, catch the train to Brighton. There are also taxis available at the airport that can go directly from Heathrow to Brighton.

Several bus lines run through the city and you can find lots of stops in the centre. You can buy the ticket either on-board the bus, at a newsagent or online, and you can choose between tickets valid for only one journey to different kinds of day passes. Fare discounts are given to children, students and senior citizens.

There are plenty of taxis in Brighton and they can either be hailed from the street, found at a taxi rank or pre-booked. If you choose to hail one from the street look for the white and aqua-coloured cars with a sign saying 'Taxi' or 'For Hire.' Brighton & Hove Radio Cabs Ltd is one of the licensed taxi companies you will find.

The United Kingdom uses the Type G electric plug, which is one with three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern. And it operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

In Brighton, some of the main pharmacy chains include Boots, and Superdrug.

There are several postal services all over Brighton and they are generally open from 9am to 5:30pm on weekdays and from 9am to 12:30pm on Saturdays. The main post office in Brighton can be found in the Churchill Square Shopping Centre. Stamps can be bought from post offices, newsstands and supermarkets.