Is Brighton worth visiting? Top 10 reasons to visit fun-filled Brighton!
Is Brighton worth visiting? Top 10 reasons to visit fun-filled Brighton!
Full disclosure: Brighton is one of my all-time favourite UK cities! It’s one of those rare and fabulous places that combines everything that you love about city breaks. But with an exceptional ocean view! It has a fascinating history, thriving art and foodie scenes and a Victorian seaside heritage that gives it an extra dash of charm. So, is Brighton worth visiting? Here are my top 10 reasons to visit fun-filled Brighton!
Check out hotels for your epic weekender in Brighton!
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1) The awesome Foodie scene!
When people have asked me in the past: “Is Brighton worth visiting?”, the first thing I think about is food! 😂 Brighton is a foodie paradise no matter what your dietary requirements are. It’s well worth the visit for food experiences alone!
Brighton is renowned for being super vegan and vegetarian friendly. But more importantly it has an endless choice of independent and family run restaurants so you’re always trying something new.
There’s also every kind of global cuisine you can think of in Brighton so you’re completely spoiled for choice.
If you’d like to discover more of Brighton’s amazing food scene, I recommend going on a food tour. You visit seven stops with a local guide at some of Brighton’s quirkiest foodie hotspots and is suitable for all dietary requirements.
But if you’d rather go with the flow whilst visiting Brighton, here are some of my top eatery recommendations:
- Oeuf – don’t let the name fool you! Oeuf (meaning “egg” in french) is a great place to have vegan and vegetarian brunch with some cheeky mimosas! Vegan options include: smashed avocado toast, berry pancakes, veganator wrap and a plant-based full English. I had the vegan full English which included: vegan sausage, vegan black pudding, mushrooms, vine tomatoes, scrambled tofu and homemade beans and sourdough toast. The hash browns especially are delicious and the size of doorstops!
- 17 GRAMS Coffee – great place to have breakfast with the freshest boujee coffee selection. I had the vegan pancakes which are deliciously fluffy and come with a sugar berry sauce that tastes just like sherbet!
- Fatto a Mano Pizzeria – a great Neapolitan style pizzeria with lots of creative vegan options. I had their sausage and aubergine vegan pizza which is a delicious combo!
- No Catch Co – a great vegan fish and chip shop founded by vegan activist, ‘Earthling Ed’. Think all the flavour and nostalgia of classic seaside fish and chips but with 100% plant-based ingredients. So good!
Book tickets for the Brighton Food Tour.
2) Beach and seafront
Ah, the great British seaside! Brighton has one of the finest British seafronts in the UK. The pebble beach is over five miles long and has retained its Victorian glamour along with Brighton’s characteristic energy and style.
If you’re visiting in the warmer months, you can relax on the beach or try your hand at some water sports. However, if you’re visiting during the colder months – fear not! There’s plenty to do on Brighton Beach.
Take a stroll down the bustling promenade and soak up the atmosphere at one of the many restaurants, cafes or bars. In the evenings, you can also enjoy the bars and clubs that keep the seafront lively long after the sun goes down.
There’s a great little funfair and arcade you can visit down Brighton Pier as well as indulge in all the British classics such as rock, 99s, candy dummies and penny sweets.
On the seafront, you’ll also get a glimpse of the Brighton i360 viewing tower, which I highly recommend visiting! The observation tower opened in 2016 and was designed by the team behind the London Eye.
You’ll be able to see a panoramic view of Brighton from a moving pod, over 500 feet above the city. When the weather is clear you can see the cliffs at Beachy Head and even the Isle of Wight!
Book tickets to the Brighton i360 viewing tower.
3) The fascinating history
Brighton has a long and fascinating history that you’ll love uncovering. It can trace its roots all the way back to the Bronze Age!
The Victorian influence can also be seen throughout the city but none more so than in its beloved Royal Pavilion. This stunning, grade I listed building with ornate onion domes and minarets was built in 1823 as a seaside retreat for George, Prince of Wales.
It was his “pleasure” palace – built so he could entertain away from “prying eyes”.
Another excellent example if you’ve ever wondered, “Is Brighton worth visiting?” is when you experience the joy of being able to see inside this elaborate pleasure palace with your own “prying eyes”.
With its plush interiors, banqueting rooms, royal bedrooms and ‘Great Kitchen’ – you’ll love the oriental inspired, over-the-top decor!
There is also a museum and art gallery within the grounds to explore, which I highly recommend. More on museums later though!
You can also get to know Brighton a little better by going on a walking tour. You’ll be guided through the main attractions in the city’s Royal Pavilion and historic Old Town areas such as the Brighton Palace Pier, Brighton Beach and North Laine. As well as learn more about Brighton’s historic Saxon roots.
Book tickets to the Brighton Walking Tour.
4) Awesome Nightlife
Brighton has a reputation for having one of the best night’s out in the UK. With hundreds of bars, pubs and night clubs that would give Ibiza a run for its money – you’re sure to have the time of your life in Brighton!
If at any point you want a change of scenery, you’re spoilt for choice within walking distance. Which is great news if you’re already a bottle of prosecco in!
You can also join a pub crawl run by locals to see all the best beachside bars, cocktail clubs, and character-full pubs.
Check out hotels for your epic weekender in Brighton!
5) Vintage shopping
Brighton is a treasure trove for bargain hunters and vintage lovers alike. It’s home to hundreds of independent shops and one of the things the city is most beloved for!
Even if you’re not in the market for vintage items, it’s so much fun just having a look around. Every item you come across is rare and/ or unique – it’s hard not to want to buy everything!
A particular point of interest for vintage lovers is Brighton’s North Laine shopping area. It’s a bohemian bustle of criss-cross streets in the heart of the cultural quarter of the city. It’s home to 300 unique shops and has the largest selection of independent retailers on the South Coast!
Snoopers Paradise is a personal favourite of mine. You’ll find all manor of vintage items from clothes and hats to home decor and tech. There’s also a classic photo booth that me and my best friend always love taking pictures in!
The grainy, black and white photo strips make for lovely keepsakes of your trip.
6) cool street art
I am a huge fan of street art and find myself seeking it out wherever I travel to! If you’re the same – you’ll LOVE Brighton’s endless streets of graffiti art. It has a thriving creative industry and reputation for being a hub for artists.
You certainly feel that creative vibe from the minute you land in Brighton. Every corner has its own story to tell and you really get to know the city through the artists’ expression.
Some of the top European graffiti artists have left their mark in Brighton, including famed street artist Banksy. His ‘Kissing Policeman’ artwork once adorned the wall of a pub near Brighton train station. The original was controversially sold by the pub owner to a private collector but a replica still exists.
This piece below was created by local artist, Eelus in Brighton’s historic Lanes. It was inspired by ‘Alice in Wonderland’, whose auther Lewis Carroll summered in Brighton.
7) Great Festivals
One of the many reasons that people love to visit Brighton is its vibrant festivals! Brighton hosts 60 city-wide festivals every year ranging from food, art and culture to fashion, science and music.
The vibrant festivals calendar sits alongside a world class outdoor events programme. This includes: Brighton Festival, Brighton Fringe, Arts Open Houses, Gay Pride, Brighton Chocolate Festival and VegFest UK.
It also boasts the largest arts festival in England and the third largest Fringe Festival in the world!
8) The inclusivity
Brighton is known for being wonderfully diverse, boasting the unofficial title of the UK’s LGBTQ+ capital.
The 2021 census showed that the largest percentage of LGBTQ+ UK residents call Brighton home. With just over 20% of the respondents saying they identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or other.
The city is home to the largest Gay Pride and Trans Pride festivals in the UK. Bringing together over 500,000 people in celebration every July and August.
There are also lots of gay-run bed and breakfasts, Airbnb and various accommodations to stay at whilst you’re visiting.
If you’re looking for an amazing night out, the city’s gay village based in Kemp Town is the place to be! It’s home to TONNES of LGBTQ+ venues with local favourites, including: the Legends Bar and Marlborough Pub (the UK’s first lesbian bar!).
Both the LGBTQ+ and straight communities are found seamlessly mixing right across the city. So you’re guaranteed a great night out in Brighton – wherever you land!
God I love Brighton! ❤️🌈
9) The cool museums
Brighton has a fantastic array of museums, which is amazing considering how compact the city is!
Choose from state-of-the-art exhibitions at Brighton Museum & Art Gallery and film galleries at Hove Museum. Or take a look back at the city’s natural history at the Booth Museum.
Whether you’re an avid art lover, history buff or budding Egyptologist, Brighton has a cultural fix for everyone!
10) The famous Lanes
Brighton’s famous Lanes go all the way back to the 5th Century AD. They were part of the city’s core Saxon fishing settlement and have been an integral part of the city ever since.
Now these narrow streets are the home of independent shopping in Brighton. Brimming with brilliant independent cafes, bakeries, book and record shops and vintage and antique emporiums.
The Lanes make Brighton instantly recognisable. With their distinctive Georgian and Victorian architecture adorned with quirky shop signs and colourful street decor.
You’ll have a fantastic time exploring down each street and taking in the lively atmosphere the Lanes has to offer.
Check out hotels for your epic weekender in Brighton!
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- 30 Free things to do in London (that tourists and locals will love!)
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So, is Brighton worth visiting? Hell YEAH! I hope you have a great time in Brighton! 😉
Quick FYI guys – this post contains affiliate links to some tours I recommend. I will receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. Thanks so much for your support on this “Is Brighton worth visiting?” post!
