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 for solo travelers:
Bordeaux Itinerary Map
Quick Summary
| ♥️ Must Visit: | Miroir d'eau |
|---|---|
| ☀️ Great Day Trip: | Bordeaux Wine Trails |
| 🛌 Place to Stay: | ibis budget Bordeaux Centre Bastide |
| 🏃♂️ Getting around: | Walk & Trams |
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
- 📍 Location: Place de la Bourse [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "This was the highlight for me. The square is surrounded by some of the city's grandest structures. It overlooks the river, and the mirror fountain is absolutely incredible! There's no better place to begin your exploration of the city than here."
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.
If you want to learn more about Bordeaux and its history, you can also check out the Musée National des Douanes (National Customs Museum), located in the Hôtel des Fermes on Place de la Bourse.
- Central Hostel (Budget)
- ibis budget Bordeaux Centre Bastide (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- 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)
Where to Stay in Bordeaux?
2. Be Blown Away by Miroir d'eau
- 📍 Location: Miroir d'eau [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "Oh how much I love Miroir d'eau. The shallow water creates the perfect reflection for photos. I love it so much I came here twice, once during the day and another at night, and I was amazed both times!"
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 3,450-square-meter reflecting pool that alternates between a thin layer of water and mist. It normally operates daily from 10 AM to 10 PM outside the winter maintenance period and is generally out of service from November through April.
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
- 📍 Location: Pont de Pierre Stone Bridge [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "It's a beautiful stone bridge that was technically ahead of its time, and you can go for a little stroll across the river and see Bordeaux from the other side."
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.
4. Check Out Porte Cailhau
- 📍 Location: Porte Cailhau [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: Apr - Oct: Daily 10 AM - 1 PM and 2 PM - 6 PM; Nov - Mar: Wed - Fri 2 PM - 6 PM, Sat - Sun 11 AM - 1 PM and 2 PM - 6 PM
- 💰 Entry Fees: 7 EUR (5 EUR reduced)
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "So many buildings and structures here feel like they were ripped straight out of a fairy tale. This one in particular!"
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 through its updated visitor displays, and the climb rewards you with a nice view over the river and the rooftops of Bordeaux. Admission is currently 7 EUR, or 5 EUR reduced. From April to October, it is open daily from 10 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 6 PM; from November to March, opening days and hours are reduced.
5. Visit Basilique Saint-Michel and its vintage market
- 📍 Location: Basilique Saint-Michel [Map Link]
- 🕐 Market Hours: The flea market runs Tue, Thu, Fri, and Sun, generally from early morning into the afternoon; Sunday is the main day for browsing antiques and secondhand finds.
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "If you are here on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, be sure to shop around the vintage market! I got a really nice old vintage camera for 15 EUR from there 😉"
On Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, the area around the stunning Basilique Saint-Michel hosts Les Puces de Saint Michel, a long-running flea market where you can browse antiques, vintage items, furniture, and all kinds of curiosities. Sunday is the classic day to visit, with the market getting going from early morning.
When I visited, the market was already lively from around 6 AM, and I found all kinds of interesting stalls selling paintings, trinkets, and even a broken vintage camera, which I bought as a reminder of my time in this city. Current tourism information lists the flea market on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, with Sunday being the main day for antique hunting. It is definitely worth a look even if you do not plan to shop.
The nearby Saint-Michel spire is also worth considering now: after several years of restoration, it reopened to visitors in June 2026. You can climb 230 steps to a panoramic terrace; it is generally open from April to October and currently costs 7 EUR for a full-price ticket.
6. Walk through Grosse Cloche
- 📍 Location: Grosse Cloche [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "I couldn’t go inside as it was closed when I was there, so I just looked at it from the outside; it was still pretty impressive to see!"
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, but the Grosse Cloche is open to visitors today. Visits are currently by reservation as a 30-minute guided tour, usually on Saturdays with additional dates during some school holidays, and cost 6 EUR per person. Even if the timing does not work for you, it is still worth seeing from the outside, especially during the blue hour when the city lights come on.
7. Hang out at Rue Ste Catherine
- 📍 Location: Rue Sainte-Catherine [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "You will find lots of street performers here, day and night, and I'm here for them."
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
- 📍 Location: Bordeaux Wine Trails [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: 6 hours
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "Bordeaux is famous for its wine, so if you are interested in that, be sure to go on a wine-tasting day trip!"
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?
Bordeaux is easy to reach either directly by air or by train from elsewhere in France. From Paris, direct high-speed trains from Montparnasse to Bordeaux Saint-Jean can take just over 2 hours, making the train one of the easiest options if you are already in France. If you are flying, Bordeaux Airport is connected directly to the city center and Saint-Jean station by tram. I would recommend that you browse through Skyscanner or Expedia to compare flights and find the option that best fits your itinerary.
I took the train from Avignon to Bordeaux. It was not the cheapest option, but it dropped me off at Bordeaux Saint-Jean, close to the city center and well connected by tram. If you value your time, the train is often your best bet. However, if you want to save money, long-distance buses are also available from many French cities. You can book the train/bus here.
If you arrive at Bordeaux Airport, tram line F now runs directly to Hôtel de Ville in the city center in about 35 minutes and Bordeaux Saint-Jean station in about 45 minutes. A standard TBM ticket currently costs 1.90 EUR when bought before boarding.
How to Get Around Bordeaux?
Walking is the way to go in central Bordeaux. It is a beautiful, compact city with plenty of pedestrian-friendly streets, riverfront paths, and historic architecture, so many of the places in this guide are easy to reach on foot. For longer distances, Bordeaux has an extensive tram and bus network. I used the tram a couple of times because my hostel was a little farther out, and it was convenient and affordable. A standard TBM ticket currently costs 1.90 EUR and can be used across the local public transport network.
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.
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