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: | Be Blown Away by Miroir d'eau |
|---|---|
| ☀️ Great Day Trip: | Spend an Afternoon Wine-tasting in the French Countryside |
| 🛌 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]
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 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.
- 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]
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
- 📍 Location: Pont de Pierre Stone Bridge [Map Link]
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: 10 AM - 1 PM, 2 PM - 6 PM
- 💰 Entry Fees: 5 EUR (~6 USD)
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
- 📍 Location: Basilique Saint-Michel [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun 6 AM - 1 PM
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
- 📍 Location: Grosse Cloche [Map Link]
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
- 📍 Location: Rue Sainte-Catherine [Map Link]
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
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.
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