10 Reasons Why Everyone Should Visit Newcastle Upon Tyne

Newcastle upon Tyne is one of the most renowned cities in the country for many reasons, most notably its culture, architecture and welcoming atmosphere. Here are 10 reasons why everyone should visit the famous north-east city.

The Quayside

Arguably the most picturesque location in Newcastle, The Quayside is one of the city’s most bustling areas. Packed with restaurants, bars and cultural hotspots, you’ll definitely want to head here, especially if it’s sunny.

Newcastle is one of the most passionate footballing cities in the country

More than 50,000 dedicated fans head to St. James Park – the home of Newcastle United – every weekend. With the team returning to the Premier League this season, football fans visiting the city may want to check out a game.

With its close proximity to the coast, Newcastle is fortunate enough to be surrounded by a plethora of outstanding beaches. Whether it’s family fun at South Shields, a geological adventure at Cullercoats or spotting puffins at the Farne Islands, the north-east is spoilt for choice.

It’s surrounded by natural beauty

Known as the gateway to the north, Newcastle is surrounded by plentiful green spaces and areas of outstanding beauty. Take the stunning Northumberland National Park for example, the most remote from large cities and towns, meaning it really is the most tranquil retreat in the country. Newcastle is also flanked by the North Pennines and North York Moors National Park.

Newcastle is a great base for easy day trips

Gracefully located in the north-east of the country, Newcastle is an ideal city not only for exploring but for using as a base too. Whether it’s the Northumberland Coast, the quaint town of Durham or the Roman remains of Hadrian’s Wall, there are plenty of options to whet your appetite. Newcastle United fans won’t like this, but the city of Sunderland is also easily accessible from Newcastle…

Its architecture and landmarks

Aside from its most obvious landmark, the Tyne Bridge, Newcastle is packed with interesting landmarks and buildings to discover. For example, Newcastle’s 12th century castle offers splendid views over the city, while Anthony Gormley’s iconic Angel of the North statue is located in Gateshead, just outside the city centre.

Newcastle is culturally rich – its museums and galleries prove that alone

Newcastle is home to an abundance of galleries and museums, with some like the Great North Museum: Hancock showcasing the history and heritage of the city. One of the top picks is the Baltic Centre, a truly innovative exhibition centre housed within a famous industrial building on the south bank of the River Tyne.

Baltic Centre for Contemporary Arts, River Tyne

It’s a foodie paradise

With the likes of Blackfriars – a medieval-themed building dating back to the 13th century – as well as a wealth of other independent restaurants like the rooftop-set Six and the pan-Asian restaurant Sohe in Jesmond – you may struggle to settle on an option!

And the nightlife isn’t bad, either

Newcastle is home to countless pubs, bars and clubs – so many that we’d be here forever if we tried to name them all. For starters though, Digital is highly rated among locals, with music venues like the Cluny consistently great for live music. Take it from us though, Newcastle nightlife is renowned for being up there with the best in the country. Just ask the Geordies.

But most of all, Geordies are just really welcoming

With a great sense of humour and a real welcoming attitude, Geordies are a friendly bunch. A word of warning, though: they love to talk, which can be a problem if you can’t grasp the accent, like!

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.