How To Spend A Weekend In Brighton

Brighton is the quintessential British seaside resort. The Victorians flocked here for the sea’s purported healing properties, although earlier visitors included King George IV, who had the Royal Pavilion built in the late 18th century before he became king. However, in recent decades it has attracted a crowd who come for its quirky bars, cafés and retro shopping. Culture Trip’s local insiders share their tips on the best way to spend a weekend in Brighton.

1. Snooper's Paradise

Shop

Snoopers Paradise in North Laine area, Brighton & Hove, in the district of Brightons bohemian and cultural quarter, England, UK

Brighton is blessed with a rainbow of colourful second-hand stores, and Snooper’s Paradise is one of the best. Step through the pastel pink doors and you’ll be met with two floors of upcycled furniture and faketiques. You can easily spend an afternoon rummaging through the unique selection of wares and souvenirs peddled by friendly assistants – or, as the name suggests, you can simply come to enjoy the atmosphere and leave empty-handed. Recommended by local insider Clare Scott

2. Pelicano Coffee Co

Cafe, Coffee

Squeezed between two ultra-chic clothing stores, Pelicano is the cool kid of Brighton’s café scene. Its team take coffee seriously, with an almost overwhelming selection of bean blends that they grind themselves at three sites across Brighton. However, there’s no snobbery to be found at the Sydney Street location: just a welcoming, rustic-looking café with cakes that taste as good as they look. Recommended by local insider Clare Scott

3. Marwood Bar and Coffeehouse

Cafe, Coffee Shop, Coffee

Marwood Coffee Shop in The Lanes area of Brighton UK

“We’re not what you would call normal.” That’s the claim Marwood makes on its website, and indeed, what this tiny coffee-shop-cum-bar lacks in size, it more than makes up for in unique decor. The walls are plastered with an eclectic mix of memorabilia (including a giant shark and hundreds of 1980s band posters), and taller revellers will have to duck under garlands and suspended model planes. Take your pick from a killer cocktail list and spend an evening perched on one of the quirky seats – the severed bathtub is a popular choice. Recommended by local insider Ellie Ricketts

5. Hove Beach

Natural Feature

Brighton’s biggest selling point is its 8km-long (5mi) pebble beach, flecked with stripy deckchairs and lorded over by the Palace Pier. Avoid the bunfight for space and scrunch along to the lesser-visited shingle at Hove. To eat, it has to be fish and chips; Chippy Chips is nearby but it’s worth the 10-minute walk to Wolfies next to Hove station. BYOD (that’s bring your own deckchair), and a bottle of fizz to enjoy as the sun begins to set. Recommended by local insider Ellie Ricketts

6. Preston Park Rose Garden

Park

Looking for a place to soak up the city atmosphere for a few hours? This fragrant corner of Preston Park is the perfect spot for quite literally stopping to smell the roses. It’s a picnicker’s dream: snacks, coffee and (if it’s past 5pm) beer can be sourced from nearby café, Rotunda. All you have to decide is where to lay your gingham blanket to enjoy an evening al fresco. Recommended by local insider Clare Scott

7. Komedia

Theatre

For entertainment, look no further than Komedia. With its giant neon-red letters, it’s one of the best comedy clubs in the UK. A world-class line up of comics crack their jokes here every year, including past performances from the League of Gentlemen and a youthful Graham Norton. Its Krater Comedy Club is committed to shining a light on up-and-coming talents, too. On other evenings, cabaret, live music and club nights have been pulling in dedicated Brightonians for more than 20 years. Recommended by local insider Ellie Ricketts

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.