Bordeaux in 7 days

France's wine capital reborn: elegant honey-stone facades, a mirrored riverfront and world-famous vineyards. Best time to visit: May-June and September-October. Average daily budget: $110 to $190 USD.

Day 1, Land & wander

Base: Saint-Pierre & Old Town, The medieval heart of narrow lanes, squares, bistros and the Grosse Cloche bell tower.

Morning: Place de la Bourse & Miroir d'Eau. Admire the grand riverside square reflected in the world's largest mirror-pool of water.

Afternoon: Explore Saint-Pierre & Old Town, The medieval heart of narrow lanes, squares, bistros and the Grosse Cloche bell tower.

Evening: Wander the old town. Explore the lanes of Saint-Pierre, the cathedral and the Grosse Cloche medieval gate.

Eat: Canelé, the little fluted caramelised rum-and-vanilla cake

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Triangle d'Or & Quinconces, The grand 18th-century quarter of boulevards, theatres, shopping and the vast Esplanade.

Morning: La Cité du Vin. Tour the striking wine museum with a tasting and panoramic city views from the top.

Afternoon: Explore Triangle d'Or & Quinconces, The grand 18th-century quarter of boulevards, theatres, shopping and the vast Esplanade.

Evening: Vineyard day trip. Visit the châteaux of the Médoc or the hilltop village of Saint-Émilion for tastings.

Eat: Entrecôte à la bordelaise, steak in a red-wine shallot sauce

Day 3, Food & markets

Base: Chartrons, The historic wine-merchant district, now full of antique shops, galleries and brunch spots.

Morning: The bustling Marché des Capucins for oysters and white wine on a weekend morning.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Chartrons, The historic wine-merchant district, now full of antique shops, galleries and brunch spots.

Evening: Sunset over the river from the quays near the Pont de Pierre.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Fresh oysters from the nearby Arcachon Bay

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Saint-Michel & Capucins, A lively, multicultural area around the famous covered market and the soaring basilica.

Morning: The antique shops and wine bars of the Chartrons quarter.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Saint-Michel & Capucins, A lively, multicultural area around the famous covered market and the soaring basilica.

Evening: Climbing the Pey-Berland tower beside the cathedral for rooftop views.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Bordeaux wines, from grand crus to easy-drinking reds

Day 5, Day trip

Base: Saint-Pierre & Old Town, The medieval heart of narrow lanes, squares, bistros and the Grosse Cloche bell tower.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Saint-Pierre & Old Town, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Saint-Pierre & Old Town, The medieval heart of narrow lanes, squares, bistros and the Grosse Cloche bell tower.

Evening: Dinner at Canelé, the little fluted caramelised rum-and-vanilla cake, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Saint-Pierre & Old Town.

Eat: Canelé, the little fluted caramelised rum-and-vanilla cake

Day 6, Hidden gems

Base: Triangle d'Or & Quinconces, The grand 18th-century quarter of boulevards, theatres, shopping and the vast Esplanade.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Triangle d'Or & Quinconces, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Triangle d'Or & Quinconces, The grand 18th-century quarter of boulevards, theatres, shopping and the vast Esplanade.

Evening: Dinner at Entrecôte à la bordelaise, steak in a red-wine shallot sauce, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Triangle d'Or & Quinconces.

Eat: Entrecôte à la bordelaise, steak in a red-wine shallot sauce

Day 7, Slow finish

Base: Chartrons, The historic wine-merchant district, now full of antique shops, galleries and brunch spots.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Chartrons, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Chartrons, The historic wine-merchant district, now full of antique shops, galleries and brunch spots.

Evening: Dinner at Fresh oysters from the nearby Arcachon Bay, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Chartrons.

Eat: Fresh oysters from the nearby Arcachon Bay

Hidden gems

The bustling Marché des Capucins for oysters and white wine on a weekend morning.
Sunset over the river from the quays near the Pont de Pierre.
The antique shops and wine bars of the Chartrons quarter.
Climbing the Pey-Berland tower beside the cathedral for rooftop views.

Getting around

Bordeaux's centre is flat and very walkable, and an excellent modern tram network plus buses (TBM) cover the wider city cheaply. The airport links by tram and shuttle in around 30 to 45 minutes, while fast TGV trains reach Paris in about two hours. River shuttles and bike-share add scenic ways to get around, and a day pass is good value.

Safety

Bordeaux is generally safe and comfortable for solo travellers including women. Violent crime is rare; the main cautions are pickpocketing around the station, busy squares and trams, and the Saint-Michel and station areas, which feel livelier and a bit edgier at night. Stick to busy, well-lit streets after dark and you'll be fine.

Bordeaux in 3 days | Bordeaux in 5 days | Full Bordeaux guide