Best Things to Do in Brighton (2023 Guide)

Brighton Palace Pier

The Brighton Palace Pier is one of the most famous attractions not just of Brighton but whole of UK as well. Established in 1899, this Victorian-style pier covers half a kilometer of the English Channel. Moreover, it still stands strong and attracts hundreds of people every day. A visit to the pier would give you the chance to indulge in shopping at the joke shop and eat some fish and chips. The place is also an amusement park, where you can enjoy arcade games and fairground rides. It also has the biggest soft play in the city for the little ones.

Royal Pavilion

As Brighton was the favorite summer holiday destination of Prince of Wales (who later became George IV), he commissioned to build a summer palace for him. On his orders, John Nash, the architect who designed Buckingham Palace and Regent Street in London), designed this seaside palace in the style of an Indian palace. Today, the palace is open for the general public for tours. You can be part of a guided tour as it gives you the chance to explore the luxurious interiors of the palace, including the royal bedrooms, banqueting room, and the tent-like music room as well.

The Lanes

If you want to reminiscence the times when Brighton was a simple fishing village, a visit to the Lanes is a must. Once a series of 17th century cottages flanking a labyrinth of narrow lanes, the Lanes is now home to record stores, galleries, antique shops, vintage emporiums, boutiques, bakeries, and cafes. The Lanes may seem congested and therein lies its old world charm. Wandering through these narrow alleyways is one of the best ways of spending a day in Brighton.

North Laine

Once an overcrowded slum area of Brighton, North Laine has become a bohemian shopping district. Although there was a plan of demolishing the entire area for redevelopment, it was restored as a Conservation Area. Today you would find more than 300 shops selling clothing, jewelry, metalwork, ceramics, glassware, sculpture, etc. Walking through the North Laine, you would get to see some interesting boutique shops along with galleries, antique shops, and some hip cafes as well.

Brighton Beach and Seafront

Your trip to Brighton would not be complete without a visit to Brighton Beach. A pebbly beach, Brighton Beach is the perfect place to swim in the cool waters and relax as well. You can also indulge in some water sports like standup paddling and kayaking. Brighton Beach is also a great place to indulge in some of the classic beach games like Frisbee and volleyball. There is also the seafront promenade where you can enjoy shop at antique stores and check out artworks at some of the galleries. There are several cafes and restaurants where you can grab a bite and have a special drink.

Brighton Museum and Art Gallery

Although a part of the Royal Pavilion, the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery requires a special mention on this list. The museum houses impressive exhibits, including fine art, decorative art, natural sciences, costumes and textiles, films, oral history, toys, etc. You get to see everything from Egyptian treasures to artworks of contemporary artists. Some of the major attractions of this museum are a vessel from the Bronze Age, King William IV’s breeches, a Kinemacolour camera invented by George Albert Smith, etc.

British Airways i360

The British Airways i360 is the highest observation deck in Brighton, which gives you the chance to see an aerial view of the entire city. Known as the tallest moving observation deck in the world, the British Airways stands 453 feet above the ground. It was opened to the public in 2016 and around 200 people can be present at the observation deck at any given time. The main attraction of this observation deck is that gives you the chance to see the entire city. Moreover, you may also get the chance to check out the Beachy Head cliffs as well as the Isle of Wight, on a clear day. Apart from sights of the city, you also get the opportunity to buy a souvenir at the gift shop and enjoy a drink at the Nyetimber Sky Bar.