While the port city of Bordeaux has a little more than 250,000 inhabitants, adding surrounding suburbs brings the number closer to 800,000.
This makes it one of the largest metropolitan areas in France and one of the country’s most famous agricultural, historical and wine-producing regions.
Its southern location means the weather is relatively mild year-round. In addition to its cultural, artistic, food and wine attractions, it is also known for its natural beauty.
Comprised of rivers, marshes, bustling urban centers and hundreds of thousands of acres of wine-growing areas, this is truly a unique place.
Here are the 15 best things to do in Bordeaux.
1. 3 ½ hour Old Town and Market Food Tour
Like most tourist destinations in France, Bordeaux is a marvel of the senses, especially for those with mature taste buds.
The city’s historic Old Town has a bustling market and is the culinary hub of the region.
This walking tour includes the services of a local guide who will explain the city’s history and culture – especially how it relates to food and wine.
Guests will meet locals, taste products such as chocolate, cheese and cured meats, and learn what makes Bordeaux so unique.
Hotel pickup and drop-off is not included, but the tour begins at an easily accessible central location.
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2. Sidecar Sightseeing
What could be more romantic and exhilarating than cruising through Bordeaux in the sidecar of a vintage motorcycle?
Not much, according to previous travel guests.
Along the way, guests will see many of the city’s most important sights, such as Place des Quinconces, St. Michael’s Basilica, Grosse Cloche and the Grand Opera.
On the way, your guide will describe what you see and point out places you might want to explore on your own at the end of the tour.
Itineraries vary by season, weather and traffic, and multiple sidecars can be booked at the same time to accommodate groups.
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3. Guided river cruise
A cruise is a fun way to get a unique perspective on an amazing city like Bordeaux.
The guided river cruise lasts 90 minutes and begins in the afternoon and is open to visitors using wheelchairs.
Along the way, guests will see many of the city’s most famous sights – such as the spectacular Bourse Square and the impressive Chaban-Delmas Suspension Bridge – while learning about them from their guide.
Tours include art and architecture, history and culture, and of course food and wine.
Food and beverages on board are available for an additional fee, and indoor and outdoor seating is available.
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4. 3 hours bike ride
For those who have just spent countless hours in the cramped cabin of a jetliner or cruise ship, a bike tour is a great way to stretch your legs and gain insight into the new area you’re visiting.
Tours depart from the city center, just a stone’s throw from the magnificent St. Andrew’s Basilica.
Participants will get all the gear they need before setting out to explore the sights of the city.
Why Bordeaux is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and why it’s consistently ranked as one of Europe’s best destinations, may soon become all too clear.
Bike tours are generally suitable for people of most ages and ability levels.
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5. Saint-Emilion Winery Guided Tour and Wine Tasting
France is one of the major wine producing countries in the world, and many of its wineries have been around for centuries.
On this guided winery tour of the Grand Crus Saint-Emilion, visitors will visit historic and contemporary wineries.
Guests will enjoy a comprehensive tour of each facility, learn how grapes are transformed into delicious and intoxicating beverages, and sample products in many different colors and flavors.
Attendees are generally impressed by the traditional architecture and craftsmanship in the old winery facilities as well as the impressive modern technology used in the more advanced facilities.
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6. Bordeaux Metropolitan City Pass
Want free entry to some of the city’s major museums?
Are there discounts on dining, cruises, wine tasting and sightseeing cruises on the scenic river?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, the Bordeaux Metropolitan City Pass is for you.
Depending on the option you choose, the pass is valid for 48 or 72 hours, which means you have the flexibility to see what interests you at your own pace.
As this is an unguided tour, participants will receive a guide booklet with valuable information to help them make the most of their time.
Other options include taking a bus or train, as well as live guided tours for those who want to get an inside look.
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7. Bordeaux Lunch Cruise
Viewing Bordeaux from the deck of a slow-rolling cruise ship is a unique experience that often makes a big difference for first-time visitors to the region.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bordeaux is full of historical, architectural and cultural attractions worth visiting.
While cruising along the Garonne, guests will learn about what they see from the guides and commentators on board, and may discover things they want to check out for themselves after the tour.
A three-course in-flight meal including an appetizer, main course and dessert is included in the tour fee.
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8. La Cité du Vin Skip-the-Line Ticket and Wine Tasting
While Bordeaux itself is one of the top wine cities in the world, it also has an attraction called La Cité du Vin, which features nearly two dozen exhibits focused on the region’s wines.
La Cité du Vin is an impressive venue inside and out. This is a great attraction for tourists unfamiliar with the area, as it contains some history, culture and legends in addition to its focus on wine.
This skip-the-line and wine tasting ticket is great value for the do-it-yourselfer. Visitors typically stay on site for about three hours before heading off to explore other attractions.
Handheld audio guides are available in eight languages.
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9. Bordeaux City Explorer
For many energetic tourists, traditional guided tours can be a little boring.
Thankfully, there are options for guests to interact with others and their surroundings, and this city exploration game is one of them.
Participants will use their mobile phones to use their problem-solving skills to answer riddles that will take them from one attraction to the next.
There are 12 stops in total, each revealing fascinating aspects of the city’s history that might otherwise go undiscovered.
Discovery Games tours are a great option for families with children and hobby tourists who like to travel in small groups looking for unique experiences.
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10. Private Welcome Bordeaux Walking Tour with a Local
A decent hat, a bottle or two of water, and comfy shoes are really all you need on a private walking tour with a local guide.
Unlike larger tours where buses and minivans are the primary means of transportation, walking tours allow guests to see things from the street, which translates into a more intimate and memorable experience.
Guests will meet their guide at their hotel to learn about the community in which they live, before heading off to visit many of Bordeaux’s most famous sights.
Short hikes are great first-time activities for those interested in getting up to speed quickly.
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11. Wine and food tasting on the terrace of the Château de Saint-Emilion
From castles and bistros to vineyards and cafés, there really is no shortage of foodie hotspots for foodies when visiting Bordeaux.
While busy travelers often spend a lot of vacation time hopping from one attraction to another, there are plenty of opportunities for those looking to relax, soak up, and enjoy a few hours of the good life.
This combined wine and food tour takes place at the wine bar on St. Emilion’s Chateau Terrace, overlooking the idyllic vineyards below.
Guests will enjoy three different wines from different regions while listening to relaxing music and enjoying a variety of delicious tapas dishes.
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12. Bordeaux: Full-Day Countryside Tour
The Bordeaux countryside is characterised by stunning natural beauty, vast expanses of scenic vineyards, award-winning wineries and a wealth of historical attractions.
If a one-day experience sounds like too much, it’s not.
This ten-hour tour begins early and includes round-trip transportation and the services of a local guide.
Tourist stops include the otherworldly dunes of the Pilat, Arcachon Bay and the Médoc wine region.
Along the way, guests will have time to stop and admire the views while learning about what they are seeing.
Also includes an instructor-led wine tasting, a picnic-style lunch with fresh oysters, and admission to both castles.
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13. Private Citroen 2CV Tour by Night in Bordeaux
If you’ve never seen or ridden a vintage Citroën 2CV, you’ll have an unforgettable experience on this Bordeaux night tour.
Old Citroens are usually small, cramped, and loud.
Thankfully, they’re also quintessentially French, making them a perfectly unique and romantic way to experience one of the country’s most iconic cities.
Tours are 45 or 90 minutes long. They take guests to important sights such as the Place des Quinconces, the Grand Theatre, the Garonne Marina and the Basilica of St. Michael.
At night, many of the city’s attractions are flooded with spectacular lights, creating a unique perspective that is especially popular with photographers.
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14. Winery and Bar Tour
For true wine lovers, there is probably no more attractive destination than Bordeaux, France.
Unlike other wine tours that focus on tasting, this immersive winery and wine bar tour gives guests an insight into the entire process of winemaking.
The tour lasts four hours and begins in the morning and includes a bus ride, a local English-speaking guide, and a visit to a winery and wine bar.
Includes multiple samples, as well as snacks that pair perfectly with wine, such as fresh bread, olives, cheese and a variety of deli meats.
Although the tour ends after 1:00, guests can stay longer at the bar on their own.
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15. Private Tour of Craft Winery and Cognac Vineyards
Bordeaux and the surrounding wine-growing regions produce some of the world’s most sought-after wines, but Cognac is another much-loved product.
This tour includes a visit to two Cognac estates owned and operated by local families.
Guests will tour the distilling facility, learn how the barrels are aged, why the region is ideal for cognac production, and sample the best vintages from various estates.
Tours are only available Monday through Friday and include lunch and drinks at a rustic bistro before driving back to town.
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