What to See in Bordeaux in One Day – The Perfect Itinerary

Where to Stay in Bordeaux

If you’re spending one night in Bordeaux, finding the right accommodation is key given the short duration of your visit.

With only 1 day in Bordeaux, it’s best to opt for a place located in the city center to avoid wasting time on transportation. The most central locations in Bordeaux are the neighborhoods of St Pierre, St Paul, Pey Berland, and Triangle d’Or. So, here are some great hotel suggestions in these districts:

✅ Best Hotel – Hotel Konti Bordeaux by HappyCulture: Right in the Triangle d’Or district, this hotel is beautifully decorated, and rooms are comfortable and perfectly equipped. This is the best value-for-money hotel for a night in Bordeaux!

💰 Best Budget Hotel – Central Hostel Bordeaux Centre: If you’re traveling on a budget, this place is for you. Situated in the old town, this hostel offers various types of rooms, from dorms to family rooms.

✨ Best Luxury Hotel – Hôtel Singulier Bordeaux: This 4-star hotel located in the city center provides elegant and comfy rooms. Some units even have balconies. But the best about this place is the stunning rooftop terrace with a unique view over the cathedral.

Pont de Pierre in Bordeaux

Getting Around Bordeaux for a Day

One more important thing to cover before you embark on this exciting itinerary is transportation. You’ve got several options to choose from:

➡️ Bordeaux City Pass: in addition to giving you access to +15 of the most famous attractions in Bordeaux, this pass offers unlimited access to the city’s public transportation network, which is fast and efficient. You’ll be able to ride all the buses and streetcars that run in Bordeaux, and even the river shuttles. The 24-hour pass costs 34€/person or 19€ for kids between 6 and 17 years old. 👉 Book your pass online here.

🚎 Public Transportation: You can use regular tickets to use Bordeaux’s public transport network which is called TBM. You can choose to purchase single tickets for 1,8€ one way (available for 1 hour) or you can choose a 24-hour ticket for 5€. You can buy tickets online, on the vending machines available in the tram stations, or on the bus with the driver (make sure you have cash in this case).

Tip: To save time and paper, I recommend downloading the TBM app on your phone to buy your tickets. After buying your ticket, you’ll get a QR code you simply have to scan each time you get on a bus or streetcar.

🚲 Bike & scooters: there are self-service bikes and electric scooters for rent all over the city. The city has its own bicycle service called V3, but I recommend using Bird, Dott, and Tier as they are all available in Bordeaux. It’s simpler to use (pay per use), and you don’t need to pay a deposit or a subscription.

🚗 Car: I don’t recommend driving in Bordeaux as you’ll spend most of your time trying to park somewhere – which is extremely difficult by the way! So if you arrive in town by car, prefer to park it in one of the parking lots available at the city entrance, or at your hotel.

1 Day in Bordeaux Itinerary Overview & Map

Here is my recommended Bordeaux 24 hours itinerary, which is entirely doable on foot, at a steady yet reasonable pace. However, feel free to remove or add steps as you wish.

Morning:

• 9.30 am – Taste local flavors at Marché des Capucins
• 11 am – Enter the Old Town through La Grosse Cloche
• 11.15 am – Go shopping on Rue Sainte Catherine
• 12.20 pm – Discover Cathédrale Saint André
• 12.45 pm – Take in the view from Pey Berland Tower

Afternoon:

• 1.30 pm – Explore the Old Town & Lunch break
• 4 pm – Check out Porte Cailhau
• 4.45 pm – Take shots of the Miroir D’Eau

Evening:

• 5 pm – Taste wine and canelés on a cruise
• 6.30 pm – Spend the evening at Darwin Ecosystem

To get your Bordeaux 1 day itinerary map for free, simply click on the image below to open it in Google Maps. Then click on the “star” icon to save it to your own maps.

One Day in Bordeaux Step-by-Step Itinerary

I recommend being at the first step of this route at 9.30 am at the latest so you can enjoy Bordeaux to the fullest and make sure you check everything off this list.

1. Taste local flavors at Marché des Capucins

The Marché des Capucins is the largest market in Bordeaux and is always bustling with people. Open from 6 am to 2 pm, it’s the place to meet and discover the tastes of the region.

Step inside the covered market, and you’ll be greeted by stalls brimming with all types of food including fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood, meats, cheeses, and wines but also bakeries, restaurants, and cozy little coffee shops. It’s the perfect place to sample some local specialties for breakfast.

Whether you have a sweet tooth or crave something savory, you’ll find plenty to satisfy your cravings!

2. Enter the Old Town through La Grosse Cloche

After a few tasty discoveries, take a 10-minute stroll towards the city center. From afar, you can already spot a remarkable sight – a massive tower topped with a bell, known as the Grosse Cloche.

Grosse Cloche is one of the remains of the medieval era when Bordeaux was fortified, surrounded by protective walls with gates serving as the only entry points into the city. Today, only a handful of these gates remain, and the Grosse Cloche stands as one of the most impressive. Built in the 15th century, it’s also the oldest still standing.

This colossal 40-meter-high monument opens onto Rue St James, leading you straight into the heart of the historic center with its picturesque cobbled streets, cute shops, and eateries.

3. Go shopping on Rue Sainte Catherine

Sainte Catherine, just a stone’s throw from the Grosse Cloche, is the longest pedestrian shopping street in France and Europe!

This charming street stretches for a whopping 1,200 meters, connecting Place Victoire and Place de la Comédie. A true crossroads in the heart of the city, it’s a perfect spot for shopping, leisurely strolls, or simply immersing yourself in the city’s vibrant atmosphere.

You’ll also discover a wealth of restaurants, cafes, and bars here, making it a local hotspot for parties. And if you haven’t yet tried cannelés, those delicious rum cakes, I highly recommend a quick pitstop at Baillardran’s store right on this street.

4. Discover Cathédrale Saint André

Just a short walk from Rue Sainte Catherine, right by the City Hall, stands a truly magnificent building – the Cathédrale Saint-André (Cathedral of St Andrew).

Also known as Bordeaux Cathedral, it was built between the 11th and 16th centuries and is one of the key sites on the Compostelle pilgrimage route. It has a rich and eventful history, marked by significant events such as the marriages of several French kings.

Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this Gothic-style cathedral is a true marvel both inside and out. It boasts magnificent stained glass windows, monumental organs, and a striking rose window. A must-see when visiting Bordeaux!

5. Take in the view from Pey Berland Tower

After visiting Bordeaux Cathedral, you simply can’t skip the most fabulous of its features, the Pey Berland Tower. Located right next to the cathedral, the Pey Berland Tower is, in fact, the cathedral’s church tower.

The church tower, which dates back to the 15th century, was cleverly constructed separately from the cathedral. This was because the ground beneath it was quite soft and wouldn’t have been able to support both the tower and a bell weighing over 8 tons. This design choice also helps protect the cathedral from the loud ringing of the bells.

Today, the tower offers the most breathtaking panoramic view of Bordeaux. Reaching a height of 66 meters, it does require a bit of effort to reach the panoramic terrace, as you have to climb no less than 233 steps! But let me tell you, once you make it to the top, the effort pays off handsomely. You won’t find a better view of the city anywhere else!

6. Explore the Old Town & Lunch break

Old Bordeaux is a delightful surprise – a vast, entirely pedestrianized, stone-lined architectural landscape that’s an absolute pleasure to explore.

As you wander through its maze of narrow streets, you’ll discover magnificent classical and neoclassical buildings, elegant facades, and large bustling open squares such as Camille Jullian or Place du Parlement.

When it’s time for a lunch break, you’re in for a treat, with a wide array of options at your fingertips. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick snack or a sit-down meal, you’ll have no trouble finding just what you’re craving. Among the best places to eat in this area are Pacific, Malavida, and Berthus, but don’t hesitate to enter any place that catches your eye.
 

7. Check out Porte Cailhau

After lunch, head out of the old town through Bordeaux’s most beautiful gateway, the Porte Cailhau. It proudly stands in the charming Place du Palais, a square you simply can’t miss while in the city.

Much like the Grosse Cloche, the Porte Cailhau is another monumental gateway dating back to the 15th century, serving as a passage into the historic quarter.

Today, the Porte Cailhau is open for visitors. From its 35-meter height, you can treat yourself to a splendid view of the Garonne quays and the flowing river below. Best of all, access to the first floor won’t cost you a dime, so be sure to check it out!

8. Take shots of the Miroir D’Eau

Head towards the Place de la Bourse along the banks of the Garonne to discover Bordeaux’s most famous attraction: the Miroir d’Eau (Water Mirror).

Built in 2006, this Miroir d’Eau is a large granite pool that spans the riverbanks. Filled with a trickle of water, its surface reflects the beauty of the Stock Exchange Square, emphasizing its perfect symmetry.

The Miroir d’Eau doesn’t just sit there, it has a neat routine: 3 minutes of filling, 15 minutes of mirroring, 5 minutes of emptying, and 3 minutes of fog. For the best photos, wait until the last moments before it empties to capture a perfectly smooth reflection on the granite surface.

9. Taste wine and canelés on a cruise

You can’t leave Bordeaux without trying some of the local wines. And what better way to do it than on a cruise along the Garonne River?

Departing from the Ponton d’Honneur, this 1.5-hour cruise offers a unique perspective of the city and its landmarks from the water. Plus, there’s a guide onboard to share interesting insights about Bordeaux.

During the cruise, you’ll have the chance to sample some wine (or an alternative if you don’t drink alcohol) and enjoy a traditional canelé, making for a delightful aperitif. The cost for this experience is just 19€ per person, so be sure to include it in your plans!

10. Spend the evening at Darwin Ecosystem

Once back on the ground, it’s time to unwind and experience Bordeaux’s vibrant nightlife. To do so, I suggest diving into the city’s hipster side by visiting the Darwin Ecosystem.

You’ll find this unique gathering place in the Bastide district, located on the opposite side of the Garonne River. It’s a former military barracks that has been transformed into a hub for street art exhibitions, live concerts, restaurants, bars, a skatepark, and more.

As a hub for underground culture, Darwin Ecosystem offers an enjoyable and welcoming atmosphere, making it a great place to spend your evening, whether you’re with family or friends.

Extending your Bordeaux Trip

Lucky enough to spend more time than expected? Fortunately, there are enough things to do for you to spend 2 days in Bordeaux or even a whole weekend!

Here’s a quick list of things you can do on your extra time in Bordeaux:

• Cité du Vin: This futuristic museum is an iconic attraction showcasing the art and history of wine, wine tasting included of course!
• Jardin Public: This garden is a true haven of peace right in the heart of the Bordeaux city center. It’s the best place to breathe fresh air, have a picnic, or for a quiet stroll.
• Chartrons district: this is Bordeaux’s trendiest area, full of hidden gems such as monuments, cute restaurants, and more. You’ll love getting lost in this neighborhood!
• Day trip to Arcachon: Located about an hour from Bordeaux, Arcachon is a lovely seaside town that is perfect for a lazy beach day!
• Wine Tasting Trip to Saint-Emilion: Saint-Emilion is a cute medieval village located within the famous wine region, about an hour’s drive from Bordeaux.

For more day trip ideas from Bordeaux, check out this post.

La Cité du Vin

FAQ About Visiting Bordeaux in One Day

Is 1 day enough to see Bordeaux?

Bordeaux’s city center is quite compact, and with a brisk walk, you can cover its most famous attractions in just one day. However, if you want to venture beyond the old town to explore the Cité du Vin or the beautiful banks of the Garonne, a single day in Bordeaux might feel a bit rushed. That’s why, in my opinion, dedicating 3 days in Bordeaux is the perfect sweet spot to truly immerse yourself in the charm of the city.

If you’re still unsure about the amount of time you should spend there, check out this dedicated guide to get your final answer.

When is the best time to visit Bordeaux?

Shoulder seasons are ideal for a visit to Bordeaux, that is spring or fall. The weather in these seasons is pleasant and sunny without being hot, so wandering around the city is a real treat. To be more precise, I suggest going to Bordeaux from April to June and in September or October to benefit from lower prices and fewer tourists.

If you can, avoid the high season which is July and August. Tourists come in droves, prices are skyrocketing and the weather has become suffocating in recent years. As for winter, it’s not too bad. While it’s not the best season to enjoy the city, Bordeaux in winter is much less expensive, and empty with a charming feel, especially during Christmas.

Is Bordeaux safe at night?

Bordeaux is generally considered a safe city to visit. It ranks 11th among France’s safest cities, according to Numbeo. Bordeaux at night is not dangerous either, except that there are a few areas to avoid, such as the Place des Capucins and the Gare Saint-Jean district.

As a general precaution, stay in central neighborhoods at night, avoid walking alone in dimly lit streets, and always keep an eye on your belongings.

Discover here the best neighborhoods to stay in Bordeaux for a safe trip.

Place de la Comédie

Read More About Traveling Bordeaux

I’ve crafted several other guides about Bordeaux to help you best prepare for your trip:

➡️ Here are a few pieces to learn more about Bordeaux:

• Is Bordeaux Worth Visiting?
• Best Time to Visit Bordeaux
• Safety in Bordeaux
• How Many Days to Visit in Bordeaux
• Fun Facts about Bordeaux

➡️ Spending more than one day in Bordeaux? Here are other itineraries tailored to the length of your stay:

• 2 Days in Bordeaux
• 3 Days in Bordeaux
• Paris to Bordeaux Day Trip 

➡️ And here are other posts to better discover Bordeaux and beyond:

• Visit Bordeaux in Winter
• Best Day Trips from Bordeaux
• Day Trip to Arcachon from Bordeaux
• Best Beaches in Arcachon
• Discover the Dune du Pilat
• Camping near the Dune du Pilat

I hope you enjoy your Bordeaux one day trip; if you have any questions, let me know in the comments below.

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