Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Bordeaux?

Q: Is one day enough time in Bordeaux?

One day is usually not enough time to experience the romantic city of Bordeaux, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the chance to taste delicious cuisine, admire the wonderful scenery, go shopping, and tour the famous sights and museums. So, you'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside around two to five days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Bordeaux?

Not sure how much time you'll need in Bordeaux, France? Most people spend two to five days in Bordeaux during their visit. After all, the romantic city will let you taste delicious cuisine, admire the wonderful scenery, go shopping, and tour the famous sights and museums.

Bordeaux is a the heart of France's winegrowing district. It's also a port city that's filled with a lot of history and architecture. The surrounding countryside is filled with vineyards and the city has many great restaurants where you can sample traditional cuisine and local wine.

Do you have one or two days to visit Bordeaux? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Bordeaux?

One day is usually not enough time to experience the romantic city of Bordeaux, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the chance to taste delicious cuisine, admire the wonderful scenery, go shopping, and tour the famous sights and museums. So, you'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside around two to five days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.

How to spend a day in Bordeaux

Don't miss Cathédrale Saint-André during your trip to Bordeaux, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

The culinary scene in Bordeaux is world famous, and draws visitors from around the globe. Make sure you spend time enjoying breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this city's best restaurants. And consider a food tour, too. Many are either a half day or just a few hours, so you can fit one into your schedule easily. Both food and wine are a major draw to this culinary city, which is known for its pastries and rich flavors. Popular local dishes include grilled duck, duck foie gras, and canelés.

A few tour suggestions include:

Bordeaux Ultimate Food & Wine Tasting Tour ($108)
Saint-Emilion Electric Bike Day Tour with Wine Tastings & Lunch ($190)
Bordeaux Full Day Wine Tour - 3 Wineries & Gourmet Picnic Lunch ($191)

Bordeaux is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. The city has many pedestrian areas and large squares to explore.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Bordeaux?

Bordeaux holds a significant allure for tourists because of its many sights and attractions. So with a weekend, you'll probably feel rushed to see the main attractions. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the romantic city has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have two to five days to fully enjoy the city. If you have a weekend or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.

Sunrise over the vinyards, Bordeaux, France

How to spend 2 days in Bordeaux

Having a weekend (two to three days) in Bordeaux will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.

Shopping in Bordeaux is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. The city has a mix of luxury fashion brands, jewelry shops, perfume suppliers, and leather goods. There are department stores, local boutiques, and pedestrian shopping areas that you can explore.

Bordeaux is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The city is filled with beautiful architecture, parks, and gardens.

A few tour suggestions include:

Bordeaux City - Private Guided Walking Tour with Local Sophia ($93)
Exclusive : Private Half-Day Best of Bordeaux Walking Tour ($79)
Bordeaux Walking Tour - Private ($98)

The public transit in Bordeaux is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. There are buses, trams and a ferry that runs along the river.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Bordeaux, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.