Are you thinking about visiting Newcastle upon Tyne, UK? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Newcastle upon Tyne worth visiting?
Yes, it's worth visiting this port city for two to three days because of the many great activities. Newcastle upon Tyne is a cultural and historical city that offers a lot to visitors. The city is compact and fun to explore on foot. There's a large student population that keeps the nightlife scene active, but there are also many parks and green spaces that make the city very livable.
Newcastle upon Tyne
Reasons to Visit Newcastle upon Tyne
Museums
There are many historic and cultural sights around town. Some of the most interesting include the Historic Tyne Bridges, the Millennium Bridge, the Castle, Newcastle Cathedral, and the Great North Museum: Hancock.
Food
The city is known for its food and there are some interesting local flavors that you should try. For something unique, try the singing hinny (sweet bread), pan haggerty (similar to potato gratin), stottie cake (bread) or craster kippers (smoked herring). You'll also find a diversity of cosmopolitan restaurants around town.
Nightlife
Because of the large student population, you'll find a very active nightlife scene. There are several party districts in the city that you should check out including Quayside, the Gate, the Diamond Strip, Bigg Market, and Dean Street.
Historical Sights
Known as Grainger Town, the city's historic commercial center is famous for its Georgian and Victorian buildings.
Shopping
The city has boutique shops as well as major shopping malls. Some of the best shopping areas include the pedestrian shopping street of Northumberland Street, the historic Grey Street, and Grainger Market.
Authenticity
Newcastle upon Tyne has an authentic vibe where you can experience local culture, cuisine, and activities without the large tourist crowds of other popular destinations.
Is Newcastle upon Tyne worth visiting in the Summer?
Summer is the high season for travel in Newcastle upon Tyne, so expect more visitors and higher prices. This destination is fairly touristy, and in the high season it's busier than usual.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during summer with average temperatures around 15°C (59°F).
You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable port city, especially in the nice weather. You'll find plenty to do during summer, as you'll be able to browse through museums, browse around the old town, and grab some drinks at a bar.
Summer Weather in Newcastle upon Tyne
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 15°C (59°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| August | 15°C (58°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| September | 12°C (54°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
Is Newcastle upon Tyne worth visiting in the Autumn?
This is the shoulder season for travel in Newcastle upon Tyne. Even though Newcastle upon Tyne is fairly busy with tourists, in the shoulder season there will be smaller crowds and better prices.
The weather in Newcastle upon Tyne can be quite cold during autumn, and averages around 10°C (49°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. Soaking up that old town charm in the autumn is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. During this season it's fun to experience the historic old town and the famous sights and museums.
Autumn Weather in Newcastle upon Tyne
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 10°C (49°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| November | 6°C (42°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| December | 4°C (39°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
Is Newcastle upon Tyne worth visiting in the Winter?
The weather in Newcastle upon Tyne can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 3°C (38°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
The low season for travel in Newcastle upon Tyne is during the winter. This destination is fairly touristy, but in the low season you can find fewer crowds and better deals.
You'll like that you can take public transit easily in the winter, too. You can get around quickly while avoiding bad weather if needed. This is a great time of year to browse the museums, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, and admire the historic sights. Also, you can experience the nightlife.
Winter Weather in Newcastle upon Tyne
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 3°C (38°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| February | 3°C (38°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| March | 5°C (41°F) | 136 mm (5.4 in) |
Is Newcastle upon Tyne worth visiting in the Spring?
Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Newcastle upon Tyne. Even though Newcastle upon Tyne is fairly busy with tourists, in the shoulder season there will be smaller crowds and better prices.
The weather in Newcastle upon Tyne can be quite cold during spring, and averages around 7°C (45°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
Soaking up that old town charm in the spring is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. You'll find plenty to do during spring, as you'll be able to find the best deals at the shops, spend time at the museums, and browse around the old town. Also, you can take advantage of the local nightlife.
Spring Weather in Newcastle upon Tyne
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 7°C (45°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 10°C (51°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| June | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Newcastle upon Tyne
Not As Family-Friendly
While there are some family activities, it's not as child-friendly as other destinations.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Newcastle upon Tyne might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Newcastle upon Tyne here or see if Newcastle upon Tyne is expensive here.
Related
What is Newcastle upon Tyne most famous for?
Newcastle upon Tyne is most famous for its compact and livable atmosphere as well as its active nightlife scene. It is often described as cultural, historical, vibrant, high energy, and livable.
What is the most famous sight in Newcastle upon Tyne?
The most popular sight in Newcastle upon Tyne is The Tyne Bridge. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Newcastle upon Tyne on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for The Tyne Bridge and other attractions here.
How touristy is Newcastle upon Tyne? Is it a popular port city to visit?
Newcastle upon Tyne is more popular with local tourists than with international visitors. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- 1-Hour and a Half Walking Guided Tour in Medieval Newcastle: $25
- Guided Walks and Tours, Seahouses, Beadnell & Bamburgh: $29
- Private Bike Tour of Berwick: $19
- Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Newcastle: $71
- Newcastle Roman Fort Tour: $178
- Half Day Tour of Newcastle: $183
- Halloween Special: Newcastle's Dark Side Walking Tour: $32
- Newcastle's Art & Architecture Private Walking Tour: $286
How long should I spend in Newcastle upon Tyne?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Newcastle upon Tyne is two to three days. Since Newcastle upon Tyne has activities such as historical sights, shopping, museums, and dining, many visit for up to three days.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Newcastle upon Tyne? and Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Newcastle upon Tyne?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.