Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Stratford-upon-Avon?

Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Stratford-upon-Avon?

Most people spend one to two days in Stratford-upon-Avon during their visit. The peaceful town offers amazing highlights such as the theatre, the small town charm, the historic old town, and the cuisine.

Stratford-Upon-Avon is famous among literary enthusiasts as the birthplace of William Shakespeare. The town is filled with history, but visitors will also enjoy the walking paths along the river, and the riverfront activities that include boating and a ferris wheel. Also make sure you check out a Shakespeare play while you're in town at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Stratford-upon-Avon? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is 3 days enough time in Stratford-upon-Avon?

Three days is more than enough time to see everything that Stratford-upon-Avon has to offer. Many visitors prefer to spend one to two days here, so you'll be able to take in all of the theatre, the small town charm, the historic old town, and the cuisine at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then you can take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.

How to spend 3 days in Stratford-upon-Avon

The small-town atmosphere of Stratford-upon-Avon is one of the main reasons that visitors come here. Spend at least part of your day exploring the town to see the many sights and attractions. The town has a lovely town center that you can wander around. There are also nice foot paths outside of town that run along the river.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • The Sinister Side of Shakespeare's Stratford Walking Tour ($13)
  • Dark History Walking Tour in Warwick ($14)
  • Stratford Upon Avon: Daily Town Walking Tour (10:30am & 2pm) ($18)

Don't miss an evening at the theater while in town. Whether it's a musical, opera, ballet, or a famous Broadway-style production, Stratford-upon-Avon is known for its wide range of shows. Shakespeare enthusiasts must check out a Shakespeare play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. There are often tickets available the day of for a reduced price.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Fun City Scavenger Hunt in Coventry by Operation City Quest ($10)

Perhaps the most famous place in Stratford-upon-Avon is Shakespeare's Birthplace, so don't miss it. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.

You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. The town center has a few nice restaurants including seafood, Italian food, Indian food, and cafes where you can enjoy high tea.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Guided Tour & Tasting ($32)

The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The old town has a few highlights including Shakespeare's birthplace, and several museums.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • The Sinister Side of Shakespeare's Stratford Walking Tour ($13)
  • Dark History Walking Tour in Warwick ($14)
  • Stratford Upon Avon: Daily Town Walking Tour (10:30am & 2pm) ($18)

Is 4 days enough time in Stratford-upon-Avon?

Four days is more than enough time to see pretty much everything in Stratford-upon-Avon. You can move at your own pace and relax in your hotel. You could also use Stratford-upon-Avon as a base for exploring the nearby destinations. You'll find some great day trips in the region.

How to spend 4 days in Stratford-upon-Avon

Having 4 days in Stratford-upon-Avon will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the town.

After you've explored most of Stratford-upon-Avon, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.

Is 5 days enough time in Stratford-upon-Avon?

Five days provides ample opportunity to explore the entirety of Stratford-upon-Avon at your own pace to experience the theatre, the small town charm, the historic old town, and the cuisine. Then you can use this spot as a convenient base for venturing into nearby destinations where you'll discover exciting day trip options.

How to spend 5 days in Stratford-upon-Avon

With 5 days in Stratford-upon-Avon, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the town has to offer.

With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Stratford-upon-Avon. Plenty of amazing options are available.

More Info

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

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.

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