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Plan the perfect Brighton weekend with this 2 night itinerary.
Brighton & Hove is an inclusive, free-thinking city in the heart of Sussex. With a blend of modern culture and exotic architecture, sea and countryside, make Brighton your base and discover new places and experiences. Ever since royal party animal George IV fell in love with Brighton back in the 18th Century, the city has been a magnet for visitors in search of fun, frolics and fresh sea air. Today Brighton is as well-known for being a welcoming and diverse city with a passion for culture, creativity and sustainability as it is for its historic landmarks. Making Brighton & Hove the perfect city break destination.
DURATION: 3 days
IDEAL FOR: Couples · Solo travellers · Culture lovers · Shoppers
AREAS COVERED: City Centre · Beachfront · The Lanes · North Laine
GETTING AROUND: Mostly walkable
BEST SEASON: Year-round
BUDGET: Mid-range (££)
DAY 1 - City, Sea & Culture
Your first day in the city includes a wander through the twisting alleyways of The Lanes, a trip to a Royal Palace and of course the iconic Pier and seafront.
⏰ Approx. 8 hours
Walkable
SHOPPING · THE LANES
Main streets: Meeting House Lane, Brighton Square, Hanningtons Lane
Suggested time: 2 hours
Free entry · Trader prices vary
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The Lanes are an essential part of any trip to the Brighton as this quirky labyrinthian area is a joy to wander around with its narrow alleyways, hidden squares, exciting shops, legendary jewellers and plenty of places to eat, drink and watch the world go by.
The Lanes → The Royal Pavilion
🚶 Walking: 5 mins View on map ↗
ROYAL PALACE · CITY CENTRE
Royal Pavilion, Brighton, BN1 1FN
Suggested time: 2 hours
££ · Ticket valid for 1 year
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The iconic eastern-influenced palace, the Royal Pavilion, was built in the late 18th Century as a seaside resort by the Prince Regent, who later became King George IV. George loved to throw a lavish feast, and you can see his fairy tale kitchen, decadent dining hall and sumptuous four-poster bed where his niece, the future Queen Victoria, slept when she came to stay.
Find out more about the Royal Pavilion
The Royal Pavilion → Brighton Palace Pier -
🚶 Walking: 8 mins View on map ↗
ICONIC PIER · SEAFRONT
Brighton Palace Pier, Madeira Drive, Brighton, BN2 1TW
Suggested time: 1 hour
£ · Entry fee applies from March to October
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Of course, no visit to Brighton is complete without a visit to Brighton Palace Pier. The Pier offers fun for everyone, from hair-raising rides, arcade games and traditional fairground favourites such as Hook a Duck and Tin Can Alley, to wining and dining while gazing out to sea.
Find out more about Brighton Palace Pier
Brighton Palace Pier → Brighton Dome
🚶 Walking: 11 mins View on map ↗
CULTURE · NORTH LAINE
Brighton Dome, Church Street, Brighton, BN1 1EE
Suggested time: 3 hours
££ · Booking recommended
Brighton Dome has hosted hundreds of internationally respected artists, musicians, actors and dancers from David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix and Ella Fitzgerald to Beyoncé, Stormzy and Dua Lipa in more recent years. Aside from being the main venue for Brighton Festival events, you’ll also find comedy legends on stage here plus orchestral performances of all sounds and sizes.
Find out more about Brighton Dome
Brighton Dome → The Grand Hotel
🚶 Walking: 15 mins 🚌 Public transport: 18 mins View on map ↗
NIGHT 1 - WHERE TO SLEEP
The Grand, 97-99 Kings Road, Brighton, BN1 2FW
This Grande dame may be over 150 years old but she's still a Grand sight and an iconic part of the city's heritage. Today the hotel seamlessly blends contemporary features with the grandeur of lovingly restored original pieces such as the emerald marble pillars in the lobby.
DAY 2 - Take to the skies, ride along the prom and a night of giggles.
Today you'll get to see the sea from above as well as meeting some of the creatures of the deep. After a dinner of scumptious vegetarian cuisine, you'll enjoy a night full of giggles.
⏰ Approx. 8 hours
Mostly walkable
VIEWING TOWER · BEACHFRONT
Brighton i360, Lower King's Road, Brighton, BN1 2LN
Suggested time: 1 hour
££ · Booking advisable
A much more recent addition to Brighton’s seafront, and one that raised a few eyebrows when it first arrived, is the Brighton i360. Watch out for events taking place in the sky-climbing “donut”, or simply go just to admire the panoramic views while sipping a glass of Sussex sparkling wine.
Find out more about Brighton i360
Brighton i360 → SEA LIFE Brighton
🚶 Walking: 16 min 🚌 Public transport: 12 mins View on map ↗
AQUARIUM · SEAFRONT
SEA LIFE Brighton, Marina Parade, Brighton, BN2 1TB
Suggested time: 1.5 hours
££ · Booking advisable
Also on the seafront you’ll find Sea Life Brighton. It’s easy to forget that it’s the world’s oldest operating aquarium when you’re standing in a glass tunnel watching sharks and turtles swim over your head!
Find out more about SEA LIFE Brighton
SEA LIFE Brighton → Volk's Railway
🚶 Walking: 4 mins View on map ↗
HERITAGE · SEAFRONT
Volk's Electric Railway, Madeira Drive, Brighton, BN2 1EN
Suggested time: 30 minutes
£ · No booking required
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Another historic landmark is the Volk’s Electric Railway, which was built by inventor Magnus Volk in 1883 and still operates today. There’s no need to book, you can just turn up and ride all the way to Black Rock Station by Brighton Marina, where there’s plenty more family entertainment to be found!
Find out more about Volk's Railway
Volk's Railway - terre á terre
🚶Walking: 8 mins View on map ↗
VEGETARIAN · THE LANES
terre à terre, 71 East Street, Brighton, BN1 1HQ
Suggested time: 2 hours
££ · Booking recommended
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Dinner at terre á terre is a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach, the stunning insta-worthy dishes will have you oohing and ahhing the moment they hit the table, and you’ll soon discover that the meals taste even better than they look.
Find out more about terre á terre
terre a terre - Komedia
🚶 Walking: 9 mins 🚌 Public transport: 9 mins View on map ↗
COMEDY CLUB · NORTH LAINE
Komedia, 44-47 Gardner Street, Brighton, BN1 1UN
Suggested time: 3 hours
££ · Book in advance for the best deals
Don’t just end the day with smile, end it with a chuckle, a chortle, a giggle and a guffaw. The regular comedy club nights are the place to spot the next big thing, or you may get a sneak preview of new material from a familiar face. Either way we bet you’ll leave with jaw ache!
Komedia → Hotel Pelirocco
🚶 Walking: 15 mins 🚌 Public transport: 13 mins View on map ↗
NIGHT 2 - WHERE TO SLEEP
Hotel Pelirocco, 10 Regency Square, Brighton, BN1 2FG
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This is England’s most rock ‘n’ roll hotel with themed rooms to suit every personality, whether your idol is Dolly, Bowie or Vader you’re welcome here. There are also some NSFW rooms for those looking to escape the everyday...
Find out more about Hotel Pelirocco
DAY 3 - A final chance for some seaside shopping...
Before you head for home take time to explore the quirky, bohemian shops and cafés of the North Laine.
⏰ Approx 3 hours
Walkable
SHOPPING · NORTH LAINE
Main streets: Bond Street, Kensington Gardens, Sydney Street
Suggested time: 2 hours
Free to wander · Product prices will vary
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No trip to Brighton & Hove is complete without seeing the North Laine, a vibrant, colourful hub of independent restaurants, pubs, cafés, shops and outdoor stalls that are an essential part of Brighton’s gregarious personality.
Find out more about North Laine
North Laine → Trading Post Roastery
🚶Walking: 8 mins View on map ↗
INDEPENDENT · ROASTERY
The Roastery by Trading Post, 13-14 Sydney Street, Brighton, BN1 4EN
Suggested time: 1 hour
££ · Independent food & drink options
Before you bid Brighton adieu treat yourself to a cup of coffee at The Roastery, this is the Trading Post’s hub, in other words this is where the magic happens! The tempting aromas of roasting coffee will greet you as you step through the door. Pick your blend then relax back and watch the world go by.
Top tip: Mono Loco is one of our favourite blends
Find out more about The Roastery by Trading Post
Planning your trip - FAQs
Three days is a comfortable amount of time to see Brighton's main highlights without rushing, covering the Royal Pavilion, a wander through The Lanes and North Laine, time on the seafront and pier, and still leaving room for a relaxed pace. Most of these sights sit close together, so you won't lose much time getting between them.How many days do I need for a first visit to Brighton?
It's a common point of confusion for first-time visitors. The Lanes are the historic, narrow cobbled streets near the seafront, known for jewellers, antique shops and boutiques, while North Laine is a separate, more bohemian area just north of it, full of independent cafes, vintage stores and quirky gift shops. Both are walkable from each other in a few minutes.What's the difference between The Lanes and North Laine?
Yes, it's one of Brighton's must-see attractions for first-time visitors, known for its striking Indo-Saracenic exterior and lavish interiors. Around an hour to ninety minutes is usually enough to explore the building and gardens at a relaxed pace.Is the Royal Pavilion worth visiting, and how much time should I set aside?
A popular approach is to spend one day on the classic sights (Royal Pavilion, seafront, pier), a second day exploring The Lanes and North Laine at a slower pace for shopping and food, and a third day for anything missed or a day trip to nearby Hove. This avoids overloading each day and leaves room to enjoy the city rather than just tick off sights.What's the best way to structure a first visit to Brighton?
Explore more of Brighton:
Good to know: This itinerary was reviewed on 14 July 2026. Opening times, ticket availability and seasonal programming can change, so please check individual venue websites before you go.
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