Bordeaux surprised me. I knew about the wine – it was my main reason for visiting – but I hadn’t expected a city this beautiful or this easy to navigate on foot. The historic centre earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 2007, and once you see those honey-coloured limestone facades lining the Garonne, it’s not hard to see why.
This 2-day Bordeaux itinerary covers the city’s highlights with a self-guided walking tour and map for each day. I spent four nights here as part of a solo Interrail trip through southern France, so this is all first-hand.
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My Suggested 2-Day Bordeaux Itinerary
I spent my first day exploring the historic centre before heading to La Cité du Vin. Day two focused on the Chartrons district, finishing at the Musée du Vin et du Négoce.
DAY ONE
- Marché des Capucins
- St Michael’s Basilica
- Pont de Pierre
- Porte Cailhau
- Place de la Bourse & Miroir d’Eau
- Place du Parlement & Hôtel de Ville
- Place Gambetta & Porte Dijeaux
- St André Cathedral & Tour Pey Berland
- Grosse Cloche
- La Cité du Vin
DAY TWO
- Église Notre-Dame
- Esplanade des Quinconces
- Palais Gallien
- Public Garden & Botanical Garden
- Temple des Chartrons
- Église St Louis in Chartrons
- Musée du Vin et du Négoce
For each day, I have included a map with step-by-step directions, which you can use as a self-guided walking tour. To send to your phone, click the map or the link.
Day 1: Vieux Bordeaux & La Cité du Vin
Your first day starts at the Marché des Capucins, working your way north along the Garonne River before heading inland to discover some of the city’s heritage sites. After exploring Bordeaux’s historic centre on foot, you’ll catch the tram to La Cité du Vin.
- Duration: Full day with stops for food and rest
- Walking distance: Approximately 3 miles walk; tram to La Cité du Vin | map link
- Difficulty: Easy
- Recommended food and drink stops: Café Brazza (location here), L’Entrecôte (location here)
Marché des Capucins
To see everyday Bordelais life up close, start at the so-called Belly of Bordeaux. Families have sold fresh produce from the same stalls for generations, and there are worse ways to begin a day than a coffee and canelé at one of its small cafés.
Marché des Capucins is open Tuesday – Sunday until 2 pm.
St Michael’s Basilica (Basilique Saint-Michel)
This Gothic church is full of art treasures, largely thanks to local guilds, which financed its fourteen side chapels. The stained glass windows are vivid replacements for those blown out during the Second World War.
Pont de Pierre
Napoleon’s first bridge across the Garonne has 17 arches, one for each letter in Little Boney’s name. Built between 1810 and 1822, it connects the left and right banks of the river.
The historic centre
Its architecture was defined in the 18th century when high-ranking officials and wealthy wine merchants transformed the city with elegant limestone buildings, wide avenues and grand public squares like Place de la Bourse. This golden age of construction created the cohesive classical cityscape that earned Bordeaux its UNESCO World Heritage status.
Porte Cailhau was built in 1495 to commemorate King Charles VIII’s victory at Fornovo. Standing 35 metres tall, it was the city’s main entrance for almost 200 years.
Designed by royal architect Jacques Gabriel in the 1730s, Place de la Bourse is 18th-century French classical architecture at its best. Trade prices were set here in the 18th century, and the beautiful Fountain of the Three Graces anchors its centre.
Visit as early in the morning as you can to catch the famous Miroir d’Eau (Water Mirror) doing its thing: the square’s symmetrical facades reflected in the world’s largest reflecting pool (see the image at the top of this guide). After a while, the fountains kick in, children splash about, and the reflections are gone, but that’s fun to watch too.
Walk with your back to the river to the perfectly proportioned Place du Parlement, originally a marketplace that became fashionable among parliamentarians.
Look up at the mascarons — carved stone faces — above the windows of its 18th-century buildings. The nearby Hôtel de Ville (City Hall) occupies part of the former Palais Rohan, a grand archbishop’s palace.
Mascaron
It’s worth a short detour to Place de la Comédie, home to the Grand-Théâtre: a classical masterpiece fronted by a columned portico and a row of stone statues.
Place Gambetta marks the transition from the old town to the newer districts. A pleasant tree-lined square today, it was once the site of the guillotine during the French Revolution.
The nearby Porte Dijeaux is a monumental stone arch built between 1748 and 1753 to replace a medieval gate (there has been a gateway here since Roman times). The surrounding streets have excellent patisseries where you can try canelés, Bordeaux’s signature pastry.
The austere Gothic St André Cathedral was a stop on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela and the setting for two royal weddings. Don’t miss the intricate stone carvings depicting the Last Judgment above its Royal Door
You can climb its free-standing 15th-century bell tower, Tour Pey Berland, for city views. I didn’t (the exterior of the cathedral complex is impressive enough from street level).
Grosse Cloche is a Bordeaux icon: a bell tower with a distinctive double archway, part of a 13th-century defensive gate. Its 7,800kg bell rings six times a year for major celebrations and on the first Sunday of each month at noon.
To get to the Cité du Vin, take tram B from Musée d’Aquitaine. The journey should take you around 30 minutes.
Cité du Vin
I spent two hours in this striking modern museum dedicated to wine culture. It’s hugely interactive, and an audioguide is included in the ticket price.
You can virtually trample grapes and savour the aromas of different wines. At the end of your visit, take the lift to the tasting on the eighth-floor belvedere with views of the city and the Garonne River. The view wasn’t that great, but my Alsace Cremant was wonderful.
You can buy your ticket in advance here.
Day 2: Chartrons District
Day two takes you through the elegant Chartrons district — historically home to wine merchants — with a stop at Roman ruins and some of Bordeaux’s best green space.
- Duration: 5 – 6 hours with stops for food and rest
- Walking distance: Approximately 2 miles | map link
- Difficulty: Easy
- Recommended food and drink stops: Café Eriu (location here), Bread Storming (location here)
Église Notre-Dame
Start at this elegant baroque church, built by the Dominicans between 1684 and 1707 to serve the Chartrons district’s wealthy wine merchant community. Inside, look out for the remarkable trompe-l’oeil paintings and an impressive pipe organ.
Esplanade des Quinconces
Covering 12 hectares, Esplanade des Quinconces is one of Europe’s largest public squares. Its centrepiece is the Monument aux Girondins, featuring a dramatic fountain commemorating the Girondin political faction.
Palais Gallien
These Roman amphitheatre ruins date to the 2nd century and are all that’s left of ancient Burdigala. Originally seating 15,000 spectators, only a section of the outer wall remains.
Public Garden and Botanical Garden
I took a break from sightseeing in Boredaux’s Public Garden, which has an English-style landscape with ponds, bridges and sculptures. It’s a gorgeous and tranquil spot. The Botanical Garden showcases plants from six different ecosystems, including flora from the Aquitaine region.
Temple des Chartrons
This Protestant church reflects the religious diversity that emerged in the trading community of Chartrons. Temple des Chartrons dates from the early 19th century when Bordeaux had a significant Protestant population, many of whom were involved in the wine trade.
Église Saint-Louis in Chartrons
Built in the 19th century, the twin spires of this neo-Gothic church are visible across the district. I loved its stained glass windows, many depicting scenes from the life of St Louis.
Musée du Vin et du Négoce (Wine and Trade Museum)
Don’t skip this one. If you’re pressed for time and have to choose between this and the Cité du Vin, I’d honestly pick this.
Located in former wine cellars, Musée du Vin et du Négoce tells the story of the wine industry in Bordeaux through documents and artefacts, including tools and bottles dating back to the 19th century. It’s a small but fascinating museum.
My one-hour visit concluded with a tasting of two wines and an excellent presentation about Bordeaux’s wine regions and grapes. Check ticket prices and opening hours on the museum’s website.
Plan Your Weekend in Bordeaux
Best time to visit
April to June or September to October are ideal, with temperatures of 15–25°C and fewer crowds. Summer is warm with longer days, but busier. Winter is quiet, with reduced opening hours at some attractions.
When I visited in June, the days were long and warm, but I did get caught in a few downpours. Pack an umbrella, whatever time of year you go.
How to get there
By Air: Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport has direct connections to major European cities. The frequent Lianes 1+ bus connects the airport to the city centre in about 30 minutes.
By Train: Bordeaux St-Jean station is well connected to Paris (2 hours by TGV), Toulouse and other French cities. You can walk to the historic centre in around 20 minutes or take a tram.
By Car: Bordeaux is accessible via the A10 motorway from Paris and the A62 from Toulouse. However, driving in the centre is restricted and parking can be difficult.
Getting around
Bordeaux is compact and most sights are walkable. I only used public transport to get to and from La Cité du Vin.
The tram network has four lines covering the main attractions. In 2026, A single ticket costs €1.90 (valid for one hour) and a day pass €6.50. Find out more here.
The Bordeaux CityPass offers free public transport and entry to city attractions, including Cité du Vin and Musée du Vin et du Négoce. It comes in three flavours: 24, 48 or 72 hours.
Where to Stay
For first-time visitors, staying in and around the historic centre, near Place de la Bourse or Quinconces, puts you within walking distance of major attractions. Book well in advance during peak season (June-September) and wine events.
I enjoyed my stay at Staycity Aparthotels Bordeaux City Centre, which was a short walk from both Vieux Bordeaux and the train station. As a solo traveller in France, I appreciated the quiet street location and 24-hour reception. The studio room was basic but clean, comfortable and well designed, and the staff were so helpful.
If this doesn’t meet your needs, look at the highly-rated Hôtel Singulier, which has a spa and wellness centre. For an elegant room in a historic building, check out the 4-star Hôtel de Sèze.
Visiting Bordeaux FAQs
Is Bordeaux worth visiting for a weekend?
Yes — it’s one of France’s most rewarding short breaks. The splendid historic centre is compact and walkable. Two days allow you to comfortably hit its highlights.
Is the Bordeaux City Pass worth it?
It depends on your itinerary. If you plan to visit La Cité du Vin, the Musée du Vin et du Négoce and use the tram, the 48-hour pass will likely save you money.
How do I get from Bordeaux airport to the city centre?
The Lianes 1+ bus runs frequently and takes around 30 minutes to reach the city centre. Taxis are also available.
Can I do a day trip to Saint-Émilion from Bordeaux?
Yes, and I did it and recommend it. Saint-Émilion is about 35 minutes by train. Read my guide to a Saint-Émilion day trip for the full lowdown.
I loved my two days in Bordeaux, and not just because of the wine. For me, it offered a perfect balance of culture, history and gastronomy. My one regret is that I didn’t have time to visit its lauded non-wine-related museums, but that’s a good reason to go back.
Bon voyage!
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.