What to do in Bournemouth

Activities, attractions and tours

Visit Bournemouth

Types of activities

Where to stay

Bournemouth travel guide

Bournemouth featuring hiking or walking, heritage elements and tranquil scenes

Weymouth Beach featuring a beach as well as a large group of people

Bournemouth Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Bournemouth has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Bournemouth, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Bournemouth with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Bournemouth

Bournemouth is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Bournemouth, and make it a breeze to explore Bournemouth and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Bournemouth to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Bournemouth, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Bournemouth.

Bournemouth attractions

Bournemouth has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Bournemouth to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Bournemouth.

Looking for things to do in Bournemouth can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Bournemouth or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Bournemouth attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

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Top places to visit

1. Bournemouth Beach

Bournemouth Beach is one of England’s most popular and attractive sandy areas. For decades, locals and travelers have been relaxing under umbrellas against the roar of the English Channel’s waves. Discover the varying parts of the beach during your vacation, from the more active central bays to the spacious havens a little farther out from the city.

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2. Bournemouth International Centre

The Bournemouth International Centre, or the BIC, is a large events space and conference center that hosts a wide range of events throughout the year. Come here to take in everything from wrestling to stand-up comedy shows, from food and drinks festivals to musicals. And of course, if you are visiting Bournemouth for a conference or business event, there is a good chance it will be held here in the BIC.

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Go to a performance, conference, exhibition or other event at this large venue, which sits on the beautiful coast of Bournemouth.

3. Bournemouth Pier

Bournemouth Pier is a hub of adventure activities on a scenic wharf overlooking the sea. It has numerous cafés, restaurants and an activity center with thrilling rides.

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4. Bournemouth Pavillion Theatre

The Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre has all the features you would expect from a traditional performance venue that dates back to the early 20th century. Expect red velvet chairs, splendid high ceilings and lots of gold detailing when you come to see a show here.

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Treat yourself to a night of early 20th-century-style grandeur at this opulent and historic theater, where you can see everything from dramas to concerts.

5. Bournemouth University

Though founded only recently in 1992, Bournemouth University is quickly becoming one of the U.K.’s liveliest universities, drawing students to the seashore and the classroom. It is an outgrowth of the Bournemouth Municipal College, which was founded in the early 20th century to prepare students for degrees from the University of London. The university received its charter in the early 1990s along with a flurry of institutions nicknamed the “new universities.” Feel like a student amid its modern buildings and welcoming community.

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Best known for its media programs that have trained Oscar winners, one of the U.K.’s “new universities” straddles Bournemouth with two campuses.

6. O2 Academy Bournemouth

The O2 Academy Bournemouth is one of the leading performance venues in the city. It has a focus on live music but also hosts other kinds of events. Come here in the evening to take in a show in beautiful surroundings, in the grand main space of a historic Grade II-listed building.

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Spend an evening watching a big-name music act or attend a club night or sports event at this live performance venue, housed in a historic building.

7. Oceanarium

The Oceanarium is a chance to see and interact with remarkable marine life in large tanks. It stands out from most typical aquariums with its interactive elements, allowing you to meet and play with the animals. Try to identify the more than 150 species of fish, from sharks and stingrays to clownfish and pufferfish.

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Oceanarium featuring marine life as well as a small group of people

Recommended things to do in Bournemouth

Number of things to do	17
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia	Bournemouth Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: £5
Top 5 things to do	City Sightseeing Bournemouth Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour From Bournemouth: Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door Trip From Bournemouth: Jurassic Coast & Isle of Purbeck Day Tour Bournemouth Oceanarium Ticket Jaggers Comedy Club. Stand up Comedy Bournemouth
Half-day tours	Jaggers Comedy Club. Stand up Comedy Bournemouth Bournemouth Pier: PierZip Entrance Ticket Bournemouth Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour Poole Jurassic Coast Circular Cruise Poole Harbour and Islands Circular Cruise
With kids	City Sightseeing Bournemouth Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour From Bournemouth: Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door Trip From Bournemouth: Jurassic Coast & Isle of Purbeck Day Tour Bournemouth Oceanarium Ticket Poole Jurassic Coast Circular Cruise

What to do in Bournemouth

Popular places to visit

Bournemouth Beach

Stroll along miles of England’s southern coast and stop at the fun parks and activity centers along the way.

Bournemouth International Centre

Go to a performance, conference, exhibition or other event at this large venue, which sits on the beautiful coast of Bournemouth.

Bournemouth Pier

Zipline from a tall tower on the pier over the waves of the sea and down to the beach from this pier’s exhilarating activity center.

Bournemouth Pavillion Theatre

Treat yourself to a night of early 20th-century-style grandeur at this opulent and historic theater, where you can see everything from dramas to concerts.

Bournemouth University

Best known for its media programs that have trained Oscar winners, one of the U.K.’s “new universities” straddles Bournemouth with two campuses.

Southbourne Beach

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Southbourne Beach during your trip to Bournemouth? Wander through the beautiful beaches and picturesque gardens in this family-friendly area.

O2 Academy Bournemouth

Spend an evening watching a big-name music act or attend a club night or sports event at this live performance venue, housed in a historic building.

Oceanarium

Face fearsome sharks, feed the giant turtles and explore the tanks full of colorful animals you never knew existed.

Boscombe Pier

Find out about the history of Boscombe when you spend time at Boscombe Pier. Stroll along the beautiful beaches or visit the shops in this family-friendly area.

Explore areas of Bournemouth

Bournemouth City Centre

The stunning beaches and fantastic nightlife are just a few highlights of Bournemouth City Centre. Make a stop by Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum or Bournemouth Pavillion Theatre while you're exploring the area.

West Cliff

While visiting West Cliff, you might make a stop by sights like Bournemouth Beach and Alum Chine Beach.

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