What to do in Bournemouth

Activities, attractions and tours

Bournemouth featuring hiking or walking, heritage elements and tranquil scenes
Bournemouth featuring hiking or walking, heritage elements and tranquil scenes
Durdle Door showing a pebble beach, a sunset and rocky coastline
Weymouth Beach featuring a beach as well as a large group of people
Durdle Door which includes a bay or harbor and rocky coastline

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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Recommended things to do in Bournemouth

Number of things to do
19
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Bournemouth Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: £10
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Bournemouth

Popular places to visit

Bournemouth Beach

Bournemouth Beach

4.5/5(705 reviews)

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

Bournemouth Beach
Bournemouth International Centre

Bournemouth International Centre

4/5(193 reviews)

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

Bournemouth International Centre
Pavilion Theatre and gardens, Bournemouth, Dorset; Shutterstock ID 290396516; purchase_order: Comps; job: ; client: ; other:

Bournemouth Pavillion Theatre

4/5(70 reviews)

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 Pavillion Theatre
Bournemouth Pier featuring a beach

Bournemouth Pier

4/5(35 reviews)

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 Pier
O2 Academy Bournemouth

O2 Academy Bournemouth

4/5(9 reviews)

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.

O2 Academy Bournemouth
Bournemouth University

Bournemouth University

4/5(23 reviews)

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

Bournemouth University
Southbourne and its beach as viewed from Hengistbury Head, Dorset, England, UK.

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.

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

Oceanarium

4/5(16 reviews)

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

Oceanarium
Sunset at Boscombe Pier, long exposure using Lee Big Stopper filter

Boscombe Pier

Boscombe Pier is just one of the places to see in Boscombe, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Amble around this family-friendly area's beautiful beaches or experience its entertainment choices.

Boscombe Pier

Explore areas of Bournemouth

Bournemouth City Centre

Bournemouth City Centre

4/5(1,198 area reviews)

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.

Bournemouth City Centre
Looking out towards Sandbanks from the Beach at Bournmouth

West Cliff

4/5(6 area reviews)

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

West Cliff

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Bournemouth

Looking northwards along New Road towards Parley Cross
Photo by Rodhullandemu (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0)

Ferndown

The beach and beach huts at Hengistbury Head, Christchurch Harbour, Dorset, England, UK.

Christchurch

Bridge over the Stour at White Mill - Floodtime!

Wimborne

Brownsea Castle featuring heritage architecture

Poole

Empty Boscombe Pier at Bournemouth on a bright sunny day, sun lighting the pier on one side with shade on the other. Bournemouth, England, UK

Boscombe

Hengistbury Head which includes heritage elements, a park and heritage architecture

Hengistbury Head

Sopley Common An area of dry & boggy heathland managed by Dorset Wildlife Trust.http://www.dorsetwildlife.co.uk/sopley_common_reserve Seen here from the top of the ridge, looking across to the A338 which bisects the common, with traffic glinting in the distance.
Photo by Mike Faherty (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)

Hurn

West Parley, footpath. The Southern end of a path from Christchurch Road to 1422064. On the other side of Christchurch Road, Dudsbury Golf Club.
Photo by Mike Faherty (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)

Longham

Frequently asked questions

Is Bournemouth worth visiting?
Providing a blend of watersports and walking trails, there's no shortage of things to do in Bournemouth. While you're here, check out Bournemouth Beach, a major attraction in the area.
How do I spend a day in Bournemouth?
Bournemouth Beach and Southbourne Beach are two excellent places to kick-start your sightseeing adventures. Remember to explore the retail and dining options in Bournemouth while you're here too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Bournemouth?
Bournemouth Beach is one of the top tourist attractions in Bournemouth and should be high on every must-do list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Bournemouth?
Three days will give you enough time to tick off many city attractions, such as Bournemouth Beach, Bournemouth International Centre and Bournemouth Pavillion Theatre. The average stay in Bournemouth is two days. If you have the urge to extend your escape, Southampton isn't far away.
Is Bournemouth a walkable city?
Some leading sights in Bournemouth, such as Bournemouth Beach and Bournemouth International Centre, are within walking distance. You can also visit several of the city's popular neighbourhoods on foot. Just 0.32 kms (0.20 miles) from the city centre of Bournemouth is Bournemouth City Centre and Boscombe is 3 kms (2 miles) away.
What are some activities to do in Bournemouth with kids?
Planning what to do in Bournemouth with kids has never been easier. Whether you're holidaying with teenagers or toddlers, there are lots of family-friendly tours and attractions to keep everyone entertained here.

What to do in Bournemouth for adults?
There's no shortage of things to do in Bournemouth, with experiences for adults of all ages. Round off your day with a visit to Museum of Design in Plastics.
Are there free things to do in Bournemouth?
From relaxing in parks to strolling around exciting neighbourhoods, it's a breeze to find free things to do in Bournemouth. If you're looking for inspiration, get some tips from a local tour guide. Bournemouth Beach is a must for anyone planning to save on their sightseeing adventures.

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