Bordeaux
France
Backpacking Bordeaux
Information on Bordeaux, sights to see, nightlife, activities and more.
Bordeaux is a small port city in southwestern France and is best known for being a wine lover’s paradise. Bordeaux is considered the most famous wine region in the world, rivaling the likes of Burgundy, Champagne, Rioja, Chianti and Napa Valley. But even if you are not here for the wine, a visit to Bordeaux is still worth it because it’s a beautiful city with a lot of cool things to do around the area. Bordeaux is France’s new hot spot, with a number of cafés, gardens, museums and neo-classical monuments attracting tourists from all parts of the world. The city has one of the longest shopping streets in Europe, amazing seafood and is close to the ocean. Bordeaux is a spectacular place for an upscale backpacking trip. It is important to remember that Bordeaux wine does not necessarily come from the city of Bordeaux itself as the label is used to define a region of French wine. This means that most of the wineries are outside of the city and throughout the countryside around it. As any liquid enthusiast knows, there is nothing better than trying alcohol directly from the source. While you can sample and buy countless brands of Bordeaux wine in the city, you need to get out to chateaus themselves. We can help plan your backpacking trip to Bordeaux and recommend some of the best wine tours available!
Must See
Explore the Historic City Center of Bordeaux - The UNESCO-listed city of Bordeaux is known for its architectural ensemble, created in the age of Enlightenment. Visitors will find loads of historic landmarks including the Place De La Bourse, The Miroir Des Quais and local culture by simply roaming around Bordeaux’s historic city center.
Walk The Pont De Pierre Stone Bridge - This stone bridge is a stunning creation that shows the marvelous technical prowess of the French empire during the 18th century. The bridge was built to connect the left bank of the Garonne River to the right bank Quartier de la Bastide.
Must Do
Go On A Wine Tour - Bordeaux sits in the center of the world-famous wine region that bears its name. Take a full-day or half day tour and venture outside of the immediate areas of Bordeaux. Depending on the length of your tour, you’ll visit two to four wineries where you get to sample wine at each stop.
Explore Saint Emilion - This village is connected to red wine production, and vineyards have existed here since Roman times. If the budget doesn’t call for a wine tour, a visit to this village and an afternoon walking through its streets can be a great way to spend a day. It’s beautiful and close to Bordeaux.
Nightlife
The Quays of Bordeaux follow the shores of the Garonne river and here you will find all the bars & nightclubs. The vibrant neighborhood of Gare Saint-Jean is more specifically where the younger action is happening and if you wander down to the Quai de Paludate you’ll find some of the best nightlife in the city. It’s packed with fun bars and exciting nightclubs where you can drink and dance all night. The nightlife here is so good, you’ll never have to worry about where to go next.
Get started now on planning your backpacking trip with personalized recommendations from our advisors. Your plan will include: accommodation options, food/nightlife recommendations, tours or attractions to see with recommendations for best operators, 24/7 assistance with bookings, answers to any questions and more.