Aerial view of Bordeaux and the Cite du Vin overlooking the river in autumn

February 27, 2026

10 Things to Do in Bordeaux for Wine Lovers

Senior Travel Designer

Bordeaux is one of those regions that never really leaves you.

With its grand châteaux, riverfront city, historic villages and ever-evolving food and wellness scene, it offers far more than first impressions suggest. It’s fitting that our very first trips began in Bordeaux over twenty years ago and that it remains a must-visit today, a region that continues to reward return visits and deeper exploration.

For wine lovers, Bordeaux isn’t just classified growths and famous labels. It’s about understanding contrast: left bank and right bank, city and countryside, vineyard and coast. These are the best things to do in Bordeaux for wine lovers in 2026, each paired with SmoothRed insights that add extra depth to your experience.

Our 10 Favourite Things to Do in Bordeaux

1. Visit the Iconic Cité du Vin in Bordeaux City

La Cité du Vin is one of the best places to begin your Bordeaux journey. Rather than focusing solely on the region, this immersive museum explores wine as a global cultural phenomenon, using interactive exhibits, soundscapes and sensory installations.

The highlight for many is the panoramic tasting room at the top, offering views across the Garonne River.

SmoothRed tip: visit early in your trip. The context you gain here, particularly around terroir and winemaking techniques, will dramatically enhance your château visits later on.

2. Stay in a Luxury Château Like La Maison d’Estournel

Staying on a wine estate transforms how you experience Bordeaux. At La Maison d’Estournel, adjacent to the legendary Cos d’Estournel in the Médoc, the focus is on immersion rather than formality.

Days unfold around vineyard walks, tastings and long, wine-led meals, with the estate’s rhythm setting the pace.

SmoothRed tip: château stays often offer informal moments, such as tasting blends that aren’t released commercially. These unscheduled encounters are where real insight happens.

3. Explore the Picturesque Village of Saint-Émilion

Saint-Émilion is one of Bordeaux’s most evocative wine villages, with cobbled streets, underground monuments and vineyards woven into everyday life. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it seamlessly blends history and wine.

Beyond the postcard views, the surrounding Right Bank produces some of Bordeaux’s most expressive Merlot-based wines.

SmoothRed tip: explore early in the morning or around dinner time. Midday crowds thin out, and the village feels far more intimate and authentic.

4. Cycle Through Miles of Vineyards

Bordeaux’s landscape lends itself beautifully to cycling, particularly in the Médoc and around Saint-Émilion, where long, flat vineyard roads connect châteaux and small villages.

Cycling allows you to feel the scale of the region and notice subtle transitions between appellations.

SmoothRed tip: pay attention to gravel changes underfoot. Shifts from gravel to clay often signal changes in grape varieties and wine style long before you reach the next signpost.

5. Tee Off at Cabot Bordeaux

Wine may be the headline act, but Bordeaux also excels at refined leisure. Cabot Bordeaux offers world-class golf courses set among pine forests and vineyards, providing a peaceful counterpoint to tastings.

The region’s mild climate makes golf possible across much of the year.

SmoothRed tip: morning tee times are best. You’ll avoid afternoon heat and often have clearer views, with vineyards still wrapped in early mist.

6. Experience La Fête du Vin

La Fête du Vin transforms Bordeaux’s riverfront into a celebration of regional wine, food and culture. Held every two years, the festival brings together producers from across Bordeaux alongside tall ships, tastings and live music. It’s lively, social and distinctly local.

SmoothRed tip: balance festival time with vineyard visits outside the city. The contrast between celebration and calm adds depth to the experience.

7. Take a Day Trip to Arcachon Bay

Bordeaux’s proximity to the coast is one of its greatest assets. Arcachon Bay offers oyster beds, sandy beaches and a relaxed seaside atmosphere that feels worlds away from the vineyards.

Many locals escape here for downtime, especially after harvest.

SmoothRed tip: pair oysters with a chilled white Bordeaux or Crémant rather than Champagne. The regional pairing is subtle, saline and beautifully balanced.

8. Visit the Cloître des Cordeliers

Hidden beneath Saint-Émilion, the Cloître des Cordeliers is a former monastery now dedicated to sparkling wine production. Its underground cellars provide ideal ageing conditions, and visits often include tastings deep below ground. The atmosphere is quiet, cool and steeped in history.

SmoothRed tip: extended cellar ageing here creates finer bubbles and softer textures. Ask about disgorgement dates to understand how time shapes the wine.

9. Unwind at Les Sources de Caudalie

Les Sources de Caudalie is where Bordeaux’s wine culture meets wellness. Set among vineyards, the spa is known for vinotherapy treatments using grape seeds and vine extracts.

It’s an ideal place to slow the pace after days of tastings.

SmoothRed tip: the period just after harvest is particularly restorative. The vineyards are quiet, the energy shifts and spa treatments feel even more grounding.

10. Taste the Difference Between Left Bank and Right Bank Terroirs

Understanding Bordeaux comes down to understanding its geography.

The Left Bank, home to Médoc and Graves, is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon grown on gravel soils, producing structured, age-worthy wines. The Right Bank, including Saint-Émilion and Pomerol, leans towards Merlot on clay and limestone, resulting in softer, plush styles.

SmoothRed tip: tasting wines from both banks on the same day sharpens your palate. Differences in texture and aroma become far more obvious when compared side-by-side.

Where to go in Bordeaux

The Bordeaux wine region is made up of more than 6,000 wineries, spread across the major sub-regions. So deciding exactly where to visit during one trip can be a challenge. Luckily our Travel Designers know Bordeaux inside out and can tailor the itinerary to your tastes. If you’re looking for some quick inspiration, here’s where to go based on what your dream trip looks like.

For red wine lovers

Bordeaux’s best reds can be found on both the Left and Right Banks.

The Left Bank (Médoc): For full-bodied, high tannin and structured reds.

The Right Bank (Saint-Émilion): For medium to full-bodied reds, with softer tannins.

Read our Bordeaux wine guide for an in-depth look at the region’s iconic red blends.

For white wine lovers

While red wines reign supreme in Bordeaux, the region also produces some outstanding whites. Lovers of white wines should head to Graves and Entre-Deux-Mers, for both crisp, dry whites and world-famous sweet wines.

Pessac-Léognan (Graves) & Entre-Deux-Mers: For dry white wines, made from a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon .

Sauternes & Barsac (Graves): For sweet white wines, where the grapes are affected by ‘noble rot’.

For food lovers

Bordeaux is paradise for foodies and the region’s meat-based specialities of Pauillac Lamb and Entrecôte à la Bordelaise pair perfectly with a glass of Bordeaux red. Other food highlights include:

Bordeaux City plays host to plenty of fine dining spots, traditional bistros and bustling markets. Visit Marché des Capucins, a covered market dating back to 1749 and often called the ‘stomach of Bordeaux’.

Arcachon Bay: Famous for its briny, fresh oysters and stand-out seafood.

For history buffs

Saint-Émilion: This UNESCO World Heritage village is jam-packed with medieval history. Visit the Monolithic Church, carved out of the limestone cliff and dating back to the 12th century.

Blaye: A must-visit for military history buffs, Blaye Citadel is a sprawling 17th-century fortress that was built to defend Bordeaux from incoming river attacks.

For coastal escapes

Arcachon: The seaside resort famed for its oyster harvesting also offers wide, sandy beaches, calm waters, and world-class seafood in abundance.

Dune du Pilat: The tallest sand dune in Europe, boasting panoramic 360-degree views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Bassin d’Arcachon.

Overview of the Best Places to Visit in Bordeaux

City/Town/Region	Best known for	Things to do
Bordeaux City	Wine culture, well-preserved 18th-century architecture and vibrant culinary scene	Visit La Cité du Vin, wander the UNESCO-designated Old Town and stroll the riverfront to see the Miroir d'eau
Saint-Émilion	Exceptional vineyards and the 12th-century Monolithic Church	Visit Cordeliers Cloister (the 14th-century Franciscan monastery), climb the King's Keep for vineyard views, organise wine tastings at notable estates
Arcachon Bay & Dune du Pilat	Local oysters and Europe's tallest sand dune	Climb the Dune du Pilat, relax on the beaches and eat fresh seafood
Blaye	The 17th-century Citadel, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site	Wander the Citadel ramparts, take the ferry to Fort Médoc and visit local food markets
Médoc	World-renowned red wines and prestigious appellations, including Margaux and Pauillac	Drive the Route des Châteaux, past legendary estates including Château Margaux and Château Mouton Rothschild
Cap Ferret	Oyster-tasting huts and views across the bay to Arcachon	Climb Cap Ferret Lighthouse, taste fresh oysters and pedal through pine forests
Pessac-Léognan	Both red and white wines, and prestigious vineyards	Tour historic vineyards, such as Château Haut-Brion, cycle the scenic Peugue path and discover UNESCO-listed modernist architecture

Discover Why Bordeaux Still Belongs at the Heart of Wine Travel

With its mix of grand estates, historic villages, cultural landmarks and coastal escapes, Bordeaux offers one of the most complete wine travel experiences in the world. It’s a region that continues to evolve while remaining deeply rooted in tradition.

With so many things to do, it’s no surprise that Bordeaux was where our journey began over twenty years ago, and why it remains a destination we return to time and again.

Plan Your Bespoke Bordeaux Escape

From private cellar visits and vineyard-view stays to food-led experiences and unhurried moments among the vines, we’ll design a Bordeaux itinerary tailored entirely to you. Get in touch to start planning your personalised escape.

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FAQs about things to do in Bordeaux

What not to miss in Bordeaux?

With so much to do in the region, it’s a good idea to think about the type of trip you’d like to experience when figuring out what not to miss in Bordeaux. For example, wine lovers shouldn’t miss a visit to La Cité du Vin, along with wine tastings and vineyard tours on either the Left Bank or Right Bank (or both). For history and architecture, head to the Place de la Bourse in the city centre and Tour Pey Berland for views of Bordeaux. Plenty of wine history can be found at the historic estates in the Médoc, Saint-Émilion and Pessac-Léognan. For seafood, beaches and a coastal escape, Arcachon, La Dune du Pilat and Cap Ferret are must-visits in Bordeaux.

Our Travel Designers can design the perfect itinerary, tailored to your interests, featuring all of the must-see things in Bordeaux.

What is the prettiest town in Bordeaux?

The ‘prettiest’ town in Bordeaux depends a lot on exactly what you’re looking for during your visit. Saint-Émilion is widely considered to be one of the prettiest towns in the Bordeaux region. Located just 45 minutes from the city, it’s renowned for its world-class vineyards, cobblestone streets and 11th-century Monolithic Church. Some other jewels in Bordeaux’s crown include:

Cadillac-sur-Garonne, for Renaissance architecture
Bourg, for incredible views where the Dordogne and Garonne rivers meet
Arcachon for coastal charm and beautiful beaches
L’Herbe, on the Cap Ferret peninsula

When is the best time to visit Bordeaux?

The best time to visit Bordeaux can vary depending on your itinerary, however generally we would recommend visiting in the spring (May to June) and early autumn (September to October), especially for wine-focused trips.

Spring: vineyards will be at their most lush and verdant, and the weather will be pleasant.
Autumn: this is harvest season, so the wineries will be bustling with activity.

We also suggest avoiding the first week of April as this is when Primeurs Week takes place. This busy industry event can limit access to some estates and wineries.

How long should you spend in Bordeaux?

How long to spend in Bordeaux depends on how many places you’d like to visit and which activities you’re planning to do. If the city is your main focus, three to four days is plenty to see the highlights and take a day trip to one of the prominent wine regions, such as the Médoc or Saint-Émilion. For wine enthusiasts who wish to visit both the Left and Right Banks, we recommend staying for a week. This allows you to visit multiple sub-regions and even spend some time along the Atlantic Coast.

Our Travel Designers are experts at designing tailor-made itineraries and they can advise how long to spend in Bordeaux based on your interests.

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