Before the corona pandemic, a good nine million tourists visited Brighton every year.
Londoners in particular like to spend their weekends in the seaside resort, which is only 50 minutes by train from Great Britain’s capital. But tourists from Germany and other European countries are also drawn to the city, which belongs to the English county of East Sussex.
The seaside resort also owes its colorful nightlife to them and the many students and creative people: as soon as it gets dusk, groups of revelers move through the narrow streets above the beach and along the promenade. The gay scene meets around St. James Street in the Kemptown district. In addition, Brighton offers a variety of sights and attractions for tourists.
Royal Pavilion
Celebrations have a centuries-old tradition in Brighton. Prince George IV, who ruled the island from 1820 to 1830, found the atmosphere at the London court too stiff. He retired to Brighton as often as he could to celebrate extravagant parties with his mistresses. In 1822 his “Royal Pavilion” was completed, a castle with onion domes that is more reminiscent of the Taj Mahal than Buckingham Palace and is now one of the city’s sights.
The interior could come from a Chinese restaurant – golden dragons under the ceiling and silk wallpaper give an insight into the extravagance of the party prince.
Brighton Dome
Just as large as the palace is neighboring Brighton Dome, which used to be the stables of George’s beloved horses. During World War I it became a hospital for wounded soldiers from India. Today, concerts and theater performances take place there.
west pier
The charred skeleton of the West Pier lies in the sea off the seaside resort of Brighton like a memorial to transience. It is a listed building and must therefore not be demolished. But every time a storm surge comes, another part crashes into the water.
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Brighton Pier
The morbid charm of this building is in stark contrast to Brighton Pier, a few meters to the north, which is more than 120 years old. There is a whole amusement park in the water. Those who are courageous can get an adrenaline rush on a ride on the Turbo Coaster. Those who prefer to sit behind the steering wheel can do a few laps in the bumper car. In between, you can nibble on cotton candy, colorful sweets or fish and chips at the stalls.
City tour with the “Greeter”
A very special way to get to know Brighton is to take a tour with a greeter. Locals guide tourists around “their” city for about two hours for free. Interested parties can register for the tours at www.visitbrighton.com.
Holidays with children in Brighton
Brighton is definitely a better choice for a family holiday than London. Parents and children can while away a rainy day at Sea Life Center Brighton, one of the oldest aquariums in the world, or ride Britain’s oldest electric train. The Volk’s Electric Railway was invented by the German-born Magnus Volk and opened in 1883. Voted one of Britain’s best beaches in the past, the shingle beach is swimmable on a nice day. And if you still want to see the British capital, simply hop on the train for a day trip.
Shopping in the North Lane district
The Royal Pavilion is not far from North Laine. There is no room for megastores in the shops of the small streets. This makes shopping in Brighton a real treat, from shops selling everything you need to decorate cupcakes to shops selling vintage crockery and country-style clothing. If you still need a detour to the gaps or top shops in the world, you will find them on the comparatively faceless Western Road.
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