2 Days in Bordeaux Itinerary

What to Do in Bordeaux in 2 Days?

Bordeaux is one of the best places to visit in the southwest corner of France. A vibrant city boasting incredible architecture and monuments, a long history, and amazing cuisine, it is also among the world’s capital for wine-making.

With so many incredible things to do, deciding what to see in Bordeaux if you only have a weekend for your trip might be challenging.

We’ve put together the perfect itinerary for 2 days in Bordeaux to experience the best this city has to offer. With this Bordeaux itinerary 2 days, get ready to stroll around Bordeaux’s charming Old Town to admire UNESCO-listed monuments and buildings and eat delicious food before exploring fantastic wine regions.

Table of Contents:

• How Many Days in Bordeaux?
• How to Visit Bordeaux in 2 Days – A Detailed Bordeaux Itinerary
  • Bordeaux 2-Day Itinerary: Day One
  • Bordeaux 2-Day Itinerary: Day Two
• Spend 3 Days in Bordeaux (if you can…)

How Many Days in Bordeaux?

I recommend spending at least 2 days in Bordeaux, a reasonable amount of time to cover most of the best things to do in Bordeaux, and for a couple of leisure strolls. But if you spend 3 days in Bordeaux (or more), you can visit other great places to see in Bordeaux that it was not possible to fit in two days.

Bordeaux is also an excellent base camp for exploring other places around on day trips, with accommodation options to suit all budgets.

How to Spend 2 Days in Bordeaux – A Detailed Bordeaux 2-day Itinerary

What to do in Bordeaux in 2 days? For this Bordeaux 2-day itinerary, I recommend arriving on Friday night, so you have two full days to visit Bordeaux.

TIP: Make the most of your visit to Bordeaux with the Bordeaux CityPass. Enjoy free access to numerous museums and monuments and travel for free on the city’s public transportation system for 48 or 72 hrs.

Bordeaux 2 Days: Day One

OLD TOWN

Every vacation in Bordeaux needs to start from its gorgeous Old Town. It is a place steeped in history, packed with stunning classical and neoclassical buildings and more than 300 UNESCO-listed monuments.

Strolling through the Old Town streets, you will pass by the Cathédrale Saint-André on Place Pey Berland. Built in the 11th century, this medieval building is where King Louis VII and Eleanor of Aquitaine married. This Cathedral mixes Romanesque architectural elements, like the nave, with Gothic ones, like the choir, for an interesting sight. 

TIP: A proper visit to the Old Town is not complete without climbing the Tour Pey Perland, the Cathedral’s separate bell tower. This is the best spot to get great views of Bordeaux. You will only need to climb 231 steps and be ready to remain speechless! The entrance to the tower is included in the Bordeaux CityPass. Opening times: every day, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Next, head to the iconic Place de la Bourse, Bordeaux’s most recognizable landmark. This UNESCO-listed square, which has a Parisian feel, faces the Garonne River and is surrounded by neoclassical buildings. The square’s architecture is enhanced by the Miroir d’Eau, a reflective pool built by landscape designer Michel Corajou with an astonishing mirror effect (when there’s no wind 😉 ).

To discover more historical sites, check out Porte Cailhau, the main entry into the city from the port. This medieval gate used to be part of Bordeaux’s defensive walls, and it looks like it came out of a fairytale. Stepping inside, you can visit a small but interesting museum dedicated to Bordeaux’s history. Make your way to the top of the fourth floor to marvel at magnificent views of the oldest bridge in Bordeaux, the Pont de Pierre.

Another wonderful square in the Old Town is Place des Quinconces, dominated by two 21-meter victory columns, the colossal statues of philosophers Montaigne and Montesquieu, and the impressive Monument aux Girondins, a huge fountain full of symbolism. This majestic monument was erected in memory of the Girondists killed during the French Revolution.

If you are interested in learning more about the history of Bordeaux Old Town, I suggest booking a guided tour like this one for a richer experience. To cover even more ground, consider this fun bike tour to discover Bordeaux from a different perspective.

CHARTRONS NEIGHBORHOOD

Next, head to the picturesque Chartrons Neighborhood. With a charming mix of bourgeois and bohemian vibes, this 14th-century neighborhood was built around the Chartreux Abbey, and it is the place to experience Bordeaux’s wine production.

Your visit to Chartrons District should begin from Rue Notre-Dame, the heart of the neighborhood, where you will find wine merchants, restaurants, trendy boutiques, and antique shops.

On the district’s quay is the fantastic Marché des Quais. Opened every Sunday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., this covered market features 60 stalls selling everything from fresh vegetables to cheese, pastries, and oysters – a true delight of the area!

The Chartrons Neighborhood is packed with many other things to see. The Saint-Louis Church is located on Rue Notre Dame and boasts Gothic-revival architecture. It is particularly worth discovering for its captivating stained-glass windows.

Another great spot to visit is the Museum of Wine and Trade (41 Rue de Boerie, opens daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.). Its permanent exhibitions explain the Bordeaux wine trade system and wine-making process. The best part of this museum is that all visits are led by expert wine tasting, and you can also enjoy enology workshops.

For dinner, get the best tapas in town at Le Bistro des Anges (19 Rue de Rode), located in the Chartrons neighborhood. It has an outdoor seating area, perfect for enjoying meals during the good seasons. If you prefer something more chic, consider dining at 1925 (4 Place des Quinconces), a traditional brasserie where you can taste delicious dishes in an elegant setting.

Bordeaux 2 Days: Day Two

Bordeaux is stunning, but there is more to see outside the city. A great way to spend your second day of this 2 days in Bordeaux itinerary is by visiting two of the world’s most famous wine regions, Saint-Emilion and Médoc.

Saint-Emilion is known for producing rich red wines, with Merlot as the main grave variety. Besides being an excellent spot for wine tasting (here are some wineries open for visits), Saint-Emilion is a lovely medieval town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Médoc has unique soil and climate, and the red wines produced here have a surprising flavor profile, making wine tasting a must-do experience. The Châteaux du Médoc are world-famous and some of them are open to visits and wine tastings. The main grape variety in the Médoc wine region is Cabernet Sauvignon.

You can discover these two famous wine-growing regions with this full-day wine experience guided tour.

If you are not a wine enthusiast, you can take a food tour to learn all about the local food in Bordeaux, from pastry (like canelé) to local foods. Following an expert guide to Bordeaux’s historical backstreets, you will stop in six different eateries to sample different dishes and wines.

GARONNE RIVER

The best way to finish this Bordeaux 2-day itinerary is by relaxing along the Garonne River. Take a boat cruise to see the River’s beauty while indulging in the joys of a boat trip, or stroll along the river’s quayside to enjoy the local atmosphere. This boat tour is always top-rated and includes a glass of Bordeaux wine and a canelé.

For dinner, there is nothing better than enjoying a meal at La Brasserie Bordelaise (50 Rue Saint Rémi), an institution in Bordeaux. This restaurant in the heart of the Old Town offers specialties from the Southwest, and you need to reserve your table in advance if you want to dine here.

Spend 3 Days in Bordeaux (if you can…)

If you visit Bordeaux in 2 days, you will get a good overview of the city and visit one or two wine areas. If you can make your weekend in Bordeaux longer, then use your extra day to visit some interesting things you couldn’t fit in two days.

With one more day, you can add one or two more museums to your Bordeaux itinerary.

– Cité du Vin (134 Quai de Bacalan, opens daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.), which is an excellent introduction to wine in Bordeaux and worldwide.

– Musée d’Aquitaine (20 Cours Pasteur, opens from Tuesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.), about regional arts and history.

– Bassin des Lumières (Base Sous-Marine, Impasse Brown de Colstoun, opens daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.), a fantastic immersive art experience.

All these museums are free to access with the Bordeaux CityPass. You can also check Tiquet’s bundles for Bordeaux that make save

During your 3 days in Bordeaux, you can also consider one of the best day trips from Bordeaux. My favorite is the seaside town of Arcachon, famous for its picturesque architecture and delicious oysters, but all the suggestions on the list are great!

And there you have it, what to see in Bordeaux in 2 days with some extra options to adapt this Bordeaux itinerary to your preferences. Bon voyage!

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