Discover top things to do in Bordeaux, from vineyard tours to historic city walks, in this easy weekend guide.
A Relaxed Weekend of Wine, Food and Culture in Bordeaux
Bordeaux had been on our list for years – elegant streets, riverside cafés, and of course, world-class wine. We wanted a relaxed weekend to learn more about wine without spending a fortune, so we created our own DIY Bordeaux itinerary filled with wine, food, and easy sightseeing.
If you’re looking for things to do in Bordeaux that combine wine tasting, history, and a touch of luxury, this guide is for you.
Contents
- A Relaxed Weekend of Wine, Food and Culture in Bordeaux
- About Bordeaux – The City of Wine
- How We Planned Our DIY Bordeaux Trip
- Find a Bordeaux Boutique Hotel
- Bordeaux Wine Tasting Courses
- Our Bordeaux Itinerary
- Our 3-Day Bordeaux Itinerary in Detail
- Day 1 – Exploring the City & Wine Bars
- Day 2 – Wine Tasting & Saint-Émilion Tour
- Day 3 – Markets, Riverside & Farewell Drinks
- Would We Recommend a Wine Tasting Weekend in Bordeaux?
- Book Your Bordeaux Trip
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| Our Top Recommendations for Bordeaux 🍷 🏩 Hotel: Search for a boutique hotel – stay in a stunning boutique hotel with an intimate feel, stylish rooms, and a cosy wine cellar. 🍽️ Dinner: Arcada Restaurant – Michelin-starred dining with exceptional service and creative dishes. 🚶 Free Walking Tour: GuruWalk Bordeaux – the best way to explore the city’s history and hidden gems. 🍇 All-Day Wine Tour: Viator Bordeaux Wine Experience – includes a morning wine-tasting lesson, lunch, and an afternoon visiting the vineyards of Saint-Émilion. |
About Bordeaux – The City of Wine
Before visiting, we didn’t know much about Bordeaux beyond its famous wine. The city is often called “a mini Paris” for its grand architecture, elegant squares, and tree-lined boulevards.
Located in southwest France, Bordeaux sits on the River Garonne and is the world’s wine capital. Much of its tourism revolves around food, culture and, of course, wine. It’s also one of the prettiest and most walkable cities in France – perfect for a weekend escape.
How We Planned Our DIY Bordeaux Trip
We booked a cheap weekend flight with EasyJet through Skyscanner and stayed at a beautiful boutique hotel.
To make the most of our short break, we planned a few key activities:
- A free walking tour in Bordeaux with GuruWalk on our first day
- Dinner at the Michelin-starred Arcada restaurant
- A full-day wine tasting Bordeaux experience, including a morning wine class and an afternoon tour of the Saint-Émilion vineyards
We found our wine experience through Viator, which offered great value for money and included lunch and several tastings.
✨ Tip: You can find the exact tours and hotel links in my downloadable itinerary for subscribers.
Find a Bordeaux Boutique Hotel
Bordeaux is full of charming boutique hotels that capture the city’s effortless elegance and wine-soaked romance. Many are tucked away in restored 18th-century townhouses, blending original stone façades and wrought-iron balconies with chic modern interiors.
Staying in one of Bordeaux’s boutique hotels means waking up to the scent of fresh pastries from nearby boulangeries, strolling to the Garonne River or the buzzing Saint-Pierre district, and unwinding in stylish rooms designed with local flair. Whether you prefer a wine-themed retreat, a design-forward hideaway, or a cosy stay in the historic centre, Bordeaux’s boutique hotels offer a perfect balance of character, comfort, and a true sense of place.
We stayed in this beautiful hotel, which is not available currently.
👉 Search for a Bordeaux Boutique Hotel
Bordeaux Wine Tasting Courses
There are lots of wine tasting courses and tours available but none of them are particularly cheap. We searched and searched but found they were all fairly expensive and of course it’s probably not a good idea to drive yourself on such a tour!
There are lots of wine tour variations that include cycling and even riding in a vintage car. We opted for one on Viator that seemed to give us the most value for money. It included wine tastings, food pairings and lunch, as well as a wine tasting lesson and a tour of vineyards.
👉 Book the Bordeaux wine tasting and vineyard tour here.
Our Bordeaux Itinerary
Day 1: Morning free walking tour with GuruWalk → Afternoon at Le Bar à Vin → Dinner at Arcada.
Day 2: Morning wine-tasting class → Lunch in the park → Afternoon tour of Saint-Émilion vineyards.
Day 3: Morning stroll and shopping → Lunch in town → Depart.
Our 3-Day Bordeaux Itinerary in Detail
Day 1 – Exploring the City & Wine Bars
We started our trip with a free walking tour of Bordeaux booked through GuruWalk. It was a fantastic way to get to know the city and its history, and our guide gave us plenty of local recommendations for where to eat and drink.
In the afternoon, we headed to Le Bar à Vin, a Bordeaux institution opposite the Tourist Office. Here you can sample fine wines by the glass at very reasonable prices, paired with platters of local cheeses, meats and chocolates.
The elegant building, lined with wine bottles and stained-glass windows, makes it a memorable stop for any wine tasting Bordeaux itinerary. It’s popular, so it’s worth booking ahead.
That evening, we enjoyed dinner at Arcada, a Michelin-starred restaurant with a relaxed, intimate feel. The service and food were outstanding – our beetroot starter, cooked five creative ways, was unforgettable. After dinner, we were invited into a converted wine cellar for cigars – a unique, memorable end to our first day.
Day 2 – Wine Tasting & Saint-Émilion Tour
Our second day began with a wine tasting lesson in a Bordeaux townhouse. It was just us and one other couple, and we loved learning about the different wine regions and grape varieties of Bordeaux. It’s a great way to gain context before you head out to the vineyards.
We tasted several wines with food pairings and learned how to properly swirl, sniff, and taste – it was a real education (even if it felt odd to be drinking wine at 10am!).
After a light lunch in the park, our guide drove us to the Saint-Émilion region for an afternoon among the vineyards. We visited three châteaux, each offering tastings and a glimpse into the winemaking process. The medieval village of Saint-Émilion itself is stunning – all cobbled lanes and golden stone.
This full-day experience was the highlight of our Bordeaux travel itinerary, and we’d do it again in a heartbeat.
👉Book the Saint-Émilion wine tour
Day 3 – Markets, Riverside & Farewell Drinks
Our final day was slow and relaxed. We visited the Marché des Capucins, Bordeaux’s bustling food market, then wandered through the city centre shops before enjoying lunch.
In the evening, we sipped cocktails along the riverside as the sun set – a perfect way to end our weekend. Bordeaux really does have a little bit of everything: atmosphere, elegance, and endless wine.
Would We Recommend a Wine Tasting Weekend in Bordeaux?
Absolutely! Bordeaux is a gorgeous city with beautiful architecture, fascinating history, and incredible gastronomy. Whether you’re into food, culture, or wine, there are endless things to do in Bordeaux for a weekend break.
If you love wine, don’t miss a wine tasting Bordeaux experience – and if you’re new to the city, a free walking tour in Bordeaux is the best way to start.
We’d recommend visiting in spring or early autumn for pleasant weather and fewer crowds. Santé!
Book Your Bordeaux Trip
If you’re planning your own Bordeaux itinerary, here are some links to help:
- ✈️ Flights: Search the best Bordeaux flight deals on Skyscanner
- 🏨 Hotel: Book a boutique hotel ➜
- 🍷 Tour: Book your Bordeaux wine tasting and Saint-Émilion day trip ➜
- 🚶 Walking Tour: Free walking tours Bordeaux with GuruWalk ➜
For subscribers: download my Book My Holiday Bordeaux Wine Tasting Break for a full, easy-to-follow itinerary with all links and recommendations.
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