3 Days in Bordeaux

Traveling alone in France? Just say oui! As a female solo traveler, I always look for cities with an amicable atmosphere. In this big world, the choice seems limitless, which leads to confusion. When you travel alone, you wish to make the most of your journey. If you only have 3 days in Bordeaux, make the most out of them with this itinerary.

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3 Days In Bordeaux

Bordeaux is located in Southwestern France. A port city that sits on the Garonne river in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Bordeaux is known for being the wine capital of France.

The distance from Paris to Bordeaux is only 310 miles. The average train will get you there in 2 hours and 30 minutes.

If you love wine tasting, the best time of year to visit Bordeaux is between May and November. From late August through early October, you can attend a grape harvest. Visiting from spring through fall is also the best time to explore the vineyards.

If you have only 3 days in Bordeaux, plan them wisely. There is so much to see and do in this incredible city, you don’t want to miss a thing!

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Get the Bordeaux-Inspired Look

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How Many Days Do You Need in Bordeaux?

The number of days you need in Bordeaux really depends on the type of traveler you are. Bordeaux is a place I could spend weeks exploring and experiencing. But in general, 3 nights would suffice in most cases.

If you are active, 3 days will be plenty to see the main attractions in Bordeaux. This is primarily possible because Bordeaux is a smaller city. And having experienced both the vivid big top destination life and the enchanting small cities around Europe, I prefer the latter.

When saying ‘small’ cities in France, do not envision isolated villages that may depress an energetic female solo traveler. Think medium-sized, great transport links, and not too touristy.  Seeing all of Bordeaux in just 3 days is a bit ambitious, but you can get a good overview in that amount of time. 

Learn how to Make A Downloadable Map: Here

Is Bordeaux Worth Visiting?

100% YES, Bordeaux is worth visiting! Spending 3 days in Bordeaux, France, is a superb idea if you’re searching for a lovely city with pleasant people and world heritage sites. And if you are visiting Paris, taking the train down to Bordeaux is easy!

There is a certain charm found in Bordeaux that makes it such a visit-worthy city. You will escape so much of the congestion you find in bigger cities like Paris. Walking the streets, I felt a sense of ease, and peace, unlike other places I have visited.

Bordeaux is also more affordable than Paris, with a friendlier atmosphere. The city is very clean and less crowded than I was expecting.

Read More: Solo Travel Ideas for Paris

Bordeaux a Walkable City?

Bordeaux is very walkable since it is a small city you can easily get around without ever needing public transit. I would rank it among one of the most walkable cities I have visited.

There are a lot of pedestrian-only squares in Bordeaux, which I love. The city has a well-connected public transportation system, subways, buses, and trams. Renting a car wasn’t even a thought in my mind when visiting Bordeaux for 3 days.

Bring your comfortable shoes, as the cobblestones can be hard on your feet! Also, be sure to check out the Bordeaux City Pass! It will come in handy, I promise!

Where Should You Stay in Bordeaux?

The perfect hotel for 3 days in Bordeaux is Hotel de Tourney. This boutique hotel is located in the city center of Bordeaux. It is within walking distance of Monument aux Girondins. My room was modern, sparkling clean, and offered free wifi. When returning to Bordeaux, I will make sure to stay at this hotel.

For other top hotels in the area, check out these:

• Chateau Trompette
• Le Boutique Hotel
• Hotel Le Palais Gallien

Day 1 In Bordeaux

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Transit From The Airport

When arriving in Bordeaux by plane, you have a couple of options to get to the city center. The obvious first choice is a taxi. It could cost you about 43 euros. Alternatively, you can take the bus to the train. Taking public transit will double the time to arrive in the city center of Bordeaux, but it’s a fraction of the cost of a taxi.

The transit time on public transit is about an hour, vs. the taxi transit time of 30 minutes. The shuttle bus to take is the Navette Shuttle 30 Direct, and it will take you to Gare de Bordeaux St. Jean. The cost for a one-way adult ticket is 8 euros. The schedule is here: Schedule.

The Bordeaux City Pass is a great option for 3 days in Bordeaux. This pass includes transit within Bordeaux city for buses and trams. Also, enjoy free entry to museums, and discount tickets to excursions around Bordeaux.

I always recommend utilizing a city pass or bus tour on the first day of any trip. Getting a broad overview of the city highlights is the best way to see everything you want to see.

City Pass for 48 -72 hours cost 39 euros. It includes :

• Unlimited access to tram, bus, river shuttle
• 20 museums and monuments
• 1 guided tour
• Many discounts on cruises, wine tours, and more
• Great for day trips from Bordeaux

Top Sites Visiting Bordeaux Day 1

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Visiting Bordeaux Day 1 Restaurants

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Day 2 In Bordeaux

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The candy tasting & Walking Tour

I can’t think of a better way to experience Bordeaux than taking a candy-tasting and walking tour.

If this is your first time traveling as a solo woman, I highly suggest taking the city tour. Not only is it a fantastic way to dive into Bordeaux, but you could also make new friends or merely socialize! If you do decide to skip the walking tour, be sure to visit the Place de la Bourse and the Miroir d’eau on your own.

After 20 years of construction, this 18th-century palace is a crowned jewel of Bordeaux. It was built outside the medieval city walls, evidencing the growth of Bordeaux.

Some other Bordeaux highlights are :

• Quais de Bordeaux Walk
• The walk is along the Garonne river and has lovely views of Bordeaux.   

• The Grosse Cloche The passage through is open to the public. You will need a guide to show you the dungeons that were used to keep young people who did not respect curfew or public order.

• Tour Pey-Berland This 66-meter bell tower was constructed back in the 15th century. You must climb 233 steps in a narrow spiral staircase to reach the terrace at the top of the tower.

The Jardin Public It is located in the heart of Bordeaux and serves as a place of relaxation. It is surrounded by beautiful trees and flowers that span the entire length of this historic garden.

Visiting Bordeaux Day 2

The Best Restaurants in Bordeaux

• La Belle Epoque I had a wonderful lunch at this friendly bistro close to the river in Bordeaux. It is a French cuisine-inspired menu with very reasonable prices.
• Nofa is a creative restaurant serving French and Italian fusion. This place is tiny, so pre-book. The staff is friendly and seems happy to have you as their guest.
• Berthus is classic French cuisine served in a cozy environment. The service was fantastic, and the prices were perfectly reasonable. You will need a reservation, which can be made online.

Bordeaux is famous for its wines. So here’s a wine shop I recommend;

• L’indendant If you’re a wine lover, you should consider visiting this historic store as they sell various wines.

Day 3 in Bordeaux

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Day Trips From Bordeaux to Saint Émilion

I can’t think of any other activity more female-friendly than wine tasting! Even if you have just 3 days in Bordeaux, there is time for wine tasting! Visiting Bordeaux without tasting a glass of wine is like visiting Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower. If this interests you, then this is a perfect day trip from Bordeaux.

Luckily, Bordeaux, France, is one of the top locations in Europe for wine tasting. Bordeaux wine has a great aging potential and excellent taste, which makes it a delight for wine lovers. The history of wine in Bordeaux dates back to around 43 AD when the Romans cultivated wine for soldiers by establishing vineyards in the city.  A day tour is a great way to see more of the surrounding areas without having to do any of the planning. I chose this tour company for my day tour to Saint Émilion, and I couldn’t be happier!

This tour lasts 5.5 hours and hits all the highlights of St. Émilion. The van ride is about 40 minutes to the winery, where the tour would start. The drill is as follows – first comes wine theory, such as harvesting and production, and then comes the practical bit, which is… drum roll please… wine tasting.

Following the tasting, you are taken to the town of St Emilion. I can highly recommend visiting this charming village! As a single female, you will feel incredibly safe and homey walking these cobblestone streets alone. 

After about a 45-minute walk around the town, you meet with the group and head back to Bordeaux.

I hope you enjoyed your 3 days in Bordeaux! I would love to hear about it in the comments below!

FAQs For Bordeaux

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