3 Days in Bordeaux

Traveling alone in France? Just say oui! As a female solo traveler, I am always on the lookout 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.

This post will answer your questions of:

• How many days do you need in Bordeaux?
• Is Bordeaux worth visiting?
• Would Bordeaux be considered a walkable city?
• Where to stay in Bordeaux?
• What are the best 3 days in Bordeaux Itinerary?

How Many Days Do You Need in Bordeaux?

The most popular question I get asked as a traveler is how many days I need in a specific destination. A question that isn’t always that easy to answer, but the answer is 3 days in most cases. As for Bordeaux, I would say you need 3 days to visit.

The number of days you need in Bordeaux is always in direct relation to your travel style. If you are an active person, 3 days is plenty. Mainly because Bordeaux is a smaller city. 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. 

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Is Bordeaux Worth Visiting?

I answer this question with a resounding, YES. Bordeaux, France is worth visiting. Spending 3 days in Bordeaux is a superb idea if you’re in search of a lovely city with pleasant people and heritage sites. Personally, I would rank Bordeaux worthy of a visit over Paris. It isn’t that I didn’t like Paris but, I just like Bordeaux a whole more. The reasons why Bordeaux is worth visiting are:

• More affordable than Paris
• Friendlier people
• Smaller city and much less crowded
• Cleaner overall

Bordeaux a Walkable City?

Bordeaux is very walkable since it is a small city you can easily get around without ever needing public transit. Bring your comfortable shoes, as the cobblestones can be hard on your feet!

Where Should You Stay for 3 Nights 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 ones:

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

3 Days In Bordeaux Intinerary

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Day 1 in Bordeaux | 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 when spending 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 When Visiting Bordeaux Day 1

Visiting Bordeaux Day 1 Restaurants

Day 2 In Bordeaux | The Food and Wine Walking Tour

I can’t think of any better way to experience Bordeaux than taking a Food and Wine Walking Tour. You can visit the City’s wine museum and view famous wine collections as you explore the wine region which is known as la cité du vin meaning the “wine city”.

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-metre tower was constructed back in the 15th century. You have to climb 233 steps in a narrow spiral staircase to reach the terrace located 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 spans the entire length of this historic garden

Visiting Bordeaux Day 2 Restaurants

• 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 varieties of wines.

Day 3 in Bordeaux | Day Trips From Bordeaux

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 having a taste of a glass of wine is just like visiting Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower. If this interests you, then this is a perfect day trip from Bordeaux.

Luckily, Bordeaux 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 great way to see more of the surrounding areas without having to do any of the planning is a day tour. I chose this tour company for my day tour to Saint Emilion and I couldn’t be happier!

This tour has a duration of 5.5 hours and hits all the highlights of St. Emilion. 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 that is drum roll 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 on your own, you meet back 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!

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