Hello fellow travelers, my husband and I will be visiting Bordeaux after we disembark from our cruise in June 2026. We would like to extend the trip and stay in Bordeaux or surrounding area. We are thinking about staying 3 or 4 nights. Any suggestions on where to stay, hidden gems, areas to avoid, etc. would be appreciated. Thank you.
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
5113 posts
Bordeaux is definitely worth a couple of days. Are you on a river cruise ending in Bordeaux? I believe the boats dock close to the old town and you could easily walk to any number of hotels. Our favourite stop in Bordeaux was the Aquitaine Museum. If you're willing to rent a car, the Dordogne region is outstanding and you could easily spend a week. Another idea is a couple of nights in St Emilion which is a beautiful town amongst the vineyards.
Here's my trip report from last Fall if you're interested. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-part-2-hills-and-castles-dordogne
Posted by
Seattle, WA & Bordeaux, France
412 posts
Hi metrojetro! Bordeaux is definitely worth your time. As was mentioned, the boats dock right at the Quai so you have easy access to any number of hotels. With 4 nights you could easily see all that Bordeaux the city has to offer plus a day trip to St. Émilion (half or full day) and another day trip to Arcachon (a lovely seaside village.) Since we live there I don't have hotel recs but there are so many wonderful restaurants. Check out the Chartrons neighborhood as every restaurant (so far) I've eaten at there has been fantastic. Also check out the Marché des Capucins and if you are in Bordeaux on a Sunday there is a great farmers market on the Quai. Happy to answer any additional questions you may have!
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
242 posts
I was in Bordeaux in September 2024. One thing we did that was interesting was see the art exhibit (projected on the walls to music) at the old German U-Boat pens. Kind of a trippy blend of different things; I kept wondering what those Germans would have thought if they knew the use to which those pens would ultimately be put.
On the way out of town we took the Chateau d'Yquem winery tour--the only winery we visited in our 1 month long trip. Its a very high end winery specializing in making wine from grapes infected with the "noble rot," which makes the wine quite sweet. The grounds were kept up beautifully; the winery itself was interesting to tour; and we got to sample a glass of the wine (which retails for upwards of $1000 a bottle). If you go in the morning, make reservations ahead of time to eat in the restaurant in Sauternes (a very small town) for lunch. Its located about an hour south of Bordeaux by car.