**Old City** The cobbled alleyways of the city centre aren’t just packed full of historic character — they also hide a treasure trove of taverns and speakeasies beneath their ancient towers and timber-frame buildings. King Street, in particular, is known as the ‘Beermuda Triangle’. Across the shopping quarter, the gay-friendly Old Market is another bohemian neighbourhood close to the centre.

Harbourside

Booze cruise, ahoy. Bristol’s old docks date back 1000 years, housing big-ticket attractions like the SS Great Britain and M Shed on Spike Island, as well as waterfront watering holes where you can sample local craft beer and cider with the city’s colourful Georgian terraces as your backdrop.

Southville

The other side of the River Avon is where you’ll find the city’s biggest stadium Ashton Gate, home of Bristol City, the Bristol Bears and Bristol’s biggest summer gigs. Southville also hosts Upfest — Europe’s biggest street art festival, which leaves behind a dazzling alfresco gallery each year — and the Bristol Beer Factory, one of North Street’s many lively venues.

Stokes Croft

Hipster central, where Banksy’s Mild Mild West mural — the teddy bear chucking a molotov cocktail — looms above Bristol’s best live music pubs, cafes and Jamaican eats. Gloucester Road is the largest independent shopping street in Europe, en route to the Gloucestershire County Cricket Club and Bristol Rovers’ Memorial Stadium in the city’s north.

Clifton

Perched on the hills overlooking the docks, the poshest part of Bristol is home to Brunel’s towering suspension bridge, quaint Georgian streets lined with boutiques and arcades, and most importantly, Coronation Tap — the pub that pours the deadliest cider in the west.