Brighton in East Sussex, UK has been voted one of the best city with beach destinations in the world. And Brighton is a cool enough city to satisfy teenage visitors too. Whatever the weather, there’s plenty of things to do in Brighton with teens whether you’re planning a day trip or a weekend stay.
- Trad British seaside fun with a fashionable twist
- Iconic seaside piers and promenade
- Long stretch of pebble beach
- Quaint, cool independent shopping streets
- Excellent cafes, bars and restaurants
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Brighton, Sussex is one of the nearest cities to London. And it’s one of the most famous beach resorts in the United Kingdom. Thanks to its beachside location and vibrant, colourful town centre there are plenty of things to do in Brighton with teenagers. From end of the pier fun to swimming in the sea, cycling, shopping or exploring the flamboyant Royal Pavilion, you can easily fill a weekend. And as a plus most of Brighton’s fun activities are within walking distance of each other.
Tara, Mark, their daughter Maddie 14 and her friend Eliza spent an April weekend in Brighton, East Sussex. These are Tara’s top things to do on a family visit with teens.
Top things to do in Brighton with teens
Tara says: Mark and I spent a night in Brighton last summer, staying at the Artist Residence, after dropping Maddie off for a flight at Heathrow. When we walked round the town in the evening we knew Maddie would love it and that we’d like to go back with her. So we planned a weekend break in April. This time we booked the apartment at Artist Residence rather than a room in the main hotel. The weather was ok too: dry, breezy with a bit of sunshine and blue sky.
Explore the vintage shops in Brighton
With its array of vintage stores and independent shops, shopping is one of the top fun things to do in Brighton for teens!
Tara says: We spent a lot of the first day (20,000 steps in fact!) schlepping round vintage shops while the girls tried on numerous pairs of 501s and hilarious sweatshirts. They’d done their research online and knew exactly where they wanted to go. We started with Beyond Retro, which they loved and then the people there recommended other shops to them.
Mark and I left them to it in the changing rooms and went off to explore the vintage furniture shops and have coffee until the girls called us when they were done.
They had a very successful shopping session: Levi 501s ( should have kept mine!), American college jackets and university sweatshirts were their favourite purchases from Beyond Retro, 23 Gloucester Road and To Be Worn Again, 24 Sydney Street or 12 Kensington Gardens.
We didn’t bother to venture into the high street as we can find all those shops at home in Cambridge. Instead we wandered through the North Laine area and The Lanes. It’s quite cosmopolitan with street art and shops that spill into the streets, including the most beautiful jasmine-scented florists I’ve ever seen. And ice cream – there are lots and lots of gelato shops. The girls recognised Posh Totty Designs which has pretty handmade jewellery at 31 Sydney Street.
There are interesting shops along the prom too, including a store that sells neon signs. On the site of the old West Pier lots of independent and arty shops and studios are set into refurbished Victorian archways.
Visit Brighton Palace Pier
Brighton’s Palace Pier offers traditional seaside fun with slot machines and fairground rides, fish and chips and Brighton rock. But this 525m long Victorian pier has 21st century attractions too like thrill-seekers’ rides and video and arcade games. There’s plenty here to appeal to teens in Brighton.
Tara says: In the evening we walked along the seafront and Maddie took some lovely photos of the sunset. The skeleton of the old West Pier is striking and there’s a feature of its original iron supports on the promenade beside the British Airways i360 which stands on the site of the pier.
We went onto the Palace Pier and lost too many pennies in the slot machines. As well as amusement arcades the pier offers fish and chips and funfair rides including waltzers, dodgems, and a traditional helter skelter and carousel.
Swim in the sea
It’s one of the best free things to do in Brighton – if the weather’s on your side! A sunny day on the famous pebbly beach is the perfect place to experience Brighton’s iconic mix of piers, deckchairs and Channel views. Lifeguards are on duty on the beaches from late May. Be aware of the safety flags if you’re planning to take a dip. Sadly in 2023 Brighton central beach lost its Blue Flag status and the water quality was downgraded from excellent to good.
Tara says: We got up early the next morning and went down to the beach. It was very quiet – just the two girls in the sea and a man with a dog asking us if they were crazy! After a quick dip we went to The Breakfast Club for breakfast.
Go for a bike ride in Brighton
Tara says: This was the girls’ idea. They chose it in preference to the i360 so we hired bikes and had a really lovely morning. We followed the cycle path around the Marina and along the undercliff towards the village of Rottingdean.
The bikes we rented were lovely, an upright Dutch style in gorgeous colours and very easy to pedal. The cycle path is more or less on the level all the way. We stopped at a really good ice-cream shop, next to a tiny antique shop in Rottingdean, before we turned back. The wind had been against us so what took us 45 minutes on the way out took 10 minutes getting back! We hired four cruisers plus a map. For bike hire Brighton Beach Bikes, Kings Road Arches, 250E Kings Road. A guided bike trail would have been fun too.
There are so many things to do in Brighton we could have easily filled another day. We could have visited the Sea Life aquarium, the Regency Pavilion, or sampled many more gelato and ice cream shops! We could have spent much longer at the fair at the end of Palace Pier, or ventured along the coast to see the brightly coloured beach huts at Hove. But the girls were having a good time and anyway, it would be impossible to do everything that Brighton has to offer in just one visit.
More fun things to do in Brighton with teens
It’s a good idea to book ahead some of the most popular attractions in Brighton. Especially during high season. Here are more fun things to do in Brighton with teenagers.
Fun activities in Brighton
Zipwire above the beach The Brighton Zip is a 300 metre zip wire ride, with two zip lines, that runs 17 m high along Brighton beach. It’s the longest zip line on the south coast. Tara says they wanted to do this but sadly it was too windy and was closed.
Get sky high views of Brighton British Airways i360. Visitors can take a ‘flight’ on this moving viewing tower built on the shoreline footprint of the old West Pier. The doughnut-shaped glass viewing pod carries its passengers slowly upwards to a height of 162 m (it’s slightly taller than the London Eye). From here expect sweeping views of sea, sky and South Downs.
Tara says: The narrow steel observation tower has been a controversial addition to the seafront but I think it’s rather beautiful. Sunset would be a good time to go.
Abseil from the i360 observation tower Thrill-seekers, as long as they’re over 14 years old, might like to test their nerve with the British Airways i360 iDrop. It’s a 450 ft abseil through the wide open space from the i360 platform to the seafront below. Only available on selected days this is an adrenaline rush to book in advance. Click here for more info.
Walk on the i360 More fun on the viewing platform: Walk 360 involves an open-air walk on the top of the pod, 138 m above the beach. Available at selected times only and for ages 10+, more info: 360 Tower Walking Experience.
Take a guided bike tour This Grand Brighton Bike Tour sounds a fun way to see the gorgeous historical sights of the city as well as the coastal path. There’s plenty of time to stop for photo opps – and no hills! Click for more info on Brighton bike tours.
Sightseeing in Brighton with teens
Brighton marina The largest marina in the UK, this harbour is not just about boats. In fact there’s plenty of rainy day fun with cinemas, bowling alley and glow-in-the-dark crazy golf. But in the summer there are water sports available and you can learn to sail, jet ski, paddle board or kayak here.
Street Art Brighton’s street art is famous internationally. Stroll along North Laine and student’y London Road for an ever-changing gallery.
The Brighton Upside Down House. A can’t-miss-it turquoise beach house inverted on the sea front near the i360. Expect some surprising selfies!
Escape rooms Another good option for a rainy day, Brighton’s escape rooms include the Escape the Vault and Rob a Bank escape room. Break into an original old Brighton bank vault, then make your escape! It takes just 40 mins so can be fitted into a day of sightseeing. This gets great reviews for the whole family with older children.
Duke of York’s Picturehouse Said to be one of the oldest cinemas in the world. In tune with Brighton’s alternative vibe, its Edwardian facade is enlivened by a 20 ft pair of can-can dancer’s legs. They were installed on the roof in 1995.
Cultural sights in Brighton
Visit an exotic palace The glamorous pile that is the Royal Pavilion in the centre of Brighton is a treat inside and out. This Regency pleasure palace with Indian and Chinese influences was built by King George IV for holidays by the sea. Its domes and minarets are an unexpected surprise and the OTT dining room and music room are full of dragons! You can picnic in the gardens in summer. Book admission tickets to the Royal Pavillion here.
Brighton museum An eclectic local museum celebrating Brighton’s colourful history. A local Egyptologist inspired the collection of finds from ancient Egypt, a Performance gallery includes a Punch and Judy show, whilst fashion exhibits including Mods, Rockers and Teddy Boys from Brighton’s 1960s.
Places to eat in Brighton with teens
You’ll be spoilt for choice with cafes, coffee shops and restaurants to try in Brighton. These are Tara’s recommendations.
The Regency Restaurant – We all had fish and chips at this traditional seafront restaurant, but there is a huge menu with lots of specials. It has been there for decades and has a fantastic feel about it. The food was great and very reasonably priced and the service was exceptional. I loved the Regency as it reminded me of restaurants I used to visit with my parents. It appears that generations of one big Greek family work there. Photographs of staff and customers line the stairs with just about every famous person you could name over the last 30 years. 131 Kings Road
Coho Cafe – We ate lunch here. It’s a great café with avo on toast, salads, sarnies and lots of cake and brownie options. Good quality food, efficient service and always busy. There are two branches in Brighton: 53 Ship Street and 83a Queens Road .
The Breakfast Club, Brighton – After the girls’ early morning swim we came here for breakfast. It was a fantastic experience: huge menu, lots to instagram with décor including pink flamingoes and golden pineapples. All in all the girls loved it! Eliza had the Cabbies Breakfast while Maddie made up her own which was no problem for the staff even though it was a complicated order with avocados, hash browns and different eggs. Mark was beaten by the Full Monty! 16-17 Market Street
The Coal Shed Restaurant – We didn’t have time to go with the girls but Mark and I had fabulous steaks here in the summer. 8 Boyce’s Street
Where to stay in Brighton with teenagers
Artist Residence, Boutique hotel Brighton
This central hotel in Brighton is a good option for a family trip.
Tara says: Mark and I had stayed at the Artist Residence the previous summer in a sea-view double room. It’s a great place to stay in Brighton with interiors to die for and a view of the beach and the British Airways i360.
On this visit we took their Sea View apartment, run by the hotel but located in a Regency townhouse next door. It was ideal for a visit with teens as it has an open plan living room, galley kitchen and two bedrooms: a huge bed in our room and adult sized bunks in the second bedroom for the girls. There’s free wi fi, a big flatscreen tv and a lovely roll top bath in the bathroom.
The apartment is beautiful and decorated and furnished to the same standard as the hotel although the communal areas of the building are not since that’s a private residence. It’s worth noting that you need to take the stairs (there’s no lift) to the apartment on the third floor. This did feel rather a trek after hours of vintage shopping.
We drove from our home in Suffolk which takes around 2 hours so it’s an easy escape. There’s an underground NCP car park in a square opposite the hotel. It’s separate from the hotel but they recommended it and we pre-booked it to be sure of a parking space.
The apartment worked well for us with two teens and I liked the option of being able to eat in and make snacks and drinks. However the main hotel can also offer room combinations including adjacent and bunk bed rooms. Artist Residence, 34 Regency Square.
What to Read Next
Planning a day trip or weekend away from London? These are the best cities close to London that are pretty and historic and perfect getaways.
For more guides to successful city breaks with teens try:
Visiting Venice with teenagers
Things to do in Vienna with teenagers
Barcelona with teenagers: where to go, what to do
105 Things to do in London with teenagers
Please note that all visitor information here is for guidance only. Please check the relevant websites for the most up to date information eg. accommodation details, tickets, entrance requirements, opening times etc.
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Annabel says
I love the idea of biking along Brighton’s seafront. Thanks to the dodgy changes to the national rail timetable we can now get to Brighton quite easily from Hertfordshire so I might have to take the kids down there for a cycle. Lovely photos!
Scarlett Roitman says
I have many excuses to go to Brighton later this year, so this guide will be very handy. Like the idea of the Artist Residence as well. You need to write a book – Travelling the world with Teens!
Lydia says
Wow! I’ve never been to Brighton but the place seems charming! These are some exceptional suggestions to do and see when being there. I will definitely go through all those vintage shops!
Joanna young says
Choccywockydoodah is now no more. Shut down.
Map & Family says
Hi Joanna, what a shame! Thanks so much for letting me know. I’ve just updated the whole blog post for 2020 so I’ve removed Choccywocky and have added a couple more things to do in Brighton.