Begin your travel day with a relaxed start at Franjo Tuđman Airport - check in early, grab a coffee and a light breakfast at Coffee Shop TIA before your flight. If time allows, stroll the nearby observation terrace to watch departures, then board and settle in for the journey, using the flight time to review train connections from Gatwick Airport to Brighton and pre-book a taxi or train to your Brighton accommodation.
After landing and clearing arrivals, pick up luggage and head to Gatwick Express or the Southern train at Gatwick Airport station for a scenic ride toward the coast; grab a sandwich and tea at Gatwick South Gate Café to eat on the train. On arrival in Brighton, take a leisurely stroll from the station down to Brighton Palace Pier to stretch your legs, enjoy classic seaside amusements, and check into your hotel before an early evening drink at the waterfront Beachside Bar & Kitchen.
Settle into the evening with a stroll along the seafront to Hove Lawns, catching the golden hour and locals flying kites, then dine at the cozy seafood-focused Riddle & Finns Fish Restaurant for fresh catch and chalkboard specials. Finish with a nightcap at the atmospheric, jazz-leaning Moshimo Brighton Rooftop Bar, where skyline views and live music gently close your travel day.
Start your morning with a hearty English breakfast at The Breakfast Club (Brighton) before wandering to Brighton Marina, where you can join a short harbor cruise or rent a paddleboard for calm early-morning waters. After fresh sea air, explore the independent shops and cafes of the nearby North Laine-pop into Tate & Tell for local art, hunt vintage finds at Brighton Flea Market, and pause for a mid-morning flat white at Small Batch Coffee Roasters.
Wander east along the promenade to Volk's Electric Railway for a nostalgic short ride to Brighton Beach then join a guided kayak tour from Brighton Watersports to paddle past the pier and search for local seabirds. After freshening up, browse artisanal stalls at Brighton Open Market for unique souvenirs and enjoy a late-afternoon tasting flight of local ales at the cozy Brighton Bierhaus, soaking in the lively seaside atmosphere before heading toward the Lanes for evening wandering.
As the sun softens, wander from the bustle of the Lanes toward St James's Street and settle on a terrace at Terre à Terre for inventive vegetarian plates paired with a local wine; the playful menu and warm service create a relaxed, convivial atmosphere. After dinner, take a short stroll to Brighton Dome for an evening performance (check listings for jazz or theatre) or enjoy artisan cocktails and people-watching in the intimate courtyard bar at Twisted Lemon, then finish the night with a seaside breeze on the quieter stretch of King's Road Arches where late-night pop-ups often serve crepes and creamed coffee.
Catch an early train from Brighton to East Dean and meet your guide for a cliff-top hike across the chalk escarpments beginning at Birling Gap Visitor Centre, where tide and safety briefings set you up for dramatic sea views. Follow the ridge toward Cuckmere Haven, pausing for photos at the iconic meander of the River Cuckmere and a picnic of local pastries from The Beachbox Café before descending to the valley for a gentle river walk and wildlife spotting.
After your Birling Gap descent, head east along the clifftop to the picturesque village of Alfriston for a late-lunch stop at the historic The Star Inn where seasonal pub fare and local Sussex ales refuel you for more walking. Following lunch, cycle or take a short bus to explore the tranquil meadows around Friston Forest, wandering shaded trails and seeking out the viewpoint at Glyndebourne Down for a quieter sunset vantage over the Seven Sisters that feels like a well-earned, peaceful reward.
After a full day on the cliffs, slow down with a gentle, scenic return to the coast and dine in the charming village of Seaford-enjoy fresh, locally caught fish and chips at The Beach Café Seaford while watching the sunset over the bay. Finish with a relaxed stroll along Seaford Promenade, then pop into Sunset Jazz Bar for a nightcap and live music before catching a late bus or train back toward Brighton, reflecting on the day's views.
Ease into the morning with a contemplative wander through Brighton Toy and Model Museum, where vintage displays and dioramas set a whimsical tone before you head to the elegant and lesser-known Hove Museum of Creativity to explore local craft exhibits and Victorian parlour rooms. Mid-morning, follow with a food-focused stroll through Stall Street Market (a local farmers' pop-up near the seafront) to sample artisan cheeses and freshly baked sourdough, then take a short break at Quarterdeck Café for a flat white and a waterfront view before your afternoon visit to the Royal Pavilion gardens.
After a cultured morning, wander a short distance to the quirky Brighton Toy and Model Museum Annex (a rotating pop-up of vintage curios) before joining a hands-on pottery workshop at Little Earth Project where you can shape a souvenir while chatting with local makers. Later, stroll through the nearby Open Market Yard to sample small plates from street-food vendors-try a seasonal tart from Market Pâtisserie and a tasting of Sussex cheeses at The Larder Stall-then linger with a craft beer on the shaded terrace of The Craft Beer Co. Brighton as you prepare for an evening at the Pavilion precinct.
As dusk falls, wander toward the historic seafront quarter and enjoy a tasting menu at The Salt Room, where sustainably sourced seafood is paired with coastal views and attentive service. After dinner, take a short stroll to Komedia Bar for an intimate comedy or live-music set, then end the night with a nightcap at the cozy, book-lined The Plotting Parlour, sampling local gins while reflecting on the day's museums and market discoveries.
Wake gently with a seaside stroll along Hove Promenade, pausing at The Beach Deck Café for a leisurely brunch of smoked salmon and scrambled eggs while watching the morning tide; afterwards, browse the artisanal stalls at Church Road Farmers' Market for last-minute edible souvenirs like Sussex honey and handmade chutneys. If you have time before departure, drop your bags at Brighton Station Left Luggage then climb the grassy slope to St. Ann's Well Gardens for a peaceful riverside sit and a final postcard-perfect view of the city before you head to Gatwick or continue your onward journey.
Spend a gentle afternoon exploring the quieter east end starting with a light lunch and local tartine at The Chilli Pickle Café before wandering the tranquil gardens of St. Nicholas Churchyard to enjoy a shady book or nap on a bench. Then take a short bus to Undercliff Walk for a flat, sea-level stroll beneath the cliffs toward Rottingdean, pause for tea and homemade cake at The Lion by the village green, and return to Brighton with plenty of time to collect luggage and make your onward train or flight connections.
Wind down your trip with a sunset aperitif on the terrace of Ivy in the Lanes, enjoying small plates and a view of the city lights as they wake; afterwards wander through the nearby Royal Crescent to soak up one last seaside atmosphere. For a final meal before travel, reserve a table at The Chilli Pickle (Seafront Grill) for a lively, flavourful dinner, then collect your bags and take a direct taxi or pre-booked transfer from Brighton Station to your onward connection, leaving time for a relaxed goodbye to the coast.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Franjo Tuđman Airport (arrival/check-in) | Free |
| Coffee Shop TIA (coffee & light breakfast) | €4 |
| Observation terrace (Zagreb Airport) | Free |
| Flight Zagreb to London (per person, one-way, economy) | £80 |
| Gatwick Express / Southern train (Gatwick to Brighton) | £17 |
| Gatwick South Gate Café (sandwich & tea) | £6 |
| Brighton Palace Pier (amusements / arcade credit) | £8 |
| Beachside Bar & Kitchen (early evening drink) | £8 |
| Hove Lawns (seafront stroll / kite watching) | Free |
| Riddle & Finns Fish Restaurant (dinner per person, mains) | £30 |
| Moshimo Brighton Rooftop Bar (nightcap) | £10 |
| The Breakfast Club (Brighton) - full English | £12 |
| Brighton Marina (visit) | Free |
| Harbour cruise from Brighton Marina (short cruise) | £12 |
| Paddleboard rental (Brighton Marina, hourly) | £15 |
| Tate & Tell (local art shop/gallery visit) | Free |
| Brighton Flea Market (browse / small purchase) | £5 |
| Small Batch Coffee Roasters (flat white) | £3.50 |
| Volk's Electric Railway (short nostalgic ride) | £3 |
| Brighton Beach (beach visit) | Free |
| Guided kayak tour (Brighton Watersports, per person) | £35 |
| Brighton Open Market (browse / small bites) | £6 |
| Brighton Bierhaus (tasting flight of local ales) | £8 |
| Terre à Terre (dinner per person, mains/shared tasting) | £25 |
| Brighton Dome (evening performance ticket, average) | £20 |
| Twisted Lemon (cocktail) | £9 |
| King's Road Arches (late-night snack - crepe) | £4 |
| Train Brighton to East Dean (return, per person) | £10 |
| Birling Gap Visitor Centre (visitor info / safety briefing) | Free |
| Guided cliff-top hike (Seven Sisters, per person with guide) | £25 |
| The Beachbox Café (pastries for picnic) | £6 |
| Cuckmere Haven (picnic / river walk) | Free |
| Lunch at The Star Inn (Alfriston, pub lunch per person) | £18 |
| Friston Forest (walk/cycle) | Free |
| Glyndebourne Down viewpoint (visit) | Free |
| Dinner - The Beach Café Seaford (fish & chips) | £12 |
| Sunset Jazz Bar (nightcap / cover) | £8 |
| Brighton Toy and Model Museum (entry) | £5 |
| Hove Museum of Creativity (entry) | Free |
| Stall Street Market (farmers' pop-up tasting) | £6 |
| Quarterdeck Café (flat white) | £3.50 |
| Royal Pavilion gardens (entry to gardens) | Free |
| Brighton Toy and Model Museum Annex (pop-up) | Free |
| Little Earth Project pottery workshop (per person) | £30 |
| Open Market Yard (street food small plates) | £8 |
| Market Pâtisserie (seasonal tart) | £4 |
| The Larder Stall (Sussex cheese tasting) | £6 |
| The Craft Beer Co. Brighton (craft beer) | £6 |
| The Salt Room (tasting menu per person) | £55 |
| Komedia Bar (comedy / live-music ticket) | £12 |
| The Plotting Parlour (nightcap / gin tasting) | £10 |
| The Beach Deck Café (brunch smoked salmon & eggs) | £12 |
| Church Road Farmers' Market (artisan edible souvenirs) | £8 |
| Brighton Station Left Luggage (per item) | £6 |
| St. Ann's Well Gardens (visit) | Free |
| The Chilli Pickle Café (light lunch / tartine) | £9 |
| St. Nicholas Churchyard (garden visit) | Free |
| Undercliff Walk to Rottingdean (sea-level stroll) | Free |
| The Lion (Rottingdean - tea & cake) | £5 |
| Ivy in the Lanes (sunset aperitif / small plates) | £15 |
| Royal Crescent (evening stroll) | Free |
| The Chilli Pickle (Seafront Grill) - dinner | £18 |
| Taxi / pre-booked transfer Brighton Station to Gatwick (per person, shared) | £30 |
| Estimated Total (per person) | £744.00 |