Located just an hour from England’s capital, there are plenty of things to do and see in Cambridge. Mainly known for its prestigious university, its moderate size makes this city is an ideal day trip destination.
It’s not as big a city as London, so you’ll find it easy to get around the best bits in a short amount of time, but that doesn’t mean you’ll get bored! Cambridge is a beautiful city, located on the banks of the River Cam, from which it gets its name. It is considered one of the UK’s greatest cultural and historical gems. If you want to find out more about this marvel, keep reading our post!
To organise your trip we recommend using the Passporter app. Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers and add the places that interest you to the route map. You can also keep all important documents in one place such as travel tickets or hotel reservations, among many other features, completely free of charge.
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Things to see in Cambridge
Church of St Mary the Great
St Mary the Great is one of the most beautiful religious buildings to see in Cambridge. It belongs to the University, and has a late Gothic style that is a real wonder to behold.
As well as having been a key point in the development of the university and the city itself, this spectacular building is made up of a series of stained glass windows and a large tower dating back to the 19th century. You can climb it and enjoy breathtaking views of the entire city. Among other activities, you can also attend a recital to listen to the sound of the organs. You won’t have any issues with access as it is open all year round, both in the morning and in the afternoon. Make sure to pay a this church a visit.
The Mathematical Bridge
The Mathematical Bridge is located within Queen’s College, and allows you to cross over the famous River Cam. Although its access is limited to staff and students of the university, the bridge can be viewed from a number of different spots.
It dates back to 1749, and is made entirely of wood. Although legend has it that it was created by Isaac Newton, it was actually built by James Essex. The name of this famous bridge comes from its curious structure formed by tangents – an architectural wonder to behold. The bridge is often featured in postcards of Cambridge and is not to be missed!
King’s College Chapel
Within King’s College, one of Cambridge University’s most important colleges, is an impressive chapel. Whether you’re a fan of art history or not, you can’t miss this late Gothic architectural gem.
This impressive medieval church is one of the most beautiful and photographed architectural facades in the world, and one of the most popular postcard images of Cambridge. Once you’ve finished gazing at the exterior, don’t hesitate to head inside the church, where you can enjoy an impressive choir concert. Inside there are great acoustics, which will give you goosebumps as you listen to the singing. You can book your ticket at a very affordable price.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Trinity Street
Trinity Street is one of the best known and busiest streets in Cambridge. Particularly acclaimed for its liveliness, you can’t leave the city without having strolled down this street, also known by locals as the High Street.
Once you’re there, you’ll understand what we’re talking about. This street is full of people, students, locals and tourists alike. Here you will find a huge number of shops, restaurants and historic buildings with banks inside. It is the ideal place to stop for lunch or dinner, as it has some of Cambridge’s most famous eateries, including the Trinity Restaurant. You’ll love it!
Wren Library
Wren Library is the famous library belonging to Trinity College, and it has a really beautiful architecture on its facade. It was designed by Christopher Wren himself, hence the name.
You can visit the surroundings of this beautiful library and enjoy its large garden, or you can go inside. As well as having a historic atmosphere, this library has a large open-plan room with a vast collection of bookshelves full of books. The most characteristic feature of this place is undoubtedly its large windows, which were purposely placed by the architect so that readers could enjoy the splendid natural light.
Bridge of Sighs
Located at the all-important St John’s College, the Bridge of Sighs is one of the prettiest things to see in Cambridge. The bridge connects two university buildings, so it can only be crossed by students and teachers.
Despite not being accessible to tourists, just being able to admire it will make you feel that the visit was worthwhile. Its name comes from the famous Bridge of Sighs in Venice, although it shares no architectural resemblance. To enjoy the best views of this bridge, you’ll have to stand on the bridge just in front of it: Kitchen Bridge. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
Jesus Green Park
If you’re looking for some of the most beautiful parks to see in Cambridge, a visit to Jesus Green Park is a must. It’s located just a short walk from the quayside, so you won’t have any trouble finding it.
This beautiful park is made up of a wide expanse of green meadows, and it has an exceptional location as it is bordered by the River Cam. This park is the ideal place to go for a stroll once you feel tired of the hustle and bustle of the city and feel like breathing some fresh air. Here you can walk, sit and relax, or even play a sport such as cricket. We recommend going on a sunny day to enjoy this place to the fullest – there’s plenty of space for all sorts of activities!
Things to do in Cambridge
Fitzwilliam Museum
The Fitzwilliam Museum is, without a doubt, one of the museums to see in Cambridge. As well as its impressive neoclassical facade, inside you can enjoy a collection of art and antiquities dating back more than 4,000 years.
Considered one of the most beautiful museums in Europe, during your visit you can enjoy a wonderful exhibition ranging from Egyptian and Roman funerary artefacts to works by famous painters such as Monet and Rubens. The museum is divided into different galleries, which also include an exhibition of figures and objects from different civilisations, as well as manuscripts, ceramics, prints and other objects. It could be the ideal place to visit if you are out on a rainy day in Cambridge. Even if it is not, it’s still worth a visit!
The Eagle Pub
Considered the oldest pub in Cambridge, The Eagle is one of the most iconic places to go to in Cambridge. It’s been open since than 1667, yet its reputation is not particularly due to its age.
The Eagle is best known for being the site of the discovery of DNA by researchers Francis Crick and James D. Watson. Inside the pub you can find a commemorative plaque and, as if that wasn’t enough, there is a rumour in the pub that a chilling story took place on its top floor. If you want to find out what it is, I recommend visiting the pub for yourself!
Cambridge Market Square
Cambridge Market Square is the square where the city’s great local market is held every day. It is the ideal place to take a break after a long morning of sightseeing.
In this market you can find a wide variety of products, from food to clothes and handicrafts. If you are feeling peckish, you can buy some of the local artisan cakes and pastries as you wander around the different stalls. You’ll get a real taste of Cambridge at this market by getting to know the local traders and people who come here – a completely immersive experience within Cambridge’s culture!
What to do in Cambridge in 1 day?
- Discover the Wren Library
- Visit King’s College Chapel
- Admire the Church of Saint Mary the Great
- Walk through Jesus Green Park
- See the Bridge of Sighs
What to do in Cambridge in 2 days?
- Take a picture of the Mathematical Bridge
- Walk down Trinity Street
- Visit the Fitzwilliam Museum
- Have a pint at The Eagle Pub
- Discover Cambridge Market Square
Frequently Asked Questions
Given its convenient transport links, we recommend travelling to Cambridge from London airports.
– You can get to Cambridge quickly from London Stansted Airport. There you will find a number of trains that take you to Cambridge. The journey takes about 30 minutes.
– The second best option is to depart from London Luton Airport, where there is a direct bus to Cambridge which takes approximately one hour.
– You can get to Cambridge from London Heathrow Airport, where you’ll find a direct bus that will get you there in 3 hours.
– You can also go from London Gatwick Airport, although the journey from here can take up to 4 hours.
An adult ticket costs €11.68, while a children’s ticket (ages 6-17) costs €9.35. Children under 5 are free, as are members of the university and those with a resident’s card.
Admission to the museum is free, and it is open from Tuesday to Saturday.
How to plan your itinerary of places to see in Cambridge?
Download the Passporter app and plan your trip in the most organised way, according to the number of days and places you want to see in the Cambridge.
With the app you can:
- Get inspired by other travellers’ experiences.
- Save important information about the destinations you want to visit that you have found on the internet. Just install the Chrome extension and save everything useful for your trip.
- Save tickets and reservations.
- Organise your route on Google maps with your accommodation as the starting point or any other point that you choose.
- Know the best travel option for each location.
- Save and post your own photos and experiences as you go, so that when someone asks you “How was your trip to Cambridge?”, you can say “Visit my traveller profile on Passporter.”
If you are interested in learning more about how to use and get the most out of the Passporter app, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
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