Cambridge Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Cambridge showing boating, kayaking or canoeing and a lake or waterhole
This picturesque English town is famous for its historic university, medieval architecture, neighborly pubs and eclectic year-round festivals.

Walk in the footsteps of literary greats, inventors and Nobel Prize winners at the English city of Cambridge. Visit a historic university and spot centuries-old architecture. Explore art museums and enjoy a lively performing arts scene. Cruise down a lazy river on a traditional flat-bottomed punt or relax in pristine public parks.

Cambridge’s city center is a compact area of brick and cobblestone streets ideal for exploration on foot. Find galleries, boutiques, pubs and churches along narrow passageways. Visit the 12th-century Round Church, one of the city’s oldest buildings. Climb the medieval staircase to enjoy panoramic views from the tower of Great St. Mary’s Church. Experience the boisterous ambiance of Cambridge’s pubs, such as the 500-year-old Pickerel Inn.

Be inspired at the city’s varied museums. Study art and antiquities from 3000 B.C. to the present at the Fitzwilliam Museum. Admire work by 20th-century artists, such as Alfred Wallis and Joan Miró, at Kettle’s Yard. Discover ancient artifacts at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. The Centre for Computing History has vintage computer displays and classic video games.

See what life would be like as a student at Cambridge University. Wander around the grounds of historic colleges, including Kings College and Trinity College. Pause to imagine a time when Isaac Newton and Oliver Cromwell studied here. Take a punting trip on the River Cam for an alternative view of the university. Relax in a flat-bottomed boat as you glide past The Backs, a collection of riverside parks and gardens.

Throughout the summer Cambridge buzzes with open-air cultural events. Be part of festivals dedicated to beer, comedy, literature, music and street performers. Summer in the City is a series of free events held in the glorious city parks.

Cambridge sits in the eastern region of England and is easily accessible via inter-city trains and buses. The city is just a 50-minute train ride from central London. Whether for touristic or academic purposes, a visit to Cambridge is fulfilling in any season.

Where to stay in Cambridge

Cambridge Corn Exchange showing heritage elements and street scenes

Cambridge City Centre

4/5(8 area reviews)

Unique features of Cambridge City Centre include the gardens and river views. Make a stop by Cambridge Market Square or Cambridge Corn Exchange while you're exploring the area.

Cambridge City Centre

Chesterton

While Chesterton may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like The River Cam and Cambridge Market Square.

Chesterton

Arbury

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

While Arbury isn't home to many top sights, The River Cam and Castle Hill are some notable places to visit nearby.

Arbury
Hyatt Centric Cambridge
Hyatt Centric Cambridge
4 out of 5
37 Eddington Avenue, Cambridge, England
The price is AU$161 per night from 2 May to 3 May
AU$161
per night
2 May - 3 May
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Cambridge. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (202 reviews)
A comfy hotel for business and leisure
"A fresh hotel that is located in 7 minutes drive from Cambridge city center. Room was comfortable, nice and clean. Friendly staff. Breakfast was delicious, the only thing i missed were vegetables. Otherwise all was very good."

Reviewed on 10 Apr. 2024

Hyatt Centric Cambridge
ibis Cambridge Central Station
ibis Cambridge Central Station
3 out of 5
2 Station Square, Cambridge, England
The price is AU$166 per night from 9 May to 10 May
AU$166
per night
9 May - 10 May
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Cambridge. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"Nice and easy place to stay if you’re traveling by train."

Reviewed on 17 Apr. 2024

ibis Cambridge Central Station
Clayton Hotel Cambridge
Clayton Hotel Cambridge
4 out of 5
Station Rd, Cambridge, England
The price is AU$333 per night from 12 May to 13 May
AU$333
per night
12 May - 13 May
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Cambridge. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,003 reviews)
"The size of rooms were really good. Bed was very comfy. Parking was the only issue. The close car park was closed and the next closest car park was 20 mins away. Apart from that it was a very good stay."

Reviewed on 6 Apr. 2024

Clayton Hotel Cambridge
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Fennec Apartments
Fennec Apartments
3 out of 5
16 Fennec Close, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge, England
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Cambridge. Enjoy free parking, billiards or a pool table, and 1 bedroom. Popular attractions Cambridge University Botanic Garden ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (31 reviews)
"Wasn't expecting any parking but found it easy to park in a visitor's bay, after checking with a local resident. Nice to have tea, coffee & biscuits too. Thank you."

Reviewed on 15 Apr. 2024

Fennec Apartments
 The Regent
The Regent
3 out of 5
41 Regent St, Cambridge, England
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Cambridge. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (143 reviews)
Short stay in Cambridge
"Convenient location, within walking distance to the centre of Cambridge. Surrounded by many cafes and restaurants. The room was clean & quiet, the bed was comfortable, rain shower pressure was adequate. Breakfast was simple but adequate to get us going. Our room was overlooking the park. Staff was ..."

Reviewed on 31 Mar. 2024

The Regent
Downing College Cambridge
Downing College Cambridge
2 out of 5
Regent Street Cambridge, Cambridge, England
Stay at this residence in Cambridge. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Cambridge Arts Picture House and Parker's ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
"Good value. Lots of small eateries nearby. Within walking distance from all Cambridge sights."

Reviewed on 11 Sep. 2023

Downing College Cambridge
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Cambridge

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
13
" "5 - Excellent 44.827586206896555%
4 - Good
14
" "4 - Good 48.275862068965516%
3 - Okay
2
" "3 - Okay 6.896551724137931%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
22 Oct 2019

Beautiful historic town, a lot of the schools not open to the public and if the were open wanted £12 to visit, punting hawkers can be a bit annoying

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
9 Oct 2019

Cambridge is being over run by tourists and the big colleges have reacted by closing their doors to visitors except by tickets. Quite understandable but it means you can no longer wander through their beautiful grounds and along the backs of the Cam.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
27 Sep 2019

Cambridge is beautiful with alot of history

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
26 Sep 2019

Beautiful compact city with beautiful buildings Easy to get around plenty of places to eat

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
24 Sep 2019

We used the City

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
6 Sep 2019

Cambridge is a beautiful and compact city, with an unexpected and pleasant amount of open public spaces and parkland, as well as the famous private colleges. It's best seen on foot (or from a punt), as parking is difficult and the streets narrow.

Cities near Cambridge