Things to Do in Newcastle: 10 Essentials for a First Visit
Ten things to do in Newcastle on a first visit, from the Quayside and Baltic to the castle, the Grainger Market and a Metro trip to Tynemouth, with opening days checked.
The essential things to do in Newcastle on a first visit are walking the Quayside and its bridges, crossing to Baltic, climbing Newcastle Castle, browsing the Grainger Market, the free Great North Museum and Laing Art Gallery, a tour under the city in the Victoria Tunnel or behind the scenes at St James' Park, then a trip out to the Angel of the North and Tynemouth. Half of these are free. Opening days below were checked in October 2026, and they matter: Baltic is shut on Mondays and Tuesdays and the Grainger Market and Laing close on Sundays. For dates and gigs, see What's On.
1. The Quayside and the Millennium Bridge
Start at the river. The Gateshead Millennium Bridge, the tilting "blinking eye" that opened in 2001 and won the RIBA Stirling Prize in 2002, takes about four minutes to tilt through its full 40 degrees. On Sundays the council's Quayside Sunday Market runs along the river from the Swing Bridge to near the Millennium Bridge, a tradition first recorded as a fair in 1736. For a pint, the Crown Posada on Side and The Broad Chare are steps away.
2. Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art
Across the bridge on Gateshead Quays, Baltic is free and open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm. Even if the exhibitions are not for you, ride up to the Level 5 viewing terrace for the best view back over the Quayside, then grab a toastie in the Baltic Kitchen. Current shows are on Baltic's visit page.
3. Newcastle Castle
The Castle Keep and Black Gate, on Castle Garth next to Central Station, are what gave the city its name. They open daily 10am to 5pm from April to October; from November to March they close on Tuesdays and Wednesdays except during school holidays. Last entry is 4pm. An adult ticket is £13.65, a child £8.95, and every ticket works as a pass for a year, according to the castle's visitor page.
4. Grainger Market
John Dobson's Grade I listed market opened in 1835 and is home to over 100 independent traders, including the Marks and Spencer Original Penny Bazaar, perhaps the smallest M&S anywhere. It opens Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5.30pm. Come hungry at lunchtime.
5. Great North Museum: Hancock
At Barras Bridge, by Haymarket Metro, the Hancock is free and covers natural history and archaeology, including the Living Planet gallery. It opens 10am to 5pm on weekdays, 10am to 4pm on Saturdays and 11am to 4pm on Sundays. For a calmer visit, go after 2.30pm on a weekday.
6. Laing Art Gallery
On New Bridge Street, the Laing is free and opens Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4.30pm. Its big autumn show, Pre-Raphaelites: Art and Poetry, brings together over 100 works and runs until 13 February 2027; it is the one exhibition with an admission charge. The gallery adds Sunday openings on 29 November and 6, 13 and 20 December, 11am to 4pm.
7. Victoria Tunnel
The Ouseburn Trust runs guided tours of this Victorian coal waggonway, later a Second World War air-raid shelter, which runs under the city, beneath the line of Hadrian's Wall, at a constant 12°C. Tours of 1 hour 15 minutes or 2 hours meet at 51 Lime Street in Ouseburn. Capacity is strictly limited, so book ahead.
8. St James' Park stadium tour
Newcastle United runs 90-minute Classic tours, Rooftop tours in summer and new accessible tours, with matchday tours due to return for the 2026/27 season. Book in advance online, and arrive no more than 15 minutes early at the Stadium Tours Reception in the Milburn Stand.
9. Angel of the North
Antony Gormley's weathering steel figure stands 20 metres tall with a 54 metre wingspan at Low Eighton, Gateshead, overlooking the A1 and the East Coast Main Line. It was lowered into place on 15 February 1998. There is a car and coach park beside it.
10. Tynemouth Priory and Castle
For a coast day, take the Metro to Tynemouth; the English Heritage ruin on the headland is about half a mile from the station. It opens daily, 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4.15pm, and arriving by Metro, bus, train or bike gets you 20% off a walk-up ticket.
Good to know
Plan around closures: Wednesday to Saturday is the only stretch when Baltic, the Grainger Market and the Laing are all open. The Quayside, Castle, Grainger Market and Laing are within walking distance of Central Station and Monument Metro. If it rains, see our guide to things to do in Newcastle when it rains.
FAQs
What are the best free things to do in Newcastle?
Baltic, the Great North Museum: Hancock and the Laing Art Gallery are all free to enter (the Laing's Pre-Raphaelites exhibition is ticketed). Walking the Quayside and crossing the Millennium Bridge, browsing the Grainger Market and visiting the Angel of the North cost nothing either.
What can you do in Newcastle on a Sunday?
Walk the Quayside Sunday Market between the Swing Bridge and the Millennium Bridge, then cross to Baltic, which opens 10am to 6pm Wednesday to Sunday. The Great North Museum opens 11am to 4pm on Sundays. The Grainger Market and the Laing are closed on Sundays, apart from the Laing's special pre-Christmas openings.
Is Newcastle Castle worth visiting?
Yes, for the Castle Keep and the Black Gate, the medieval core of the city. An adult ticket is £13.65 and a child ticket £8.95, and passes are valid for a year from purchase, so you can return. From November to March it is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays outside school holidays.
How do you get to Tynemouth from Newcastle?
Take the Metro to Tynemouth; the station is about half a mile from Tynemouth Priory and Castle. Show your Metro ticket at the priory for 20% off a walk-up ticket.
