Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. See and Do
  3. Margate
Shell Grotto

Insider's Guide to Margate

Shell Grotto, Margate
Margate Old Town Shops (1)

Insider's Guide to Margate

Margate Old Town Shops
Turner 121003 TDC PP 098

Insider's Guide to Margate

Turner Contemporary Margate
Fish And Chips

Insider's Guide to Margate

Dining on Margate Steps
Viking Bay

Insider's Guide to Margate

Viking Bay Broadstairs
Ramsgate Dining

Insider's Guide to Margate

Dining overlooking Ramsgate Royal Harbour

Fancy a break but need inspiration? Check out our new Insider’s Guide to Margate film and start planning your 48-hours in this vibrant coastal town.

Fancy a break but need inspiration? Check out our Insider’s Guide to Margate film and start planning your 48-hours in this vibrant coastal town, famous for Turner Contemporary. 

Mix ‘n’ match contemporary and retro shopping with browsing eclectic galleries as you wander the cobbled streets of Margate’s Old Town. Enjoy freshly brewed seasonal coffee and deliciously tempting treats at cosy cafes, a leisurely lunch at a quality eaterie or pop into the Old Kent Market and see what gets your mouth watering.

Time the tides right, to see Antony Gormley’s ANOTHER TIME sculpture emerge from the sea behind Margate’s Turner Contemporary or head inside to marvel at their latest exhibition.

Grab your skates and whizz around Dreamland’s Roller Room or embrace a walk across Margate’s Main Sands 

Explore Margate’s two amazing underground experiences - Margate Caves, which were originally dug as a chalk mine in the 18th century and feature creative murals and the mysterious subterranean wonder of the Shell Grotto with walls covered in 4.6 million shells. Can you solve its mystery?

What better way to end the day than with fish and chips beach side, people watching or waiting for a famous Turner sunset (perfect for an Insta post) before heading to a local bar for a drink or catching a gig at one of the town’s music venues.

How about starting day two with an award winning breakfast at the Bus Cafe - a double-decker bus right on the promenade? Then hire a bike and follow the Viking Coastal Trail to the neighbouring resorts of Broadstairs with its spectacular coastline and two famous 1950s ice cream parlours and Ramsgate which boasts the only ‘Royal’ harbour in the country and where you can sit along the cosmopolitan waterfront and feel as if you were in Marseilles!

You could be in Margate in under 90 minutes from London with Southeastern’s highspeed rail service - so what are you waiting for?

Tempted to see more? Take a look at our experiences and browse our accommodation to extend your stay

Thank you to artists Zoe Murphy and Charlie Evartisto-Boyce

TDC 3 towns logo (High Res ).JPG
Contact Us
Visitor Information Centre
The Droit House
Stone Pier
Margate
Kent CT9 1JD
Te: 01843 577577
Email: visitorinformation@thanet.gov.uk
www.visitthanetbusiness.co.uk
Official website of Visit Thanet, Thanet District Council.