Not to miss

Brighton Museum & Art Gallery

Aside from its good collection of 20th-century art and design (including a Salvador Dali sofa in the shape of Mae West's lips), Brighton Museum & Art Gallery has a fascinating exhibit on world art, including a genuine Hindu shrine created in collaboration with the local Gujerati community. Also worth checking out is the historical Images of Brighton exhibit.

The Royal Pavilion

An absolute must and a highlight of any trip to southern England, this extraordinarily lavish fantasy is one of the most sumptuously hedonistic buildings you'll see anywhere in England, and is a fitting symbol of Brighton's 'un-English' decadence. Unlike many of the country's grand but slightly dreary stately homes, the Pavilion does not disappoint.

In fact, the stunning Moorish and Indian-styled exterior is merely a prelude to the flamboyant, no-expense-spared décor of the rooms inside. This is one hell of a holiday cottage.

A free visitors' guide is available which takes you through room by room, but we strongly recommend that you take one of the guided tours.

Palace Pier

One of Brighton's most distinctive landmarks, this is the epitome of seaside tackiness. It's got the usual selection of fairground rides, dingy amusement arcades, and food stalls - buy a stick of the famous Brighton Rock. It's cheesy, but because it's the only part of Brighton to bear any resemblance to a typical British seaside resort, it's terrific fun.