With nearly 500 stores, two covered shopping centres, more than 50 cafes and restaurants, and easy parking, Bristol’s city centre offers one of the best shopping experiences anywhere in the country.

From department stores and designer brands to independent shops and bustling markets the city caters for every taste and budget.

Built in 2008 the bold architecture of the £500million Cabot Circus is the stunning centrepiece of Bristol’s shopping experience with flagship stores like Harvey Nichols and House of Fraser. But across the city there are a whole host of other places worth a visit.

John Hirst operations director at Destination Bristol said: “The main city centre shopping area is built around Cabot Circus, the Galleries and Broadmead but there are lots of other areas with a great range of shops from the indoor markets and the Christmas Steps to Park Street, Stokes Croft and up into Clifton.

“We’ve a fantastic selection and I don’t think anybody could challenge us to say we don’t cater for absolutely everybody. That wasn’t always the case but it certainly is now.”

And with the festive season finally here Bristol has joined cities up and down the country in complimenting its array of high street stores with a traditional German Market. It is also adding to it with a 12 days of Christmas-themed market featuring local crafts people.

John says the city has a rich heritage of markets such as the famous St Nicholas indoor market, but it is Bristol’s combination of stalls and major stores that makes it such a draw for shoppers.

He said: “Markets and independent shops have been around a long time but I think they are more popular now than they have ever been.

“Our Christmas markets and farmers markets are something that people really enjoy visiting and it seems to be very trendy at the moment.

But at the same time people won’t visit the city just for the markets. They also want the big department stores, national chain stores and brands that we also have here.”

And with Christmas around the corner John is optimistic that Bristol’s transformation into one of the UK’s finest shopping destinations is finally complete.

He said: “We have done so much work over the last 15 years to get to this point and I am confident that this will be our best Christmas ever in spite of the economic climate.”

But it is not just Bristol’s shops that are set for a bumper season, its cafes, pubs and restaurants are also hoping for a seasonal boost in sales.

From Michelin-starred fine-dining to cosy pubs and cosmopolitan cafes Bristol has established a well-deserved reputation as one of the county’s most diverse and delicious cities to eat out in.

And this has only been underlined by the opening of Za Za Bazaar a new £3million revolution in eating out. Housed at the Harbourside it offers you a freshly-cooked all you can eat buffet in a range of styles from around the globe all under the same roof.

So with the days until Christmas counting down rapidly here are 10 of the best shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants to visit while you are in Bristol.

1. Bristol Christmas Markets, The Podium, Broadmead East and Merchant Street South.

Type: Open air markets

What’s for sale?  Traditional German food,drink and gifts through to handmade crafts from some of Bristol’s top artisans.

Great for:  Holding a glass of famous Gluwein in one hand while picking out a truly original Christmas gift with the other.

Open:  German market; Monday to Saturday 10am-8pm and from 10am-7pm on Sundays. Twelve Days of Christmas market, the same times from December 9.

From Christmas trees and carved nativity scenes to Gluwein and original gifts, you will find all the fun of the festive period at Bristol’s open air markets.

Located in the heart of Broadmead the cute Christmas chalet’s house a range of traditional German stalls selling food and crafts.

From December 9 they will be joined by 12 stalls themed around the 12 days of Christmas featuring some of the city’s top artisans and small-scale producers.

The markets offer welcome respite from the busy shops and provide a great place to get into the Christmas spirit.

2. The Grain Barge, Mardyke Wharf  Hotwells Rd, Bristol BS8 4RU, 0117 929 9347

Type: Bar

Food and drink: The menu ranges from minced lamb stew with cous cous through to hearty homemade pies and sandwiches. Drinks include a selection of beers brewed just a mile away at the Bristol Beer Factory.

Entertainment: Regular live music.

Great for: Injecting a bit of fun into your festive shopping trip with a drink or meal overlooking the River Avon.

Open: From 12 daily.

Tethered on the Avon, a short walk from the city centre, this floating bar it is the perfect place to celebrate the completion of your Christmas shopping trip.

The food is homemade, the beers local and the character and charm second to none.

A former engine-less grain barge on the Severn it was sympathetically transformed into a pub in 2007 with original materials used wherever possible.

It offers two bars including an al fresco deck with 270 degree views of the harbour.

3. Cafe Amore, 14 Nelson Street, Bristol BS1 2LE

Type: Cafe

Food and drink: A wide selection of freshly made salads, sandwiches, jacket potatoes paninis and pastries. First-class coffee and deliciously indulgent hot chocolate.

Great for: A quick, affordable lunch on the go, or a handily located place to rest and refuel between shops.

Open: From 7am-6pm Monday to Saturday and 12pm-4pm Sunday.

Unassuming from the outside, quirky within, Cafe Amore has become one of Bristol’s best-loved city centre cafes.

Often over-looked by visitors it has long been a favourite with people in the know.

The simple, homemade food is among the best, biggest and most affordable anywhere in the city while the service is second to none.

Always busy, the cafe’s bustling atmosphere adds to its charm without taking away from its ability to provide a haven for hungry shoppers.

It’s slightly cluttered interior, with retro posters and signage plastered everywhere, may not be to everyone’s taste but after visiting once you are guaranteed to return again and again.

4. Harvey Nichol's, 27 Philadelphia Street  Bristol BS1 3BZ ,0117 916 8888.

Type: Department store

What’s for sale?  Designer fashion through to upmarket groceries and beauty products.

Great for:  Finding a classy gift for that special someone.

Open: Monday- Wednesday 10am-6pm, Thursday 10am-8pm, Friday and Saturday 10am-7pm and Sundays 11am-5pm.

Harvey Nichol's only shop in the south-west, it is for many people the jewel in the crown’s of the £500million Cabot’s Circus complex.

Offering designer fashion from an A to Z of top names from Alexanda McQueen  to Zandra Rhodes and everyone in between.

The store also has a high-end food shop, beauty section and an extensive wine selection.

And for tiring shoppers there is trademark Harvey Nichol’s cafe where you can grab a sandwich or sip on a glass of champagne.

Personal shopping is available throughout the store.

5. Avon Gorge Hotel, Sion Hill  Clifton, BS8 4LD, 0117 973 8955.

Type: Hotel, pub and restaurant

Food and drink: The White Lion Bar serves pub grub including sandwiches, burgers and Pieminister pies while the Bridge Cafe restaurant offers a la carte cuisine and brunch at weekends.

Great for: Some much needed respite from the Christmas crowds for lunch or dinner overlooking the best view in Bristol.

Open: Daily

Offering one of the best views anywhere in the south-west, the Avon Gorge Hotel is an ideal place to escape the Christmas crowds.

Sipping on a cup of coffee or something stronger, overlooking the famous Grade I Listed Clifton Suspension Bridge you will feel a whole world away from the bustling city centre - although it is only a 15minute walk away.

The hotel offers both a pub and cafe/restaurant, both of which enjoy the unrivalled views, either from within the hotel or its spacious outdoor area.

6. Beast Clothing, 224 Cheltenham Road 0117 942 8200, The Exchange

Corn St, Bristol, 0117 962 8612 and Beast Unit, Cabot Circus, Brigstowe Street until January 31.

Type: Independent clothes shop.

What’s for sale?  Original t-shirts, clothing and gifts celebrating The West Country and Bristol’s unique turn of phrase.

Great for:  A witty and original piece of ‘gert lush’ Bristol merchandise that every proud Bristolian should own.

Open:  Cheltenham Road shop from 9am-6pm Monday to Saturday and the other two stores from 9am-5pm and 11am-5pm on Sundays over Christmas.

For a truly original ‘proper’ Bristol gift look no further than Beast. Celebrating the Bristolian accent and the city’s unique turn of phrase, their logos are emblazoned on everything from t-shirts to dog jackets and aprons to underwear.

Choose from a range of brilliant ‘Bristolisms’ including ‘alright my luvver?’ ‘zider eye up’ and ‘mad as a badger’. There is even a Wallace and Gromit (made by Bristol-based Aardman Animations) t-shirt with ‘they’re the wrong daps Gromit’.

The proud owners of a Beast t-shirt will have people saying ‘ark at ee’ in no time – well in Bristol at least!

7. The Undercroft Cafe, St Mary Redcliffe Church, Redcliffe Way, Bristol, BS1 6RA0117 933 8644.

Type: Cafe

Food and drink: From sandwiches and cakes to locally sourced French-influenced main meals such as Dorset mussels in a leek and wild sorrel cream. Local beers.

Great for: Relaxing and recuperating from a stressful shopping trip.

Open: 10am-4pm Monday to Thursday and until 5.30pm on Fridays.

Housed underneath St Marys Church, Redcliffe the Undercroft Cafe is one of Bristol’s best-kept secrets.

Located in a beautiful vaulted space, simply furnished and with candles on each table it is a breathtaking spot to wile away an hour or two.

Handily located as a stop-off between Temple Meads or Cabot Circus and Park Street the food is freshly prepared and reasonably priced.

The staff are unfailingly friendly and the only down side is that more people haven’t discovered it yet.

8. Primark, 1-27 The Horsefair  Bristol BS1 3BB, 0117 922 5657

Type: Budget clothes store.

What’s for sale?  The latest high street trends at affordable prices.

Great for:  A stylish present that won’t break the bank.

Open:  9am-8pm Monday to Friday, 8.30am-7pm Saturday and Sundays 11am-5pm.

Love it or hate it Primark has become one of the all too rare high street success stories of recent years.

Offering the latest fashions at affordable prices it has become a favourite with everyone from on-trend teenagers to middle-aged bargain hunters.

And if you are Primark fan you will love the Bristol store. The second largest in the UK it was named ‘Best Designed Store’ at the 2010 Retail Awards.

Spread over four floors and nearly 100,000 square feet it is the chain’s flagship store in all but name.

A thrifty fashionista’s paradise.

9. The Riverstation, The Grove  Bristol, Avon BS1 4RB, 0117 914 4434

Type: Restaurant/Bar

Food and drink:  From brunches and pastries in the bar kitchen through to award-winning European-influenced a la carte dining in the restaurant.

Great for:  Treating yourself to a great meal in a fantastic location after a hard days Christmas shopping.

Open: Bar kitchen from 9am daily and the restaurant from 12pm for lunch and from 6pm for dinner daily.

Housed in a former police station the Riverstation is a modern chic cafe/bar and restaurant combined.

The award-winning venue, which appears in the Good Food Guide offers European-influenced fine-dining upstairs and an array of cakes, pastries and lighter bites downstairs all with picturesque views out of the historic harbour.

The Riverstation also has an al fresco area and is renowned for its seasonal menu featuring the best local produce around.

With its great location and delicious food, this is an ideal spot to recover after a hard days shopping or to refuel for round two.

10.  SHOP 18 Christmas Steps, Bristol, 0117 316 9421

Type: Independent vintage shop.

What’s for sale?  Vintage men’s and women’s clothing, books, games, vinyl and homeware.

Great for:  Searching through pieces of history for that extra special one-off gift.

Open: Monday to Saturday 11am-6pm.

Tucked away in the Christmas Steps area of Bristol is one of the hidden gems of shopping in Bristol.

Despite its name SHOP is actually far more than a store, it is a destination, ethos and experience rolled up in one.

On the one hand the shop is a community enterprise company selling vintage goods from clothes to games and vinyl to cups and saucers.

And on the other it is an arts venue with regular exhibitions, concerts and an upcoming artisans market.

Hot drinks and free cakes are on offer to customers who are welcome to come in and sit on one of the sofas at the front of the shop and use it like a community living room.