Our top tips for the 10 must-see sights in NewcastleGateshead will make sure you get the most out of a visit to the city.

You'll feel like a native Geordie with our pointers and insider tips that will make sure you have a 'canny' trip.

Newcastle Quayside and Gateshead Quays

Some of the city's most contemporary and stylish cultural and leisure attractions can be found along the north and south banks of the River Tyne, including The Sage Gateshead. This landmark Sir Norman Foster building is acoustically perfect and is home to world music - including Northern Sinfonia, one of the finest chamber orchestras in the world.

Top Tip. Check out the website to find out about forthcoming music shows.

Newcastle Castle Keep 

The site of the ‘New Castle’ built in 1080 which gave the city its name and was founded by Robert Curthose, eldest son of William the Conqueror. It overlies the Roman fortification Pons Aelius.

Top tip. For just £1.50 (adults – or 50p for concessions) climb to the top of the keep and enjoy some of the best views over the city.

Gateshead Millennium Bridge

The world's first tilting bridge situated on the banks of the River Tyne, linking Newcastle Quayside and Gateshead Quays. Winner of many awards not least the country's top architecture prize: The Royal British Institute of Architects' Stirling Prize for Building of the Year.

Top tip. Check out this website before you visit to find out scheduled tilting times for forthcoming weeks (there are also information boards at each side of the bridge displaying these times).

A spectacular sight, the Gateshead Millennium Bridge turns on pivots on both sides of the river to form a magnificent gateway arch. Its opening resembles the opening and closing of a giant eyelid: have your camera ready! 

The Biscuit Factory

The biggest commercial arts space in Europe based in a beautifully restored Victorian building that was indeed once a biscuit factory.

Top tip. Prices for paintings, sculpture, ceramics and glass range from £20 to £20,000. Whatever the budget or taste you’re sure to find your very own unique piece of original art to take home.

The Angel of the North  

A multi-award winning 200-tonne sculpture created by artist Antony Gormley; it's become a contemporary icon for NewcastleGateshead. Standing at 20m high, it's seen by more than 33 million people every year.

Top tip. Striking from a distance, the Angel of the North is perhaps most breathtaking close up. Allow yourself time to stroll around the grass mound on which the Angel stands and don’t leave without perching on its giant feet.

Grey Street 

In the heart of Newcastle’s historic Grainger Town and voted the Best Street in Britain by listeners of national station Radio 4.

Top tip. Did you know that Newcastle city centre has more listed classical Georgian buildings than anywhere else in England, other than Bath and London?  As you explore Grainger Town make sure you look up and enjoy the dramatic architecture on offer. Keep your eye out too for some of the city’s top designer label stores and boutiques and a cluster of fashionable shoe shops.

BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art 

One of Europe's largest centres for contemporary art. An art factory based in a converted 1950's grain warehouse on Gateshead Quays, it has five galleries and a fine-dining restaurant with panoramic views. Entry is free.

Top tip. If you get the chance to dine in BALTIC Rooftop Restaurant, make a beeline for the ladies toilets! A glass wall runs the length of the toilets, offering breathtaking views over the River Tyne.

LIFE Science Centre

A wildly exciting visitor attraction for all the family. Discover just how truly extraordinary life is – meet your four billion year old family, explore what makes us all different and test your brainpower.

Top tip. Try out the longest motion simulator ride in the world – check the viewing times when you purchase your entrance tickets.

MetroCentre, Gateshead 

Once again the largest indoor shopping centre in Europe following completion of the new Red Mall. MetroCentre offers a huge array of high street outlets, department stores and speciality shops - all under one roof.

Top tip. MetroCentre offers fun for all the family - shop till you drop, happy in the knowledge that the children are being entertained. MetroCentre has its very own indoor theme park – the New MetroLand – complete with rollercoaster, eleven screen cinema and megabowl!

Laing Art Gallery

Renowned for its stunning array of watercolours, costume, silver, glass, pottery and sculpture and home to major works by leading pre-Raphaelite artists, including William Holman Hunt and Edward Burne-Jones. The gallery also hosts stunning touring exhibitions in the newly refurbished gallery space.

Top tip. Enjoy art inside and outside the Laing Art Gallery. The Blue Carpet, situated just outside, is a whole public square turned into a work of art. Designed by Thomas Heatherwick, it is created from fragments of blue glass.

And some top tips for a perfect Sunday in NewcastleGateshead

After a Saturday night out enjoying NewcastleGateshead’s vibrant nightlife, relax and recover on Sunday. Jump on a Metro train to the suburb of Jesmond and enjoy a leisurely breakfast in one of the many pavement cafes on Osborne Road. It’s a bustling little place to relax and watch the world go by.

Stroll across to Armstrong Bridge for the arts and crafts market (every Sunday until 4pm), packed with stalls selling unusual and affordable locally made wares.

Then wander through the wooded valley of Jesmond Dene which is threaded with walks and pretty bridges - complete with waterfall, mill and a pets’ corner!