Are you visiting Bournemouth and the surrounding area this summer? 

Whether you're a first-time visitor or you're heading here for the tenth time, we've put together a handy guide to help you plan your trip. 

Based on suggestions from our followers on Facebook and Twitter, we've compiled a list of different itineries to suit all personalities.

This is by no means a complete list - so why not let us know your ideal way to spend 24 hours in Bournemouth. 

Email digital@bournemouthecho.co.uk or tweet @Bournemouthecho using the hashtag #bmth24

Bournemouth Echo:

If you're visiting for the first time

Head from Bournemouth town centre through the Lower Gardens where you can stop for a round of crazy golf or a ride on the tethered balloon. Walk from here down to the seafront where you can take a stroll along the pier, stop for an ice cream or go for a dip in the sea if you're feeling brave.

From the Pier, you can see Boscombe Pier to the east or Old Harry Rocks and Poole Bay off to the west. At Boscombe beach, you can get a better view of Hengistbury Head and the Isle of Wight, visit the coastal activity park or even have a go at surfing. 

A colony of penguins have just arrived in the Oceanarium which is located on the seafront to the west of Bournemouth Pier, where you can also see otters, turtles and fish. 

Take a walk through the Central and Upper Gardens and onto Coy Pond Gardens - Bournemouth has been awarded more green flags for its gardens and parks than any other place in the south west.

Jump on one of the sightseeing buses which pick up every hour behind the Hot Rocks restaurant on the seafront between 10am and 5pm. The whole tour takes 50 minutes but you can hop off at any of the 24 stops which include Boscombe, Southbourne, Tuckton Tea Gardens and Hengistbury Head.  At Tuckton Tea Gardens you can hire a rowing boat, walk along the river, play golf and get the ferry to Christchurch Quay or Mudeford

The free Bournemouth Air Festival returns to the seafront between Thursday, August 20 to Sunday, August 23 with the Red Arrows appearing on all four-days, plus the Hawk T2 Role Demo, the Vulcan and Typhoon will be there too. There's flying, music and entertainment at night. 

Every Friday throughout the summer, there's free family entertainment in the Lower Gardens from 7pm before fireworks over Bournemouth Pier at 10pm. 

Visiting on a Wednesday? Don't miss the Candlelight Nights event at dusk when thousands of tealights are lit in the Lower Gardens.

Enjoy films in the open air when the outdoor cinema comes to Bournemouth's Pier Approach between August 13 and 16.  

Tip: During July and August no bikes are allowed on the seafront between 10am and 6pm. Between 1 May and 30 September, dogs are only allowed on beaches to the west of Durley Chine and east of Fisherman's Walk up to Hengistbury Head. In Poole, there's no dogs on the main beaches during this time but they are allowed at Branksome Dene and at the west end of Sandbanks beach.

Bournemouth Echo: A steam train at Corfe Castle on the Swanage Railway

If you want to head to Poole, Purbeck or Christchurch

There are regular bus services that will take you from Bournemouth to Poole, the bus stops run along Gervis Place which is the road opposite WH Smith in Bournemouth town centre. The two main bus providers are Yellow Buses and Morebus. 

From Poole Quay, you can get the ferry over to Brownsea Island or onto Swanage. Take the Swanage Railway to Corfe Castle where the first stone was laid more than 1,000 years ago. It is thought to be the inspiration for Kirrin Castle in Enid Blyton's Famous Five books. 

Get the chain ferry at Sandbanks and head to Studland to hunt for shells or hire a kayak or go to Swanage to check out the pier and shops or visit Durlston Country Park. Hop on the number 50 Purbeck Breezer open-top service which will take you there from Bournemouth town centre.

There are plenty of buses that will take you to Christchurch so you can visit the Priory, Quay and Highcliffe Castle if you want to travel further affield. 

Bournemouth Echo: APPLICATION: Molly’s Den warehouse

If you love all things vintage 

Hunt for pre-owned treasures at one of the many vintage stores in Pokesdown for fashion or homeware or head to Molly's Den Emporium in Wallisdown - a giant warehouse filled with enough retro furniture, vintage clothing and antiques to keep all those with a passion for nostalgia happy for a few hours. 

If you're a keen walker

Whether you're after a one-mile meander or an intensive 10-mile walk, then you're in luck as there are lots of routes to choose from in Dorset which offer some truly breath-taking scenary. Take a walk along the headland at Old Harry Rocks to get a better view of the three chalk formations and see Poole, Bournemouth and the Isle of Wight from afar. 

Take a history walk at Corfe Common, a sandstone ridge south of the picturesque village of Corfe Castle that is also Dorset's largest area of common land.  Enjoy a pint or a cream team in one of the village pubs or a pasty at the Square and Compass if you fancy venturing out to Worth Matrvers or take a walk along the South West Coast Path.  

Alternatively, try this walk at Hengistbury Head to get views right across Bournemouth, Mudeford sandspit and Christchurch. 

If you're a nature lover

Take a boat from Poole Quay to Brownsea Island and look out for red squirrels as well as a wide variety of birds, including dunlin, kingfishers, common and sandwich terns and oystercatchers. Boats from Poole Quay run between 10am and 5pm. There are free guided walks, twice daily, 11.30am and 2pm. Entry and ferry fare fees apply. 

Go bird watching at Poole Harbour or visit the RSPB nature reserve at Arne where you can listen to nightjars at dusk, look for sika deer or have a picnic by one of the wildlife ponds and watch dragonflies and damselflies. 

Visit Hengistbury Head where more than 300 species of bird live or visit including kestrals and skylarks, you can also see Natterjack toads and sand lizards. 

Head to Steamer's Point, a 24-acre nature reserve, situated between Highcliffe Castle and Friar's Cliff on the Christchurch coastline. 

Bournemouth Echo: The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

If you're interested in art and culture 

There are lots of shows to choose from at the BIC and Pavilion Theatre (on Westover Road, behind the gardens) or Poole's Lighthouse. If you're after live music, there's an 02 Academy in Boscombe. 

The Russell-Cotes Arts Gallery and Museum located on the East Cliff is a Grade II* listed Victorian house that was once home to Merton and Annie Russell-Cotes which they filled with items collected on their travels around the world. The collection is especially strong in European and Japanese arts and a number of its works are regularly on loan at galleries around the world. Open Tuesday to Sunday between 10am and 5pm and it's also open on bank holiday Mondays. Entry £6 for adults and £4 for children (5-15-years-old)

The are also a number of art galleries to choose from including the Westover Gallery and The ARThouse Gallery which features modern and contemporary art. 

The Poole Museum is housed across four buildings (the atrium, Oakley's Mill, Town Cellars and Scaplen’s Court) and will take you on a journey through thousands of years, across oceans and into the lives of the people who called the town home. It's free to visit and open 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday 12noon to 5pm on Sundays. Until August 31 at Poole Museum, you can visit an exhibition celebrating 150 years of Poole RNLI

Visit Bournemouth Aviation Museum next to Bournemouth International Airport where you can see more than 50 aviation displays and exhibits including fixed wing aircraft and a helicopter.

Bournemouth Echo: Fish and chips

If you're a foodie

There are restaurants and cafes to suit all tastes and budgets . You can have fish and chips on the beach, afternoon tea at one of the many hotels or a seafood supper at a waterside restaurant. We've compiled just some of our restaurant reviews below. 

If you've got a recommendation, let us know in the comments below.