A historic coastal city that’s given the world some incredible authors including Charles Dickens, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Rudyard Kipling, Portsmouth is a fascinating blend of history and culture, of museums and modern-day entertainment. Check out our hotels in Portsmouth for the best place to stay during your visit, putting you right at the heart of the action. The city’s museums cover everything from the D-Day landings, centuries-old ships and the birthplace of Charles Dickens, while the cultural and event scene is dominated by the New Theatre Royal and the Guildhall, two amazing venues that have hosted The Beatles, Laurel & Hardy and Jimi Hendrix. For modern entertainment, look no further than Gunwharf Quay, an amazing shopping and leisure space home to over a hundred stores, a cinema, bowling alley, casino and nightclub, ensuring you’ll never be left wondering what to do in Portsmouth. The best way to view it all is from the 170-metre tall Spinnaker Tower nearby, which offers stunning views over the Solent and beyond to the Isle of Wight. And there are few finer places to enjoy a sunny day than strolling along one of Portsmouth’s beaches, ice cream in hand.
Things to do in Portsmouth
Shopping
While the impressive Gunwharf Quays might dominate the city’s shopping scene as one of the best examples of Portsmouth’s shopping centres, there’s also a varied market scene to explore, including lots of antiques and vintage stores.
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Places to eat
Head to Osborne Road to try out some of the best restaurants in Portsmouth, spanning tapas, Indian, Turkish, Greek and more. Our guide will also round up some of the city’s best cafés and food markets to discover during your stay.
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Our video guide to Portsmouth
Our map of Portsmouth
