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Welcome to Portsmouth

Portsmouth is the Great Waterfront City – packed with world-class attractions, fantastic things to do and a year-round programme of events. Escape to the UK's only island city , to explore miles of coastline and centuries of history - there's more to explore in '24 !

This year marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day and Portsmouth will be at the centre of the national commemoration events. See our D-Day 80 page for all the updates as and when they are announced.

What's more, Portsmouth is a very compact city, with many great attractions and venues mere metres from one another. This - twinned with the island's flat profile - makes it easy to walk wherever you want to go.

The Visit Portsmouth website is your one-stop resource for all the information you need to take an enjoyable city break.

Our Things To Do section details all the great attractions to enjoy, from world renowned museums to outdoor activities, fantastic entertainment venues and plenty more besides. Whether you want to explore the area’s history, get out on the water or treat the whole family, this is where to find all the information you need.

All the city events can be found in our What’s On pages . Here you’ll find information on everything coming to the city during your visit – be it travelling theatre shows, music festivals, art exhibitions, or any other event scheduled for the weeks and months ahead. It’s also where you’ll find booking details to secure your ticket.

If you're researching where to stay, our accommodation listings provide all manner of solutions. Here you can choose from big-name hotels, independent B&Bs or quirky self-catering options where you can live like at home. You can check star and rosette levels to be sure of quality, and even book certain places or check availability directly from the Visit Portsmouth website.

Portsmouth is blessed with plenty of places to eat, drink and be merry – with global cuisine, local produce and a host of top-quality tipples. Our Food and Drink pages detail all the places you can enjoy wonderful restaurants, pubs and bars in the city – all of which will be much needed after a day spent exploring!

If you’re heading to the city without a set plan, let us be your guide. The Explore pages offer insight and inspiration to everything you can enjoy in the Great Waterfront City. From itineraries based on specific interests, to insights into the city’s past, or even some tips from the locals themselves, this is the place to plan your trip and get inspiration on all the things not to be missed.

If you’re a business traveller or looking to host an event in the city, take a look through the Venues in Portsmouth . Here you’ll find information on all the city’s business and conference venues, as well as all the key information you need, such as room sizes, capacities, facilities and price. It's also where you'll find information on places to hold a wedding or civil partnership.

All the details you need on getting into and around Portsmouth can be found in our Visitor Information pages . You’ll find key contact information, as well as all the details you need to ensure your trip is a successful one.

Finally, our Waterfront Blog is the place to visit to really explore Portsmouth. Settle in and read all about the area’s history, the global importance of our attractions, or simply what you can enjoy on your next visit to the Great Waterfront City.

Things To Do Highlights

The Hotwalls Studios brings local artists, designers and makers together, in an exceptional…

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is the UK’s premier destination for exploring 500 years of naval…

Visit Henry VIII's Southsea Castle, right along the water's edge.

Take the ultimate undersea adventure at Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth.

Looking to visit the amazing Kings Theatre in Portsmouth?...If so, click here to get the latest…

​​​​​​​​Experience the view from the stunning 170-metre icon of the South Coast.

The D-Day Story is the only museum in the UK dedicated to the Allied Invasion in June 1944.

Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery is the museum of and for the people of Portsmouth, featuring…

Visit the first home of Britain's most famous Victorian author.

Take a voyage of discovery at Portsmouth Cathedral, and uncover over 800 years of history.

The New Theatre Royal, situated in the heart of the city, offers a matchless programme of cutting…

Experience The Mary Rose as never before at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

Gunwharf Quays is home to over 90 famous brands all offering up to 60% off the regular retail price…

See the flora and fauna of Portsmouth at Cumberland House - the Natural History Museum.

Hovertravel, the only scheduled Hovercraft operator in Europe, is the quickest way to reach the…

• 1 Hotwalls Studios
• 2 Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
• 3 Southsea Castle
• 4 Blue Reef Aquarium
• 5 Kings Theatre
• 6 Spinnaker Tower
• 7 The D-Day Story
• 8 Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery
• 9 Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum
• 10 Portsmouth Cathedral, St. Thomas'
• 11 The New Theatre Royal
• 12 The Mary Rose
• 13 Gunwharf Quays
• 14 Cumberland House Natural History Museum
• 15 Hovertravel

What's On Highlights

Any Dream Will Do's Keith Jack and stars of Joseph sing the biggest musical hits of a generation.

Dreamcoat Stars

Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club presents the best emerging live stand-up at Portsmouth Guildhall.

Eleanor Tiernan, Jessie Nixon, Leo Kearse, and Sunjai Arif

Michael akidiri, dominic hatton-woods, roger monkhouse, and sunjai arif, tony burgess, mandy muden, and sunjai arif, 20 september, 16 november.

Cancer Research UK's Race for Life returns to Southsea Common in 2024.

Race for Life

The voice of ITV2's Love Island All Stars returns to the New Theatre Royal with his latest stand-up…

Iain Stirling: Relevant

Top comic Sarah Millican reflects on how she became who she is today.

Sarah Millican – Late Bloomer

After their sold out show at Portsmouth Guildhall in 2023, The Jam'd return in 2024!

A swashbuckling spring panto adventure that guarantees fun, thrills, and excitement!

Treasure Island

A ground-breaking circus adaptation of Thomas Hardy's classic novel Tess of the D'Urbervilles.

Tess by Ockham's Razor

Hilariously dark, passionate and way too personal, this is classic Gilbert, squeezing every last…

Rhod Gilbert & The Giant Grapefruit

Check out Portsmouth's bloodiest ghostly tales on this chilling ghost tour!

Chris Moyles takes over the Box at Portsmouth Guildhall to play the biggest hits from the 90s.

Chris Moyles' 90s Hangover

The annual Southsea Food Festival is back for 2024!

Southsea Food Festival

A full and exciting programme with performances from truly world-renowned musicians.

Classic FM Hall of Fame - Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

Stravinsky, coleridge-taylor, schubert, carmina burana - bournemouth symphony orchestra and bso voices choir, lullaby with manasamitra, a celebration of opera, london sinfonietta, marschner, brahms, dvorak.

Direct from the West End - a celebration of the music and life of one of the greatest singers of…

Whitney – Queen of the Night

Indulge your senses, sampling premium cigars and locally produced rum at the Portsmouth Distillery.

Cigar and Rum Evening

Spitfires, tanks and LCTs have inspired Easter holiday activities at The D-Day Story.

A stunning live concert performance celebrating the music of one of the most successful bands of…

The UK's number one George Michael tribute artist heads to the Guildhall stage.

Perfectly George

A brand-new adaptation bringing Spot and his friends to life in an interactive and accessible show.

Spot's Birthday Party

Join your favourite Milkshake friends on this new holiday-themed show.

Milkshake Live

Port Solent's fantastic, fun Kids Clubs are a great holiday activity.

Mill Cottage Farm

Silly scott and the creation station, professor strange.

Experience the taste of Thailand with a two-day festival of food and culture on Southsea Common.

Southsea Thai Food and Craft Festival

The hip hop, comedy show mash-up takes bingo out of the halls and into the streets.

The International Kite Festival returns for 2024.

Portsmouth International Kite Festival

• 1 Dreamcoat Stars
• 2 LOL Comedy Club
• 3 Portsmouth Race for Life
• 4 Iain Stirling: Relevant
• 5 Sarah Millican – Late Bloomer
• 6 The Jam'd
• 7 Treasure Island
• 8 Tess by Ockham's Razor
• 9 Rhod Gilbert & The Giant Grapefruit
• 10 Portsmouth Ghost Tour
• 11 Chris Moyles' 90s Hangover
• 12 Southsea Food Festival
• 13 Classical Series 2023/24
• 14 Whitney – Queen of the Night
• 15 Cigar and Rum Evening
• 16 Wings, Wheels and Waves
• 17 Coldplace
• 18 Robert Lamberti presents Perfectly George
• 19 Spot's Birthday Party
• 20 Milkshake
• 21 Port Solent Kids Club
• 22 Southsea Thai Food and Craft Festival
• 23 Hip Hop Bingo
• 24 Portsmouth International Kite Festival

Accommodation Highlights

The only city centre hotel in Portsmouth, a ten minute walk will take you to all the major shopping…

The Queens is the hotel at the heart of Southsea.

Rees hall is a modern building on the seafront with fine views across Southsea Common, The Solent…

A selection of serviced apartments and short term lettings in Portsmouth and Southsea.

A warm welcome awaits you from the Village Hotel Club Portsmouth.

The Royal Maritime Hotel is one of the oldest and most historic hotels in Portsmouth.

Located at the heart of Gunwharf Quays, the Holiday Inn Express is a great hotel within walking…

Holiday Inn Portsmouth is located opposite Southsea seafront and open parkland, minutes away from…

• 1 Ibis Portsmouth Centre
• 2 The Queens Hotel
• 3 Rees Hall
• 4 Home From Home Portsmouth
• 5 Village Hotel Portsmouth
• 6 Royal Maritime Hotel
• 7 Holiday Inn Express Portsmouth
• 8 Holiday Inn Portsmouth

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