48 Hours

There's so much to see and do in Portsmouth, so we've put together an itinerary of how you could spend 48 hours in the waterfront city.

Day 1

Lunchtime  Arrive in Portsmouth and check into your accommodation.

Afternoon  Time to shop! Choose from three of the city’s dedicated shopping areas. Portsmouth’s City Centre has all the big names you’ll recognise, and some you wouldn’t expect. Enjoy the indoor mall at Cascades here, and a traditional street market dating back centuries. Southsea boasts an impressive range of independent specialist retailers, two department stores and a host of high quality shops. From lifestyle to antiques and from toys to tea chests, there is a treasure trove waiting to be discovered.  Try Palmerston Road and Albert Road. Or head to the superbly situated Gunwharf Quays and discover more than 95 designer outlet stores. With its waterfront location and year round events, Gunwharf Quays is heaven for any shopper!

Evening  Spend an evening in Southsea where you’ll find a selection of stylish café bars, wine bars and distinctive restaurants. Catch a show at the majestic Kings Theatre or check out the upcoming musical talent at The Wedgewood Rooms.

Day 2

Morning  After breakfast, take yourselves on a mini-Culture Trail of the city. Begin at aspex gallery, Gunwharf Quays for a fix of innovative, contemporary visual art. Here you’ll find work of artists from Portsmouth alongside internationally recognised names. Browse the shop for unusual gifts and one-off finds.  Then head to the City Museum to discover more about Sherlock Holmes and his creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, in the award-winning A Study in Sherlock exhibition.

Lunchtime  Move out to Southsea with 4 miles of seafront promenade and gorgeous green spaces. The sea air will blow the cobwebs away instantly! Take a picnic and enjoy the stunning vistas on Southsea Common or find a cosy café in central Southsea for homemade tea and cake.

Afternoon  Make your way to Portsmouth’s famous Historic Dockyard. Explore three of the most important warships ever built – HMS Victory, HMS Warrior 1860 and the Mary Rose, then visit the fantastic Action Stations and Royal Naval Museum. Finish off with a leisurely Harbour Tour to see today’s naval dockyard and bustling harbour in action.

Evening  Evenings are the perfect time to visit Gunwharf Quays, with over 30 cosmopolitan bars and restaurants. Whether you’d like an intimate meal for two, bar snacks and partying, or something in-between you’re in the right place. Some bars stay open until the small hours at the weekend, so it’s up to you how long you stay! Right on the waterfront, Gunwharf is even better in the summer months, with alfresco dining and waterfront terraces.

Day 3

Morning  Enjoy a well-deserved lie-in then take a walk along the Renaissance Trail, starting at The Hard. The trail follows a chain motif set in the pavement along the Millennium Promenades and information panels provide glimpses into the history of the area along the way. Take a breather along the way with a visit up the Spinnaker Tower and look down over all the fabulous places you have visited during your stay.

Lunchtime  Now you’ve worked up an appetite, complete your visit to Portsmouth with a traditional lunch at one of the historic pubs in Old Portsmouth - alongside cobbled streets, a fishing port, one of our Cathedrals and centuries of history. Watch the world float by from a sunny terrace, or cosy up by an open fire depending on the weather! 

Got your own 48-hours suggestion? Then send it to us by email.