Portsmouth City Centre Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Portsmouth City Centre
Portsmouth City Centre
Portsmouth City Centre
Portsmouth City Centre
Portsmouth City Centre

Victorian architecture lines the modern avenues of this port city, which has a thriving shopping boulevard and concert venues in historic buildings.

The Portsmouth City Centre offers a fresher alternative to the historic treasures of Old Portsmouth. Here, you’ll find some of the city’s principal attractions, from vast parks and government buildings to shopping avenues and theatres. Spend several days visiting Portsmouth City Centre to get insight into the culture of modern-day Portsmouth.

On a fine summer day, lay down a blanket for a picnic with your family in Victoria Park. Bring your kids to the children’s playground and relax in the café. On the eastern side of the park is the city’s main commercial avenue, packed with stores, banks and cafés. Enter the Cascades Shopping Centre and browse the upscale retailers and boutique shops.

Several historic treasures adorn the streets of the city centre. Admire the twin towers and redbrick façade of St. John’s Cathedral. Dating back to the 19th century, it is a more modern alternative to the Portsmouth Cathedral in the Old Town area.

Admire the thick columns and imposing pediment of the nearby Portsmouth Guildhall, which was built in 1890 as a town hall. Today, it hosts a range of musical concerts, art exhibitions and festivals.

A little south is the New Theatre Royal, a fine example of Victorian architecture. Walk beneath its elegant colonnade and purchase tickets from the box office for a play or musical. Next door, take a self-guided tour of the University of Portsmouth.

Portsmouth City Centre is located a little inland from the Gunwharf Quays and Old Portsmouth districts. Get a train from a neighboring city to the Portsmouth & Southsea railway station, which is an attraction in its own right, having first opened in 1847. Travel around the area by bus or on foot. Make sure to check out the highlights of nearby districts, including Portsea, Buckland and Fratton.

A short walk from the Old Portsmouth district, the Portsmouth City Centre shows what happened next in the continually unfolding history of this maritime city.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Portsmouth City Centre Hotel Deals

ibis Portsmouth Centre

ibis Portsmouth Centre

3.5 out of 5
Winston Churchill Avenue, Portsmouth, England
The price is AU$125 per night from 6 Nov to 7 Nov
AU$125
6 Nov - 7 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star eco-certified hotel in Portsmouth. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,016 reviews)
"Walking distance to the venue bars and restaurants near by"

Reviewed on 14 Oct 2025

ibis Portsmouth Centre
Moxy Southampton

Moxy Southampton

3 out of 5
Harbour Parade, Southampton, England
The price is AU$122 per night from 16 Nov to 17 Nov
AU$122
16 Nov - 17 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Southampton. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,017 reviews)
"Great location, friendly and clean. Skip the breakfast though - terrible and expensive!"

Reviewed on 19 Oct 2025

Moxy Southampton
Leonardo Royal Southampton Grand Harbour

Leonardo Royal Southampton Grand Harbour

4 out of 5
West Quay Road, Southampton, England
The price is AU$157 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
AU$157
26 Oct - 27 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Southampton. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,660 reviews)
"The location was convenient as there were restaurants and historical sites within easy walking distances. I felt safe in the area. Very convenient for cruiseship passengers. Our room a very tiny “portable fridge “ on floor (odd!) under the bench, good for a few waters but not good if you cant bend ..."

Reviewed on 19 Oct 2025

Leonardo Royal Southampton Grand Harbour
Harbour Hotel Southampton

Harbour Hotel Southampton

5 out of 5
5 Maritime Walk, Ocean Village, Southampton, England
The price is AU$339 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
AU$339
26 Oct - 27 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Southampton. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,021 reviews)
"The layout of our suite was weird. The frosted glass bathroom door covered two electrical outlets when open. Other than that we would stay again but would bring more UK power converters."

Reviewed on 19 Oct 2025

Harbour Hotel Southampton
Leonardo Hotel Southampton

Leonardo Hotel Southampton

4 out of 5
1 Charlotte Place, Southampton, England
The price is AU$130 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
AU$130
26 Oct - 27 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Southampton. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,207 reviews)
"Comfy room. Bathroom decor was tired. Staff friendly."

Reviewed on 19 Oct 2025

Leonardo Hotel Southampton
Meon Valley Hotel, Golf & Country Club

Meon Valley Hotel, Golf & Country Club

4 out of 5
Sandy Lane, Shedfield, Southampton, England
The price is AU$107 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
AU$107
26 Oct - 27 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Southampton. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the clean rooms and the overall value ...
6.8/10 (1,012 reviews)
"Perfect for a one night stay on business and food was good"

Reviewed on 17 Oct 2025

Meon Valley Hotel, Golf & Country Club
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Portsmouth City Centre

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Old Portsmouth

You'll enjoy the monuments and historical sites in Old Portsmouth. You might want to make time for a stop at Sally Port or Square Tower.

Old Portsmouth
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Buckland

While Buckland may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Portsmouth International Port and Portsmouth Guildhall.

Buckland
Royal Marines Museum which includes heritage elements

Southsea

Southsea is a destination visitors seek out for its beaches, lively bars and seaside views. You might want to check out attractions like Fratton Park or Kings Theatre while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Southsea
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Cosham

4/5(1 area review)

Cosham is popular for its abundant dining options, and you can check out PlayZone Portsmouth, a top attraction in the neighbourhood.

Cosham


Portsmouth City Centre Travel Guide

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