Portsmouth in Two Days: A Seaside Adventure

Explore Portsmouth's history and charm without breaking the bank.

21 June 2023

Experience the charm of Portsmouth without breaking the bank. A stroll along Southsea beach is an affordable and enjoyable way to soak up the maritime ambiance of this coastal city. Tour the historic dockyards and enjoy the stunning views of the Solent from the top of the Spinnaker Tower for free.

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Travel plan

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Day 1

Explore the Historic Wonders of Portsmouth

  • Hotel: Ibis Budget Portsmouth – affordable accommodation for budget travelers
  • Begin the day wandering through the historic streets of Old Portsmouth.
  • Take a guided tour of Portsmouth Cathedral and admire its stunning architecture.
  • Make your way to the D-Day Museum for a fascinating insight into the city’s role in WWII.
  • Explore the historic ships of the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, including the HMS Victory and the Mary Rose.
  • End the day enjoying a pint of ale and some traditional pub grub at The Fat Fox Inn.
Day 2

A Seaside Adventure

  • Start the day taking a stroll along Southsea Beach and soak up the sea air.
  • Head over to the Blue Reef Aquarium and marvel at the creatures of the deep.
  • Take a ride on the Southsea Pier train and enjoy the views of the coastline.
  • Visit the Royal Marines Museum and discover the history of one of Britain’s elite fighting forces.
  • End the day at Pie & Vinyl, a quirky café serving delicious pies and playing vinyl records – a must-visit for music and food lovers alike.
  • Portsmouth may be small, but it packs a punch. Two days is enough to see the main attractions, but you’ll leave feeling like you’ve experienced something truly special.

Length of stay

1 day 2 days 3 days 4 days 5 days

Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to Portsmouth by plane is to fly into either Southampton Airport or Gatwick Airport, and take a train or bus to Portsmouth. From Southampton Airport, you can take a train to Portsmouth and Southsea Station, which takes about 30 minutes. From Gatwick Airport, you can take a train to Portsmouth and Southsea Station or a National Express bus to Portsmouth, which takes about 2 hours.

Car

The best way to get to Portsmouth by car is to take the A3(M) or M27, depending on where you are coming from. From London, take the M25, then the M3, and then the A3(M). From Southampton, take the M27 and then the A27 towards Portsmouth.

Train

The best way to get to Portsmouth by train is to take a direct train to Portsmouth and Southsea Station. You can catch a direct train from London Waterloo, which takes about 90 minutes. There are also direct trains from Southampton, Brighton, and Bristol.

Boat

The best way to get to Portsmouth by boat is to take a ferry from either Jersey, Guernsey, or St. Malo. There are also cruises that stop in Portsmouth, such as P&O Cruises and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.

Bus

The best way to get to Portsmouth by bus is to take a National Express coach from London Victoria Coach Station, which takes about 2 hours. There are also coaches from Bristol, Birmingham, and Manchester.

Destination

Portsmouth

If you're looking for a coastal city with all the charm of a seaside postcard but with drastically less seagull poop, look no further than Portsmouth. It may just be the best place to experience both British history and fish and chips in equal measure.

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Number of days

1 2 3 4 5

Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

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Portsmouth in Two Days: A Seaside Adventure

Experience the charm of Portsmouth without breaking the bank. A stroll along Southsea beach is an affordable and enjoyable way to soak up the maritime ambiance of this coastal city. Tour the historic dockyards and enjoy the stunning views of the Solent from the top of the Spinnaker Tower for free.