Portsmouth Unwound: A Fun 3-Day Budget Trip

Discover the charm of Portsmouth without breaking the bank.

22 June 2023

Portsmouth offers an incredible experience for budget travelers on a limited budget. Visitors can explore many of the city's historic landmarks for free, including the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and the Mary Rose Museum. Additionally, there are plenty of affordable accommodations, restaurants, and public transportation options to make traveling budget-friendly.

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Travel plan

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Day 1

Discovering the Historic City

  • Check into the Ibis Budget Hotel, situated in the heart of the city center.
  • Begin the day with a visit to the iconic Spinnaker Tower – an iconic landmark with breathtaking views of the city and coast.
  • Explore the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard – home to the HMS Victory and the Mary Rose Museum, a must-see for history aficionados.
  • Lunch at Pie & Vinyl – a quirky vinyl store-cum-cafe serving delicious homemade pies.
  • Walk through Old Portsmouth – a historic town center with cobbled streets and quaint buildings.
  • End the day with a pint at The Still & West – a traditional pub with stunning views of Portsmouth Harbour.
Day 2

A Trip to the Beach

  • Breakfast at The Canteen – a cozy cafe serving fresh and tasty breakfast options.
  • Head to Southsea Beach – a long stretch of sandy beach with stunning views of the Isle of Wight.
  • Visit the Blue Reef Aquarium – located on the seafront, it's home to a variety of marine life, including sharks, stingrays, and seahorses.
  • Lunch at the Beach Cafe – sit back, relax and enjoy some delicious seafood while gazing out to sea.
  • Experience some thrill rides at the Clarence Pier – a fun-filled amusement park perfect for families.
  • End the day with a sunset stroll along the seafront.
Day 3

A Day of Leisure and Culture

  • Breakfast at Hometown Cafe – a trendy cafe serving locally sourced ingredients and diverse breakfast options.
  • Visit the Portsmouth City Museum – home to a collection of art, historical artifacts, and social history displays.
  • Enjoy a leisurely walk through the landscaped gardens of Victoria Park.
  • Lunch at The Garage Lounge – a cozy and vibrant cafe serving hearty and tasty sandwiches.
  • Browse the independent and vintage shops in Albert Road – a hub for independent traders.
  • End the day with a performance at the New Theatre Royal – a historic and atmospheric venue showcasing a range of performances and productions.

Length of stay

1 day 2 days 3 days 4 days 5 days

Type of trip

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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

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Type of trip

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