Portsmouth City Centre

Portsmouth

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

Things to do


Top hotels in Portsmouth City Centre

ibis Portsmouth Centre

ibis Portsmouth Centre

3.5 out of 5
Winston Churchill Avenue, Portsmouth, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is RM239 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
RM239
RM287 total
31 Aug - 1 Sept
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! (1,005 reviews)
"Excellent even though the room was a little small , especially the bathroom"

Reviewed on 10 Aug 2025

ibis Portsmouth Centre
Meon Valley Hotel, Golf & Country Club

Meon Valley Hotel, Golf & Country Club

4 out of 5
Sandy Lane, Shedfield, Southampton, England
The price is RM295 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
RM295
RM354 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
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 (1,002 reviews)
"The staff are really friendly. The rooms are nice and the surroundings very nice. There is a bar and restaurant. We sat out drinking beer on the patio, we used the golf driving range for a small fee. There is a swimming pool and gym on site. We didnt uae these, there is a £5 fee per use of these ..."

Reviewed on 12 Aug 2025

Meon Valley Hotel, Golf & Country Club
Leonardo Hotel Southampton

Leonardo Hotel Southampton

4 out of 5
1 Charlotte Place, Southampton, England
The price is RM348 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
RM348
RM417 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Southampton. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,190 reviews)
"Nice room, good location"

Reviewed on 12 Aug 2025

Leonardo Hotel Southampton
ibis budget Southampton Centre

ibis budget Southampton Centre

2.5 out of 5
West Quay Road, Western Esplanade, Southampton, England
The price is RM220 per night from 8 Sept to 9 Sept
RM220
RM263 total
8 Sept - 9 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Southampton. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,014 reviews)
"Was near a McDonald's,TGIF,IKEA,A small mall and the Southampton Central Train station.All walkable distance of less than 5 minutes from the hotel.The room smelt very clean.Didnt like how tea stuff were not in the room.Apparently you have to request the kettle etc. and pay a 10 pound deposit to get ..."

Reviewed on 12 Aug 2025

ibis budget Southampton Centre
Holiday Inn Express Southampton M27 Jct7 by IHG

Holiday Inn Express Southampton M27 Jct7 by IHG

3 out of 5
Botley Road, West End, Southampton, England
The price is RM333 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
RM333
RM400 total
25 Aug - 26 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Southampton. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,156 reviews)
Great little stay before a cruise
"Restaurant has a reasonable range of food for dinner and a great breakfast. Room is a little tired but functional. Staff were happy to provide extra tea and milk Bed was large and comfy though we both struggled with the pillows. Aircon worked well and it was nice to be able to open a window. Plenty ..."

Reviewed on 11 Aug 2025

Holiday Inn Express Southampton M27 Jct7 by IHG
Leonardo Royal Southampton Grand Harbour

Leonardo Royal Southampton Grand Harbour

4 out of 5
West Quay Road, Southampton, England
The price is RM424 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
RM424
RM509 total
25 Aug - 26 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this 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! (1,580 reviews)
Holiday
"Love hotel amazing good amazing staff"

Reviewed on 10 Aug 2025

Leonardo Royal Southampton Grand Harbour
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(110 area reviews)

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