1. Emirates Spinnaker Tower
First on our list is the striking Emirates Spinnaker Tower on the city’s waterfront, named after and modelled on the Spinnaker boat to honour the city’s maritime heritage.
At 170 metres high, the tower offers incredible panoramic views of the city and sea and features interactive touch screens that help you learn about its history. If you’re feeling daring, you can even brave the glass floors of the Sky Walk, and look down to the sea below! Or, grab a coffee and delicious cake with a view from the café.
2. Gunwharf Quays
If you’re looking to do a spot of retail therapy, Gunwharf Quays on the waterfront is the best place in the city. A favourite place to bag a few bargains, the shopping outlet has over 90 high-end and high-street stores to explore inside.
Once you’ve had your fill of shopping, sit down and relax in one of 30 restaurants, bars or cafés – grab some refreshments and soak up the seaside atmosphere.
3. D-Day Story
As the only museum in the UK dedicated to the events of the 1944 Allied Invasion, the D-Day Story offers a unique exploration into one of England’s most important historical events. The museum features both civilian and military accounts of the stages of the war, with personal testimonies delivered through interactive displays, galleries, film, archive footage and memorabilia.
The museum also boasts several military vehicles and the Overlord Embroidery, an 83-metre hand-stitched embroidery depicting the D-Day story. An educational experience for all ages, the museum is well worth a visit on your stay.
4. Canoe Lake
Next up on our list is the city’s stunning Canoe Lake, a beautiful park featuring picturesque flower beds, grassy lawns and, the main attraction, a boating lake.
Whether you rent a swan-shaped pedalo and take it out on the water, grab a bucket and a line and go crabbing in the lake, or visit the adjacent Southsea Rose Garden, the scenic views of the lake and park make it a beautiful place to spend the afternoon. If you’re planning a holiday with kids, the park also features a fantastic children’s play area, complete with zip-wire and sandpit.
5. Portsmouth Museum
A fantastic experience for all ages, Portsmouth Museum offers a wide variety of displays, exhibitions and events to spark the interest of all ages. It’s one of the best places to get a feel for Portsmouth – learn about the city’s important maritime past and follow its history through generations within its Story of Portsmouth and No Place Like Pompey exhibitions.
Whether you’re sightseeing or shopping, taking in sea views or learning about maritime history, you won’t be short of things to do in this beautiful port city.
Looking for a place to stay in Portsmouth? Here at Accor Hotels, we have the perfect Portsmouth hotels for you to choose from, including some which are ideally located close to the harbour.
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