Top 9 Portsmouth Tours

1.Historic Dockyard Ultimate Explorer Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,052 reviews · 365 days · from $62Our pick

Spend a day, or return for a full year, at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. See the Mary Rose, Nelson’s HMS Victory, HMS Warrior, HMS M.33 and HMS Alliance submarine, plus naval museums, a harbour cruise and seasonal water bus.

“The guides were really good with the exception of the victory one who was uninspiring and miserable and who said no questions until he had finished as he might cover them in his talk - he ran off afterwards so didn’t even allow for questions at the end/ he also said things I would question the accuracy of - the Mary Rose and warrior people either in role or not were very knowledgeable and friendly”

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2.Spinnaker Tower Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 437 reviews · 1 hour · from $26

Visit Portsmouth’s 170-meter Spinnaker Tower for wide views across the harbour, Solent, South Downs, and Isle of Wight. Ride the high-speed lift to three viewing levels, cross the glass Sky Walk, step into the open-air Sky Garden, and return later the same day if you wish.

“Awesome experience with great views of the city. I am scared of heights but the route to the top and the viewing desks made it easy to enjoy the spectacular views whilst feeling safe”

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3.Hovercraft Flight to the Isle of Wight

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 170 reviews · from $45

Travel from Southsea to Ryde on the world’s only commercial foot-passenger hovercraft service. Your round-trip ticket gives you a fast, unusual way to reach the Isle of Wight, where you can enjoy beaches, shops, restaurants, and island transport links before returning the same day.

“What a fun way to travel! We really enjoyed this ride and the speed at which we arrived at the Isle of Wight. We wanted to return earlier than we planned and was able to do that for free!”

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4.Spinnaker Tower High Tea in the Clouds

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 126 reviews · 3 hours · from $60

You’ll enjoy sandwiches, fruit scones, cakes, jam, clotted cream, and tea or coffee high inside Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower. Your ticket also covers the viewing decks, glass floor, and Sail of the Solent film, with views reaching up to 23 miles across the Solent.

“Spectacular view high tea was very nice great experience”

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5.Portsmouth of the Past Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 44 reviews · 1h 30m · from $13Best value

Steve leads a 90-minute walk through Old Portsmouth, using historic photographs and maps to explain sailors, naval change, wartime loss, odd local tales, and the city’s growth. Meet by the Mudlarks Statue near the dockyard. The route is wheelchair accessible, dog friendly, and suitable for children.

“Steve the guide was excellent full of information and stories about Portsmouth and it past. A great time and well worth doing”

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6.Isle of Wight Day Tour by Bus and Ferry

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 36 reviews · 9 hours · from $106

Travel from Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight by executive coach and Wightlink ferry, then visit Godshill and Alum Bay. Guides such as Andrew, Charlie, and Jerry lead the English-language day, with time for the Needles, beach, chairlift, and family activities.

“The best part for me was that it started in Portsmouth as not many day trips do now. The cost was extremely high for what was included which was basically just transport.”

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7.Old Portsmouth Historical Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · from $16Top rated

Walk 1.5 miles through Old Portsmouth with Samuel, a Portsmouth-born history teacher and guide. Hear about pirates, paupers, princes, coffee, espionage, Jack Nastyface, and the city’s darker characters. The tour runs about 90 minutes, uses English, and includes cobbles and narrow lanes.

“Both myself and my friend thoroughly enjoyed the the tour, she has just moved to Portsmouth and is very keen to learn about Portsmouths history. Although I already new quite a bit I learnt more and enjoyed being reminded of what I already new but forgot.”

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8.The Portsmouth Ghost Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 10 reviews · 1h 15m · from $20

Meet your English-speaking guide at Square Tower for a 75-minute walk through Old Portsmouth’s Spice Island. Expect real local history, ghost stories, actor-led scenes, group participation, and a finish at Round Tower. The evening setting adds chill, darkness, and atmosphere.

“Excellent we really enjoyed it. The chap, sorry can’t remember his name, was fun, informative and acted his part very well. We went on the 9pm tour which being dark added to the ambience of the whole evening. Would thoroughly recommend it if you like history. Will return in the day to spend more time in old Portsmouth.”

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9.Spinnaker Tower Abseiling Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 1 hour · from $155

You’ll suit up with a qualified English-speaking instructor, step onto a platform 100 meters above Portsmouth, then control a full abseil to the ground. The one-hour experience includes training and safety gear, with views across the harbor, Solent, and Isle of Wight. Participants must be at least 14 and under 120 kg.

“Whole experience was great.Staff were very helpful and friendly. Abseil instructors were fun and full of encouragement. Only thing that was a let down was the weather. Heyho I’d do it again.”

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