This city is home to thousands of students from all around the world who attend The University of Southampton, which is ranked in the top 100 universities in the world.
Southampton is also where thousands of people embark on cruises around the world every year, the port is one of the busiest in the country.
If you are keen to plan a city break in the UK or want to stay either side of departing or arrriving from a cruise then Southampton is a great place to visit.
There are some fantastic tourist attractions, museums, galleries and also lots of great day trips you can do nearby.
Where to Stay
If you are visiting Southampton and would like to stay longer than a day, then there are lots of places to stay in the city centre and surrounding areas. You can get the best deals on hotel and accommodation on Booking.com.
Top Attractions in Southampton
Now check out our list of the top places to visit in Southampton, most of these are located centrally and can be reached on foot.
1. SeaCity Museum
Havelock Rd, SO14 7FY
Based at the heart of Southampton, SeaCity Museum tells the story of the people of the city, their fascinating lives and historic connections with Titanic.
2. Solent Sky Museum
Albert Rd S, SO14 3FR
Have you got an interest in activation? A visit to the Solent Sky Museum is highly recommended. This museum showcases the history of aviation in Southampton and you can see lots of old planes.
3. Southampton City Art Gallery
Civic Centre, Commercial Rd, SO14 7LY,
The Southampton City Art Gallery is an art gallery in in the Civic Centre on Commercial Road. The gallery opened in 1939 with much of the initial funding from the gallery coming from two bequests one from Robert Chipperfield and another from Frederick William Smith.
4. Ocean Village
Ocean Village is really spectacular marina full of some of the most expensive yachts and ships in the country. You can wander round the village, get photos of the boats and visit one of the many cafes, shops and restaurants.
5. Riverside Park
Looking to relax and escape the busy city centre life? Head to Riverside Park for a relaxing break with open spaces, sports pitches, a skate park, three children play areas and a pretty riverside walk.
6. Town Walls
Southampton is a very historic city and the old town walls that run throughout are just over a mile in length. If you would like to walk the walls a popular place to start is Bargate. On the route you can check out old medieval wine vaults and churches and see amazing views over the ocean.
7. St Mary's Stadium
Do you love sports? St Mary's Stadium is home to Southampton Football Club, one of the top teams in the UK. The stadium has a capacity of 32,384 and is currently the largest football stadium outside London.
Watching a live game here is highly recommended to soak up the atmosphere and traditional match day experience of a Championship league football club. Due to Southampton being in the second division of English football tickets are fairly easy to get and can be purchased online.
8. Westquay Shopping Centre
Visit Westquay shopping centre, found in the heart of Southampton. With hundreds of shops to browse, food to taste and things to do, why go anywhere else?
Other Places to See
If you have more time try to also look up these locations:
- Manor Farm Country Park - Enjoy a family day out at a local farm. See farm animals as you stroll around a beautiful traditional farm.
- Southampton Common - great for walking or spending a sunny day relaxing in the outdoors.
- Pepper Pig World - adult/family rollercoasters and theme park.
- Sir Harold Hillier Gardens - an arboretum in Romsey over 180 acres in size and with over 42,000 trees and shrubs.
- SS Shieldhall - a preserved old steamship.
- Medieval Merchant's House - a historical restored late-13th-century building.
- The Southampton Boat Show - an annual event for boating enthusiasts.
- Ikea - get all your essential home furniture.
Best Day Trips & Places to Visit Near Southampton
Southampton is located in close proximity to other towns, cities and nature spots - perfect if you would like to see more of the region. Here are some of the top destinations to check out.
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is a waterfront city with a rich maritime history, a spectacular coast, popular tourism attractions, and year-round festivals and events. You can drive to Portsmouth from Southampton in around 30 minutes or take the train which takes around 40-50 minutes.
Get Lost in Nature at the New Forest National Park
The New Forest is an excellent place to visit if you are keen to escape the city and immerse yourself in nature. You can experience ancient woodland, beautiful heathland, get close to animals like wild horses, see pretty villages and a stunning 40-mile coast.
You can get from Southampton to the New Forest quickly by car and train. There are daily trains from Southampton Central to Ashurst New Forest each day.
See Stunning View on the Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is an island located near Southampton just off the south coast of England.
Thousands of tourists visit every year to enjoy it’s beaches and seafront promenades such as sandy Shanklin Beach and south-facing Ventnor Beach. You can also see dinosaur remains and fossils or head to the popular Needles attraction, with 3 huge, white chalk rocks, guarded by a 19th-century lighthouse.
Southampton is connected to the Isle of Wight via the port of East Cowes. On average, there are 19 ferry crossings each day between Southampton and the Isle of Wight, which are operated by Red Funnel. Crossings from Southampton to East Cowes usually take around 1 hour.
Enjoy a Beach Day in Bournemouth
Are you keen to spend the day on the beach? Travel around 45 minutes down the coast and enjoy the beautiful beach in Bournemouth. This often gets voted one of the best places to see in the UK and with one of the most beautiful beaches which stretches for more than 7 miles.
