Southampton is the cruise capital of Northern Europe. With a cosmopolitan atmosphere borne from centuries of international trade, Southampton is one of the UK’s leading ports and liveliest cities, combining medieval walls and buildings, modern shopping and entertainment complexes, marinas, culture and nightlife.

Here, you can also explore the city’s rich culture and long history and try the wide range of leisure activities in the surrounding countryside before relaxing to recount the day in one of Southampton’s many harbour-side restaurants, cafés and bars.

1. What makes Southampton unique?
2. Southampton’s popular attractions
3. Nightlife in Southampton
4. Sports in Southampton
5. Restaurants in Southampton
6. Shopping Centres and Markets in Southampton
7. Southampton living costs
8. Festivals and Events in Southampton
9. Travel in and around Southampton
10. Explore the UK from Southampton

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1. What makes Southampton unique?

One of the UK’s major ports, this south-coast city is famed for its maritime heritage. However, when you delve deeper into Southampton’s history and culture, you will find it has much more to offer, such as medieval buildings, legendary theatres and famous sporting arenas.

Southampton’s delightful shingle beaches offer perfect viewing spots of the ships that enter and exit the harbour. Whether you are navigating through the Hampshire treetops at Go Ape, racing friends at TeamSport Go Karting, relaxing at one of Southampton’s beaches or exploring local cycling or walking routes.

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2. Southampton’s popular attractions

Southampton is full of fun things to do and unique places to visit. Despite being just a town, within this wonderful place are numerous spots you can not miss, including:

• SeaCity Museum. Interactive experiences give you a sense of stepping back in time, while the model of the Titanic itself allows you to take a closer look at this majestic-yet-doomed vessel.
• Titanic Engineers Memorial. Revealed in April 1914, this memorial allows us to take a moment to remember all the engineers who lost their lives aboard the Titanic.
• Steamship Shieldhall. Ship enthusiasts will enjoy visiting the largest working steam ship in Britain and members of the National Historic Fleet.
• Tudor House and Garden. Revealing over 800 years’ worth of Southampton history, unsurprisingly, this is known as Southampton’s historically most important building.
• Solent Sky Museum. You will leave this museum with a newfound appreciation and knowledge of Southampton’s importance in the advancement of aviation.
• O2 Guildhall. Southampton’s largest music venue and can host up to 1,749 spectators. This Grade II-listed building has already attracted some of the largest household names in the industry.
• Southampton City Art Gallery. Opening its doors back in 1939, this gallery is home to one of the best publicly owned collections in the UK outside of London – 5,300 internationally recognised, high-quality pieces of art.
• Riverside Park. A perfect place to keep the whole family entertained with beautiful riverside walks.
• Mayflower Theatre. Be part of a 2,300-strong crowd, and watch a spectacular UK-touring musical, opera, ballet or musician.
• Town Walls. Explore medieval wine vaults and churches, enjoy snippets of the waterfront, and watch the ships come and go as you imagine what life could have been like back then.
• Manor Farm Country Park. Let the kids milk the cow, hold baby chicks, rabbits and ducks or burn off some energy in the outdoor play area while you grab yourselves a nice coffee at the cafe.
• Go Ape Southampton. Offers a fun-filled and action-packed day for all the family. You can enjoy one of the highest courses within the South of England and finish your adventure with a 250-metre zip wire flight.
• Bargate. This is the impressive north entrance to the medieval section of Southampton. Full of character and heritage, it is a true must-see when visiting Southampton.
• God’s House Tower. Once served as a strategic point of defence and has now been transformed into an arts and heritage venue. Did you know it was one of the earliest forts built specifically to carry a cannon?

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3. Nightlife in Southampton

The nightlife in Southampton has everything you would expect from a popular university city. Whether you are drinking in a bookshop or buying a round in a Caribbean consulate, there is plenty going on here to keep you occupied during your stay.

Leading the line in the list of Southampton’s best bars is Overdraft Craft Ale Bar on Shirley Road. They have a constantly rotating selection of 10 cask ales, which are served straight from cask to glass. If you get peckish after a few drinks, try their vibrant Mexican street food. It is served from Thursday to Sunday, and the tacos are out of this world!

Another great choice for craft ale fans is The Dancing Man Brewery at Town Quay. Founded in 2015, this award-winning microbrewery has grown to become a city favourite with a fine selection of home-made beers and food. The location is excellent and the interior decor really catches the eye with a large spiral staircase featuring right in the middle of the bar.

If cocktails are your tipple of choice, you would not be disappointed by what Southampton has to offer. Choose from the vibrant main bar, the hip club room or the rooftop skybar. You can even book a cocktail masterclass if you fancy picking up a new skill on your visit to Southampton.

When it comes to going out, you would not be short of options in Southampton. Every genre is covered, whether you are into houses, garage or some pop floor-fillers. Let’s start with the latter, at Popworld on Lower Banister Street. Weekends get pretty lively there, with endless pop anthems playing and inflatables flying around until the early hours.

Are you more of a house or techno fan? Fear not. Switch regularly hosts some of the world’s biggest DJs and is located on Above Bar Street in the Cultural Quarter of the city. Alternatively, you could head to Junk on London Road, which won DJ Mag's ‘Best Small Club’ at the Best of British Awards. Rounding off the list is Café Parfait, nearby to Switch on Above Bar Street. This is undoubtedly Southampton’s most distinctive club venue, with acrobatic performers and live musicians regularly making an appearance there.

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4. Sports in Southampton

Football fans will know The Saints, but there is much more to sport in this city than Southampton F.C where they play their home games at St. Mary’s Stadium.

If you are more of a cricket lover then head to the Ageas Bowl (Rose Bowl Cricket Ground) on Botley Road. Here you can watch Hampshire compete in the County Championship between April and September.

Other state-of-the-art facilities open to the public include:

• Jubilee Sports Centre
• St Marys Leisure Centre
• The Outdoor Sports Centre
• Chamberlayne Leisure Centre
• Bitterne Leisure Centre
• The Quays Swimming & Diving Complex
• Southampton Sports Centre
• Wide Lane Sports Ground
• Totton Health and Leisure Centre

5. Restaurants in Southampton

As a city famed for its maritime heritage, Southampton has so much more to offer to a foodie than just seafood. Authentic Italian restaurants, Hampshire’s best café and regular food markets all add to the city’s vibrant culinary offering.

If Italian food is your thing, but you are looking for more of a special occasion restaurant, check out Bacaro in Ocean Village. It can be fairly pricey, but their tapas style dining and stunning stripped-back decor make for a great evening meal.

Photo credit: The Oxford Brasserie

The Oxford Brasserie won Restaurant of the Year at the British Restaurant Awards in 2017, and it is easy to see why. Presenting cosmopolitan cuisine from France, Britain and Italy, the food tastes just as good as it looks. Specials are some of the highly recommended on your visit because the chefs love to create delicious seasonal dishes every day.

When you are visiting a city famed for its maritime heritage, you may want to visit a restaurant which has its own seafood legacy. COVE Bar & Restaurant is well regarded for its excellent seafood, and the location could not be better, as it overlooks the boats docked at Shamrock Quay.

Looking for something more adventurous? Southampton has you covered. For a great Indian, check out Bayleaf Kitchen on the High Street near the Westquay Shopping Centre in the heart of the city where the head chef, Mukesh Sharma will offer you the most authentic curry.

Alternatively, you could try some Mauritian street food courtesy of BBC Masterchef 2012 winner Shelina Permalloo at Lakaz Maman on Bedford Place. Here you can taste a modern twist of traditional Mauritian cuisine in a chilled out environment where the focus is firmly on the food.

Finally, for some south-east Asian cuisine, there is Pho Vietnam on Portswood Road. It is not fancy, but the food is spectacular. As the name suggests, this restaurant specialises in Pho, a Vietnamese noodle soup dish.

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6. Shopping Centres and Markets in Southampton

The exceptional array of shops in Southampton make it the number one shopping destination in Hampshire, with two indoor shopping centres, a wide range of markets and plenty of independent retailers all housed within the city centre. From the retail haven of Westquay Shopping Centre to the artisan delights of Southampton’s General Market, there is plenty here for the avid shopper.

In the heart of Southampton lies an 800,000 square foot shopping centre with around 150 stores and loads of restaurants and bars. Nearby, you can also find West Quay Retail Park, which is home to a number of retail favourites, such as Matalan, JD, Mamas & Papas, as well as dining options including TGI Friday’s and McDonalds.

Bargain hunters may prefer a trip to The Marlands Shopping Centre, which is host to a number of popular discount retailers, such as Savers and Poundland, as well as a number of independent retailers. A visit to the award-winning chocolate shop Fredericks is a must. Their luxury chocolates are all handmade in-store by owners Jan & Mark, who are experts in everything chocolate and even offer a chocolate making experience if you book in advance.

If you are looking for a more artisan shopping experience, Southampton’s markets will be right up your street. Southampton General Market on High Road hosts a different market each week. On the first Saturday of every month, it is the Antiques & Collectibles Market. Perhaps this is your opportunity to find that long-sought-after Steiff bear, or a unique piece of antique jewellery.

If you are visiting on the second Saturday of the month, you will find the Southampton Arts & Crafts Market, followed by an Artisan Food Market on the third Saturday, and the Vintage & Retro Market on the fourth and final Saturday of the month.

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7. Southampton living costs

Budget guide:

• One-way Ticket (Local transport): £2.35
• Meal out: £11.00
• Fast Food (McDonalds): £5.20
• Gasoline (1 litre): £1.32
• Cinema ticket: £11.75
• Taxi (normal tariff): £2.30

8. Festivals and Events in Southampton

• Southampton Christmas Festival. Featuring a traditional German market where you can enjoy bratwurst and waffles as you make your way around 40 individual stalls selling a range of authentic gifts.
• Hampshire Country and Food Festival. Promotes Hampshire’s best food & drink suppliers, music, workshops, demonstrations, plant experts and nurseries.
• NOZFEST. A festival put on by promoter and blogger JodieBowie, based in Southampton, UK. Featuring the best of the new found wave of classic.

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9. Travel in and around Southampton

Southampton’s strong transport links make it easy to get to. Public transport, a nearby airport and ferry terminal, as well as a large train station give you plenty of options when planning your visit.

Public transport

Getting to Southampton by road is fairly straightforward, especially if you are arriving by coach. Southampton Coach Station is located in the heart of the city on Harbour Parade and is open 24 hours a day. There are automated ticket machines, as well as other on-site amenities such as a coffee shop, cash points, charging points, toilets and a waiting area. If you are looking to head out for the day, there is an on-site car park and direct services mean you can get to London in two and a half hours.

By ferry

Southampton is the country’s number one port for cruise ships. It is also home to Southampton Ferry Terminal where Red Funnel ferry services run regular trips to and from the Isle of Wight. There is parking available, as well as a free shuttle service that runs from Southampton Central Station via the Westquay shopping centre.

By train

Southampton Central Railway Station is the city’s main hub for train passengers. The four platforms are occupied by services throughout the country, and there are facilities such as waiting rooms, toilets and shops on-site.

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10. Explore the UK from Southampton

Southampton is an ideal base for you to start exploring neighbouring cities, towns, and the rest of the UK.

Totton

Have you ever visited a new place and felt ‘wow’ about it? For many visitors, it happens at Totton. This place may not be as popular as other cities in the United Kingdom, but don’t let that fool you. This is the perfect destination for visiting Southampton with access to the ferry port, and a few miles to the west, the beauty and special atmosphere of the New Forest with its picturesque villages and woodland walks.

Eastleigh

Eastleigh is part of the picturesque Hamble Valley area stretching along the River Hamble and Solent, including Bishop’s Waltham, Bursledon, Botley, Netley Abbey, and Hamble. Eastleigh has a bustling town centre with plenty of things to do including Eastleigh Museum. This place is also perfect for a family trip where you can enjoy Lakeside Country Park & Steam Railway, popular for easy strolls and fishing.

Fareham

A market town between Southampton and Portsmouth, Fareham lies just northwest of Portsmouth Harbour. Given the harbour’s 800 years of naval history, the Ministry of Defence is a big local employer, and the town and wider borough are furnished with a lot of military heritage. Here, you can immerse yourself in this heritage at the super Westbury Manor Museum or the Bursledon Brickworks, a preserved factory.