Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Southampton?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Southampton?

Most people spend one to three days in Southampton during their visit. The waterfront port city offers amazing highlights such as the famous sights and museums, the cuisine, the nightlife scene, and the gorgeous scenery.

Most people have long considered Southampton as a place to stop in route somewhere else, but the city has started to come into its own. There are several great museums that bring maritime history to life including learning about the Titanic and the Mayflower. There is also a growing restaurant scene with a variety of culinary delights.

Do you have one or two days to visit Southampton? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Southampton?

Southampton is a great place to visit if you want to avoid the tourist crowds. It has some interesting activities and attractions. Given only one day, you will likely find yourself hurrying to experience the key highlights such as the famous sights and museums, the cuisine, and the nightlife scene. To truly savor all that the port city boasts, a more generous amount of time is probably needed even though it's not a huge city. Many travelers opt for one to three days to thoroughly relish the wonders of the port city. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations for making the most of your visit.

How to spend a day in Southampton

This port city offers some good museums and historic landmarks, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. Pick the ones that appeal to you the most and get started. Museums are a favorite activity in town. There are a surprising number of options including SeaCity Museum, the Tudor House and Garden, and Southampton City Art Gallery.

A few tour suggestions include:

Wessex Spirits The Gin Palace ($192)
Oxford and Blenheim Palace Day Tour from Southampton ($191)
Transfer from Southampton to Gatwick airport via Arundel Castle ($210)

You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. While most people used to pass through Southampton on their way somewhere else, the city now offers a dynamic food scene with local restaurants mixed with international options and even fine dining.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Southampton?

Many weekend travelers visit Southampton, as 2 days is a good amount of time to explore this medium-sized city and check out the famous sights and museums, the cuisine, and the nightlife scene. If you're planning a weekend getaway here, we have a few suggestions of things to do below.

Southampton

How to spend 2 days in Southampton

Having a weekend (two to three days) in Southampton will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the port city.

Shopping in Southampton is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. The city has two indoor shopping centers, as well as a range of markets and several independent vendors.

This port city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The nightlife scene is filled with restaurants, pubs, and bars as well as a few nightclubs mixed in.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Southampton, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.