For all its naval grit, Portsmouth turns out to be a surprisingly romantic city. It has sunsets over the water, a tower built for a view, old cobbled corners made for a slow wander and more than enough good tables for two. Whether you are planning a first date or marking an anniversary, here are the loveliest things to do as a couple in Portsmouth.
Watch the sun go down from the Point
The oldest and prettiest corner of the city is the Point in Old Portsmouth, a knot of cobbled streets that ends at the water where the harbour meets the Solent. Climb the Round Tower, lean on the old sea wall and watch the ferries slide past as the light goes gold.
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Two historic pubs sit right on the water here, so you can follow the view with a drink almost in the waves. It is hard to beat for a cheap and genuinely memorable evening.
Up the Spinnaker Tower, glass in hand
For something special, book the Spinnaker Tower towards dusk. From the viewing decks the whole harbour spreads out beneath you, and you can add a glass of champagne to toast the moment while the city lights flicker on.
The brave can stand on the glass Sky Walk and look straight down. The rest of us can simply enjoy the view and the fizz.
Dinner and a harbour stroll at Gunwharf
Right at the foot of the tower, Gunwharf Quays lines the waterfront with restaurants of every kind, from easy pizza to proper date-night dining. Eat looking out over the marina, then walk off the meal along the boardwalk with the boats clinking beside you.
“We come for the food and stay for the walk by the water,” said one couple I spoke to. On a mild evening it is the easy, reliable choice.
A slow day on the seafront
If daytime suits you better, the Southsea seafront is made for ambling. Walk the promenade from the castle to South Parade Pier, share an ice cream, hire a pedalo on Canoe Lake and lose an hour in the rose garden. It costs next to nothing and feels like a proper day off together.
Escape together for the day
When you want to make more of it, climb Portsdown Hill for a picnic with the whole harbour laid out below, or catch a ferry and make a day trip of it to the Isle of Wight. Sometimes the best date is simply getting on a boat with no particular plan.
A few ideas by mood
For a first date, keep it light with the seafront and an ice cream. For an anniversary, go big with the tower and dinner at Gunwharf. And for a quiet, no-fuss evening that still feels special, take a drink down to the Point and let the sunset do the work.
