According to Portsmouth City Council, visitors contribute £600million to the local economy and annually and support around 12,000 jobs in the city. While many are attracted by our beaches, there are plenty of other reasons to make a trip to Hampshire’s fabulous island city.
With the summer holidays still in full swing we look at 12 of Portsmouth’s best tourist attractions:
![Visiting the Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery is a great way to understand the Portsmouth's history and culture. Current exhibits include the story of Portsmouth FC and a display celebrating Sherlock Holmes and his creator Arthur Conan Doyle, who lived and worked in Portsmouth.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjBiZjA0NzUyLTQ2MmYtNGY0MS1hZTRjLTI3ZmIyNmI3NGZjNDo2MTI1ZWMzOC1lNjNhLTQwYmQtODNlOS1jZDhlMDE5YTBkMDM=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
5. Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery
Visiting the Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery is a great way to understand the Portsmouth's history and culture. Current exhibits include the story of Portsmouth FC and a display celebrating Sherlock Holmes and his creator Arthur Conan Doyle, who lived and worked in Portsmouth.Photo: Portsmouth City Council
![Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum allows visitors to explore the first home of one of the UK's most celebrated authors. Dickens was born at the Portsmouth adress - now 393 Commercial Road - more than 200 years ago.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjAyOGYzYjEwLWZhMWEtNGEyNi04OGQ0LWE2ZDk5YTlkNGFmNjoxOTQxNDVmMy04M2ZhLTRkY2YtODI5NC1mZjE4ZjdiZTAxYjk=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
6. Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum
Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum allows visitors to explore the first home of one of the UK's most celebrated authors. Dickens was born at the Portsmouth adress - now 393 Commercial Road - more than 200 years ago.Photo: Portsmouth City Council
![Beginning in Southsea near at Spur Redoubt near Clarence Pier, this 3km route lets walkers take in views of Old Portsmouth, the Camber and Gunwharf Quays.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjE0NTE5OGUzLTE0ODUtNGJkYi1iZGY0LTA2MTA0NjNjMDdjNTo0NThlZmU4Zi0xNGE3LTRkM2MtYTlmMy00MDM3NTkxNmI5NjM=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
7. The Millenium Promenade
Beginning in Southsea near at Spur Redoubt near Clarence Pier, this 3km route lets walkers take in views of Old Portsmouth, the Camber and Gunwharf Quays.Photo: -
![Located in Portchester - just outside Portsmouth - Fort Nelson is free to visit and is home to some of the Royal Armouries' national collection of historic weapons and artillery.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjM0MzAzZDBiLTFkZWMtNGQ3MS1hOGVlLTc4MjYxMThjNzZjYTpjMGEyYjhmMS1hZTYyLTRjNGItYWU4ZS1iMWI2OWY3MTczZGE=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
8. Fort Nelson
Located in Portchester - just outside Portsmouth - Fort Nelson is free to visit and is home to some of the Royal Armouries' national collection of historic weapons and artillery.Photo: Alex Shute