South Portland Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Portland Head Lighthouse
Portland Head Lighthouse
Portland Harbor aerial view from Eastern Promenade in East End, city of Portland, Maine ME, USA.
H3M0PA South Portland, Maine, USA at the Portland Breakwater Light.
The Portland Breakwater Light aka Bug Light. located in South Portland, ME near the campus of Southern Maine CC. The light was built in 1875 and represents the 2nd light here. The light was restored in 1989 and reactivated in 2002. The light is part of a beautiful park that overlooks the harbor. This area was once a shipyard used to build Liberty Ships for the war effort durring WW2. This is a great location to come to watch fireworks on July 4th, have a nice walk or have a picnic and watch the ship traffic. Technical Info: Camera: Canon 80D Lens: Canon 10-18mm Exposure: 3/5 second @ f/25 18mm ISO 100 4 stop ND Soft Grad filter

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Where to stay in South Portland

Bug Light

Willard Beach

When in Willard Beach, you can plan a visit to Willard Beach and Portland Harbor Museum, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Willard Beach
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Ferry Village

While Ferry Village isn't home to many top sights, Willard Beach and Casco Bay Lines Ferry Terminal are some notable places to visit nearby.

Ferry Village
Bug light lighthouse in Portland, Maine at sunset as a sailboat sails into the harbor

Meetinghouse Hill

While Meetinghouse Hill may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Willard Beach and Victoria Mansion.

Meetinghouse Hill
OMG!, my newest discovery lead me to the Best Little Bakery and Espresso House!, the best Cookies they are like 15" round, all freshly made breads and pastries . They also serve wines----

Willard

Willard might not have many top sights, but Willard Beach and Victoria Mansion are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Willard
Panoramic view of the harbor of Portland, Maine, New England, USA

Knightville

While Knightville isn't home to many top sights, Victoria Mansion and Portland Museum of Art are some notable places to visit nearby.

Knightville
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Loveitts Field

Loveitts Field might not have many top sights, but Willard Beach and Portland Harbor Museum are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Loveitts Field
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland

4 out of 5
363 Maine Mall Rd South Portland ME
The price is £66 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
£66
30 Mar - 31 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in South Portland. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,354 reviews)
Our room was really dirty. I don't think the carpets had been vacuumed between guests. Never even saw any housekeepers until our last night and at that point we did t bother them. Truly believe it was a staffing issue.

Reviewed on 7 Mar 2026

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland
Tru by Hilton Portland Airport Area

Tru by Hilton Portland Airport Area

3 out of 5
369 Maine Mall Road South Portland ME
The price is £61 per night from 22 Mar to 23 Mar
£61
22 Mar - 23 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in South Portland. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,752 reviews)
Very clean room, very nice staff, large bathroom and great shower, good parking, and close proximity to the city of Portland.

Reviewed on 6 Mar 2026

Tru by Hilton Portland Airport Area
Casco Bay Hotel Portland Airport - Maine Mall, an Ascend Collection Hotel

Casco Bay Hotel Portland Airport - Maine Mall, an Ascend Collection Hotel

3.5 out of 5
80 John Roberts Rd. South Portland ME
The price is £65 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
£65
1 Apr - 2 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in South Portland. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,891 reviews)
Had a great stay, I think staff could have been a bit more warm and welcoming. All in all def a great experience and stay in Maine (;

Reviewed on 7 Mar 2026

Casco Bay Hotel Portland Airport - Maine Mall, an Ascend Collection Hotel
See all 2,654 properties in South Portland
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Weldon Hotel

The Weldon Hotel

4.5 out of 5
54 York St Portland ME
Stay at this luxury aparthotel in Portland. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Maine Mall and Victoria Mansion ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (94 reviews)
Clean and comfortable. The gym was great.

Reviewed on 6 Mar 2026

The Weldon Hotel
HomeAwhile

HomeAwhile

4 out of 5
205 Southborough Drive Scarborough ME
Stay at this aparthotel in Scarborough. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Maine Mall and Beech Ridge Motor Speedway ...
HomeAwhile
Beachfront Luxury Grand Victorian Condo (Primetime View directly down the pier)

Beachfront Luxury Grand Victorian Condo (Primetime View directly down the pier)

Old Orchard Beach ME
Stay at this beach condo in Old Orchard Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a beach locale and a water park. Popular attractions Engine and Palace Playland are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (144 reviews)
Spacious, open floor plan and very comfortable condo, also super clean. Many windows throughout the unit allow for beautiful ocean views everywhere. It’s February and the freezing single digit temps didn’t work for us to use the balconies but we really enjoyed staying here just the same. We want ...

Reviewed on 7 Feb 2026

Beachfront Luxury Grand Victorian Condo (Primetime View directly down the pier)
See all properties in South Portland
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Fort Preble showing a lighthouse and a garden as well as a small group of people

Southern Maine Community College

Walk around the campus at Southern Maine Community College during your visit to South Portland. Amble around this family-friendly area's waterfront and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Southern Maine Community College
South Portland, Maine, USA at the Portland Breakwater Light.; Shutterstock ID 688189870; Purchase Order: -

Bug Light

You can find out about the history of South Portland with a trip to Bug Light. Experience the area's acclaimed theatre scene and entertainment choices.

Bug Light
Fort Preble showing a lighthouse and a garden as well as a small group of people

Fort Preble

On the South Portland waterfront, survey the scene of the Battle of Portland Harbor, which is the only known Civil War conflict fought in Maine.

Fort Preble
Venetian Masks

Lyric Music Theater

You can enjoy a show at Lyric Music Theater during your stay in South Portland. Experience the area's acclaimed theatre scene or attend a sporting event.

Lyric Music Theater

Maine Mall

3.5/5(6 reviews)

You can browse for the perfect souvenirs at Maine Mall during your stay in South Portland. Experience the area's great live music and entertainment choices.

Maine Mall

Willard Beach

Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Willard Beach during your travels in South Portland?

Willard Beach

Things to do

Downtown Portland: Coastal Vibe and Old Mansions with In-Add Audio Tour

Downtown Portland: Coastal Vibe and Old Mansions with In-Add Audio Tour

£7
per traveller
Downtown Portland: Coastal Vibe and Old Mansions with In-Add Audio Tour
Portland Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Portland Smartphone Audio Tour: Self-Guided Drive

£13
per traveller
Portland Smartphone Audio Tour: Self-Guided Drive
Ultimate Portland Self-Guided Driving GPS Audio Tour

Ultimate Portland Self-Guided Driving GPS Audio Tour

£13
per traveller
100% of travellers recommend
Ultimate Portland Self-Guided Driving GPS Audio Tour
Portland Maine App-Based Driving & Walking Audio Tour Bundle

Portland Maine App-Based Driving & Walking Audio Tour Bundle

£19
per traveller
Portland Maine App-Based Driving & Walking Audio Tour Bundle
Maine: Portland Smartphone-Based Walking Audio Tour

Maine: Portland Smartphone-Based Walking Audio Tour

£10
per traveller
Maine: Portland Smartphone-Based Walking Audio Tour
Portland Maine Self-Guided Driving & Walking Audio Tour Bundle

Portland Maine Self-Guided Driving & Walking Audio Tour Bundle

£19
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Portland Maine Self-Guided Driving & Walking Audio Tour Bundle
See all activities in South Portland

Reviews of South Portland

3.3
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
0
5 - Excellent 0%
4 - Good
1
4 - Good 33%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 67%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Decent cheeper alternate to Portland itself only 15 mins to Portland and the local nice beaches Walmart in the area and Maine mall

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Just passing through, might have visited more, however we arrived during a thunderstorm!

Cities near South Portland

Scarborough which includes general coastal views and a coastal town as well as a large group of people

Scarborough

Rocky shores of the Maine Coast, Fort Williams Park, Cape Elizabeth, Maine, New England, USA

Cape Elizabeth

Ice Disk, Westbrook, Maine

Westbrook

Portland Head Light showing a lighthouse, general coastal views and rugged coastline

Portland

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