Top reasons to visit Marazion

An ancient market town tucked away on the south-west coast of England, Marazion, Cornwall is best known for iconic St Michael’s Mount. The historic island is every bit as alluring as the romantic photos suggest, and there’s plenty to see, both on the mount and back in the little town of Marazion itself.

Mount's Bay offers glorious sandy beaches, wonderful wildlife-watching opportunities, fabulous eateries, and charming boutique shops and galleries. There are so many reasons to visit the town, whether it’s for sundowner drinks in the Godolphin, Marazion’s seafront restaurant, or to enjoy water sports on Marazion Beach.

If you’re looking for a Marazion holiday, tap the button below to browse our self-catering cottages, and if you’re not, read on to find out why you should visit!

St Michael's Mount

An imposing sight with an amazingly rich history, St Michael’s Mount, Marazion’s tidal island, sits less than 400 metres across the bay. The National Trust-protected site has stunning gardens, unique geology and a 12^th-century castle which is still home to the St Aubyn family.

The island’s fairy-tale charm and magic are added to by the fact that it is only accessible on foot at low tide, when the water draws back to reveal a stone causeway. At high tide, a seasonal ferry runs between the island and Marazion, giving you more time to explore its subtropical gardens and bewitching castle. St Michael’s Mount is, without a doubt, unmissable when you’re staying in Marazion.

Dolphin spotting and bird watching

Whether you're looking to spot creatures swimming in the sea or flying through the sky, Marazion is the place to be. Approximately 1 mile west of the town centre, RSPB Marazion Marsh is home to the largest reedbed in Cornwall, where herons, warblers, chiffchaffs, starlings and sparrowhawks can be seen.

Mount's Bay is a haven for sea creatures, with bottlenose dolphins, basking sharks and seals being frequent visitors. The best way to catch a glimpse of these spectacular creatures is on board a marine safari. If you’re very lucky, you may even spy a whale or a leatherback turtle!

Beaches in every direction

In front of the town, there's Marazion Beach, a family-friendly expanse of sand overlooking St Michael’s Mount. Build your own castles in the sand, and if you’re feeling energetic, there are water sports aplenty that you can enjoy in the serene bay. RNLI lifeguards provide a seasonal patrol, making it a safe and pleasant spot for a day of seaside fun. Even when the summer dog restrictions are in force on Marazion Beach, you’re welcome to take your pup for an early morning walk before 10am or an evening stroll after 6pm outside of the daytime ban. To the east of the causeway, Gwelva Beach is dog friendly all year round!

Besides the main Marazion Beach, there are a number of other beautiful coves to explore in the vicinity. One of which, Perranuthnoe, is just over 1.5 miles away to the east. The most enjoyable way to reach it is via the Cornwall Coast Path, which leads past a number of smaller coves including Venton, Trenow, Trevelyan and Temis. Perranuthnoe Beach is a sandy stretch with some shingle, which almost disappears at high tide. Also within easy reach of Marazion are Porthcurno and Sennen Cove to the west, and less than 10 miles away to the north is St Ives Bay!

Regardless of the direction you explore, you'll come across a fantastic beach on which to relax, sunbathe or surf.

Brilliant weather

Cornwall doesn't play by normal 'British Summer Time' rules and instead has its own Cornish Summer Time - meaning summer starts earlier and lasts longer. So, even if you don't visit during the peak of summer you're still likely to have excellent weather.

With Marazion being on a peninsula, it experiences all of the amazing attributes of summer weather. Inland, there can be cooling, rolling mists whilst the coastline can bask in the glorious sun. What’s more, St Michael’s Mount enjoys a unique climate, where frost is rare and sub-tropical plants flourish. The rocks retain the heat, allowing exotic plants such as aloe and agave to grow quite happily here.

On sunny days, there’s nowhere better to be than beside the sea, making Marazion a top choice for a summer break.

Fantastic restaurants

After a long day of exploring, there is nothing better than resting and recharging whilst eating some excellent food. Luckily, Marazion plays host to several fantastic restaurants that range from traditional pub food to freshly caught Cornish seafood dishes.

At the Godolphin, Marazion visitors can expect a delicious meal with a spectacular view. The hotel’s restaurant, Shutters, serves up seasonal dishes, complemented by great wines, local beers and cocktails. 

Pop into the Copper Spoon Cafe for a tasty coffee and cake, and swing by the welcoming Peppercorn Cafe for lunch. Alternatively, grab a pasty from Philps, or a portion of chips from the Tudor Chippy. 

There are several lovely pubs to choose from for a hearty dinner in a cosy environment, and even the Marazion car park cafe, the Beach Box, serves dishes to impress! As you can see, there are more than enough Marazion restaurants to satisfy all tastes – the only problem you’ll have is deciding which one to eat in!

Excellent location for touring all of South and West Cornwall

Marazion is the perfect place if you want to explore everything Cornwall has to offer. Discover vibrant Penzance, popular St Ives and delightful Mousehole, all within 10 miles. Marazion is also well situated for walking along the jagged coastline and getting to know the peaceful harbour towns of the Lizard. Cornwall is as much a winter destination as it is a summer one, with bracing walks to keep the heart rate up, and busy hot spots transformed into peaceful and idyllic retreats.

Head for the wonderful harbour town of Porthleven (8 miles), with its welcoming eateries and scenic views aplenty. In the same direction is Helston, where attractions such as Flambards Theme Park and, a little further, the Cornish Seal Sanctuary await. There’s a good mix of family-friendly days out, and lovely places to explore as a couple or group of adults. And of course, leave a good chunk of time for discovering Marazion itself! Park up in the large Marazion car park and take in some of the wonderful sights and experiences mentioned above.

Marazion is beautiful

Moody and dramatic against a dark, heavy sky, yet elegant and sultry against a summer sunset, the ever-changing face of St Michael’s Mount makes for a spectacular view, whatever the weather. And while the island is undoubtedly Marazion’s crowning glory when it comes to vistas, there’s many a quirky corner in the village itself, worthy of admiration.

At Marazion Marsh, the beauty is found not only in landscapes but in nature, with graceful wetland birds and dazzling murmurations of starlings vying for your attention. The beaches and coast path offer no end of beautiful panoramas, and St Michael’s Mount harbour provides a different perspective on the village. Keep your phone handy, because you’ll want to capture some of these special scenes in your holiday snaps!

Take a holiday in Marazion

Marazion is a truly exceptional place. There's so much to see, do and explore that we're sure this list could have gone on indefinitely! The wildlife, the beaches, the glorious weather and the food will make sure you have a holiday to remember.

Browse our collection of cottages in Marazion and make your dreams of a holiday here a reality.