Kate Atkin
29 March 2023
St Ives is one of Cornwall’s premier destinations. Visitors flock to this picture-postcard seaside town to enjoy a traditional beach holiday with a twist.
The town’s beauty has inspired countless artists over the years, and it’s now a thriving arts community, home to the iconic Tate St Ives. You could lose yourself for hours in the charming little back-streets which wind here and there, crammed with gift and craft shops, art galleries, and welcoming local pubs – it’s a real treasure trove just waiting to be discovered!
This guide highlights some of the best things to do in St Ives during your visit. Discover exciting attractions, the most beautiful beaches, and top places to eat. And if you’d like to browse our holiday cottages in St Ives, just click the button below.
Our top tip: If you’re staying out of town, a great way to come for a day trip is on a Park and Ride with a difference! Park at St Erth Station and take the train along the coast into St Ives, allowing you to take in the spectacular scenery along the way.
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Top attractions in St Ives
From cultural attractions to adrenaline-fuelled activities, St Ives is simply bursting with things to do. Here are a few of the best St Ives attractions to include in your itinerary:
Beaches in St Ives
St Ives is a magical place. An incredible light quality brings the colours of the coast alive; the sky that bit bluer, the sand a tropical golden colour, and the sea a remarkable turquoise.
This makes it a favourite with artists and also families looking for an incredible beach holiday. The four beaches in St Ives provide the traditional bucket and spade holiday, between them offering miles of golden sand and hours of family-friendly fun.
Porthmeor Beach
This great family beach is blessed with golden sand, good surf and a fantastic location. Adjacent to the town and overlooked by the world-famous Tate St Ives, Porthmeor Beach is served by a surf school, restaurants and cafés, and is a consistent winner of the Blue Flag award.
Parking: There are several car parks in St Ives (though they do fill up fast)
WCs: In Porthmeor Car Park (seasonal)
Facilities: There are several shops, restaurants and cafés located along the beach and in St Ives
Safety: Patrolled by lifeguards in peak season
Dogs: Dogs are welcome on this beach except between 15 May to 30 September (10am to 6pm) when a seasonal dog ban is in place. Although we would always advise checking this before you arrive
Porthgwidden Beach
The smallest beach in St Ives, this sandy, sheltered cove is located between ‘The Island’ and the harbour. East-facing, little Porthgwidden Beach becomes a sun trap in the mornings and is nestled behind the island, providing fantastic protection from the wind.
Parking: There are several car parks in St Ives (though they do fill up fast)
WCs: There are WCs at Porthgwidden (seasonal)
Facilities: A beach café right by the beach and several shops, restaurants and cafés located in St Ives
Safety: No lifeguards patrol this beach
Dogs: Dogs are welcome on this beach except between 1 July to 31 August (10am to 6pm) when a seasonal dog ban is in place. Although we would always advise checking this before you arrive
Harbour Beach
Located in the hub of the town, as the name suggests, this beach is also the harbour for St Ives. Still a working harbour, it is used by fishing and pleasure boats.
Being in the centre of the town means there are plenty of facilities on hand – all the delights of St Ives are right by the beach: restaurants, cafés, galleries, ice cream parlours and more. There is still sand even at high tide (a little corner remains) and at low tide, the bay expands to reach the neighbouring beaches.
Parking: There are several car parks in St Ives (though they do fill up fast)
WCs: There are WCs at a nearby car park (seasonal)
Facilities: The town is right next to the beach with cafés, restaurants, shops and more
Safety: No lifeguards patrol this beach
Dogs: Dogs are welcome on this beach except between 1 July to 31 August (10am to 6pm) when a seasonal dog ban is in place. Although we would always advise checking this before you arrive
Porthminster Beach
At almost half a mile long, Porthminster is St Ives’ second largest beach but is more sheltered than Porthmeor. The calmer sea conditions and excellent facilities make this beach very popular with families.
Unlike the other three beaches, Porthminster Beach is not in the very heart of St Ives. Situated on the edge of the town, only a 5-minute walk away from the centre, it still boasts fantastic facilities with restaurants and cafés. It is also located right next to the train station and a large car park. Enjoy striking views back to St Ives Harbour and picturesque cliff-top walks nearby.
Parking: There is a large car park next to the beach. There is also a bus stop and train station
WCs: There are WCs by the beach (seasonal)
Facilities: Right next to the beach or in the car park are cafés, restaurants and shops
Safety: Patrolled by lifeguards in peak season
Dogs: Dogs are welcome on this beach except between 15 May to 30 September (10am to 6pm) when a seasonal dog ban is in place. Although we would always advise checking this before you arrive
Eating out in St Ives
St Ives is one of the most popular foodie destinations in Cornwall, with a wide selection of top-quality eateries. Many of the restaurants in St Ives take advantage of the ancient fishing history of the town, with local seafood and fish delivered from the boats to the chefs daily.
However, St Ives is not just about fish – there are bistros and brasseries, tearooms and gastropubs to cater for all tastes, many serving the finest locally sourced ingredients.
The town’s reputation for fine food, organic produce and artisan cheeses is well deserved – with many fantastic places to eat in St Ives offering mouth-watering menus. You will be spoilt for choice. Here are a few of our favourite places to dine:
- Seafood Café | Wide variety of local seafood dishes | 45 Fore Street, TR26 1HE
- Mermaid Seafood Restaurant |Local lobsters are a speciality | 21 Fish Street, TR26 1LT
- Caffé Pasta | Stone-baked sourdough pizza and fresh pasta | The Wharf, TR26 1PZ
- Porthmeor Café | Breakfast, lunch, tapas and evening dining | Porthmeor Beach, TR26 1JZ
- The Rum & Crab Shack | Delicious dishes from the land and sea | Wharf Road, TR26 1LG
- Sloop Inn | One of Cornwall’s oldest and most famous inns | Back Lane, TR26 1LP
- The Castle Inn | Popular town centre pub with hearty food | 16 Fore Street, TR26 1AB
- The Loft Restaurant & Terrace | Stylish bistro in the artist’s quarter | Norway Lane, TR26 1LZ
- The Mex | Mexican-themed food and drink, plus steaks and fish | 3 Gabriel Street, TR26 2LU
- Porthminster Beach Café | Asian and Mediterranean cuisine | Porthminster Beach, TR26 2EB
Stay with us in St Ives
If you’re eager to start exploring this exciting holiday destination, then why not check out our collection of holiday cottages in St Ives? From cosy coastal cottages for two to fun-filled seaside sanctuaries for the whole family, we’ve got plenty to choose from below. Take a look at our guide to the top places to stay in Cornwall (and we'll let you in on a secret, St Ives may be on the list!!).
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.