
Places to visit in St Ives
You won’t be short of things to do in St Ives, Cornwall. Take the hint from the sparkling waves and the British Point Break vibes: there are plenty of surfing opps in St Ives. Then there are the museums that proudly celebrate Cornish heritage and history. There’s creativity in every corner: back on dry land, refine your painting skills after a surf sesh – then browse coastal-inspired gifts and clothing, before retiring to a hotel along the same lines. If this sounds like your cup of tea, then read on for our top tips.
Day 1
Hit the waves at St Ives Surf School
- Sightseeing
- Suggested time at location: 2 hours
Thinking about surfing in St Ives? The clear waters and top swells are a great combo for beginners, who can learn the ropes with the St Ives Surf School’s two-hour sessions. Seasoned pros can book a class with a coach, who will help bring out your raddest rides yet. Either way, you won’t find a more exhilarating start to the day.
Grab a bite by the beach
- Eatery
- Suggested time at location: 1 hour

Oh, we do like to be beside the seaside! And beachfront breakfasts are an essential part of that vibe. At Porthmeor Beach Café, you can eat al fresco whatever the weather, thanks to the cosy heated booths. Spot dolphins as you tuck into Porthmeor’s impressive breakfast combos or some Cornish saffron toast. The cafe is just under the Tate St Ives, so you’ve not far to go for your next stop.
Celebrate Cornwall at Tate St Ives
- Sightseeing
- Suggested time at location: 2 hours
One of the best St Ives museums, the Tate is a slick, contemporary space where you can enjoy art with Atlantic Ocean views. Like its London sister, it showcases some of the most provocative artwork of our times, with special emphasis, of course, on the rich artistic heritage of the town.
Grab some crab
- Eatery
- Suggested time at location: 1.5 hours
A harbour-facing fixture on the Cornish social scene, The Rum & Crab Shack keeps things simple with a winning combination of, yup, rum and crab. Choose from more than 100 rums to pair with crab-based dishes such as jambalaya and crab-loaded fries with jalapeno sour cream. What more could you want after a surfing session?
Snooze in style at Trevose Harbour House
- Accommodation
- Suggested time at location: Overnight
Trevose Harbour House has six bright rooms, decked out in coastal shades of blue. Pampering touches include Egyptian cotton bed linen and Neal’s Yard lotions and potions. You’ll love reading by the fire in the snug and the seasonal breakfasts featuring St Mawes’ smoked salmon, Portreath honey, organic milk from Trewithen Farm and organic bread from Helston. Sustainability measures include 90 percent LED lighting and 100 percent green electricity.
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Day 2
Stroll along St Ives Harbour
- Sightseeing
- Suggested time at location: 2 hours
- Free

Take off your shoes, let the sand get between your toes and enjoy a relaxing mosey along the shoreline. Walk between the piers and dawdle in the wharf, lined with small stores and fish 'n' chip spots for that classic British seaside experience. Look out for greedy gulls!
Shop for artsy gifts at Seasalt Cornwall
- Shopping
- Suggested time at location: 1 hour
Seasalt Cornwall is a Cornish fashion company that riffs on the region’s coastal and crafty heritage. New collections inspired by local scenery include Wild & Windy Heaths in rich shades of heather and gorse. You’ll also be charmed by ceramic earrings and organic socks. The website has Instagrammable recipes for moreish dishes such as healthy and warming dhal.
Order Cornish cheeseburgers at Hub St Ives
- Eatery
- Suggested time at location: 1 hour

This place is all about loaded ‘dirty’ fries, epic milkshakes and Dirty South Burgers smothered in Cornish Blue – so make sure you’ve worked up an appetite before you settle in. The harbour-front hangout, which works with a heap of local suppliers, also does an excellent range of craft beer – 10 on tap at any one time. Hiccup!
Bring out your inner artist at Barnoon
- Sightseeing
- Suggested time at location: 2 hours
- Low budget
If your visit to the Tate inspired you, get stuck into one of Barnoon Art’s weekly workshops. From informal outdoor sketching sessions on the beach to artist-led tours of the town to dabbling in your own watercolour portraits, you’ll love this creative and community-focused company. Think of it as a way to walk around the beautiful coastal path while being crafty.
Feast on ice cream at Moomaid
- Eatery
- Suggested time at location: 1 hour
Just reading the names of the 30-plus flavours at Moomaid of Zennor will make your mouth water. Will it be scoops of Shipwreck – sea salt ice cream made with milk from Moomaid’s farm, dulce de leche caramel and honeycomb, or Almond & Hazelnut Praline made from salted almond and hazelnut ice cream with a swirl of cocoa? They say people go nuts for this one…
Top Tip - Seal Island
- Sightseeing
On a Sea Safari, you’ll jump on a Dolly P boat to travel around Seal Island or Godrevy Island, meeting the colonies of Atlantic grey seals that call them home.
Top Tip - Tregenna Castle Resort
- Accommodation
Tregenna Castle Resort sits high above the harbour. Its rooms and self-catering pads are dreamy; the resort’s al fresco charms include a sub-tropical garden, lower woodland walk and outdoor pool.
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