St Ives is one of those places that keeps pulling us back. Between the golden beaches, winding cobbled streets and dramatic Cornish coastline, it’s easy to see why it’s one of the most popular destinations in Cornwall.
Whether you’re visiting for a weekend break or staying a little longer, there’s plenty to fill your itinerary. From relaxing on award-winning beaches to coastal bike rides and unforgettable sunsets, these are the things we genuinely enjoyed during our time in St Ives.
1. Spend the day at Porthmeor Beach
If there’s one beach you should visit in St Ives, it’s Porthmeor Beach.
With soft golden sand, crystal-clear water and views stretching out across the Atlantic, it’s the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon. The beach is popular with surfers thanks to its reliable waves, but it’s equally lovely for swimming, relaxing with a book or simply watching the world go by.
Even if you don’t fancy getting in the water, the beachfront cafés make a brilliant spot to sit with a coffee while soaking up the view.
2. Wander through St Ives’ cobbled streets
One of my favourite things about St Ives wasn’t a particular attraction at all—it was simply wandering.
The narrow cobbled lanes are packed with independent shops, art galleries, bakeries and hidden courtyards, and every corner seems to reveal another picture-perfect view.
It’s the sort of place where it’s worth putting Google Maps away for an hour and simply seeing where you end up.
3. Visit Tate St Ives
If the Cornish weather doesn’t quite cooperate, Tate St Ives is well worth a visit.
The gallery celebrates the area’s long connection with artists and regularly hosts exhibitions inspired by the surrounding landscape and coastline. Even if you’re not a huge art lover, the building itself and its sea views make it worth stopping by.
4. Stay at Wildflower Wood Glamping Pods
During our trip, we stayed at Wildflower Wood Glamping Pods just outside St Ives, and it made the perfect base for exploring the area.
The peaceful woodland setting felt wonderfully secluded while still being within easy reach of St Ives and the surrounding coastline. After busy days exploring, it was lovely returning to somewhere quiet to relax.
5. Visit Godrevy Lighthouse Viewpoint
Just a short drive from St Ives is one of Cornwall’s most iconic views.
Godrevy Lighthouse sits dramatically offshore and is said to have inspired Virginia Woolf’s novel To the Lighthouse. The surrounding coastline is beautiful, with wide sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs and plenty of walking trails.
If you’re lucky, it’s also a fantastic place to spot seals resting on the rocks below.
6. Cycle to Zennor
Hiring bikes and cycling along the coast was one of the highlights of our trip.
The route towards Zennor offers incredible sea views, quiet country lanes and plenty of opportunities to stop for photos along the way. It feels like a completely different side of Cornwall compared with the busy harbour in St Ives.
If you’re reasonably confident on a bike, I’d definitely recommend setting aside a morning for it.
7. Visit Zennor Village
Tiny Zennor is well worth the effort.
The village is famous for its historic church, traditional Cornish cottages and peaceful atmosphere. It’s much quieter than St Ives and offers a lovely contrast after spending time around the busy harbour.
Don’t forget to stop for lunch or a cream tea before heading back.
8. Take a day trip to Nanjizal Beach
Although it’s around a 30-minute drive from St Ives, Nanjizal Beach quickly became one of our favourite places in Cornwall.
Hidden away beneath towering cliffs, it’s famous for its crystal-clear water and the incredible rock arch known as the Song of the Sea. Reaching the beach involves a scenic walk, but the effort is more than worth it.
If you’re already exploring West Cornwall, I’d highly recommend adding it to your itinerary.
9. Watch the sunset over the harbour
As the day winds down, head back towards the harbour.
Watching the fishing boats bobbing in the water while the sun sets over the sea is one of those simple experiences that reminds you why people fall in love with St Ives.
10. Keep an eye out for seals
One of our favourite unexpected moments was spotting seals swimming just offshore while exploring the coastline.
We hadn’t booked a wildlife tour or gone looking for them—it simply happened while we were enjoying the beaches. If you’re spending time near the quieter coves or rocky areas, keep your eyes on the water because you never know what you might see.
11. Browse the independent galleries
Art is part of what makes St Ives unique.
Beyond Tate St Ives, the town is home to countless independent galleries showcasing local artists, photographers and ceramicists. Even if you’re not planning on buying anything, they’re lovely to browse.
12. Enjoy fish and chips by the harbour
No trip to the Cornish coast feels complete without fish and chips.
Grab a portion to take away and enjoy them overlooking the harbour while watching the boats come and go.
13. Treat yourself to Moomaid ice cream
If you’ve got room afterwards, stop for an ice cream from Moomaid of Zennor.
Made using milk from a local dairy herd, it’s become something of a Cornish institution and is the perfect treat on a warm afternoon.
14. Explore the harbour at low tide
As the tide goes out, the harbour transforms.
Rock pools appear, fishing boats settle onto the sand and the whole area feels completely different. It’s worth timing one of your walks to coincide with low tide if you can.
15. Use St Ives as a base for exploring West Cornwall
One of the best things about staying in St Ives is how many incredible places are within easy driving distance.
During our trip, we combined our stay with visits to Godrevy Lighthouse, Zennor and Nanjizal Beach, and there are plenty more day trips nearby, including Land’s End, Porthcurno Beach and the Minack Theatre.
If you’re spending more than a weekend here, I’d definitely recommend venturing beyond the town itself.
Is St Ives worth visiting?
Without a doubt.
St Ives combines some of Cornwall’s best beaches with a lively harbour, fantastic food, coastal walks and easy access to some of the county’s most beautiful scenery. Whether you’re planning a romantic weekend, a family holiday or a glamping escape like we did, it’s somewhere that genuinely offers a little bit of everything.
