A complete guide on Visiting St Ives
Walk the cobbled streets of St Ives, browse the vast array of shops and galleries, and eat at fantastic local restaurants and cafes. Voted the best family holiday destination by 'Coast magazine' . Porthminster beach is one of 'TripAdvisor’s' top 25 European beaches. If you're in luck and the sun is shining - Take yourselves down to one of the 5 stunning beaches, get your toes in the sand and soak up the coastal scenery and fresh sea air. Scroll down to see our 6 best things to do in St Ives! Need a lift? book a taxi here.
The Best things to do in St Ives for 2025
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1. Surf at Porthmeor Beach - Popular with both swimmers and surfers, Porthmeor gives consistent waves which are great to learn on. If you are looking to book some lessons, head over to the St Ives surf school via their website: www.stivessurfschool.co.uk
Porthmeor beach is a blue flag beach, its super clean and well maintained all year round its also close to all amenities including Porthmeor beach cafe! |
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2. Take a boat trip - A great experience for all! 'Bluefin Charters' offer daily boat trips from St Ives harbour, with 3 types of boats to choose from! Whether your looking for fast paced adventure rib ride, chilled sightseeing in St Ives Bay or a fishing trip Bluefin Charters has you covered. You will get to see a mix of wildlife including, seals, sharks, dolphins and even whales!
Find out when the next tour leaves the harbour below. www.stivesfishingtrips.co.uk |
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3. Kidz R Us - This amazing youth theatre has produced over 70 shows since 1994 and has collected many awards along the way. The not for profit charity works with around 100 young performing arts students from upwards of 7 years old. why not get involved? check the website to see their upcoming events. www.kidzrus.net |
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4. Barbara Hepworth Museum - One of the most known things to do in St Ives is visit the Barbara Hepworth museum who was a British sculptor and leading figure in the international art scene, amazing sculptures set among idyllic beautiful flowers and landscaping.
www.barbarahepworth.co.uk |
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5. Visit the Independent Art Galleries - Visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to galleries in St Ives, the seaside town is known for its art scene. Here are 6 great art galleries in St Ives to visit; The Penwith, The Blue Bramble, Salthouse, New Craftsman, Belgrave, Porthminster gallery and many more!
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6. Walk the Coastal Path - From St Ives you can walk for miles along the south west coastal path. For a nice short walk to start with, why not head to Carbis bay which is just under 2 miles? From the train station, you can easily walk down to Porthminster beach, on the right hand side you will find where the coast path starts.
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St Ives Restaurants
We have covered all the best things to do in St Ives now we are helping you find all the top restaurants in St Ives, we have listed all the top spots to eat and drink during your trip to Cornwall. Famous for having so many great restaurants, from high-end fine dining to quick seaside snacks you will be spoilt for choice. To find out more about the place, view menus and book a table just click on your restaurant of choice below:
St Ives Bakery (For pasties and baked goods!)
Beer & Bird (Craft Beers and Gourmet Fried Chicken)
Talay Thai (Modern Thai Restaurant)
Rajpoot (Indian Restaurant)
Porthminster Cafe (Fine dining beachside Restaurant)
The Hub (Trendy bar on the harbour front, serving Burgers and Beers)
The Mex (Mexican Restaurant)
Seafood Cafe (Seafood/Fish Based Restaurant)
The Rum & Crab Shack (Rustic, Seafood Platers and Rum Drinks)
Caffe Pasta (Italian Restaurant)
Firehouse (Grill and Bar)
Beer & Bird (Craft Beers and Gourmet Fried Chicken)
Talay Thai (Modern Thai Restaurant)
Rajpoot (Indian Restaurant)
Porthminster Cafe (Fine dining beachside Restaurant)
The Hub (Trendy bar on the harbour front, serving Burgers and Beers)
The Mex (Mexican Restaurant)
Seafood Cafe (Seafood/Fish Based Restaurant)
The Rum & Crab Shack (Rustic, Seafood Platers and Rum Drinks)
Caffe Pasta (Italian Restaurant)
Firehouse (Grill and Bar)
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What is St Ives famous for...The Tate Gallery
St Ives is well known for its connections to the art world. This small Cornish seaside town first became home to this major art gallery in 1988. Since then a growing number of visitors each year led the Tate to expand and double its exhibition space in 2017. Showcasing some of the best British artworks of the twentieth century, alongside stunning views over the Atlantic Ocean from its location on Porthmeor beach - St Ives is a must-visit for any art lover. |
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If you only do one thing...Visit The St Ives Harbour
Nothing encapsulates St Ives more than the harbour! Sheltered by thick harbour walls makes this golden sandy beach is the perfect safe swimming spot for kids and a nice little sun trap for topping up your tan. It's the perfect location set right in the middle of all the town's amenities. With plenty of bars, restaurants, shops and galleries to wonder around, it's easy to spend a whole day or longer exploring this picturesque harbour and it's one of the best things to do in St Ives! |
Things to do in St Ives - Visit the beaches!
Porthmeor – Located right in front of the world-famous Tate gallery lies the golden sand of Porthmeor beach, with a great surf school on the beach plus if you are feeling peckish take a seat at the Porthmeor café which enjoys amazing views across the Atlantic ocean.
Porthgwidden – A golden sandy cove on the opposite side of the headland to Porthmeor, not quite as crowded and a bit more spacious than the harbour beach is what makes Porthgwidden the perfect sunbathing spot....providing the St Ives weather is one your side! Some great facilities include Porthgwidden café, a snack shop and there are even beach huts for hire!
Bamaluz – Next up is Bamaluz beach, located just around the corner from Porthgwidden is the almost secret beach which is only accessible at low tide via steep steps. This small quiet beach is ideal for those early morning swims.
Harbour beach – Situated within the thick granite harbour walls, this beach is in the heart of St Ives surrounded by great cafes, independant shops, and restaurants. Including St Ives oldest pub ‘The Sloop’. The harbour walls keep the beach sheltered and the waters calm enough to swim but watch out for boats as this is a working harbour. You must add this spot to your list of things to do in St Ives!
Porthminster – Easily one of the best beaches in Cornwall, with the perfect location right next to the train station, Porthminster beach is long with soft golden sand, it's nicely sheltered so usually stays calm with plenty of space. The beach is lucky enough to have an amazing restaurant right on the sand, Porthminster beach café is known for serving fine dining food right on the beachfront.
ST IVES WEBCAM - Click to see a live panoramic view of St Ives harbour beach - See what the weather in St Ives is looking like in real time!
Porthgwidden – A golden sandy cove on the opposite side of the headland to Porthmeor, not quite as crowded and a bit more spacious than the harbour beach is what makes Porthgwidden the perfect sunbathing spot....providing the St Ives weather is one your side! Some great facilities include Porthgwidden café, a snack shop and there are even beach huts for hire!
Bamaluz – Next up is Bamaluz beach, located just around the corner from Porthgwidden is the almost secret beach which is only accessible at low tide via steep steps. This small quiet beach is ideal for those early morning swims.
Harbour beach – Situated within the thick granite harbour walls, this beach is in the heart of St Ives surrounded by great cafes, independant shops, and restaurants. Including St Ives oldest pub ‘The Sloop’. The harbour walls keep the beach sheltered and the waters calm enough to swim but watch out for boats as this is a working harbour. You must add this spot to your list of things to do in St Ives!
Porthminster – Easily one of the best beaches in Cornwall, with the perfect location right next to the train station, Porthminster beach is long with soft golden sand, it's nicely sheltered so usually stays calm with plenty of space. The beach is lucky enough to have an amazing restaurant right on the sand, Porthminster beach café is known for serving fine dining food right on the beachfront.
ST IVES WEBCAM - Click to see a live panoramic view of St Ives harbour beach - See what the weather in St Ives is looking like in real time!
