St Ives is one of Cornwall’s most beautiful seaside towns, and whatever the weather there is always something to enjoy. From golden beaches and world-class galleries to coastal adventures and immersive indoor experiences, here is our guide to the best things to do in St Ives for couples, families and groups alike. Whether you have a single afternoon or a full week in town, the hardest part is fitting it all in, so we have pulled together the highlights, from the famous beaches to the rainy-day winners, to help you make the most of your trip.
Hit the beaches and the harbour
St Ives is famous for its beaches, and they are all within an easy walk of the town centre. Porthmeor faces the Atlantic and is the spot for surfing and bodyboarding, with the Tate looking down over the sand. Porthminster is softer and more sheltered, with pale sand, clear water and a celebrated beach café. Down by the working harbour, Harbour Beach and tiny Bamaluz are perfect for paddling, crabbing and watching the fishing boats come and go. Walk out along Smeaton’s Pier to the old lighthouse for the best view back across the town.
Get out on the water
If you fancy something more active, the sea is the obvious playground. Book a surf lesson at Porthmeor, hire a paddleboard or kayak, or try coasteering along the rugged coast with a qualified guide. From the harbour you can join a boat trip to spot seals, dolphins and seabirds, or take the short hop towards Seal Island. The water is warmest from late summer into autumn, but with a wetsuit there is fun to be had most of the year. Most operators provide all the kit you need and run sessions for complete beginners, so no experience is required to give it a go; just book ahead in peak season, as the calmest mornings and best slots fill quickly.
Walk the South West Coast Path
Some of the best things to do in St Ives are completely free. The town sits on the South West Coast Path, and the stretch from St Ives towards Zennor is one of the most dramatic in Cornwall – heather, granite cliffs, hidden coves and barely a building in sight. For an easier outing, the gentle walk around to Carbis Bay rewards you with one of the finest views in the county. Wear proper footwear and take water, as the cliff path is uneven and exposed in places, and allow roughly two hours each way for the Zennor stretch if you plan to walk back rather than catch the bus.
Soak up the art and culture
St Ives has been an artists’ colony for more than a century, and its galleries are reason enough to visit. Tate St Ives showcases modern British art in a stunning building above Porthmeor Beach, while the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden lets you wander the studio and garden of one of Britain’s greatest sculptors. Pottery lovers should make time for the Leach Pottery, and the cobbled lanes are dotted with independent galleries, studios and craft shops – the perfect way to spend a slow hour or shelter from a passing shower.
Climb the Island for the best views in St Ives
For the finest views in town, make the gentle walk up to the Island, the grassy headland that reaches out into the sea at the northern edge of St Ives. At the summit sits St Nicholas Chapel, a tiny stone chapel that has watched over sailors for around 600 years, and the paths around it open up sweeping panoramas across the whole bay and the rooftops below. It is wonderful at any time of day but truly special at sunset, and it costs nothing but a little effort. Bring a jacket, as it can be breezy at the top, and leave time to wander the quiet back lanes of the Downalong fishing quarter on your way down.
Dive into St Ives history and heritage
St Ives has a rich seafaring and mining past, and the small but brilliant St Ives Museum brings it to life through a wonderfully eclectic collection covering fishing, mining, shipwrecks and everyday Cornish life. It is inexpensive, full of character and a great low-cost option for curious families or a wet afternoon. Nearby, the fifteenth-century parish church of St Ia, which gives the town its name, is well worth a quiet look inside for its carved bench ends and granite tower. Wandering the narrow cobbled streets between them, lined with former fishermen cottages, working studios and tucked-away galleries, is an attraction in itself.
Take a boat trip to spot seals
One of the most memorable things to do in St Ives is to head out onto the water straight from the harbour. Several operators run short trips to Seal Island, a scatter of rocks a few miles along the coast where grey seals haul out and swim, and in summer you might also see dolphins, basking sharks and clouds of seabirds. If you fancy something more hands-on, you can join a mackerel fishing trip and try landing your own supper. Most trips last around an hour, are weather-dependent and easy to book on the day at the harbourfront kiosks, so check the boards when you arrive, wrap up warm even in summer, and keep your camera ready.
The best things to do in St Ives when it rains
Cornwall’s weather has a mind of its own, but a grey day in St Ives does not have to be a dull one. The galleries are all warm and dry, the cafés, pubs and restaurants are made for lingering over a Cornish cream tea or a fresh seafood lunch, and the maze of independent shops is a pleasure to browse whatever the sky is doing. And for the ultimate weatherproof activity – one that is genuinely brilliant rather than just a way to pass the time – head indoors and get locked in.
Take on an award-winning escape room
For something completely different, Escape Time St Ives is one of the highest-rated things to do in town and a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice winner in both 2025 and 2026, placing it in the top 10% of attractions worldwide. You and your group get sixty minutes of fully immersive, story-driven play – these are not rooms full of padlocks and worksheets, but living sets you step inside and explore.
There is a game for every group. The Lost Treasure of Pirate Kernow is a family adventure for ages 8 and up, perfect for a rainy afternoon or a birthday treat. The St Ives Slayer is a horror experience for ages 13 and up, with a choice of intensity so you decide how scary your evening gets. A 1970s murder mystery, Sound Sleuth, is coming soon. Games suit groups of two to eight, cost from £20 per person, and run year round – sun, rain or sea fog.
You will find Escape Time on the first floor of Cornerstone House on Park Avenue, a couple of minutes from the town centre. (Please note the venue is reached by stairs only and is not wheelchair accessible; if you have mobility requirements, call ahead on 01736 887444 and the team will do their best to help.)
Plan your visit
St Ives really does have something for everyone, in every season. Spend the morning on the beach or the coast path, lose an afternoon in the galleries and shops, and round off the day by beating the clock in an escape room. If an escape room is on your list, you can reserve your slot online or get in touch with any questions.