St Ives Itineraries
Half a day or a full weekend. Here are the best ways to spend your time in St Ives, planned step by step.
Whether you have a few hours or a full weekend to explore, these itineraries give you a local’s route through St Ives. Each one links directly to the restaurants and activities along the way.
Half-Day: Art, Harbour and a Beach Lunch
A compact half-day loop for anyone with a morning or afternoon in St Ives: the town's two Tate-run art sites, a wander through the old fishing quarter, and lunch on the sand at Porthmeor.
- 109:30·1.5 to 2 hours
Tate St Ives
Start early at Tate St Ives above Porthmeor Beach, before the day's coach parties arrive. Budget 1.5 to 2 hours for the galleries.
View Tate St Ives - 211:30·45 to 75 minutes
Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden
Walk downhill to Trewyn Studio, Hepworth's preserved home, studio and walled sculpture garden, a short 10-minute walk from the Tate.
View Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden - 312:45·20 minutes
Wander through Downalong
Cut through the granite courts and narrow streets of Downalong, St Ives' old fishing quarter, down toward the harbour.
- 413:15·1 hour
Lunch at Porthmeor Beach Café
Loop back to Porthmeor for lunch on the terrace, or continue to the harbour for The Sloop Inn if a pub lunch suits better.
View Porthmeor Beach Café - 514:30·30 minutes
St Ives Harbour & Smeaton's Pier
Finish with a walk out along Smeaton's Pier and a look at the working harbour before heading on.
View St Ives Harbour & Smeaton's Pier
Full Day: Beaches, Boats and the Coast Path
A full day built around St Ives' coastline: a morning on Porthmeor, a harbour seal-watching trip, and an afternoon start on the coast path toward Zennor for those who want a proper walk, with a beach-and-café alternative for a gentler pace.
- 109:00·1.5 to 2 hours
Morning surf or swim at Porthmeor Beach
Start with a swim or a lesson with St Ives Surf School while the beach is still quiet.
View Porthmeor Beach - 211:30·1 to 2 hours
Seal Island Boat Trip
Head to Smeaton's Pier for a St Ives Boats trip out to Seal Island to see the Atlantic grey seal colony.
View Seal Island Boat Trip (St Ives Boats) - 313:30·1 hour
Lunch at Porthminster Beach Café or Porthminster Kitchen
Cross to Porthminster for lunch with a view over the bay to Godrevy Lighthouse.
View Porthminster Beach Café - 415:00·2 to 3 hours
Coast path toward Zennor (or Carbis Bay beach for a gentler afternoon)
Active option: start the South West Coast Path west toward Clodgy Point and beyond, turning back after an hour or two rather than completing the full 7.5 miles to Zennor. Gentler option: take the branch train to Carbis Bay Beach instead for a calmer afternoon on the sand.
View South West Coast Path: St Ives to Zennor - 518:00·1.5 hours
Dinner at The Sloop Inn
Finish on the harbour front at The Sloop Inn, one of Cornwall's oldest inns, for dinner after a day outdoors.
View The Sloop Inn
Ready to plan your visit?
Check the weather forecast before you head out.