Bird's-eye view of the iconic peninsula and 'Island' of St Ives.
Inspiration for artists and writers like Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, and Virginia Woolf; St Ives is a dream for families, creatives and romantic couples.
Whether you're planning a family escape, a romantic break, or a fun-filled trip with friends, St Ives offers a vibrant mix of activities to make your Cornish holiday truly memorable.
Why visit St Ives?
Nestled on Cornwall’s enchanting coast, St Ives is renowned for its breathtaking scenery, thriving art scene, and picturesque harbour. With a unique blend of culture, adventure, and relaxation, it’s little wonder that St Ives is often considered one of the best holiday destinations in the UK.
Searching for the best things to do in St Ives? Discover our carefully curated list of 19 top attractions and activities, each guaranteed to give you an unforgettable stay.
1 | Visit the Barbara Hepworth Museum
In 1939, at the outbreak of the Second World War, Barbara Hepworth and her husband moved down to St Ives, acquiring this peaceful house, studio and garden in 1949. It's where the famous St Ives artist lived and worked for the rest of her life.
The Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden is still full of her magnificent, abstract bronze sculptures for visitors to see up close.
2 | Connect with art history at the Tate St Ives
The renowned Tate St Ives hosts exhibitions showcasing the world’s best artists – past and present. The building is one of the most iconic things to see in St Ives - it makes for an unforgettable day out with exhibitions and family-friendly workshops.
A visit should be high on your list of St Ives things to do.
Where to stay in St Ives?
Stay near St Ives Harbour or The Island to be in the heart of it all, or stay near Porthminster Beach to be in a quieter area yet within reach of all the town's fantastic attractions.
Get away to a St Ives cottage
A grey seal photographed in summer off the coast of Cornwall.
3 | Hop on a boat to Seal Island St Ives
Seal Island in St Ives is a little outcrop 3.5 miles west of the main town and gets its name from the large colony of Atlantic grey seals that call it home.
You may also spot sharks, dolphins, and even whales during a St Ives boat trip to Seal Island. Discover more of the best wildlife-spotting trips in the UK.
4 | Meet feathery creatures at Paradise Park and JungleBarn Cornwall
This exciting attraction holds over 130 species of birds – from characterful and colourful macaws to tall, elegant flamingos.
On a visit to Paradise Park and JungleBarn, you could hand-feed the penguins, hop aboard the Jungle Express Train, and let little ones loose in the indoor play barn.
A photograph of the immense sands of St Ives' Porthmeor Beach, with The Island in the distance.
5 | Make the most of the outstanding beaches
Some of the best things to do in St Ives are absolutely free. Heading to the beach is among our top free St Ives things to do.
Nothing beats the feel of sand between your toes and the spray of the waves as you make the most of a beautiful beach – and Cornwall boasts some of the top beaches in the UK.
Porthmeor Beach, Porthgwidden Beach and Bamaluz Beach are some of our favourite St Ives beaches.
If you stay near Carbis Bay, there’s a host of lovely things to do in this part of town and the beach is fantastic.
6 | Go horse riding by the sea in St Ives
In and around St Ives, horse riding is popular and a great way to discover the beautiful coastline.
Why not enjoy a horse ride on the beach surrounded by unbeatable views, or join a hack into the scenic countryside?
A couple of stables to look into include Penhalwyn Trekking Centre and School and Old Mill Stables.
From iconic beaches to secret coves ...
Cornwall holds a special kind of magic when it comes to beaches. St Ives' outstanding beaches are just a small part of what this magnificent county has to offer. It may surprise you.
Beaches you wouldn't believe are in Cornwall
7 | Uncover history at Trencrom Hill Iron Age hill fort
You may need to bring along your walking shoes for this one, as the best way to reach this National Trust site near St Ives is by following the marked, moderate walking trail.
The Iron Age hill fort sits at the very top of Trencrom Hill and boasts fabulous views north to Godrevy and west to Rosewall Hill.
Discover more top National Trust places throughout Cornwall.
8 | Grab the binoculars to birdwatch at RSPB Hayle Estuary
If you are keen to catch a glimpse of the multitude of migrating wildfowl that visit the beautiful RSPB Hayle Estuary, winter is the time of year to see them.
Enjoy a ramble with sea views and you might spot teal, wigeons and even an osprey on your visit. As natural St Ives attractions go, it's a special one!
A view of the coastal path leading around the St Ives headland, and beyond that, of the Cornish coast on the horizon.
9 | Go walking on the South West Coast Path
When it comes to free things to do in St Ives, it's hard to beat a bracing walk to take in the stunning scenery.
The area around Carbis Bay, just east, offers some of the best coastal walks in St Ives.
One of the most beautiful walks you might want to take is from St Ives to Zennor, where you can admire the dramatic cliffs and sparkling sea that make this area so alluring, as well as spot seals and maybe even whales.
10 | Learn or improve your surfing in St Ives
Cornwall is famous as the surf capital of the UK, and the coastline around St Ives and Carbis Bay is blessed with some of the best surfing beaches in Cornwall, including Porthminster, Porthmeor, and Carbis Bay itself!
So, what better way to get to know this stunning landscape than by surfing the waves?
11 | Get hands-on with pottery at The Leach Pottery
Bernard Leach was a ceramicist who set up a studio in St Ives and many believe he pioneered British studio pottery, inspiring countless artists who followed him.
Today, The Leach Pottery has a museum and runs regular exhibitions, workshops and classes too.
A close-up of beautifully ripe strawberries ready to be picked.
12 | Go fruit picking or shopping at Trevaskis Farm
The charming Trevaskis Farm is a fantastic place to visit with kids during the spring and summer, where they can find out first-hand where their food comes from.
Go fruit and vegetable picking – options include strawberries, peas, beans, sweetcorn and a variety of cooking and eating apples too, all entirely reliant on the seasons.
You can't go wrong with Trevaskis when looking for family-friendly places to visit in St Ives.
13 | Get in the driver's seat at Coast 2 Coast Karting
For a burst of speed and adrenaline head to Coast 2 Coast Karting - a track that's just a couple of miles out of town.
It’s perfect for teenagers and if you’re looking for things to do in St Ives for couples, this may just be the way to go as it’s a great trip out for adults too!
What to do in St Ives
Need a quick itinerary?
We'd recommend beginning your holiday with ice cream on the beach, a few days exploring the town itself, a day trip to St Michael's Mount or Land's End, and your final day doing a return visit to your favourite spot in St Ives.
Check out our favourite Cornish attractions
Experience this remarkable view from above of bustling St Ives during a helicopter flight.
14 | Book a memorable helicopter flight
If you fancy splashing the cash during your break, see the whole exquisite town from a bird’s eye view with a helicopter ride.
If you’re planning on asking a certain important question, this may be just the way to do it, or book a family adventure in the air for an unforgettable holiday and take in Godrevy Lighthouse, Carbis Bay and the Hayle Estuary from the sky.
It's up there with the most exhilarating and unusual things to do in St Ives.
15 | Find new independent galleries in St Ives
We've mentioned the big names in St Ives, but this town is bursting with creative talent, and a multitude of small, independent craft shops and galleries have popped up throughout the cobbled streets over time.
A few worth mentioning include The Penwith Gallery, The Blue Bramble Gallery and New Craftsman Gallery. Wander and see what you come across...
16 | Test your skills at the St Ives Skate Park
Got a keen skateboarder in the family? Or did you take up the sport yourself?
St Ives is home to a fantastic skate park where you can test your skills during your holiday – try an acid drop, tail slide or Casper flick, and try not to snake or wipe out!
View of St Michael's Mount towering over a reflective sea, with a beautiful blue sky behind.
17 | Drive to the east coast to visit magnificent St Michael’s Mount
This iconic National Trust site near St Ives is an especially scenic place to escape to during your Cornish holiday.
Even though it’s on Cornwall’s south coast, St Michael’s Mount is just an 8-mile trip from St Ives and boasts a magnificent, ancient stronghold reached via a tidal causeway – just the place for pretty photos and beach days.
18 | Head north from St Ives to see seals at Godrevy Nature Reserve
While just at the other end of St Ives Bay, at a 12-mile drive, Godrevy is further away than St Michael’s Mount on the south coast!
It’s another enchanting National Trust site near St Ives, this time with coves, a headland, a surfing beach and views across to Godrevy Lighthouse – made famous by Virginia Woolf’s novel, To the Lighthouse.
You may see seals hauled up on the beaches along this reserve too.
You could finally tick a trip to Land's End off your bucket list.
19 | Plan a trip to iconic Land’s End
This attraction is 20 miles west of St Ives and is one end of the famous Land’s End to John O’Groats trail.
We aren’t recommending you take on that immense challenge though!
Simply pop by for fun, child-friendly attractions, to see the iconic signpost and meet the animals at Greeb Farm.
Top tips for visiting St Ives
- Plan ahead for popular attractions, especially in summer
- Book local restaurants in advance, as the culinary scene is in high demand
- Consider staying near the harbour or beaches for spectacular views and easy access to the best things to do in St Ives
- Explore on foot to discover charming alleys, artisan boutiques, and hidden gems
FAQs about St Ives
What is St Ives famous for?
St Ives is known for its stunning beaches, art galleries, and rich cultural heritage.
What’s the best time to visit St Ives?
May to September offers the best weather and most events, but autumn brings fewer crowds and lots of charm.
Can I visit St Ives with children?
Absolutely! Beaches, wildlife, farms, and family activities abound.
Where to stay in St Ives
Complete your adventure with a stay in one of our handpicked St Ives cottages.
We want to inspire you to have holidays worth writing home about. If you’re thinking of visiting St Ives this year, click the button below for wonderful coastal retreats.
Our St Ives cottages