Overview
St Ives is a compact Cornish seaside town on the north coast of West Cornwall, with two distinct coastlines: Portminster harbour faces east into the bay while Portmeor beach faces north into the Atlantic. The town grew from a fishing village into a resort that has long attracted artists, including Barbara Hepworth, and today houses Tate St Ives.
Architecture · Beach · Budget Travel · Day Trips · Family Travel
Before you go
Accommodation
Over 70 B&Bs in St Ives, with budget dorms at Cohort Hostel (£25) and mid-range doubles from £120-180 at B&Bs like West by Five.
Connectivity
Mobile reception is patchy. Connect to WiFi at pubs and restaurants.
Food
Porthminster Beach Cafe serves seafood with sea views. Blas Burgerworks has burgers including veggie options. Tesco supermarket is in Carbis Bay.
Safety
Traffic congestion is severe in summer. Take care at Atlantic-facing Portmeor beach where currents can be strong.
Transport
St Ives railway station sits above the town with trains every 30-60 minutes from Penzance. Bus A2 runs hourly to Penzance via Marazion (45 min). Day Rider bus ticket costs £12.