15+ Most Beautiful Places in Cornwall (From Someone Who Keeps Going Back)
- shanimirwis
- Jun 26, 2022
- 11 min read
Updated: Jul 6
Updated July 2025
On the edge of our island, before you hit the Atlantic ocean, lies an expanse of land so rugged and carefree, so wild yet peaceful, so different and all at once a slice of everything that is so glorious about Britain. Sitting on the southwestern tip of England, some may not want to traverse so far - but this is truly a trip worth taking and a place I keep returning to. Towering cliffs dominate the coastline, whilst turquoise waters sweep across the white sandy beaches below. There is greenery to be found aplenty, as well as pockets of fishing villages and quaint little towns. I didn't picture myself ever narrowing down an all-time favourite place in the UK - but upon some reflection, Cornwall definitely is this for me. So, with much fanfare and multiple drumrolls, I bring you... 15+ of my personal favourite places to visit in Cornwall, including beaches, villages, and hidden gems you won’t want to miss. I only hope I've done it justice. 💚 Cornwall, you absolutely have my heart.
Handy map:
1. Newquay
Newquay was the first place I ever stayed in Cornwall, so it feels only right to kick off this list with it 🤩 It is well-known as the surf capital of the UK - the waves from the Atlantic Ocean make for rough waters and thus a surfers paradise. This super popular coastal resort town draws millions of visitors each year - Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay Beach are among the top visited. When you've finished surfing and/or sunbathing, why not take to the cliffs and see Newquay from above. The walk from the esplanade (which can be started just past Fistral Beach Hotel & Spa) to Pentire Headland is only about 25 minutes and affords beautiful views of the coastline. And you can continue your walk to Crantock Beach and beyond, to explore more of this scenic stretch.
2. St Ives
St Ives is such a great spot and is well-known as one of Cornwall's best places to visit. It has a bit of everything that is so great about Cornwall - a pretty fishing harbour, beautiful white sandy beaches, excellent surf, and some great art galleries to boot! I'd recommend walking along the harbour and then passing by Bamaluz Beach, then joining the coast path to reach Porthgwidden Beach, and continuing along the path around St Ives Head and finally to Porthmeor Beach; the views all along the way are stunning! And right by the white sands of Porthmeor Beach is the Tate St Ives - a museum displaying contemporary and modern art, with great views of the coast.
A nice half-day trip from St Ives is to nearby Carbis Bay. You can take the train from St Ives station to Carbis Bay - it's really quick and takes less than five minutes! Or you could walk there; this takes about 45 minutes and has lovely views along the way.
Being on the coast, this also means St Ives is right by the South West Coast Path - and there is an excellent hike you can do from here to Zennor. It's 8 miles and is quite a challenging route, with a bit of scrambling - so definitely pack your walking boots/shoes! The views are spectacular on the route, and you'll pass by lots of little beaches and coves. You can then get the bus back from Zennor to St Ives (about 20 minutes).
Bear in mind that St Ives is a really popular place in Cornwall and it does get pretty busy, especially in the summer. But it's well worth a visit for the village vibes and the excellent beaches!
3. Carbis Bay
A relatively quiet beach in Cornwall
Right near St Ives is the beautiful Carbis Bay. The beach here is a lot quieter than St Ives and feels more calm and secluded. On a sunny day the water is the most magnificent blue! It is a lovely sandy beach and perfect for families, as the water isn't as fierce as St Ives. There is a water sports centre right on the beach where you can rent kayaks, SUP's and deck chairs.
If you're staying in Carbis Bay, you can take the 3-minute train to St Ives to explore the town. I did this in time for sunset and it was a lovely way to spend the evening! Carbis Bay station is right near the beach.
There is a lovely walk you can do that starts on Beach Road: as you come out of Carbis Bay Station, turn left onto Beach Road, crossing over the bridge. After a few metres, you'll see a gap in the low wall and a wooden signpost saying South West Coast Path. Follow this path down the steps and it will take you all the way to Lelant, passing by a number of secluded beaches on the way. You can take the train back to Carbis Bay, or follow the higher path back to Carbis Bay, or just turn around and take the same path back. It's a great walk!
4. Tintagel Castle
Must-see place in Cornwall
If you frequent Instagram, you may have come across this very famous door (above). It's just one part of the spectacular Tintagel ruins, which sit on the edge of a cliff in North Cornwall. The views are fantastic and it's easy to imagine what it might have been like standing in the castle, looking out to sea, in the year 1233. Tintagel is easily one of the most breathtaking historic sites in Britain and as such, is one of the most epic places to visit in Cornwall. Its link to the legend of King Arthur adds to the atmosphere - and the famous sculpture on the promontory amplifies the eeriness and drama! Booking ahead is recommended, as tickets sell out - particularly in the summer months. Allow yourself about 3 hours at Tintagel (bearing in mind that the walk to get from the road to the castle itself is about 20 minutes). Tickets are timed but once you're in, you can stay as long as you like. Heads up: access is tricky, with steep ascents and a lot of steps. There isn't onsite parking but there are a bunch of carparks nearby for a couple of pounds. Definitely head to Tintagel for one of the most scenic spots in Cornwall!
5. St Michael's Mount
Unique thing to do in Cornwall
Possibly one of the more unique things to see in Cornwall, this tiny tidal island in Mount's Bay (about half a mile from the shore) is accessible on foot at low tide, via a cobbled causeway. Once the tide comes in though, the sea covers the path and you'll have to get the passenger boat back to mainland. There is a medieval church and castle on St Michael's Mount, as well as a terraced garden with views over Mount's Bay - and this little island really is one of the loveliest places to visit in Cornwall. Entry to the island used to be free but there is now a charge when visiting between April - October. You can book tickets and find more details here. Once you've hitched your boat ride back, why not explore Marazion - the oldest town in Cornwall. It's full of art galleries and beautiful pottery.
6. Mousehole
One of the quaintest places in Cornwall, the historic coastal fishing village of Mousehole (pronounced Mow-zel) is a great place to visit to soak in those Cornish vibes! There is parking just outside the village and you can easily spend a few hours wandering around the streets and back alleys, walking along the harbour and popping into the little galleries and shops. This is one of my favourite places to visit in Cornwall and is worth adding to your Cornwall itinerary. If you're looking for other charming coastal towns and villages, check out St Ives, Penzance, Marazion, Port Isaac, Polperro and Mevagissey.
7. Porthcurno Beach
One of the best beaches in Cornwall is the simply magical Porthcurno. It's a great place for a swim, and an equally nice cliff-walk to see it from above. It's a firm favourite for families, and there is parking nearby. Be warned - it can get rammed in summer! The water here is so crystal clear and blue and you can easily spend the day on Porthcurno Beach. If you feel like a walk, you can carry on along the cliff path to the Minack Theatre nearby - just be aware that the walk is a little steep with some daunting steps involved. If you want to have a nosey around the theatre (rather than seeing a performance), you can do so but bear in mind tickets sell out in the busier months, so you'll need to book in advance. This beach can also be reached along the route of this best coastal walk in Cornwall, as part of the South West Coast Path.
8. St Agnes
If you're in/around Newquay, and if you have a car, I recommend driving the 25 minutes from Newquay to St Agnes Head - a most glorious stretch of cliff which is one of my favourite and best places to visit in Cornwall. Particularly in summer when the wildflowers are out and blooming! You can walk from the car park at St Agnes Head to Chapel Porth Beach (about 25 minutes), passing by the famous Wheal Coates mine (pictured at the top of this post). This is an easy route and doesn't require too much effort, and you can continue on another 30 minutes to Porthtowan Beach. Just bear in mind that it's then about an hour walking back to St Agnes Head. Alternatively, there are other loop trails you can do from Trevaunance Cove or Chapel Porth so that you aren't walking back the exact same way. Whichever route you choose, you're guaranteed magnificent sights! This place feels a bit more undiscovered and is never too busy when I've been; I feel it's one of the most scenic spots in Cornwall, so I definitely recommend it.
9. Paradise Found?
One of the most beautiful places in Cornwall
Yes, this is England! When wandering around Cornwall, you'll chance upon many places that you can't quite believe exist in the UK - but nowhere more, I feel, than the small cove of Treen Beach, more widely known as Pedn Vounder. This magnificent secluded beach has grown in popularity in recent years. The pure turquoise water and the little island of sand (visible at low tide) make this beach a tropical paradise and thus a bucket list item for many! The view from the top is beautiful and you can also climb down to the beach itself; you'll need to wear trainers or walking shoes for this, as it's extremely steep and very rocky. People were doing it with young kids but I wouldn't recommend this as they really struggled. Alternatively, you don't need to bother with the steep scramble down and can just stay at the top and see it from above. The easiest way to get to Pedn Vounder is to drive to Treen Car Park and walk the 10 minutes to the cliffs. Alternatively, you can park at the Porthcurno Long Stay Car Park and walk 15 minutes to get to Pedn Vounder. Do bear in mind it's a nudist beach ✌️ You can also reach Pedn Vounder as part of this epic best coastal walk in Cornwall - which takes in some of the most spectacular coastal views in the UK!
10. Lizard Peninsula
One of the most beautiful places to visit in Cornwall is the Lizard Peninsula - an area on the southern tip of Cornwall, famed for its magnificent views and clear water. I'd recommend heading to Kynance Cove first - recognised as one of the world's most beautiful beaches, with ample parking and a lovely path down to the coast. There is an accessible path for wheelchairs and buggies but do bear in mind that it will be a bumpy ride down. Low tide is the best time for a visit - you'll be able to walk on the sand and go for a dip in the sea. Seeing it for the first time is an amazing experience; you arrive at the cove from above, which means your are greeted with the most amazing view of Kynance Cove below you. It's really a wow moment!
After you've taken in the scenery (and had a drink at the cafe), head to Lizard Point - the most southerly point of Britain. Here you'll find crashing waves and dramatic views. It's a great place to spot seals and different birds. There's also a nice cafe here, so why not grab a bite to eat as the sun sets over this spectacular coastline. If you have more time, be sure to check out nearby Church Cove and Polurrian Cove.
11. See the sunset at Sennen Cove
Oh Sennen Cove! This is one of my favourite beaches in Cornwall, especially timed at sunset - and therefore makes my list of most beautiful places to visit in Cornwall. It's a gem of a location and feels especially calm and peaceful. The water is perfect for a swim and it's also a popular surf spot. You may even see dolphins swimming in the distance! There's a carpark conveniently just off Cove Road, at the top of a hill, and this offers beautiful views of the beach below - so if you'd rather not walk down, you can stay at the top and watch the sun setting from above.
12. Nanjizal Beach
Nanjizal, or Mill Bay, is a remote cove which can be found on the south west of Cornwall. It's not the easiest beach to get to and therefore remains relatively quiet for such a pretty spot; most people here are walking the coast path. It isn't a sandy beach - rather, a rocky cove, with crystal clear water and amazing rock formations. Its famed arch is called Zawn Pyg (Cornish for 'pointed chasm') but the locals refer to it as the Song of the Sea cave! It's best to visit at low tide to take advantage of the rock pools. I didn't see any seals when I went but apparently there are often seals in this spot! There isn't a car park nearby and the easiest way to get here is either by doing it as part of this best coastal walk in Cornwall (highly recommended) or by walking the 30-minutes from Land's End.
13. Bedruthan Steps
You can't really go wrong anywhere on the south west coast path and the Bedruthan Steps are no exception. These rock formations jutting out of the ocean add so much drama with the waves crashing around them. They are said to have been stepping stones used by the giant Bedruthan to cross the water. It's only a 15-minute drive from Newquay and there is a National Trust car park (postcode: PL27 7UW) and it's then just a short walk along the coast to see the beautiful views from above. Due to rock fall in 2019, access to the beach is still closed - but the views are best from above anyway, as you get to take in the formations and see them properly!
14. Land's End
Welcome to the most westerly point in the UK, on the edge of mainland Cornwall! This signpost draws over 500,000 tourists each year - mind-blowing! 🤯 It is one of the most famous sights in Cornwall, and therefore on many people's Cornwall bucket lists. It's free to enter the area but you do have to pay for parking. There's also the Land's End Landmark Attraction - a mini theme park, with some free attractions (and some you have to pay for). If you want to take a photo at the sign without paying, make sure to turn up before 8am or after 5pm. And what many people don't know is that the point by the First and Last Cafe is the official furthest southwesterly point of the UK - so although you might stand by the Land's End sign, go to the cafe to hit the actual end of the land.
15. Take a hike!
With so much coast surrounding you, Cornwall is a perfect place to walk a section (or two) of the South West Coast Path. The official South West Coast Path route starts at Minehead in Somerset and ends 630 miles later at Poole in Dorset. This includes the whole of the Cornwall coastline, and entire path would take a couple of months to complete - but whilst you're in Cornwall, why not hike a small section of it! You'll pass picture-postcard views, crashing waves and some of the most spectacular coastline in the whole of the UK. Popular routes, and some of my favourites, include:
Porthcurno to Land's End (7.2 miles) (mentioned above, this is my favourite walk in Cornwall).
Kynance Cove and Lizard Point (5.9 miles), starting and ending at Kynance Cove.
Godrevy to Hell's Mouth (5 miles).
Trevose Head Circular Walk - from Constantine Bay Beach, to the beautiful Harlyn Bay and then back to Constantine Bay (6 miles).
St Ives to Zennor (also mentioned above) (8 miles).
Well, that's a wrap! I will definitely be adding more spots to this list of the best places to visit in Cornwall, as and when I reach them! I hope this has given you some inspo for your Cornwall adventures. Questions/suggestions always welcome in the comments 🙂
Happy travels,
Shani xx
