14 Coolest Things to Do in Guernsey in 2024
Here are all the best things to do in Guernsey to help you plan your future trip to the island. If you’re wondering what to do in Guernsey, then read on!
The island of Guernsey is in the English Channel and close to the French coast. It’s self-governed by the British Crown dependency and famous for its stunning coastal cliffs and amazing Guernsey beaches, like Cobo Bay. There are many historical, outdoorsy, and relaxing things to do in Guernsey, including military and history museums, French writer Victor Hugo’s former home and Castle Cornet, a 13th century harbour fortification in the capital of St Peter Port.
Guernsey is a great place to visit to get out in the great outdoors and soak up some sun, and outdoorsy vibes. Here are all the best things to do in Guernsey if you’re thinking of making the trip over there…
Things to Do in Guernsey
Read on for all the best activities in Guernsey you need to know before you go…
1. Visit Castle Cornet
Castle Cornet is a large 13th century harbour fortification in the capital of Guernsey, St Peter Port. It’s guarded the harbour for 800 years. The noon-day gun is one of the most popular sights here which is fired daily throughout the season by keepers dressed in traditional scarlet costumes.
Castle Cornet is a history lovers paradise with plenty to see and do including four museums, four gardens, the café to grab some lunch or a coffee and the gift shop. Take a look around the battlements and enjoy the stunning views of the other islands. Tickets cost £10.50.
2. Explore St Peter Port
St Peter Port is the capital and the main port of Guernsey and is one of ten parishes on the island. There’s always a beautiful display of colourful flowers and bunting. It’s considered to be one of Europe’s prettiest harbour towns with a Mediterranean vibe and an abundance of charm.
If you want to learn about the history of Guernsey, there are daily guided walks from St Peter Port throughout the summer months. Alternatively, take a walk to the Candie Gardens at the top of the town and the Guernsey Museum and Art Gallery. Treat yourself to a coffee and cake from the tearoom. Here you can enjoy stunning views of the town and the neighbouring islands if you climb up the Victoria Tower, like I did.
Victoria Tower was built in 1848 to pay tribute to the visit of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to the Island in 1846. Although, the visit was short, it was very important to the people of Guernsey as it was the first by a reigning monarch.
The tower is now a viewing platform open to the public. It consists of 99 very steep and narrow spiral steps with platforms to stop and catch your breath. The views are worth it once you reach the top as you will soak up gorgeous panoramic views of Guernsey. There’s no charge for climbing the tower.
Spend some time exploring the Market Square which is packed full of traditional shops and cafes. Perfect if you love shopping, especially the fresh Friday markets. In the summer you can find photographic displays, a wide range of food outlets, musical pieces and many stalls which display the crafting talent of the Island.
In Winter, the markets are beautifully presented with Christmas displays and stalls where you can indulge in a mulled wine or hot chocolate.
3. Go coasteering
For the more adventurous types, be sure to enjoy the natural coastline and give coasteering a try. This is an extreme sport which involves rock scrambling, jumping, sea level traversing and swimming in caves and gullies.
It’s a great way to see the island’s rocky coastline, cliffs, and caves but it’s not for the faint hearted! I decided against coasteering when I was there, but didn’t want to leave it off this list of great things to do in Guernsey as it’s so popular.
There are two routes to choose from with Outdoors Guernsey, family or standard, and tickets are £25 to £35. Wetsuits, buoyancy aids, helmets and guides are provided. In cases of bad weather conditions, you can choose to have a refund, change activity, or postpone for a later date.
4. Take an island RIB voyage
If you enjoy going on a boat out into the sea, you’ll love the Island RIB voyage. This exhilaratingly fast and fun experience is perfect for adventure lovers craving an adrenaline rush.
It’s suitable for all ages and gives you a blast across the sea where you will visit caves, rocks, bays, and islands full of the local wildlife. You’ll get the chance to see puffins, seabirds, seals and even the odd dolphin. Relax and feel the water spray across your face and the wind in your face as you cruise across the sea. A friendly and experienced guide will assist you on this trip.
Wrap up warm as it can get very cold out at sea in Guernsey. Ticket prices vary depending on the route you choose.
5. Embark on a kayak exploration
The best way to see the coast of Guernsey is by taking a guided kayak exploration – perfect for the more relaxed adventure seeker. Go safely at your own pace while you learn about the history, wildlife, and environment of Guernsey from an experienced instructor. It’s a unique and memorable experience not to be missed!
Tickets cost between £25 – £35 for a standard 2-hour kayak.
6. Walk the Art Trail
Coastal walks are a big reason to visit Guernsey, and you can spice your coastal walk up a bit with the Art for Guernsey trail. It marks the spots where famous artist Renoir got his inspiration from.
It also takes you to Moulin Huet Beach, which is one of the most scenic beaches in Guernsey and well worth a visit. When I was down there, there were about five people swimming in the calm waters. There’s also a lovely little tea rooms with great views.
7. Relax at St Pierre Park’s spa complex
If it’s relaxation that you crave while on holiday, then check out St Pierre Park hotels spa complex. Set on the Island of Guernsey, this hotel offers a stunning spa which includes 5 treatment rooms, a marble steam room, swimming pool, volcanic stone sauna, relaxation room and impressive views overlooking the grounds and lake.
There’s a choice of three spa day options to choose from:
Pure indulgence afternoon tea – Choose from a selection of six treatments for 60 minutes then relax and indulge in the spa facilities before enjoying a traditional afternoon tea or a spa lunch.
Perfect treat champagne – Choose from the hotel guests’ favourite treatments and take advantage of the spa facilities before devouring a traditional afternoon tea or spa lunch and a complimentary glass of fizz.
Hand-picked ‘just for you’ – Indulge in two hours of luxurious spa treatments from the brochure plus a breakfast basket, spa lunch or traditional afternoon tea, a complimentary glass of champagne, full use of the spa facilities and a spa gift.
Honestly, just look at the photos of St Pierre Park and you’ll be sold! This is one of the best things to do in Guernsey if you’re looking for a way to relax.
8. Drive round Guernsey
It’s very easy to drive all the way round the island, and my road trip actually ended up being on of my absolute favourite things to do on Guernsey. It’s all just so lovely!
Just find your way round to the coastal road and go!
Make sure you have time to stop off and pull into the beautiful spots. I guarantee it’ll take you longer than whatever Google Maps says, too much to see in Guernsey!
9. Play a round at Royal Guernsey Golf Club
The Royal Guernsey Golf Club is situated next to the L’ancresse golf course at the centre of sport in Guernsey. There are a wide range of facilities including two putting greens, a driving range, a bar and restaurant, a pro shop and locker rooms.
Spend the day taking full advantage of the 70 links course while enjoying the stunning views and natural beauty of the environment. Afterwards, relax in the bar and restaurant and enjoy a delicious meal. The perfect way to end a day playing golf.
10. Fish and chips in Cobo Bay
During the summer months, you can spend the day relaxing and sunbathing at Cobo Bay. The stunning white sands and crystal blue waters are only 3 miles from St Peter Port, but it feels more like you are in a tropical paradise in the Caribbean.
The beach is easily accessible when the tides are low. Explore the rockpools or relax with a good book or even have a siesta. No trip to the beach is complete without treating yourself to fish and chips or an ice cream from the nearby restaurant or café. It really is the perfect way to spend a hot summers day. You are on holiday after all!
I ate my fish and chips in Cobo Bay as the sun was setting and it was all kinds of magical!
11. Go Guernsey land and sea bike hire
If cycling is more your thing, hire a bike with go Guernsey land and sea bike hire.
They have the largest range of bikes to choose from on the Island for your holiday or just for a few hours. There’s also a selection of bikes to suit your needs and preferences such as trekking and mountain bikes, E-cargo bikes, E bikes and kid’s bikes. You can pick up a small guidebook available on request which covers a range of bike routes to suit all abilities.
It’s the perfect way to spend a day peddling round the Island and enjoying the beautiful scenery, lush green open spaces and country lanes whilst reconnecting with nature. Cycling really is good for the mind, body, and soul!
12. Stand up paddle boarding
If you like water sports, like me, then give stand up paddle boarding a go while you’re on Guernsey. SUPping provides an excellent workout to build up core strength and fitness. It’s suitable for all levels whether you are a beginner or advanced. Start off by kneeling until you feel more confident standing. If you are feeling brave you could even, try yoga or surfing as the boards are surprisingly stable.
There is the option to take a lesson with an instructor or try it out by yourself. Buoyancy aids and wetsuits are provided. Prices vary depending on how long you want to hire a paddle board for. You can hire them on the most popular beaches in Guernsey, and you can also hire them on Herm Island too.
13. Relax in Delancey Park
Whether you want to sit back and relax while taking in magnificent views of neighbouring Islands Sark and Herm or want to spend an afternoon skateboarding, then you need Delancey Park. There are plenty of green spaces and ramps for skateboarding and BMX bikes as well as a children’s play area and outdoor exercise area.
It’s an ideal way to spend a relaxing or energetic afternoon outdoors getting plenty of fresh air and appreciating nature. If you’re over on the island with kids, then this is one of the best places to visit in Guernsey.
14. HauteVille house
HauteVille house is located in St Peter Port down the cobbled streets of St Hellier and is the former home of French writer Victor Hugo. He stayed there for 14 years. The museum has 4 floors and showcases his life. The top floor holds beautiful views of St Peter Port and the other Channel Islands.
You can also explore the beautiful garden which is a nature lovers paradise as it is filled with trees and flowers that blossom in mild climates. It’s the ultimate place for history enthusiasts who want to learn more about this famous writer’s life.
15. Bluebell Woods
This gorgeous woodland is a nature enthusiasts dream. It’s a fantastic place to walk at any time of the year, but it’s better to come here in the spring as it becomes a carpet of beautiful bluebells underneath a stunning tree canopy.
The Bluebell Woods are only a short walk from the city centre and is an ideal place to discover the Southeast of the Island where you’ll find rocky cliffs and gorgeous sea views. There’s honestly no better way to indulge in natural beauty by enjoying the islands most spectacular walks. You’ll need your camera to capture these stunning flowers!
READ MORE: Want to know what Guernsey is really like? Click the link!
16. Visit Herm Island
Herm Island is just three miles from Guernsey and makes for a lovely morning or afternoon out. I’d recommend you go in sunnier weather to really get the most from your trip.
Herm Island is a beautiful place – you can walk around it in about an hour, unless you stop at some of the stunning beaches along the way.
Visiting Herm Island is one of the most popular things to do in Guernsey as it’s just so easy. The Travel Trident ferry you see above takes about 20 minutes and goes multiple times every day. There’s also a lovely sounding dinner boat in the evenings.
Once you’re on Herm there are two pubs, a gift shop, some great beaches with watersports hire and foodie kiosks too. It’s a peaceful place, with great views out to the other islands too. I was pretty pleased with this milkshake from The Ship Inn on Herm Island!
Best things to do in Guernsey
Whether you are into shopping, history, nature, water sports or relaxing in a spa, there’s always something to see and do on this beautiful island. How about doing some of these great things to do in Guernsey yourself?