St Ives can easily fill several days on its own, but it also makes a useful base for exploring West Cornwall. Within a relatively small area you can find dramatic cliffs, fishing villages, historic towns and some of the county’s most famous landmarks.
St Michael’s Mount
Across the bay from Marazion stands St Michael’s Mount, one of Cornwall’s most recognisable sights. Depending on the tide, access between the mainland and island changes, so planning ahead is essential.
Penzance and Mousehole
Penzance offers a larger historic town to explore, while nearby Mousehole is a much smaller fishing village with a picturesque harbour and narrow streets.
They work well together if you have a full day.
Land’s End and the far west
Land’s End is famous as the western tip of mainland England, but I would treat it as part of a wider coastal trip rather than the only destination. The scenery around West Cornwall is the real attraction.
Explore the coast
Places such as Zennor and the coastline west of St Ives are particularly attractive for walkers. The South West Coast Path links many communities, although sections can be demanding.
Car or public transport?
A car gives you the greatest flexibility, especially if you want to combine several smaller places. However, buses and trains make some day trips possible without driving. Always check current timetables before relying on a connection.
My advice is to choose one area per day rather than racing around Cornwall collecting photographs. West Cornwall looks compact on a map, but narrow roads, summer traffic and the temptation to stop at every viewpoint can make journeys take longer than expected.
That is not really a problem. Slowing down is part of the point.
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