The 15 Best Things to Do in Guernsey in 2025 (With Photos)

Small in size but large in attractions, Guernsey is one of the most beautiful Channel Islands. Easily reached from the UK or France, the island is blessed with scenic cliff paths, picturesque villages and towns. It’s also a popular foodie destination, with the freshest fish and dairy from the famous Guernsey cows.

Fun Things to Do in Guernsey

Here are the best things to do in Guernsey, from coastal hikes to historic houses and fascinating museums. There are actually seven islands in the Bailiwick of Guernsey: Alderney, Herm, Lihou, Sark, Jethou, Brecqhou and Guernsey itself.

The islands are a British crown dependency and are part of the British Isles but not the United Kingdom. In this article, we’ll be focusing on the island of Guernsey itself.

The second largest of the Channel Islands, Guernsey lies just 27 miles from Normandy in France and 70 miles from the English coast. Measuring around 9 miles by 6 miles, or 25.1 square miles, Guernsey isn’t huge, however it’s a great place to visit.

There are quite a few Guernsey literary and art connections. Famous artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir painted Guernsey during a month long trip and French author Victor Hugo lived here in exile for 15 years.

The island is immortalized in the The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, a novel by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. The film of the same name was actually filmed in Cornwall and Devon, although based on St. Peter Port and other Guernsey locations.

The best things to do in Guernsey
The best things to do in Guernsey

1. Castle Cornet

Standing watch over St Peter Port harbour and town for almost eight centuries, Castle Cornet is now a fascinating collection of museums. These are:

  • Royal Guernsey Light Infantry Museum
  • Royal Guernsey Militia Museum
  • The Story of Castle Cornet
  • 201 Squadron (RAF) Museum

In addition, there are guided tours each day at 10.30 am. The Noonday Gun Ceremony takes place at midday.

View of Castle Cornet from St Peter Port harbour
View of Castle Cornet from St Peter Port harbour

2. St Peter Port

The capital of Guernsey, this attractive port town has a cobbled high street with some great boutiques. There are quite a few good restaurants along the Esplanade.

Visitors will spot a new sculpture bench of Victor Hugo in front of the Town Church. Depicting the author and the octopus that he wrote about in Toilers of the Sea, it’s already a huge hit with visitors.

The bench statue of Victor Hugo in St Peter Port
The bench statue of Victor Hugo in St Peter Port

The town centre of St Peter Port has several pedestrianized streets and in Summer, there’s colourful bunting, giving a festive feel to the area. The postbox on Union Street is Britain’s oldest post box that’s still in use, and dates from 1853.

The highest point in St Peter Port is at Victoria Tower. Free to enter, you must pick up the keys at the Guernsey Museum in Candie Gardens. From the top of Victoria Tower, there are panoramic views of the harbour and the coast.

The pedestrianized Old Quarter
The pedestrianized Old Quarter

3. Candie Gardens

The award-winning Candie Gardens have another sculpture of Victor Hugo and more great sea views. Within the gardens are the oldest heated glass-houses in the British Isles.

The Priaulx Library in the upper gardens has an extensive collection of maps and books about Guernsey. Close by, there’s Guernsey Museum, an art gallery and a cafe.

Candie Gardens in St Peter Port
Candie Gardens in St Peter Port

4. The Little Chapel

Created by Brother Déodat, this is possibly the smallest chapel in the world. Measuring just 16 feet long by 9 feet wide, the edifice is actually the third version of the chapel.

Brother Déodat demolished the first version after public criticism and the second after the Bishop of Portsmouth could not fit through the doorway.

Located in the scenic hamlet of Les Vauxbelets, the chapel is decorated with pieces of broken china and glass. When the Daily Mirror ran a feature on the chapel’s construction, people from all over the world started sending pieces.

The Lieutenant-Governor of Guernsey gave a beautiful mother of pearl gemstone for inclusion.

The Little Chapel in  Les Vauxbelets
The Little Chapel in Les Vauxbelets

5. German Occupation Museum

Bringing history to life, the German Occupation Museum reveals how islanders coped with the Nazi invasion in World War 2. Opened in 1966 by Richard Heaume, this museum in the picturesque hamlet of  Les Houards Forest contains a huge collection of wartime relics.

The owner still mans the front desk and cafe. It’s very interesting to read the stories of local people and how the five year occupation impacted their lives. There’s a recreation of a street under occupation in St Peter Port and the vintage Liberation Tearoom.

The German Occupation Museum in  Les Houards Forest
The German Occupation Museum in  Les Houards Forest

6. Hauteville House

Also known as Victor Hugo House, Hauteville was home to the famous French writer from 1856 to 1870. He was exiled from France due to a dispute with Napoleon III.

Hugo wrote Les Misérables and Toilers of the Sea during his time in Guernsey. Beautifully preserved, the manor house is currently closed to non-French citizens but normally open as a museum.

Hauteville House in St Peter Port
Hauteville House in St Peter Port

7. Sausmarez Manor

One of the best things to do in Guernsey, Sausmarez Manor is a Queen Anne style manor house in Saint Martin. The house itself is open for guided visits including evening ghost tours.

There’s also a 9 hole pitch and put, a charming cafe and an interesting sculpture garden. Wear flat shoes if visiting the garden, as the paths are somewhat uneven in parts. The variety of artworks is impressive, with many of them available to buy.

Sausmarez Manor sculpture park
Sausmarez Manor sculpture park

8. La Vallette Underground Military Museum

Located close to La Valette bathing pools, in a series of underground tunnels built by the German forces in the Second World War, this museum has a large collection of exhibits. One of the more unusual things to do in Guernsey, it was originally used to store fuel for the German U-boats.

The air-conditioned tunnels became a museum in 1989. As well as sections on the German occupation, the island militia and the Allied liberation, there’s also information about World War One.

La Vallette Underground Military Museum
La Vallette Underground Military Museum

9. Cobo Bay

No trip to the island of Guernsey would be complete without enjoying the beautiful beaches. One of the best beaches in Guernsey is Cobo Bay, particularly at sunset.

Situated on the west coast of Guernsey, Cobo Bay Beach boasts white sand and crystal clear water. At low tide, rock pools are revealed.

There’s a slipway and several stairways, making the beach easily accessible for all. Overlooking the beach, you’ll find several bars, restaurants and tea rooms including The Rockmount.

Cobo Bay Beach
Cobo Bay Beach

10. Saumarez Park

The largest public park in Guernsey, Saumarez is not to be confused with Sausmarez Manor. The manor house here is a residential and nursing home.

The grounds are accessible to all and include the free National Trust of Guernsey Folk & Costume Museum, a children’s playground, duck pond and cafe. There’s also a charming Victorian walled kitchen garden with a shop.

The Folk & Costume Museum has an interesting selection of traditional costumes. There’s also a series of rooms of the 1800s, including a classroom, children’s nursery, bedroom and kitchen.

At The Folk and Costume Museum Shop you can buy Guernsey jumpers, wooden toys and many other nice gifts.

A display of Guernsey jumpers at Guernsey Folklore Museum
A display of Guernsey jumpers at Guernsey Folklore Museum

11. Fort Grey Maritime Museum

Also known as The Shipwreck Museum and the Cup and Saucer, this Martello tower was built in 1804. Originally constructed to defend Rocquaine Bay, the museum houses many objects recovered from shipwrecks nearby.

There is also information about HMS Sprightly which sank in 1777,  the Orion oil rig barge that ran aground in 1978 and the Vermontborg which was temporarily stranded in 2003. Purchase your ticket at Guernsey Pearl which is located opposite the museum.

Fort Grey Maritime Museum on Rocquaine Bay
Fort Grey Maritime Museum on Rocquaine Bay

12. Moulin Huet

To appreciate the wild beauty of Guernsey’s coastline, head to Moulin Huet Bay. The water here has an extraordinary turquoise colour, resembling the Caribbean.

The French artist Renoir made around 15 paintings of Moulin Huet and St Martins cliffs. You can admire five of the same views as he did, thanks to the Renoir Walk created by Art for Guernsey.

There are five frames placed in the same spots which Renoir painted. Each one has a QR code next to it that you can scan to listen to an audio guide about Renoir and Guernsey.

Moulin Huet Tea Rooms serve great homemade cake, with a lovely view of the sea. It’s not possible to park at Moulin Huet, so wear flat shoes for the steep walk down to the tea rooms and cove.

A Renoir frame at Moulin Huet Tea Rooms
Renoir frame at Moulin Huet Tea Rooms – what to do in Guernsey

13. Guernsey Museum at Candie

Located in Candie Gardens in St Peter Port, Guernsey Museum & Art Gallery is well worth a visit. Focusing on the island’s heritage from prehistoric times to the present day, the museum has some great archaeological finds.

The Discovery Room has a fun Cabinet of Curiosities, while the Folklore Gallery has a recreation of a19th century Guernsey cottage. Our favourite part of the museum is the section on fairies and ghosts.

The Art Gallery has 200 works of art on display, including some in pull-out drawers. There are many fine paintings and a Rodin sculpture of Victor Hugo.

After your visit to the museum and art gallery, have a look in the gift shop and enjoy a light meal at Café Victoria.

The Guernsey Museum at Candie
The Guernsey Museum at Candie

14. The Guernsey Tapestry

Located within St James Concert and Assembly Hall, The Guernsey Tapestry depicts 1000 years of local history. There are ten beautifully crafted panels, each rich in detail and covering one century. Find out about Guernsey cows, the knitting industry on the island, the building of Castle Cornet and much more.

An informative audio guide in English, Dutch, French and German gives you insights into each panel. The gift shop has a great selection of cards, souvenirs and embroidery kits.

The Guernsey Tapestry Museum
The Guernsey Tapestry Museum

15. Day Trips from Guernsey

You can easily reach the islands of Alderney, Herm or Sark on a day trip from Guernsey. Herm island is known for its sandy beaches. The boat ride from St Peter Port to Herm takes 20 minutes.

We took a ferry from St Peter Port to the island of Sark, a 55 minute journey. There are no cars on Sark island, just horse-drawn carts, bicycles and tractors.

We recommend hiring a bike at A to B Cycles as you will see more of the island that way. Start with a visit to La Seigneurie Gardens and either eat in Hathaways cafe there, or at Fleur du Jardin or AJ’s Cafe. We tried all three and particularly enjoyed the cake at AJs.

You’ll need to walk your bike over the most famous place in Sark, La Coupee, as bicycles are prohibited there. La Coupee is a causeway that joins Big and Little Sark together.

La Coupee on Sark, Channel Islands
La Coupee on Sark, Channel Islands

In Little Sark, don’t miss the Venus Pool. You can bathe in this hidden gem at low tide.

The Window in the Rock is another interesting site on Sark. Cut on the instructions of a local cleric, it has a steep drop so stay away from the edge!

Caragh Chocolates is also worth a visit for artisanal chocolates made with Channel Island cream. They have a cafe with a large garden terrace.

The Window in the Rock
The Window in the Rock

How to Get to Guernsey

One of the best ways to travel to the island is by taking a ferry from Poole to Guernsey with Condor Ferries. This high speed service takes just 3 hours on board the Condor Liberation.

In addition to standard class, this ferry has the Horizon lounge and Club Class. The latter gives you complimentary WiFi access, table service and a glass of Prosecco or soft drink.

This modern ferry also boasts a duty free lounge, bar, food outlet and a children’s play area. We found it very relaxing on board, and the crew were all friendly and professional.

The Condor Liberation ferry
The Condor Liberation ferry

In addition, Condor Ferries offer a great range of package holidays in Guernsey and Jersey. Check their website for their latest offers. If you prefer to travel from Portsmouth to Guernsey, there’s also the Commodore Clipper ferry service.

You can also fly from London Gatwick, East Midlands, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester and Southampton to Guernsey airport.

The Condor Liberation ferry service
The Condor Liberation ferry service

Getting Around Guernsey

It’s a good idea to hire a car to see as much of the island as possible. You drive on the left, and the maximum speed limit is 35 mph, although it is 25 mph in local centres.

Drivers will notice the “filter in turn” road signs, which indicate that all vehicles have equal priority and that drivers should take their turn by order of arrival. Guernsey drivers are a courteous bunch. If you need directions, passers-by will be more than happy to help.

If you’re on a bicycle, seek out the Ruettes Tranquilles. Indicated by a special green sign, these are quiet country lanes where priority is given to cyclists, horse riders and pedestrians, with a recommended speed limit of 15 mph.

Restaurants in Guernsey

Guernsey has some fantastic cafes and restaurants, which are mostly quite informal. If you’re a fan of seafood, the island is the perfect place to enjoy it.

Guernsey dairy products produced by the famous Guernsey cows are a real treat. Guernsey milk comes in three varieties: full cream, skimmed and low fat.

Bean Jar is a popular island dish that’s a bit like cassoulet. Another local delicacy is Guernsey Gache, a tasty fruit bread best enjoyed with Guernsey butter.

There are a few food festivals in Guernsey, including Seafront Sundays once a month in Summertime, and Tennerfest, a six week celebration from 1 October.

Crepes and a selficino coffee at Crepe Maison
Crepes and a selficino coffee at Crepe Maison

Here are some recommendations for places to eat in Guernsey, which we’ve personally tried and enjoyed:

  • Copenhagen Bar & Grill – a trendy eatery located within Hotel de Havelet in St Peter Port.
  • Crepe Maison – delicious crepes and “selficino” coffees printed with your photo.
  • Octopus – a lovely location on Havelet Bay and stylish decor.
  • Saltwater Restaurant & Terrace – tasty local seafood overlooking Beaucette Marina.
  • Fermain Beach Cafe – great selection of homemade cakes.
  • Cooked at St James – panoramic views of the Sunken Gardens and tasty pastries.
  • Coco – this brasserie on South Esplanade is one of the best places for crab sandwiches.
  • Le Gouffre Cafe – a Guernsey hidden gem with amazing lobster thermidor and sea views.
  • Moulin Huet Tearooms – homemade cakes and a coastal view painted by Renoir.
  • Le Petit Bistro – highly recommend their cheese soufflé.
  • The Catch Bistro and Bar – friendly service and fantastic moules au Roquefort.
Copenhagen Restaurant in St Peter Port
Copenhagen Restaurant in St Peter Port

Shopping in Guernsey

One of the best gift shops is located at 26 Cornet Street in St Peter Port. The National Trust of Guernsey Victorian Shop and Parlour is a beautifully restored 18th century townhouse selling classic sweets, traditional toys, buttons, lace and more.

The National Trust of Guernsey Victorian Shop and Parlour
The National Trust of Guernsey Victorian Shop and Parlour

There’s an excellent chocolate shop, Ben Le Prevost Chocolatier, on Mill Street and Creaseys Home Store on Smith Street has lots of handy kitchen gadgets and table linens.

Elsewhere on the island, head to Guernsey Pearl in St. Pierre du Bois for freshwater and sea pearls. Martyn Guille Silversmiths next to The Little Chapel in Les Vauxbelets has a lovely selection of bags, jewellery and silverware.

At Sausmarez Manor, you can see Trevor Rogers-Davis making copper Guernsey milk cans using traditional tools and techniques. They also offer a wide range of copper and magnetic jewellery.

Where to Stay in Guernsey

Hotel de Havelet is a historic manor house perched on a hillside in an upmarket area of St Peter Port. You’re warmly greeted by the reception staff and it’s a short walk from here into the centre of town.

Best Western Hotel de Havelet in St Peter Port
Best Western Hotel de Havelet in St Peter Port

There are panoramic views of Castle Cornet and the coast from the terrace bar. Copenhagen restaurant is a great place to dine.

This charming Guernsey hotel has an indoor pool with French windows that open on to the gardens, as well as a hot tub, sauna and steam room.

Hotel de Havelet Health Suite
Hotel de Havelet Health Suite

The bedrooms are spacious, quiet and have complimentary high-speed broadband. We like room number 17 which is next to the Health Suite and recently renovated.

Hotel de Havelet is the perfect place from which to explore St Peter Port and the rest of Guernsey.

A bedroom at Hotel de Havelet
A bedroom at Hotel de Havelet

In Conclusion: Best Things to Do in Guernsey

As you can see, there is a lot to do on this beautiful island for nature lovers, foodies and history buffs. From picturesque St Peter Port to the stunning views at Moulin Huet Tea Rooms, there is so much to enjoy in Guernsey.

The museums, beaches and gardens provide plenty for visitors to explore. Ther are suitable Guernsey attractions for everyone; from avid history buffs to those just looking for a relaxing beach walk.

It’s no wonder that tourism is on the rise in the Channel Islands and why so many people return year after year! With its unique collection of historical sites, natural beauty and laid-back atmosphere, you’ll understand why Guernsey should be at the top of your holiday destinations.

And when you are done exploring the places to visit in Guernsey, don’t forget to check out our other travel articles packed full of inspiration!

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Fun things to do on Guernsey
Fun things to do on Guernsey

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