Its rich Cornish history, artistic culture and stunning sea views makes St Ives one of the best choices for your romantic retreat with your significant other. There are no shortage of activities to take part in from walking your dog on the beach to surfing or exploring one of the many galleries dotted around town.
Whether you’re looking for an adrenaline filled holiday or a calmer, more relaxing getaway, we have a wide number of holiday cottages or apartments that will put you right in the heart of the action.
Planning your romantic holiday to St Ives Cornwall
Finding the perfect place to stay for your holiday is the best step you can take to making your retreat fulfilling and rewarding for both you and your partner. Whether you want to be near the seafront, in the heart of old St Ives or right next to one of the town’s best galleries, cafes or restaurants, we have the cottage for you.
1. 3 Love Lane
One of the best of our many hidden gems that provides a private and cosy place to relax with your partner to make your holiday as intimate as possible. It is the perfect choice for couples’ accommodation in St Ives.
As a former artist’s studio, it has plenty of charm and personality and its location in the oldest part of town means it doesn’t get much more romantic and idyllic than this. The cottage comes with a king-size divan in the bedroom, free wi-fi and easy access to the beach, giving you the perfect seaside spot to catch the sunset.
2. Morvah
Though Morvah is big enough for four guests, its ocean views and windows facing the harbour give this the perfect summery and romantic atmosphere for you and your partner to bask in during your stay in St Ives.
As well as stunning seaside views, Morvah also comes with free wi-fi, a fully equipped kitchen and an outdoor patio for relaxing in the sun or of an evening with a drink and good company. The whole cottage has a warm and comfortable atmosphere, making it easier than ever to unwind with a loved one.
3. Penryn
You’re never far from the action with Penryn, a modern and stylish ground floor apartment situated near the beach and the train station for any adventurous couple looking to go a little further afield from St Ives during their stay and explore more of the charms of Cornwall.
Its elegant interior makes it a perfect all-season choice, airy enough for summer visits and homely enough to add comfort in the colder seasons. It comes with an outdoor table and chairs for two, free wifi and its proximity to the beach will allow you to get the most out of the coastal wonders St Ives offers.
4. 26 Piazza
Many of our holiday cottages in St Ives come with sea views and it doesn’t get much more romantic than 26 Piazza. Take in the view of Porthmeor Beach and the ocean beyond from the property’s two seaward-facing balconies, with the view always stunning whether it be morning or evening. 26 Piazza perfectly captures the sunny beachside romance of any couple’s dreams and the cosy, artfully decorated interior exudes comfort.
As well as a beach and a seaview, the apartment comes with its own parking, making it easy to get around and explore as many of the sights of St Ives as possible. The apartment also comes with a fully equipped kitchen to allow for self-catering, giving you the perfect opportunity for romantic and intimate nights in.
5. Sandhamn
Another of the St Ives’ cottages to rent is Sandhamn, a light, traditional 3-storey cottage that gives you a relaxing and scenic view of boats coming in and out of the harbour. It’s the perfect romantic start to any day, putting you in a good mood for the activities ahead of you.
Its direct views out over the harbour mean you can head down to the beach any time you like to relax on the sands and the property also comes with free wifi, a dining area and a window seat that provides the perfect comfort to relax in with a drink.
6. Surfer’s Nest
One of our dog-friendly options provides the perfect romantic treat for you, your partner and your beloved pet on a budget, meaning you can enjoy your holiday with your dog and your partner.
Surfer’s Nest immerses you in a slice of St Ives old fishing history, being on the ground floor of an old fisherman’s cottage and coming equipped with free wifi, a small outdoor seating area and beach access. You are moments from the sea and can enjoy romantic walks along the beach in both the summer sunshine and winter storms.
7. Step ‘N’ Sea
Of all the holiday homes to rent in St Ives, Step ‘N’ Sea gives you a little bit of everything, making it the perfect St Ives slice of life. It places you right in the heart of St Ives with every gallery, restaurant and activity at your fingertips. This apartment is the perfect hub to plan your day from, ensuring you get the most out of your romantic trip to St Ives.
Along with being welcoming to dogs, the apartment also comes with parking, free wifi and a seaview from the deck, as well as all the amenities you need to make the apartment feel like a second home. This includes an oven, refrigerator, towels and fresh linen.
8. 4 Hazelbury House
While suitable for a travelling family, this refurbished Victorian house provides the perfect bright and modern bliss for a travelling couple, complete with a wall-mounted television and a skylight.
The house comes with on-street parking and free wifi and is just a short walk from Porthminster beach, the perfect location for swimming and standup paddle boarding. While there, why not stop by the mini golf course or take a break at the award-winning Porthminster Cafe?
9. 3 Sunnyside
A family-sized property overlooking the harbour and the bay, 3 Sunnyside lives up to its name, with the sun streaming in through the almost full-length windows in the living room, providing the perfect warm atmosphere for your romantic getaway.
As well as being near the beach, this property also comes with a fully equipped kitchen to make self-catering easy and convenient for when you want a quiet night in for yourselves as well as free wifi and a supply of fresh linen and towels.
10. 6 Malakoff
6 Malakoff puts you within a stone’s throw of the gorgeous Porthminster beach, rewarding you and your partner with views of the sea and sands every day along with all the attractions and cultural hotspots and restaurants the harbour and bay has to offer.
The property comes with parking and free wifi and you will always be just a few minutes walk from the town centre, allowing any romantic couple to make the most of everything St Ives has to offer, all at an easy and relaxing pace.
Romantic things to do in St Ives
After finding the perfect property for you, you’ll find there are no shortages of activities for you and your partner to partake in, guaranteeing you the trip of your dreams, whether you’re looking for a fun-filled getaway or a more relaxing and peaceful holiday.
You can walk your dog along one of our many beaches, swim or bask in the sun. For the more adventurous, beach activities include surfing (or learning to surf!), coasteering or sea kayaking.
St Ives is also famous for its art and culture, so you can pay a visit to any one of a number of galleries from the Barbara Hepworth Museum to The Leach Pottery or the Tate St Ives.
If you don’t mind taking a bit of a trip out of St Ives during your holiday, you can head over to the Minack Theatre on the coast, around 40 minutes away by car. The theatre is a romantic open-air amphitheatre built into the cliffs making it the perfect spot to enjoy a play with your partner. Don’t forget to head down to the nearby Porthcurno Beach while you’re there!
There is also a plethora of restaurants and cafes in St Ives, each serving unique flavours and dishes from all over the world, served at a high quality and giving any couple the opportunity to discover new and exciting tastes and immerse themselves not only in the culture of St Ives but in the tastes and experiences of other cultures as well.
Whatever you’re looking for, you’re sure to find the perfect experience in St Ives, one that will keep you coming back again and again, if only to fit in all the activities and sights you couldn’t the first time around.
