West Cornwall is home to the United Kingdom’s most south-westerly point, Land’s End, as well as some of Cornwall’s most spectacular beaches with golden sand and turquoise waters.
With an array of things to do and places to see, West Cornwall is the perfect base for your Cornish getaway. But where exactly is the best place to stay? When choosing a location, two places come to the forefront: St Ives and Penzance. Both towns have plenty to offer, but they deliver different experiences. So which is better?
Here’s our guide:
St Ives vs Penzance
Why choose St Ives for your holiday?
Unbeatable Beaches
St Ives is home to some of the best beaches in Cornwall. You really are spoilt for choice with Porthmeor, Porthminster, Porthgwiddon, Harbour and Bamaluz all within walking distance. Carbis Bay beach is also a relatively short walk along the coast path. Each beach has its unique charm, but all are equally as picturesque. Porthmeor, Porthminster, Porthgwidden, Harbour and Carbis Bay boast golden sands and turquoise waters that could just as easily be found in the Mediterranean.
If you enjoy water sports, then St Ives is a fantastic option, with the local surf school based at Porthmeor hiring boards and offering lessons. At Portminster, you can hire a SUP board and cruise around the coast.
Holidays in St Ives mean traditional cottages
There is something quintessentially Cornish about a cosy cottage.Cosy cottages in St Ives are plentiful, many with sea views. Enjoy your morning coffee in a cosy cottage whilst admiring the views.
At Cornish Riviera, we have an array of charming cottages from family-friendly, dog-friendly, cottages with views, cottages for romantic breaks, cottages on a budget and much more! All our cottages come complete with all the amenities you could need.
Check out some of our sea view cottages
https://www.cornishrivieraholidays.co.uk/properties-with-sea-views/
A town with a creative soul
St Ives is renowned for its art scene with the sea-front Tate gallery and the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden both in the centre of town.
St Ives is home to Leach pottery and the award-winning Porthminster gallery, which showcases some of Cornwall’s best contemporary artists.
You can also take an art class at The St Ives School of Painting whilst you’re in town.
If you love art, then you really are spoiled for choice. If the weather takes a turn, then you can spend your afternoon gallery hopping.
Picturesque walks
St Ives is right on the edge of the South West Coastal Path with plenty of stunning walks to fill up your afternoon. You can walk the coastal path from St Ives to the charming village of Zennor, a beautiful but challenging stretch of coastline where you can often spot seals.
If you’re looking for a serious hike, then you can even walk to Marizion beach, from where you can see St Michael’s Mount, a 12-mile path giving spectacular views over the peninsula.
Slow coastal living
The town is the perfect spot for slow coastal living with its easy access to all the beaches and quaint cobbled streets. The town is relatively small, and it’s easy to walk around. If you want somewhere with a relaxed holiday vibe, St Ives is the perfect location.
Penzance vs St Ives
Why choose Penzance?
Convenient travel
Penzance is the last stop on the mainline, giving you easy access to the rest of Cornwall. If you are travelling by car, then there are plenty of car parks in the town centre too. From Penzance, it’s very easy to get to other places along the west coast, like Porthcurno, where the famous Minack Theatre is located, down to Lands End and then around to Sennen Cove. You’re also right on the doorstep of St Michael’s Mount.
Budget Friendly
Penzance is a larger town and tends not to get as quickly booked up as St Ives. You may find a wider range of places to stay that could be a little more budget-friendly. Do bear in mind that there may be less picturesque places to stay and accommodation may not be as central.
Near iconic day trips
Penzance is home to the iconic Jubilee Pool, an art deco seawater lido which also has a geothermal pool and sauna. Probably one of the most famous landmarks, St Michael’s Mount can be accessed from the golden sands of Marizion beach at low tide via a cobbled causeway or, if the tide is in, by boat. Marizion beach can easily be walked to from Penzance via the coastal path. Other popular attractions like the Minack Theatre can easily be accessed via the town with buses stopping at Porthcurno, which is a short walk along the coast path to the theatre.
Local Feel
Penzance differs from St Ives in that it has a much more local feel to it. There are plenty of independent shops, cafes and restaurants to choose from, like 45 Queen Street and Cork and Fork, along with cosy pubs like the Admiral Benbow and the Turks Head. Penzance feels more like a quintessential Cornish town rather than solely a holiday destination. You can simply enjoy a stroll along the Prom, enjoy an ice-cream, coffee or light lunch from the many independent sellers set up there. Don’t forget that there is a pebble beach stretching from the Jubilee Pool right down to Newlyn, where you can catch some rays and enjoy swimming in the sheltered sea of Mounts Bay.
Quiet and relaxed vibe
In Penzance, you can expect it to feel quieter all year round with fewer tourists, even in the summer months. Penzance is much more of a local, working town, and it feels a little less like a holiday destination. If you are looking to explore more of the surrounding areas of West Cornwall, then it could be a good base for getting around.
The verdict
St Ives vs Penzance- which town comes out on top?
If you want to stay somewhere picturesque with beaches within walking distance, a great art scene and holiday vibe, then St Ives is the perfect place for a seaview cottage stay.
If you prefer a relaxed local vibe and are prepared to travel to more picturesque beaches, enjoy shopping and less crowds, then stay in Penzance.
At Cornish Riviera, we offer a range of cottages near the coast in St Ives, many with sea views and all the amenities you could need for your holiday in St Ives.
