The Ultimate 7-day Cornwall Road Trip Itinerary (Beaches, Villages + Day Trips)
Cornwall isn’t new to me, but every time I go back, it always catches me off guard. I’ve just spent a week exploring its coastline and somehow it felt like seeing it all for the first time again.
Cornwall is a standout destination in the UK and different from anywhere else we have here. The landscape seems to shift from one cove to the next, from windswept headlands to tiny fishing villages that look freshly plucked from a storybook.
This 7-day Cornwall itinerary takes you from surfy Newquay to artistic St Ives and on to the far western tip at Penzance, with stop offs at some of the most beautiful beaches and coastal villages along the way.
Whether you're chasing sea views, coastal walks, hidden coves, or quaint harbours, this trip captures the very best of Cornwall.
How to Get to Cornwall
Cornwall might be 'far away' but it is well connected, and depending on where you’re coming from, you’ve got a few options:
By train: The most scenic and stress-free way to reach Cornwall. Trains run from London Paddington to Newquay, St Austell, and Penzance. The route via the Dawlish sea wall is one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the UK.
By car: Driving gives you total freedom to explore remote coves and lesser-known beaches. From London, the drive to Newquay takes around 5 hours. This is my recommendation for visiting Cornwall as you can then explore the rest of the coast at your own pace.
By air: You can fly into Newquay Airport from selected UK cities. Once there, it’s best to hire a car to explore the rest!
Your 7 Day Cornwall Itinerary
🏖 Days 1-3: Arrive in Newquay & Explore the North Coast
I recommend starting off your Cornwall adventure in Newquay, the surf capital of England! During summer the town gets very busy with young adults, I recommend leaning into this and watching them hit the waves.
There is nowhere quite like Newquay, head down to the harbour and enjoy street food or little breakfast cafes. Or hit laidback Fistral Beach, but don't forget to explore some of the town's smaller beaches.
Don’t miss:
Bedruthan Steps: A dramatic series of rock stacks stretching across the beach. Visit at low tide to see them at their best. The beach is a short drive from Newquay. Please note the beach itself is closed due to a rock fall on the beach. However, there is a beautiful coastal walk along the cliffs which gives you visit-worthy views, especially at sunset.
Crantock Beach: A quieter beach with soft sand and a wild, untouched feel.
- Pentire Poppies: If you are visiting during summer, head to the Pentire Poppies which offer beautiful views of a large poppy field overlooking Crantock Beach. Make a day of it and continue the walk to Jolly Poke Beach, a hidden beach enjoyed only by those who know it's there.
- Watergate Bay: Two miles of golden sand and a great Atlantic surf.
Overnight:
Stay at Watergate Bay Hotel for the ultimate beach escape, or try SeaScape for a laid back stay with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the ocean.
Day trips from newquay:
- Perranporth Beach: One of my favourite beaches in Cornwall, Perranporth reminded me of an Aussie surfer town. The rock pool is iconic, wet and wild at high tide, yet surrounded by golden sand when the sea retreats. Only 15 minutes from Newquay, it's well worth spending some time here.
- Padstow: 30 minutes from Newquay, Padstow is a pretty fishing village built around a small harbour. Especially popular on a sunny weekend, you can head out from here on speedboat tris to enjoy the coast, or just enjoy the village with an ice cream in hand. If you have time, drive the coastal route instead (45 minutes) and stop off at beautiful beaches along the way such as Constantine Bay or Harlyn Beach.
- Port Isaac: If you don't mind a longer drive (45-50 minutes), Port Isaac is a tiny fishing village backed by rolling green hills and cliffs. The filming location of much-loved Doc Martin, Port Isaac is small but very pretty with some fabulous seafood on offer.
Other beaches to visit near Newquay:
- Holywell Bay: a gorgeous National trust Beach backed by large sand dunes.
- Porthcothan Bay: Tucked between headlands just south of Constantine Bay.
- Chapel Porth Beach: At low tide, caves appear in the rockface and the beach stretches wide.
🏖 Days 3-5: St Ives
Head west along the coast, stopping at some hidden spots along the way. I recommend spending a few days in St Ives, one of Cornwall’s most beautiful and best-loved seaside towns. It’s easy to see why artists have flocked here for generations!
Wander the cobbled lanes in the early morning before the crowds arrive, grab a coffee from a tiny café tucked behind the harbour, and take your time exploring the beaches.
Don’t miss the chance to pop into the Tate or one of the many local galleries, even if just to duck out of the sun for an hour.
Don’t miss:
Porthmeor Beach: St Ives’ most iconic beach and a favourite with surfers. It’s backed by the Tate and a buzzing beachside café, the perfect spot for sunset drinks after a swim.
Porthgwidden Beach: Smaller and more sheltered than Porthmeor, this tucked-away cove is ideal for a quiet morning dip or a relaxed afternoon with a book. There’s a lovely café just above the sand.
The Harbour: Grab fish and chips and sit on the harbour wall as the boats bob in the water below. If you're lucky, you might spot a seal nosing around for scraps.
Tate St Ives: Whether you're an art lover or not, the building alone is worth a visit, light-filled, right on the beach, and home to rotating exhibitions that reflect the town’s creative spirit.
Coastal walk to Carbis Bay: A gentle path with postcard-perfect views. It takes about 30 minutes and ends at another beautiful beach with calm, clear waters ideal for swimming.
Overnight:
For something really special, stop over at Carbis Bay Hotel & Estate, think sea-view suites, a private Blue Flag beach, and sunset cocktails, just steps from the beach. Meanwhile, the more understated Boskerris Hotel feels like a secret retreat above the sea, perfectly perched for watching the sun melt into the horizon over St Ives Bay.
Day trips from st ives:
- Zennor: Just 15 minutes from town, this tiny cliffside village is the starting point for one of Cornwall’s most dramatic walks. The stretch between St Ives and Zennor is rugged and remote, with panoramic views and barely another soul in sight. Stop in at the Tinner’s Arms for a pint with an excellent view.
- Seal Island Boat Trip: Departing from St Ives Harbour, this is an easy but memorable outing. Take a boat trip to Seal Island, a rocky outcrop just offshore that’s home to a colony of Atlantic grey seals. The roundtrip adventure takes around a little over an hour
- Gwithian Beach at Sunset: This was a highlight from my recent trip to Cornwall! Around 25 minutes from St Ives, Gwithian is one of the best spots on the north coast for a proper Cornish sunset. Godrevy Lighthouse is a gorgeous image against the sunset with surfers catching the last waves of the day.
- Godrevy Head: Just next door to Gwithian, Godrevy offers sweeping views, blustery walks, and the chance to spot seals lounging below the cliffs. The circular route out to the point is easy and scenic, perfect for a breezy afternoon and even better on a sunny day.
🏖 Days 5-7: Penzance and the south coast
I recommend ending your Cornwall itinerary in Penzance, a place that almost feels like the edge of the world, in the best possible way. It’s slower-paced than Newquay and not quite as quaint as St Ives, but it's a lovely seaside town with easy access to the breathtaking south coast beaches.
Spend your mornings wandering through the old town with a coffee in hand, then take the coastal path out past Newlyn and Mousehole if you’re feeling energetic.
Penzance is the perfect base for exploring the far west of Cornwall, whether you're hopping over to St Michael’s Mount, watching the waves crash at Porthcurno, or just stretching out on a sunny bench with an ice cream.
Don’t miss:
- Jubilee Pool: One of the UK’s last remaining saltwater lidos, this Art Deco pool sits right on the seafront and is especially dreamy on a calm morning. There’s even a geothermally heated corner if the Atlantic chill isn’t your thing.
- St Michael’s Mount: Just a 10-minute drive or a short train hop to Marazion, this tidal island is one of Cornwall’s most iconic sights. Walk across the causeway at low tide or take a boat when the water’s in, either way, it’s worth the trip for the views alone.
- Morrab Gardens: An unexpected little oasis tucked between the sea and the town centre, filled with subtropical plants and Victorian glasshouses. Perfect for a quiet wander when you need a slow moment.
- Newlyn: A short walk along the seafront from Penzance, Newlyn is a working fishing port with a growing food scene. Stop for a crab sandwich, browse a gallery or two, and watch the boats come in.
- Art Deco Promenade: Take a stroll along Penzance's long seafront promenade, one of the best in Cornwall. Early mornings are peaceful, but golden hour brings a soft, cinematic glow to the coastline.
Overnight:
Artist Residence Penzance feels like staying in a cool seaside townhouse with eclectic art on the walls, vintage furniture in every corner, and a laid-back bar downstairs that locals actually go to. For more laidback beach stay, Marazion Hotel is a cosy, coastal bolthole with front-row views of St Michael’s Mount.
Day trips from st ives:
Porthcurno Beach: Just 20 minutes from Penzance, this jaw-dropping beach is tucked between granite cliffs and feels more Mediterranean than Cornish. The sand is fine and pale, and the sea is bright turquoise. Go early before the crowds arrive, and don’t miss a wander up to the Minack Theatre for incredible views from above.
Pedn Vounder Beach: One of Cornwall’s most photogenic spots and one of its trickiest to reach. Located just east of Porthcurno, this tidal beach can only be accessed by a steep cliff path (and only when the tide is right), but the payoff is golden sand and crystal-clear shallows that feel completely untouched. Read my guide on Pedn Vounder Beach here.
Kynance Cove: Around 30 minutes from Penzance by car, Kynance Cove is as spectacular as everyone says. At low tide, sea caves and rock stacks appear like something from a fantasy film. The walk from the National Trust car park is an experience in itself.
- Mousehole: Just 10 minutes along the coast, Mousehole is a tiny fishing village that feels frozen in time. Wander its narrow granite lanes, browse independent galleries, and grab a cream tea overlooking the harbour.
FAQs: Holidays in Cornwall
When is the best time to visit Cornwall?
The best time to visit Cornwall is at between May and early October, with June and September offering warm weather and fewer crowds. July and August are the hottest months but also the busiest, especially around Newquay and St Ives. If you’re after quieter coastal walks and golden sunsets, late spring or early autumn is ideal.
Do I need a car for this Cornwall itinerary?
Having a car gives you far more freedom to explore Cornwall’s lesser-known beaches and hidden coves. While it’s possible to get around by train and bus between bigger towns like Newquay, St Ives and Penzance, many of the places in this itinerary like Kynance Cove or Pedn Vounder are only accessible by car or foot.
How long should I spend in Cornwall?
A full 7 days allows enough time to experience Cornwall’s north coast, and some of its most beautiful beaches in the south without rushing. But if you’re short on time, even a 3–5 day trip covering just Newquay and St Ives offers a great introduction. That being said, if you enjoy slow travel and want your best chance at enjoying sunny weather, you can't go wrong with 2 weeks in Cornwall.
Is Cornwall family-friendly?
Yes! Cornwall is brilliant for families, with safe swimming beaches, surf schools, rock pools, coastal walks and family-friendly attractions like the Eden Project and St Michael’s Mount. Just keep in mind that some beaches, like Pedn Vounder, aren’t suitable for young children due to steep access.
Can I bring my dog to Cornwall?
Many of Cornwall’s beaches and hotels are dog-friendly, especially outside of peak summer restrictions (which typically run from May to September). Be sure to check individual beach rules, but in general, Cornwall is a great spot for a holiday with your pup.
What should I pack for a Cornwall road trip?
Layers are key. Even in summer, the Cornish weather can change quickly. Pack a mix of swimwear, walking shoes, a waterproof jacket, and a few cosy jumpers for windy cliff walks and cooler evenings. And don’t forget suncream! You’ll need it more than you think.
It perfectly captures the magic of the coastline, from vibrant Newquay to peaceful Penzance. I love the mix of beaches, charming villages, and hidden gems like Pedn Vounder and Kynance Cove.
Sometimes it’s hard to find a trip that perfectly balances nature and culture without feeling rushed. Reading this Cornwall itinerary reminded me of my Kathmandu-Pokhara-Chitwan tour in Nepal—same stunning landscapes, peaceful vibes, and unforgettable moments. Have you ever experienced a trip like that? Nepal is a true hidden gem!
https://www.himalayaheart.com/trip/kathmandu-pokhara-chitwan-tour