St Peter Port is Guernsey’s capital and main harbor: a steep, granite town on the island’s east coast, with narrow lanes, stepped alleys and Georgian and Regency houses climbing the hillside above the marinas, and views across the water to Herm, Jethou and Sark. It is where most visitors arrive, by Brittany Ferries from Poole, Portsmouth or Saint-Malo, or by bus from the airport about 15 minutes away, and where most of them stay. In a day or two you can explore Castle Cornet on its rock at the harbor mouth (when it is open), tour Victor Hugo’s extraordinary Hauteville House, climb the Victoria Tower, visit the Guernsey Museum in Candie Gardens, browse the old town’s shops (with no VAT) and walk the cliff path south to Fermain Bay. St Peter Port is also the starting point for the boats to Herm and Sark and the hub of the island’s buses. Come from May to September for long evenings, island-hopping and Hauteville House, and give it two days on its own or use it as a base for the whole Bailiwick.
Right now in St Peter Port
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Top tours in St Peter Port
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St Peter Port at a glance
- Best for: harbor views, Victor Hugo, castles and museums, shopping without VAT, seafood restaurants and boat trips to Herm and Sark.
- How long: one full day for the town, two days with Hauteville House, Candie and the cliff path; most visitors stay four to seven nights and explore the islands from here.
- Best time: May to September; Hauteville House opens from April to September, and Castle Cornet is closed from 7 September 2026 until early June 2027.
- Getting there: fly to Guernsey Airport, about 15 minutes away by car or a short bus ride, or arrive by Brittany Ferries in the harbor, right by the town center.
- Getting around: on foot in town (wear good shoes: it is steep); buses leave from the Town Terminus on the South Esplanade for the rest of the island.
- Before you go: the ETA, healthcare charges, money and ferries are in our Guernsey travel guide.
St Peter Port’s areas and who each one suits
- The old town and High Street: the narrow shopping streets behind the seafront, the Town Church, the old market area and the stepped lanes that lead uphill, with cafés, pubs and boutiques. For first-timers who want everything on the doorstep.
- The seafront and marinas: the Esplanade, the Albert and Victoria marinas, the Weighbridge and the Inter Island Quay, with harbor-view restaurants, the bus terminus and the boats to Herm and Sark. Handy for ferries and day trips.
- Hauteville and the upper town: quiet streets of tall Regency houses above the harbor, around Victor Hugo’s house, with smaller hotels and guesthouses and big views. Good for a calm stay a few minutes’ (steep) walk from the center.
- Candie and Grange: the area around Candie Gardens and the museum, with townhouse hotels and leafy roads. Peaceful and close to town.
- Havelet and the south edge: the little Havelet Bay below the cliffs, the start of the cliff path toward Fort George and Fermain, and hotels with sea views over Castle Cornet. Good for walkers.
Top things to see in St Peter Port
Castle Cornet
The castle on the southern arm of the harbor has guarded St Peter Port since the Middle Ages, and today it holds four museums, the Story of Castle Cornet, the 201 Squadron RAF Museum, the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry Museum and the Royal Guernsey Militia Museum, plus period gardens and a café. In season, the noonday gun is fired every day by keepers in scarlet costumes, who pose for photos afterward.
Check before you plan a visit: according to Guernsey Museums, Castle Cornet closed on 7 September 2026 for the replacement of the bridge between the Castle Emplacement and the breakwater and is scheduled to reopen at the beginning of June 2027; the noonday gun is not fired during the closure. When it is open, 2026 tickets cost £12 for adults, £3 for children aged 7 to 17 and students, and nothing for under-7s, or it is covered by the £24 Discovery Pass. The castle is about 10 minutes’ walk from the bus terminus along the breakwater. You can still admire it from the seafront and from the cliff path to the south.
Hauteville House
Victor Hugo lived in Guernsey for 15 years in exile, and Hauteville House, his home in the upper town, is one of the most unusual writer’s houses anywhere: he designed the interiors himself, with dark carved wood, tapestries and porcelain, mottoes and mirrors, and wrote in a glass lookout at the top of the house facing the sea, where he finished Les Misérables. The house belongs to the City of Paris, and visits are by guided tour in small groups.
According to Maisons de Victor Hugo, Hauteville House opens from April to September, closed on Wednesdays, from 10:00 to 16:00. Tickets cost £12 for adults and £10 for concessions (including students under 26 and teachers), and under-18s go free; book online in advance, as tours are small. The garden is free to visit during opening hours. The address is 38 Hauteville.
Guernsey Museum at Candie and the Victoria Tower
About ten minutes’ uphill walk from the seafront, the Guernsey Museum sits in Candie Gardens, a Victorian garden with ponds and historic greenhouses. Its galleries cover the island’s earliest people, folklore, the Guernsey language and art, with changing exhibitions and a hands-on Discovery Room for children. In 2026 it opens daily from 10:00 to 17:00 from 25 March to 1 November and from 10:00 to 16:00 in winter, and costs £7 for adults and £2 for children and students (under-7s free), according to Guernsey Museums. The café can be visited without a ticket. Nearby, the Victoria Tower has 99 steps to a viewpoint over the town and harbor.
The Town Church and the old town
The Town Church, St Peter Port’s parish church, stands right on the seafront, with parts dating back to the Middle Ages. Behind it, the High Street and the Pollet are lined with shops in old granite and stucco buildings, and stepped lanes climb steeply up the hill between tall houses. The old market buildings are next to the church. Take your time: the best of the town is in its alleys and views.
The harbor, the Weighbridge and the marinas
St Peter Port’s harbor is the heart of the town: fishing boats, ferries and hundreds of yachts in the marinas, with the Weighbridge Clock Tower and the Liberation Monument by the Inter Island Quay, where the boats to Herm and Sark leave. Liberation Day, 9 May, is celebrated along the seafront every year. Walk out along the breakwater toward Castle Cornet for the classic view back over the town.
Clarence Battery, Fort George and the cliff path to Fermain
From Havelet Bay at the south end of town, the cliff path climbs past the old gun positions of Clarence Battery and the walls of Fort George, through bluebell woods in spring, to Fermain Bay, a sheltered cove with a beach café that Visit Guernsey calls one of the island’s most-loved views. Allow about an hour each way at an easy pace, with steep steps in places, or walk one way and catch a bus back. See our hiking guide.
The waterfront, beaches and boats
St Peter Port is a harbor town rather than a beach town, but Havelet Bay at its southern edge has a small beach below the cliffs, and Fermain Bay is a short walk or bus ride away. For long sandy beaches, take the bus to Cobo or Vazon on the west coast, or L’Ancresse in the north. The tides here are big, up to about 33 feet (10 m) according to Visit Guernsey, so the harbor and beaches look completely different at high and low water. See our beaches guide.
From the Inter Island Quay, Travel Trident sails to Herm in about 20 minutes every day except Christmas Day (adult return £19, children £9 in 2026), and Isle of Sark Shipping crosses to Sark in about 45 minutes, several times a day in summer. Bring photo ID for inter-island travel. In summer, boat trips and RIB rides also run around the islands from the harbor; see our boat trips guide.
Food, shopping and nightlife
St Peter Port has the island’s widest choice of places to eat: seafood restaurants and bistros along the seafront and marinas, pubs and wine bars in the old town, and cafés with harbor views. Look for local crab, lobster and scallops, Guernsey ice cream and Guernsey gâche, the island’s fruit loaf.
Shopping is relaxed and good value, since Guernsey has no VAT. Most shops are on the High Street, the Pollet and the lanes around the Town Church. In the evening, the seafront bars and restaurants are lively in summer; licensed premises may open from 10:00 to 00:45 Monday to Saturday and from 12:00 to 00:45 on Sundays, according to Visit Guernsey.
Day trips from St Peter Port
All of Guernsey, and its neighbors, are easy day trips from St Peter Port:
- Herm: 20 minutes by boat; car-free, with Shell Beach and Belvoir Bay.
- Sark: about 45 minutes by boat; no cars, La Coupée, cliffs and dark skies. Walk, rent a bike or take a horse-drawn carriage.
- The Little Chapel: the tiny chapel at Les Vauxbelets covered in broken china; free, open from 9:00 daily.
- Sausmarez Manor: gardens, a sculpture park and a Saturday market from Easter to October, in St Martin.
- Fort Grey and the west coast: the “Cup and Saucer” shipwreck museum at Rocquaine Bay (adults £5 in 2026), then sunset at Vazon or Cobo.
- The German Occupation Museum: near the airport, with a re-created Occupation-era street (cash only).
- Moulin Huet and the south coast: the bay Renoir painted in 1883, on the cliff path.
- Jersey or Saint-Malo: by ferry or a short flight to Jersey (see our St Helier guide), or about two hours by Brittany Ferries to Saint-Malo. Non-EU visitors cross the Schengen border in France.
Getting there and getting around
Arriving by air
Guernsey Airport is in the southwest of the island, about 15 minutes by car from St Peter Port. Bus 71 runs via the Princess Elizabeth Hospital to St Peter Port, routes 93, 94 and 95 run directly to the town bus terminus, and the round-island routes 91 and 92 also call at the airport; there are taxis outside. Aurigny flies from many UK airports, Dublin and Paris, and British Airways from London Heathrow; our Guernsey guide lists the routes.
Arriving by sea
Brittany Ferries sails into St Peter Port from Poole (about 3 hours by fast ferry), Portsmouth (about 10 hours overnight) and Saint-Malo (about 2 hours), according to Brittany Ferries. Manche Îles Express links the town with Normandy, and Islands Unlimited with Jersey from March to October. The ferry berths are a short walk from the center.
Getting around town
The center is compact but steep, so walking is the best way around, with comfortable shoes. Buses leave from the Town Terminus on the South Esplanade for the whole island; since 30 March 2026, a daytime journey costs a flat £1.70 by contactless card (no cash is accepted), and late-night buses after 21:45 cost £5. If you drive, the town speed limit is 25 mph, public parking is free in disc zones with a parking clock, and the streets are narrow and partly one-way.
When to go and how long to stay
St Peter Port is a year-round town, but the best months are May to September, when Hauteville House is open, the boats to Herm and Sark run most often and the evenings are long. According to the Guernsey Met Office’s 1991–2020 averages for Guernsey Airport, summer (June to August) brings average highs of about 19 °C (66 °F) and lows of about 13 °C (56 °F), with around 8 hours of sunshine a day, while winter (December to February) averages highs of about 9 °C (49 °F) and lows of about 5.5 °C (42 °F) and is the wettest season.
Liberation Day on 9 May fills the seafront with celebrations, and the North Show and Battle of Flowers at Saumarez Park, in late August (26–27 August in 2026), is the island’s biggest summer event. Book hotels early for these dates.
Allow one full day for the town, two days with Hauteville House, Candie and the cliff path, and four nights to a week if you are using St Peter Port as your base for Guernsey, Herm and Sark.
Where to stay in St Peter Port
- The seafront and old town: hotels and guesthouses close to the shops, restaurants and the Inter Island Quay. Best for first-timers without a car and for day trips to Herm and Sark.
- Hauteville and the upper town: smaller hotels in Regency houses with harbor views; quieter, but uphill.
- Candie and Grange: townhouse hotels near Candie Gardens, a few minutes’ walk from the center.
- Havelet and the south edge: larger hotels with views over Castle Cornet, close to the cliff path.
In July, August and around the big events, book well ahead. For a beach-and-countryside feel instead, stay on the south or west coast and come into town by bus.
What a trip to St Peter Port costs
St Peter Port is priced like a town in the south of England, but there is no VAT, buses cost £1.70 a ride, and the cliff path, gardens and harbor views are free. A Guernsey Museums Discovery Pass (£24 per named adult, valid 12 months, children under 18 free with an adult) covers Castle Cornet, the Guernsey Museum, Fort Grey and the German Naval Signals Headquarters. Our estimates for one person per day, sharing a double room, as of October 2026:
| Style | Estimated cost per day | What that looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | about £70–110 | A guesthouse, buses, picnic lunches, one museum |
| Mid-range | about £150–250 | A town hotel with a view, Hauteville House, a boat to Herm, restaurant dinners |
| High-end | about £350+ | A luxury hotel, fine dining, private boat trips and tours |
Practical tips for St Peter Port
- Book Hauteville House: tours are small and sell out in summer.
- Check Castle Cornet: it is closed from 7 September 2026 until early June 2027.
- Carry photo ID: it is required for the boats to Herm and Sark; since April 2026, many visitors arriving directly from outside the UK and Ireland also need an ETA.
- Pay by card on the bus: buses take contactless only, no cash.
- Money: Guernsey notes are not accepted in the UK, so ask for Bank of England notes in your change before you leave.
- Emergencies: dial 999 or 112. The Emergency Department is at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital; visitors from outside the UK and Jersey pay for treatment, so bring insurance.
What to pack for St Peter Port
Pack layers and a waterproof jacket at any time of year, as the weather changes quickly on the coast; sturdy, comfortable shoes for the steep lanes, steps and cliff path; and sunscreen and a hat for boat trips in summer. Bring swimwear and water shoes for Herm and the rocky coves, a UK-style (Type G) plug adapter if you are coming from Europe or North America, and your passport or photo ID.
St Peter Port travel FAQ
Is St Peter Port worth visiting?
Yes. It is one of the prettiest harbor towns in the British Isles, with Victor Hugo’s Hauteville House, Castle Cornet, Candie Gardens and the cliff path to Fermain on the doorstep, and boats to Herm and Sark from the quay.
How do you get from Guernsey Airport to St Peter Port?
By bus 71, 93, 94 or 95 (or the round-island 91 and 92), paying £1.70 by contactless card, or by taxi in about 15 minutes.
Is Castle Cornet open?
Not at the moment. It closed on 7 September 2026 for the replacement of its bridge and is scheduled to reopen at the beginning of June 2027, according to Guernsey Museums.
When is Victor Hugo’s house open?
Hauteville House opens from April to September, every day except Wednesday, 10:00–16:00, for guided tours; adults pay £12 and under-18s go free. Book ahead.
How many days do you need in St Peter Port?
One full day covers the town; two days let you add Hauteville House, Candie and the cliff walk to Fermain. Stay longer and use the town as a base for Guernsey, Herm and Sark.
How do you get from St Peter Port to Herm and Sark?
Boats leave from the Inter Island Quay by the Weighbridge: Travel Trident to Herm in about 20 minutes, and Isle of Sark Shipping to Sark in about 45 minutes. Bring photo ID.
Is there a beach in St Peter Port?
A small one at Havelet Bay, at the south end of town. Fermain Bay is a short walk along the cliff path, and the big sandy beaches are on the west coast, a bus ride away.
Where should I stay in St Peter Port?
The seafront and old town for convenience and boats, the upper town around Hauteville for views and quiet, and the Havelet area for walkers.
Plan your trip
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Sources · last reviewed 6 October 2026
Researched and last reviewed on 6 October 2026. Castle Cornet, Guernsey Museum, Fort Grey and Discovery Pass hours and prices come from Guernsey Museums; Hauteville House from Maisons de Victor Hugo; climate averages from the Guernsey Met Office (Guernsey Airport, 1991–2020); bus fares from the Government of Guernsey; airport buses from Guernsey Airport; ferries from Brittany Ferries; the Herm boat from Travel Trident; Sark sailings from Visit Sark; the cliff path, tides, licensing hours, driving, parking, the Little Chapel and other sights from Visit Guernsey; North Show dates from its organizers; entry and health rules from the Government of Guernsey. Daily costs are our estimates. Prices, timetables and rules change, so check the official sites before you travel.
Data: Weather: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0) · Rates: ECB · Wikidata (CC0)