As the first point of entry for many visitors to Guernsey, the picturesque Saint Peter Port is a town full of surprises. From elaborate tapestries and unique museums to adorably niche bragging rights, this tiny capital is bursting with charm.

And while (annoyingly) the town is often glazed over in favour of Guernsey’s beachier and more outdoorsy attractions, I’d urge prospective visitors to give it a chance.

During my time in Guernsey, I found Saint Peter Port to be a lot of fun, with a great selection of restaurants, attractions, and just the right amount of quirkiness to steal my heart.

So if you’re wondering what to do in Guernsey’s capital, you’ve come to the right place.

Read on for a roundup of the best things to do in St Peter Port, from unique castles and sights to unique record-breakers that are perfect for filling a visit, whether you’re in town with a cruise or staying for a few days.

1. Explore Castle Cornet

Leading the list of main attractions in Saint Peter Port is Castle Cornet, a unique island castle with a turbulent history spanning over 800 years.

Castle Cornet was constructed in the 13th century and it was originally meant as a defence against French invasions of the island. Located on an island in the Saint Peter Port harbour, it was ideally situated to control access to the port and island.

Nowadays the castle is home to a museum all about the history of the castle itself, as well as the wider maritime history of Guernsey Island. There are also interesting exhibits about the time Guernsey was under German occupation, and how the castle was used throughout this period.

If you’re a history nerd, this is one of the top things to do in Saint Peter Port, so don’t miss it!

Plus the views from the castle are some of the best in town:

2. Visit the Guernsey Tapestry 

One of the cutest things to do in Saint Peter Port is a visit to the (very underrated) Guernsey Tapestry…… if you can catch it during its limited opening hours, that is.

‘The Guernsey Tapestry’ is a unique must-see in Saint Peter Port that involves 1000 years of history depicted through ten canvases, each representing a century of local history.

The coolest part? Each canvas was designed and hand-stitched by a different Guernsey parish, with numerous locals pitching in to create the finished product.

Besides the tapestry’s heartwarming creation process, the final products are also impressive and beautifully done, with the experience topped off with an interesting audio guide that shares more information about each panel and that century of local history.

So, don’t miss it if you’re in town during its opening hours – it’s definitely one the best hidden gems in Guernsey, and no photos are allowed so you’ll just have to go see it for yourself!

3. Hop on a cute mini train around town

Touristy as it may be, another very fun thing to do in Saint Peter Port is a ride on board the Petit Train, which takes visitors on a 40ish minute loop around town to see the best sights… ideal for those who want to rest their feet, or just enjoy a more relaxing approach to sightseeing.

Departing from Albert Pier, this tour takes you around some of the top sights in Saint Peter Port, satisfyingly chugging up hills on your behalf so you can just relax, enjoy the (slightly cheesy) on-board commentary, and soak in the amazing views.

This would definitely be a great Saint Peter Port activity to do with kids, but as a kidless adult, I found it to be great fun as well.

4. Have a pint in the world’s closest pub to a church

The Albion House Tavern in Saint Peter Port is one of the most beloved pubs in town, but the reason why might surprise you…

It is said that this very pub is the “closest tavern to a church in the British Isles”, giving it a rather niche honour that makes locals pretty proud… and rightly so!

So, if you’re looking for one of the more unique things to do in Saint Peter Port, then be sure to add this pub to your list.

I mean, it must be official if it’s on a plaque, surely?

5. Pose for a photo with Victor Hugo

Victor Hugo was a French author, poet, and playwright who famously penned works such as The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Les Miserables.

He also spent many years in exile from France and lived in Saint Peter Port from 1855 until 1870. There are actually two different statues of Hugo in Saint Peter Port, one of which is located on a plinth in the Candie Gardens which surround the Guernsey Museum and Art Gallery.

That one is worth seeing but if you want to actually sit down and get a selfie with a statue of the great man, head to the North Esplanade in front of Town Church. Here you will find a very cool sculpture by local artist Mark Cook, showing Hugo gazing across the harbour towards France.

Cook said that he chose to have octopus tentacles forming the back of the seat because it was a key part of Hugo’s book Toilers of the Sea, which he wrote while living in Guernsey.

6. Or tour Victor Hugo House

Of course, if you’re a fan of Victor Hugo then you shouldn’t stop at just getting a selfie with his statue, but actually visit the house where he lived!

Also known as Hauteville House, the Victor Hugo House was actually designed and decorated by Hugo, so it offers a glimpse into his personal tastes. It’s now a museum that has been preserved to show how it would have looked when he lived there, complete with his top-floor writing studio.

The gardens are also stunning, and you can join guided tours of the property if you want to hear more about Hugo’s life on Guernsey as you explore.

7. Visit Guernsey Museum and Art Gallery

Visiting the Guernsey Museum and Art Gallery is a delightful cultural experience in St. Peter Port. Housed in a charming historic building, this museum takes visitors on a journey through the island’s rich history and vibrant arts scene.

The museum’s diverse exhibits showcase Guernsey’s fascinating past, from prehistoric times to the German occupation during World War II. Additionally, the museum’s art gallery features an impressive collection of local and international artworks, providing insight into the island’s artistic evolution.

The Guernsey Museum and Art Gallery is not only an educational treasure trove but also a hub for creativity. There are regularly changing exhibitions and engaging events, so make sure you check out the website to see what will be on when you’re visiting.

8. Have a scenic cream tea

While the Guernsey Museum and Art Gallery is a great destination for culture lovers, I have another recommendation for cream tea lovers: the Victoria Café, which is housed in the museum!

This beautiful airy café overlooks the Candie Gardens, with water views on a clear day and an affordable, unpretentious menu. Especially on a rainy day, there’s no better place to cozy up and enjoy a few yummy scones with some hot tea while you watch the rain fall outside.

You don’t have to visit the museum in order to enjoy the café either, you can just head to the cast iron Victorian bandstand attached to the museum. Of course, you can also sit out on the terrace when the weather is nice.

9. Enjoy a walk along the seafront

A walk along the seafront in St. Peter Port offers a delightful blend of scenic beauty, historic landmarks, and leisurely activities.

If you walk all the way along Castle Pier past Castle Cornet you can enjoy views of the Castle Breakwater Lighthouse, looking out over the bay. Continue back down to the main harbourfront for lots of excellent cafés and restaurants where you can watch the boats coming and going while you have a meal or drink.

A bit further up from the harbour is the La Vallette Promenade, which leads to the La Vallette Underground Military Museum and Clarence Battery, both interesting historical sites with more panoramic views to enjoy.

10. Explore the Candie Gardens

Exploring Candie Gardens is a delightful experience for visitors of all ages. Nestled on a hillside overlooking St. Peter Port, these gardens surround the Guernsey Museum & Art Gallery.

As you stroll through the gardens, you’ll be greeted by a vibrant tapestry of flowers, from roses to exotic plants, all set against the backdrop of mature trees. The well-maintained paths invite leisurely walks, making it a tranquil escape from the bustling town below.

What’s more, the gardens offer stunning panoramic views of the English Channel, making it an ideal spot for capturing memorable photographs. If you need a bit of peace and quiet it’s lovely to just sit here and watch the world go by.

11. Go for a solemn walk at Candie Cemetery

Across the road from the Candie Gardens and Guernsey Museum & Art Gallery is the Candie Cemetery, which is a surprisingly beautiful place for a wander as well.

Not only is this a very pretty local cemetery, but it also contains a number of Commonwealth War Graves – graves of men and women of the Commonwealth forces who died during the First and Second World Wars.

If you’re particularly interested in Commonwealth War Graves there are two other notable spots near Saint Peter Port to see some more: the Le Foulon Cemetery and the Fort George Military Cemetery. The Fort George one is also quite beautiful as well, and surrounded by bluebell woods in spring!

12. See the first & oldest post box in the British Isles

For another dorky and historical thing to do in Saint Peter Port, head over to Union Street to catch a peek at the oldest post box in the British Isles!

This rare red beauty was originally installed in this exact spot in 1853, making it one of the oldest postboxes in the world still in use (if not THE oldest, according to some bolder sources).

It’s an especially unique stop given that it’s the only post box in Guernsey that’s still red. The rest were all painted blue in the 80s.

13. Do some shopping

One street back from the esplanade on Saint Peter Port’s harbourfront is the High Street, which is an excellent area to check out if you feel like a spot of retail therapy!

I love how many small towns in the UK have pretty bunting strewn across their main streets, and the Saint Peter Port High Street continues this cute tradition. There are lots of different shops here, from eclectic and colourful boutiques to recognisable high street brands.

There aren’t many tacky tourist shops here at all, and I really enjoyed the colourful facades of some of the shops, like the pink and blue neighbours pictured below. Aside from the High Street, I definitely recommend checking out The Victorian Shop and Parlour at 26 Cornet Street, which is both an old-fashioned shop and a museum!

14. Go for a dip in the Bathing Pools

Another unique place to visit in Guernsey is the La Vallette Bathing Pools, located on La Vallete Promenade which I mentioned earlier.

These outdoor pools have been around since the Victorian era and are filled twice a day by the high tide, so you are actually swimming in the sea but you’re safe from big waves (unless the weather is really crazy).

There are four different pools here, the children’s pool, ladies pool, gents pool and horseshoe pool, although they are no longer segregated by gender they simply retain the old names. The horseshoe pool is actually open to the bay if you want to swim out further.

There are changing rooms, toilets and a café on-site as well, so it makes for an excellent spot if you want to do some swimming while you’re in Guernsey!

15. Sample some local seafood

And if you’re a foodie in search of Saint Peter Port activities, then sampling fresh seafood should definitely be at the top of your list.

Honestly, your best bet is to just go for a wander along the harbourfront and see which establishments most catch your eye but some of the highly-rated options I’ve heard good things about include:

• Octopus: (located at the beginning of the La Vallette Promenade) for gorgeous views of Castle Cornet and contemporary seafood dishes.
• Le Nautique: which overlooks the Victoria Marina and is very fancy.
• The Hook: which also does some great steak as well as delicious sushi and other seafood dishes.

If you’re looking for something casual and affordable, I can also wholeheartedly recommend this crab sandwich from COCO Brasserie:

Did I miss any of your favourite things to do in St Peter Port?

Let me know in the comments! I hope you enjoyed this roundup of the best St Peter Port activities. Hope you have a great trip!