The Channel Islands are enjoying somewhat of a revival among British travellers looking for a hassle-free long weekend. With direct flights connecting both Guernsey and Jersey to the UK mainland, and plenty of ferries from England’s south coast, it has never been easier to visit.
We explored Guernsey during an Easter weekend break, flying from Manchester to Jersey before hopping on the ferry to St Peter Port, Guernsey’s historic capital. Whilst Guernsey makes for an excellent short break in its own right, it is possible to see the best of the island in one action-packed day trip from nearby Jersey.
From historic castles to beautiful beaches, here is our suggested itinerary for a day trip to Guernsey – including ten brilliant things to do.
A day trip to Guernsey: Morning Activities
Start your morning off with a delicious breakfast before setting out to explore the best that St Peter Port has to offer. Here are our suggested morning activities for your day trip to Guernsey.
1) Grab breakfast in St Peter Port
Best for: Getting your day trip to Guernsey off to a strong start.
As soon as you step off the ferry, we recommend heading to Café Emilia for a hearty breakfast that will set you up for the day.
As you stroll through St Peter Port, this tiny city will be waking up. The hundreds of boats bobbing in the harbour will be sparkling in the early morning sunshine. The immense walls of Castle Cornet are a constant presence on the horizon as you look back out to sea.
If you can tear yourself away from the views, Café Emilia has a mouthwatering breakfast menu packed with classics and local treats. For those who have worked up an appetite, their traditional cooked breakfast is a winner, with a vegan alternative available. The menu also boasts nods to the Channel Islands’ Portuguese diaspora, with the likes of Huevos Ranchero and Picadinho adding an exciting twist.
2) Wander the streets of St Peter Port and take in the views
Best for: Getting to know Guernsey’s biggest town.
Having set yourself up for the day with breakfast and a coffee, it’s time to explore St Peter Port, Guernsey’s historic capital. This seaside town is a charming hotchpot of steep streets, winding alleyways and hidden surprises – perfect for a lazy stroll to burn off the bacon.
As the town starts to come to life, we recommend wandering around the central streets and enjoying the atmosphere. Watch the action down at the piers and port, where ferries, fishing boats and tourist vessels are constantly coming and going.
Head up some of the steep streets before turning to admire the views of the seafront below. You don’t need to wander far to get above the rooftops.
For some of the best views of Guernsey, walk up the hill to the Victoria Tower. This charming tower was built in 1848 in celebration of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s visit two years earlier.
How to do it: Whilst the tower is usually locked, you can borrow the key for 30 minutes from the nearby Guernsey Museum. It is free of charge, leaving plenty of time to climb the 99 steps and enjoy the vista.
3) Visit Hauteville House
Best for: Learning about a fascinating chapter in Guernsey’s cultural history.
Enjoying an elevated position above the busy central streets of St Peter Port, Hauteville House is one of Guernsey’s most popular tourist destinations. For 15 years, the house was home to Victor Hugo, the celebrated author of Les Misérables and other masterpieces.
Today, the house welcomes visitors to experience a guided tour of the house. The tour brings all five floors of the building to life, explaining the stories behind Hugo’s exile to Guernsey and examining how he made his mark on the property. The furnishings are opulent and, at times, eccentric – everything you would expect a 19th-century writer’s home to be.
How to do it: Hauteville House is open April to September from 10am to 4pm. You must book a guided tour to visit. Tickets cost £12 for adults and £10 for concessions. Under 18s enjoy free entry. Make sure to book in advance.
4) Explore Castle Cornet and watch the firing of the noonday gun
Best for: Exploring Guernsey’s most remarkable visitor site.
The gargantuan fortress of Castle Cornet is St Peter Port’s most impressive attraction. Built on a former tidal island in the 13th century, the castle has guarded St Peter Port’s harbour for more than 800 years.
Over the centuries, Castle Cornet has witnessed everything from the brutal English Civil War to the Napoleonic Wars. It even played a key role during the Nazi invasion of Guernsey during World War II, when it was occupied by a small group of German troops.
Today, visitors can explore the grounds and buildings of the former military stronghold. There are also four on-site museums that shine a light on the castle’s military history – including the excellent ‘Story of Castle Cornet’ museum near the ticket office.
If you have time, we recommend taking the free guided tour. The guides are passionate and knowledgeable, and a tour helps make the most of your visit. Ask at the reception to find out when the next tour is running – there is usually one at 10:30am.
Visiting Castle Cornet around midday? Don’t miss the firing of the Noonday Gun
Make sure to time your visit for the daily firing of the Noonday Gun, which takes place at 12pm. The crowd gathers in the courtyard, perhaps as early as 15 minutes before the event begins.
A few minutes before midday, music begins to play from the speakers. Two men in traditional 19th-century uniforms march towards the gun, carrying their equipment.
Remaining in character throughout, they quietly load the cannon. Warning the crowd of the imminent noise, the two men perform a safety check. Suddenly, the shout of “Fire!” rings out.
The cannon lets loose with a deafening bang, the sort of noise that shakes your bones. Smoke fills the air, and a ripple of applause breaks out before the crowd disperses.
How to do it: Castle Cornet is open March to October from 10am to 5pm from March to October. Tickets cost £11 for adults and £3 for children.
A day trip to Guernsey: Afternoon Activities
Once you’ve had your fill of St Peter Port, it’s time to hit the bus network. We suggest heading across the island to Vazon Bay before immersing yourself in the history of Guernsey’s military towers. If you have time, head back to St Peter Port and hop on a high-speed boat trip to see a unique perspective on the island.
1) Take a bus to Vazon Bay
Best for: Beautiful beaches.
Guernsey has an excellent bus network with which you can explore the island’s picture-perfect sandy beaches. One of the best stretches of coastline is around Vazon Bay, where a sweeping crescent of golden sand draws visitors in their droves on a sunny day.
Vazon Bay is also the gateway to a myriad of coastal walks, with a charming collection of footpaths snaking along the seafront. If you have time, we recommend a stroll from Vazon Bay to nearby Fort Hommet, which you can spot in the distance from the beach. Here, a Victorian-era fort protrudes into the sea on a rocky headland. It’s free to explore, although you can pay to visit a restored bunker. Note that the bunker currently only accepts cash payments.
When we visited, most of the bay was off-limits to the public. Battered racing cars and noisy motorcycles raced around a sandy circuit. We watched the spectacle for a while before continuing to a quieter corner of the beach. Sand racing takes place regularly on Vazon Bay – click here for the latest information.
How to do it: To reach Vazon Bay from St Peter Port, take the 42 or 60 bus from St Peter Port. The journey should take 20-25 minutes. For the latest timetables, check out the Guernsey Bus website.
2) Watch out for Guernsey’s Loophole Towers
Best for: More military history in some stunning settings.
Throughout Guernsey, a handful of circular stone towers line the rocky coastline. Among the regular fortresses and fortifications that can be found across the island, these towers – known as loophole towers – are probably our favourite feature.
15 of these impressive towers once stood across the island. Built by the British in anticipation of possible French attacks during the American Revolutionary War, 12 towers still survive, scattered across Guernsey’s coast.
As well as the British towers, there is also evidence of the brutal Nazi occupation during WWII. The monolithic Pleinmont Tower stands at the far west of Guernsey, built by the occupying forces as an observation post.
How to do it: Whilst most of the towers are locked, two of them – Petit Bôt and Rousse Tower – house small exhibitions. Pleinmont Tower is also open to the public – tickets cost £3 per adult, cash only.
3) Take a boat trip on the waters around Guernsey
Best for: An adrenaline boost on your day trip to Guernsey.
For those looking to finish their afternoon on a high, Island RIB Voyages offers a series of high-octane adventures around Guernsey’s coast.
Experiences include wildlife-focused tours to the nearby island of Herm, where the boat visits a seal colony whilst watching out for puffins and dolphins. Other options include a tour of Guernsey’s coast exploring the island’s myths and legends, a cruise to catch a unique view of the forts and towers and a journey to the dramatic caves on the island of Sark.
Unfortunately, our trip was cancelled due to high winds – but we’ll certainly be booking another trip next time we visit the island. We were very impressed with their communication on the day, with text messages and a follow-up phone call to inform us of the cancellation.
How to do it: The RIB tours start at Easter and run throughout the tourist season. Make sure to book in advance on their website.
A day trip to Guernsey: Evening Activities
Before you plan any evening activities in Guernsey, please note that the last ferry to Jersey normally leaves around 5.30pm. The timetables are subject to change, and there may occasionally be a later service. Please check the latest timetables before planning your trip.
1) Eat seafood at Le Nautique
Best for: Splashing out on a fancy meal.
For a special treat, book a table at seafood specialists Le Nautique. A stone’s throw from the water, this elegant restaurant is one of Guernsey’s premier dinner spots. The seafood platter is a firm favourite, whilst other classics include monkfish, sea bass and a range of lobster dishes.
For a pre or post-dinner drink, their classy bar serves a range of expertly-mixed cocktails and boasts an extensive wine menu.
Top tip: When making a reservation, ask for a window seat with views across the harbour.
Read next: The best things to do in Cromer on the North Norfolk coast.
2) Watch the sunset from Cobo Bay
Best for: An unforgettable sunset.
If you’re visiting Guernsey during the winter months, when the sun sets earlier, you may have enough time to stick around for a classic Channel Islands sunset before returning to Jersey.
Unsurprisingly, the island’s western shores are the most popular sunset spots. However, Cobo Bay – just down the road from Vazon Bay – faces west and is a splendid place to enjoy a classic Guernsey sunset.
Combine your sunset stroll with a visit to the Cobo Bay Hotel’s terrace for dinner or drinks, and you are on to a winner.
How to do it: There are regular buses from Cobo Bay to St Peter Port. The journey takes around 20 minutes. For the latest timetables, click here.
3) Go for drinks at Amigos
Best for: A final toast to your day on Guernsey.
To wrap up your day trip to Guernsey, head for a cocktail before returning to Jersey.
Amigos is one of the best bars in St Peter Port, with a lively atmosphere and a friendly welcome guaranteed. Popular with locals, it can get busy on a Friday or Saturday evening, but it benefits from being just a few minutes’ walk from the ferry terminal. Place your order with the friendly bartenders and raise a glass to a day well spent.
How to do it: Amigos is open seven days a week from 7.30pm to 12.45am (Monday to Friday). It opens at 7pm on Saturdays and 9pm on Sundays.
Read next: An afternoon exploring Jersey.
A day trip to Guernsey from Jersey – how to do it
Car ferry: Condor Ferries offers day trip packages from Jersey to Guernsey. Expect to pay around £19.50 each way for the car, and £15 per adult.
Foot passengers: You can also book onto a Condor Ferries day trip as a foot passenger. Expect to pay around £19 each way per adult. Sailings take 2 hours on the slower ferries and as little as 1 hour on a fast service.
Getting around Guernsey: The ferry will arrive into St Peter Port harbour, just a stone’s throw from the main streets. Guernsey’s main town is easily explored on foot. To get around the rest of the island, use Guernsey’s excellent local bus network.