Our St Ives Holiday Cottages by the Sea
St Ives is one of Cornwall’s best-known seaside towns, with golden beaches, a busy harbour and a maze of narrow streets filled with galleries, independent shops, cafés and restaurants. Our collection of St Ives cottages by the sea includes everything from traditional coastal cottages tucked into the old town to beach cottages close to Porthmeor and Porthminster. There are also holiday homes for families and larger groups, along with sea view cottages overlooking the bay and surrounding coastline. With Tate St Ives, the South West Coast Path and Carbis Bay nearby, there is plenty to explore beyond the beach.
Book St Ives Cottages with Sea Views
St Ives is particularly well suited to a holiday with a sea view. The town is built around several beaches and rises steeply away from the harbour, creating plenty of elevated positions overlooking St Ives Bay and the Atlantic coast.
Our St Ives collection includes apartments with views across the harbour, cottages overlooking Porthmeor Beach and holiday homes where you can see the sea from the living room, bedroom or outside terrace. Other properties are positioned just a few streets back from the waterfront, putting the beaches and town centre within easy walking distance.
Location can make a real difference when choosing where to stay. Porthmeor is ideal if surfing and beach days are high on the list, while the harbour puts restaurants, shops and boat trips close by. Porthminster is another popular area, with its large sandy beach and coastal views towards Godrevy Lighthouse. For somewhere slightly removed from the centre of St Ives, nearby Carbis Bay has its own sandy beach and beautiful views across the bay.
Types of Beach Holidays in St Ives
There is a wide choice of accommodation in St Ives, from compact apartments for two to spacious houses designed for family holidays and groups. Couples can stay close to the harbour and town centre, while families may prefer a beach cottage with extra living space and easy access to Porthminster, Porthmeor or Porthgwidden.
Visitors bringing their dog can choose from our dedicated collection of pet friendly properties, with coastal walks and several beaches to explore nearby. Seasonal dog restrictions apply to some of the town’s main beaches, so it is worth checking the current rules before visiting.
You’ll also find St Ives cottages with hot tubs for relaxing after a day out, as well as larger holiday homes with four or more bedrooms for families and groups travelling together. Features vary between properties, with options including private parking, enclosed gardens, balconies, Wi-Fi and outdoor dining areas.
Top 5 Beaches in St Ives
Porthmeor Beach is one of the town’s best-known beaches, sitting below Tate St Ives and facing the Atlantic. Its waves make it popular with surfers, while the large sandy beach also has plenty of space for families. Surf schools and equipment hire are available close to the beach.
Porthminster Beach lies on the opposite side of town and has a broad stretch of sand with views across St Ives Bay. Its more sheltered position makes it popular for swimming and family beach days, and the South West Coast Path passes close by.
Carbis Bay Beach is around a mile from St Ives and offers a sheltered sweep of sand backed by wooded slopes. The generally calmer water makes it popular for swimming and paddleboarding, and you can walk there from St Ives along the coast path.
Smaller Porthgwidden Beach is tucked between The Island and the harbour. Its sheltered position and easy access from the centre of town make it a handy alternative when the larger beaches are busy.
Harbour Beach appears as the tide retreats directly in front of St Ives Harbour. Surrounded by the waterfront, restaurants and historic buildings, it is right at the centre of the town and particularly convenient for visitors staying nearby.
Three of these beaches also appear in our guide to the top 10 beaches in Cornwall. Dog restrictions vary between St Ives beaches and can change according to the season, so check the latest local information if you are travelling with a dog.
