Guernsey · 2026 itinerary
St Martin 3-Day Itinerary
A day-by-day plan for St Martin: the best attractions in order, where to eat, how to get around — with free hotel briefings for your stay.
Arrive & Explore the Highlights
Working harbour with ferries, fishing boats and a long stone pier. Clean, breezy walk with benches and views across to Herm and Sark. The nearby fish market sells day-boat catch.
🕐 Always open
Free entry💡 Walk to the end of Albert Pier at sunset – it’s free, uncrowded and the light on the granite is spectacular. Buy a bag of prawns from the fish van (around £4) for a cheap snack.
Hotels near St Peter Port Harbour & Albert Pier →The working harbour of St Peter Port, with a long stone pier, fishing boats, and views across to Sark and Herm. The Albert Pier has benches and a small lighthouse. The nearby fish market sells fresh c
🕐 Open 24 hours, but fish market active 7am–12pm Tue–Sat
Free entry💡 Go at sunrise or just after a storm for dramatic light and spindrift. The best spot is at the end of the Albert Pier, past the marina. Free parking for 30 minutes on the pier itself if you're quick.
Hotels near St Peter Port Harbour & Albert Pier →Fontaine Inn · ££
The Point Icart Tea Rooms & Gardens · ££
Deeper Into St Martin
A dramatic granite headland at the southern tip of the island, with a blowhole (Le Gouffre) that spouts water during high winds and big tides. The cliff path runs south from here to Petit Bot Bay. Fre
🕐 Open 24 hours, but best visited in daylight
💡 Drive to Le Gouffre car park (free during winter, paid in summer) and walk the coastal path for 15 minutes to the point. Best at low spring tides when the channels are visible. Avoid in heavy rain — the path gets slippery. Bring binoculars for seabirds.
Small but well-curated museum in Candie Gardens. Covers island prehistory, the German Occupation and local art. Entry is about £5, but the gardens and Victorian greenhouse café are free.
🕐 Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm (closed Jan)
💡 Go on a weekday morning – it’s quieter. The museum ticket also allows re-entry for a week, so you can pop back after a lunch break.
A 13th-century castle on a tidal island, connected to the harbour by a causeway. Five museums inside cover maritime, military and local history. Grounds and gardens are free to wander; entry to the mu
🕐 Daily 10am-5pm (Easter-Oct), closed Nov-Mar
💡 Go for the noon cannon firing – a daily tradition since the 1800s. The causeway is walkable only at low tide; check tide times online before you set off.
Victor Hugo's home during his 15-year exile in Guernsey. The house is filled with his furniture, tapestries, and porcelain. Entry is paid (£10 for adults), but the exterior and the walled garden (visi
🕐 Wed–Mon 10:00–12:30 & 14:00–16:30 (closed Tue), limited winter hours
💡 Don't pay for the interior unless you're a Victor Hugo enthusiast — the garden is the real draw, and you can see the external staircase and ornate chimneys from the street. Free street parking is available on Hauteville. Check the website: opened only 10am–12:30pm and 2pm–4pm.
Renoir Tea Garden
Fermain Tavern
Final Favourites & Departure
A 13th-century castle on a tidal island, connected to St Peter Port by a causeway. Entry is paid via a combined ticket with the Guernsey Museums, but the ground
💡 Time your visit for the noonday cannon firing, which happens daily from April to October. The castle closes at 5pm, so arrive by 4pm to see it properly. Free entry to the grounds only; museum entry is £11.50 for adults.
A privately-run museum in a former German bunker, around 20 minutes' walk from town. Contains original uniforms, vehicles and a reconstructed 1940s street. Entr
💡 It’s small – allow an hour. The audio guide is included and adds context to the propaganda posters and personal letters. Cash only at the ticket desk.
Pier17
White Rock Cafe
Getting Around St Martin
Alight at 'Le Friquet' stop, then a 3-minute walk along Rue des Franchises. Route 91/92 is the main spine; avoid peak hours (08:00-09:30, 16:30-18:00) for a seat.
Get off at the 'Blue Horizon' stop on Route 41 (toward St Peter Port). Buses accept contactless; exact change needed for cash. This route runs via the east coast — scenic but not the fastest.
Pre-book with local firms like G.T.C. or C.I. Taxis for guaranteed availability. The ride is short but winding; ask for a fixed price before setting off.
Taxis don’t run meters on island; negotiate the fare upfront. This is ideal if you’re coming from St Martin’s shops or the outdoor market (Saturdays).
Buy a round-trip ticket from the driver for £3.10 – saves faffing with change. The stop is a 4-minute walk uphill from the hotel; pack light if you have luggage.
Ask the driver for a day pass (£6.50) if you're going back and forth – it covers all island buses and pays for itself after two round trips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for St Martin?
Three days covers the main highlights well. You can see the key attractions like St Peter Port Harbour & Albert Pier and get a genuine feel for the city. For a more leisurely pace or to explore neighbourhoods in depth, a 5-day trip is better.
What is the best time to visit St Martin?
See our full best time to visit St Martin guide — it covers weather month by month, peak vs. shoulder seasons and how to avoid the crowds.
Where should I stay for this itinerary?
A central location saves transit time between sites. Top options include Hotel Jerbourg, Hotel Bon Port, La Villette Hotel. See the full ranked list with free briefings for each.