Weekend in St Martin

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.

Tip: 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.

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

Tip: 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.

Formal Victorian gardens with a glasshouse, subtropical planting and a restored bandstand. Free and open year-round. The park slopes uphill, giving views over St Peter Port harbour.

Tip: Bring a picnic and sit near the fountain. The garden’s café sells good tea and cake for under £4, but they close by 4pm.

A formal Victorian garden set on a hill above St Peter Port, with a greenhouse, statue of Victor Hugo, and a small bandstand. The garden has herbaceous borders, a pond, and good views over the harbour

Tip: Bring a picnic — there are benches in the upper area with the best sea view. The museum is free on the first Saturday of the month. The garden closes at dusk, not at a fixed time.

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

Tip: 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.

Tip: 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

Tip: 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

Tip: 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.

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 grounds and outer walls ar

Tip: 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. Entry is about £6.

Tip: 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.