Guernsey is a small island located in the Channel Islands, in between England and France. The island is well known for its occupation by the Germans during World War II, as well as it’s pristine beaches and laidback island lifestyle. Guernsey is not part of the UK and is a British Crown Dependency. It is a very unique island with a varied food scene and unbelievable scenery. Even though Guernsey is a small island, there is an abundance of things to see and do whilst you are here and a day really isn’t enough time to see it all. However, if you are only here for one day to see a snippet of the island, then with this one-day itinerary for Guernsey we will make sure that you leave having seen the best sights on the island.    

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    This guide contains a fully detailed itinerary to one day in Guernsey, the main sights of which are listed below. This article goes into more detail on each of these activities later on in the text.

• Arrive into St Peter Port
• Explore the Cobbled Streets in St Peter Port
• Soak up the History of Castle Cornet
• Check out the Artwork in Victor Hugos House
• Stroll Through Candie Gardens
• Tour the Coast on a Bus Trip around Guernsey
• Sunset at Cobo Bay

     

Come along on our tour of Guernsey in these videos. Make sure you subscribe to our Youtube channel for more by clicking here!

       

Day Trip to Guernsey – One Day Itinerary for Guernsey

 

When Should You Visit Guernsey?

The best time to visit Guernsey is definitely during the warm Spring and Summer months of May through to September. As Winter comes to an end, the days in Guernsey get longer and the strength of the sun gets stronger and stronger. At the height of the Summer season, you can expect the temperatures on the island to consistently sit above 20 degrees Celcius, sometimes reaching as high as 30 degrees Celcius. The best months to visit the island are definitely either May, June and September, as this way you can avoid the crowds of the UK school holidays, which are usually around July and August. The peak season in Guernsey is during these months and the island becomes incredibly busy with local school kids and families, as well as tourists from the UK and the multiple cruise ships that stop at Guernsey.    

Is One Day in Guernsey Enough?

As with any location, we would always recommend spending as long as you can in one location to maximise your experience of the country. The longer you spend in Guernsey, the more you will grow to appreciate the discrete and beautiful cultural quirks that the island has, with friendly locals, stunning secret locations and fascinating history. With that being said, if you can only manage a flying visit, one day is definitely long enough to see all of the best sights that Guernsey has to offer. This itinerary will take you around our favourite sights and activities and will give you a good impression of what life on the island is really like. If you have time, we would also recommend taking a day trip to the other small islands that sit in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, such as the island of Herm and the island of Sark.    

What Should You Not Miss in Guernsey?

Of all the incredible and unforgettable sights and activities that Guernsey has to offer, there are a few that have truly stood out to us during our year on the island. The first thing that you cannot miss out on if you are only here for one day is the incredible sunset that can be found on the western coast of Guernsey. The other thing that cannot be missed when you visit Guernsey is the unbelievable number of historical sights and stories that that island has to show off. We have never been anywhere in the world where there is so much history concentrated into such a small area of land. Tour the castles, walk the WWII bunkers and hear the stories of old on the cobbled streets of Guernsey.    

One Day Itinerary for Guernsey

Arriving into St Peter Port

Guernsey is a very popular destination for cruise ships during the summer months and many people will who visit will only get a small taste of Guernsey as they stop off on their weekend break to Guernsey. If you are arriving by boat then you will arrive in the capital of Guernsey, of St Peter Port. If you are arriving by air, you will arrive at the Parish of St Marins. It is really easy to get a bus or taxi to St Peter Port. The bus is a flat fare of £1 and routes 92, 93, 94, 95 and 71 will take you into the main bus terminus in St Peter Port, leaving the airport every 15 minutes. The average taxi fare will be £10.    

Explore the Cobbled Streets in St Peter Port

St Peter Port is the main port in Guernsey and there is a friendly and homely feel to the town. The cobbled streets are lined with coloured bunting and bright flowers throughout the summer months. During the Christmas period, bright lights shine along the high street. There are many small local shops in Guernsey selling local products and gifts. Wander the cobbled streets in town and soak up the shopping scene in town.  

   

Soak up the History of Castle Cornet

Sitting at the harbour in St Peter Port only a short walk from town is Castle Cornet. This 800-year-old castle offers an insight into Guernsey’s incredible history dating back hundreds of years. Take some time out your day to spend a few hours here,  join the daily tours, watch the firing of the noonday gun and enjoy wandering around the courtyard and museums on site. Admission: Adults: £10.50, Children 7+/Students: £3, Children under 7: FREE  

   

Check out the Artwork in Victor Hugos House

In 1856, the well known French writer, Victor Hugo bought Hauteville House in Guernsey whilst on exile from France. He lived here for 14 years writing masterpieces such as Les Miserables and decorating the house like a work of art. The house is still displayed with the creativity that Victor Hugo had and is open to members of the public to visit. It is a requirement to book a slot online before you visit. Admission: Adults: £10, Concessions: £8, Under 18: FREE    

Stroll Through Candie Gardens

Candie Gardens sits above St Peter Port and offers incredible panoramic views over St Peter Port and nearby islands. These historic gardens were established in 1894 in the grounds of Candie House and are full of colour and different plants from around the world. At the top of the gardens is the Cafe Victoria where you can enjoy some refreshments. They serve delicious cakes as well as light meals. If you are interested in learning more about Guernsey, the Guernsey Museum is located beside the cafe. Admission: Adults: £6.50, Children & students: £2.00, Under 7: FREE  

   

Tour the Coast on a Bus Trip around Guernsey

As we discussed above, buses in Guernsey are very cheap, £1 for a ticket. There are 2 bus routes 91 and 92 that take you around the coast of Guernsey in 1 hour 40 minutes, allowing you to take in all the beautiful views as you pass by. Enjoy the views at Pembroke and Port Soif before disembarking at Cobo Bay. There is also the option to buy a day pass for £5 which will allow you to hop on and hop off the bus as you please.    

Sunset at Cobo Bay

Cobo Bay is one of our favourite beaches in Guernsey. The beautiful white sand beach and crystal clear waters make it a soothing place to be whatever the season. It is a great beach to go for a dip or if you are feeling a little more adventurous, there is also the option to rent a kayak or SUP. Cobo bay is the perfect place to end the day and watch the sunset over the sea. This is one of our favourite things to do in Guernsey so we would highly recommend you do it too if you get the chance.  

   

Where to Eat in Guernsey

As we’ve said before, Guernsey has a great food scene snd there are many great restaurants located all around the island so you will never be far from somewhere serving some good grub. Below we have mentioned a couple of our favourite restaurants in Guernsey for breakfast and dinner. However, you can check out our full guide of where to eat out in Guernsey here.  

The Boathouse

Located on the harbour of St Peter Port, the Boathouse is the perfect place for a reasonably priced meal. During the day, between 12 pm-2.30 pm, you can enjoy a meal from their continental menu or simply a coffee or glass of wine as you listen to the waves crash off the harbour wall. Come evening, at 6 pm -late, you may need to book your table as the main menu is popular along with the perfect view you get at mealtime. We enjoyed a vegetarian breakfast at the Boathouse that was fantastic value for money. The breakfast menu is available from 9am-11.30 and has a great selection of sweet and savoury breakfast options, all at a great price.    

The Rockmount

Located in Cobo and overlooking one of our favourite beaches on the island, The Rockmount is a restaurant and bar that offers a delicious range of dishes with a view to die for. The Rockmount is open for food and drinks throughout the day, however, we really recommend spending an evening here and watching the sunset with a couple of drinks. The Rockmount is open for lunch at 12pm-2.30pm and 3pm on weekends and open for dinner at 6pm-9pm, and 9.30pm on weekends.  

   

Before You Leave for Guernsey

Before you leave on your trip to the beautiful island of Guernsey, there are a number of things you will need to organise to ensure a smooth and stress-free trip. These include what to pack, where to stay and what is the best travel insurance for Guernsey.  

How to Get to Guernsey

Given that Guernsey is an island, you really have two choices of transport for getting there: plane or boat. Both of these transport methods are available from the UK, France and from the neighbouring Channel Islands.  

Ferry to Guernsey

Condor is the best option for ferries to and from the Channel Islands from the mainland. Leaving from the mainland UK ports of Poole and Portsmouth, the French port of St Malo and the Channel Islands port of Jersey, there are two main ferries that will bring you to Guernsey. The faster boat, known as the Liberation, takes 3 hours to get from Poole to Guernsey, while the slower boat, known as the Clipper, takes 7 hours from Portsmouth. From St Malo, it will take you just under 2 hours aboard the Rapide to reach Guernsey. Browse all of Condor’s ferries and routes on their website here.    

Fly to Guernsey

Flying to Guernsey can be done from multiple airports across the UK with the Channel Islands airline, Aurigny. This is the quickest and easiest way to get to the island if you are only coming for a short period of time. You can browse all of the available flights and routes on the Aurigny website here.    

What to Pack for Guernsey

What you need to pack for Guernsey will rely highly on when you make your trip to the Channel Islands. During the Spring and Autumn months, temperatures and weather patterns vary wildly between beautiful sunny skies and storming gales. The temperatures generally vary from 10 oC to 25 oC during these months, with a mixture between cold, northerly winds and warmer southerlies. There is a small amount of rain, with maybe 1 in 7 days receiving rainfall, which makes it perfect for days out exploring the beautiful island. During the Summer months in Guernsey, temperatures tend to range from 20oC to 30oC, with some days topping 35oC. Summer days in Guernsey are perfect for the beach, with many locals and travellers alike sending their day soaking up the sun and playing in the sea.  

If you need more inspiration on what to pack for your trip, check out our full packing guides for all-weather conditions over here.

  When it comes to toiletries, we recommend that you don’t forget to pack sunscreen. The sun in Guernsey can be strong, especially in the summer months.,   Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you will see in Guernsey, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below. You can read what else we keep in our camera bag over here.      

What is the Best Travel Insurance for Guernsey

Regardless of what type of trip you are heading on, one thing that is essential for everybody is a good travel insurance. Accidents can happen anywhere and at anytime and unexpected hospital bills will ruin a holiday. Remove the stress from your next adventure and get covered for the worst. World Nomads Travel Insurance provides budget reliable travel insurance that will keep you covered for any level of adventure. You can get your quote before you leave on your trip right here.      

Where to Stay in Guernsey

When it comes to accommodation on Guernsey, you are simply spoiled for choice with a huge range of hotels, B&Bs and even campsites to choose from. No matter what your preferred level of luxury is, there is the perfect place for you.   Luxury – Spend your time on Guernsey in true luxury at the Old Government House Spa and Hotel in St Peter Port. This hotel has beautiful views over the harbour of Guernsey’s capital, as well as access to a luxurious spa, an outdoor terrace and a heated, outdoor pool. Book your stay at the Old Government House Spa and Hotel here.   Mid-range – If you would like a taste of luxury at an affordable price, then the Auberge du Val Hotel is perfect for you. This 19th-century farmhouse sits on the west coast of the island and offers cosy, ensuite rooms, complete with tea, coffee and tv. The hotel is just a short walk from the beautiful nature reserves in St Saviour, perfect for a romantic trip away for the weekend. Book your stay at the Auberge du Val Hotel here.   Budget – Situated just 2-miles from Guernsey airport in the heart of St Martins, the Carlton Inn is the best value hotel in Guernsey. With free parking and wifi, as well as access to the Wicked Wolf pub that sits in the same building. Book your stay at the Carlton Inn here.   Camping – If you are up for a more adventurous stay on Guernsey, Fauxquets Valley Campsite offer a range of glamping safari tents, glamping pods and sites for your own tent if you bring one. Visit their website for a full price list of tents and campsites.  

  So there you have it, your complete one-day itinerary to Guernsey! This is just some of the many great things to do in Guernsey, and we would recommend that if you spend a little more time on this gem of an island if you have the time. If you enjoyed your trip to Guernsey, let us know what your favourite sight on this amazing island was in the comments section below. We love chatting you guys about this kind of thing, so let’s share our top experiences with everyone else! What beach was your favourite? Did you try any of the kiosks? How good is a Guernsey sunset?! Also, make sure you share this article with your family and friends to show them how beautiful the Channel Islands can be. Sharing is caring and we want to inspire as many people as we can to visit this unbelievable part of the world. If you are planning a trip to Guernsey soon then check out our other Channel Islands content right here. Come and find us on social media to see where we are currently exploring. Tag us in your photos from Guernsey and we will share them with the rest of our community of explorers and backpackers on our social channels!     Now Read:

• Things to do in Guernsey – A Guernsey Guide
• Sunset Spots in Guernsey – Best Places to Watch the Sunset
• Eating Out in Guernsey – Best Restaurants in Guernsey

   

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