Newquay

Travel Guide
Newquay featuring landscape views and a beach
Admire historic sites, enjoy quaint coastal walks and seek out hidden coves that lie between rugged headlands in the surf capital of the country.

The surfing haven and fishing town of Newquay is among the largest and most well-known parts of Cornwall. Gardens and family-fun attractions complement its stunning collection of cliff-sheltered beaches. Peruse the town center’s independent boutiques and rental shops, which celebrate the town’s surf culture.

Bring your board to sandy Fistral Beach, one of England’s most famous surfing spots. Practice surfing on the enormous waves of “the Widow Maker” and take part in surfing competitions. Behind the sand is Newquay Golf Club, which has stellar sea views.

Newquay has a variety of beaches to suit all tastes, from the headland-sheltered shores of Porth Beach to the polo contests and restaurants of Watergate Bay. Access the most central and popular stretch of sand, Towan Beach, on foot from the town center. During high tide, retreat to the higher-ground boutiques and cafés for excellent views of the sea.

Overlooking Towan Beach is the Blue Reef Aquarium, which contains more than 40 displays of intriguing marine life. Look for sea creatures such as reef sharks, moray eels and rays within its tanks.

At the end of May, Newquay is host to the Run to the Sun car and music festival. Inspect custom cars and enjoy the high-energy atmosphere as acclaimed DJs and performers entertain the revelers.

Try fish and chips or a Cornish pasty, a delicious pastry filled with vegetables and meat. Stay until after dusk to witness the town’s nightlife. Mingle with locals in traditional pubs or dance all night at the discos.

Expect warm and sunny summers. Winters here, which are usually dull, cold and wet, are perfect for storm-watching.

Fly to Newquay Cornwall Airport, which is 5 miles (8 kilometers) northeast of the city. Trains and buses also carry passengers to Newquay from other locations within the country. Drive the scenic 280-mile (450-kilometer) route from London in around 5 hours.

Newquay attracts young surfer crowds and families with its picturesque beaches and fun activities.

Where to stay in Newquay

Newquay showing a coastal town, shopping and heritage architecture

Newquay City Centre

4.5/5(114 area reviews)

Newquay City Centre is a destination visitors seek out for its beaches, lively bars and seaside views. You might want to check out attractions like Tolcarne Beach or Towan Beach while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Newquay City Centre
The Beresford Hotel
The Beresford Hotel
3 out of 5
Narrowcliff, Newquay, England
The price is €45 per night from 8 Apr to 9 Apr
€45
per night
8 Apr - 9 Apr
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Newquay. Enjoy a beach locale, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Tolcarne Beach and Great Western Beach ...
6.8/10 (112 reviews)
"Place was easy to find. Was lucky to find parking just in front of the hotel"

Reviewed on 15 Mar 2024

The Beresford Hotel
Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa - Adults Only
Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa - Adults Only
4 out of 5
Esplanade Road, Newquay, England
The price is €158 per night from 3 Apr to 4 Apr
€158
per night
3 Apr - 4 Apr
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Newquay. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay Beach are ...
9/10 Wonderful! (415 reviews)
"Had a great weekend here. All staff is really nice and very professional. Food was good. Location is perfect and sea view from the rooms is wonderful. Would definitely suggest booking treatments early on. The spa has relatively little staff and outside visitors will book treatments too so weekends ..."

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa - Adults Only
Hotel Victoria
Hotel Victoria
3 out of 5
East Street, Newquay, England
The price is €46 per night from 9 Apr to 10 Apr
€46
per night
9 Apr - 10 Apr
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Newquay. Enjoy free WiFi, a nightclub, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (990 reviews)
"We received exceptional service. The staff were very.friendly and accomodating. I requested a disabled parking bay for my dad and it was set up waiting when we arrived. They also provided him with an amazing ground floor bedroom. They couldn't do enough it was an amazing stay. Thank you Victoria ..."

Reviewed on 20 Mar 2024

Hotel Victoria
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Beachcombers Apartments
Beachcombers Apartments
4 out of 5
Watergate Bay, Newquay, England
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly apartment in Newquay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a terrace. Popular attractions Watergate Bay Beach and Watergate ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (55 reviews)
"Great location with easy access to the beach. Has own parking allotment and great views from the property. Will definitely book again."

Reviewed on 1 Sep 2023

Beachcombers Apartments
Meadow View Apartments
Meadow View Apartments
4 out of 5
135 MOUNT WISE, Newquay, England
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Newquay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a terrace. Popular attractions Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay Beach are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (14 reviews)
"Superb apartment, so clean and spacious, had everything we needed as a family. 10min walk to the beach, shops an restaurant in a nice part of Newquay. Lots of space to park. Nothing but positives to say."

Reviewed on 15 Apr 2023

Meadow View Apartments
LAST MINUTE AVAILABILITY!! Holiday Home In Cornwall - Fistral View Holiday Home
LAST MINUTE AVAILABILITY!! Holiday Home In Cornwall - Fistral View Holiday Home
Newquay
Stay at this beach vacation home in Newquay. Enjoy a beach locale, WiFi, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (113 reviews)
Lovely
"Great location, lovely property"

Reviewed on 22 Jan 2024

LAST MINUTE AVAILABILITY!! Holiday Home In Cornwall - Fistral View Holiday Home
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Newquay

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
134
" "5 - Excellent 42.53968253968254%
4 - Good
134
" "4 - Good 42.53968253968254%
3 - Okay
39
" "3 - Okay 12.380952380952381%
2 - Disappointing
4
" "2 - Disappointing 1.2698412698412698%
1 - Terrible
4
" "1 - Terrible 1.2698412698412698%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
2 Mar 2020

Excellent definitely going again. Xxx

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
23 Feb 2020

The Merrymoor is in Mawgan Porth not

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
6 Feb 2020

Important to go during the summer season, as more is open. Other than that Headland hotel was wonderful!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
7 Jan 2020

it’s our happy place - even was lucky enough to get married there xx

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
6 Jan 2020

Newquay itself is (like a lot of seaside towns) in need of some tlc.

4/5 - Good

Prof
27 Nov 2019

It’s somewhat down market - tattoo parlours and takeaways - but well situated on the cliffs.