Newquay

Travel Guide

Fistral Beach showing a sandy beach and a coastal town as well as a large group of people
Newquay showing landscape views and a sandy beach
Fistral Beach which includes signage and a sandy beach as well as an individual male
Watergate Bay which includes a house and a coastal town
Newquay featuring heritage architecture, a coastal town and shopping

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 BeachOpens in a new window, 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 BeachOpens in a new window to the polo contests and restaurants of Watergate BayOpens in a new window. 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 AquariumOpens in a new window, 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 featuring heritage architecture, a coastal town and shopping

Newquay City Centre

4.5/5(6 area reviews)

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

Newquay City Centre
Great Western Hotel

Great Western Hotel

3 out of 5
Cliff Road, Newquay, England
$129 nightly
The price is $154 total per night from Jul 17 to Jul 18
$154 total
Jul 17 - Jul 18
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Newquay. Enjoy parking (surcharge), daily housekeeping, and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (799 reviews)
Pleasant room in convenient location
"After travelling in a very elderly lift and negotiating a labyrinth of out-dated and somewhat scruffy corridors, our light bright and spacious room was something of a surprise. Although it was essentially a white box with a view of the bins, some attractive furniture and soft furnishings in sea-side ..."

Reviewed on Jul 13, 2025

Great Western Hotel
Pentire Newquay Cornwall Hotel

Pentire Newquay Cornwall Hotel

3 out of 5
Pentire Avenue, Newquay, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
$110 nightly
The price is $132 total per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
$132 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star spa hotel in Newquay. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8/10 Very Good! (636 reviews)
"The room was amazing. The hospitality was very good. Nice touch with the heated pool. Great way to start the day. Only downer was you have to pay to park. Other that this. Everything was great Or"

Reviewed on Jul 5, 2025

Pentire Newquay Cornwall Hotel
OYO Newquay Beach Hotel

OYO Newquay Beach Hotel

3.5 out of 5
1 Narrowcliff, Newquay, England
$95 nightly
The price is $114 total per night from Jul 30 to Jul 31
$114 total
Jul 30 - Jul 31
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Newquay. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (203 reviews)
"Really nice helpful staff great location and value for money"

Reviewed on Jul 7, 2025

OYO Newquay Beach Hotel
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.
SeaSpace

SeaSpace

4.5 out of 5
Watergate Rd, Newquay, England
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Newquay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Watergate Bay Beach and Fistral ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (45 reviews)
"Good position, great staff and very relaxing"

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2025

SeaSpace
Porth Veor Villas & Apartments

Porth Veor Villas & Apartments

4 out of 5
Porth Way, Newquay, England
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Newquay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (41 reviews)
"Great accommodation very close to Porth beach. Our villa/apartment was large and well equipped. We would definitely stay here again"

Reviewed on Jun 20, 2025

Porth Veor Villas & Apartments
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 garden. Popular attractions Watergate Bay Beach and Fistral ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (67 reviews)
"Excellent accommodation well equipped with all modern equipment really enjoyed our stay. Not too far from Newquay either but plenty to do here with bars and restaurants a plenty. Would certainly recommend it to anyone."

Reviewed on Jul 2, 2025

Beachcombers Apartments
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

3.9
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
3
5 - Excellent 27%
4 - Good
6
4 - Good 55%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 9%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 9%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Visit to Lands End was the primary reason and was well worth it!

5/5 - Excellent

D.Tena

Perfect and beautiful

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

This is a beautiful area!

1/5 - Terrible

Verified traveler

Newquay is an over commercialized town and whatever charm it had is now gone. There were lots of tattoo parlors, surf and beach stores, and gambling and amusements. The train station was shabby. We read in the local paper that drugs and crime are a.

3/5 - Okay

Karen

Hotel in need of modernisation it is a nice little hotel in a good place but really needs updating.. breakfast was lovely

Cities near Newquay