Penzance Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Minack Theatre featuring general coastal views, a coastal town and rocky coastline
Land\'s End featuring a sunset, general coastal views and rocky coastline
Land\'s End which includes rocky coastline
Porthcurno Beach featuring a sandy beach, swimming and landscape views
Chysauster Ancient Village showing tranquil scenes

Browse shopping arcades and art galleries and enjoy the superb views of Mount’s Bay in this harbour town near the country’s most southwesterly point.

Penzance is a charming market and port town with an interesting history and art heritage. Made famous worldwide by the Gilbert and Sullivan opera The Pirates of Penzance, the town has a quaint harbour area as well as picturesque beaches that face the English Channel. Stroll through the town centre to admire the Regency and Georgian houses.

The town also has several notable art galleries, among them Penlee House Gallery and MuseumOpens in a new window. Study works from the Newlyn School art colony, who took inspiration from the daily lives of local fishermen. Head for the harbour that inspired some of the Newlyn School’s art and observe the array of bobbing boats. Continue south along the promenade and connecting walking trail for about 30 minutes to reach Newlyn Art Gallery, which showcases contemporary art.

Learn about the distant past at the Chysauster Ancient VillageOpens in a new window. This Iron Age settlement comprises the stone remnants of old homes as well as a mysterious underground passage. Imagine what daily life was like more than 2,000 years ago as you explore.

Find the headland of Land’s EndOpens in a new window, the mostsouthwesterly pointon the island of Great Britain, just 10 miles (16 kilometres) west of town. In the Land’s End visitor centre ask about activities. Spot seals and dolphins off the coast.

A short drive east from Land’s End is the extraordinary Minack TheatreOpens in a new window, an outdoor theatre complex carved into cliffs overlooking the sea. Watch a performance from the terrace or visit outside of performance times to see the backstage areas and even walk on the famous stage.

Penzance has a mild year-round climate, with warm, sunny summers and wet winters that are perfect for storm-watching. The town is located in the Penwith area of Cornwall. Drive for about 300 miles (480 kilometres) from London or about 80 miles (130 kilometres) from Plymouth to get here. Ride the Cornish Main Line train from Plymouth to Penzance.

With its pirate connotations and historical and cultural attractions, Penzance is a great destination for a coastal getaway.

The Queens Hotel
The Queens Hotel
3 out of 5
The Promenade, Penzance, England
The price is £203 per night from 19 Jun to 20 Jun
£203
19 Jun - 20 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Penzance. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8/10 Very Good! (590 reviews)
"Lovely location on the seafront. Beautiful artwork in the common parts of the hotel."

Reviewed on 11 Jun 2025

The Queens Hotel
The Pirate Inn
The Pirate Inn
3 out of 5
Alverton Rd, Penzance, England
The price is £58 per night from 29 Jun to 30 Jun
£58
29 Jun - 30 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star inn in Penzance. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. Popular ...
8/10 Very Good! (367 reviews)
"Staff where friendly and very helpful"

Reviewed on 16 Jun 2025

The Pirate Inn
Mount View Hotel B&B
Mount View Hotel B&B
3 out of 5
Long Rock, Penzance, England
The price is £86 per night from 18 Jun to 19 Jun
£86
18 Jun - 19 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star B&B in Penzance. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
7.6/10 Good! (152 reviews)
"A modest hostelry with limited facilities but the room was clean, comfortable and quiet. Some nice touches - plenty of coffee, tea, milk, plus biscuits and bottled water. Good value breakfast. Right by bus stop and close to supermarket."

Reviewed on 16 Jun 2025

Mount View Hotel B&B
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.
The Saddle and Stable Rooms
The Saddle and Stable Rooms
4 out of 5
Sennen, Penzance, England
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Penzance. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Minack Theatre and The Relentless Sea are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (53 reviews)
Very good accommodation, ideal location for walkin
"The property was in an ideal location for walking. The accommodation had everything we needed apart from there was no coat hangers. The food at the pub was very good especially the Sunday lunch. It was very quiet at night. We walked from the property to Lands End. There was a Spar close by. The accommodation ..."

Reviewed on 18 May 2025

The Saddle and Stable Rooms
Set in gorgeous gardens & quiet countryside close to Mousehole and the sea
Set in gorgeous gardens & quiet countryside close to Mousehole and the sea
Penzance, England
Stay at this holiday home in Penzance. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions St. Michael's Mount and Minack Theatre are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (101 reviews)
Pre-Scilly Isles Stopover
"Delightful cottage, with everything you need.Spotlessly clean throughout, very comfortable and surrounded by beautiful gardens. Although quite isolated, it's only a short drive to Moushole, Newlyn & Penzance"

Reviewed on 24 May 2025

Set in gorgeous gardens & quiet countryside close to Mousehole and the sea
Beautiful views over Mounts Bay. Cosy flat in the fishing village of Newlyn
Beautiful views over Mounts Bay. Cosy flat in the fishing village of Newlyn
Newlyn, ENG
Stay at this apartment in Penzance. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and patios. Popular attractions St. Michael's Mount and Minack Theatre are located nearby.
Family style studio
"Many thanks for your hospitality Ali. We truly enjoyed our stay at Newly, a few miles away from all the sightseeing sites in west Cornwall. Penzance is within walking distance with all the shops you need. The room has a very beautiful view over St Michael’s Mount. All of them for a reasonable ..."

Reviewed on 1 Jun 2025

Beautiful views over Mounts Bay. Cosy flat in the fishing village of Newlyn
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

Reviews of Penzance

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
86
5 - Excellent 43%
4 - Good
88
4 - Good 44%
3 - Okay
22
3 - Okay 11%
2 - Disappointing
2
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
2
1 - Terrible 1%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Best pubs ever and so many!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Penzance has a nice atmosphere, and the Montol festival in particular is excellent.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Panzance - really easy to get to by train & the beach was lovely to walk along on a crisp October morning! Looking forward to our next visit!

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller

Penzance itself - end of a train line, in a time warp, no sign of vision for the future. Compared ith the rest of Cornwall, a pretty sad failing town

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Lots of places to visit in the area, including many small villages, seasides, mines and viewpoints.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

We love Penzance and if the opportunity arises would like to live there

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