Living in St Ives means we get to enjoy it beyond the postcards, in quiet mornings, golden evenings and those little moments that make you fall in love with this town over and over. As a couple, these are the things we keep coming back to; simple pleasures, slow days and rituals that make time here feel special.
If you’re planning a romantic escape, here’s how we’d spend it…
A romantic meal in St Ives
You really are spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out in St Ives. For a small coastal town it has an impressive food scene, with a wealth of fantastic restaurants serving beautifully prepared dishes, many of them with sea views that are hard to beat.
One of our favourites is Porthminster Café, situated right on the beach. Book early if you can and request a window seat, there’s something magical about watching the light change over the bay as you enjoy your meal. The kitchen has a well-earned reputation for combining Asian and Mediterranean influences, creating dishes that showcase the freshest local seafood, garden-grown produce and foraged coastal ingredients. Our absolute favourite? The monkfish curry, a dish we never fail to order when we visit.
For more inspiration, take a look at our blog Best Restaurants in St Ives with Sea Views.
A couple photoshoot by the sea
Arranging a couples photoshoot while you’re on holiday in St Ives is such a lovely way to celebrate your relationship. Whether you’re marking a special anniversary, celebrating an engagement or simply capturing a milestone moment together, it’s a keepsake you’ll treasure long after your stay.
With its golden beaches, soft coastal light and ever-changing sea, St Ives is a dream backdrop for relaxed, natural photographs. We highly recommend Kiss Photography who specialise in capturing genuine moments in beautiful surroundings. Their couples shoots start from £175, and they’ll help you feel completely at ease in front of the camera.
It’s a wonderful way to slow down and enjoy the moment together, leaving St Ives with memories you can hold onto forever.
Wandering the cobbled streets (with coffee, always)
One of our favourite things to do is simply wander! St Ives’ cobbled streets are perfect for getting lost in, dipping into little shops, admiring doorways and stopping for coffee when the mood strikes. There’s no rush, no plan. Just pottering, people-watching and soaking it all in. We often take a moment to sit on a quiet bench with a coffee in hand overlooking the harbour whilst taking in the views.
(We’ve shared more of our favourite coffee stops in a separate blog if you fancy a read.)
A beach picnic
A beach picnic doesn’t need to be complicated; some local bread, Cornish cheeses, cream tea, a glass of fizz and that unbeatable view of the sea. Along St Ives harbour front there are plenty of places to pick up something delicious to take away. If you’re tempted by a crab sandwich we highly recommend The Cornish Deli, and they also sell local Cornish cheeses and homemade treats that are perfect for a picnic.
For the full experience take along a beach blanket, some candles and a speaker to play your favourite soundtrack. Find a quieter stretch of sand, kick off your shoes and take in the views.
And if you’re looking to go that extra mile, or perhaps you’re thinking of proposing, why not opt for a bespoke picnic setup, tailored entirely to you? Cornwall Elopements can create beautifully styled picnics crafted especially for proposals, engagements and intimate celebrations, taking care of every detail so you can focus on the moment itself.
Spa time in St Ives & Carbis Bay
For proper switch-off mode a spa day is hard to beat. If you’re looking for a treatment or a full spa experience The St Ives Harbour Hotel overlooking Porthminster beach is home to HarSPA, perfect for a swim followed by a relaxing treatment with the sea as your backdrop.
We also highly recommend Carbis Bay Spa, just a few minutes drive or a 30-minute scenic walk along the South West Coast Path. With an amazing pool overlooking Carbis Bay beach, stunning views, saunas and quiet lounges, it’s the kind of place that leaves you feeling completely refreshed.
Una Spa St Ives is another nearby favourite, featuring an outdoor lido. You can unwind and soak in the beautiful natural light at their seasonally heated outdoor pool. Add in soothing massages, sauna, jacuzzi and tranquil lounges and you have a wonderful way to spend a few hours together.
An outdoor sauna date
If you want something a little different, an outdoor sauna is equal parts cosy and exhilarating, perfect for Valentine’s or just a special evening. Porthminster Beach’s sauna pod offers that unbeatable combination of heat, sea air and post-sauna warmth that leaves you feeling refreshed and relaxed together.
Sunset on Porthmeor beach
Beach walks never get old here. Whether it’s an early-morning stroll with the town still half-asleep or a gentle wander hand-in-hand as the sun begins to set, the beaches around St Ives are perfect for slowing down and reconnecting.
Watching the sunset over Porthmeor Beach on a warm summer evening is particularly beautiful. As the light softens and the sky turns shades of pink and gold, it’s the kind of moment that stays with you long after your visit. For the perfect romantic touch, pick up a bottle of Camel Valley Pinot Noir from John’s Wines on Fore Street, tuck it into your beach bag and enjoy together as the day fades into evening.
If you’re feeling extra romantic, why not take it one step further? Arrange to meet your partner on the beach, arrive a little earlier, and draw a heart in the sand with a special message written inside. It’s these little gestures that make St Ives such a magical place for couples.
A cosy night in by the fire
After a day out exploring, nothing beats coming home, lighting the fire and settling in for the evening. We’re lucky to have several cottages in St Ives with cosy log burners, including Cornish Cottage and Meadow Corner, each one perfect for slowing down and switching off completely.
Curl up with a glass of wine, sink into the sofa with your favourite book, or simply enjoy the quiet together as the fire crackles in the background. It’s those unhurried evenings, warm and relaxed after a day by the sea, that often become the most memorable part of a stay.
If you’re dreaming of evenings like this, our cottages are ready to welcome you, the perfect base for a romantic escape in St Ives.
A cosy pub in St Ives with live music
Sometimes the perfect way to end a day in St Ives is by settling into a cosy pub with live music. The town has a wonderfully lively music scene, and many of St Ives’ pubs host fantastic nights throughout the week. Favourites include the Union Inn and The Castle Inn on Fore Street, The Lifeboat Inn on Wharf Road, and The Sloop Inn down on the Wharf, all great spots for a relaxed evening with a pint and some atmosphere.
For something a little different, The Kettle & Wink, tucked beneath The Western Hotel, is a real hub for live music. Their Tuesday night jam sessions are always a joy, informal, friendly and full of local talent.
Sea Shanty Shout St Ives
St Ives also hosts the much-loved Shanty Shout, when sea shanties and folk songs spill out of pubs across town. It’s a brilliant celebration of maritime music and community, well worth timing your visit for. You can find more details on the St Ives Shanty Shout website.
If jazz is more your thing, R Bar St Ives is a little hidden gem. Tucked away down granite steps on Fore Street, it’s a small, friendly, low-lit hideaway serving excellent cocktails. Arrive early for jazz nights as it fills up quickly, and be sure to check their website for upcoming events.
There’s something wonderfully intimate and human about listening to live music together after a day by the sea, unhurried, cosy, and full of character.
Getting lost and inspired in St Ives’ galleries
Creativity is woven into the soul of St Ives, and the town is filled with wonderful galleries waiting to be discovered. Wandering in and out of these spaces is a slower, more reflective way to spend an afternoon, especially on days when you feel like taking things gently.
Among our favourite smaller galleries are the New Craftsman Gallery and the Penwith Gallery, both wonderful places to explore a diverse range of contemporary crafts. From ceramics, glass, wood and metal to fine art jewellery, sculpture and painting, they offer a real insight into the creativity that continues to shape St Ives today, while still feeling deeply connected to the town’s rich artistic heritage.
Of course, the larger names go without saying. Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden are must-visits, offering inspiring spaces and iconic works that feel perfectly at home in their surroundings.
If ceramics are your thing, be sure to visit St Ives Ceramics, and for something a little further afield, the Leach Pottery is well worth the 15–20 minute walk up the hill. It’s a fascinating place to explore and gives a deeper insight into the craftsmanship that has shaped St Ives’ creative identity.
It’s one of those experiences best enjoyed hand-in-hand, moving at your own pace and letting the art trigger conversation, imagination and the occasional shared moment of inspiration.
Indulge in a romantic St Ives escape
Several of our St Ives cottages have been designed exclusively for two, combining elegant interiors, cosy fires and thoughtful touches to create the ultimate couples’ retreat. From lazy mornings by the sea to intimate evenings with a glass of wine, each stay is crafted for comfort, privacy, and timeless relaxation.
Take a look at our properties below for two and plan your next unforgettable getaway together in St Ives…
Meadow Corner
Stylish cottage just moments from Porthmeor beach
Meadow Corner is a characterful seaside cottage, so close to Porthmeor beach that the sand and sea are never far away. It feels like your own private hideaway, warm, cosy, and utterly romantic, with every detail designed for comfort and togetherness, making it the perfect retreat for two.
Take a look at Meadow Corner
Cornish Cottage
Cosy granite cottage just steps away from the Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden
This 17th-century stone cottage is tucked away on a quiet cobbled street in St Ives, with a reserved parking space just a short walk away. Cosy, charming and full of character, it’s the quintessential romantic town-centre retreat. A wood-burning stove nestled in the original Cornish granite fireplace makes it perfect for intimate cosy nights in, curling up together after a day exploring the town and coastline.
Take a look at Cornish Cottage
Figgy Cottage
Dog friendly cosy cottage for 2
Figgy Cottage is a charming Grade II listed granite cottage, perfect for a couples getaway. With one cosy bedroom, inviting living spaces and a warm, intimate atmosphere, it’s ideal for relaxing together. With its own enclosed garden doggies are welcome too, and all just a short stroll from St Ives’ beaches, cafés and shops.
Take a look at Figgy Cottage
Blue View
Panoramic sea views over Porthminster beach
Blue View is a bright, airy and spacious one-bedroom apartment, offering spectacular sea and coastal views through its large picture windows. Original artworks line the walls, beautifully paired with contemporary seaside-inspired details. Stylish and modern yet warm and welcoming, it’s the perfect retreat for couples seeking comfort, elegance and a little slice of coastal magic.
Take a look at Blue View
Sands Studio
If you love modern mid-century style then this is place for you!
Sands Studio is perfectly positioned in the heart of Downalong, just a stone’s throw from Porthgwidden beach. Beautifully styled with a white and gold palette throughout, the apartment blends a love of retro and modern mid-century design, creating a space that feels both elegant and effortlessly relaxed.
This stylish coastal retreat is the ideal base for couples looking to unwind, soak up the seaside atmosphere and explore everything St Ives has to offer, all just moments from the shore.
Take a look at Sands Studio.
Samphire Studio
Samphire Studio is a vibrant and beautifully styled ground-floor, one-bedroom apartment, so close to the beach you can hear the waves and taste the salt in the air. The space is calm yet characterful, with a predominantly green palette that brings a sense of serenity and connection to nature.
Inspired by its exotic, flourishing garden, the studio is rich in bespoke details and finished with a touch of luxury mid-century style, creating a peaceful coastal hideaway that feels both indulgent and effortlessly relaxed.
Take a look at Samphire Studio
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