Attractions Nearby Guernsey, Day Trips and Excursions

(Guernsey, Channel Islands, British Isles)



Photo of Jersey's iconic Mont Orgueil CastleHop on a ferry and you will be able to discover a variety of spectacular island attractions close to Guernsey. At around one hour away from Guernsey, the island of Jersey is quite unmissable and is home to some truly wondrous beaches, along with some prominent fortifications and other interesting attractions, including world-famous zoological gardens and the much-photographed La Corbiere Lighthouse.

The many attractions on Sark are extremely close and lie directly east of St. Peter Port. The beautiful and peaceful island is quite different from Guernsey, being considerably smaller and completely free of cars. Further notable Channel Islands within reach of Guernsey include both Alderney and Herm, while also nearby is the French city St. Malo and its extremely pretty harbour.


Picture of St. Brelade's Bay in Jersey

Jersey

The larger and more popular island of Jersey is just a relatively short ferry ride from Guernsey and an absolute must for a day trip. Jersey's attractions are spectacular, with the island containing some of the most perfect sandy beaches and bays imaginable, such as St. Ouen's Bay and Plemont Bay. The Durrell Wildlife Park is amongst the main attractions on the island, along with Jersey's Living Legend, La Mare Wine Estate and the rather iconic and beautiful Mont Orgueil Castle.

Photo of Sark

Sark

Most locals on Sark travel around on bicycles, or by horse and cart, making a trip to this island almost like stepping back in time. Sark itself is governed by the Seigneur, and the grounds of his stately home, La Seigneurie, are open to the public. Located next to La Coupe, Grand Greve Bay is regularly regarded as the island's finest beach, although the competition is stiff.

View of St. Malo (France)

St. Malo

The port city of St. Malo is surprisingly close to Guernsey and located on the coast of Brittany. St. Malo is a particularly well-known seaside resort, steeped in history and characterised by its ancient attractions and medieval city walls. Famed for its huge cluster of seafood restaurants and historic landmarks, tourists should look out for the Cathedral of St. Vincent, the tomb of Chateaubriand, and the Solidor Tower of St. Servan.

Image showing the island of Herm

Herm

The closest of all the Channel Islands to Guernsey, the attractions of Herm have been explored by visitors for literally hundreds of years. Herm is home to remains of settlements from as far back as the Neolithic period and it is known that a group of monks founded the St. Tugual missionary here in the 6th century. Covering just 500 acres / 200 hectares and a mere 1.5 km / 1 mile in length, Herm is a small island and actually owned by the States of Guernsey, being leased to its residents. The sheer natural beauty of Herm has to be experienced to be believed, with the golden sands of Shell Beach and Belvoir Bay standing out from the others.

Alderney island picture

Alderney

The northernmost of all the Channel Islands, Alderney enjoys great views of the nearby French coastline and is around 5 km / 3 miles long by just 2.5 km / 1.5 miles in width. Around 2,500 residents currently call Alderney their home, with St. Anne being the main town and only single parish. St. Anne is where you will find the main attractions, hotels, dining venues and shops, particularly around its cobblestone High Street. The nightlife on Alderney is particularly good and the island has become famous for its WWII bunker and quarry parties. Each year at the beginning of August, Alderney Week is an event not to miss, with a parade of floats on Cavalcade Day, followed later in the week by the Torchlit Procession, fireworks and live music.