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Looking for the best things to do near Praa Sands? From visiting St Michael’s Mount to exploring Porthleven, this is my guide to the area!
We’ve become one of those families who holiday in Cornwall, and it is quickly becoming the highlight of year. With beautiful golden sandy beaches, dramatic coastline, incredible restaurants and unique things to do, it’s very easy to see why.
Also, our kids absolutely love it here now. We usually hire a place just moments from the beach so they can run around and play in the sand. Who needs kid’s activities when you’ve got a beach out the back door? It’s the simple things.
This year, we stayed at a gorgeous holiday home in Praa Sands, booked through Aspects Holidays, and it was honestly one of those trips that reminds you why you fell in love with Cornwall in the first place.
Praa Sands itself is stunning. It’s a sweeping half-mile stretch of golden sand backed by grassy dunes, with the kind of views that make you want to just stand there and take it all in. I appreciate we went in May so outside the busy summer holidays, but the beach was deserted. No matter when I looked out the windows, hardly anyone was on the beach. It felt like our own secluded spot.
What made this trip really special was having a holiday home overlooking the beach. Waking up to those views every morning, watching the waves roll in over a morning coffee, and being able to walk straight down to the sand in minutes; it felt like proper coastal living at its very best. I really didn’t want to leave at the end!
In this guide, I’m going to share all the best things to do near Praa Sands so you can make the most of this brilliant corner of Cornwall. Honestly, this is such a special spot for a UK staycation. I’m about to show you why.
Best things to do near Praa Sands, Cornwall
Play around on Praa Sands beach
Let’s start with the obvious one, because Praa Sands beach deserves to be talked about first. This is a proper Cornish beach. We’re talking a sweeping half-mile stretch of golden sand, water that changes colours throughout the day, and some of the best stones for skimming I think I’ve ever come across. The dunes backing the beach give it a beautifully sheltered feel, and when the sun comes out, it is absolutely stunning.
Walking down to the beach every day became something of a ritual for us. Our toddler was always so excited the moment we hit the sand. As I said, all you need is a beach when you’ve got little ones!
It’s also a popular surf spot, so if the waves are up, it’s brilliant for watching the surfers too. If you’re staying near Praa Sands, make sure you carve out plenty of unhurried time here – this beach is the main event and it absolutely earns it.
Grab a drink from Stones Reef
When it comes to restaurants and bars in Praa Sands, it is a little on the quiet side. Luckily, they do have Stones Reef. This laid-back beach bar sits right on the beach, and has become something of a local institution. It’s super relaxed here (though you do have to wear shoes), and it is in such a lovely spot.
We came down here for a sunset drink one evening and it was one of my favourite moments of the holiday. We grabbed drinks, headed outside and sat on the terrace chatting while our toddler clambered over boulders and played in the sand. He was happy, we were very happy. Whether you’re after a coffee in the morning or something cold in the afternoon, Stones Reef is a must.
Hike the South West Coast Path to the Wheal Prosper engine house
If you fancy stretching your legs and seeing some truly dramatic Cornish scenery, lace up your boots and head out onto the South West Coast Path. The stretch heading east towards Rinsey Head takes you up through gorse-covered clifftops with incredible views out over the Atlantic. The destination at the end of it, the old Wheal Prosper engine house, is one of the most dramatic spots in the whole of Cornwall.
This ruined tin mine wheelhouse sits right on the clifftop. It feels like such a peculiar location for a factory, but this whole area used to be important in the industrial boom. The tin mining industry really flourished during Cornwall’s mining boom in the 18th and 19th centuries. By the early 1900s, most of the local mines had closed as cheaper foreign tin flooded the market, leaving behind these austere buildings that are really out of place with today’s beautiful coastlines.
The walk from Praa Sands to Rinsey Head is about 3km (so a 6km double back) and takes around 2h to 2h:30m. Some of the paths are very steep and uneven, so make sure you have sturdy footwear. What I loved about this walk is it was literally on the doorstep of our holiday home, so super convenient if you’re staying in Praa Sands.
Take in the majestic views of St Michael’s Mount in Marazion
How many times have you seen pictures of St Michael’s Mount? I’m pretty sure it’s one of the first images people see when they arrive at Heathrow Airport. Well, it’s right next to Praa Sands! Rising out of Mount’s Bay like something from a fairytale, this medieval island castle is quite simply one of the most jaw-dropping places I’ve ever visited in England.
At low tide, you can walk across the ancient cobbled causeway to the island, and it’s a brilliant experience. At high tide, a small ferry takes you across instead, which has its own charm. The mount itself is run by the National Trust and you can explore the castle, the subtropical gardens, and the little harbour village at the base. Amazingly, a few families even live on the island. I like the solitude, but I think it would be a bit much for me!
Explore the beautiful harbour town of Porthleven
Porthleven is one of those Cornish towns that just has everything going for it, and I fell completely in love with it during our stay. Built around Cornwall’s most southerly working harbour, it’s a gorgeous mix of colourful fishing boats, independent shops, and some of the best restaurants you’ll find in the area (more on that below).
We spent a really lovely morning wandering around Porthleven, exploring the little galleries and shops, grabbing a coffee, and watching the boats bobbing in the harbour. It has a really relaxed, unspoilt feel to it that a lot of Cornish towns are slowly losing which makes it feel extra special. Whether you’re popping in for a quick wander or settling in for a long lunch, Porthleven is absolutely worth your time and is only about 10 minutes from Praa Sands.
Have lunch or dinner at Kota Kai in Porthleven
While you’re in Porthleven, then I cannot recommend eating at Kota Kai enough. Sitting right on the harbourside with the views overlooking the boats, this place is a real treat. It’s the more casual sibling of the Michelin-recommended Kota restaurant, serving beautifully fresh seafood and Asian-inspired dishes in a relaxed, unpretentious setting.
We had lunch here and it was one of the highlights of the whole trip. They had a lunchtime set menu of 3 courses for £25 which I thought was incredible value for money. To start with I had mussel escabeche, and the main was a hake katsu curry which was yummy.
It can get busy in the summer months, so I’d strongly recommend booking ahead rather than turning up and hoping for the best. Trust me – you don’t want to miss out on a table here.
Walk the Penrose Loop
I’ve written a whole guide about the Penrose Loop as I think this is one of the best walks near Praa Sands. Managed by the National Trust, this stunning circular walk takes you through ancient woodland and alongside Loe Pool (the largest natural freshwater lake in Cornwall). It then loops back along the coast towards Porthleven. It’s peaceful, beautiful, and takes in a number of different views as opposed to just following the coast for a couple of hours.
The full loop is around 7km which took us 2h:30m. That’s with the little ones in tow and stopping off at Penrose House for coffee and cake too. We started and finished the walk in Porthleven so we could have lunch there afterwards, and we’re very glad we did!
See the seals at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary in Gweek is one of those places that the kids will absolutely love. This incredible rescue and rehabilitation centre cares for injured, sick, and orphaned seals, nursing them back to health before releasing them back into the wild. It’s a genuinely brilliant place with a really meaningful story behind it.
We had a fantastic morning here watching the seals being fed, learning about their rescue stories, and getting very close to some incredibly characterful animals. Our favourite spot was the underwater viewing platform where we watched the seals swim past doing barrel rolls. It’s well set up for families with a café and playground that you could easily spend three or four hours here. The kids were absolutely fascinated and the whole experience left us feeling really uplifted. If you’re visiting Cornwall with little ones, this is a definite must-do.
Discover the amazing art at Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens
I can’t rave about the Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens place enough; it was a real surprise highlight for us. Anywhere that gets kids 1) walking, 2) genuinely interested in art, and 3) excited about exploring nature at the same time is a huge win in my book.
Tucked into a sheltered valley near Penzance, these beautiful subtropical gardens are home to an extraordinary collection of large-scale artworks and installations that sit among the palms, tree ferns, and exotic plants in the most dramatic and unexpected ways. It’s genuinely unlike anywhere else I’ve visited in the UK.
My favourite section was the woodland walk. Here, different sculptures jumped out of the foliage distorting nature and art. As I said to our toddler, it was like an artist scavenger hunt where we had to find all the sculptures. You might not think it, but this is definitely a family friendly thing to do near Praa Sands.
Go for a wine tasting or tour at Polgoon Vineyard
Yes, there is a vineyard in Cornwall – and yes, it’s brilliant. I know, we were surprised too! Polgoon Vineyard near Penzance is a family-run estate producing some really impressive wines. We just rocked up and did a tasting flight of their sparkling wines and white wines. The rose English sparkling wine was my fave by far.
They also do tours here where you can learn all about how the grapes are grown and the wine is made, and then you get to taste your way through the range. It’s a lovely contrast to the beach days and coastal walks, and a really lovely way to spend a sunny afternoon. Just make sure you have a designated driver sorted in advance!
Have lunch or dinner at Barbican Bistro in Penzance
Penzance often gets overlooked in favour of flashier Cornish towns, which is a shame, because it has real character and some genuinely great places to eat – Barbican Bistro very much among them. Tucked away near the harbour, this relaxed and friendly bistro has built a solid reputation as one of the top foodie spots. It’s a small plates style restaurant, but each dish is quite minimalist with only using a few ingredients which sing together.
We had lunch here on a quiet weekday and the food was superb from start to finish. The fish and seafood dishes in particular are outstanding – this is Cornwall, so we just had to have fish and scallops. Also, props to the waiting staff. The service was friendly and unhurried, which set exactly the right tone.
Explore the cute shops in Falmouth
I think it was after about an hour of wandering around Falmouth that Chloe said: “you know you’re always banging on about moving to the coast? Well I could imagine us living somewhere like Falmouth.” The main street and the little lanes running off it are packed with independent boutiques, bookshops, surf brands, and art galleries that are just brilliant for a wander.
We spent a really lovely day in Falmouth during our stay and I came back with far more than I intended to buy, though I have absolutely no regrets about any of it. It’s about 40 minutes from Praa Sands but absolutely worth the drive – Falmouth is one of those places that just puts you in a really good mood.
Learn all about our naval history at the National Maritime Museum
Housed in a stunning modern building right on the waterfront, the museum tells the story of Britain’s extraordinary relationship with the sea in a way that is engaging, immersive, and genuinely fascinating for all ages.
The collection is brilliant. From historic small boats suspended from the ceiling of the main hall to interactive exhibits about tides, navigation, and maritime life that was fascinating. We spent a good couple of hours working our way around and never once felt like we were running out of things to look at. Our son is 3, and he really enjoyed it too! If you’re heading to Falmouth to explore the shops, make sure you build in time for the museum too. It’s well worth it and rounds out a really brilliant day in the town.
Where to stay in Praa Sands
One of the things I always try to get right when we holiday in Cornwall is the accommodation, because the right base makes an enormous difference to the whole trip. This time, we absolutely nailed it. We stayed at Four Winds, a stunning four-bedroom holiday home booked through Aspects Holidays, and it is honestly one of the most spectacular places we have ever stayed.
Sitting directly above the beach with uninterrupted views across the water, this is the type of holiday home that you want to show off to everyone (which is exactly what we did the moment we walked through the door). The open-plan living space on the upper level is built for those views, with floor-to-ceiling glass and patio doors that open onto a full-width balcony. We spent a lot of time out there – morning coffees watching the waves, sundowners as the light changed over the water, and late evenings just soaking it all in.
The house sleeps eight across four beautifully finished bedrooms, each with its own en suite, three of which have baths. The kitchen is brilliantly well equipped for cooking family meals. Then there’s the games room with its pool table and bar area, which the kids thought was absolutely brilliant, and the outdoor hot tub positioned perfectly to watch the sun go down over the sea. Honestly, it was the hot tub which made this place feel extra special.
The beach is a five-minute walk through the dunes, which felt like the perfect distance – close enough to nip down whenever the mood struck, but private enough that the house felt like a proper retreat. If you’re planning a trip to this part of Cornwall, I couldn’t recommend Four Winds highly enough. It really is the beach house of dreams.
This post was in association with Aspects Holidays showcasing some of their top properties in the UK. As always, all views are entirely my own and without bias.
If you have any questions about Praa Sands and what to do in the area, let me know in the comments below and I’ll get back to you!
