What is the nicest town in Cornwall? Here are my top 10 locations!

March 23, 2021

If you’re wondering ‘what are is the nicest town in Cornwall?’ then hopefully this list will give you some ideas!

Cornwall is one of the most popular areas to visit in the UK, and it’s easy to see why! With staycation becoming more and more popular, you might be wondering ‘what is nicest town in Cornwall?’. When looking for the prettiest town in Cornwall, there are so many choices!

With stunning beaches, endless eateries, and some great boutiques, it’s a wonderful place to relax and unwind. There are so many nice towns in Cornwall to explore, so answering the question ‘what is the nicest town in Cornwall?’ should be easy!

However, if you’re new to Cornwall, you may have only heard of a few places. Well good news, I’m going to give you the low-down on the prettiest town in Cornwall in this blog post!

Whether you’re in search of great food or just want an amazing place to surf the waves, we’ve got you covered. With our list of the nicest towns in Cornwall, we hope that you’ll be able to plan your perfect Cornish getaway.

So, without further ado, let’s answer that burning question: “what is the nicest town in Cornwall?”.

So… “What is the nicest town in Cornwall?”

Let’s deliver into the prettiest towns in Cornwall, and the nicest places to visit in this wonderful part of the UK!

Falmouth

First on our list of ‘what is the nicest town in Cornwall…’ It’s Falmouth. If you love beachy towns and beautiful waterways, then Falmouth should be on our list of the nicest towns in Cornwall. Though this place is famous for its scenery, it’s also one of Cornwall’s most vibrant areas, with loads of local events happening all year round too!

With everything from watersports to grand events happening year-round, there’s plenty in Falmouth to keep you entertained. If you’ve got the chance, be sure to try and fit in a walk or two. Though massive hikes aren’t for everyone, there’s so much natural beauty in Falmouth that you’d be foolish not to take it in! Falmouth is definitely one of the nicest towns in Cornwall.

St Ives

St Ive’s is our next suggestion for what is the nicest town in Cornwall. As one of Cornwall’s largest artistic hubs, St Ives remains one of the nicest towns in the area. Whilst on the one hand St Ives is a picturesque masterpiece of cottages and glistening waters, it’s also one of the hippest Cornish towns around.

With more cafes, boutiques, and art spots than you can count, it’s the easiest place in Cornwall to spend that hard-earned cash! It’s certainly one of the prettiest towns in Cornwall, and so many people have already fallen in love with this amazing place.

Whether you’re a UK national looking for the perfect staycation spot or you’re looking to visit from abroad, St Ives is sure to hit the spot – trust us! This is a gorgeous vacation spot, and definitely one of the nicest towns in Cornwall.

Fowey

Fowey is next on my list of the nicest towns in Cornwall. Cornwall is home to many lovely port towns, and Fowey is no exception to that rule! Located amongst one of the most stunning bodies of water in Cornwall, Fowey is THE place to visit in Cornwall if you feel the need to escape from reality.

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In addition to its lovely waterways, Fowey is also home to plenty of lovely streets, shops, and old houses that tourists just love. If you visit Fowey, be sure to head out on a ferry trip if you can. Offering visitors unparalleled views of the area, it’s a must-do!

Padstow

Though Padstow is not one of Cornwall’s largest towns, it’s certainly one of the nicest! So it’s next on my list of ‘what is the nicest town in Cornwall’. As Padstow is an operational fishing port, it’s an amazing place to visit if you’re on the lookout for some of the freshest fish in the area.

With stunning sandy beaches and amazing places to eat and drink, you’re sure to have a wonderful time in Padstow. If you have the chance, be sure to check out Rick Stein’s fish and chips; said to be the best place to grab that famous British treat, it’d be rude not to! If you’re looking for one of the nicest towns in Cornwall, you won’t be disappointed here.

Mevagissey

Next up on this list of the nicest towns in Cornwall, it’s Mevagissey. Another amazing functional harbor in Cornwall is Mevagissey. Though this town is relatively small, it’s one of the nicest places to visit in Cornwall if you love fish, fun, and quaint museums.

Though it’s not quite as busy as Padstow, it has just as much charm. If you’ve got the time, be sure to pay a visit to the area’s museum and aquarium. Not only do these wonderful attractions entertain adults, but they’re fabulous for keeping kids busy too! It’s a lovely town and certainly one of the nicest towns in Cornwall.

Polperro

If we had to pick the most beautiful town in Cornwall, and one of the nicest towns in Cornwall – then we think we might have to give that prize to Polperro. With charming little houses that are based around the harbour, you could spend an entire afternoon in Polperro just watching the world go by.

\However, if sitting and chilling isn’t quite your bag, why not check out some of the amazing cafés and restaurants in the area? With plenty to choose from (and with most offering excellent views!), you’re sure to leave with a full stomach and a relaxed state of mind. This is such a lovely place, and definitely one of the nicest towns in Cornwall.

Penzance

Another place to visit if you’ve been wondering ‘what is the nicest town in Cornwall?’ is Penzance. Though you may have only heard of Penzance from the famous Gilbert and Sullivan classic The Pirates of Penzance, it’s an amazing place to visit in its own right!

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As one of Cornwall’s major towns, it’s absolutely packed with shops, amazing history, and some incredible architecture. As Penzance is the main commercial center for the Land’s End peninsula, it’s deemed to be one of the nicest towns in Cornwall as there is simply so much to see and enjoy here. So, whether you’re seeking a lovely walk along the promenade or some amazing shops and food, Penzance has it all waiting for you.

Oh, and one more thing – if you’ve got the chance, be sure to visit the farmer’s market on Market Place. It’s Cornwall-famous, you know. A great choice and a perfect answer for ‘what is the nicest town in Cornwall?’.

Truro

As one of the nicest towns in Cornwall and one of the only ones to boast a hulking cathedral, we highly recommend paying Truro a visit. Though this Cornish town can sometimes fly under the radar, it’s actually one of Cornwall’s largest shopping areas. So, whether you fancy a trip to a classic high street store or want to visit a stunning local coffee shop, you’ll find everything you could want and more in Truro.

However, if shopping isn’t what you’re after, never fear. With some great museums and awesome local sights, it’s well worth a visit for any tourist! This is a favourite amongst visitors a must-visit if you’re looking for the nicest town in Cornwall.

Looe

Another one of the nicest towns in Cornwall must be Looe. Home to one of the nicest Cornish harbors around, this is the place in Cornwall that you’ll want to visit if you’re looking for that perfect Instagram shot.

If the sights of Looe weren’t enough to draw you in, then why not explore some of the area’s stunning narrow streets? With wonderful restaurants and bars filling every single one, you certainly won’t have a dull moment here. If you’ve been asking yourself ‘what is the nicest town in Cornwall?’ maybe Looe is the answer for you!

Newquay

As well as being home to one of the UK’s smallest airports, Newquay is also home to amazing scenery and some great beaches! If you’re an avid surfer, then you’ll want to check Newquay out, because it might be the perfect answer to ‘what is the nicest town in Cornwall?’ for you specifically.

With tons of shops selling all the gear you could ever need, even beginners will be able to kit themselves out if they need to! However, even though the surf is constantly up in Newquay, that’s not all that it has to offer. With amazing walking routes, great eateries, and a gorgeous coast, it’s not a town that you should miss off your list! It’s definitely one of the nicest towns in Cornwall – and one to definitely check out!

Hopefully this list of the nicest towns in Cornwall has helped give you some inspiration!

As you’ll see, there are so many amazing towns in Cornwall to explore – so finding your own answer to ‘what is the nicest town in Cornwall?’ is going to be a challenge! There is a different answer for everyone depending on what they love about Cornwall!

For some people, the nicest town in Cornwall might be the place with the best surfing… For other it may be the town with the best shopping, or cutest streets!