- A Crown Dependency in the Common Travel Area, so British citizens need only photo ID to travel
- St Peter Port is one of Europe's prettiest harbour towns
- Walk the south coast cliff paths, loved by Renoir
- Take boats to car-free Herm and Sark, part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey
- Airports
- Guernsey Airport (GCI), about 15 minutes from St Peter Port
- Flight time
- about 50 minutes from London Gatwick; around 1h15 from Manchester
- Best time to go
- May-September for walking, beaches and island hopping
- Currency
- Pound sterling (Guernsey notes and coins also issued)
Guernsey is the second-largest of the Channel Islands, a self-governing Crown Dependency closer to Normandy than to England. Its capital, St Peter Port, climbs steeply from a harbour lined with yachts and granite buildings, and the rest of the island is a patchwork of narrow lanes, hedgerows full of wildflowers, sandy western bays and dramatic southern cliffs. The pace is gentle, the food is excellent and the light, which once drew Renoir, is lovely.
The Bailiwick of Guernsey also includes Alderney, Sark, Herm and smaller islands, making it a superb base for island hopping. Like its neighbour Jersey, Guernsey was occupied by German forces during the Second World War, and its fortifications and museums tell that story. For more of the region, see our guides to the United Kingdom and nearby France.
Things to do
- St Peter Port – wander the cobbled lanes and steps, browse the market halls and independent shops, and eat fresh seafood by the harbour.
- Castle Cornet – an 800-year-old castle guarding the harbour, with several museums and a noon-day gun fired daily in season.
- Hauteville House – Victor Hugo lived in exile here for around 15 years and wrote much of Les Misérables in this extraordinary house, which he decorated himself. Its gardens overlook the harbour.
- The south coast cliff paths – rugged footpaths link bays such as Moulin Huet, painted by Renoir in 1883, Petit Bôt and Icart Point, with wildflowers in spring.
- The Little Chapel – a tiny chapel decorated with seashells, pebbles and broken china, created by a monk in the early 20th century.
- Occupation history – the German Occupation Museum, the German Military Underground Hospital and coastal fortifications such as the observation tower at Pleinmont recall five years of wartime occupation.
- Western beaches – Cobo, Vazon and Rocquaine bays are long sandy beaches with superb sunsets, rock pools and surf.
- Herm, Sark and Alderney – Herm, 20 minutes by boat, has white-sand Shell Beach and no cars. Sark, about 50 minutes away, is car-free, with horse-drawn carriages, cliff walks and dark skies. Alderney, reached by air or boat, is known for its wildlife and wartime forts.
Where to stay
- St Peter Port – the widest choice of hotels and guesthouses, close to restaurants and the inter-island ferries.
- St Martin – hotels near the south coast cliff paths and quieter lanes.
- The west coast – beachside hotels and self-catering at Cobo and Vazon, ideal for families.
- Herm and Sark – stay overnight in a hotel or campsite to enjoy the islands once the day visitors have left.
Getting there
Aurigny, Guernsey's airline, flies from London Gatwick in about 50 minutes and from Manchester, Bristol, Southampton, Birmingham, East Midlands and other UK airports, some seasonally; Blue Islands and other airlines also fly to the island. Condor Ferries sails from Poole and Portsmouth, with journeys of around 3 to 7 hours depending on the route, and links to Jersey and St-Malo.
As part of the Common Travel Area, British citizens do not legally need a passport, but carriers require photo ID; take a passport if you plan to visit France. Buses cover the island well and are cheap; cycling is popular, and car hire is available, though roads are narrow.
Best time to visit
May to September brings the warmest weather, with summer highs around 19 to 21 °C, plus the full boat timetables for Herm and Sark. Spring brings wildflowers along the cliffs. Liberation Day on 9 May is a national holiday with celebrations across the island.
Ferries to Herm and Sark can sell out on sunny summer days, so book ahead, and check sailing times for your return; there are no other ways off the islands.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a passport for Guernsey?
Not by law if you are a British citizen arriving from the UK, but airlines and ferries require photo ID, and you need a passport for day trips to France.
Is Guernsey part of the UK?
No. It is a self-governing Crown Dependency with its own laws and taxes, though the UK handles its defence and international relations.
Can I use English money in Guernsey?
Yes. Sterling is accepted everywhere. Guernsey notes and coins are not normally accepted in the UK, so spend them before you leave.
Is Guernsey or Jersey better for a holiday?
Jersey is bigger and busier, with more attractions and beaches. Guernsey is quieter, with a prettier capital and easy access to Herm and Sark. Ferries link the two, so you can visit both.
Written by
Anna Beach, family & practical travel editor
Anna knows which beach has shade at 3pm and which car hire excess is a rip-off. She covers sun, islands, family trips and practical travel tips.
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