Holiday rentals and lettings in Falmouth

Table of contents

• At a glance: what should you know about renting a holiday rental in Falmouth?
• Holiday rentals in Falmouth: find your perfect retreat
• Exploring Falmouth: our top recommendations
• Activities: what are the top things to do and see in Falmouth?

• Cottages, apartments and homes: Choose from traditional Cornish cottages, harbourside apartments and family holiday homes, many with sea views over the marina and a garden or terrace to enjoy.
• Where to stay: Base yourself near the marina for shops and nightlife, or head south towards Gyllyngvase Beach for a quieter stay close to the sand.
• Top-rated by guests: Our highest-rated Falmouth lettings score a perfect 10.0, with visitors praising beachfront locations, easy parking and warm Cornish welcomes.
• Best time to visit: Summer is glorious for the beaches, whilst spring and autumn bring quieter streets, mild walking weather and lower rates.
• Things to do: Explore Pendennis Castle, the National Maritime Museum and the famous subtropical gardens, or catch the ferry across to St Mawes.

Falmouth's holiday rentals come in all shapes and sizes. Couples gravitate towards the harbourside apartments with balconies looking over the marina, whilst families happily spread out in roomy family holiday homes with gardens for the children. For tradition, the town's whitewashed cottages are hard to beat, and cosy B&Bs work nicely for shorter weekend breaks away. Falmouth's self-catering properties come well equipped for a relaxed coastal holiday:

• Sea views over the harbour and marina
• Private gardens or terraces
• Fast Wi-Fi throughout
• Pet-friendly cottages so the dog can join the holiday too
• Parking within easy reach of Gyllyngvase Beach

With hundreds of properties to choose from, you're bound to find the perfect one for your trip.

What are the best areas to stay in Falmouth?

The best area depends on your plans: the town centre and marina put you in the thick of the shops and restaurants, whilst the streets towards Gyllyngvase suit beach lovers. Here are some areas to consider:

What do our guests say?

Many reviewers mention how easy it is to reach the beach and harbour on foot, and how welcome they're made to feel by their Cornish hosts. Sea views, comfortable interiors and thoughtful little touches come up again and again.

Here are our top-rated holiday rentals from the past year:

1. Gylly Beach Falmouth - 10.0: A cosy retreat for two in Falmouth, just two minutes' walk from Gyllyngvase Beach, with handy parking and a sunny spot to unwind after a day by the sea.
2. Roland Cottage - 10.0: A charming cottage sleeping four in the heart of Falmouth, praised for its comfortable rooms and easy reach of the harbour, shops and seafront.
3. The Old English Rooms - 10.0: A bright, well-kept apartment for four in Falmouth, with a private yard and a welcoming feel that guests return to time and again.

Falmouth sits on the south coast of Cornwall, in the far south-west of England, where the Fal estuary meets the sea on the sheltered side of the Roseland Peninsula.

✈️What is the best way to get to Falmouth?

Most visitors reach Falmouth by car or by train, with the scenic branch line making the final stretch a pleasure in itself. Here are the most common ways to get to the town:

• Train: Falmouth has three stations on the pretty Maritime Line from Truro: Falmouth Town, Falmouth Docks and Penmere. At Truro you can connect to the main line from London Paddington, Bristol and the Midlands. The branch-line journey hugs the estuary, giving superb views.
• Car: By road, Falmouth is reached via the A39 from Truro, which links to the A30 trunk road running the length of Cornwall. From London allow around five hours, and from Bristol roughly three. Parking in the town centre is limited in peak season, so holiday rentals with their own parking are well worth seeking out.
• Plane: By air, Cornwall Airport Newquay is about 45 minutes' drive away, with seasonal flights from London, Manchester and other UK cities. Exeter Airport is a further option around 90 minutes away by car along the A30.

🥗Where to eat in Falmouth?

According to Google Maps data and reviews, Oliver's is the best-rated restaurant in Falmouth. Below is a table showing the top 5 highly-rated restaurants hand-picked by our travel experts.

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest travellers Grace and Oliver recommend Espressini in Falmouth: this much-loved little coffee house serves some of the best flat whites in town, plus a brunch that's well worth queuing for at the weekend.

☀️When is the best time to visit?

The best time to visit Falmouth is from late May to September, when the beaches are at their best and the town buzzes with regattas and festivals. For quieter streets and lower rates, spring and early autumn offer mild weather that's ideal for coastal walks, whilst winter is cosy and calm.

Summer (June to August)

• Best for: Beach days, sea swimming and harbour festivals.
• Weather: Warm and bright, with highs around 19-21°C and long daylight hours.
• Atmosphere: Lively and busy, with regattas, live music and packed beaches.

Spring (March to May)

• Best for: Garden visits and quieter coastal walks.
• Weather: Mild and fresh, with the famous Cornish gardens bursting into colour.
• Atmosphere: Relaxed and uncrowded, with lower rates than peak summer.

Autumn (September to November)

• Best for: Walking the coast path and food-focused breaks.
• Weather: Often settled and golden early on, turning cooler and breezier by November.
• Atmosphere: Peaceful, with a gentle end-of-season feel and good-value lettings.

⭐Our hosts' recommendation: Our Falmouth local expert, Charlotte of Florizel, recommends spending a morning at Pendennis Castle, then walking the headland path for the views before lunch on the seafront. You can read more about local tips on Charlotte's page.

1. Explore Pendennis Castle
2. Visit the National Maritime Museum Cornwall
3. Relax on Gyllyngvase Beach
4. Take the ferry to St Mawes
5. Discover Falmouth's subtropical gardens

1. Explore Pendennis Castle

   Standing guard on the headland above the town, Pendennis Castle was built by Henry VIII to defend the coast and remains remarkably well preserved. Now cared for by English Heritage, it brings history to life with battle re-enactments, costumed characters and the firing of its ancient guns. Climb the keep for sweeping views across the bay to St Mawes, explore the grounds, and let the children run free.

2. Visit the National Maritime Museum Cornwall

   Down on Discovery Quay, the National Maritime Museum Cornwall is a brilliant rainy-day option and a highlight in any weather. Its collection ranges from Inuit kayaks to classic sailing dinghies, and the underwater viewing gallery lets you watch the tide rise and fall through windows below the harbour. Children love the interactive play zones, whilst the tower offers one of the finest panoramas in Falmouth.

3. Relax on Gyllyngvase Beach

   Gyllyngvase Beach, or 'Gylly' to the locals, is Falmouth's favourite stretch of sand. The gently shelving bay is sheltered and clean, making it ideal for families, swimmers and first-time paddleboarders. Spend the morning rock-pooling, then refuel at the popular beachfront café overlooking the water. Nearby Swanpool and Maenporth offer quieter alternatives if you fancy escaping the crowds.

4. Take the ferry to St Mawes

   One of the loveliest things to do in Falmouth is hop aboard the St Mawes ferry for a 20-minute crossing to the Roseland Peninsula. The iconic wooden boats glide past world-class scenery, with the chance to spot seals and seabirds along the way. St Mawes itself is a postcard-pretty village with its own Tudor castle, harbourside pubs and gentle walks.

5. Discover Falmouth's subtropical gardens

   Cornwall's mild climate has gifted Falmouth some of Britain's finest gardens. Trebah Garden tumbles down a subtropical valley to its own private beach, whilst neighbouring Glendurgan hides a giant laurel maze that children adore. Closer to town, the Queen Mary Gardens behind Gyllyngvase Beach burst with colour through the warmer months. Keep an eye out for the giant rhubarb and towering tree ferns along the way.