Holiday rentals and lettings in Newquay

Table of contents

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

• Rentals for every budget: From self-catering cottages near the harbour to sea-view flats above Fistral, Newquay has holiday homes to suit couples, families and groups of friends.
• Where to stay: Base yourself in Fistral for surf, the town centre for nightlife, or quieter Pentire and Porth for relaxed family beach days.
• Loved by guests: Visitors praise the sea views and easy beach access, with properties around Porth and Fistral scoring especially highly.
• Best time to visit: Come between late May and September for the warmest seas; spring and autumn bring lower rates and more calm.
• Plenty to do: Surf at Fistral, explore the Blue Reef Aquarium and Newquay Zoo, or walk the dramatic South West Coast Path.

Newquay's holiday rentals span every style and budget, from self-catering cottages tucked near the old harbour to stylish holiday flats with sweeping views over Fistral. Couples and groups of friends will find welcoming B&Bs close to the centre near the buzzing nightlife, whilst families can go for spacious houses with gardens. Wherever you base yourself, you're never far from the beach.

Holiday lettings here come with a generous range of amenities to make your stay comfortable, including:

• Sea-view balconies and terraces overlooking the Atlantic
• Private or shared swimming pools
• Well-tended gardens with BBQ equipment
• Fast Wi-Fi suitable for remote working
• Pet-friendly homes so the whole family can come along

With so much choice, it's easy to find a holiday home that matches both your group and your plans.

What are the best areas to stay in Newquay?

The best area depends on your priorities: Fistral for surfers, the town centre for nightlife and Pentire for quieter sea views. For a wider Cornish base, you can also browse holiday cottages across Cornwall. The table below details areas for specific interests:

What do our guests say?

Guests consistently rave about Newquay's holiday homes for their sea views, warm welcome and easy reach of the beaches. Cleanliness, comfortable interiors and thoughtful touches such as welcome packs and beach gear are highlighted in reviews, and properties around Porth and Fistral score especially well for their locations.

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

1. Palm Villa - 9.6+: A bright cottage with a private yard in Porth, praised for its spotless interiors and the short stroll to the sandy cove and rock pools.
2. Little Lookover - 9.6+: A cosy two-person retreat in Porth, loved by couples for its peaceful setting, comfortable furnishings and views across the bay.
3. Towan View Loft - 9.6+: A stylish loft cottage close to Towan Beach, with guests highlighting the central location and walkable access to the aquarium and harbour.

Newquay sits on the rugged north coast of Cornwall, in the far southwest of England, roughly 30 miles west of Bodmin and a short hop from the county's finest surf beaches.

✈️What is the best way to get to Newquay?

Getting to Newquay is straightforward, with options by air, rail and road. Here are the most common ways to get to the town:

• By plane: Newquay Cornwall Airport lies just five miles northeast of the town, with regular flights from London, Manchester, Edinburgh and other UK cities. From the terminal it's a 15-minute taxi or a short bus ride into the centre.
• By car: Most visitors drive, following the M5 to Exeter and then the A30 across Cornwall before turning onto the A392 into Newquay. The journey from London takes around five hours, and there are several car parks in town, though spaces fill quickly during the summer school holidays.
• By train: To get to Newquay station from London Paddington, change at Par or Truro for the scenic final leg; in summer a direct service runs from London at the weekend.

🥗Where to eat in Newquay?

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

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest travellers Charlotte and Daniel recommend The Stable in Newquay: a relaxed spot for wood-fired pizza and Cornish cider after a day on the beach, with friendly service and generous portions the whole family enjoyed.

☀️When is the best time to visit?

The best time to visit Newquay is from late May to September, when the beaches are at their finest and the sea is warm enough for surfing. July and August are the liveliest but busiest months; for a quieter trip with lower rates, aim for the spring and autumn shoulder seasons, when the coast path is gloriously uncrowded.

Summer

• Best for: Surfing, family beach days and the Boardmasters festival.
• Weather: Warm and bright, with average highs around 19°C and long daylight hours.
• Atmosphere: Buzzing and sociable, with packed beaches and a lively nightlife scene.

Autumn

• Best for: Quieter walks, surfing and lower holiday-let rates.
• Weather: Mild but changeable, with golden light and the occasional Atlantic squall.
• Atmosphere: Relaxed and uncrowded, with a slower local pace once the crowds leave.

Spring

• Best for: Coast-path walks, wildflowers and early-season surf.
• Weather: Fresh and breezy, gradually warming through May with bright, clear days.
• Atmosphere: Calm and welcoming, as cafés reopen and the town wakes up for the season.

⭐Our hosts' recommendation: Our Newquay local expert, Emma of 5 Fistral Beach, recommends timing your beach trips around low tide for the best surfing and rock-pooling, and checking the official Newquay tourist information for local events. You can read more about local tips on Emma's page.

1. Ride the waves at Fistral Beach
2. Meet the marine life at the Blue Reef Aquarium
3. Spend a day at Newquay Zoo
4. Step into Cornwall's past at Pirate's Quest
5. Walk the South West Coast Path

1. Ride the waves at Fistral Beach

   Fistral Beach is the beating heart of British surfing, a vast stretch of golden sand pounded by Atlantic swells. Beginners can book a half-day lesson and hire boards from one of the many surf schools along the front, whilst experienced surfers chase the bigger sets. Even if you'd rather stay dry, it's a wonderful place to watch the action, walk the dunes or catch the sunset.

2. Meet the marine life at the Blue Reef Aquarium

   Right beside Towan Beach, the Blue Reef Aquarium is a brilliant rainy-day option and a hit with families. Wander through dozens of habitats, from tropical coral reefs to native rock-pool species, and don't miss the underwater glass tunnel that brings you face to face with sharks and rays.

3. Spend a day at Newquay Zoo

   Set in subtropical lakeside gardens, Newquay Zoo packs a full day of fun into one family outing. You'll meet lions, lemurs, red pandas and meerkats, and children love the hands-on workshops and the maze. It sits a little inland, so it pairs nicely with a few nights at one of the campsites along the Cornish coast if you fancy exploring beyond the town.

4. Step into Cornwall's past at Pirate's Quest

   Pirate's Quest brings Cornwall's swashbuckling history to life with atmospheric sets, costumed guides and a few spooky surprises. Walk through recreated 18th-century streets and smugglers' caves as you learn the true, stranger-than-fiction tales of Newquay's seafaring past.

5. Walk the South West Coast Path

   The South West Coast Path threads right through Newquay, offering some of the finest cliff-top walking in the country. Head north towards Watergate Bay for wide surf beaches, or south across the Gannel estuary for quieter coves. You can also take a day trip down the coast to St Ives, where you'll find plenty of holiday cottages in nearby St Ives.