Guernsey travel guide
Guernsey is a self-governing British Crown Dependency in the Channel Islands, closer to the coast of France than to England, with cliff paths, sandy bays, a harbour capital and the smaller islands of Sark, Herm and Alderney nearby. It suits walkers, history enthusiasts and anyone after a slow-paced island break with good seafood.
Places worth the trip
St Peter Port
The capital rises steeply from its harbour, with narrow lanes, stepped streets, the Market Halls and the Town Church. It is one of the most attractive harbour towns in the British Isles.
Castle Cornet
A castle on a former islet guarding the entrance to St Peter Port harbour, with origins in the thirteenth century. It now holds several museums, and a noon-day gun is fired daily.
Hauteville House
The home of the French writer Victor Hugo during his exile from 1856 to 1870, where he completed Les Misérables. He decorated the house himself, and it can be visited on guided tours in season.
The south coast cliff path
A rugged path running along the island's south coast past headlands, bays and wartime fortifications, with steep sections, wild flowers in spring and good views. Buses make it easy to walk one way and ride back.
Sark
A short ferry ride from St Peter Port, Sark has no cars; people travel by bicycle, horse-drawn carriage or on foot. La Coupée, a narrow isthmus with sheer drops on both sides, links Big Sark and Little Sark.
Herm
A tiny, car-free island reached by a short boat trip, with Shell Beach, Belvoir Bay and a walking path around the coast that takes a couple of hours.
German occupation sites
Guernsey was occupied by German forces from 1940 to 1945. Bunkers, observation towers, the German Underground Hospital and the German Occupation Museum show what island life was like during those years.
The Little Chapel
A tiny chapel decorated with seashells, pebbles and broken china, built in the early twentieth century by a monk at Les Vauxbelets.
Interesting facts about Guernsey
- Guernsey is not part of the United Kingdom or the European Union; it is a Crown Dependency with its own parliament, the States of Deliberation, while the UK is responsible for its defence and international relations.
- Sark was named the world's first dark sky island in 2011, thanks to its lack of light pollution.
- The maximum speed limit on Guernsey is 35 miles per hour, and many roads are narrower still.
- Guernsey issues its own pound notes and coins, which are at par with sterling but are not generally accepted in the UK.
- The Channel Islands were the only part of the British Isles occupied by German forces during the Second World War.
Best time to visit Guernsey
May to September is the best time to visit, with the warmest weather, long evenings, regular boat services to Herm and Sark, and most attractions open. Spring brings wild flowers on the cliffs, and early autumn is often settled and quieter. Winters are mild but windy and wet, some attractions close or reduce their hours, and ferry crossings are more often disrupted by weather.
Getting around
The island bus network covers Guernsey well and is a good way to reach the bays, cliff path and villages. Bicycles and e-bikes can be hired, though some lanes are steep and narrow. Hire cars are available, but roads are narrow, many are bordered by walls and parking can be tight in St Peter Port. Boats run from St Peter Port to Herm and Sark, mainly in season. Guernsey is reached by flights from UK airports and by ferries from England, Jersey and France.
Practical details
- Capital
- St Peter Port
- Currency
- Pound sterling (GBP), with locally issued Guernsey pounds at par
- Languages
- English
- Plug types
- G
- Voltage
- 230 V, 50 Hz
- Emergency
- 999 or 112
- Driving side
- left
- Tipping
- Similar to the UK: around 10 percent in restaurants if service is not included, and rounding up in taxis.
Staying online in Guernsey
Mobile coverage is good across most of Guernsey, with 4G widely available. Signal can be weaker in sheltered valleys and some bays, and on Sark and Herm coverage is more limited. In some spots, particularly on the west coast and when sailing between islands, your phone may pick up a French network. Note that Guernsey is not part of the UK for mobile purposes, so some UK plans charge roaming there. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.
Guernsey eSIM plans
1 ГБ
1GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for Guernsey, V2
Безлимит
Unlimited eSIM Data for 1 Day for Guernsey, V2
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Unlimited Plus eSIM Data for 1 Day for Guernsey, V2
3 ГБ
3GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for Guernsey, V2
Useful apps
- Google Maps: Bus routes, walking directions and finding the bays and historic sites around the island.
- Komoot: Planning walks and cycle routes, including sections of the cliff path.
- Windy: Checking wind and sea conditions before boat trips to Sark and Herm.
Guernsey travel FAQs
Not always. Guernsey is outside the UK, and some providers charge roaming there. Coverage itself is good. Check your plan before you go, or use a travel eSIM for local data.
Guernsey notes are legal currency on the island but are rarely accepted in the UK. Spend them before you leave or ask for change in Bank of England notes. Cards are widely accepted.
Yes. Both are reached by boat from St Peter Port, and a day is enough to walk around Herm or explore Sark by bicycle. Check timetables in advance, as sailings vary by season and weather.
Not necessarily. The island is small and the bus network is good, and walking and cycling are pleasant. A car is useful if you want to explore at your own pace, but roads are narrow.