Things to do in Porthleven

Porthleven Food & Music Festival

With over 10,000 visitors each year, the festival is popular with visitors and locals alike. It celebrates Cornish food producers, with demonstrations, live bands, street performers and with free entry, it's the perfect family day out. This years event takes place on 26th April. Read about the Porthleven Food & Music festival on our blog.

Surfing

Porthleven is a renowned surf spot amongst the locals, and is more suited to experienced surfers and bodyboarders. Find out more on our blog: Ten of the best surf spots in Cornwall

Cycling

If you enjoy exploring the great outdoors, mountain bike hire is available from our friends over at Porthleven Cycle Hire. There’s a variety of scenic cycling routes in the area, all offering different levels of difficulty, and most offering great coastal views.

Walking 

There are ample walking routes in and around Porthleven with beautiful landscapes to explore and varying degrees of difficulty, including the South West Coast Path. If a gentle stroll is more your cup of tea, enjoy meandering around the iconic harbour and pretty streets. To find out more about the history of Porthleven, you can book a guided tour with Porthleven Town Talks.

Rock Climbing

Thrill seekers can experience the area from a completely different perspective by climbing the cliffs near Porthleven. Book a rock climbing adventure with Kernow Coasteering, and an experienced guide will lead you around the granite sea cliffs at Rinsey, near Porthleven. 

Fishing

With such a variety of fishing spots in the area, you’ll be spoilt for choice when staying in a holiday cottage in Porthleven.  There’s an angling centre nearby to stock up on tackle and bait before heading out, and Loe bar is just a short walk from Porthleven itself, which offers great beach fishing. Bass fishing is popular in this area and guided fishing trips are available from Porthleven too. With many other popular sea fishing and course fishing spots in Cornwall you’ll be able to try your luck at a variety of places without having to travel too far.  

Birdwatching

Behind Loe bar is Loe pool, the largest freshwater lake in Cornwall, and is a great place to enjoy birdwatching. Surrounded by woodland, it’s a great place to go walking and enjoy the Cornish scenery.

Eating out

Porthleven is quickly becoming a foodie's paradise, with a range or top notch restaurants throughout the town. To help you decide where to dine out, read our blog post on Eating out in Porthleven.

Places to visit near Porthleven

Cornish Seal Sanctuary

A few miles down the road, and set in acres of Cornish countryside is the Cornish Seal Sanctuary. Here you will find rescued and rehabilitated seals and sea lions found on Britain's beaches, alongside penguins, otters, and farmyard animals such as ponies, goats and sheep; a great day out for all the family.