JERSEY TRAVEL GUIDE

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The island of Jersey is the largest of the Channel Islands and lies in the English Channel between the UK & France. It’s a self-governing dependency of the British Crown, but not part of the United Kingdom. 

Jersey has great coastal scenery, some beautiful castles and picturesque little bays to explore and it’s a great destination for a long weekend away. The influences of both France and Britain give the island its unique character. Also, the capital St Hellier has everything you need from a modern town.

This travel guide will help you plan the perfect trip to Jersey by showing you the best attractions, things to do and places to visit including a tourist map, photos and an itinerary.

Jersey is a small but beautiful island in the English Channel between the UK & France. The island has some great coastal scenery (especially on the north coast), some historic forts & museums and picturesque little bays to explore and it’s a great destination for a long weekend away. Also, the influences of both France and Britain give the island its unique character.

The island’s area is 120 sq. km and it has a population of around 108,000 permanent residents. The island’s capital St Helier has many attractions like the beautiful Elizabeth Castle. There are some attractive seaside villages like St. Aubin, St. Brelade with the best beach on the island and Gorey with the magnificent Mont Orgueil Castle.

Jersey is also a great destination to observe tides, as it has one of the largest tidal movements in the world, and it’s fascinating to see the changes to the coastal landscape.

For a beach holiday, the best time to visit the island of Jersey is between July or August, when it’s sunnier and the temperatures are higher and when also the sea is warmer (still quite cold for swimming). However, these are the busiest months when most holidaymakers visit the island during the school holidays and the prices tend to be higher.

For me, the best time to visit will be late June or early September with good temperatures, fewer crowds and lower prices and still possible to enjoy the sea.

Jersey is a small island but with an extensive coastline, so I would recommend staying on the island for at least 3-4 days if you would like to explore it and visit most of the attractions. Obviously, you could stay for longer if you want to explore it at a more relaxed pace and combine it with day trips to Guernsey or even France.

The best place to stay in Jersey is St Helier as it provides the best options and tourist amenities and it’s a good base to explore the island. Other good places to stay are the picturesque village of Gorey, St Aubin or St Brelade.

Best hotels in Jersey

• Radisson Blue Waterfront: Situated on the waterfront of St Helier, with free parking and sea views
• De L’Etang: Situated in Havre-Des-Pas, right on the seafront and opposite the public bathing pool, this family-run guest house is 10min from the centre of St Helier.
• Mornington Hotel: A cheaper bed and breakfast accommodation just minutes from the centre of St Helier. Free private parking
• Golden Sands: 4-star hotel situated in St Brelade right by the beach, with some rooms with balconies and sea views
• The Atlantic Hotel: Beautiful 4-star hotel overlooking St Ouen’s Bay.

Click here to check and compare prices on accommodation for the whole island.

By Plane

Jersey Airport provides connections to all major cities in the UK all year round and has also good connections with Guernsey with its own airline (Blue Islands).

For the best website to book your flights, check the link below. Always check prices in advance for the best deals.

Getting from/to the airport

The airport is located about 8km away from St Helier (15m drive). Upon your arrival, you can rent a car (highly recommended) in one of the rental offices at the airport. The airport is the best place to book if you haven’t done it before you arrive.

There is a public bus providing frequent services to Liberation Station in St Helier. LibertyBus routes 15, 22 and 9 connect St Hellier with Jersey Airport and the journey takes between 20 to 30min. The bus stop is located immediately in front of the Arrivals’ Terminal; there are bus timetables and routes available from Jersey Airport.

There is a also public taxi rank immediately in front of the Arrivals Terminal. Passengers can expect to pay approx £15 for a taxi to St Helier.

By Ferry

There are ferries connecting Jersey with the UK and France and also with the rest of the Channel Islands. Condor Ferries and Manche Iles Express are the two main ferry operators.

There are 4 ferries per week running from Poole (4h sailing), 6 ferries per week running from Portsmouth (9h sailing), 14 ferries per week running from St Malo (1.5h sailing), 5 ferries per week running from Guernsey (1h sailing), 1 ferry per week running from Granville (1h &15min sailing) and 4 ferries per week running from Carteret (1h &15min sailing).

You can find useful information about ferries and alternative routes on Direct Ferries website, but it doesn’t always provide the cheapest prices so it might be worth booking directly with the ferry companies.

You will need to have at least a photo ID if you are travelling from the UK and a passport if you are travelling from France.

By Car

I would recommend hiring a car if you would like to explore the island at your own pace. Car hire is available at the airport and St Hellier. It is always advisable to book in advance for the best prices. It will cost around £50 per day.

Driving is on the left side of the road, as in the UK and signage follows UK Highway Code standards, however, there is a Jersey Highway Code with a few differences. The maximum speed limit on any Jersey road is 40mph (64 km/h) and is frequently lower. If you intend to bring your own vehicle, check your insurance, as some UK & EU motor policies don’t cover the Channel Islands. Ferry prices can also be quite high, so if you are staying only for a few days, it might be better to rent.

Check the link below to book and compare car rental prices.

By Bike

Due to its small size and relatively gentle terrain, hiring a bicycle is a great way of exploring the island. There are many cycle routes that can be found on this cycle network map. You can hire a bike at the following Jersey Bike Hire near St Aubin or Lakeys in St Hellier. More information regarding bike hire can be found on the Jersey tourism website.

By Taxi

It might be ideal if you don’t want to rent a car, as the island is very small and the distances are short. but it is not cheap.

Public taxis are meter controlled. There are three rate tariffs that may be applied by both public rank taxis and pre-booked cabs, depending on the time and day.

By Bus

There is a good and extensive bus network connecting most places and main attractions in Jersey. LibertyBus is the public bus operator in Jersey with a number of routes. It also provides the Discover Jersey Pass (1-day, 2-day, 3-day or 7-day passes).

The best place to go for a meal is St. Helier with many good restaurants, but you can also enjoy a meal at the seaside villages of Gorey, St Aubin or St Brelade. There are also some nice seafood cafes in various coastal locations around the island. Below you can find a list of some of the best cafes & restaurants in Jersey.

Best restaurants in Jersey

• Bohemia Bar & Restaurant: Fine dining in St Helier
• Roseville Bistro: French restaurant with great seafood in Havre Des Pas area of St Helier
• Bistro Rosa: Beautiful seafood restaurant in the centre of St Helier
• Quayside Bistro & Grill: Stylish restaurant overlooking the marina of St Helier
• La Taverne: Great food and attentive staff in St Helier
• Sumas Restaurant: Great restaurant overlooking the bay of Gorey
• The Dolphin Hotel & Restaurant: A decent hotel restaurant in Gorey
• Le Braye Cafe: Nice cafe offering pub food on St Ouen’s Bay overlooking La Rocco Tower

You can check the location of these restaurants on this map.

Local Cuisine

• Dairy products from the Jersey cow (milk, butter)
• Jersey royal potatoes
• Seafood, particularly oysters, crab and lobster

1. Gorey and Mont Orgueil Castle

Mont Orgueil Castle (or Gorey Castle) is one of the most famous of Jersey’s sights. It is an impressive medieval fortress, built in the 13th century above the picturesque seaside village of Gorey. There are towers, halls and exhibitions to explore within the castle grounds and it provides some great views of Grouville Bay.

Gorey is a charming seaside village with an attractive harbour full of fishing boats and yachts and a promenade with a small number of hotels, shops and restaurants. You can walk on the Gorey Pier which provides nice views of the castle and the village.

2. Visit and relax on one of the beaches and bays on the island

Jersey has a beautiful coastline with many nice beaches and picturesque bays to explore. You can explore the bays and beaches on the north coast of Jersey, which is known for its rugged cliffs and amazing scenery.

The most popular beach on the island is St Brelade‘s beach and also the beautiful Beauport beach on the south coast. On the north coast, the most beautiful beaches are the popular beach of Greve de Lecq and the stunning Plemont beach.

More information below.

3. Elizabeth Castle

Elizabeth Castle is one of Jersey’s major historic monuments, built in the 16th century, and it played a key role in the Civil War and WWII. The fortifications include an Upper, Lower and Outer Ward and also two museums that can be explored by visitors. It can be visited on foot via a 1km causeway at low tide or by the amphibian castle ferry at any time.

4. La Corbiere Lighthouse

This 19th century lighthouse is one of the best sights in Jersey at any time, but it is worth visiting at low tide to enjoy the dramatic rocky seascape. It is only accessible on foot via a causeway at low tide and there is a siren to warn visitors when the tide is near. The lighthouse is closed to the public but you can arrange a walking tour in advance to go inside. The lighthouse is also a great spot to watch sunsets.

5. Visit Jersey’s capital St. Helier.

More information below.

6. Have a stroll at St Aubin.

St Aubin is a small picturesque harbour to the west of St Aubin’s bay. It is a pretty place to go for a seaside stroll or coffee. You can also walk to St Aubin’s fort out at sea during low tide, although it is closed to the public.

7. Enjoy the unique Jersey seascape

Jersey is the best place to enjoy tides. You can walk to one of the most famous landmarks at low tide (e. g. St Aubin’s Fort, Seymour Tower or La Rocco Tower).

You can also enjoy the fascinating rocky seascape of La Rocque Harbour during low tide.

8. Jersey War Tunnels

Jersey War Tunnels is one of the most popular attractions in Jersey. It is an unfinished massive network of tunnels built during the 5-year German occupation of the island by prisoners of war and used as barracks and protection against Allied bombardment. Later it was converted into an emergency hospital for casualties of the war. The exhibition brings to life the story of the island under Nazi occupation during WWII.

Entrance Price: £16 (children £10).

9. Visit the ancient site of La Hougue Bie

The ancient site includes a burial mound with a passage grave from around 3500 BC. It is one of the largest and oldest passage graves in Europe. There is also a watchtower at the top of the mound.

La Hougue Bie Museum offers geological and archaeological exhibits including weapons and coins from one of the oldest Neolithic structures.

10. Noirmont Point

Noirmont Point is a WWII site to the southwest of St Aubin that offers nice views toward St Aubin’s bay to the east and Portelet beach to the west. It includes a gun battery and an observation tower, remains of the Nazi occupation of the island.

11. Jersey Zoo

Jersey Zoo is a small well-run zoo and conservation program, well worth a visit. It was founded by naturalist Gerald Durrell with an emphasis on the conservation and breeding of endangered species. The zoo is well spaced out and the enclosures are really well proportioned but don’t expect to see large mammals (like elephants and lions) and you won’t be disappointed.

Entrance Price: £18 (children £14).

1. Gorey

Gorey is a charming seaside village with an attractive harbour full of fishing boats and yachts and a promenade with a small number of hotels, shops and restaurants. You can walk on the Gorey Pier which provides nice views of the castle and the village.

Best things to do in Gorey are obviously a visit to Mont Orgueil Castle and a visit to Gorey beach (or Longbeach), located about an 8min walk to the south of Gorey village.

There is a nice viewpoint if you take the footpath up to the top of the village from the castle.

2. St Helier

St Helier is a port town and the capital of the island and most of the residents live here. It’s a great base to explore the rest of the island and provides some good visitor attractions, museums (like the Maritime Museum and Jersey Museum and Art Gallery), shops, markets, a marina and the beautiful Elizabeth Castle.

Some other points of interest include the Liberation and Royal Square, the pedestrian streets of King & Queen St and the Regent Fort where you can enjoy fine views of the city and the whole bay. You can also visit the attractive Havre Des Pas Bathing Pool and Lido area. A walk is included on the following map.

Best Things to Do in St Hellier

1. Visit the Elizabeth Castle
2. Stroll the pedestrian streets and Royal Square.
3. Visit the Central & Fish Market.
4. Go shopping on King Street
5. Enjoy the view from Regent Fort
6. Take a walk at the marina & the waterfront
7. Visit the Havre Des Pas Bathing Pool and Lido
8. Visit the Maritime Museum (exhibits of Jersey’s maritime history as one of the largest shipbuilding centres in Europe)
9. Visit the Jersey Museum & Art Gallery (Interesting displays of Jersey life, from Ice Age to present times)

3. St Brelade

St Brelade is the most popular beach resort on the island surrounded by a nice promenade with souvenir shops, hotels and seaside cafes. It has a beautiful sandy beach with clear blue waters and it is the most organised offering sunbeds and watersport activities and it is ideal for families with children. At its western end is the 11th-century Church of St Brelade, made of pink granite.

4. St Aubin

St Aubin is a small picturesque harbour to the west of St Aubin’s bay. It is a pretty place to go for a seaside stroll or coffee. You can also walk to St Aubin’s fort out at sea during low tide, although it is closed to the public.

5. Rozel

A picturesque tiny harbour on the north coast of the island, with fishermen’s cottages and a small beach with a pier. You can enjoy a crab sandwich at the Hungry Man cafe at the pier.

There are many lovely beaches and scenic bays to explore throughout Jersey’s stunning coastline. You can tour Jersey’s north shore, which is renowned for its craggy cliffs and beautiful landscape.

Both the stunning Beauport beach and St. Brelade’s beach on the south coast are among the most popular beaches on the island. Greve de Lecq beach and Plemont beach are the two most gorgeous beaches on the north coast.

Swimming is possible in Jersey but the water can be quite cold even in summertime.

Below is a list of the best beaches and bays on the island.

1. St Brelade’s Bay

St Brelade beach is the most popular beach on the island surrounded by a nice promenade with souvenir shops, hotels and seaside cafes. It is a beautiful sandy beach with clear blue waters and it is the most organised offering sunbeds and watersport activities and it is ideal for families with children.

2. Greve de Lecq

This is the most popular beach on the north coast of the island with fine sand, some cafes and a tiny harbour with a jetty to the west that provides nice views.

3. Plemont Beach

Plemont beach is one of the most beautiful, unspoilt beaches of Jersey with fine sand and surrounded by green hills. Accessible on foot via a cliff path and steps from the car park above the bay. It is full of rock pools and caves to explore at low tide. There is also a nice cafe for something to eat.

4. St Ouen’s Bay

It is the longest bay in Jersey (4 miles) located to the west of the island. It is a great place to enjoy watersports and particularly surfing. There are various towers along the coast and also La Rocco Tower out to sea.

You can also visit the Jersey Pearl showroom if you are interested.

You can enjoy a panoramic view of St Ouen’s Bay from Battery Moltke (walk close to the cliffs).

5. Beauport Beach

Beauport is a lovely sandy beach located to the southwest of St Brelade’s bay with clear blue waters. It is accessible by a steep path from the car park.

6. Bouley Bay

A scenic pebble beach surrounded by green hills. It is located on the north coast of the island. Nice views from the jetty.

7. Portelet Beach

Portelet beach is a pretty little beach with soft sand surrounded by cliffs that can be reached by long steps. There is a tiny island with a tower out at sea, accessible only at low tide.

8. Grouville Bay & Gorey Beach

This is a long bay to the east of the island with the Royal Jersey Golf Course at the back and Fort Henry that provides nice views of the coast.

Gorey beach (or Longbeach) is located about an 8min walk to the south of Gorey village.

9. La Roque Harbour

This is a picturesque place at low tide. You can walk to the jetty and enjoy views of the rocky seascape, reefs and rock pools and the Seymour Tower out at sea.

10. Bonne Nuit

A small bay with some fishing boats and a beach, but not really for swimming. Nice for a walk at the pier or lunch at the Thai Cafe.

11. St Aubin’s Bay

St Aubin’s Bay is a long bay on the south coast of Jersey between St Helier and St Aubin. There is a path to walk or cycle the whole stretch while enjoying the views of the sea & Elizabeth Castle.

12. Le Hocq & Green Island Beach

Nice seascape with lots of rock pools to explore at low tide.

13. Anne Port

A small beach on the east coast, north of Mount Orgueil Castle. It is a sandy and pebble beach popular with swimmers at high tide. There is limited parking.

14. Archirondel Beach

Small pebble beach with the Archirondel tower on the north side. There is a limited amount of parking, some toilet facilities and a nice cafe.

15. Havre des Pas

Havre des Pas is the main beach of St. Helleir with a charming promenade, cafes, a lido, and a tidal pool that becomes accessible during low tide.

You can click on the map below for the location of the best sights, restaurants & hotels, as well as best villages and beaches to visit in Jersey. The map also includes practical information, best viewpoints and routes on the island.

To save the map, make sure you are logged in to your Google account, then click on the star to the right of the title. To locate the map go to your Google Maps app (or Account), click on ‘Saved’ (or ‘Your Places’), and select ‘Maps’.

It is worth staying on the island at least for 3-4 days if you want to explore it and visit most of the sights. The following itinerary includes things to do for 3 days on the island.

Day 1

• Visit the Jersey War Tunnels
• Have a stroll at the beautiful St Aubin harbour
• Enjoy the views from the Noirmont Point
• Soak up the sun at St Brelade’s beach and have lunch
• Enjoy the sea at Beauport Beach
• Visit La Corbiere Lighthouse
• Have a coffee at Le Braye cafe overlooking La Rocco Tower
• Photo stop at the beautiful St Ouen’s Bay
• Enjoy a panoramic view of St Ouen’s Bay from Battery Moltke (walk close to the cliffs)

Day 2

• Visit Elizabeth Castle on foot or by ferry depending on the tide
• Have a stroll at the St Helier town centre and visit the Regent Fort to enjoy views of the town
• Visit the Lido area
• Photo stop at Green Island Beach and Le Hocq
• Enjoy the seabed at low tide at La Rocque harbour
• Visit the magnificent Mont Orgueil Castle
• Have a stroll at the picturesque Gorey harbour
• Photo stops at Anne Port & Archirondel beach
• Walk on St Catherine’s breakwater
• Optional visit of La Hougue Bie

Day 3

• Visit the seaside village of Rozel
• Optional visit to Jersey Zoo
• Photo stop at Bouley Bay
• Have a coffee at Bonne Nuit Pier
• Enjoy the views from Sorel Point
• Enjoy the sea at Greve de Lecq
• Visit the beautiful Plemont Beach
• Visit Grosnez castle

You can find the driving routes for the above itinerary on the following clickable map.

Here is a list of the best viewpoint locations on the island where you enjoy great views.

1. Gorey Viewpoint
2. Battery Moltke
3. Fort Regent
4. Noirmont Point
5. Grosnez Castle: The remains of the 14th-century castle on a clifftop.
6. Sorel Point
7. Fort Henry
8. St Catherine’s Breakwater

You can check these viewpoint locations and the best photo spots on the island on the following map.

Photo Gallery

Hiking

There are various hiking trails around the island. Some of the most popular trails are highlighted below:

• Jersey Coastal Path runs around the entire coast, although sections are on roads or pavement.
• North Coast: The cliffs of the north coast is the most scenic part of Jersey to hike (especially from L’Etacq to Rozel Bay). More information about the 5 walks can be found here.
• South Coast: Some interesting walks are walking to the various forts out at sea accessible only at low tide, e.g. St Aubins Fort, Elizabeth Castle, Seymour Tower.
• An easy hike is a footpath that follows the route of the old Jersey Railway line running from St Helier to St Aubin around the bay, and it can be extended up to Corbière Lighthouse.

Cycling

There is a 96-mile cycle network around the island. There is a variety of cycle routes that can be found on this cycle network map. You can rent a bike at the following Jersey Bike Hire neat St Aubin or Lakeys in St Hellier. More information regarding bike hire can be found on the Jersey tourism website.

Watersports

St Ouen’s bay is the best place for surfing. There are various surf clubs that provide surf equipment and also surf lessons. You can also do paddle boarding, waterskiing, and canoeing.

Golf

There are 6 golf courses on the island. The most famous are the Royal Jersey Golf Club at Gorey, La Moye Golf Club at St Brelade and St Clements just east of St Helier.

For Kids

• aMaizin! Adventure Park: A great children’s attraction that combines an adventure park, a pet farm with animals, tobogganing, go-kart racing, go-crazy golfing and a corn maze (the Maize Maze).
• Jersey Zoo: More info above.

More information regarding Tours and Activities can be found here.

Visit the neighbouring island of Guernsey

You can take the ferry and visit the neighbouring Channel island of Guernsey for a day or for a longer stay, There are 5 sailings per week between Jersey and Guernsey operated by 2 ferry companies. The Condor Ferries service runs once per week with a sailing duration of around 1 hour while the Manche Iles Express service runs up to 4 times per week with a duration of 1 hour 20 minutes.

You can also get to Guernsey by plane with Blue Islands for a day trip or a longer stay but it is a lot more expensive.

Trip to France (St Malo or Carteret or Granville)

You can combine your stay in Jersey with a visit to neighbouring France. You can take the ferry and visit St Malo, Granville or Carteret for the day or for a longer stay. However, ferry prices are not cheap, even for a foot passenger.

Condor Voyager will get you to St Malo in Brittany, France in 1 hour and 25 minutes. There 5 sailings per week.

Manche Iles Express runs ferries between Jersey and Carteret & Granville.

More information about excursions & tours in Jersey can be found here.

Check the following video slideshow to get further inspiration to visit Jersey:-)

Main destination for souvenir shopping is St Hellier and mainly on the pedestrian street of King St. There are also souvenir shops in St Brelade & Gorey. Popular souvenirs include a Jersey flag magnet, jewellery with pearls, unique local pottery, homemade fudge and the famous knitwear.

You can check the following posts:

• Best Beaches & Bays in Jersey
• Best things to do in Jersey

Other useful websites for more information about Jersey:

• Jersey.com: The main travel website about Jersey that provides a lot of useful information.

Some good travel guides to buy before your visit to Jersey:

• The Mini Rough Guide to Jersey: This pocket-sized guide is a convenient, quick-reference companion to discovering what to do, what to see and how to get around Jersey.
• Insight Guides Great Breaks Jersey: Explore the best of Jersey with this unique travel guide, packed full of insider information and stunning images

• Flights: I always use Skyscanner as my first choice as it’s so easy to use and you can search best deals by month. Momondo is another very good search engine as well as Google Flights.
• Accommodation: I always use Booking.com as my first choice, as it offers a great choice of accommodation at affordable prices and it’s so easy to use. Airbnb is a great alternative for homes and apartments to rent by real homeowners. HotelsCombined is one of the best search engines to check deals from different websites.
• Ferries: Condor Ferries and Manche Iles Express are the two main ferry operators.
• Car Rental: I always check Skyscanner for the cheapest car rental options. Discover Cars is also a good and easy-to-use website with great prices.
• Public Transport: LibertyBus is the public bus operator in Jersey with a variety of routes.
• Day Trips & Tours: Viator provides the most comprehensive list of day trips and you can book directly with them. GetYourGuide is also a great place to search for tours & activities to do.
• Travel Insurance: SafetyWing is a great choice for long-term travellers and digital nomads. Alternatively, you can use one of the price comparison websites for cheaper quotes.
• Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, and at no extra cost to you, I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping this site running and ad-free.

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