St Malo day trips and overnight stays

Booking a same-day return? A few hours in St Malo can feel like a lot more! Here's how to make the most of your trip before you head back feeling like you've had a proper break.

St Malo's history runs deep, from its days as a notorious pirate stronghold to the elegant port city it is today. Walk the ramparts for sweeping sea views, duck into the Saint-Vincent Cathedral, or find your own quiet corner of the old town to sip a café au lait and take it all in.

Then, eat well (you're in France, after all). Make time for a proper sit-down lunch, whether that's a buckwheat galette in a sun-lit bistro or fresh moules on the harbour. St Malo's food scene punches well above its size. Don't leave without trying something local.

Fancy a little retail therapy? The boutiques inside the walled city are worth a browse. Pick up something to bring home — local biscuits, Breton ceramics, a bottle of cider — and you've got the souvenir sorted.

St Malo is easy to fall in love with, and an overnight stay gives you the chance to fall a little deeper.

With the morning sailing from Jersey, you've got the whole afternoon to settle in. Check into your hotel, wander the ramparts without the day-tripper rush, and find a table for dinner somewhere that deserves your time.

At night, the old town's narrow streets quieten, the restaurants fill with locals, and the harbour glows. It feels like a different city.

A morning in St Malo is something special. A slow breakfast, one last walk along the walls, a final coffee before you head back to catch the ferry. That's what overnight gets you.

Check the DFDS schedule to find the crossings that works for you.

Find hotels in St Malo on Booking.com.