Luxury Holiday Homes in Porthleven

Surfing is popular in Porthleven, but the conditions here are only suitable for seasoned surfers. The waves are powerful, breaking onto a barnacle-encrusted reef that's shallow and uneven. Be sure to take care when surfing near the exposed rocks that pepper the beach.

Porthleven is a bona fide foodie haven. You’ll find a plethora of restaurants, pubs and cafés to suit all tastes, with some boasting Michelin awards. Amelie’s has featured in The Times’ Top 20 Places to Eat Seafood by the Sea. Fusing Mediterranean cuisine with flavours inspired by the Cornish coast, this popular eatery also impresses with its panoramic terrace views.

Just around the corner, you’ll find Kota. This exceptional fish restaurant is renowned by many food connoisseurs and has appeared in the Michelin Guide, the Good Food Guide, and Harden’s Restaurant Guide, to name a few. Its sister restaurant, Kota Kai, is found a few steps down the street and brings an equally tasty menu that’s popular with families.

You can find good pub food with sea views at The Ship and the Harbour Inn, while some of the town’s celebrated cafés include Harbour View, Nauti But Ice, and Dan Dan the Lobster Man. 

Take a look at our full blog post for ideas on where to eat in Porthleven.

A walk along the coastal path from Porthleven Harbour to Loe Bar is a must. Once you’ve crossed the clifftops and secluded beaches, you’ll arrive at The Loe – the largest natural freshwater lake in Cornwall. Covering 50 hectares, the large body of water is separated from the sea by a sandy beach. The looping trail around the lake itself passes through woodland and over grassy fields, rewarding with far-reaching views and an abundance of wildlife along the way. On warm days, the waters either side of the sandbar can appear inviting, but be sure to stay on dry land, as both the lake and sea are dangerous.

Other great things to do in Porthleven include exploring the town’s galleries and shops, spending time on the beach, and eating in one of its many cafés, pubs and restaurants. The town regularly hosts events throughout the year. Among the most popular is the annual Porthleven Food Festival. The three-day event is free to attend and hosts a wealth of local stalls showcasing the town’s best food and drink alongside live music.

Porthleven is famous for being home to a collection of award-winning eateries. The harbour is lined with restaurants, pubs and cafés that serve everything from fine dining tasting menus to family meals and seaside snacks. The town is also well known for its spectacular storms. Photos of large waves breaking over the harbour walls and Porthleven’s landmark clocktower are often printed in news outlets across the country during periods of bad weather. As such, many of the town’s sea-view cafés and pubs are popular among storm-watchers.