48 Hours in Looe

There’s something wonderfully easy about a weekend in Looe. Settling on Cornwall’s south coast this traditional Cornish harbour town has a sheltered beach, natural beauty and lots of lovely places to eat out.

Romantic sojourn or family weekend, here’s how to spend 48 hours in Looe

Day One in Looe

Our top spot for a coffee

Start the first morning of your Looe holiday with a speciality coffee at Lammana (Looe’s not-so-best-kept secret anymore) which tucks into a quiet lane on Buller Quay.

Explore the town’s old streets, browse little shops, peek into hidden alleyways and experience Looe as the locals do.

The best Cornish pasty?

We’ll let you decide. Nothing beats a proper Cornish pasty for lunch and you won’t find a better one in Looe than from Sarah’s Pasty Shop on Buller Street. Find a bench overlooking the water and soak up the scene of boats gliding in and out of the harbour.

Photo Credit: Lammana Coffee Shop

Holiday Cottages In Looe

Pirates and Scoundrels tour

Looe may be charming now but back in the 17th Century it was overrun by Barbary pirates. Spend the afternoon with a 90-minute Smugglers and Skullduggery walk with Looe Walking Tours. Hear stories about the characters who lived here, the history of the smuggling trade and the families who controlled the shores

Greek food on the water’s edge

Round the day off with a riverside dinner at Greek restaurant Yamas.

The setting feels relaxed but vibrant, with cocktails and authentic Greek cuisine on the menu. Try the spanakopita — crisp pastry filled with cheese, drizzled with honey and scattered with black sesame — before moving onto pitta gyros or one of the generous Greek sharing plates.

Day Two in Looe

Italian coffee in Cornwall

Begin your second morning at La Piccola, a fab little Italian deli in the centre of town. Try a pistachio-and-chocolate cannoli alongside your cortado before heading off to the charming neighbouring fishing village of Polperro.

Photo credit: La Piccola in Looe

Visit the pretty village of Polperro

If you love a good walk or you’re visiting Looe with dogs, you may want to try walking the stunning 5-mile route from Looe to Polperro along the South West Coast Path.

Talland Bay pitstop

If you’d prefer something easier, it’s a 10-minute drive by car. Stop in at Talland Bay for a paddle or a swim before grabbing a casual lunch at the beachside café.

Things to do in Polperro

Polperro itself is an idyllic little village with a completely different atmosphere to Looe’s. It’s smaller for one, and has a more maze-like layout with narrow streets, small lanes and alleyways. It’s utterly charming, with the River Pol running alongside down to the harbour.

Stop in at The Three Pilchards for a drink and some of the best views in the village and stop by Plantation Tea Rooms for a cream tea on your way back to your car.

Our top travel tip for visiting Polperro

Only residents may drive into village, so on arrival, you will need to use the car park at the top of town (about a 10-minute walk). The pay machine only accepts coins so do bring change. For £3 you may opt for the Tuk Tuk shuttle service which now runs down to town and back.

You can choose to be dropped off at Zone 2 (near the Doctors Surgery) for £2.50 or Zone 3 (near the Model Village) for £3 – and you can return to the carpark (Zone 1) from either location.

Prices are one way & payable in either cash or card.

Photo Credit: Talland Bay Cafe

Evening Dining in Looe

End your weekend with a beautiful seafood supper on the west side of the river, at The Sardine Factory. You may remember head chef Ben Palmer won the BBC’s Great British Menu in 2024 with his golden beetroot starter Firefly. You’ll enjoy a menu of mouth-watering dishes that include Market Fish Tacos and Crab Linguine, all while watching the harbour settle into evening.

Other things to do

If you can squeeze it into your weekend, spend an afternoon at Looe Valley Vineyard. Open between Easter and October, the vineyard offers self-guided tours through the vines before inviting guests to unwind on the covered terrace with a glass of wine overlooking the countryside. It’s tranquil, wonderfully rural and makes a lovely add-on to your Looe weekend. Do remember to book ahead of your stay as it can get busy during the warmer months.

Photo credit: The Sardine Factory in Looe

Visiting Looe with Children or Dogs

Hannafore Beach is one of the area’s best spots for rock pooling. At low tide, the rocky shoreline reveals pools filled with tiny crabs, fish, starfish and sea anemones. During school holidays, Looe Marine Conservation often runs guided rockpool rambles which are particularly popular with younger visitors.

Polperro makes a particularly lovely stop for families and dog owners. Pick up an ice cream from Nanny Duck’s before heading down to the dog-friendly beach where children can explore the rock pools and paddle safely in calmer waters.

For something a little more high-energy to do with older children, Adrenalin Quarry is around a twenty-minute drive from town.
With zip wires, giant swings and water-based activities, it offers a completely different side to Cornwall’s outdoor scene.