What to do in Saint-Malo

Activities, attractions and tours
Saint-Malo
Saint-Malo featuring food
Saint-Malo showing heritage elements and general coastal views
Saint-Malo showing art
St. Malo Beach which includes a bay or harbour, heritage elements and general coastal views

Saint-Malo Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Saint-Malo has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Saint-Malo is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Saint-Malo to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Saint-Malo Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Saint-Malo.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Saint-Malo attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Top places to visit

1. Saint-Malo Ferry Port

Stand on the deck of a ship as you drift slowly into Saint-Malo Ferry Port. This port, a gateway to the city of Saint-Malo and the surrounding region of Brittany, welcomes a regular stream of boats from the Channel Islands and Portsmouth in the U.K. The port is equipped to deal with a high turnover of visitors and features an array of modern conveniences to make visitors’ trips as smooth as possible.
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Sail into a modern and well-equipped port that gives you access to the historical towns and beautiful beaches of northern Brittany.

2. St. Malo Beach

There is something remarkable about sunbathing on the sand of St. Malo Beach surrounded by the rustic backdrop of the city ramparts and an island fortress. At low tide, the water appears to drain away completely and you can walk to Fort National. Enjoy fresh seafood from one of the many restaurants at the back of the beach with a view of the English Channel.
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St. Malo Beach which includes a bay or harbour, heritage elements and general coastal views

3. St. Malo Citadel

The St. Malo Citadel is the part of Old Town surrounded by medieval ramparts, a restored wonder that has been brought back to life in the wake of World War II bombings. It stands proudly against the edge of the ocean, indicating the port’s long and exhilarating history. Explore Saint-Malo’s historic center by striding around the ramparts and exploring the sights hidden within the citadel.
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The Old Town of Saint-Malo is one giant fortification, surrounded by medieval ramparts and housing historic churches and stunning castles.

4. Grand Aquarium

Meet a marvelous group of marine animals in the Grand Aquarium of Saint-Malo. Over 600 species live in this engaging family attraction. Spot seahorses hiding in the kelp and giant Japanese crabs scuttling across the seabed. Board an underwater vessel and travel beneath the water for close encounters with all of these weird and wonderful creatures for an exhilarating day out in Saint-Malo.
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Peer into the watery depths at this entertaining aquarium that takes you on underwater excursions and lets you get close to marine creatures.

5. Fort National

Fort National is an extraordinary structure built on a tiny island next to Saint-Malo. The acclaimed military architect Vauban constructed the fort at the end of the 17th century to protect the city’s prosperous port. Learn about the intriguing history of this granite structure, as you peruse its rooms and walls.
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Fort National which includes heritage elements as well as a couple

6. Grand Be

The Grand Bé is a serene tidal island known as the burial place of 18th-century French writer Chateaubriand. The picturesque islet connects to the walled city of Saint-Malo via a sandy causeway at low tide. Hike around the circumference of this charming rocky island.
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Walk to this scenic island at low tide and embark on a romantic pilgrimage to the tomb of one of France’s greatest writers.

7. St. Vincent Cathedral

Look toward the Old Town of Saint-Malo and the first landmark you will see is St. Vincent Cathedral, a magnificent church topped by a long, narrow spire. A building rich in history and symbolism, the cathedral is one of the most treasured sights in town. Admire its stunning architecture from outside and then head inside to see its magnificent stained-glass windows and other artistic delights.
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Marvel at this medieval church, which though once in ruins, has been beautifully restored and is now one of the most iconic sights in Saint-Malo.

8. Grande Plage

The Grande Plage, or Large Beach, of Saint-Malo is often listed as one of the finest beaches in the country. Visit the sandy shoreline and you’ll soon realize why it’s so beloved. Calm waters are sheltered by a medieval fortress to the west and a peninsula to the east, with a charming row of houses and hotels lining the waterfront.
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Spend a day at Saint-Malo’s lovely beach, enjoying watersports and basking in the sun. You’ll discover why it is rated one of the most beautiful beaches in France.
Beautiful view of the beach with palm trees

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What to do in Saint-Malo

Discover the most popular places to visit in Saint-Malo

Saint-Malo Ferry Port

Saint-Malo Ferry Port

4/5(10 reviews)

Sail into a modern and well-equipped port that gives you access to the historical towns and beautiful beaches of northern Brittany.

Saint-Malo Ferry Port
St. Malo Beach which includes a bay or harbour, heritage elements and general coastal views

St. Malo Beach

5/5(13 reviews)

Make your way across the various stretches of sand and the islands dotted around this quaint town on the English Channel.

St. Malo Beach
St. Malo Citadel

St. Malo Citadel

4.5/5(25 reviews)

The Old Town of Saint-Malo is one giant fortification, surrounded by medieval ramparts and housing historic churches and stunning castles.

St. Malo Citadel
Grand Aquarium

Grand Aquarium

Peer into the watery depths at this entertaining aquarium that takes you on underwater excursions and lets you get close to marine creatures.

Grand Aquarium
Port of Saint-Malo

Port of Saint-Malo

4.5/5(18 reviews)

Explore the waterfront in Saint-Malo with a trip to Port of Saint-Malo. Amble around this family-friendly area's beautiful beaches and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Port of Saint-Malo
Fort National which includes heritage elements as well as a couple

Fort National

5/5(6 reviews)

Stroll across the sand at low tide to reach this historic island fortress and learn about its fascinating military past.

Fort National
St. Vincent Cathedral

St. Vincent Cathedral

4.5/5(11 reviews)

Marvel at this medieval church, which though once in ruins, has been beautifully restored and is now one of the most iconic sights in Saint-Malo.

St. Vincent Cathedral
Grande Plage

Grande Plage

5/5(1 review)

Spend a day at Saint-Malo’s lovely beach, enjoying watersports and basking in the sun. You’ll discover why it is rated one of the most beautiful beaches in France.

Grande Plage
Solidor Tower

Solidor Tower

Learn about the local history of Saint-Malo when you spend time at Solidor Tower. Wander the beautiful beaches and waterfront in the area.

Solidor Tower

Explore areas of Saint-Malo

St. Malo Beach featuring heritage elements, general coastal views and a bay or harbor

Intra Muros

4.5/5(14 area reviews)

Cafes, historic sites, and waterfront views are some highlights of Intra Muros. Make a stop by St. Vincent Cathedral or St. Malo Citadel while you're exploring.

Intra Muros
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Courtoisville-Sillon-Moka

5/5(10 area reviews)

The beaches and seaside views are top of the list for many visitors to Courtoisville-Sillon-Moka. A stop by Grande Plage or Sillon Beach might round out your trip.

Courtoisville-Sillon-Moka
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Rocabey - Alsace - Gare

Some popular features of Rocabey - Alsace - Gare include its waterfront views and historic sites. If you're in the mood to explore farther, Sillon Beach or Port of Saint-Malo are worth checking out in the surrounding nearby area.

Rocabey - Alsace - Gare
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Saint-Servan

Waterfront views, historic sites, and restaurants are just a few things travelers enjoy about Saint-Servan. Check out Plage de Solidor or Plage des Corbières while you're exploring the area.

Saint-Servan
Sunset

Rothéneuf-Le Pont

You'll enjoy the museums and historic sites in Rothéneuf-Le Pont. You might want to make time for a stop at Havre de Rothéneuf or Île Besnard.

Rothéneuf-Le Pont
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Espérance-Cottages

While Espérance-Cottages might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Grande Plage and Plage de La Hoguette.

Espérance-Cottages

 

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Day trip destinations from Saint-Malo

Dinard

Dinard

Photo "Saint-Meloir-des-Ondes" by chisloup (CC BY) / Cropped from original
Photo by chisloup (CC BY)

Saint-Meloir-des-Ondes

Photo by Justine Deicmane

Rotheneuf