By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 25th July 2023 | Updated: 13th December 2024
9 miles by 5 miles, home to one of the largest tidal ranges in the world, war defence bunkers and some rather cute cows, the pocket-sized island of Jersey with its blend of English and French influence is one of the most beautiful places you can visit in the whole of the British Isles. (It is also the place where we chose to get married!)
Not only is Jersey known for all of the above, but it has a stunning National Park just waiting to be hiked through, ancient ruins to discover, with some older than the pyramids in Egypt, and some of the freshest seafood and Jersey Royal potatoes you will ever try. So, do you fancy a long weekend in Jersey?
📍 Day 1 – St Helier & the Jersey War Tunnels
📍 Day 2 – St Brelades Bay, La Corbière & Le Braye
📍 Day 3 – Les Mielles Nature Reserve, Plémont & Churchill Memorial Park
📍 Day 4 – St Brelades Bay, Ouaisne Beach & St Aubin
Planning Your Trip? Use our favourite travel resources below:
Accommodation: We recommend Booking.com
Rental Car: We recommend Rentalcars.com
Flights: We recommend Kiwi.com
Tours: We recommend Get Your Guide & Viator
Currency Conversion: We recommend Wise
Travel Insurance: World Nomads
How to Spend a Long Weekend in Jersey: The Perfect Jersey Itinerary
For this Jersey itinerary we didn’t venture much to the northeast or east of the island as, quite honestly, there was simply too much to see and do everywhere else we visited. But don’t let that stop you from venturing there, you can easily spend a day hiking along the east coast from Mont Orgueil Castle south to Seymour Tower taking in the beaches along the way.
How to Spend a Long Weekend in Jersey: The Perfect Jersey Itinerary – Day 1 St Helier and the Jersey War Tunnels
Start the day off in the capital of Jersey, St Helier. The only town in Jersey, and with over a third of the population of the entire island living there, St Helier is the bustling heart of Jersey with easy access to the rest of the island and out for day trips to the neighbouring islands.
Begin at the Old Harbour and walk along the marinas at South Hill which are lovely to have a wander past before taking in the vast beach views at Havre des Pas or out to Elizabeth Castle. Here you may also come across a few beautiful artworks along the St Helier Art Trail, during our visit, one was being painted and it was impressive, to say the least!
Next head into the town away from the shoreline and explore the historic town taking in the sights at Royal Square and the Town Hall to name a few, as well as stumbling upon a few statues, including the rather fun ‘Toad (Crapaud) on a Column’. To learn all about the history of the island of Jersey, and the interesting liberation of the island, then be sure to head to Jersey Museum, Art Gallery and Victorian House and the Maritime Museum and Occupation Tapestry Gallery.
After exploring as much or as little of St Helier as you desire head out to the Jersey War Tunnels, just a 10-minute drive by car, or 30-minute bus from the Liberation Station bus depo. Be sure to set aside a few hours of time to visit the Jersey War Tunnels, they are a lot larger and more informative and interactive than you might think, so will easily take up a few hours of your day. Also, be aware that it can get rather cold down there so even if it is a warm day, you might need a jacket.
If you have hired a car or brought your own to Jersey, it is easy to get to the Tunnels with plenty of parking available but is just as easy to get there via bus 8 or 28. It is also easy to get to via bicycle as it is located along Cycle Route 4.
Where to eat in St Helier
📍 The Square has some of the best scallops and cocktails you will find on the island
📍 JB’s Brewhouse is great for BBQ’d grub, burgers or brunch all with a side of playing ping pong, and it also has Jersey’s largest collection of craft beer.
📍 Seafish Café in Liberation Square is home to one of the best fish and chips in St Helier
How to Spend a Long Weekend in Jersey: The Perfect Jersey Itinerary – Day 2 St Brelades Bay, La Corbière & Le Braye
Day two of the Jersey itinerary and it is all about exploring the stunning south and west coast of Jersey on foot. Take the day to hike around the coast path from St Brelades Bay, via La Corbière to La Braye. From start to end this hike is roughly 8.5km and takes around 3 hours to complete, without stops at the beaches on route.
Starting at St Brelades Bay, head west along the beach towards the small St Brelades Parish Church, where you will then head up onto the hillside behind. It is worth a detour to Le Coleron Battery here for some wonderful and very hidden views that take you up past the mini harbour wall. After walking up and through open fields and woodland you will reach Beauport Car Park, where from you can either continue along the coast path towards the Memorial Stone or stop for a dip at Beauport Beach.
From here you just keep following the coast path, past stunning bays which are only accessible by boat like Fiquet Bay, through an old quarry, past numerous German navel relics and across moorland alive with the buzzing of bees. There are a few places where the path isn’t particularly clear but as long as you keep the sea to your right and head towards the lighthouse you will find your way!
Upon reaching La Corbière stop for a well-deserved ice cream overlooking the bay and the aforementioned lighthouse, where you may even be lucky enough to see dolphins swimming. On certain days, and during particularly low tides, you can walk out to the lighthouse along the causeway, so if this is something you want to do, check the tide times before you go.
After taking in the view, follow the road down the hill heading towards Petit Port Beach, from where you can then walk around the headland to reach St Ouens Bay or walk up and over the headland visiting La Sergente Tomb en route. La Sergente Tomb is a Neolithic grave built around 6500 years ago and although small, is a well-preserved piece of Jersey history well worth the climb up. From here head down to the very end of St Ouens Bay with expansive views up the coastline and La Rocco Tower in view.
Take a walk on the beach and grab a bite to eat in one of the cafes that overlook the bay before you can either hike back the way you came or hop on Bus 12 or Bus 22 back to St Brelades Bay.
Where to park in St Brelades Bay
🚐 Starting in St Brelades Bay, (if you haven’t stayed overnight in a hotel in the area), then there is parking at Woodford Car Park, Tam’s Car Park or Midbay Car Park.
Where to eat
📍 Real Jersey Dairy Ice Cream for local ice cream with a view
📍 Staks La Pulente for a tasty beachside bar and grill
📍 Jersey Crab Shack St Brelade for the best crab and seafood dishes in all of Jersey
If you are looking for even more things to do in Jersey then check out our post – The 30 Best Things to do in Jersey
How to Spend a Long Weekend in Jersey: The Perfect Jersey Itinerary – Day 3 Les Mielles Nature Reserve, Plémont & Churchill Memorial Park
For more views of the stunning Jersey National Park, day three of the long weekend in Jersey takes you to the north and west coasts of Jersey. This one-way walk from Les Mielles Nature Reserve to Plémont, (but it can be easily done the other way around as well), is roughly 6.5km taking a couple of hours to complete.
Hike from Les Mielles Nature Reserve along the picturesque beaches and up and along the coast taking in the scenery as you go, passing by the Battery Moltke with its gun pit and Le Pinacle before reaching Canal Du Squez, a nature reserve along the route of a stream filled with ancient artefacts with some of the most dramatic views of the island. After crossing the stream continue along the coastal paths past more German WWII bunkers and towers, including the impressive WWII German Naval Tower MP3, before reaching Grosnez Castle.
The ruins of the 14th-century castle, Grosnez Castle, are beautiful to walk around and have some of the most scenic views along this section of the coastline. They are also one of the best locations to come star gazing on the island, so if you are in Jersey the conditions are right for star gazing, be sure to head here! Grosnez Lighthouse is also a short walk from here which, although it’s not that impressive, has a lovely stepped walk down the side of the sea cliffs.
From Grosnez Castle continue along the coast paths to the east with views over to Plémont Beach along the whole way. This beach is a great place to stop and dip your toes in the sea if you fancy it when you reach this point! From Plémont you then take the final walk up to the cliffs in the east to find the Giant Puffin sculptures.
After taking in the views with the puffins it’s time to head back to St Brelades Bay and finish up the day by exploring Churchill Memorial Park, a beautiful little park hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby beach.
Where to park
🚐 This is a one-way walk so if you have a car with you, you will have to leave it at one end and get back to it later that day. We did this trip without a car so took a local taxi to St Ouens Bay before then taking a bus back to St Brelades Bay from Plémont. If you do want to drive then park in L’Etacq or Rue de Petit Plemont.
Where to eat
Eating options are numbered along this route, but there are a couple of good options:
📍 Faulkner Fisheries in La Porte are rather good and have incredible views
📍 Plémont Beach Café is great for a bite to eat at the beach
How to Spend a Long Weekend in Jersey: The Perfect Jersey Itinerary – Day 4 St Brelades Bay, Ouaisne Beach & St Aubin
For the last day of your weekend in Jersey itinerary take it slow with a gentle wander along St Brelades Bay east to Ouaisne Beach and Portelet Common.
Starting at St Brelades Bay, head east along the beach and up into the nearby woodland, (keep an eye out for squirrels here!), and out to a beautiful viewpoint over Ouasine Bay at a WWII German Gun Battery. From here follow along the coast path past the red and white striped Ouaisne Tower on Ouaisne Beach before reaching the small village of Le Quaisné. It is not a long walk, but a wonderful one to get your appetite up for some good English pub grub.
If you fancy walking a little further, then head further along the coast to Portlet Beach, (where there is a great little pizza place right on the beach), or even along to Noirmont Point, where there are even more WWII landmarks and relics. After this head back the way you came, stopping to grab an ice cream to take with you from Kismet Cabana.
From Quaisné you can also see, (and access at low tide) La Cotte de St Brelade which is an archaeological ravine filled with fossils and evidence of Neanderthals. It is also one of the oldest archaeological sites in Jersey with over 250,000 years of history.
Before finishing your time in Jersey, be sure to stop by St Aubin to take in the views across St Aubins Harbour and over to St Helier one last time, before heading off back to Jersey Airport or the ferry port after having spent a wonderful long weekend in Jersey.
Where to park in St Brelades Bay
🚐 Starting in St Brelades Bay, (if you haven’t stayed overnight in a hotel in the area), then there is parking at Woodford Car Park, Tam’s Car Park or Midbay Car Park. If you want to drive over towards Portlet and Noirmont rather than walk the whole way, then there is parking at Portlet Common.
Where to eat
📍 The Old Smugglers Inn for traditional English pub grub
📍 Portlet Bay Café for pizza
How to Spend a Long Weekend in Jersey: The Perfect Jersey Itinerary Map
If you are looking to visit a few heritage destinations across Jersey then be sure to get the Jersey Heritage Pass, which lets you get access to 4 attractions for the price of 3!
Where to stay in Jersey
Jersey has an extensive range of accommodation options across the island, from luxury hotels to campsites, glamping at the zoo to staying in an abandoned lighthouse, there really is something for everyone.
We could highly recommend staying at the Pomme d’Or Hotel, a centrally located hotel with a unique history and a rather famous balcony in St Helier, (they also have a secret cocktail bar in the basement which is incredible!). Another place we would recommend staying in is at L’Horizon Beach Hotel and Spa, a beachfront hotel in St Brelade’s Bay with some of the most beautiful views you can get from a hotel balcony.
Be sure to check out the below map for the best accommodation rates for your Jersey weekend.
Day trips from Jersey
Jersey has a number of incredible places that you can visit as day trips during a weekend in Jersey, be it in the local archipelago, the Channel Islands and to mainland France as well. So, if you have more time and would like to experience some more of the archipelago of Jersey and the Channel Islands then be sure to take day trips out to the following locations:
Les Ecréhous – 6 miles east of Jersey and easy to get to on a day trip with Jersey Sea Safaris.
Les Minquiers – 9 miles south of Jersey and again, easy to get to with Jersey Sea Safaris.
Guernsey – Condor Ferries sail between Jersey and Guernsey twice a week in one hour, whilst the Manche Iles Express sails 3 times a week in just under an hour and a half. From Guernsey you can then also do day trips to the other Channel Islands of Alderney, Herm or Sark with Manche Iles Express.
Manche – Being as close to France as it is, you can of course take a day trip from Jersey to France, more specifically the region of Manche. With 355km of coastline to explore, including Mon Saint-Michel and D-Day beaches, you can easily reach the northern French coast direct from Jersey to Granville, (in just under an hour and a half), or Barneville-Carteret, (in just over one hour).
Day trip to Jersey from UK – You can take a day trip from the UK to Jersey, (assuming you fly), but we wouldn’t recommend it. Unless you have a flight first thing in the morning and last thing at night, you will end up spending most of your day trip to Jersey in airports and not actually exploring the best that Jersey has to offer.
How to Spend a Long Weekend in Jersey: The Perfect Jersey Itinerary FAQs
Where is Jersey?
Jersey is located in the English Channel 85 miles or 137km from mainland UK and 14 miles or 22km from France. Although it is closer to France than it is to the UK it is a British island and one of the warmer places you can visit in the British Isles.
How to get to Jersey
Jersey is actually really easy to get to from mainland Britain via both ferry and plane. From both the UK and Ireland there are over 20 different locations that fly direct to Jersey, including London Heathrow, Manchester, Southampton and Bristol via Blue Islands, British Airways and easyJet. You can also take the ferry from Poole to Jersey via Condor Ferries, which takes roughly 4.5 hours.
What airports fly to Jersey?
There are flights year round from London, (Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton), Birmingham, Bristol, Exeter, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester and Southampton.
How to get to Jersey from London
To get between Jersey and London the easiest way is by flying with either Easyjet, British Airways or Blue Islands.
France to Jersey Ferry
You can easily get between Jersey and France via ferry from St Malo in just an hour and a half.
Can you drive to Jersey?
You can’t drive directly to Jersey as it is an island between the coasts of England and France. You can however take your car on board one of the ferries that travels between Jersey and various locations.
How to get around Jersey
Jersey is a small island but there are numerous ways to get around by four wheels, two wheels or even on foot.
📍 From Jersey airport – When you arrive in Jersey via air you can either grab a taxi to your accommodation, which is £15 on average or take the number 15 Liberty Bus which, via a number of stops, ends its route in St Helier.
📍 Hire a car – It is easy to hire a car in Jersey, but you will need a valid driving licence or International Driving Permit. There are car parks at all the main attractions across Jersey, with free parking on Sundays and bank holidays, but be sure to use the Pay By Phone app to find all the parking locations and prices on the island. Jersey also has a set speed limit across the island of a maximum of 40mph or 64kmph, with slower speeds in the narrower lanes and remember, as on the mainland, you have to drive on the left.
if you are looking to rent a car in Jersey then be sure to head to Rentalcars.com
📍 Bring your own car – If coming via ferry then why not bring your own car instead of hiring one for a weekend in Jersey? You could also bring over a campervan ready to get exploring the island and camp at some of the most scenic spots in the British Isles.
📍 Utilise the public transport across the island – Covering most of the island and linking main locations from the central bus station in Liberation Station in St Helier, the Liberty Bus service is a great way to get around Jersey. It will cost you £2.10 using contactless or £2.50 to get anywhere on the island in a single trip, with the numbers 1 and 15 being the most regular buses across the island.
You can also get a Discover Jersey travel pass, which is a multi-trip, and multi-day pass for either 1 day, 2 days, 3 days or 7 days which allows you to hop on and off any liberty bus as many times as you like. They start at £8 for an individual 1-day pass and up to £32 for a 7-day pass.
📍 Take a Taxi – Another option for getting around Jersey is via taxi, it’s not the cheapest option but you can get to places more off the main track. Just know that they do not go everywhere on the island so if you decide to use a local taxi firm, check with them that they will pick up and drop off in certain locations. If you do take a cab then be sure to get chatting with your driver, they are not only some of the friendliest people on the island but also some of the most knowledgeable about spots to go and places to eat.
📍 Rent an Ebike – The island of Jersey has pledged to become carbon neutral by 2030, so why not leave the car at home and rent an Ebike? There are 140 electric bikes available on pay as you go through the Evie app on the island, and with 350 miles of roads and lanes perfect for cycling why would you not want to get out on two wheels? Of course, if you decide to come via ferry then you could always bring your own bike instead of renting an Ebike, but just be aware that it can get rather hilly in locations along the coast.
📍 Hike across the island – The final, and our favourite, way to get around Jersey is on foot, hiking along the various coastal paths and inland footpaths. You could easily spend a week just circumnavigating the island on foot or do as we did and hike and take public transport across Jersey to really explore every corner of the island.
Where to eat in Jersey
Lobster, oysters, jersey royal potatoes and Jersey dairy ice cream are all local to the island of Jersey so make sure you take the chance to try them on what is often called the ‘tastiest island in the English Channel’. There are numerous great places to eat all over Jersey but three of our favourites, which give you a real taste of different specialities from Jersey are:
📍 Jersey Crab Shack St Brelade – The most incredible crab all caught fresh in the bay, put in the tastiest dishes you can find along this beach.
📍 Real Jersey Dairy Ice Cream at La Corbière – You can’t come to Jersey and not try some of the famous Jersey ice cream, especially from this hut with the most beautiful views over La Corbière.
📍 The Square in Liberation Square, St Helier – The freshest seafood and the most delicious cocktails all in the centre of St Helier.
Planning your own trip to Jersey? Be sure to download Wise by far the best currency conversion app around. We use it daily living on the border of two countries and it is a game changer when travelling!
What is the best area to stay in Jersey?
Depending on what you want from your visit will depend on the best area to stay in Jersey. If you want a bit of nightlife and easy access to the whole island, then stay in St Helier. If you would rather get away from it all and have beaches and hikes almost all to yourself, then stay in the west of the island around St Brelades Bay.
How many days do you need in Jersey?
Ideally, you will want at least a long weekend in Jersey or four days in Jersey to really get to see each corner of the island, but if you have the chance to stay longer you most definitely should.
What is the best time to visit Jersey? What is the best month to go to Jersey?
Jersey has distinct seasons as per mainland Britain so depending on what you want from your time in Jersey, depends on when the best time to visit is. We visited Jersey in June and although it was warm, we still had boughts of rain. That being said we thought it was a wonderful month to visit the island.
Jersey in the spring is when the island begins to come to life after the winter, with fresh blooms across the island perfect for hiking, the summer months of June, July and August are the warmest in the early to mid-20 degrees which means you can easily partake in some water-based activities around the coastline. Autumn in Jersey is when the warmer weather begins to disappear and the landscape begins to change colours, it is still a great time of year to get out hiking and exploring the beaches of the island though, but it can get down as cold as 3 degrees over the winter months of December, January and February.
There are also some key events that are held in Jersey every year which may persuade you to visit Jersey at a different time of year such as Liberation Day 9th May, celebrating the liberation of the island after World War 2 occupation, the International Air Display September in St Aubins Bay and of course the Jersey Christmas Markets in December.
Is Jersey British?
Yes, Jersey is British as it is part of the British Isles, but it is not part of the UK. English is the main language of the island, the time zone is the same as within the UK and the currency on the island is pound sterling, (although it has its own version including a pound note which is rather novel!). That being said, there is a lot of French influence across the island, think street names, hotel names and certain foods, with it being not far off the coast of northern France.
Do you need a passport to go to Jersey?
Jersey is part of the Common Travel Area in the United Kingdom so if you are travelling from the UK for a weekend in Jersey, then you do not need a passport, but you will need some form of ID. From elsewhere then you will need a passport, but not a visa if you are an EU or EAA national.
Check on iVisa to see if you will require a visa to visit Jersey
Is Jersey good for a holiday? Is Jersey good for a weekend?
100% yes. This little island is a fantastic place for a holiday, be it a luxury stay overlooking a beach a hiking holiday around the island, camping with your family or visiting on your honeymoon. There really is something for everyone and so much to see and do that you can spend as little or as long as you want there.
Is Jersey expensive?
Jersey isn’t as expensive as some countries, but it is not particularly budget-friendly. It is more expensive than mainland Britain, but it can be cheaper if you utilise public transport over taxis and shop at local supermarkets and farmers markets for food to eat during the day that you can take out hiking with you rather than eating out three times a day.
What is the nicest part of Jersey?
Jersey as a whole is lovely, but we particularly loved the southwestern coast, with its stunning coastal footpaths, a lighthouse often surrounded by pods of dolphins and some of the most beautiful beaches you can find with seals relaxing on the rocks. That being said, anywhere within the Jersey National Park is beautiful.
Can you do Jersey in a day?
Although you can easily drive around the island in a day, you really can’t see all that Jersey has to offer in just one day. We spent 5 days on the island and haven’t seen everything or done everything that we wanted to. Ideally you would need a week to really experience Jersey.
Can you drive a car in Jersey and how long does it take to drive around Jersey UK?
Yes, you can most definitely drive a car on the island of Jersey unlike some of the neighbouring Channel Islands which have limits on motorised vehicles. You could in fact drive around the whole of the island in a day if you really wanted to, but we really wouldn’t suggest doing that!
Conclusion: How to Spend a Long Weekend in Jersey: The Perfect Jersey Itinerary
There is a wealth of things to do in Jersey, so how do you spend a long weekend in Jersey? Well by far the best way is from eating the fresh local produce and relaxing on a beach to hiking the coastal paths of the National Park to find the island’s puffins, or even exploring the island’s rich history. So be sure to visit this wonderful little Channel Island.
Gemma Tedaldi
Gemma is the owner and author of The Travelling Tedaldi, a travel blog helping travellers to discover the best road trips and travel itineraries throughout the UK and Europe. When she isn’t writing about her favourite travel destinations, she can often be found out exploring local hikes or planning future trips.