Saint-Malo

Walled city, wild tides, pirate tales

Saint-Malo stands on a rocky peninsula in Brittany, France. The walled old town dates back to medieval times with sturdy stone buildings and narrow streets. Its harbor holds fishing boats and sailboats under colorful awnings. Local cafes serve crepes and fresh seafood near the ramparts overlooking the English Channel. Walking along the fortifications reveals views of crashing waves against cliffs. Markets sell apples, cider and artisan goods. The city balances history with everyday life while remaining close to nature trails and nearby islands accessible by boat.

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City in France

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 8.6

General Safety:	9
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	10

Read details

3/5

English is spoken in most hotels, restaurants, and tourist sites, but less so in local markets or outside the main tourist season. A few French phrases will go a long way.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Saint-Malo Summary

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Great for historic coastal towns and sea views. Walk fortified city walls, explore old harbor streets, enjoy seafood restaurants and visit nearby beaches.

Place score

8.3

Best at:

Sea

Sailing

Cosy towns

Islands

Walkable

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 8

Seniors

❤️ 9

Couples

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

France – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type E Type C: Type E: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted, especially in cities and tourist areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is optional but appreciated in restaurants (5-10%) and for exceptional service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in designated areas, but restrictions apply in some cities.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned in indoor public spaces but common in outdoor cafes.

Bastille Day (July)	Parades and fireworks occur nationwide.
Easter (March/April)	Cultural celebrations and closures.
Christmas (December)	Markets and festive events.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 112 (EU emergency), 15 (Ambulance), 17 (Police), 18 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Bolt, Heetch
Other:	France offers diverse experiences, from art and culture to nature and cuisine. Be cautious in crowded areas.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Saint-Malo, France

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

🌤️

Jun

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Jul

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Aug

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Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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High season:	June - Sep.
Shoulder season:	April - May, Oct.
Crowdedness:	6 (Many tourists)

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Climate details

Tides among Europe's highest: at spring tides (around full and new moon) the sea rises up to 14 m, the ramparts are surrounded by water and beaches vanish

Sea swimming is cold and tide-dependent, best July to September

Route du Rhum sailing race starts here every four years in early November (next in 2026)

Don't miss

🏰 Walk the historic ramparts surrounding the old town
🏖️ Relax at Plage du Sillon, Saint-Malo’s main beach
🏯 Visit Château de la Duchesse Anne castle museum
🐠 Explore the Grand Aquarium’s marine biodiversity exhibits
⛪ Discover Saint-Vincent Cathedral and its stained glass
⛴️ Take a boat trip to nearby Grand Bé and Petit Bé islands

You've been here?

Why travel to Saint-Malo?

Saint-Malo is irresistible if you love places with a strong sense of history and the sea. The old town’s ramparts offer sweeping views over turquoise waters and sandy beaches, while the city’s maritime past is everywhere – from pirate tales to grand forts. Foodies will be in heaven with fresh seafood, Breton crepes and cider. Summer brings vibrant festivals and bustling markets, while even a blustery winter walk along the walls feels magical. Just a heads-up: Saint-Malo can get crowded in peak season and parking near the old town is tricky. The weather is famously changeable, so bring layers and expect some wind and rain.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Château de Saint-Malo
2 Musée Jacques Cartier
3 Place Chateaubriand
4 Porte Saint-Vincent
5 Fort National
6 Grand Aquarium - Saint-Malo

🎡Places for activities

1 Intra-Muros
2 Palm Beach
3 Tennis Club de Dinard
4 Espace.bzh
5 Golf de Saint-Malo
6 Casino Barrière de Saint-Malo

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Plage de l'Éventail
2 Plage de Rochebonne

🛍️Shopping

1 La Maison du Beurre
2 Marché de Rocabey
3 Galeries Lafayette

🎈Events

Festival des Folklores du Monde
Quai des Bulles Comic Festival
Route du Rhum Sailing Race
Etonnants Voyageurs Book Festival
Saint-Malo Carnival
Fête de la Musique
Brittany Film Festival
Sea Shanty Festival
Christmas Market
Saint-Malo Marathon

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Check tide times; some walks and islets vanish fast.
Walk the Intra-Muros ramparts for sea views, then explore cobbled lanes for crêpes.
Bring a windproof layer; even sunny days can feel chilly on the walls.
At low tide, walk to Grand Bé for panoramic views and Chateaubriand’s tomb – return before water rises.

How to travel to Saint-Malo

Saint-Malo is accessible by train from Paris (about 2.5 hours) and other major French cities. The city has a ferry port with connections to the UK and Channel Islands and Rennes Airport is about an hour away by car or shuttle.

Access summary

From Dinard–Pleurtuit (DNR): Taxi or shuttle, about 15–25 minutes.
From Rennes: Direct trains or driving via D137, roughly 1–1.5 hours.
Overnight ferry from Portsmouth (UK) to Saint-Malo port, about 11 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Saint-Malo

Saint-Malo offers a range of accommodation, from boutique hotels inside the walls to seaside resorts and family-friendly campsites nearby. Book early in summer, especially for rooms with sea views.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Hotel Mercure Mont Saint Michel

8.7

Hotel Gabriel

8.7

Le Relais Saint Michel

8.5

Hotel Vert

8.6

Hotel le Relais du Roy

8.6

Kyriad Prestige Saint-Malo

8.8

Hotel France et Chateaubriand

8.3

Le Nouveau Monde Hotel

8.9

Le Saint-Aubert Hotel

8.2

La Confiance

7.9

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Saint-Malo

The old town (Intramuros) is best explored on foot – its narrow, cobbled streets are mostly pedestrian. Local buses connect the city, beaches and nearby towns. Bikes are available for rent and boat shuttles cross the Rance to Dinard.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

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To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-19 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 19% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Saint-Brieuc, France - 57 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£65	£123	£327
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£29	£60	£135
🍝 Food per day	£30	£53	£150
🚕 Transportation per day	£7	£10	£43

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£13
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£13
🍟 Fast food combo	£9
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£10.50
☕ Cappuccino	£2.20
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£4.40

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.50
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£26
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.60

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£11.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£22
🤧 Cold medication	£6.50
💇 Basic haircut	£14

Safety information overview

General safety

Saint-Malo is generally very safe, with low crime. Pickpocketing can occur in crowded tourist areas, so keep an eye on your belongings, especially during festivals and in busy markets.

Health & Medical

Medical care is excellent, with clinics and pharmacies throughout the city. Emergency services are reliable. The sea can be rough and tides strong, so always check warnings before swimming.

Accessibility

The old town’s cobblestones and steps can be challenging for wheelchairs and strollers. Many hotels and attractions are accessible, but planning ahead is recommended for those with mobility needs.

Tap water

Tap water is safe and high quality throughout Saint-Malo. Public fountains are available, especially in parks and near beaches. Bring a reusable bottle to stay hydrated while exploring.