JE
St Helier
Jersey’s harbour capital, with a castle on the tide
Jersey’s harbour capital, with a castle on the tide
A 16th-century fortress on a rocky islet in St Aubin’s Bay, reached by walking the causeway at low tide or by an amphibious ‘castle ferry’ when the tide is in. Inside are costumed guides, a noonday gun and views back to town.
Check the tide times; the causeway floods quickly.
Photo: Florian Pépellin, CC BY-SA 4.0
A Victorian cast-iron market hall from 1882 with a fountain at its centre, selling Jersey produce, flowers and deli food. The fish market is next door.
Try Jersey black butter (a spiced apple spread) and Jersey fudge.
Photo: Mailolstar, CC BY 3.0
The square commemorates the liberation of the Channel Islands on 9 May 1945, still celebrated every year. Nearby are the Maritime Museum, the Occupation Tapestry and the marinas.
Liberation Day (9 May) is a public holiday with events across town.
Photo: Unukorno, CC BY-SA 4.0
A vast network of tunnels dug by forced labourers during the German occupation, now a museum telling the story of islanders’ lives from 1940 to 1945. Ten minutes by car or bus from town.
Allow two to three hours.
Photo: fw190a8, CC BY-SA 2.0
On the east coast, a medieval castle towers over the fishing harbour of Gorey. Its maze of rooms and towers has some of the best views on the island, towards the French coast.
Combine with lunch in Gorey’s harbour-front restaurants.
Photo: Daniel Kraft, CC BY-SA 3.0
Jersey’s food is a highlight: Jersey Royal new potatoes (April to June), rich Jersey dairy, oysters from Grouville Bay, lobster and crab. Seafood kiosks on beaches and harbours are some of the best places to eat. In St Helier, the market, the waterfront and the old town streets have a wide choice.
Try a Jersey wonder (a twisted doughnut) and black butter. St Aubin, across the bay, has a cluster of excellent seafood restaurants.
Jersey Airport has flights from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh and other UK airports, plus seasonal European routes; it is 15 minutes from St Helier. DFDS runs ferries from Poole and Portsmouth and from St-Malo in France, with links to Guernsey.
The island bus network (LibertyBus) covers all the main sights from Liberation Station in St Helier. Cycling is popular on the green lanes (20mph roads). Car hire is easy but parking in town uses paycards.
Jersey is expensive, with prices similar to southern England; there is no VAT but a 5% local GST.
Heritage passes save money if you visit several sites.
Book summer weekends early.
Day trips by boat to the Écréhous or Minquiers reefs are memorable.
St Helier and the best of Jersey from one base.
Central Market in the morning, then walk to Elizabeth Castle at low tide. Afternoon in the Maritime Museum and Liberation Square; dinner in St Aubin.
Plan the castle visit around low tide.
Jersey War Tunnels, then drive to the north coast cliffs and bunkers at Grosnez and Plémont. Sunset over St Ouen’s Bay.
St Ouen’s is a surf beach; swim only between the flags.
Bus to Gorey for Mont Orgueil Castle and a seafood lunch, then walk along Grouville Bay. Return to St Helier for the evening.
On a very low tide, guided walks go out onto the seabed.
🛂 Entry rules: UK ETA now applies here
Since 23 April 2026, visitors who need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the UK also need one to travel to Jersey, including EU, US, Canadian and Australian citizens. It costs £20, lasts two years (or until your passport expires) and one ETA covers the UK, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man.
British and Irish citizens don’t need one. French citizens on same-day trips to the Channel Islands remain exempt and can travel on a national ID card.
Official information: GOV.UK: apply for an ETA · Reviewed September 2026
The tidal range is up to 12m; check tide tables before walking on beaches or causeways.
Jersey issues its own notes, equal to sterling; spend them before leaving, as UK shops rarely accept them.
Buses from Liberation Station reach all the main sights.
Jersey is a Crown Dependency; roaming and duty-free rules can differ from the UK.
Quick answers for planning time in St Helier.
Since 23 April 2026, visitors who need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) also need one for Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It costs £20 and one ETA covers the whole UK and the Crown Dependencies. British and Irish citizens do not need one.
Fly to Jersey Airport from the UK or Europe, or take the DFDS ferry from Poole, Portsmouth or St-Malo. The airport is 15 minutes from town.
Yes – it is a lively harbour town with a castle on the tide, a great market and easy access to the whole island.
Three days covers St Helier and the main sights; a week lets you explore the coast and walk the cliff paths.
Yes. Sterling and Jersey pounds are used interchangeably on the island.
Planning a wider trip? Our Jersey travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.