Saint Malo tours

Things to do in Saint Malo

In Saint Malo, France, the salty breeze carries tales of seafaring adventures and pirate legends, inviting you to explore its rugged beauty. This fortified city, with its granite walls and sweeping sea vistas, is a place where history and the ocean dance together. Your local guide is your compass on private Saint Malo tours, steering you through hidden alleyways and along the ramparts where you can almost hear the echoes of the past. Whether on a walking tour that delves into the city's maritime heritage or a food and wine tour showcasing Brittany's delights, your guide ensures you skip the line to discover the true essence of this captivating coastal gem. If you’re looking for more inspiration, take a look at our curated list of things to do in Saint Malo. Explore Saint Malo your way At ToursByLocals, we believe that how you explore is just as important as where you go. That’s why every Saint Malo tour is private, flexible, and built around you: Move at your own pace, skip the crowds, make connections and follow your curiosity. Find local guides offering private tours in Saint Malo for every interest, including: History tours: Walk the ramparts with your guide to spot Fort National and trace privateer stories inside the Demeure de Corsaire on a private tour. Time the tide to cross to Grand Bé to visit Chateaubriand’s tomb, or step into Saint‑Vincent Cathedral to see centuries of rebuilt stone. Day trip tours: Head out by private car to Mont‑Saint‑Michel early to climb the abbey before the bus tours arrive, then stop for oysters at a Cancale hut on the way back. Or spend a day in the Rance Valley with Dinan’s ramparts and a quick ferry hop to Dinard for Belle‑Époque villas. Nature and Wildlife tours: Hike a stretch of the GR34 from Pointe de la Varde toward Pointe du Grouin for cliff views and seabird watching, with time for a picnic on a quiet cove. At low tide, explore rock pools on Plage du Val, and in season your guide can arrange a small‑boat outing in the Bay of Mont‑Saint‑Michel with a licensed operator to look for bottlenose dolphins. The walled centre is very walkable, and local buses and coastal ferries reach nearby spots like Dinard, but service can be limited at night; for farther day trips such as Mont‑Saint‑Michel, Cancale, or Cap Fréhel, you can book chauffeured tours or ask your local guide for a tour with private transportation. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all itinerary, you can tailor your private tour to match your interests, pace and personality with a local who knows Saint Malo inside and out. Walking tours & neighbourhoods Discover Saint Malo through a private walking tour and let your local guide introduce you to its captivating neighborhoods. Each area offers something unique for your itinerary. - Intra-Muros (Walled City): Perfect for cultural tourists, this historic district is encased in ancient walls. Walk along cobbled streets and explore landmarks, with stories and insights from your guide. - Paramé: Families and those seeking a relaxed atmosphere will enjoy this residential area with its long sandy beaches. Your guide can show you the best spots for a seaside picnic. - Saint-Servan: Known for its local charm, this neighborhood is ideal for meaningful connections. Experience community life and local markets, guided by someone who knows the area well. Day trip ideas from Saint Malo Using Saint-Malo as your base, you can slip along the Emerald Coast and inland to stone-built towns on simple day trips, trading ramparts and beaches for abbeys, seafood harbours, and cliff walks, with tours that focus on history, food, and nature. - Mont-Saint-Michel, a tidal island with soaring abbey walls and winding lanes, strong on history and views, which suits you if you like iconic landmarks, photography, and a mix of quiet side streets and wide bay panoramas. - Dinan, a hilltop medieval town with timbered houses, a castle, and a riverside path, good for slow walks, craft shops, and café breaks that give you time to enjoy the details without rushing. - Cancale and Pointe du Grouin, oysters on the harbour and a clifftop trail with big sea views, perfect if you are into seafood tastings, coastal walks, and watching the tides roll through the bay. - Cap Fréhel with views toward Fort la Latte, heather-covered cliffs, a lighthouse, and seabirds, a fit for you if you like short hikes, wind-in-your-face lookouts, and open coastal scenery. - Dinard, Belle Époque villas, beaches, and a seawall promenade facing Saint-Malo, easy for a half day of architecture, market browsing, and simple beach time. A private tour with a local guide is the best way to really get to know a place. Skip the crowds, follow your interests, and see a side of Saint Malo most travellers miss.