Créé par Emilie, le 5 juil. 2026
Votre guide Ryo
What are the best activities to do in Saint-Malo?
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Visiting Saint-Malo means discovering a city with proud heritage, full of history, culture, delicious cuisine... And magnificent beaches! Through its picturesque streets, you'll follow in the footsteps of adventurous sailors and navigators in this corsair city. Who wouldn't want to walk along the city walls or sail along the coast like a pirate of old?
If you visit Saint-Malo, you'll understand the history of the corsairs and illustrious men who marked this city. Through the monuments, statues and museums you'll discover in this article, try to understand this famous French commune in Brittany. After that, it will hold no more secrets for you!
What to do in Saint-Malo? 5 activity ideas
1.Visit the old town
Category: €€/Cultural
Description: To start your stay, nothing beats a little detour through one of the city's main tourist attractions. Take a stroll through Saint-Malo's historic old town, enjoying a peaceful walk with the wind. Many visitors like to start the route from the legendary castle, which now serves as the town hall. Then, walk along the massive ramparts to discover a spectacular panorama of the sea and bay. A little further on, take a break and enter what is called the "rue des coquillages" (shellfish street), where you'll find many fish restaurants. After enjoying a good meal, head to Saint Vincent Cathedral to finish this beautiful walk. During your stroll, don't hesitate to enter the many shops found in the city's charming little streets. Treat yourself to a little souvenir!
2.Discover the Grand Aquarium of Saint-Malo
Category: €€/Cultural
Description: It's a sea that is both fierce, calm, impetuous, and serene that embraces the city of Saint-Malo with its strong arms. If you're with family, this pastime will delight the youngest as much as the oldest! Visiting the grand aquarium means discovering more than 600 different species from seas and oceans around the world in 10 rooms with representative environments: because yes, our beloved ocean hasn't yet revealed everything there is to know about itself. Rest assured, you'll learn more through this somewhat unusual activity. The aquarium also offers unique attractions! Which ones? How about spending a special moment aboard a descent simulator to let you discover the abyssal depths? You'll also have the opportunity to come into contact with different fish thanks to the touch pool. For the most passionate, visit the sea laboratory! The aquarium is located on Avenue du Général Patton and is open every day of the year, except exceptions.
3.Tour the city by little train
Category: €/Unusual/Cultural
Description: We already know the concept of city tours by bike, car, on foot... What could be more original than discovering Saint-Malo aboard a little train? To board this train, you'll need to go to the "Esplanade Saint Vincent" and you can buy your tickets on board. You'll enjoy the view of the bay and its ramparts for 30 minutes thanks to a unique route, accompanied by explanatory and pleasantly scripted commentary. This magnificent little train, with Breton decoration, will give you a fantastic family moment. Children love this activity, which will undoubtedly be inscribed as one of their most beautiful childhood experiences and memories! At the end of your little ride, the history of Saint-Malo will seem much clearer to you, crystal clear, and you'll see the city from a completely different angle, taking into account what you know without it being visible to the naked eye.
4.Visit the museum "La demeure du Corsaire"
Category: €/Cultural
Description: Located in the heart of Saint-Malo, the Hôtel Magon (also called Asfeld) houses La demeure du Corsaire, one of the city's most grandiose historical monuments. If there are history enthusiasts among our readers, then you'll love going back in time in this splendid place and thus exploring the past of the Malouin city. Built between 1723 and 1725 by François Auguste Magon de la Lande, this residence built on 700 square meters contains 60 rooms decorated with multiple objects of all kinds. What will you find there? Weapon collections, cellars and period furniture. Classified as a historical monument since 2000, La demeure du Corsaire is one of the very last hotels not to have been destroyed during the heavy bombing of World War II. So much to learn about the history of this place!
5.Take a boat excursion on the Emerald Coast
Category: €€/Unusual
Description: As you'll have understood, Saint-Malo is a magnificent fortified city. But to properly contemplate its ramparts, what better way than to admire them from the water's perspective? That's why we suggest an incredible boat excursion that will allow you to learn more about this city's heritage. You'll enjoy the view of the outer harbor, the western part of the region and especially the Emerald Coast (mythical and magnificent at the same time): this pearl of Brittany which owes its name to the color of its water (emerald), offers exceptional landscapes. You'll witness the spectacle of strong tides that occurs twice a day in Saint-Malo, giving you a foretaste of the climate that reigns over the sea in winter. This will be an exceptional ride for you aboard a comfortable boat with family or friends. With loved ones it's even better!
6. The Solidor Tower
Category: €€/Cultural
Description: Located at the mouth of the Rance in the lovely Saint-Servant district stands a breathtaking medieval keep, built in 1382. Its name? The Solidor Tower. Composed of three floors, you'll need to climb 104 steps to reach the top (don't forget to bring your water bottle). Originally, the Tower's purpose was to control Saint-Malo, actually serving as a watchtower. Later, military personnel lived there, and it also served as a prison during the Revolution, finally serving as a warehouse for the Empire. Today, it's open to the public and attracts attention just by its imposing architecture. This is a symbolic landmark that visitors love to explore thoroughly!