St Ives or Port Isaac, May or August?

[Gintime74]

I’m just finalising booking next years holiday. We have never been to Cornwall. I can’t decide on port Isaac or st Ives , and summer hols when hopefully we can swim and go to beach, or May as it is a lot cheaper and we can just relax and enjoy walks etc.
Car free holiday , family of 6. So once we are there we will stay local.
What would you choose?

Both get very busy. St Ives is bigger, has more pubs, cafes, shops. Not much in Port Usaac although it's very pretty. PI is much more popular since Doc Martin. If you're interested in watching filming they will be there next spring for several weeks filming series 10. I know the interior set location and have been on set but it's top secret 😁

All of Cornwall is just gorgeous. St Ives is very very crowded though.!

I would pick st Ives over port Issac.....but both are lovely. St Ives has more going on and sole lovely beaches. If you prefer it quieter carbis bay is gorgeous and a lovely 20 min coastal
walk to st Ives or catch the little train.

St Ives in May is usually perfect, great weather, not too busy. It’s one of my favourite times of year there

St Ives in May definitely. It is very busy in August.
Port Isaac is lovely for a day trip but St Ives is wonderful for a whole week. We take the car but still don't feel the need to leave town all week.