23 best seaside towns in Wales to explore

Here is my guide to the 23 best seaside towns in Wales.  If you’re thinking about a beach holiday in Wales and are wondering where to go, this is the place to begin.

I’ve visited all of these Welsh seaside towns – in some cases countless times – so this article should give you many ideas.   

In this article, I show you the best seaside resorts in Wales – towns with beaches – and also expand our horizons a little to include the best coastal towns in Wales. These towns, like Conwy or Caernarfon, are on the coast, but the nearest beaches are a short distance away. I point all of this out in each section.  

Tenby is my pick of the best seaside towns in Wales. It’s a historic walled town with one of the most picturesque harbours you could ever hope to see, on the south Pembrokeshire coast.  The four Tenby beaches are outstanding, with three of them notching Blue Flag awards year after year.  

Tenby – Dinbych-y-pysgod, the ‘fortress of the fish’ in Welsh – retains its medieval town walls and street layout, with some characterful narrow alleys above the harbour. Henry Tudor – later King Henry VII of England – once escaped capture there via a secret tunnel during the Wars of the Roses. 

There are many more things to do in Tenby, from fishing boat trips to the 20-minute crossing to Caldey Island, home to a Cisterian monastery and some of the best coastal scenery in Pembrokeshire.   

Best things to see and do in Tenby

Tenby Harbour is incomparable. The small beach is on a rise above the high tide level, and you can sit there with a delicious crab sandwich or fish and chips and watch the boats bobbing on the incoming tide.

Harbour Beach joins up with North Beach at low tide, the latter is a gorgeous stretch of sand set below the pretty promenade and tropical gardens set into the slope down to the sands. 

Castle Beach can be reached via a lane between the Georgian houses overlooking the harbour. It’s named after the remains of Tenby Castle on the hill to the left, but there’s a second, 19^th century castle on St Catherine’s Island as well.

Castle Beach is connected to South Beach, which in turn eventually becomes Penally Beach a mile or so away. 

The back streets of Tenby are another delight, where you can discover the Tudor Merchant’s House, the oldest surviving house in the town, furnished much as it would have been when it was built around 1500.

The boat trip to Caldey is another Tenby highlight, and you can also opt for a wildlife-spotting cruise, which takes you around neighbouring St Margaret’s Island and the Caldey coast.

Here you can expect to find seabirds during the nesting season (which is normally over by August) and seals in isolated spots at the foot of cliffs.   

Pembrokeshire is a fairly small county with an immense amount of places to visit packed into it, and Tenby is close to many.

There are several attractions for kids nearby, including Folly Farm, a petting farm that has grown into something much bigger, with a funfair and zoo. The Oakwood theme park, Manor House Wildlife Park and Dinosaur Park are also within a few miles of Tenby, so the younger ones will have plenty to keep them occupied.  

There are aslo great beaches either side of Tenby. Saundersfoot is a smaller seaside resort, perhaps without the stardust of Tenby but a cracking place to spend a day – as well as the main beach, Coppet Hall and Monkstone beach are also well worth a visit. 

To the west, you don’t have to travel far to find some great Pembrokeshire Castles, including Carew, Manorbier and Pembroke.  The Stackpole Estate, including gorgeous Barafundle Bay, is also just a short drive away, a few miles beyond Manorbier. 

Llandudno is a strong contender for the crown of the best seaside town in Wales. It’s a traditional Victorian seaside town on the north coast and is often called the Queen of Welsh Resorts. This is partly because of its many grand Victorian hotels along the North Shore. 

I’ve been visiting Llandudno for 40 years, and it has always felt like a step a century back in time.  The ornate wrought-iron Pier is the most beautiful in Wales, and it’s lined with classic amusement arcades, ice cream, and candy floss stalls.    

The Promenade is also a great place to stroll, with the fine hotels on one side and the beach on the other, with the limestone cliffs of the Great Orme dominating the scene. 

Llandudno is where Lewis Carroll met his eight-year-old muse, Alice Pleasance Liddell, on her first summer holiday in Llandudno. She was of course the inspiration for Alice in Wonderland, and her holiday home, Penmorfa, is on Llandudno’s West Shore.  A trail explores other places that she and Carroll visited around the town.  

There are plenty more things to do in Llandudno, from the excellent Mostyn art gallery to the Home Front Museum, which looks back on life in Britain during World War II. 

Both beaches – the busier North Shore and quieter West Shore – are the main draw, and the Pier and Promenade are also an essential part of the Llandudno experience.   

The Great Orme headland is fascinating to visit, offering stunning views over the town. There are two scenic ways up – the Great Orme Tramway or the Cable Car, both of which take you to the summit area.   

Once there, you can explore the superb Great Orme Copper Mine, which dates back 3,000 years or more or take a walk to the remote St Tudno’s church, which gave the town its name.  

The Little Orme headland, across the Bay from the Great Orme, is much underrated, as it commands fantastic views and is home to a rare colony of grey seals.  

Conwy is just four miles away across the river of the same name, the outstanding Castle and Town Walls making an easy day trip from Llandudno.  

If you’re driving, the A55 Conwy tunnel can be reached via Llandudno Junction, two miles south of the town, bringing Bangor, Caernarfon, and Anglesey within comfortable reach.  If you’re planning to head into Snowdonia, take the A5 near Bethesda or continue to Caernarfon and head to Llanberis from there. 

Spend plenty of time on the beach, but also explore the stunning Mawddach estuary. Barmouth Bridge, a 19^th-century wooden railway viaduct with a footpath running alongside the tracks, is an easy walk, joining up with the Mawddach Trail to Dolgellau. 

You can also catch the summer ferry from Barmouth Harbour to the Ro Wen sand spit across the river, and from there catch the delightful Fairbourne Steam Railway to Fairbourne village and beach.  

Barmouth Bridge is also the highlight of the Cambrian Coast Railway, the mainline route running across Wales from Shrewsbury to Machynlleth, splitting towards Aberystwyth in one direction and Barmouth and Pwllheli in the other.

It’s an unforgettable journey, one of the most scenic train rides in Europe. It’s also very handy if you don’t have a car as it brings many places along the coast within reach. 

The Panorama Walk is another of the best things to do in Barmouth,  a 10-minute stroll taking you onto open ground with magnificent views of the estuary and coast in one direction and Cadair Idris in the other. 

Dolgellau is a lovely town, one of the most underrated in Wales, with over 200 historic buildings. It’s the main starting point for climbing Cadair Idris, a stiff climb from just above sea level to nearly 2,900 feet atop a rocky mini-Alp that is not to be underestimated. 

A narrow minor road leads from the backstreets of Dolgellau to two of the most beautiful lakes in Wales, Llynnau Cregennen, beneath the almost sheer scree slopes of Tyrau Mawr.

Climb a small rise near the car park for another great view, back over the Mawddach estuary to Barmouth Bridge and Barmouth.   

Barmouth is a good base for making a first foray into the Rhinog mountains, and also close to Harlech Castle, Portmeirion, the Ffestiniog railway (at Porthmadog or Minffordd) and Criccieth.  

New Quay (Cei Newydd) is one of the prettiest towns in Wales, a gorgeous seaside town on the Cardigan Bay coast of West Wales, with a picturesque harbour, three great beaches and a resident pod of bottlenose dolphins a few miles offshore.  

There are plenty of things to do in New Quay, most revolving around the beaches and harbour.  The Harbour beach is the most popular, while Dolau beach, a few minutes’ walk away, is quieter and dogs are allowed.  

Welsh writer Dylan Thomas lived in New Quay for a while, and you can follow a trail of places associated with him around the town. 

New Quay Harbour Beach is the best place to start, and you can linger a while, explore the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre or check out the dolphin watching boat trips. 

The trips last up to two hours, normally staying quite close to the coves along the coast to Cwmtydu. As well as the dolphins, there’s a strong chance you’ll see some Atlantic grey seals resting at the foot of the cliff. 

If you want more space to roam than the two beaches in the town offer, head across the bay to long, spacious Cei Bach beach and enjoy the view back across the bay. 

Aberaeron – the next of our best seaside towns in Wales – is the most obvious place to visit, but we’ll leave that until the next section. 

The Coast Path to the south of New Quay is superb, with tiny hidden beaches at Cwmsilio, Castell Bach and Cwmtydu to seek out. 

You could make a full day of it and do the 9-mile walk all the way to Llangrannog. The coastline around this village tends to make me run out of superlatives – the scenery is wild and rugged, the beaches soft with golden sand.

The mile from the headland and island of Ynys Lochtyn to Llangrannog is breathtaking, and once you reach Llangrannog the beer in The Ship Inn is good and the fish and chips in the chippy next to the beach excellent. 

Take a walk up the hill to see the statue of St Carannog, patron saint of the village. 

We describe the beaches and villages further down the coast in our section on Cardigan later in the article. 

Aber – as it’s known to locals – is the metropolis of Mid Wales, a historic seaside university town on the Cardigan Bay coast.

It has been popular since Victorian times, and plenty of their legacy remains – the Cliff Railway to the top of Constitution Hill, the Pier, the grand buildings along the Promenade and the stunning Old College, a remarkable neo-Gothic edifice on the seafront. 

Aberystwyth has two beaches, and North Beach is the better of the two, the sloping shingle and sand very popular in the warmer months.

The town has long been a melting pot of cultures, reflected in the flags of minority peoples and nations (Brittany, Sardinia) that have fluttered for many years along the Promenade. 

There’s plenty more to see including Aberystwyth Castle, built by Edward I of England, and the Vale of Rheidol Railway, a steam train ride to Devils Bridge in the heart of the Cambrian Mountains. 

One of the best things to do in Aberystwyth is to explore the Promenade and beach, stopping off for a drink at the Pier to watch the sunset.  And don’t miss the Old College next to the Pier, which is one of the finest buildings of the Victorian era. 

The Ceredigion Museum, housed in a former cinema next to the seafront, is well worth an hour of your time, with an exhibition on the area’s history from Neolithic times to the late 20^th century. 

The National Library of Wales, on Penglais Hill next to the main University campus, is an amazing resource with a collection of Welsh historical manuscripts and digital archives. 

And the Vale of Rheidol Railway is a great way to see some of the wondrous scenery of the Cambrian Mountains, taking you to Devils Bridge, with its waterfalls and three bridges built on top of each other.  

Aberystwyth is a great base for exploring along the coast or the mountains inland.  The Ceredigion Coast Path north to Borth is a great walk, passing Clarach Bay and Wallog before reaching the long strand at Borth and Ynyslas, which reaches as far north as the Dovey estuary. 

Devils Bridge (Pontarfynach) is also close to the Hafod Estate, an 18^th-century landscaped estate in the mountains and one of the best of its kind. The footpaths have been restored over the last ten years or so, and it makes for a wonderful day out. 

If you head out of Aberystwyth on the A44, you’ll reach the Bwlch Nant yr Arian Forest, a beautiful nature reserve where hundreds of majestic red kites are fed daily at (3 pm in summer, 2 pm in winter). The footpaths also take you through some gorgeous countryside. 

The Silver Mountain Experience at Llywernog is a short distance further along the A44, with themed guided tours of a 250-year-old silver and lead mine. These include ‘A Miner’s Life’ and ‘A Dragon’s Tale’, so you can expect some Welsh mythology there, for sure.  

Aberaeron is a gorgeous Regency town between New Quay and Aberystwyth. The focal point is the delightful harbour, lined with pastel-painted houses, as are the streets away from the shoreline.  

Places like the Harbour Master Hotel and The Hive, both on the Quay, are great places to eat, and that’s the main reason to head to Aberaeron. The town also has a pebble beach, and the Coast Path to New Quay or Llanrhystud.  

Abersoch beach is outstanding. The sheltered waters make it an ideal place to play, and the picturesque painted beach huts are a wonderful sight, especially at sunrise.  The views east and north-east to the mountains of Snowdonia are unforgettable. 

There are some great coastal walks, including the long stroll along the beach to the southern end, which is called Machroes beach.   You could refuel at the Little Tea Rooms in Mickey’s Boatyard before returning to Abersoch or press on southwards to the idyllic isolation of Porth Ceiriad beach.  

Porth Neigwl – also known as Hells Mouth – is the yang to Abersoch’s yin, exposed to the full wrath of the prevailing south-westerlies. It’s highly rated by surfers, and I have old friends from as far away as the English Midlands who regularly make the long drive there to catch the waves. 

I also recommend driving the back lanes between Abersoch and Porth Neigwl. Llanengan and Llangian are tiny villages, way off the beaten track, with tiny churches. The Sun Inn in Llanengan is one of our old pit stops, and if you want to step back 60 or 70 years in time, pop into the wonderful little corner shop, Siop Llangian.   

Llanbedrog Beach, four miles up the coast towards Pwllheli, is one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe.  It’s a gorgeous cove of sheltered sand with a stream quietly trickling past a great little bistro to the shore, and a long row of bright, colourful beach huts.  

Just up the hill from there, Plas Glyn-y-Weddw -is a 19^th century neo-Gothic mansion that has become one of the best art venues in North Wales. It has changing exhibitions every 6-8 weeks, a tea room, and a craft shop on-site. There are also excellent adult and kids’ art workshops, concerts, lectures, and craft fairs held throughout the year.  

In the opposite direction off the road to Aberdaron, Plas yn Rhiw is a Georgian country house overlooking the Porth Neigwl and the south coast of the Llŷn Peninsula. The gardens are glorious, but what we found most fascinating about it were the many trappings of early to mid-20^th century life of the Keating sisters who lived there.    

St Davids is one of seven cities in Wales, the smallest city in the UK and the second smallest in Europe after the Vatican City. The city’s outstanding Cathedral was built out of sight of marauding Vikings who would raid the Welsh coast, and it is around a mile inland. 

Although it is tiny, there are enough things to do in St Davids to keep you coming back year after year. Once you’ve seen the splendours of the Cathedral and Bishop’s Palace, head for the Coast Path, some of the beaches (among the best in Pembrokeshire) or even try your hand at coasteering, which involves clambering around the coastline and jumping off cliffs for the camera, in the place where it was, for want of a better word, invented.    

The St David’s area is one of the best parts of the entire Wales Coast Path. We recommend the six-mile walk from Caerfai Bay, past the stunning cliffs of St Non’s Bay, to Porth Lysgi beach, eventually reaching Porth Stinian, or St Justinian’s. 

St Justinian’s is the departure point for boat trips around the Ramsey Island nature reserve. It’s a major seabird nesting site, and some of the trips also take you into the coves around the island where you often spot Atlantic grey seals basking by the shore.     

Whichever direction you travel from St David’s, you win. If you head east on the A487 towards Haverfordwest, be sure to stop at Solva and take a walk along its gorgeous harbour or browse at its craft shops and art gallery.  Just beyond there, Newgale has a stupendous sandy beach and staggering coastal views. 

If you travel north-east towards Fishguard, the many coves on the coast beckon. Abereiddi, with its landmark Blue Lagoon, is the most famous, while Porthgain is renowned as a place to eat, with the Shed Bistro and The Sloop pub both serving excellent fare. We also recommend Abercastle (Abercastell) with its beach and picturesque harbour. 

Harlech is a medieval town in the north-east corner of Cardigan Bay, with two outstanding sights. Harlech Castle, built on what was once a sea cliff and is now a mile inland, is one of the four World Heritage Castles in North Wales, and vast Harlech Beach, one of the best Cardigan Bay beaches and one of the best in the country.  

The views of the Castle and beach, with the peaks of Snowdonia in the background, are among the best in Wales. As you approach by road from the south, you round a bend to be greeted by this extraordinary sight, and locals call this spot Good God Corner. The shot of the beach above illustrates why. 

Harlech doesn’t feel like a traditional Welsh seaside town because the beach is separated from the town by Royal St David’s golf course and the towering sand dunes.  The beach is never remotely busy as it’s so vast, so you also have space to savour it.  

Harlech Beach is a staggering sight. There’s a small field above the beach, next to Good God Corner, where you can enjoy the astonishing view.  Turn off the main A496 towards Llandanwg, park just down the hill and walk back up to the field. 

Harlech Castle is one of the most spectacularly sited Welsh castles. There is a small park called The Graig off the B4573, across the street from the Maelgwyn House Hotel where you can enjoy the best view. 

See Also: 22 Best Things To Do In Harlech 

To the south, Llandanwg Beach is wonderful, with more mountain views, and a tiny medieval church almost hidden and submerged in the sand dunes behind the beach. 

The Rhinog mountains are one of the least explored ranges in Snowdonia, but persistence over the difficult terrain rewards you with some extraordinary views. Follow the road from Llanbedr towards Cwm Nantcol to get started.   

There are two great attractions in Llanfair, just south of Harlech – the Slate Caverns and Children’s Farm Park, which together make a great family afternoon out. 

Criccieth is a perfect little package, a small beach town located on the Llŷn Peninsula in North Wales, with a superb Castle, two fine beaches, awesome mountain views, and some rather good ice cream. I’ve always thought of it as Wales in microcosm 

It’s only five miles west of Porthmadog and two miles from the beginning of Black Rock Sands, but Criccieth has an altogether different feel. 

Criccieth Castle is the highlight, a Castle built by Welsh princes, later captured by England’s Edward I and retaken by Welsh hero Owain Glyndwr a century later. The Castle headland is a phenomenal viewpoint, and if the weather is reasonably clear you’ll be able to spot Harlech Castle a few miles across Tremadog Bay. 

Criccieth East Beach – sometimes just called Criccieth Beach – is the better of the two beaches, with more sand at low tide. This is also where you’ll find some of the best places to eat in Criccieth, including Dylan’s Restaurant and Cariad Gelato.  

We also recommend the quirky little Caffi Cwrt tearoom just off the main square, and Tir a Mor restaurant.    

There is a small museum dedicated to David Lloyd George, the only Welsh Prime Minister of the UK, in nearby Llanystumdwy, and he is also buried close by. 

Criccieth, like Porthmadog, is well-placed for exploring the Llŷn Peninsula, with anywhere between Caernarfon and Aberdaron within easy reach. You can cut across the peninsula to the north coast, with Morfa Nefyn and the stunning village of Porth Dinllaen among the best places to explore. The latter is one of the most beautiful villages in Wales, a small cluster of houses (including a pub) along the shore of a harbour once considered as the main port for ferries to Ireland. Fortunately it lost out to Holyhead. 

Snowdonia National Park is also very close, as is the Cambrian Coast. 

Porthmadog is a former slate port built in the 19^th century, with several brilliant beaches on its doorstep and one of the best views in Snowdonia a few minutes’ walk away along the Cob causeway.  

The Cob carries the steam trains of the world-famous Ffestiniog Railway which runs up to the mountains and the slate town of Blaenau Ffestiniog, and the gorgeous Italianate village of Portmeirion is close by. 

The immediate area’s main attraction is the fantasy village of Portmeirion, a quirky collection of diverse buildings partly inspired by the Italian Riviera resort of Portofino. The village, designed and assembled by architect Clough Williams-Ellis, is surrounded by gardens, woodland and a vast tidal beach on the Dwyryd estuary. 

You can stay in any of the cottages and suites or, indeed the village’s two hotels, and one of the best things to do in Portmeirion is to experience it after the day visitors have left.   

The northern end of the Cambrian coast, from Harlech down to Barmouth, is within easy reach, with mainline trains a welcome alternative to the car.  

Porthmadog also serves as a gateway to the Llŷn Peninsula, with Criccieth only five miles (8 km) down the coast. You can reach anywhere in the Llŷn within an hour, and there are a great range of Llŷn Peninsula beaches to explore. 

Alternatively, Porthmadog is a convenient base for heading into the Snowdonia National Park, with some of the starting points for paths up Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) as little as half an hour away.   

Caernarfon is one of the most famous coastal towns in Wales, with the most imposing of Edward I’s Iron Ring of Castles in Gwynedd. This network of castles helped subdue the native Welsh, and four of them, Caernarfon included, later became the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Wales. 

There are plenty of things to do in Caernarfon besides, including exploring the small, atmospheric walled town and pretty harbour. The nearest beach is five miles south at Dinas Dinlle, a wondrous location with views to the peaks of Yr Eifl down the coast. 

Caernarfon Castle and the Town Walls are the main reason most people visit, and both are outstanding examples of medieval military architecture.

The Welsh Highland Railway, which begins close to the Castle, runs down the west side of Snowdon, one of the most scenic narrow-gauge railways in Wales. It terminates at Porthmadog, where you can change for the Ffestiniog Railway to the Word Heritage slate town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. 

Dinas Dinlle beach, and also the quieter Aberdesach beach to the south. 

Beddgelert is one of the prettiest villages in North Wales, in an idyllic valley location a few miles south of the western flank of Snowdon, and the mighty Nantlle Ridge walk.    

More coastal than seaside, we rate Conwy the most beautiful town in Wales. Conwy Castle is one of the most beautiful castles in Europe, an eight-towered masterpiece guarding the Conwy river estuary. The circuit of town walls is just as impressive, and both were the work of master military architect James of St George.  

Conwy is more of a port town than seaside resort, though it does have a great beach a mile away – Conwy Morfa is just beyond the golf course, and commands great views to the Great Orme and Llandudno in one direction and Puffin Island and Anglesey in the other. 

The Afon Conwy is one of the most beautiful rivers in Wales, and the Conwy Valley up to Betws-y-Coed has much to divert you.   

The west side of the valley lies below the Carneddau, the remote largely unexplored swathe of Snowdonia that stretches along the coast to Bangor. This quiet hinterland area is fascinating, with ancient burial chambers like Maen y Bardd near Rowen, a Roman settlement at Caerhun and medieval churches like Llangelynnin Old Church all worth a short visit.  

Betws-y-Coed is the main gateway to Snowdonia, and there is much to see around it, including the stunning Tudor Gwydir Castle, open for visits with two rooms available as a B&B, one of the best castles to stay in Wales. 

Aberdaron is the Land’s End of North Wales, the last village on the Llŷn Peninsula, with just Bardsey Island and the Irish Sea beyond.  

Aberdaron has a great beach in the heart of the village, with several more in the coves around the tip of the Llŷn. Aberdaron was the final point of departure for pilgrims journeying across the treacherous waters to Bardsey (Ynys Enlli), the culmination of one of the most important pilgrimages in Wales. 

This wild corner of North Wales has some spectacular coastal walks, and you can head. Towards the surrounding beaches on one or more of these, or drive the narrow lanes instead. 

Aberdaron beach is fantastic, and it’s also worth exploring the small village, including St Hywyn’s Church, the medieval hostelry turned café Y Gegin Fawr, and the National Trust visitor centre Porth Y Swnt. 

Porth Oer – also called Porthor or Whistling Sands – is one of the best beaches in North Wales, and a short drive or decent hike away from Aberdaron. 

If the sea is calm take a boat trip from nearby Porth Meudwy to Bardsey Island, the Isle of 20,000 Saints. This remote place is the holiest of Welsh islands, and during the Middle Ages three pilgrimages there were said to equal one to Rome.  

There are several more great beaches within a short drive of Aberdaron, with Porth Ysgo and the surfers’ favourite Porth Neigwl (Hells Mouth) on the southern side of the peninsula.  

On the northern coast, climb Mynydd Anelog for superb views over to Bardsey, or head a few miles up the coast to remote Porth Iago, which may cost you £5 to park but is worth every last penny – it’s a stunning beach, almost empty even in peak season. 

Aberdovey – Aberdyfi in Welsh – is slap-bang in the middle of Wales, on the Cardigan Bay coast  between Aberystwyth to the south and Barmouth to the north. 

It’s the least discovered of the three estuary seaside towns, but a real gem with an endless sandy beach, fantastic estuary views to the Cambrian Mountains, and easy access to the southernmost reaches of the Snowdonia National Park, including one of the best sections of the Wales Coast Path high above the town and Dovey estuary. 

Aberdovey Beach is spectacular, stretching from the town and estuary all the way to Tywyn, three miles to the north, and beyond.  The seafront is also a pretty sight with its colourful houses brightening the scene. 

The beach is vast, with enough space for donkey rides, kite surfing, paddleboarding and more.  

If you’re dining in the town, we can strongly recommend the Penhelig Arms, half a mile to the east of the beach. 

And the coast path high above Aberdovey is one of the hidden highlights of the area. We visited in summer, the slopes of the hills were carpeted in pink-purple heather, making for a magnificent sight. The views over the estuary to the dunes of Ynyslas are also superb. 

See Also: 21 Wonderful Things To Do In Aberdovey

Tywyn, just up the coast, has a great beach and the Magic Lantern, one of the oldest independent cinemas in the UK. 

The World Heritage-listed Talyllyn Railway begins at Tywyn, continuing up to Abergynolwyn and Nant Gwernol . These stops are a couple of miles down the road from Talyllyn Lake, one of the most beautiful in Wales. If you’re driving, the former slate quarrying village of Corris and its Craft Centre are nearby, as are paths to Cadair Idris. 

You could also take the train from Aberdovey up the stunning Cambrian Coast Railway, to Barmouth, Harlech or Portmeirion. 

Cardigan (Aberteifi) is a seaside town on the Teifi and is the birthplace of the Eisteddfod, the main cultural festival of Wales, which was first held there in 1176.  

Cardigan has made quite a comeback in recent years with a growing alternative arts scene, independent shops, cafes, and galleries.  Cardigan Castle has been restored after being closed for many years. And the old denim factory now houses Hiut, a hip jeans brand worn by celebrities.  

Cardigan is close to several great beaches, including Poppit Sands on the south (Pembrokeshire) side. On the north (Cardigan) side, beyond Gwbert, Mwnt is one of the best beaches in Mid Wales, with a beautiful whitewashed church overlooking it.  

Cardigan Castle is well worth a visit. It’s not just a medieval castle either – there is also a B&B in a Georgian house in the grounds, and the 1176 restaurant. 

We recommend the drive along the north shore of the Teifi estuary to enjoy the views from Gwbert, before continuing to the wonderful Cardigan Island Coastal Farm Park, where as well as petting farm animals, kids can also spot marine wildlife and seabirds from the coastal path.   

Mwnt beach is one of the best beaches in Cardigan Bay, a narrow sandy gem with cliffs either side and the little white chapel above completing the scene.  

St Dogmaels, across the river, isa also well worth an hour or two of your time. It has a ruined Abbey and many pretty painted houses. We stopped off there on our way to Poppit Sands, and it was a wonderful surprise. 

Aberporth is a small seaside village a few miles to the east of Cardigan, its two beaches merging into one as the tide recedes. It’s also close to two other great Cardigan Bay beaches, Tresaith and Penbryn, which are walkable or a short bus ride or drive away.  

Cardigan is also close to the Welsh Wildlife Centre, another great family attraction. It’s located on the Teifi Marshes, a habitat for otters, wading birds and kingfishers. 

Barry Island is one of the main seaside towns in South Wales, a magnet for generations of families from South Wales. I went there countless times as a kid, and also taken my own son back there.  I’ve always thought of Barry as somewhere to visit on a day trip, not a place to stay overnight, as there are better places to stay elsewhere in the region or around Wales.  

Barry has three beaches – the main one, Whitmore Bay, the quieter (and not quite in the same league) Jacksons Bay near the Docks, and pebbly Cold Knap beach, another old favourite in Porthkerry Country Park.  

Barry Island is where my love of beaches and beach life began. No bag of chips will ever taste quite as good as the ones I had every time we went there in my childhood. There’s also plenty of ice cream and good coffee, not to mention Barry Island Pleasure Park and its many rides.  We always used to go on the Log Flume when we were kids and it’s still there – it must be due Ancient Monument status soon. 

Over the last twenty years or so Barry Island has become much more famous around the UK thanks to the BBC comedy series Gavin and Stacey, which is set there. 

Barry is part of the Vale of Glamorgan, a county we have explored at great length over many years. It’s a short drive beyond Cardiff Airport to the Blue Anchor, a gorgeous thatched pub in the village of Aberthaw. 

The ancient town of Llantwit Major is a few miles further west, with the stunning medieval church of St Illtud and a couple of fine rocky beaches close by. These are part of the Glamorgan Heritage Coast which continues to Southerndown and Ogmore.  

Penarth, a few miles east of Barry, is a very different proposition. It’s much more upmarket, a stylish and sophisticated seaside town located just outside of Cardiff, with a restored Victorian pier, beautiful gardens, and great restaurants and cafes.  

Best places to see and things to do in Penarth

Penarth Pier is the highlight, a beautiful late Victorian structure with a 1929 Art Deco pavilion which now houses a cinema and auditorium.  Our son had his first ever (of a great many) taste of ice cream here, and we’ve promised him a trip back to where his gelato journey began one day. 

Alexandra Park, on the hill above the Pier and beach, is another lovely spot, and a scenic route down from the station if you’re visiting by train. 

Cardiff Bay is just around the headland from the beach and pier.  You can walk there or travel there by bus and train.  

The same range of day trips from Cardiff are available to you if you’re staying a few days or more in Penarth. This covers much of South and Mid Wales, as well as across the border in England. If you’re driving, many of the best places to visit near Bath and Bristol are also within reach.  

Penarth Pier is also a departure point for cruises on the Balmoral pleasure steam ship, with destinations including Ilfracombe on the North Devon coast.  

Porthcawl (pronounced Porth-cowl by Welsh speakers, and Porth-corl by English speakers) was for generations the favoured seaside resort of the South Wales miners, who rarely had to travel far from their Valleys homes to the coast. They would return every year for two weeks, often for decades, staying in the holiday park at Trecco Bay, which is still going strong.  

It still attracts many locals, but the overall offering has improved a lot over the years, with the coast path to the dunes at Kenfig, past the famous Royal Porthcawl Championship golf course, a highlight. 

The best of the beaches is Rest Bay, close to the Golf Club, a mile of golden sands ideal for families and also a popular surf spot. 

Merthyr Mawr is one of the prettiest villages in Wales, with some beautiful thatched cottages en route to the car park for Merthyr Mawr dunes, a popular training location for athletes powering up the steep sandy hills. 

Across the Ogmore River, stop by at Ogmore Castle or continue two miles further to Dunraven Bay in Southerndown, a stunning beach with rock formations and acres of sand at low tide.  

Mumbles – also known as Oystermouth – is a seaside suburb of Swansea with a village feel, a traditional pier, lighthouse and three beaches and a Castle.  And one of the most famous pub crawls in Wales, the Mumbles Mile.   

Bracelet Bay, just around the corner from the Pier and Mumbles Head lighthouse, is the pick of the beaches.  Tiny Limeslade Bay, a few minutes’ walk further away from Mumbles, is a pleasant suburban beach while Mumbles Beach joins with Swansea Beach to become a single giga-beach of endless tidal sands.  

The walk from Oystermouth Castle along the seafront is wonderful, and we always stop halfway along at Verdi’s for an espresso, ice cream or whatever we fancy on the menu.  We then continue down to the Pier and amusement arcades before heading back. 

The view from Oystermouth Castle along the seafront is wonderful, as is the walk down to the Pier. 

Bracelet Bay is a brilliant little beach, with plenty of sand but also rocks and rockpools, something for the curious younger souls to explore.  

Head into Swansea city centre and visit the excellent National Waterfront Museum, which explores Wales’ relationship with the sea. It’s superb for visitors of all ages and one of the best museums in Wales. While there, pop over the road to the city centre and visit Swansea Indoor Market – again one of the best in Wales – and see all the local produce, including the famous laver bread (seaweed) and shellfish from the north Gower and Carmarthenshire coast. 

Mumbles is the beginning of the Gower Peninsula, the first part of the UK to be designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 

The other Swansea beaches, including Langland and Caswell, are great for families, but we think that the best Gower beaches are further west – particularly Rhossili Bay, Three Cliffs Bay and Oxwich Bay. There are also plenty of Gower walks taking you to lesser-known corners of this amazing landscape.   

Newport Pembs is a quirky, pretty coastal town with a superb sandy beach that is the gateway to the wilds of North Pembrokeshire, from the most demanding and rewarding section of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path to the bleak beauty of the Preseli Hills. 

The main town, with its characterful shops including the wonderful Carningli Centre, is a mile up the hill from the beaches.  

Newport Sands is the spectacular main beach, and one of the best in Pembrokeshire. 

The Parrog is the small, picturesque old fishing port area with another small beach. 

The last – and best – leg of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path – the 13-mile up-and-down slog along the wild coast of North Pembrokeshire to St Dogmaels is the most exhilarating stretch in the whole county and, I’d venture, along the entire Wales Coast Path.

The Celtic Cross at Nevern is one of the finest examples anywhere in the Celtic corners of Europe – it can be found in the churchyard of St Brynach in the nearby village of Nevern 

Ceibwr Bay is the only place accessible by road on the long walk to St Dogmaels, and the one place where this amazing wild coastal scenery is easily accessible   

Laugharne (pronounced ‘Larne’) is a lovely coastal town on the Taf estuary and Carmarthenshire coast. The town is best known for its medieval Castle and its association with Dylan Thomas, one of the most famous Welsh writers.  

Thomas lived in the Boathouse on the shore of the estuary, and also frequented the bar of Brown’s Hotel on the high street. He and his wife Caitlin are buried in St Martin’s churchyard. 

 The Carmarthenshire coast always seems quiet because the beaches are so vast. The nearest beach to Laugharne is Pendine Sands, an enormous swathe of golden sands which was used for world land speed record attempts. 

Dylan Thomas Boathouse is preserved as it would have looked during his time living there.  Brown’s Hotel is Dylan Thomas’ famous haunt, and many make the pilgrimage to drink where he was known to down a few. 

Laugharne Castle is superbly sited on the Taf estuary, built to consolidate the once prospering port. 

Pendine Sands is an awesome beach that never gets anywhere near crowded, and most visitors tend to congregate around the village end to the west, only 4 miles from Laugharne. 

Still in Carmarthenshire, you have to drive up to the A40 road to reach it, but the village of Llansteffan, with its own Castle, makes a wonderful stop on the Tywi estuary, with a river beach and endless tidal sands to wander.  

Head a few miles west from Pendine and you reach the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, which begins at Amroth. Two of our other best seaside towns in Wales, Saundersfoot and Tenby, are a few miles further away. 

I hope you have enjoyed reading my guide to the best seaside towns in Wales.

I’ve spent a lifetime exploring the coastline of Wales, including its hundreds of beaches as well as its coastal towns.

If you’ve enjoyed reading about these Welsh coastal towns, I suggest also looking at my guides to the best beaches in North Wales, Cardigan Bay beaches and Gower beaches.

My guides to the best Anglesey beaches and Llŷn Peninsula beaches introduce you to more hidden gems around the North Wales coast.

If you’re more curious about Pembrokeshire, take a look at my guide to the top Tenby Beaches, and also my Pembrokeshire road trip itinerary.

Finally, for an overview of the very best things to see in Wales, check out my Wales Bucket List article.