Wales isn't just about the mountains and national parks, we also have a ton of great seaside towns sitting along the coast. From quaint fishing villages to vibrant beach towns, there is something for everyone.
In this article, I'll share my 11 favourite seaside destinations in Wales to help inspire your next trip.
1. Tenby
Tenby is a beautiful town in West Wales near the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. With its picturesque harbour, sandy beaches, and cobbled streets, there's no wonder it's a popular summer destination.
Tenby is best known for its colourful houses that overlook the beach and harbour, like something straight from Greece or Italy. It's also home to no less than five beaches, including some with a Blue Flag award.
The thing I enjoy most about visiting Tenby is how many activities there are to do. There's a castle (albeit just a small ruin), a museum, and viewpoints. Plus, in the surrounding area, there's alpaca trekking, Heatherton World of Adventures, a dinosaur park, escape rooms, and more.
I recommend checking out my full guide of the best things to do in Tenby for more inspiration.
2. Llandudno
Llandudno is a seaside town in North Wales, known for its expansive beaches, Victorian pier, and Great Orme headland.
In the town itself, activities include walking along the promenade and taking a ride on the Llandudno Cable Car to the summit of Great Orme where you'll enjoy views over the town and across the sea.
As well as visiting the beach, it's conveniently located near Snowdonia National Park with both Llanberis and Betws-Y-Coed within one hours drive to mix up your beach days with some hiking and outdoor activity.
3. Harlech
The small coastal town of Harlech has two of my favourite things; a great beach and a great castle.
Harlech Castle is a stunning medieval castle that was built in the 13th century with a strategic position looking over the Irish Sea. It's now a joint UNESCO World Heritage Site along with several other castles in North Wales.
The castle overlooks Harlech beach, a long stretch of sandy beach, backed by extensive dunes. Keep in mind that this is a tidal beach, so it's best to visit at low tide when the beach is at its widest.
From Harlech, you can take a trip to Chwarel Hen Llanfair Slate Caverns for a self-guided tour of the mines, plus, the town sits in the foothills of Snowdonia National Park so you can easily take a trip to the countryside.
4. Prestatyn
Prestatyn was a no-brainer on this list thanks to several beaches within walking distance of the town. These include Lido beach, Barkby beach, and Central beach, which is the only beach in North Wales to receive the converted Blue Flag award in 2022, recognising its outstanding cleanliness and sustainability.
The town itself is small and welcoming, with cute local shops and restaurants for visitors to explore and incredibly friendly and welcoming locals.
5. Barmouth
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Being from Mid-Wales myself, Barmouth has long been one of my favourite beach towns in Wales. It's your typical British seaside destination with freshly cooked doughnuts and candyfloss in plenty of supply.
The beach itself is huge, but don't let this fool you because it can still get very busy during peak summer months.
Barmouth is a great destination if you're travelling with children. If the beach isn't enough to keep them entertained, you'll find an amusement arcade, funfair rides, and a soft play centre. You can also take a trip to the RNLI lifeboat station's visitor centre to learn about their work and see a lifeboat up close.
6. Aberystwyth
With coastal views in one direction and rolling hills in the other, Aberystwyth is the perfect destination for a relaxing getaway in Mid-Wales.
The beaches in the town itself are nothing to shout home about, but Tan-Y-Bwlch, Ynyslas, and Borth are all just a stone's throw away should you want some proper beach time.
As with all of the towns and villages listed here, you'll have easy access to the Wales Coastal Path. One of my favourite stretches runs between Aberystwyth and Borth, plus you can get the train back to Aberystwyth again at the end.
There are lots of cultural attractions to explore in the town itself, such as the National Library of Wales and the Aberystwyth Arts Centre, which hosts a variety of live performances and events. I can also recommend heading over to Bwlch Nant-yr-Araian, a forest with walking and mountain biking trails.
7. Penarth
Penarth is a seaside town in South Wales, located just a 10 minute drive from Cardiff so it's a very popular beach destination for those that live in the capital.
The town is renowned for its stunning seafront promenade, which is lined with Victorian buildings, shops, and restaurants. Aside from the beach, the town is known for the Cosmeston Medieval Village, an open-air museum that recreates life as a peasant in Wales during the middle ages.
8. Colwyn Bay
Colwyn Bay is a seaside resort town located in North Wales. It's known for its sandy beaches, scenic views, and active lifestyle.
The town is home to a number of attractions such as the Greenfield Valley Heritage Park, the Colwyn Bay Pier, and the Welsh Mountain Zoo. Colwyn Bay is also a great place to visit for watersports, shopping, and dining experiences. There's plenty to do here for everyone!
9. Aberydyfi
Aberdyfi, Wales is an idyllic beach destination on the west coast of Wales. It is a small village boasting breathtaking views of the Dyfi Estuary and the Cambrian Mountains. The beach itself is a long stretch of fine sand, perfect for relaxing in the sun. It's also a popular spot for crab fishing with many shops offering bait and fishing lines.
Although it's primarily a place people go for the beach, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy too, from walking, cycling and fishing to sailing, golfing and bird watching.
The village also boasts a range of shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs, giving visitors plenty of options for dining and entertainment. Personally, I enjoy grabbing some fish and chips from Seabreeze chippy and enjoying them from the wall that runs along the back of the beach.
10. Barry
Barry is a small town in South Wales that's best known for its starring role on the hit TV show, Gavin and Stacey. The most famous part of the town is Barry Island, a peninsular that's home to the town's most famous beach, Whitmore Beach, as well as Barry Island Pleasure Park where you'll find funfair rises, arcades, and more.
To be honest, Whitmore Beach isn't Barry's finest beach (unless you want to rent out one of the iconic beach huts), instead, I'd recommend Jackson's Bay which is a small sandy cove where the locals hang out.
For me, the highlight of Barry is Barry Goodsheds, a sustainable high street made from shipping containers and old railway carriages that is home to independent traders, a street food court, and Barry's only rooftop bar.
Other activities in Barry and Barry Island include the tourist railway and Knap Lake and Gardens. A little bit further afield will get you to Porthkerry Country Park which is home to staggering cliffs, nature trails, and lots of woodland for picnics.
11. Abersoch
Abersoch on the Llyn Peninsular in North Wales is one of the smaller destinations on this list, but a great one nonetheless, especially for those who enjoy water sports.
In terms of beaches, you have two options; for relaxing, Abersoch beach is your best bet with cute beach huts and plenty of sand. However, if you're feeling adventurous, head to nearby Porth Neigwl, which has the nickname Hell's Mouth, and is one of Wales' top surfing spots.
For those feeling adventurous, surfing isn't the only option at Abersoch. It's particularly well known for sailing with internationally recognised waters and a famous regatta that takes place each year.
Published: 21 December 2022 · Last updated: 28 June 2023