20 Best Beaches in Wales

20 Best Wales Beaches

The best beaches in Wales are some of the most stunningly beautiful beaches in the world, with hundreds of hidden coves and bays. Despite their beauty, many of these Wales beaches remain relatively inaccessible, little known and rarely visited. Some Welsh beaches are Blue Flag beaches, some are sandy, some are rocky and some beaches, or least parts of them are dog friendly. No part of Wales has a monopoly on the best beaches – the list contains beaches in north Wales, south and west Wales. The south Wales beaches of the  Pembrokeshire coast deserve a special mention in that the entire coastline of Pembrokeshire is a National Park due to the outstanding beauty of the coastline.

Beaches in Wales have the most Blue Flag Beaches

Beaches in Wales are the Blue Flag 'capital' of the UK with more Blue Flag beaches per mile than anywhere else. The iconic Blue Flag is a world-renowned eco-label owned by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). The prestigious Blue Flag awards together with the Green Coast and Seaside Awards make a total of over 100 awards for Wales beaches.

Welsh Coastal Path

Wales enjoys a large coastline that is approximately 870 miles (or 1,400 kilometres) long from Queensferry, Flintshire in north East Wales to Chepstow, Gwent in the south East. The Welsh Coast Path was opened in 2012 and covers the entire length of the 870 coastline and the list of 20 of the best beaches in Wales comes from all parts of this coastline.

• Aberdyfi, Gwynedd

Aberdyfi is an idyllic coastal village on the estuary of the river Dyfi. There are four miles of coastline going north to Tywyn with spectacular views towards Snowdonia and the Snowdon mountain itself.

• Aberffraw and Ynys Llanddwyn, Ynys Mon (Anglesey)

A rural and uncrowded beach backed by dunes. The nearby Niwbwrch (Newborough) and Llanddwyn beach together with the Newborough Warren National Nature Reserve and its extensive dunes is spectacular. From the beach there are views across to Snowdonia, the Llyn Peninsula and the Menai strait. Llanddwyn island will always be associated with St Dwynwen, the Wales Patron Saint of Lovers!

• Aberdaron, Gwynedd

Aberdaron lies at the very end of the Llyn Peninsula and is a lovely little village and beach which becomes extremely popular in sunnier weather. Formerly a fishing village, pilgrims would stop over here on their way to Ynys Enlli, the ‘Isle of 20,000 Saints’. Also known as Bardsey Island, it is now an internationally renowned National Nature Reserve for its birdlife.

• Barafundle Sir Benfro (Pembrokeshire)

This isolated beach, often voted as one of the best beaches in the UK, is only accessible by a half mile walk from the nearest car park.

• Broadhaven, Sir Benfro (Pembrokeshire)

A wide sandy beach in South Pembrokeshire. It’s the perfect beach for a family day out with enough sand for everyone.

• Cefn Sidan, Sir Gaerfyrddin (Carmarthenshire)

Wales’ longest beach is in  south Wales and is an eight-mile-long dog walkers’ paradise, part of the Pembrey Country Park with views to the Gower peninsula

• Mwnt, Ceredigion

A stunningly beautiful, sheltered, and sandy cove. At the top of the beach is a cute chapel. Steep steps lead down to this unspoiled bay, which is owned and run by the National Trust.

• Newport, Sir Benfro (Pembrokeshire)

A broad, long beach at the estuary of the River Nevern from Newport Golf Club at one end to the town of Newport at the other. At low tide, you can wade across the river to Newport Parrog and the popular Newport Boat Club. (Parrog is an English word, similar to "paddock". In Welsh towns trading with England it acquired the meaning "flat place for unloading ships").

• Pendine, Sir Gaefyrddin (Carmarthenshire)

Between Amroth and Laugharne on Carmarthen Bay, this vast seven-mile stretch of beach is famous for the car racing of yesteryear. Famous as the beach where Sir Malcolm Campbell set the world land speed record in the 1920s.

• Porthcawl

Porthcawl is an exceedingly popular seaside resort in south Wales. There are many beaches in the Portcawl area. On the east side is Newton Beach, a long sandy and rocky beach, backed by the Newton Burrows and Merthyr Mawr sand dunes, a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, and ending at the mouth of the River Ogmore at Ogmore-by-Sea.  

In addition there is the famous Trecco Bay, Sandy Bay, Coney Beach and the Seafront Beach, also known as Town Beach. On the west side of the resort is Rest Bay and the smaller Pink Bay and Sker Beach.

• Porthdinllaen, Gwynedd

This long stretch of sandy beach is on the north coast of the Llyn Peninsula. Ty Coch Inn was opened here on the beach in 1842 and is today one of the most famous pubs in Wales

• Porthor, Gwynedd

On the northern Llyn coast, the white sands here are famous for the squeaking sound that is made as you trample the dry sand underfoot, giving them the nickname “Whistling Sands”.

• Rhosili, Dinas Abertawe (Swansea City)

Stunning! Rhosili Beach is one of the photographed beach in Wales and is famous for that ‘House’ standing alone above the beach. To get to the beach is via a very steep path.

• Rhosneigr, Ynys Mon (Anglesey)

Well known north Wales beach for windsurfing, kitesurfing, and sailing. At low tide there are lots of lovely rock pools to explore.

• Saundersfoot, Sir Benfro (pembrokeshire)

A large, flat sandy beach with very shallow water, ideal for safe bathing popular with families. Adjacent to the beach is the attractive habour and the small seaside town.

• Tenby, Sir Benfro, (Pembrokeshire)

The Tenby beaches lie between an amazing harbour and lifeboat station with views to the pastel coloured Georgian and Victorian houses on the clifftops.

• Three Cliff Bay, Gwyr (Gower)

Huge sandy beach with its famous three cliffs.

• Tresaith, Ceredigion

A small beach on the Ceredigion coastal path between Aberporth and PenyBryn. Very popular with families during the summer offering safe swimming and rock pools. There are public toilets near the beach, with wheelchair access. There is also a café, a first aid post, a shop and The Ship Inn Pub providing lots of tables inside and out, for meals overlooking the beach. Limited car parking with some spaces for cars displaying disabled stickers.

• Whitesands, Sir Benfro, (Pembrokeshire)

Wide and wild, with a pretty mix of sand and rocks, Whitesands Bay curves round close to St David’s head.

• Ynylas, Ceredigion

Ynyslas is a huge beach on the Estuary beach on the river Dyfi looking over the other side of river to Aberdyfi (see above). Fantastic scenery with dramatic views of the Cambrian mountains.

About FelinFach

Our company, FelinFach Natural Textiles is located in the heart of the Preseli area of Pembrokeshire near to Boncath. We design Welsh blankets and the iconic Welsh Tapestry blankets which are traditionally woven at Welsh mills. We also design and make natural hand dyed yarn, cotton, silk and wool scarves and other handmade products. We also offer Welsh tartans, Sheepskin Rugs, Gift Cards and tools and books for crafters and knitters - Cocoknits, Laine, Amirisu and Making to name a few!. We are a proud supporter of the Campaign for Wool and Global Welsh.

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Last update 10th June 2021