Home to the UK’s only National Coastal Park, West Wales has some truly spectacular coastal hot spots to explore. Boasting colourful seaside towns, quaint coastal holiday cottages, bustling harbours, golden sands and dramatic sea views, these iconic towns and villages are a must for your holiday itinerary!
Pembrokeshire’s Coast
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Tenby
Tenby is perhaps one of West Wales’s most famous towns, drawing millions of visitors every year. It is particularly known for its pastel-coloured Georgian houses which back the harbour, perfectly setting the scene for a charming seaside town. Tenby boasts four beautiful beaches, historic attractions like the castle and Tudor Merchant’s House, nearby family-friendly attractions and parks, as well as boat trips to Caldey Island, promising some fantastic days out.
The town is also less than 10 minutes away from Saundersfoot – another wonderful beach resort that’s well worth visiting.
Freshwater East
This coastal village boasts an expansive golden beach backed by sand dunes and a dedicated nature reserve, along with sheltered waters that are great for swimming or watersports. With panoramic views and 1km of beach to explore, it’s a lovely spot for leisurely walks, before dropping into one of the village’s hilltop pubs. The settlement here dates back to the Iron Age, with remains of a fort evidenced at East Cliff.
Solva
Located on the south side St Davids Peninsula, Solva is known for being a picturesque fishing village characterised by two levels: Upper Solva and Lower Solva. The steep valley leads down to a scenic harbour, which is lined by colourful buildings, independent boutiques and some great eateries. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path also passes by the harbour, and you can follow this path out to The Gribin headland, which offers magnificent views out towards St Brides Bay.
St Davids
St Davids, the UK’s smallest city, sits within the striking St Davids Peninsula and offers a rich mix of history and coastal beauty. Its highlights include St Davids Cathedral and the nearby Bishop’s Palace, alongside other historic sites like St Non’s Chapel and ruggedly scenic spots like St Non’s Cliffs & Cathedral Cave. The surrounding coastline features the secluded beach and rocky cover of Caerfai Bay and the popular surfing beach at Whitesands Bay.
Porthgain
Porthgain is a little coastal hamlet on the north side of the St Davids Peninsula. Featuring a quaint harbour surrounded by lush green hilltops, the area was once a bustling hub for exporting stone from the adjacent quarry. Now, it is a peaceful retreat and popular walking destination along the Coast Path. Stop by the historic pub or popular bistro for some delicious local grub to keep you fueled as you explore the spectacular scenery, including various notable spots along the nearby headlands.
Newport
Newport is a popular seaside town offering a lively mix of attractions for food lovers, nature enthusiasts and beachgoers. It combines a vibrant atmosphere with a rich heritage rooted in the pottery and wool trade, offering an interesting look into the past in a stunning setting. The town’s main beach, Newport Sands, offers a mile of sandy shore to explore, ideal for those meandering afternoon walks. Parrog Beach is another scenic little spot that’s renowned for its sunset. Or, a hike up the Carn Ingli mountain can supply some unbeatable views of the surrounding countryside and coast.
Carmarthenshire’s Coast
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Pendine
Pendine is a pretty coastal village most known for its 7-mile sandy beach, Pendine Sands. Renowned not just for its natural beauty and sweeping views, the beach here is also famous for the land speed record attempts made in the 1920s – a legacy that remains an important part of the area today, with various annual beach driving events and the Museum of Speed to visit. The Wales Coast Path goes directly through Pendine, serving as a brilliant stop-off if you’re doing the route between Amroth and Laugharne.
Laugharne
For the perfect blend of heritage and coastal charm, Laugharne is the place to visit. Located on the Taf Estuary, there are plenty of scenic views to take in as you meander through the town. Most famous for being associated with the poet Dylan Thomas, you can also walk in his footsteps and visit the Dylan Thomas Boathouse as well as his grave. Laugharne Castle, comprising the remains of a Tudor mansion, is also well worth a visit – it joins up with the Wales Coast Path, making for a brilliant sightseeing walk.
Ferryside
Located on the Towy Estuary, Ferryside is a historic fishing village that boasts peaceful coastal scenes, inviting you to slow down and unwind. As the name suggests, the area is known for its ferry crossings – you can head across to Llansteffan on this ancient route regularly. Ferryside Beach is a nice, quiet little spot, ideal if you fancy a waterside walk away from the crowds. The village railway station provides good connections with nearby Kidwelly and Carmarthen.
Burry Port
Renowned for its maritime history, Burry Port is a pretty harbour town with a bustling marina, several nearby sandy beaches and easy access to the Millennium Coastal Path. Burry Port Beach is split into east and west stretches, separated by the marina, which features a lighthouse. The town’s major claim to fame is its connection to Amelia Earhart, who landed near Burry Port after her record-breaking flight across the Atlantic. It’s also right next to Pembrey Country Park, which has its own beach, 500 acres of woodland to explore and various family activities.
Llanelli
As Carmarthenshire’s largest town, Llanelli blends a proud industrial heritage, coastal living and a strong rugby tradition that remain central to local identity. The town is well known for its accessible coastline, where Llanelli Beach sits beside a sweeping promenade and links seamlessly into the scenic Millennium Coastal Path, offering views across the Gower. Nature and conservation are also key parts of the local area, highlighted by the nearby WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre, which provides a haven for wildlife and birdwatching.
Ceredigion’s Coast
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Aberporth
This charming village on West Wales’s north coast is particularly well known as a dolphin hot spot, making it the perfect place to visit for wildlife lovers. Aberporth has two beaches divided by a headland; Dolwen is popular for families and swimming, while Dyffryn is dog-friendly all year round, so great for walkies with four-legged friends. The coastal path heading towards Tresaith offers some stunning cliff-top views and more opportunities to spot dolphins.
Llangrannog
Llangrannog is a popular spot set along the River Hawen, which falls as a waterfall in the middle of the village before gently flowing across the main beach. A distinctive rock formation (which legend says was once a giant’s tooth) separates the village beach from Cilborth beach, which can be accessed at low tide. Walking along the rugged clifftops and Ynys Lochtyn headland also rewards you with some awesome views.
New Quay
A small but popular seaside town, New Quay is known for its picturesque harbour setting, colourful waterfront and connection to Dylan Thomas, who briefly lived here. It sits on the stunning coastline of Cardigan Bay, an area famous for its bottlenose dolphins and rich marine wildlife. The town has a relaxed coastal charm, with sandy stretches such as Harbour Beach, Dolau Beach and Traethgwyn Beach drawing visitors for swimming, walking and watersports. It also forms part of the scenic Ceredigion Coast Path, offering dramatic cliff-top walks and sweeping sea views.
Aberaeron
A postcard-worthy seaside town, Aberaeron is instantly recognisable for its elegant harbour lined with pastel-coloured Georgian buildings. This backdrop reflects its architectural significance as one of the first ‘planned’ towns in Wales, dating back to the early 19th century. Nearby attractions such as the National Trust estate Llanerchaeron add further historical interest. Along the shoreline, Aberaeron Beach offers a traditional pebble beach popular for boating, fishing and watersports, complementing the town’s strong maritime character.
Aberystwyth
Locally known as “Aber,” Aberystwyth is a vibrant university town celebrated for its lively cultural and arts scene, set against a backdrop of a historic promenade and iconic Victorian pier. Framed by the coastline of Cardigan Bay, the town boasts two sweeping beaches that boast traditional seaside character, while landmarks such as Pen Dinas Hill offer panoramic views over the area and a glimpse into its ancient past. The town’s charm is further enhanced by the unique Aberystwyth Cliff Railway, which carries visitors up Constitution Hill for spectacular coastal vistas, bringing together natural beauty, heritage and a dynamic atmosphere.
Staying Along West Wales’s Coast
Want to stay in or near one of these fantastic coastal havens? Our extensive selection of Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, and Ceredigion holiday cottages has got you covered. Whether you opt for a cosy seaside cottage, harbourside lodge or peaceful rural retreat, each stay offers a unique experience, providing the perfect way to enjoy the region’s coast at its best!
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