The 10 Best Beaches in Wales from My Own Experience—Plus 1 To Skip

I know what you’re thinking: best beaches in Wales? The cloudy, gray country in the UK? Yep—that very same Wales has some of the best beaches I’ve ever been to in my life.

No, Wales isn’t Spain. It’s not the Canary Islands. Don’t expect palm trees, coconuts, and swimming in warm water. Do expect spectacular coastlines, stunning mountain backdrops, and lots of variety.

Let me illustrate my point. Rhossili Bay, Three Cliffs Bay, and Barafundle Bay—my three favorite beaches in Wales—each left a completely different impression on me. One is an enormous bay surrounded by cliffs and mountains, one has some of the most dramatic cliffs I’ve seen, and one feels like a green paradise.

Still not swayed? Fine. I’m about to show you why you shouldn’t underestimate the beaches in a country not exactly known for it. 

Important note: As I said, these are not swimming beaches (unless you’re Welsh). These are beaches for strolling, enjoying the views, and sailing. Sure, go ahead and take a dip if you really want to, but you’re in for a shock of ice-cold water. Brrrr.

 

Read more from my Wales travel blog.

 

Honza’s Best Beaches Awards

Best sand in Wales, and I'll argue with anyone about it @ Three Cliffs Bay
 

• Best beach overall: Rhossili Bay
• Best sand: Three Cliffs Bay
• Best for families: Llandudno North Shore Beach
• Best dramatic cliffs: Three Cliffs Bay
• Best secluded beach: Barafundle Bay
• Easiest beach to access:  Rhossili Bay
• Most unique beach: Abereiddy Beach & Blue Lagoon

 

Map: Where are the best beaches in Wales?

Nine of my ten picks sit on the south coast, so that's where your road trip should go

 

 

My ranking methodology: how I chose the best beaches in Wales

This is why sand quality made the list @ Dunraven Bay
 

When I ranked these best beaches in Wales, I focused on my experience as a whole. The most beautiful beaches aren't necessarily the best overall.

• Scenery and setting: Okay, pretty IS a factor. It’s just not the only factor.
• Sand quality: Was there fine sand that felt nice on my feet, or was I walking on razor blades?
• Access and parking: How easy was it to actually get there?
• Crowds and atmosphere: Was it full of tourists? If so, did that ruin the relaxed vibes?
• Effort-to-reward ratio: Was the trekking to get to it worth it or a waste of energy? 

 

At a glance: the top 10 beaches in Wales

1. Rhossili Bay  (Gower Peninsula)
2. Three Cliffs Bay  (Gower Peninsula)
3. Barafundle Bay  (Pembrokeshire)
4. Dunraven Bay  (Vale of Glamorgan)
5. Marloes Sands  (Pembrokeshire)
6. Tenby South Beach  (Pembrokeshire)
7. Church Door Cove  (Pembrokeshire)
8. Llandudno North Shore Beach (North Wales)
9. Swansea Beach  (Swansea Bay)
10. Abereiddy Beach & Blue Lagoon  (Pembrokeshire)

 

 

1. Rhossili Bay (Gower Peninsula)

Even if you have zero time for the beach, stop up here @ Rhossili Bay
 

• Scenery and setting: 10/10
• Sand quality: 8/10
• Access and parking: 10/10
• Crowds and atmosphere: 9/10
• Effort-to-reward ratio: 10/10

 

Rhossili Bay is one of the most gorgeous beaches I’ve ever been to in my life, period. It’s also super large. Large enough that I definitely could have spent way longer than my 1 hour here. And happily would have if not for the other stops on my itinerary that day.

Getting there was straightforward: there’s a large, spacious parking lot and it’s a quiet 70 m (230 ft) descent down to the beach via some stairs. If you don’t have time to explore the beach, you can still get excellent views over the entire bay from the cliffs. So even if it’s not in your itinerary and I can’t convince you to include it, at least stop by and take a look. Please.

The cliff walk comes with free company and a bird's eye view of Worm's Head @ Rhossili Bay

 

But if you’re wise and listening to me, you should absolutely take the time to walk along the coast. The combination of the enormous bay, rocky cliffs, and mountains in the background was just unforgettable. If you have even more time, I loved the cliff walk too for that bird's-eye angle.

Be aware, though, this is no hidden gem. It’s one of the most popular beaches in Wales (and for good reason). Still, I never felt packed in with other tourists because it’s just so huge and sprawling. Another reason why the trekking is worth it.

Pro tip: If you're planning to explore the best beaches in Wales, consider renting a car.

 

2. Three Cliffs Bay (Gower Peninsula) 

Keep going, because it gets way better on the way down @ Three Cliffs Bay
 

• Scenery and setting: 10/10
• Sand quality: 10/10
• Access and parking: 5/10
• Crowds and atmosphere: 9/10
• Effort-to-reward ratio: 8/10

 

Three Cliffs Bay kept getting better the closer I got to it. When I arrived and saw the view from the parking lot, I was like, ‘Aw, that’s it?’ But when I descended, the beach became much more spectacular when the cliffs and sand dunes were visible. This isn’t like Rhossili, where just stopping above gets you those views. 

Unfortunately, that means walking half a mile downhill to the bay, including stepping stones across the river. And it wasn’t an easy or short walk. I recommend hiking boots because it was that annoying to access. Points taken away for that and for the parking, which was a bit of a hassle but can be bought at the reception of the nearby holiday park. This is not a quick stop-and-look kind of place.

Wear the hiking boots, I'm not kidding @ Three Cliffs Bay

 

On the positive side, Three Cliffs Bay has amazingly soft golden sand that makes up for the annoying walk. It genuinely felt good to step on. After hours and hours of driving around Wales, my poor stiff feet really appreciated it. 

The water was cold, but you know the Welsh. They were swimming in it like it was the Caribbean. I was more than happy to just look from the sand. I also enjoyed the views of the holiday houses on the opposite side. Overall, very peaceful vibes and a lovely afternoon stop.

Pro tip: If you don't really feel like organizing the trip yourself, there are also guided tours that take you all over these beaches.

 

3. Barafundle Bay (Pembrokeshire)

The drizzle chased the crowds away, so I'm calling it a win @ Barafundle Bay
 

• Scenery and setting: 9/10
• Sand quality: 7/10
• Access and parking: 8/10
• Crowds and atmosphere: 9/10
• Effort-to-reward ratio: 8/10

 

Barafundle Bay's backdrop is so green and lush that it felt completely different from the other beaches in Wales. The cliffs in the background are covered in bright grass, with a wooded valley behind the beach that made me think of the Australian coast in places. 

Although the weather on my visit was much less Australian and more, well, Welsh. I visited on a very drizzly day, which was annoying, but I’m glad I didn’t let it stop me from going. If anything, I appreciated that it drove away the usual crowds.

Sad gray clouds and all, this bay still kicked ass @ Barafundle Bay

 

The hike down to the beach is not hard at all, but a little long at 20 minutes. So this is another stop you’ll need to set aside some time for. When I arrived, though, it became obvious to me why the walk was worth it. This is an ass-kickingly beautiful bay that transcended even the lame weather and sad gray clouds. Undoubtedly one of the best beaches in Wales.

I recommend combining Barafundle with Bosherston Lily Ponds. It’s one of the best things I did in Wales because the ponds are an interesting landscape too. It also gave me a good excuse to spend more time exploring this ridiculously pretty corner of Wales.

 

 

4. Dunraven Bay (Vale of Glamorgan)

The lot sits right by the beach, and the view hits you before you've even locked the car @ Dunraven Bay
 

• Scenery and setting: 10/10
• Sand quality: 3/10
• Access and parking: 10/10
• Crowds and atmosphere: 8/10
• Effort-to-reward ratio: 8/10

 

Dunraven Bay is more of a coastal outing than a beach bum type of place.  At high tide, the beach is mostly rocky. But when the water retreats, a nice large stretch of sand opens up. So if you're looking to lie on soft sand with a book, check the tide before you go.

Or if you’re into rock pools, picture-worthy landscapes, and hiking around the coast, you will agree that Dunraven Bay is one of the best beaches in Wales. I appreciated how dramatic the views were immediately from the parking lot. I did not have to wait even a second to get hit with the gorgeousness.

Speaking of parking, 5 stars—the lot is big and near the beach area, so no complaints there. Another plus is I actually got beautiful weather for once. I watched the sunset here, which was extra stunning with the clear skies.

Come in the afternoon, when the sun lights up the pretty side of the bay @ Dunraven Bay

 

I was also surprised by just how many things there are to do in the bay. There are walled gardens you can walk through, and you absolutely should—I thought it was just stunning. And there’s plenty of hiking and walking around to do in the area. Overall, a great experience.

Pro tip: Aim to visit in the afternoon. The sun will be in the west, so you can take pictures of the prettier side of the bay.

 

5. Marloes Sands (Pembrokeshire)

Those rock pools are packed with little crabs, shrimp, and fish @ Marloes Sands
 

• Scenery and setting: 10/10
• Sand quality: 7/10
• Access and parking: 7/10
• Crowds and atmosphere: 6/10
• Effort-to-reward ratio: 7/10

 

Marloes Sands is even prettier in person than my pictures suggest. I tried my best to capture just how stunning the landscape is with my phone, but I couldn't do it justice. So don't assume what you're seeing online is what you're gonna get. Is it kind of like reverse catfishing?

The only real downside of Marloes Sands is getting there. It's about a 20-minute walk to the beach. It was a bit steep and rocky, which I didn’t love, but my biggest gripe is that it took me longer than I expected. I ended up regretting that I hadn't carved out more time for it in my itinerary. Don't make my mistake: give yourself time to explore the beach instead of treating this like a quick stop.

 

That being said, the walk is so easily justified by the scenery. There are huge stretches of sand, interesting and dramatic rock formations, and lots of little spots to explore. I especially liked the rock pools. I got to go searching for little fish, shrimp, and crabs chilling in a lot of them. 

You absolutely should come at low tide. I only got to see as much as I did because it was low tide when I went. Plus, it’s safer. High tide can swallow up a lot of the beach, and you definitely don't want to be wandering too close to those steep cliffs when that time comes.

 

6. Tenby South Beach (Pembrokeshire)

A city beach that doesn't feel like a city beach, love it @ Tenby
 

• Scenery and setting: 10/10
• Sand quality: 6/10
• Access and parking: 7/10
• Crowds and atmosphere: 5/10
• Effort-to-reward ratio: 9/10

 

Tenby South Beach is basically Wales saying “fuck you, I’m gonna combine everything pretty.” I got a long stretch of golden sand, a beautiful bay, colorful houses, dramatic coastline, and a medieval town all crammed together into one insane view. The second I saw that, I was like, this is obviously going on my list of the best beaches in Wales.

Which surprised me. I wasn't expecting much, honestly, since this is a city beach. They usually lose their charm once you start adding urban buildings to the equation. But somehow the opposite was true for Tenby—the town’s colorful buildings actually added to the whole atmosphere. And the cliffs were right there to keep it from feeling too city-like. My heroes.

Wales really did cram everything pretty into one spot @ Tenby

 

The beach itself is a long stretch of sand with plenty of room to walk along the shore and take in the views. I was very happy to have two evenings in Tenby because I was able to see it during both day and night. (Night wins by a very small margin; the light hitting the bay is just spectacular.)

Even if you're not staying overnight, I'd try to see Tenby South Beach later in the day. The combination of sand, sea, cliffs, and city makes this one of the most unique places I visited in Wales. The hotels in Tenby are awesome by the way.

My personal note: North Beach and Castle Beach are here too, but if you only have time for one, it has to be Tenby South Beach.

 

7. Church Door Cove (Pembrokeshire)

This is what Church Door Cove looks like on a good day, apparently
 

• Scenery and setting: 9/10
• Sand quality: 5/10
• Access and parking: 6/10
• Crowds and atmosphere: 8/10
• Effort-to-reward ratio: 5/10

 

I got very unlucky with Church Door Cove. It was foggy and drizzly when I visited, so this ended up being more of a quick stop than I was hoping. Drizzle is one thing—I can still enjoy a beach if there’s some precipitation—but fog? I couldn’t see shit. And then what’s the point? 

I probably would have stayed longer if it wasn’t for the weather because what I could see was very nice. Church Door Cove is famous for its huge natural rock arches, which have an opening that supposedly looks like a church door. Maybe the weather cursed me because I'm an atheist.

I also struggled to get down. Once past the cliffs, I had to tackle 100+ steep steps to get to the beach. Which was extra difficult considering how slippery it was that day. Ugh.

 

Important note: Check tide times before visiting. It’s only possible to visit at low tide. Make sure you know when the water is coming back in before heading down.

The good news is that Church Door Cove is very close to Tenby, so it’s easy to slot into a Pembrokeshire itinerary.  It's a worthwhile quick stop if you're already in the area, but factor in time for the descent and climb back up. Or skip it if the weather is actively out to get you.

 

 

8. Llandudno North Beach Wales (North Wales) 

Promenade, snacks, and arcade all included @ Llandudno
 

• Scenery and setting: 9/10
• Sand quality: 3/10
• Access and parking: 7/10
• Crowds and atmosphere: 7/10
• Effort-to-reward ratio: 9/10

 

If your essential beach experience includes a family-friendly promenade with snacks, rides, and little shops, Llandudno North Beach Wales is your stop. Of all the best beaches in Wales I visited, this one felt more to me like a full seaside ‘experience.’ I played so much air hockey in the seaside arcade, for one example.

The beach itself is so huge and connected to the town that it all felt like one entity altogether. It’s sprawling, with the Great Orme cliff in the background as the dramatic cherry on top of an already dramatic landscape. As you might imagine, this isn't one of those wild and secluded little Welsh beaches. But it's large enough that the crowds never overwhelmed me.

The Great Orme is the dramatic cherry on top @ Llandudno
 

Don't expect soft sand. It’s mostly shingle, and the sandy sections only show up when the tide is low, so I wouldn't walk it barefoot. On the upside, that means you get—you guessed it—little rock pools. Man, do Wales beaches overdeliver on that front.

And obviously don't skip Llandudno Pier. At over 2,000 feet, it's the longest pier in Wales and gave me excellent views of the beach and Great Orme. You just can’t get views like that of any other beach in Wales.

 

9. Swansea Beach (Swansea Bay)

One of the biggest tidal ranges in the world, in action @ Swansea Beach
 

• Scenery and setting: 9/10
• Sand quality: 6/10
• Access and parking: 3/10
• Crowds and atmosphere: 7/10
• Effort-to-reward ratio: 9/10

 

Swansea Beach is absolutely insane because of its tidal range. In fact, it has one of the largest tidal ranges in the world. It's like the Jekyll and Hyde of beaches. When it's low tide, you get looooong, wide expanses of sand. High tide, you get a bay that seems to go on forever.

That means you can visit Swansea Beach twice and it can look completely different both times. I visited in the afternoon when the tide was lowering, so I got to see more and more sand as the day went on. But if I had been there in the evening, it might have looked like a brand new, super deep bay. Even so, I’ve seriously never seen such a deep tidal beach in my life.

Head over for the Ferris wheel, £6 got me five full rotations @ Swansea Beach

 

Come early if you can, especially on a nice weekend. I went on a Saturday afternoon and ran into serious traffic. When I finally got there, there wasn't a parking spot to be found. I guess all the spots got swept away by the strong tide?

Luckily, there’s plenty to do here besides stare at the absurd beach. I recommend heading over to nearby Mumbles Pier to ride the Ferris wheel. Me being a small kid, of course I couldn’t resist it. £6 got me a full five rotations and excellent views. Good deal.

 

10. Abereiddy Beach & Blue Lagoon (Pembrokeshire)

Genuinely turquoise and genuinely a flooded slate quarry @ Blue Lagoon
 

• Scenery and setting: 6/10
• Sand quality: 4/10
• Access and parking: 9/10
• Crowds and atmosphere: 6/10
• Effort-to-reward ratio: 9/10

 

Abereiddy Beach and Blue Lagoon are two very different things but together make up one stop. Abereiddy is the actual beach: a small bay with dark black rock sand. Blue Lagoon is immediately next to it. It’s in a flooded former slate quarry surrounded by dramatic cliffs. 

It makes no sense to see one without the other. It’s like eating the mac without the cheese. Hence why I’mranking them together on my list of best beaches in Wales.

Blue Lagoon is not that Instagrammable, but it’s still worth a visit as a really nice quick stop. It’s small, with genuinely turquoise water from the sea. What was crazy to me was that there were actually people swimming here. Wtf, Welsh people? It’s a flooded slate quarry, not a tropical resort. 

I visited on a rainy day because, of course, I did @ Blue Lagoon

 

Abereiddy Beach is almost as unusual. The black sand is crushed slate from centuries of slate quarrying. It kind of looked to me like dirt, which is not an insult—it was actually really cool up against the water. I also liked the old quarry workers' cottages around the bay. They made the beach feel even more unique. An ‘industrial beach’ isn't exactly a common thing, obviously.

I spent about 20 minutes here, which felt like enough for a quick look around. It's also nicely close to other Pembrokeshire stops. If you're already in the area, there's no reason not to see it. Even though I visited on a rainy day. Because, of course, I did.

Note: Blue Lagoon is usually closed from mid-September to early November to protect gray seals during breeding season. This doesn’t apply to Abereiddy Beach, though.

 

One Wales beach I would skip

Nice sand, but this place is more theme park than beach @ Barry Island
 

Sorry, Whitmore Bay (Barry Island). You just didn’t do it for me. I get your shtick—there’s the whole amusement park thing going on. But the whole place felt more focused on being a seaside entertainment destination than a beach. Llandudno manages to balance them. Whitmore Bay does not. 

I was especially disappointed by Barry Island Pleasure Island. For some reason, I had it in my head that I was going to find some old-school Victorian lunapark. That's not what I got. There also weren't that many restaurants around, so I didn't find much else to make up for it.

With so many incredible beaches in Wales, I wouldn't go out of my way for this one. It's more “theme park” than “walking on the sand.” It'd be good for an excursion with all the family, though.

 

Famous beaches in Wales I didn’t get to

Llanddwyn is top of my list for the next Wales trip, for a good reason too
 

Hitting all the beaches in Wales is damn near impossible. There were quite a few I hoped to see but didn’t manage to squeeze into my itinerary. For my inevitable next trip to Wales, here are some well-known and much-loved spots I’ll want to take a look at:

• Llanddwyn Beach
• Barmouth Beach
• Porth Iago
• Abersoch
• Porthdinllaen
• Whitesands Bay
• Caswell Bay Beach
• New Quay Beach
• Traeth Llyfn (Disclaimer: I did stop here briefly, but not long enough to really rank it. The rain drove me away after like 5 minutes.)

 

 

Practical planning tips for enjoying the best beaches in Wales

This smile came right before the sunburn @ Dunraven Bay (Yes, in Wales)
 

• Check the tide before you go. Some beaches are dangerous at high tide. Others, like Church Door Cove, are not accessible at all. 
• Don’t assume you won’t get sunburnt. I did. Yes, in Wales. Specifically Dunraven Bay. Don’t get so comfortable with the cloudy skies that you forget your SPF.
• Bring a wetsuit if you actually want to swim. I wouldn’t. It’s cold year-round—too cold for me even during my trip in June, and it doesn’t get much better in July and August. But if you really, really want to, a wetsuit trumps a swimsuit for sure.
• Rent a car. Driving is the easiest way to get from point A to point B, and honestly, the scenery is breathtaking.
• Watch your step. A lot of the best beaches in Wales also have rocks, slippery surfaces, steep paths, and uneven terrain. This is especially true at Church Door Cove and around Blue Lagoon.
• Welsh weather is fickle. Drizzling can and will happen at any time. Don’t let that stop you from exploring a lovely bay.
• Dog-friendly beaches are common. Most beaches in Wales allow you to bring your furry friend along. Not all, though, so check before you go.
• Take advantage of the Wales Coast Path. Many of these beaches can be combined with sections of the path, which follows the entire Welsh coastline.

 

 

Final thoughts: the best beaches in Wales

The pony seems to agree that the beaches in Wales are awesome @ Rhossili Bay
 

I’m much more of a mountain guy than a beach one, but I was totally won over by Wales’ coast and beaches. There’s way more incredible bays here than I expected before I visited. 

The best part? You can choose the best beach in Wales for you based on the kind of experience you’re actually looking for.

If you want dramatic scenery, pick Rhossili or Three Cliffs. If you want soft sand, pick Three Cliffs or Barafundle. Looking for a seaside town? Tenby South Beach is for you. If you want to be shocked watching the Welsh swim in chilly water, pick Blue Lagoon for a short, unusual stop. 

See, not all beaches are created equal. And in Wales, you have the luxury of choice. Take advantage of it. 

 

 

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