20 of the best beaches in Wales

In addition to being the land of emerald hills, dragons, and giants who roam the country, Wales also has some of the best beaches in the UK, perfect for long walks on the sand, thrilling activities or simply soaking up the sun. In fact, at the time of writing, around 40 of the beaches in Wales have been awarded Blue Flag status, an honour bestowed upon those with the highest level of safety standards, water quality, and environmental management.

Here are 20 of the best beaches in Wales, but we can assure you that there are many more along the 750-mile Welsh coastline! Why not come and stay in one of our wonderful Wales cottages and explore a few during your stay?

Coastal cottages in Wales

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• South Wales
• Pembrokeshire & South West Wales
• West Wales
• North Wales & Anglesey

Best beaches in South Wales

Rest Bay, Bridgend

On the outskirts of Porthcawl, Rest Bay is a popular beach with plenty to do. It’s popular with water sports fans, with surfing, windsurfing and kite surfing all on offer in the peaceful bay. With a big expanse of sand and backed by low green cliffs, the beach feels rugged and wild. It’s a big hit with golf fans too, as the Royal Porthcawl Golf Club is nearby.

Langland Bay, Gower

This family-friendly beach on the Gower Peninsula is only 6 miles from Swansea and so is extremely popular with city-dwellers looking for some seaside relaxation. The long stretch of beach is flanked by a traditional promenade and there are some lovely places to eat along the front. Langland is also one of the Gower’s best surf spots and so is popular with surfers as well as stand up paddleboarders on smaller swells.

Three Cliffs Bay, Gower

This spectacular beach is so called because of its impressive headline comprising three iconic limestone cliffs which jut out towards the sea. The stunning natural landscape surrounding this small bay gives it a rugged and secluded feel, and its remote location and lack of facilities mean it’s a quieter option on the Gower Peninsula. One of the most beautiful beaches in Wales, it will captivate you at first sight. While the beach is lifeguarded in season, this beach does experience strong tides and currents, so caution is advised when swimming – if in doubt, stick to the shore and soak up the fantastic sights at this beach. 

Oxwich Bay, Gower

A highly picturesque beach where turquoise waters are backed by dunes and salt marsh, Oxwich Bay is one of the loveliest beaches on the Gower Peninsula. The large sandy stretch is beloved by dog walkers as it welcomes four-legged visitors all year round. It’s also popular with water sports enthusiasts, especially stand-up paddleboarders. On top of this, the abundance of local facilities makes this one of the best Welsh beaches.

Rhossili Beach, Gower

With many awards to its name, Rhossili Beach is truly one of the best beaches in South Wales. With 3 miles of golden sand stretching along the Gower Peninsula, Rhossili is extremely picturesque and it’s not uncommon to see dolphins or seals enjoying the turquoise waters. Aside from the stunning views, people visit for water sports and walking routes along the Gower Coast Path. And this beach is a hit with our four-legged friends too, as it welcomes dogs all year round!

South Wales coastal cottages

Best beaches in Pembrokeshire & South West Wales

Tenby, Pembrokeshire

We’re cheating slightly by adding Tenby to our list, as it boasts not one, not two, but four lovely Wales beaches. The most popular is North Beach which is overlooked by the town and has stunning, turquoise waters. Harbour Beach and Castle beach are smaller, more sheltered beaches and finally, South Beach boasts a large stretch of sand backed by dunes. All have ample facilities nearby. The little town is one of the best places to stay in Wales for its combination of beaches, culture and character - we defy you not to be captivated by its charms! 

Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire

Barafundle Bay is a beach that is often considered to be the jewel in the crown of the Pembrokeshire beaches, and one of the best beaches in Wales. The fine sand and crystal-clear water mean that it is increasingly likened to a Caribbean beach. With the nearest car park located half a mile away and backed by undulating sand dunes and pine trees, it is not the most easily accessible beach, but it is worth the effort; you’ll find that the peace and tranquillity found here can make you believe that you are in your own personal paradise. Just around the coast is another spectacular stretch of sand, Broad Haven South Beach, which we highly recommend visiting during your stay.

Watwick Bay, Pembrokeshire

If you're on the hunt for Wales beaches that are off the beaten track, Watwick Bay is a top choice. This sheltered sandy cove is tucked away in the Pembrokeshire cliffs and has little in the way of facilities nearby, meaning it rarely gets crowded. The green sea and white sand make it a very pretty place for a picnic or an afternoon spent rock pooling at low tide, although be prepared – it’s a little bit of a walk from the car park!

Marloes Sand, Pembrokeshire

You’ll find a sheltered bay with rolling surf and giant green cliffs at this hidden gem of a beach on the Pembrokeshire coast, which you may recognise from Hollywood films including Snow White and the Huntsman. If you're looking for Welsh beaches with character, this could be the one! Managed by the National Trust and set just down the coast from equally-impressive Broad Haven North, the beach is a real beauty spot and is also home to a whole host of wildlife including seabirds and seals. It’s also a must-visit destination for walkers; the coastal views from the surrounding cliffs are truly epic.

Whitesands Beach, Pembrokeshire

The imposing hill of Carn Llidi looks over one of the best beaches in the south of Wales. With fine golden sand stretching to around a mile, Whitesands Beach is extremely popular among the surfing community of the country and is one of the best Welsh beaches for the sport. When the conditions are right, the beach is often packed with surfers, body-boarders, and other water sports enthusiasts competing for the best waves. The beach is featured in our guide to the top 10 things to do in St Davids and 5 of the best beaches in St Davids.

Pembrokeshire coastal cottages

Best beaches in West Wales

Mwnt Beach, Ceredigion

Another one of the beautiful sandy beaches in Wales, this sheltered cove overlooking Cardigan Bay is owned and maintained by the National Trust and is one of the best places in West Wales to spot the resident wildlife – dolphins and seals are frequently seen in the waters here. Steep steps lead down to the beach but it’s well worth the trek – you’ll be rewarded with a tranquil beach and a glistening sea. 

Aberporth, Ceredigion

This lovely coastal village in Cardigan Bay is another popular, family-friendly beach in West Wales. The golden sand and sheltered bay make it ideal for bathing, and there are a few rock pools at low tide which little ones will love. This is another Welsh beach where it’s possible to see dolphins – and if you don’t spot any in the sea, there’s a cute wooden sculpture near the headland!

New Quay, Ceredigion

Not to be confused with Cornwall’s Newquay, this traditional fishing port has three beaches to choose from – Harbour Beach, Traeth Gwyn and Dolau. Harbour Beach is the most popular and has the best facilities so it’s a must-visit if you’ve got little ones in tow. New Quay is also one of the best beaches in West Wales for watching wildlife – pods of bottlenose dolphins are often seen beyond the harbour wall.

Llangrannog, Ceredigion

Llangrannog Beach is a great sheltered, sandy beach featuring a distinctive rock on the edge of the shore which, according to legend, was once a giant’s tooth! The sand and rock pools are teeming with marine life which means that this beach is a great family beach. Walkers can enjoy the cliff path, part of the picturesque Ceredigion Coast Path, leading from the village to Cilborth.

Barmouth Beach, Gwynedd

Also known as Abermaw, this popular resort in the Eryri/Snowdonia National Park is a great place to visit with the whole family. As well as a sand and shingle beach, there are plenty of attractions like donkey rides, a land train and amusement arcades, as well as ample facilities. Nearby is the Barmouth Bridge which passes over the River Mawddach – the longest timber viaduct in the country is a sight to behold!

West Wales coastal cottages

Best beaches in North Wales & Anglesey

Abersoch, Llyn Peninsula

The main beach at Abersoch is a favourite destination for families visiting the area. It is considered to be a ‘safe’ beach and there is a motorboat exclusion zone here meaning that bathers and young swimmers can enjoy the water in peace. There is also plenty of sand for building castles, and dunes to be explored.

Porth Neigwl/Hell’s Mouth, Llanengan

Another one of the top beaches in Wales for water sports is Hell’s Mouth. In the past, this beach had a reputation among sailors as being a place of destruction and was feared, hence the name. In the present day though, this crescent-shaped beach and inviting blue water is considered among the best surfing beaches in the UK because the size, shelter, and location provide great conditions. Bathing can be unsafe here due to strong undertows and cross currents.

Rhosneigr Beach, Anglesey

This wide beach near the village of Rhosneigr on the Isle of Anglesey is one of the top beaches in Wales for adrenaline junkies who visit for windsurfing, kitesurfing, sailing and surfing. It’s also one of the best beaches in North Wales for dog walkers as four-legged visitors are welcome all year round. Families will love it too as there’s plenty of room to run around on the golden sands and lots of rock pools to explore.

Llanddwyn Beach, Anglesey

Also called Newborough Beach, this Anglesey beach has some of the most spectacular surroundings – it’s backed by the large dunes of a nature reserve and offers views across the water to Snowdonia National Park. The huge stretch of sand and lapping sea makes it popular with families, while walkers will love taking a hike across to Llanddwyn Island from where you might spot seals, dolphins or even minke whales.

Llandudno, Conwy

Llandudno is the quintessential beach to visit for a traditional day at the seaside. Once a popular Victorian resort, Llandudno is now Wales’ largest resort and as such is highly popular with families for some of the best beach holidays in Wales. Llandudno North Shore Beach is the town’s most popular beach and has a long pier, a traditional promenade and plenty of seaside attractions for all ages – including Punch and Judy shows, play areas and a land train.

North Wales coastal cottages

Find Wales' best beaches on our map

Stay with us in Wales

We have a selection of holiday cottages in Wales throughout its length and breadth, so that you can come and discover these beautiful beaches in Wales for yourself. Whether you’re looking for a coastal bolthole for a romantic break with your beau, or a large Victorian house near a traditional resort for long days of family seaside fun, we have the coastal cottage in Wales to suit you.

Wales coastal cottages