10 of the best things to do in St Davids

Enjoying a spectacular location in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, St Davids is the smallest city in Wales – and indeed the whole of Britain. But good things come in small packages: from ancient monuments and golden beaches to dolphin-spotting tours and arts festivals, there are so many things to do in St Davids that you’ll be spoilt for choice.

This village-sized city is named after the patron saint of Wales and was granted city status due to its magnificent cathedral which has been a site of pilgrimage for centuries. St Davids is also a mecca for those who adore an adventure in the outdoors, with walking, water sports and coasteering on offer.

So, we’ve picked 10 of the best days out in St Davids to make the most of this miniature metropolis. If you haven’t already found somewhere cosy to stay, just click the button below to browse our collection of holiday cottages in St Davids.

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Explore St Davids Cathedral

The most important religious monument in Wales, the 12^th-century St Davids Cathedral is the oldest ancient cathedral settlement in Britain – and the reason for St Davids’ city status. It was built on top of the much older St Davids Monastery, where pilgrims came from across Wales to pay homage to their country’s patron saint.

Not only is the cathedral one of the top things to do in Pembrokeshire, but it’s also one of the best things to do in St Davids in the rain. Once you’re inside, look up to see the soaring 16th-century oak ceiling and intricate stained-glass windows. Explore the treasury and library, both of which hold precious books and artefacts belonging to the clergy, and admire the recently restored shrine to St David.

Watch an open-air show at the Bishop’s Palace

Just across the river from the cathedral are the brooding gothic ruins of St Davids Bishop’s Palace. When this Grade I-listed medieval masterpiece was built, it served as a place for the bishop to live and entertain pilgrims who arrived there to honour St David. 

Even as a ruin, the palace is still an awe-inspiring place to visit today and one of the top St Davids things to do, with its winding staircases, hidden passageways, and towers flaunting far-reaching views. It also serves as a suitably dramatic backdrop for open-air theatre productions during the St Davids Arts Festival in the summer months.

See the birthplace of St David

After exploring the cathedral and palace, complete your pilgrimage by walking to St Non’s Chapel, just over half a mile away. Reputedly, this is where St David was born in around 500 AD, and it’s one of the oldest Christian buildings in Wales. Named after his mother, the crumbling chapel overlooks St Non’s Bay and is a beautiful spot along the rugged Pembrokeshire coast.

Near the chapel is another religious relic, St Non’s Well, the waters of which are said to have healing properties. The sacred well is believed to have sprung up during a thunderstorm when Non gave birth to David. If you’re looking for things to do in St Davids with dogs, then this is a great choice.

Discover the beaches of St Davids

There are two main beaches in St Davids. Whitesands Bay is the larger of the two and is located 2 miles from the city centre. This mile-long sweep of golden sand has won numerous awards over the years and is known to be one of the best surfing spots in Wales. Towering over the beach is the volcanic outcrop of Carn Llidi – you can stroll to the top for magnificent views across the coast. Facilities at the beach include a café, WCs, and a seasonal lifeguard service.

Caerfai Bay is only 1 mile from St Davids and is more sheltered, making it popular with bathers. The beach is accessed via a steep, winding path, and there are no facilities. When the tide is out, you can make sandcastles on the shore, explore the rock pools, and admire the impressive grey, green and vivid pink multicoloured cliffs. If you fancy venturing further along the coast, read our guide to the best beaches in Wales for some more inspiration.

Go on an island boat trip

For those wanting to gain their sea legs, how about boarding one of the many exciting boat trips in St Davids? You’ll find a variety of cruises available to one of Pembrokeshire’s wild offshore islands, including Ramsey, Grassholm, Skomer and Skokholm, with the unique opportunity to get close to some of the incredible sea life that call this rugged coastal landscape home.

As you sail over the swirling currents, look out for seals, dolphins, puffins, and sea birds. Some of the trips allow you to disembark on one of the islands such as Thousand Islands Expeditions who set off from the old St Davids Lifeboat Station in nearby St Justinian’s and land on Ramsey Island, a 640-acre RSPB nature reserve.

Take a walk along the coastal path

Nestled within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, there is a myriad of scenic walks in St Davids to enjoy. The city is traced by the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, which links it to a variety of beaches, hidden coves, and dramatic headlands.

One of the most popular rambles is the circular trail around St David’s Head, which includes rocky coastlines set against mountainous backdrops, and several prehistoric monuments such as Coetan Arthur – a Neolithic burial chamber that was built as early as 4,000 BC. The moderate route is just under 4 miles and is a great activity if you’re on a dog-friendly holiday in St Davids. You can discover more local hikes within our guide to 11 of our favourite Pembrokeshire walks.

Peruse the art galleries in St Davids

With so much natural beauty to admire, it should come as no surprise that the city is a huge draw for artists. There’s now a lovely sprinkling of art galleries and studios to dip in and out of during your stay, showcasing the work of local artists. If you fancy a spot of shopping in St Davids, these art galleries are the perfect places to pick up some unique, handmade pieces to take home as souvenirs.

Oriel y Parc Gallery is located within the National Park Visitor Centre and features a rotation of art exhibitions that celebrate the local landscape, and it hosts a collection of interesting artefacts from the National Museum of Wales. There’s also a great café here if you fancy a slice of cake in between exhibits.

Visit the coastal hamlet of Porthgain

The picture-postcard coastal hamlet of Porthgain should certainly be on your list of things to do near St Davids. Only 7 miles from the city, it lies on the north coast of St Davids Peninsula, within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Conservation Area.

Once a flourishing commercial harbour used for exporting stone from the nearby quarry, Porthgain is now a peaceful place to visit, with a handful of small fishing boats drifting in and out with a fresh daily catch. Several galleries, cafes and an old smuggler’s pub can be found near the harbour and at low tide, there’s a small sandy beach. From here, you can also follow the coastal path to the amazing Blue Lagoon at Abereiddi, a former slate quarry with dazzling blue water.

Eat creepy crawlies at The Bug Farm

When it comes to things to do in St Davids for families, you can’t beat a day at Dr Beynon's Bug Farm. This award-winning attraction about invertebrates and the wonders of life in the undergrowth is based on a 100-acre working farm and scientific research centre.

The Bug Farm, as it is also known, boasts a range of indoor and outdoor spaces filled with creepy crawlies, which include a tropical bug zoo, bug museum, insect farm exhibition, play areas for kids, and a gift shop. You can even challenge yourself to eat some edible bugs in their on-site restaurant, the Grub Kitchen, which is featured in our guide to the best restaurants in St Davids.

Get wet and wild with TYF Adventure

If you’re looking for an action-packed adventure day, then booking a session with TYF Adventure should be at the top of your list of things to do in St Davids, Pembrokeshire. The founders of coasteering, the team will lead you on an adrenaline-filled journey along the coast, as you attempt a mixture of sea swimming, scrambling, and cliff-climbing.

Other activities on offer include surfing, sea kayaking, wild swimming, and rock pool safaris, so there’s plenty to cater to all ages and abilities.

Map of the best things to do in St Davids

Find all the best days out in St Davids mentioned in our blog on this handy map.

Book a holiday in St Davids

How many of these fun things to do in St Davids do you think you can tick off during your next getaway? If you need somewhere to stay in between your exciting escapades, then click the button below to browse our self-catering accommodation in St Davids.

Or if you’d like to venture a little further, take a look at our holiday cottages in Pembrokeshire and our full collection of holiday lets in West Wales.

Holiday cottages in St Davids