For a country that is six times smaller than England and almost four times smaller than Scotland, Wales punches above its weight when it comes to tourism.
It welcomes over one million international visitors per year, and while many will visit its cities and landmarks, the country’s natural landscapes remain the main attraction.
Wales’s various national parks offer everything from mountainous terrain to miles of rugged coastline and receive over 12 million visits per year. Though Snowdonia may steal the headlines, areas such as the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (the UK’s only coastal National Park) prove that the country’s beaches are among some of the finest in the UK.
Whether on Anglesey or the Ceredigion coast, Wales has dozens of incredible seaside destinations, from secluded spots to tourist-friendly towns and villages. Summer provides the perfect opportunity to explore some of the best, so we’ve rounded them up to help you enjoy your next Welsh getaway.
Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire
Barafundle Bay is one of Wales’ award-winning beaches
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Barafundle Bay has previously been voted among the best beaches in the world on several occasions. Located on the southern coast of Pembrokeshire, it is one of several list-worthy beaches in the county but ranks above neighbouring rivals due to the dramatic cliffs that flank it. Barafundle has swathes of golden sands and clear waters more akin to a section of Caribbean coastline than the UK, while its secluded location means it remains pristine despite being so well-known.
Accessible only via a half-a-mile path from the nearby village of Stackpole, Barafundle has no facilities and is more difficult to access than other beaches in the area, but this makes the trip all the more worthwhile. For the best views and fewer crowds, this is one of the best options in Wales.
Pendine Sands is one of the longest beaches in the country
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Pendine Sands is one of the longest beaches in Wales, backed by dunes and reaching for seven miles along a southwestern section of the coast. It is one of few that still welcomes cars onto its shores, although it has benefited from a recent multi-million-pound regeneration that has seen a new 500-metre promenade, commercial centre and a Museum of Land Speed (the beach has historically been used for attempts to…
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