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Wales is made for coastal escapes. In a single trip you can go from wide, dune-backed beaches to secret coves, colourful harbours and cliff-top walks that feel a world away from everyday life. Whether you want a base near a family friendly beach, somewhere to paddle-board and eat fresh seafood, or a dog-friendly break with miles of sand and scenic paths, the Welsh coast delivers.
Below are ten brilliant seaside towns and villages perfect for a coastal holiday in Wales — each with highlights, the best beaches nearby, and what to expect if you’re travelling with a dog.
1) Broad Haven, Pembrokeshire
Broad Haven is a classic Welsh seaside village on the Pembrokeshire coast — perfect if you want to wake up and be on the beach within minutes. It’s particularly popular with families thanks to its wide beach and easy access.
Points of interest
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Pembrokeshire Coast Path: popular for clifftop walking in both directions.
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St Brides Bay: ideal location for sunsets as it’s west facing.
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Within easy reach of St Davids, Skomer Island boat trips, and the beaches around Marloes.
Best beaches
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Broad Haven Beach: wide, sandy, and great for swimming and building sandcastles with the kids.
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Nearby: Little Haven (more sheltered, pretty harbour), and Newgale for its big beach and reliable surf.
Dog friendliness
Broad Haven (North) is a generally dog-friendly beach. While the northern third has dog restrictions between 1 May and 30 September, the rest of the beach is open year-round.
2) Newport, Pembrokeshire
Newport is a welcoming coastal town with a relaxed feel, boutique places to eat, and one of the loveliest beaches in West Wales. It’s a fantastic base for walkers and anyone looking for a quieter seaside break.
Points of interest
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Carningli (Angel Mountain): offers superb views over the bay and is home to a prominent archaeological site.
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Newport Bay and the estuary: popular at low tide for exploring and birdwatching.
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Easy access to Cemaes Head and the wilder stretches of north Pembrokeshire.
Best beaches
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Newport Sands (Traeth Mawr): a long, scenic beach backed by dunes and the estuary — great for long walks.
Dog friendliness
Newport Sands is popular with dog owners and walkers as it’s dog friendly all year round with no seasonal restrictions. To see more options nearby, check out our dog friendly Pembrokeshire beach guide.
3) Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire
Saundersfoot mixes a friendly harbour town atmosphere with great beaches and top notch food. It’s a good alternative to nearby Tenby if you want the same coastline but without the crowds.
Points of interest
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Harbour and seafront: lovely for evening strolls and delicious ice creams.
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Coast Path to Tenby: a scenic walk linking the two towns.
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Boat trips and water-sports activities in the bay during the warmer months.
Best beaches
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Saundersfoot Beach: Blue Flag sandy beach popular with families.
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Monkstone Beach: secluded, uncrowded sandy beach, best at low tide.
Dog friendliness
From 1 May to 30 September, dogs are not allowed on the southern section of the beach, but the northern end remains open to dogs all year. Dogs must be kept on a lead on the promenade and harbour. Check out our dog friendly holiday guide, full of tips to ensure a stress free break.
4) Tenby, Pembrokeshire
Tenby is one of the most popular seaside towns in Pembrokeshire — colourful houses, medieval walls, a lively harbour and numerous sandy beaches you can walk between. It’s perfect if you like a buzzy atmosphere and lots of choices for shops, restaurants etc.
Points of interest
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Tenby Harbour: postcard-pretty, especially in summer.
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Tenby Castle: Norman fortification on Castle Hill with great views.
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Boat to Caldey Island: a memorable day trip for scenery and wildlife.
Best beaches
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North Beach: long, sandy and great for family friendly beach days.
- Harbour Beach: small sandy beach ideal for young families.
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Castle Beach: scenic, central, great at low tide.
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South Beach: expansive and excellent for long walks.
Dog friendliness
While North Beach, Harbour Beach and Castle Beach have dog bans from 1 May to 30 September, South Beach remains a popular choice, with specific dog-friendly zones all year round.
5) Aberaeron, Ceredigion
Aberaeron is a pastel-coloured harbour town with a refined, laid-back feel. It’s a great base for coastal drives, seafood, and exploring Ceredigion’s quieter coves and clifftop scenery.
Points of interest
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Colourful Georgian harbour front: one of the prettiest in Wales.
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Aeron Valley: countryside walks and local food stops.
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Easy day trips along the coast to New Quay and Aberystwyth.
Best beaches
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Aberaeron Beach: a shingle/sand mix — more suited to views and walks than children playing.
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For a classic sandy beach, head to nearby bays along the Ceredigion coast.
Dog friendliness
Ideal for dogs who love harbour walks and coastal paths. Aberaeron Beach has restrictions during the summer months so during the peak season you may prefer nearby Penbryn Beach.
6) Aberporth, Ceredigion
Aberporth is a small seaside village with clear water, sheltered bays and a relaxed family vibe. It’s also a great spot for wildlife lovers — dolphins are sometimes spotted along this stretch of coast.
Points of interest
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Coastal path walks toward Tresaith and beyond.
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Rock pooling and exploring at low tide.
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Quick access to the best of Cardigan Bay’s scenery.
Best beaches
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Aberporth Beach (two bays): sheltered, scenic, and great for swimming when conditions are calm.
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Nearby: Tresaith Beach for a change of scenery.
Dog friendliness
Aberporth Beach is dog friendly but there are seasonal restrictions on part of the beach. In summer, check local signage for any restricted zones, plus the Coast Path is ideal for morning walks.
7) New Quay, Ceredigion
New Quay is one of the best places in Wales for a traditional seaside break with the added bonus of dolphin-spotting opportunities. It has a lovely holiday feel about it, loads of amenities and easy access to boat trips, popular for group holidays in Wales.
Points of interest
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Dolphin watching: take a wildlife boat trip or watch from the harbour walls.
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Marine heritage: the town has strong historical links to seafaring.
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Coastal walks with wonderful views over Cardigan Bay.
Best beaches
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Traeth Gwyn (New Quay Town Beach): central, sandy and convenient.
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Nearby small coves and viewpoints offer quieter alternatives.
Dog friendliness
Traeth Gwyn, south of the main New Quay harbour, is a dog friendly beach and allows dogs all year round.
8) Aberdovey, Gwynedd
Aberdovey (Aberdyfi) sits where the Dyfi estuary meets the sea, and is one of the most scenic beach towns in Wales creating a beautiful mix of beach, dunes and water-sports. It’s a popular coastal town if you like sailing, paddle-boarding and long estuary walks.
Points of interest
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Dyfi Estuary: gorgeous for water-sports and birdwatching.
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Dunes and sand spit: scenic walking and big skies.
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Easy access to Snowdonia (Eryri) for mountain day trips.
Best beaches
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Aberdovey Beach: long, sandy and ideal for long walks with plenty of space.
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The estuary side can be calmer for paddling depending on conditions.
Dog friendliness
Aberdovey is one of the most dog friendly beaches in Wales, especially outside the busiest weeks. The beach is dog friendly all year round apart from a small designated zone opposite the main car park (clearly signposted) during peak season.
9) Abersoch, Gwynedd
Abersoch is a stylish seaside village on the Llŷn Peninsula, known for boating, water-sports and soft sandy beaches. It’s a great option if you want beach days plus cafés, shops and a lively holiday feel.
Points of interest
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Abersoch Harbour: busy in summer with boats and paddle-boards.
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Coastal walks and viewpoints around the Llŷn Peninsula.
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Day trips to other peninsula beaches and villages.
Best beaches
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Abersoch Main Beach: sandy, popular, great for swimming and water-sports.
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Nearby beaches on the Llŷn can be quieter if you’re willing to explore.
Dog friendliness
Abersoch’s northern part of the beach has restrictions from 1 April to 30 September but dogs are allowed on all other parts of the beach. The Llŷn Peninsula in Gwynedd is packed with alternative beaches if you have a car and are looking for unrestricted long walks during the peak summer months.
10) Llanbedrog, Gwynedd
Llanbedrog is a gem just down the coast from Abersoch in North Wales, with a beautiful sheltered beach and a slightly quieter feel. It’s a brilliant choice if you want the Llŷn Peninsula experience without the crowds.
Points of interest
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Llanbedrog Headland walk: superb coastal views.
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The Wales Coast Path routes nearby.
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Great base for exploring the peninsula’s beaches and countryside.
Best beaches
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Llanbedrog Beach: sheltered, scenic and great for laid-back beach time.
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Plenty of nearby coves and sands across the Llŷn Peninsula.
Dog friendliness
Llanbedrog Beach is dog friendly all year round although dogs must be on their leads till after the beach hut and swimming area.
Book a Coastal Break in Wales
Choose one of these outstanding coastal towns for an unforgettable holiday in Wales. From seaside escapes just steps from the beach to peaceful countryside retreats nearby, you’ll find a wide selection of holiday cottages in each of these beautiful destinations. For an extra touch of luxury, book a Welsh holiday home with a hot tub or wake up to panoramic sea views from one of our coastal cottages. Start exploring our collection of Welsh holiday lets today.