Wales is one of those iconic locations in the UK that many of us want to visit for weekend breaks and holiday escapes. Perfect for couples, a group of friends, or families with children young and old. Wales is well-known for its fabulous castles, beautiful countryside, some of the best mountainous regions and the best beaches.
One thing is for sure is that Wales has an abundance of breathtaking coastline which are some of the most beautiful places in Wales. So with that in mind, here are some of the best beaches in Wales UK and the best beaches to visit in Wales on your trip.
You might also be interested in the best beaches in England and the best beaches in Scotland.
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The Most Beautiful Beaches in Wales
Here are some of the best beaches in Wales to visit for your beach trip, don’t forget to ask your accommodation or locals for some of the lesser known spots if you’re someone who prefers to go a little off the beaten path!
Three Cliff Beach
One of the most stunning beaches in south Wales, Three Cliffs Bay and beach is one of the most photographed beaches in Wales and for good reason. It is vast and golden, and one of the most epic beaches in Wales. It is a wide-sweeping open bay that backs onto gently sloping sand dunes.
There are also three iconic limestone headlands in the background, giving this beach its unique name. You can find this beach near Swansea and it’s one of the best sandy beaches in Wales.
Llangrannog Beach
If you’re looking for the best beaches west Wales has to offer, don’t miss Llangrannog Beach.
Llangrannog is one of those cute little coastal villages that would have historically been known for its fishing port. However, these days, the stunning beach is what draws in the tourists year after year. The beach sits below rocky cliffs and is very idyllic, quiet, and peaceful. A great beach to visit if you are wanting to enjoy the sweet sound of the waves gently crashing onto the sands.
This beach is part of Cardigan Bay and is a popular place for couples and families to visit in Wales.
Trearddur Bay
If you are hoping to find a beach that is just wide open with long expanses of white sands and calming waters then Trearddur Bay is the place to be. Located a few miles away from Holyhead on Anglesey, this beach is overlooked by a large hotel and two golf courses.
One of the best beaches in Wales for families, here you can enjoy calm waters, enjoy walks and the open space. Perfect for young children to find that bit of freedom and enjoy the fresh air.
Lligwy Beach
If you want another fabulous beach that has that feeling of wide-open spaces the Lligwy beach is a great one to consider if you’re searching for the best beaches in north Wales. The white sands of the beach back onto low sand dunes, giving this beach a more rugged and wild feel to it.
At low tide, the beach can feel massive, but it also has a quiet and serene feel to it when the tide is in. You will find this beach in Moelfre on Anglesey.
Aberffraw Beach
A great option if you’re looking for quiet beaches in Wales and if you were hoping to explore some of the unspoiled and fewer tourist hotspots of Wales, then heading to Aberffraw Beach is the place to go.
It is only accessible by walking which makes this beach one of those locations that won’t ever get too busy. Perfect if you are wanting to enjoy the beach without the worry of too many people. There are sand dunes as well which gives this beach the feeling of being very open.
There’s also a unique little 18th century bridge and plenty of wildlife to be seen, so there’s something for for the children to enjoy exploring!
A beautiful location that is off the beaten track. This is another stunning beach that you can find in the Anglesey area in north Wales.
Barafundle Bay
The Pembrokeshire Coast is famously one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, so it’s no surprise that here you can also find some of Wales’ best beaches.
For one of the best beaches in Pembrokeshire, don’t miss Barafundle Bay, one of the best beaches in the UK and also one of the most secluded beaches in Wales.
The beach does have paid parking but is only accessible by walking through a farming field to reach the cliff path, although it’s very accessible and can get busier in the summer, it is still a hidden gem in Wales.
Dinas Dinlle Beach
If you were wanting to find a great family location where the beach is beautiful as well as a perfect setting then heading to Dinas Dinlle Beach. It is a short drive from the popular holiday location of Caernarfon, so it isn’t too far and off the beaten track.
The beach is a holder of the prestigious Blue Flag Award making it one of the nicest beaches in Wales, so the beach is clean and safe for children and for enjoying a spot of swimming in the bay. One of the best beaches in Wales to visit for families.
You can enjoy plenty of things to do here, and while it is still a little quieter than some of the more popular locations, you will still find plenty to do. With parking, a great promenade, and a fabulous cafe servicing food and drink, it is the ideal trip out and a perfect beach to explore.
Abersoch Beach
A popular location to visit for a Welsh escape is Abersoch. Many people consider a caravan holiday here, as well as staying in cute B&Bs.
Abersoch beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Wales. It was originally a fishing port but is now very popular for your usual seaside activities. Here you might be able to experience some amazing water sports, as well as enjoy the expansive white sandy beach.
A great place for couples, friends, or families to enjoy. Abersoch is about 7 miles outside of Pwllheli, so a great place for a day trip if you are staying in the area.
Black Rock Sands Beach
Looking for a big beach, then this is the place for you. How do 2 miles of stunning white sands sound? Although this beach is locally known as Black Rock Sands, it is formally called Morfa Bychan and is located close by to Porthmadog, as is a popular location for holidays and breaks away.
The beach is called Black Rock sands because of the rock formations that surround it, although the rocks are not black.
Benllech Beach
It seems that there is a running theme when it comes to beaches in Wales and that is some of the most stunning ones are on the island of Anglesey, and we have another one that is worthy of being on this list.
Benllech Beach is the seaside resort that does have it all. It is one of the safest beaches around for families and with a large stretch of white sands and low tidewaters, it is perfect to spend the whole day.
Rhossili Beach
This beach is often described as the most beautiful beach in Wales and there is a good reason for that. It looks like paradise and it’s definitely one of the best beaches in Wales that you have to visit.
Located on the Gower Peninsula, it is a wild and rugged coastline that is taken care of by the National Trust. You will find this beach located a short distance from Swansea in the South West. Don’t miss this one if you’re looking for nice beaches in south Wales.
Harlech Beach
Last of all, why not head to Harlech Beach and discover over 4 miles of beautiful and scenic coastline. Where else can you enjoy the coast of Wales with views of the Mountains too? You can see stunning views of the Snowdonia Mountains from Harlech Beach.
One of the best beaches in west Wales, the beach is backed by grassy dunes, and it is the perfect location for couples and families to explore. The water is stunning blue and cliffs at the far end over stunning aerial views of the stretch of sand.
Summary: Top Beaches in Wales
Hopefully, this has given you plenty of inspiration for some of the best beaches to visit in Wales and inspiration for visiting the coast of Wales. Wales is often overlooked as a summer or beach destination, so don’t miss adding some of the best beaches Wales has to offer to your trip itinerary.
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