Celebrating Wales’ Year of the Sea – Our Top-Five Coastal Destinations in Wales

With Wales having celebrated St David’s Day earlier this week, here at adeo Travel, we are looking into all things Welsh! After all, we are based in the Welsh capital city, Cardiff! Here in Wales, 2018 is being celebrated as the “Year of the Sea”, which we think is the perfect excuse to look at some of the incredible coastal destinations and attractions that Wales has to offer. Read on to discover our top five coastal destinations to visit in Wales:

5. Llandudno and Conwy

The charming seaside town of Llandudno on the north coast of Wales has been winning the hearts of Brits for over a century now. A traditional seaside resort which has long been enjoyed by holidaying locals, the town’s appeal has recently grown with the international traveller; in Llandudno, you can enjoy a stroll along the Victorian sea-front promenade or travel on an historic cable-tram up the Great Orme to gain stunning coastal views or inland to the peaks of the Snowdonia National Park. A short drive up the estuary is the hidden gem at Conwy. Conwy is a quaint medieval harbour town which is seemingly frozen in time with its cobbled streets and squares, intact encircling medieval town walls and dominated by the stunning 13th century castle at Conwy Castle – not to be missed!

4. Gower Peninsula

Less than an hour and half’s drive from the Capital City of Cardiff lies some of South Wales’s most beautiful and surprisingly secluded coastlines along the Gower Peninsula. Characterized by a combination of sweeping bays and rocky cliff-tops, if coastal walking and beautiful seascapes are your thing then you’ll be in your element – there are a host of hidden beaches and bays to explore. Our favourite is the enchanting Three Cliffs Bay, home to rolling dunes, sweeping sands and its own stream passing in to the ocean, all overlooked by rocky outcrops and a hilltop castle shrouded in myth and legend. It’s well worth the walk!

3. Isle of Anglesey

An island off the far North West of Wales, Anglesey is known locally for its endless beaches and ancient ruins, the Isle can be accessed from the mainland across the Britannia road bridge, by the town of Bangor. Anglesey holds a diverse range of Celtic and Welsh heritage, from the 18th century manor at Plas Newydd, to the 13th century Beaumaris Castle not to mention an array of Neolithic and prehistoric sites and stone circles such as the Bryn Celli Ddu Burial Chamber. Natural beauty and wildlife are in abundance both inland and along coasts including an array of birds visible nesting on the cliffs around the beautiful South Stack lighthouse. Finally, not to be missed is a visit to the village with the longest name in Britain (llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch) and of course, learning how to pronounce it!

2. Portmeirion

I’ll hold my hands up, I may have cheated a little with this one. Portmeirion technically sits at the estuary of the River Dwyryd in North Wales, but with Portmeirion being such a highlight of Wales, we couldn’t leave it off the list. This Italianate village received worldwide recognition in the 1960s, as it was used as the set of the cult television show “the Prisoner”. Located in Gwynedd on the edge of Snowdonia, Portmeirion should be at the top of any traveller’s list when touring the Welsh coast. Wander the quaint cobbled streets and marvel at the surreal collection of colourful mosaic houses and structures before relaxing with some Welsh cakes, or a pint of Welsh ale, as you gaze out over the sea (or… River Dwyryd).

1. Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Perhaps Wales’ most famous coastal asset, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park lies in the South West of Wales and is Britain’s only coastal National Park. Offering a whopping 186 miles of coastal walks, this area is a must-visit if you enjoy wildlife and scenic sea views. With rugged cliffs, golden beaches and endless coves, you can spend days exploring, walking or hiking the coastal paths along this largely untouched piece of Wales. Along the way visit some of South West Wales’ most attractive towns and villages such as the smallest city in Britain, St David’s which is no larger than a village but is home to an impressive cathedral and Bishop’s Palace, or Tenby, a charming medieval walled town and seaside resort with sweeping sandy bays.

I hope you enjoyed reading about the best coastal places in Wales. Many of our Wales self-drive tours and escorted coach of Wales or escorted small-group tours of Wales spend ample time exploring the nation’s picturesque coastline. Our tour of the week, the Wales Explorer, offers a comprehensive vacation to this truly unique and beautiful nation that is Wales, with more than enough time to relax with an ice cream overlooking the sea.