10 Bucket-List Beaches in North Wales

With more than 250 miles of coastline to explore, North Wales is home to some seriously breathtaking beaches. This might be a bold claim, but we believe the cinematic, unspoilt and sprawling beaches of North Wales (complete with their adorable fishing villages) are enough to rival (and quite possibly beat) those found on the Cornish coastline any day. If you’re looking to build an itinerary of some of the best beaches in North Wales to visit, look no further.

Below, we’ve rounded up the 10 bucket (and spade…) list beaches of North Wales, and where you can stay nearby.

The Best Beaches in North Wales: The Oyster list

We could wax lyrical about every single beach in North Wales because we truthfully believe every single one is beautiful. However, for the sake of keeping this list concise, you’ll find some of the most popular and stunning options in no particular order below.

Situated on the south-western tip of Anglesey, Llanddwyn is nothing short of cinematic. Backed by a stunning nature reserve and home to a tidal island, it was famously used as a filming location for the Game of Thrones spin-off, House of the Dragon. If you want to stay nearby, our properties in Newborough are the closest option.

Another Anglesey beach with a picturesque tidal island, Porth Cwyfan shares its name with an idyllic whitewashed church that is only accessible at low tide. We love to factor this one into a coastal path walk from Aberffraw, which is the closest village. We’ve got lots of lovely Anglesey holiday cottages in this neck of the woods – take a look at our Rhosneigr options to be close by.

Sitting at the heart of the Welsh Riviera, Abersoch, Traeth Abersoch is also known as ‘Main Beach’ and is famed for its iconic line of beach huts. During the summer months, this is very much the place to be, and is only a short walk from the village centre. What’s more, it’s also within easy reach of all our lovely Abersoch holiday cottages.

Trearddur Bay is a beloved Anglesey resort with a beautiful beach to boot. Flanked by fascinating rockpools and a smaller neighbouring cove named Porth Diana, this is another bustling, family-friendly beach with very easy access. Explore the wealth of places to stay near the Trearddur Bay beaches here.

A slightly more remote option in the lineup, Porth Oer (also known as Porthor and Whistling Sands) gets its English name from the sound the sand makes as you walk along it. Sheltered and scenic, there is also a car park and seasonal cafe. The nearest villages to Porthor are Aberdaron and Roshirwaun, but it’s also very easy to get to from our properties in Abersoch and Pwllheli.

Expansive, dramatic, and backed by a centuries-old castle, Traeth Harlech is a sandy 4-mile stretch with beautiful views over Snowdonia and is easily one of the best beaches in North Wales. If you want to really soak up the scenery, walk south along the beach and follow the steep Wales Coast Path up to the clifftop. Both Borth-y-Gest and Criccieth are close by, but Harlech beach is also accessible from anywhere in Snowdonia.

Once a thriving shipbuilding village, today Porthdinllaen is famed for the Ty Coch Inn (pronounced ‘tee cork’), which was once voted the third-best beach bar in the world. With stunning views out across Yr Eifl and a golf course to boot, this corner of Cymru is very special indeed. Stay anywhere along the Llyn Peninsula to be within easy driving distance.

Seriously secluded and often drawing comparisons to the Caribbean, Porth Iago is a quaint cove with vivid waters. The ideal swimming spot, it boasts spectacular sunsets and is a wonderful stop on any Wales Coast Path itinerary. The stunning fishing village of Abersoch is just 12 miles away.

On the south of Anglesey’s Holy Island, Traeth Borth Wen is a hidden gem on the edge of Rhoscolyn. With its sugar soft sands and the White Eagle pub nearby, it’s a certified summertime must. Traeth Llydan is another impressive beach, which is just next door, both of which you can access easily from our Rhoscolyn holiday cottages.

Traeth Benllech is another expansive family-friendly beach with a wealth of amenities close by. We particularly love a blustery beach walk here when the tide is out, walking right the way to The Ship Inn at Red Wharf Bay and back. Sound good? Book a stay nearby in one of our Benllech holiday cottages.