10 Best Beaches in North Wales (Favourites From a Local!)
I’ve lived in North Wales for over 30 years and one thing I’ll never get bored of is the coastline. We’ve got everything here. Wild, empty stretches where you can walk for an hour and see no one, proper family beaches with ice creams and donkey rides and hidden coves that feel like you’ve stumbled onto a secret.
These are the beaches I actually go to. The ones I recommend when friends visit. The ones I’ve walked in every season, not just on sunny August afternoons.
Traeth Llanddwyn, Anglesey (Newborough Beach)
What makes it special
If I had to pick one beach that sums up North Wales for me, this would probably be it. Llanddwyn feels cinematic in the best way. Huge sweep of sand, views of Snowdonia across the water and the tidal island of Ynys Llanddwyn sitting at the end like something out of a storybook.
I’ve walked this beach in blazing sunshine, sideways rain and winter fog, and it never disappoints. There’s something about the scale of it that makes you breathe a bit deeper. On calm days the sand goes on forever. On stormy days it feels raw and powerful.
The lighthouse, the ruined cottages and the old pilot’s cottages add loads of character and there’s real history here too. Saint Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers, gives the place a quietly romantic feel without it being cheesy.
I love that you enter via an enormous pine forest which just adds to the drama!
Despite its popularity, it never feels crowded once you start walking. Most people barely make it past the first stretch of sand.
Tips for visiting
- Check tide times if you want to walk out onto the island but you can almost always wade across if you don’t mind getting wet.
- Park at Newborough Forest and enjoy the walk through the trees.
- You pay via card (or Apple/Google pay) as you exit via the barriers.
- Go early or late in summer for a quieter experience.
- Dogs are allowed – but only to the right of the main beach entrance.
- There are toilets and an outdoor shower year round.
- There’s a burger van and an ice cream truck in the summer months.
Porthdinllaen, Ll?n Peninsula
What makes it special
Porthdinllaen feels like stepping back in time. It’s a proper old-fashioned bay with fishing boats pulled up on the sand and no big development in sight. The walk down from the National Trust car park already feels special, and then the beach just opens up in front of you.
The sand is soft, the water is clear and the headland shelters it nicely, which makes it great for swimming on warmer days. I’ve spent hours here just wandering between the coves, watching boats come and go.
And then there’s the Ty Coch Inn. A pub on the beach that actually lives up to the hype. Sitting outside with a drink, feet in the sand, looking across the bay is one of my favourite simple pleasures in North Wales.
It’s popular for a reason, but it still feels relaxed and unspoilt.
Tips for visiting
- Park in the National Trust car park and walk across the beach to the pub
- The walk down is quite steep
- The Ty Coch Inn also serves food
- Dogs are allowed outside
Harlech Beach, Gwynedd
What makes it special
Harlech Beach has drama. Proper, big, sweeping drama. You’ve got the castle towering above the dunes, the Rhinog mountains behind you and miles of open sand in front of you.
What I love most is how open it feels. Even on a busy day, it never feels cramped. The dunes give you shelter, the views give you space, and the beach itself just keeps going.
It’s one of my favourite places for long walks when I need to clear my head. There’s something grounding about it. Kids love it too because there’s space to run without worrying about tides creeping in too fast.
Sunsets here can be ridiculous, especially when the light hits the castle.
Tips for visiting
- Access through the dunes can be uneven
- Wind can pick up quickly, bring layers
- Great for kites and long walks
- Check dog restrictions in summer
Traeth Bach, Llandudno West Shore
What makes it special
Everyone knows Llandudno North Shore, but locals tend to drift to West Shore. Traeth Bach feels calmer, wider and more grown up somehow.
The views across to Anglesey are fantastic, especially in the evening when the light softens. It’s less about arcades and more about space and sea air.
I love walking here at sunset, watching the kite surfers and listening to the water roll in. On breezy days it’s brilliant, and on calm days it feels almost Mediterranean.
It’s a beach that sneaks up on you. People underestimate it, but it’s one of my most visited.
Tips for visiting
- Can be windy, ideal for kite surfing
- Free parking along the promenade
- Gorgeous at sunset
- Less crowded than North Shore
Porth Oer, Whistling Sands
What makes it special
The sand here actually whistles when you walk on it. Not always, and not for everyone, but when it happens it’s magical.
Porth Oer is small, sheltered and incredibly beautiful. The water is often clear, and the bay has a peaceful feel that makes you slow down without realising it.
It’s popular, especially in summer, but it still feels intimate. I’ve had some of my best swims here on calm mornings before the crowds arrive.
There’s a simplicity to it that I really love. No fuss, just a perfect little cove.
Tips for visiting
- Go early for quieter swims
- The car park is a National Trust car park
- It’s best to arrive early on busy, sunny days
- Bring proper footwear for pebbly sections
- Great spot for paddleboarding
- It’s a bit of a steep walk down, it’s a tarmaced road all the way down but little kids will be tired walking back up
- I highly recommend walking along the headland
Aberffraw Beach, Anglesey
What makes it special
Aberffraw feels wild in a gentle way. The estuary, the dunes and the open sea all blend together, and it feels wonderfully natural.
It’s a brilliant beach for walking. You can wander for ages, cross the river, explore the dunes and still feel like you’ve barely scratched the surface.
I’ve spent countless evenings here watching the light change over the mountains. It’s never flashy, but it’s quietly stunning.
Tips for visiting
- Watch the estuary tide when crossing
- Wind can be strong, dress for it
- Great for long, peaceful walks
- Plenty of space even in summer
Trearddur Bay, Anglesey
What makes it special
Trearddur is one of the more popular beaches, but it earns it. Clean sand, clear water and lots of little coves to explore.
It’s great for families, but I also love it for coastal walks around the headlands. The rock formations add interest, and there’s always something to look at.
It’s lively without being overwhelming.
Tips for visiting
- Arrive early in peak season
- Explore the smaller coves nearby
- Good facilities close by
- Check swimming conditions
Criccieth Beach, Gwynedd
What makes it special
Pebbles on one side, sand on the other, and a castle on a headland. Criccieth packs a lot into a small space.
I love the contrast here. One minute you’re walking quietly along the shingle, the next you’re near cafés and ice cream.
It’s a great mix of town and sea.
Tips for visiting
- Beach shoes help on the pebbles
- Lovely castle views at sunset
- Easy access from town
- Tide affects sand exposure
Morfa Nefyn, Ll?n Peninsula
What makes it special
Morfa Nefyn feels exclusive without trying to be. Long, curving bay, colourful beach huts and views that stretch forever.
It’s a brilliant walking beach, and the path round to Porthdinllaen is one of my favourites anywhere.
Tips for visiting
- Walk the coastal path if you can
- Wind can be strong
- Respect private beach hut areas
- Stunning in clear weather
Traeth Lligwy, Anglesey
What makes it special
Big, open and often wild, Traeth Lligwy feels powerful. Waves, dunes and wide skies give it a real sense of space.
It’s a beach that makes you feel small in a good way. Perfect for blustery walks and dramatic seas.
Tips for visiting
- Check sea conditions carefully
- Great for photography
- Cafe nearby for warming up
- Not always calm for swimming
Porth Iago, Ll?n Peninsula
What makes it special
Porth Iago is one of those beaches I almost hesitate to talk about too loudly, because it still feels like a bit of a secret. It’s tucked away down a farm track, there’s no big signposting, and when you finally reach it, it feels like you’ve earned it.
The first thing that hits you is the colour of the water. On a calm day it’s properly turquoise, the kind of colour people don’t expect to find in North Wales. The bay is small and beautifully framed by rocky headlands, which gives it a sheltered, intimate feel compared to some of the bigger beaches nearby.
I’ve been coming here for years, and it’s one of my favourite places to swim. When conditions are right, the water is clear and surprisingly gentle. It also feels quieter than many Ll?n beaches, even in summer, because the access puts some people off.
There’s no village, no promenade, no distractions. Just sea, rock, sky and the sound of waves. It’s the kind of place where you end up staying longer than planned because it feels so peaceful.
On a sunny day it’s stunning, but even on grey days it has a calm, almost meditative quality that keeps me coming back.
Tips for visiting
- Access is via a narrow farm track, drive slowly
- Parking is limited, arrive early in summer
- Bring everything you need, there are no facilities
- Great for swimming but always check sea conditions
And swap Traeth Lligwy for Abersoch Beach and swap Aberffraw Beach for Llanbedrog
No problem at all. Here are the two full swap-in sections, written to match the same tone, length and structure as the rest of the piece.
Abersoch Beach, Ll?n Peninsula
What makes it special
Abersoch is one of the liveliest beaches in North Wales, and even after all these years I still enjoy the buzz of it. It’s a proper seaside beach, with soft sand, colourful boats bobbing just offshore and that unmistakable holiday energy in the air.
What makes Abersoch special for me is how versatile it is. On one end you’ve got a wide, open beach that’s perfect for long walks and swimming. On the other, closer to the village, it’s all about paddleboards, sailing and kids running in and out of the shallows. The water here is often calm, which makes it great for families and anyone who likes to get in the sea without battling waves.
I’ve watched this beach change over the decades, but it’s never lost its charm. Yes, it’s busy in summer, but there’s a reason for that. It’s clean, well looked after, and the views across Cardigan Bay towards Snowdonia on a clear day are fantastic.
Out of season, Abersoch is a different place entirely. Quieter, calmer, and just as beautiful. These are some of my other favourite beaches around Abersoch.
Tips for visiting
- Expect crowds in peak summer, especially midday
- Parking is easiest early in the morning
- Great spot for paddleboarding and swimming
- Lovely walks towards Machroes and beyond
Llanbedrog Beach, Ll?n Peninsula
What makes it special
Llanbedrog has always felt a bit more refined than some other beaches on the Ll?n, but without being stuffy. It’s long, gently curving, and backed by colourful beach huts that give it loads of character.
What really sets it apart is the backdrop. The wooded headland rising above the beach, with the iconic Tin Man sculpture watching over the bay, makes it feel sheltered and cosy. The water here is usually calm, and the gentle slope of the beach makes it great for paddling and relaxed swims. I’ve written a guide to visiting Llanbedrog Beach, hiking up to the Tin Man and a gentle walk for the family.
It’s also a beach that works beautifully in all seasons. Summer brings colour and life, but autumn and winter walks here are just as rewarding.
Tips for visiting
- Beach huts add shelter on breezy days
- Calm waters are ideal for swimming
- Walk up to the Tin Man for views
- Parking is close and easy access
