The Top 10 Best Beaches on the Llŷn Peninsula to Explore

Wide open spaces and stunning vistas abound in the Llŷn Peninsula, where the rolling hills of the Welsh countryside meet the sparkling waters of the Irish Sea. Designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Llŷn Peninsula is perfect for those who love spending time outside, with nearly 100 miles of coastline. The sweeping bays and breath taking views are well worth a visit, and Llŷn Peninsula beaches are among the best in Wales. You would be hard-pressed to find a more spectacular place for a holiday, and here, we offer a list of the best of the best.

 

1. Porthdinllaen Beach

Porthdinllaen Beach is a beautiful sandy beach by an old fishing village. Spreading along a perfect cove and natural harbour, this pet-friendly beach goes from Morfa Nefyn to Porth Dinllaen. It is a beautiful spot, preserved by the National Trust, and it is the perfect place to bring the family and let the children paddle in the sea or try to catch crabs. At the top of the beach, nestled behind a steep little headland, is the well-known Ty Coch Tavern, a waterfront inn that is a bit of a local celebrity. Porthdinllaen is a perfectly quaint and charming spot, but it is important to note that the nearest public car park is 10 minutes away.

• • Type of beach: Sandy
  • Dog-friendly: Yes
  • Car park: Yes, 10 minutes away
  • Public toilets: Yes
  • Access: Grass car park with three Blue Badge spaces. Gravel path, steep tarmac to beach.

 

2. Penllech beach

Penllech beach is remote, wild, and beautiful. If you are looking for unspoilt North Wales beaches, this is one of the best, backed by grassy cliffs, with rock pools at each end. Unique rock formations line the coast here, and the beach is a one-mile stretch of gorgeous white sand with a small waterfall perfect for enjoying a picnic. There are no lifeguards, so caution is advised when swimming, but the surfing is superb.

• • Type of beach: Sandy
  • Dog-friendly: Yes
  • Car park: Yes, for free
  • Public toilets: No
  • Access: Short walk along a trail

 

3. Llanbedrog Beach

Llanbedrog Beach is one of the calmest beaches you will find in North Wales. The headland of Mynydd Tir-y-Cwmwd shelters it, making it a lovely spot for an open swim or some sunbathing. It is known for its colourful, eye-catching beach huts, as well as its stunning views of Cardigan Bay and Snowdonia National Park. At the car park, you can collect family fun adventure packs to keep your crew entertained, and there is a hiking trail around Llandbedrog viewpoint to enjoy, as well as a little café selling ice cream during the summer.

• • Type of beach: Sandy
  • Dog-friendly: Yes, apart from 1st April – 30th September
  • Car park: Yes, for a charge
  • Public toilets: Yes, between 1st April and 31st October
  • Access: Levelled, gravel car park, steps and a steep tarmac to the beach

 

4. Traeth Porthor (Whistling Sands)

Traeth Porthor is famously known as “Whistling Sands” because of the sound the sand makes underfoot. This beautiful, secluded spot is owned by the National Trust, so it is well-maintained and tranquil. Here, you can enjoy a relaxing day at the beach, or a lovely, crowd free hike along the cliffs. This beach is only a mile away from Porth Iago, so it is easy to combine visits to both beaches, via a spectacular coast path walk.

• • Type of beach: Sandy
  • Dog-friendly: Yes, with restrictions from 1st April – 30th September
  • Car park: Yes, for a charge
  • Public toilets: Yes
  • Access: Grass and gravel car park, gravel path to steep tarmac lane to beach

 

5. Porth Neigwl Beach

Porth Neigwl Beach has epic surfing conditions, along with surf schools for beginners. This gently shelving beach is sandy at low tide but consists of medium sized pebbles at high tide. Known as Hell Mouth, for its shape and reputation for shipwrecks, this four-mile stretch is good for kayaking, fishing, surfing, and swimming, and it is unlikely to be crowded.

• • Type of beach: Pebbles, with sand at low tide
  • Dog-friendly: Yes
  • Car park: Yes
  • Public toilets: No
  • Access: Well-maintained foot path

 

6. Porth Ceiriad

Porth Ceiriad has astonishingly beautiful views. You can see Hell’s Mouth to the west, gorgeous sunrises to the east, and a sweeping vista to the North. In the foreground, green farmland slopes towards the village and the beaches, beyond which you will see the sparkling blue bay, and Snowdon rises in the background like a colossus. The beach itself is a pretty, sandy cover on a remote stretch of coastline, somewhat hidden from view. Finding it can be tricky, and visiting it warrants a full day. You will not have trouble filling that day, though, as it is good for kayaking, canoeing, sailing, and surfing, as well as swimming.

• • Type of beach: Sandy
  • Dog-friendly: Yes
  • Car park: 15 to 20 minute walk from the beach
  • Public toilets: No
  • Access: Down some steps or a steep path

 

7. Porth Iago

Porth Iago is one of the prettiest beaches in North Wales. Sheltered by two grassy headlands, this beach features fine, golden sand, and crystal-clear water so blue you will think you are in the Mediterranean. Families, bathers, kayakers, snorkellers, and paddleboarders will enjoy this beach, which is rarely busy and a great spot for families with young children.

• • Type of beach: Sandy
  • Dog-friendly: Yes, for a small fee
  • Car park: Yes, but on private land, for a fee
  • Public toilets: Yes
  • Access: Via steep, sandy path

 

8. Abersoch Beach

Abersoch Beach is a gem of a beach, with miles of soft sand and a gorgeous location, next to an idyllic resort. It is the perfect place to bring the family, with loads of space for sunbathers and a slipway for sailing or windsurfing. This beach is extremely convenient, with all the amenities you need for a perfect day out, including public toilets, beach huts for rent, a car park, a café, and tons of places to dine or drink in nearby Abersoch.

• • Type of beach: Sandy
  • Dog-friendly: Yes, apart from 1st April – 30th September
  • Car park: Yes, for a charge
  • Public toilets: Yes
  • Access: Easy, including disabled access

 

9. Traeth Aberdaron

Traeth Aberdaron has been called the “Land’s End of North Wales”, and for good reason. At the little village of Aberdaron, this expansive sandy beach is on the westernmost tip of the peninsula. This means it is not only perfect for water sports like windsurfing, kayaking, surfing, and sailing, but it also offers magnificent panoramic views of the Irish Sea, as well as the surrounding countryside. It is the departure point for Bardsey Island, one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in Wales, but it is also a wonderful place to relax with your family, enjoying the view while the little ones explore the beach and the rock pools. A short walk away, you can take a walk along the scenic promenade and enjoy the charming village and all it has to offer.

• • Type of beach: Sandy
  • Dog-friendly: Yes, to the left of the slipway
  • Car park: Yes, for a charge
  • Public toilets: Yes
  • Access: Easy, including disabled access

 

10. Marine Beach

Marine Beach, near the town of Criccieth, is actually two beautiful beaches separated by a medieval castle. Its position allows for views of mainland Wales as well as the rest of the peninsula, and you can even rent binoculars for a closer look. Because the beach backs onto the Marine Promenade, visitors have access to the Wales Coast Path, as well as Criccieth Castle, with its views of Tremadog Bay and, in the distance, Snowdonia National Park. The beach is perfect for bathers and walkers, and you may even spot seals, dolphins, and porpoises in the surf. Sheltered from westerly weather, the two beaches at Criccieth are lapped by warm Gulf Stream waters. 

• • Type of beach: Sand and shingle
  • Dog-friendly: Yes, but restricted from the area behind Marine Hall from 1st May – 30th September
  • Car park: Yes, for a charge
  • Public toilets: No, but there is one by Caffi Cwrt
  • Access: Short walk from parking to the beach

When you are ready to travel to a gorgeous destination that is just around the corner, Together Travel Co. is here to bring your holiday dreams to life. Why cope with stressful airport queues, when you can load up your car and be at an amazing coastal retreat before you know it? It’s easy to connect with your family as you explore the Llyn Peninsula together from a home base at one of our dreamy cottages or an elegant holiday home. Whether you prefer one of our holiday cottages in Devon or you and your family are interested in visiting another locale, we have a wealth of luxury cottages and apartments in the UK for you to enjoy. Find out how we can make your holiday amazing by contacting our expert concierge team at +44(0)1625 416430 or emailing us for more information.