Best Places to Visit on the Llyn Peninsula

The Llŷn Peninsula is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in North Wales. Wildly beautiful with sweeping bays and rich in heritage and Welsh traditions, it’s a fantastic choice for a luxury cottage holiday. It’s the kind of place that beach-lovers, water sport enthusiasts, sailing fans and anyone who loves breathtaking sea views and coastal walks will love. From bustling seaside resorts offering attractions for all the family to quiet sandy bays at the edge of sleepy fishing villages, discover some of the best places to visit on the Llŷn Peninsula.

Criccieth

Criccieth is an attractive little resort town that sits on Cardigan Bay. A gateway to the Llŷn Peninsula, it offers visitors beautiful beaches and a good helping of traditional Welsh charm, making it a great place to relax. You won’t find a scene that’s dominated by a huge range of entertainment options here.

Instead, there’s a tranquil ambience alongside Victorian architecture and a High Street with a local flavour including independent shops and places to eat. On the headland above the town sits Criccieth Castle that was built by Llywelyn the Great, Prince of Gwynedd, in the 13th century.

The beach is split into two different areas, both offering beautiful views of the Snowdonia Mountains, an opportunity for quiet strolls in the morning or evening, and even the possibility of seeing dolphins. The eastern side of the beach is sandy and great for families as there are shallow areas for paddling. Meanwhile, the western side has more pebbles.

Criccieth is a fantastic base for exploring the coastline of the Llŷn Peninsula, Cardigan Bay and Snowdonia National Park.

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Pwllheli

Pwllheli is a bustling seaside market town on the Llŷn Peninsula and attracts visitors all year-round, but especially in summer. There are two south-facing beaches for family fun, long walks and water sports. Glan y Don Beach is mainly sandy and stretches for about three miles, while South Beach is mainly shingle and spans the length of the promenade.

Thanks to its rich maritime past, Pwllheli is a magnet for sailing enthusiasts and today is home to a world-class marina and the Welsh National Sailing Academy, Plas Heli. Both host national and international events throughout the year.

The vibrant town centre has lots of character with narrow streets, plus plenty of independent shops, boutiques, cafes, pubs and bistros. Do indulge in some fish and chips or an ice-cream. On Wednesdays there is a weekly outdoor market where you can shop for local produce and handmade gifts. For more ways to stay entertained, there is a cinema, leisure centre and a skate park.

Pwllheli is the perfect location if you like a great base with lots of amenities to hand and a local community atmosphere.

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Llanbedrog

Llanbedrog is located in between Pwllheli and Abersoch on the south side of the Llŷn Peninsula. This pretty village is famed for its sheltered sandy beach that stretches for one mile, much of which is managed by the National Trust. The beach sits beneath a rocky headland and is a big hit with families and children who can paddle in the shallows. It’s equally popular with windsurfers, kayakers and sailors, while birdwatchers may spot birds including oyster catchers and curlews.

If you prefer to keep your feet dry, there are plenty of walks in the area, including a circular route up to the gorse and heather covered headland. From this elevated position, the sea views are particularly spectacular, and you can keep your eyes peeled for the Tin Man Sculpture.

For a cultural fix, Llanbedrog is home to Wales’ oldest gallery, Plas Glyn-y-Weddw. This arts and heritage centre is housed within an impressive Grade II listed mansion and showcases art and crafts through exhibitions and the goods for sale in the shop.

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Abersoch

The vibrant village of Abersoch is one of the most popular places on the Llŷn Peninsula for beach lovers and water sports enthusiasts. In the summertime, Abersoch is a magnet for families and couples alike who come to relax and have fun on the golden sands. Amenities such as the renowned Abersoch Sailing Club, which offers lessons for various levels of ability, family-friendly pony treks, boat trips and a fantastic craft centre, means there is plenty to keep you busy.

Meanwhile, shops, bistros and bars ensure that you have every convenience to hand and the laid-back ambience is perfect to put you in the holiday mood.

Abersoch’s pretty Porth Mawr beach, which is lined with beach huts, is a fantastic spot to spend the day and gaze at vistas of St Tudwal’s Islands. Meanwhile, Porth Niegwl and Abersoch Quarry Beach are usually a bit quieter, yet especially popular with surfers.

If you wish to explore a little, there are easy walks from the village, or longer walks and bike rides can be enjoyed along the Wales Coast Path. However, if golf is your game, Abersoch Golf Club offers an 18-hole course with a mixture of links and parkland.

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Aberdaron

Aberdaron, at the southern tip of the Llyn Peninsula, is a fishing village with a mile long of sandy beach to explore. It attracts families, surfers, sailing enthusiasts and walkers alike. Aberdaron offers local cafes and restaurants and there is a sailing club that hosts an annual sailing regatta.

The sea around Aberdaron is rich in marine life and dolphins, porpoises and seals can sometimes be spotted, so do keep a look out for them.

Take a delightful coastal walk from Aberdaron to Porth Meudwy, another small fishing village which is steeped in history. It was once the last stop for pilgrims travelling on to Bardsey Island. Today, Bardsey Island is a National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) that’s open to visitors in spring and summer.

Boat trips can be booked and leave from nearby Porth Meudwy. Bardsey is a renowned haven for a wealth of birdlife and twitchers will be in their element, while those simply looking for a refreshingly slow placed of life will find that too.

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Nefyn and Morfa Nefyn

Both Nefyn and Morfa Nefyn are on the northern coast of the Llyn Peninsula and are fantastic if you’re looking for stunning beaches in relatively quiet spots. Nefyn is a small village and feels more remote than other villages in the region. Head down a steep track to the long and mainly sandy sheltered beach. Here, the clear waters attract swimmers when the weather is good, while the rock pools are great for searching for small fish and crabs. Enjoy a spot of sunbathing, fine views and the peaceful atmosphere.

About one mile away is the pretty fishing village of Morfa Nefyn that has a couple of local shops. Like Nefyn, Morfa Nefyn boasts a beautiful, long and sandy beach. Benefitting from the shelter of low-lying cliffs, the beach is perfect for catching some rays and bathing, as well as surfing and windsurfing. When you need some refreshment, the famous, beachside Ty Coch Inn nearby is a popular choice.

Other things to do in the area include coastal walks, the Lleyn Historical and Maritime Museum in St Mary’s Church at Nefyn and a round of golf at Nefyn Golf Course.

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