Our 8 Ceredigion beaches you should visit
The Ceredigion Coast Path runs for 60 miles along the county’s shoreline, and it has to be said that the whole thing is blessed with spectacular scenery. Scattered along the way are some of the most gorgeous beaches you’ll find anywhere in the UK. Long sandy beaches, little hidden coves, rockpools, sand dunes… they’re all here among the beaches of Ceredigion.
It’s the remoteness and wildness of this stretch of coastline that makes it such a stunning place to visit. You won’t find much by way of funfairs, seaside arcades or posh beachfront restaurants over here – it’s all about the natural coastline (although there are plenty of great little cafés, pubs and chippies along the way).
To help you find the top spots along this seaside stretch, we’ve brought together a list of Ceredigion’s best beaches to visit. There’s something for everyone here, whether you’re after a family day out, a quiet walk or a bit of wildlife watching.
If you’re planning a trip to this area, it’s worth knowing that there are lots of great places to go camping and glamping in Ceredigion. Staying outdoors is a wonderful way to see even more of that lovely scenery, and is often a budget-friendly way to have a break too. Check out the campsite list below to find something that suits you.
Browse all campsites in Ceredigion
Borth beach
Borth is a great place to start any rundown of Ceredigion’s top beaches – for starters, it’s the longest on the list, with a generous three miles of sand appearing at low tide. And that’s not all… if you come along here at certain times of year you’ll also get to see the ancient petrified forest that sits just below the tide line.
The water at Borth is pretty shallow so it’s a good choice for a family day out. If you’d like to make a longer outing of it, head north into the dunes of the Ynyslas nature reserve to see what you can spot – it’s an important habitat for several rare species.
Penbryn beach
Pretty Penbryn beach is owned by the National Trust, and it’s another real stunner. Getting to the long sandy beach involves a short walk through the woods, and there are sand dunes to explore too. The soft sand is great for picnics and generally sitting about, and more active travellers can get out onto the water for a bit of surfing or kayaking here. The Plwmp Tart café, in an old carthouse by the car park, is a lovely spot for lunch, cakes and drinks before or after your time on the beach.
Being west-facing, the beaches around here often offer up some spectacular sunsets – and Penbryn’s also a designated Dark Skies Discovery Site, so you should get some superb stargazing in too if you stick around after dusk.
Llangrannog beach
Llangrannog’s beach is popular with locals and visitors alike – as is the lovely beach café that serves up coffees, cakes and fish and chips for post-sand snacks.
The craggy cliffs by the beach should give you plenty to look at, but if you need a little added extra head to next-door Cilborth beach. The sand here is so fine that it’s often used by sand artists – walk along the cliff path above the beach and you may spot some of their efforts.
Tresaith beach
There are more splendid golden sands here at Tresaith, but it’s another natural feature that makes this spot really stand out: the waterfall that cascades over the cliff edge down to the sea. At low tide you can walk right out onto the rocks to see it more closely.
Down on the beach there are rockpools to poke around in and areas where dogs are welcome all year round. The whole experience at Tresaith can be rounded off in style with a drink on the sea-view terrace at the village pub.
Aberporth beach
If you’d like to swim in Cardigan Bay, Aberporth is a good place to do it – the water quality is great, and the sands are supervised by lifeguards through the summer months. The long sloping sands also offer up plenty of space for sandcastle-building and beach games, making this a top spot for a family day out. There’s even a chance you might spot bottlenose dolphins out at sea while you’re here.
With several places to eat and drink in the village too, Aberporth is also a fine place to base yourselves for a Ceredigion seaside break.
Mwnt beach
It’s a little bit of a trek to get to Mwnt beach – this secluded sandy spot can only be reached via some fairly steep steps. The walk is certainly worth it though: this National Trust-owned beach is often fairly uncrowded and always gorgeous. Despite the remote location, there are some facilities here, in the form of toilets and a kiosk selling drinks and ice creams.
While you’re here, take a short stroll to the simple but pretty Church of the Holy Cross, dating back to the 14th century, and spend some time looking out over the waves to see if you can spot dolphins playing in the bay.
Cwmtydu beach
It’s not a sandy beach, but the shingle shore of Cwmtydu has its own attraction… and that’s the seals that often hang out at this quiet little corner. Come along in late summer/early autumn and you may spot fluffy little seal pups as you wander on the beach or coast path (remember to give the pups a wide berth, especially if you’ve brought a dog along).
Even if you don’t spot any seals, this is a peaceful cove to spend time in, and a popular spot for fishing as well as launching canoes or windsurfers. Look out for the lime kiln behind the beach, which gives a glimpse into the area’s industrial past and is said to have sheltered smugglers as well.
Aberystwyth beach
If you’d like to mix up seaside time and town amenities, this is the place to do it. Aberystwyth is home to cultural attractions including a busy arts centre and the National Library of Wales, it’s got plenty of places to eat – and its beaches are good places to spend time too.
The town’s north beach is the main centre of activity – this is the place to go for the classic seaside attractions, including a Victorian pier, a bandstand and donkey rides. Head south of Aberystwyth town centre to find a quieter stretch of coast at Tan y Bwlch beach (another place where you may spot a dolphin or few passing by…)
Beyond the beach
If you’d like to explore some of the area’s other attractions in between beach trips, take a look at our list of Ceredigion’s best walks, or read up on the best days out in the area. There’s plenty to do in neighbouring Pembrokeshire, too, including more fabulous beaches and all the excellent activities of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
For those planning to stay a while to explore all the area’s many attractions, Ceredigion has a wide range of excellent options for camping and glamping breaks. Take a look at the full collection below and find a place that suits your style – whether that’s a simple wild camping pitch, a stylish glamping pod with hot tub or anything in between.