Beautiful Towns and Villages in Wales You Might Not Have Heard Of

This picturesque seaside spot in the midwest is surrounded by some of the best stretches of sand in the whole country. The expansive main beach stretches 3mi (4.8km) from the Dyfi Estuary right up to the neighbouring town of Tywyn. There are water sports galore, with sailing, windsurfing and kitesurfing all popular hobbies in Cardigan Bay, while south of the river is the surfing hotspot of Borth, and the majestic sand dunes of Ynyslas. Meanwhile there’s also a championship golf course, a range of excellent hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses, as well as some delightful restaurants that take full advantage of the area’s rich fishing culture.

This magical northeastern town offers adventurous opportunities for travellers slow and fast. Hop on a steam train and journey the Llangollen Heritage Railway, a breathtaking 10mi (16km) route that meanders through the verdant Dee Valley. Then there’s Llangollen Canal, an equally beautiful passage that blends natural beauty with engineering excellence, typified by the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, the largest navigable aqueduct in Britain. Harrison Ford has been spotted on the canal in the past, so it’s good enough for us. Explorers looking for more of an adrenaline rush can enjoy white-water rafting, gorge scrambling, rock climbing and axe throwing. The town itself is home to a range of charming country pubs, cafes and boutique shops.

OK, calling Abereiddi a town, or even a village, is a bit of a stretch. The reason it makes this list is simple – the Blue Lagoon. Where there was once a slate quarry, active until 1910, now sits one of the most beautiful bodies of water in Wales. The quarry wall was blasted away, and the sea flooded in, but the minerals from the slate give the water a hazy aqua-blue tint. The lagoon is popular for snorkelling, kayaking and diving – the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series made its UK debut here in 2012 – while the surrounding craggy cliffs are renowned for coasteering. There are countless holiday cottages and a couple of campsites nearby, and down the road is St Davids, one of the smallest cities in the world.

This enchanting little stone-built village is our pick for a base if you’re planning to hike up the highest mountain in Wales, Yr Wyddfa. The place is as historic as it looks – its name translates to Gelert’s Grave, Gelert being the legendary dog of ​​Llywelyn the Great. You’ll learn plenty about the canine folk hero in the many quirky shops and traditional pubs that populate the village, and you can visit the grave itself at the end of a short but scenic walk. The surrounding area is full of rich woodland, dramatic hiking routes and mountain lakes. Highlights include Aberglaslyn Pass to the south, Nant Gwynant to the east and, of course, the mountain itself to the north.

Another place named after a folktale, albeit a slightly less plausible one, is Devil’s Bridge. The tale involves an old lady separated from her cow by water. Satan shows up and offers to build a bridge in exchange for the soul of the first living creature to cross it. Needless to say the old lady outwits Lucifer and, as legend goes, the Devil never returned to Wales. Anyway, the bridge is an iconic spot set among the glorious Cambrian Mountains, near Mynach Falls, an extraordinary 300ft (91m) waterfall that’s well worth risking a dance with the Devil to see. You can also treat yourself at Sarah Bunton Chocolates, explore the nearby Hafod Estate for lush woodland, or head 12mi (19km) west to the lively town of Aberystwyth.

Criccieth is where the two biggest draws of North Wales are best combined. Look one way and you’ll see epic vistas of Snowdonia. Turn around and you’ll find yourself staring at the hypnotic Cardigan Bay horizon. Luckily, for a resort town so perfectly placed on the coast, there’s a fairly laid-back atmosphere here. The two beaches are peaceful – perfect for a morning or evening stroll – and separated by a headland castle steeped in history. Nearby you’ll find excellent hiking trails, exciting adventure sports and easy access to the quirky town of Portmeirion.

Take a scenic coastal trip south of Aberystwyth and you’ll come across the postcard-ready harbour town of Aberaeron. The multicoloured houses, keeping a watchful eye over bobbing marina boats, almost look like something from a children’s TV show. The town, which is sleepy in winter and buzzy in summer, hosts a bustling annual carnival and seafood festival. Grab an ice cream from The Hive, fish and chips from New Celtic, or treat yourself to a delicious meal at Harbourmaster or The Cellar. Unsurprisingly, the seafood is excellent at both. If you’re looking for a sandy beach then head south to the equally pretty New Quay, also home to a number of outstanding restaurants.

On the eastern border of Snowdonia National Park is the small market town of Llanrwst. It’s most notable for a beautiful three-arched stone bridge, built in 1636 to give access to Tu Hwnt i’r Bont, a manor house-turned-National Trust property that does excellent afternoon tea. History hides in every corner of town, from Llywelyn the Great’s coffin in Gwydir Uchaf Chapel, to Gwydir Castle, one of the most haunted buildings in Wales. Even Gwydir Forest is a place full of Robin Hood-style folktales – we recommend wandering the Lady Mary Walk, a gentle woodland hike that passes Gwydir Chapel en route to two lakes, Llyn Geirionydd and Llyn Crafnant, both of which are rarely visited and lovely for wild swimming.

The River Solva juts into the Pembrokeshire coast and through the quaint village that shares its name. A small harbour lies in between two vibrant green headlands sprinkled with pastel-coloured buildings, which include B&Bs, art galleries, pubs and restaurants. It almost feels entirely cut off from the rest of the world, like a West Walian version of the Cinque Terre. Fishing, sailing and canoeing are all on the cards, while its location towards the Western tip of Wales places you in the perfect position to explore the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path.

On the Llyn Peninsula in Gwynedd, the North’s answer to Pembrokeshire, are a number of the finest beaches in Wales. One is Porth Neigwl, also known as Hell’s Mouth, but just down the road is Aberdaron Beach, a mile-long stretch of sand, rock pools and caves that are perfect for exploring, as well as a nicely curved bay that will have water sports enthusiasts running for their wetsuit. The village itself is small but well-equipped for a coastal retreat, while the surrounding coastline is spectacular. We also recommend taking a boat ride out to Ynys Enlli, a remote island with a rewarding hiking trail populated by a rich variety of wildlife.

Dale is a focal point for water sports, thanks to the mile-wide sheltered bay on the Milford Haven waterway, perfect for sailing and kayaking. There’s also a water sports school in town that can take you paddleboarding or surfing. For sand and seclusion, head across the bay to Marloes Sands, while further along the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path is Martins Haven, where you can hop on a boat across to Skomer Island, an incredible hub for wildlife, most notably a large puffin colony. After a day of exploring, head back to The Griffin and grab a pint of Welsh ale and some delicious seafood-heavy pub grub. From there, make your way to the roof terrace, where you can gaze out at the spellbinding Milford Haven as the sun gently slides behind the sea.