Cardiff may only be home to a temporary beach in the summer, but a short drive to one of the multiple beaches within an hour or two will open up a wealth of activities and experiences for the whole family.
Cardiff Bay Beach
Since 2014, this temporary beach has had prime position in the centre of Cardiff. Now sponsored by Capital FM, the beach stays through the summer holidays, and offers activities for children, teens, and adults alike. Unsurprisingly, this short term beach gets busy in a hurry, but it’s worth checking out while you’re in the city.
Penarth Marina
Moving on to the permanent beaches, Penarth is the closest to Cardiff. The beach itself is pleasant enough with a mix of sand and stone, but it is the pier and the marina that get the most attention. The area around the marina boasts an art gallery, a café, and a cinema, along with a variety of restaurants with seaside views. A nice place to walk and just take in the beautiful surroundings.
Monknash, Llantwit Major
If you’re looking for a more peaceful option than those above, Monknash is a great choice. This stony beach sits next to a gorgeous moss-covered waterfall, and is accessed via a stunning tree lined walk which goes via a quaint stream and a small ravine. The cliffs around the beach reach as far as the eyes can be, making this beach a visual feast in all directions.
Tor Bay, Gower
Gower is a beautiful part of Wales in many ways, and is home to another secluded beach that is accessed by foot. Stroll along the top of the cliffs, and you’ll reach the sandy beach that is well sheltered from the Welsh winds. There are no lifeguards here, so swimming is not recommended, but the views from this surprisingly big beach more than make up for that.
Barry Island
Put on the map by popular TV series Gavin & Stacey and to a lesser extent by Being Human, this is an old school British holiday resort that has always enjoyed a great deal of popularity. Sandy beaches stretch around the island, with a good choice of places to set up for sunbathing. Lifeguards patrol the beach in the summer, and there’s a funfair for the kids too.
Porthcawl
Only a little over 20 miles from Cardiff, Porthcawl is an easy place to get to, and boasts numerous beaches, both sand and stone, to suit your preference. Porthcawl is home to Rest Bay, a popular sport for surfers, and numerous quieter beaches if you’re just looking to relax in the Welsh sunshine.
Three Cliffs Bay
A longer trip out of Cardiff, Three Cliffs Bay is the spot for those who enjoy a hike. There’s a fair walk to access the beach here, but the path goes through stunning and classic Welsh scenery, and the stunning beach is well worth the effort it takes to get there. The beach is so named due to the three huge cliffs that tower above it, making it a unique and stunning place to sunbathe.
Langland Bay, Mumbles
Just outside the gorgeous town of Mumbles, the home of Oystermouth Castle, Langland Bay is there to give you a spot to relax after hiking through the surrounding areas. If you’re looking to swim, a walk from Langland Bay to Caswell Bay gives you more beautiful scenery, and a guarded beach (in the summer) where you can enjoy soaking off the heat from the walk between the two bays.
Swanlake Bay, Pembrokeshire
One of the best kept secrets of this part of Wales, this beach is pretty quiet even in the height of summer, and it’ll make you wonder why! It’s a pebble beach when the tide is in, but when the tide goes out, it unveils an expanse of sand and rockpools perfect for children to explore. Another beach that is accessed via a path, but another that makes the journey more than worth it!
Church Doors Cove, Pembrokeshire
Wales is famed for its unique scenery, and they don’t come much more unique than this enthralling and beautiful cove. It’s a small beach, and takes nearly 150 steps from the clifftop to get down to, which is tough on the way down, and harder on the way up, but what a treat when you get there. The name of this beach is given due to the huge cliffs that have been carved by the sea into the shape of a giant door, a true sight worth seeing.
We hope you enjoy your Welsh beach adventures. If you need any transport like an MPV or 4×4 so you can pack the family, supplies, and all your friends look no further than SIXT UK. We offer long-term car hire too in case you need a car for a whole season.
