Top 10 North Wales Beaches – the North.Wales picks for 2020

North Wales has plenty of things in abundance to offer both locals and visitors. You’ll certainly be spoiled for choice if you’re looking for a beach-based day out or holiday destination along the north coast.

Top tip: Many top beaches are close to other smaller ones. Always do some research on the area you are intending to visit, so you can put together a list of possibilities.

1 Aberdyfi Beach

Heading about as far south as you can go while still being in North Wales, Aberdyfi Beach is at the southern tip of Snowdonia National Park. A charming sandy beach that takes its name from the nearby village, there is ample (paid) parking and great connections via train too.

The area is popular with dog walkers all year round. While no access is allowed for dogs on the stretch of beach just by the car park from the start of April through to the end of September, the dunes are there for you and your pup to explore all year. There are many walks in the area, with the lure of the mountains just beyond.

2 Barmouth Beach

Ask anyone for a list of their most favoured North Wales beaches and Barmouth is likely to feature highly. It is tucked away on the eastern side of the northern part of Wales, at the entrance to the Mawddach estuary.

There are many appealing things about this beach, not least that it is surrounded by mountains. You’re more likely to escape the rain here thanks to its micro-climate, and the beach is big enough to provide plenty of room for everyone even when the tide is in.

3 Benllech Beach

Head over to Anglesey to discover this impressive beach that is perfect for families. Its position makes its clear waters very calm, so paddling is hugely popular here. The nearest post code for access is LL74 8QE, while the closest town is Llangefni.

Water sports are popular, but if you’re visiting with the kids, there are huge swathes of sandy beach and lots of rock pools to go exploring in. Plenty of opportunities to wear out the children!

4 Porthor Beach

Secluded and captivating, this is the beach of the Whistling Sands. You’ll need to visit during the summer to hear them. While invisible to the naked eye, the sand particles aren’t shaped the same way they are elsewhere. This odd shape creates the famous whistling when you set your feet down heavily on them in warmer weather.

Located at Aberdaron, Pwllheli, the beach offers great water sports and a chance to look for seals while you’re there. Dolphins are known to be in the area too. It’s also a great place for bird watchers.

5 Harlech Beach

Those looking for miles of flat terrain to wander along will love Harlech Beach. Sand dunes nestle close to the beach, with stunning views on offer as well. Parking is about 10 minutes away if you take the route across the golf links to reach the dunes, but this merely sets you up for your first glimpse of Harlech. Porthmadog is close by, offering the chance to explore there too on the same day.

6 Morfa Bychan: Black Rock Sands

Some liberty has been taken here with the dramatic portion of the name – Black Rock Sands contain neither black rocks nor black sand. That said, Morfa Bychan offers just about everything you could ever want from a beach – rock pools, gorgeous flat sands, sand dunes, rocks, and yes, even caves. So, it certainly is big on drama. This too is near Porthmadog, so you could combine this and Harlech Beach in one day if you wish.

7 West Shore Beach

One of two beaches in Llandudno, it is far quieter than its busier North Shore counterpart. Perhaps best known for offering a chance of seeing a great sunset, the beach is always worth a visit during the day too.

Views from here are good, although many have pointed out the tide comes in far faster than you might expect. Be aware of tides and times before visiting; many have got into trouble in the waters here. Best enjoyed for a walk rather than for a swim (and perhaps for a nearby pub lunch too).

8 Lido Beach

A visit to Prestatyn on the northern coast of Wales begs a visit to this beach. Not only does it offer a great kid-friendly sandy beach, it also has a promenade, crazy golf attraction, and amusements. Plenty of food and drink places are nearby, so no need to bring a picnic if you intend to spend the day there.

9 Llanddwyn Beach

Also known as Newborough Beach, this is located on the southern side of Anglesey. Offering superb views over to Snowdonia National Park, this beach is one for nature lovers. You can wander along the beach, explore the sand dunes, and head into the forest close by too. It also provides easy access to the Llanddwyn Island nature reserve via a footpath.

10 Traeth Crigyll

This is another top recommendation for families looking for somewhere to go during a visit to North Wales. Another Anglesey delight, the beach is near the village of Rhosneigr, which itself is close to the Anglesey Coastal Path.

The beach is sizeable, offering plenty of space for everyone, with rock pools and sand dunes offering further interest. It is dog friendly too, and popular among those looking to fly kites or get involved in water sports.