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 in 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 restaurants over here – it’s all about the natural coastline (although there are plenty of great little cafés along the way too).
A walk along part of the coastal path (or all of it, if you have time) is a fine way to take in some of those views. (In fact, this whole area is great for walkers – check out our top scenic walks in Ceredigion for inspiration.) Alternatively, you can just head straight to the beach – and for that you’ll need to read on for our guide to the 8 Ceredigion beaches you should visit.
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.
Bag a campsite near Borth to explore the area
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.
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.
Browse our best Ceredigion campsites for a scenery-spotting tour
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. 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.
Making a break out of exploring the area? Check out our Mid Wales Camping Guide for lots more inspiration
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. With several places to eat and drink in the village too, it’s also a fine place to base yourselves for a few days of seaside stay.
Look for campsites around Aberporth
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.
(Incidentally, if you’re staying around nearby Cardigan, it’s also very much worth popping over to Poppit Sands while you’re there – being in Pembrokeshire, it couldn’t be included on this list, but it’s a real gem.)
Pick a place to go camping near Cardigan
Cwmtydu beach
Those seeking sandy beaches may well be tempted to give the shingle shore of Cwmtydu a swerve… 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 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 launching canoes or windsurfers.
Check out campsites near New Quay for more wildlife outings – it’s a hub for dolphin-spotting trips
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 an 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 where 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 sand (and one where you may spot a dolphin or few passing by…)
Aim for a campsite around Aberystwyth
The coast isn’t the only attraction around here – have a read of our 6 best things to do in Ceredigion to see what else you can get up to in the area.