Harlech Beach in Gwynedd has been named the prettiest in Wales, following research by DFDS. The four-mile stretch of golden coast is framed by the Snowdonia mountains and Cardigan Bay, with a backdrop of rolling dunes and an ancient castle.
A 'Welsh gem' with white sand and clear waters
Visitors have compared the unspoilt shore to being abroad, hailing it a 'Welsh gem'. One traveller shared on TripAdvisor: "I went here for a day trip with my son. The beach is incredible. Gold sand, clear water. I felt like I was abroad."
A second commented: "We explored Harlech and its beach, and we're amazed at this beautiful beach. Pure white sand dunes and a long, shallow beach, perfect for children."
Castle views and nature reserve status
Harlech Castle, a World Heritage Site, can be accessed from the beach via a 400m path. The sand dunes are part of the reason the area is designated a National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
The beach offers ample space for activities like kicking a ball around, building sandcastles or enjoying a brisk walk. There is a car park near the beach, along with a café, shop and the Royal St David's Golf Club, ranked among the best in the UK.
Visitor praise and top 15 ranking
Another traveller wrote: "Wow - what a beautiful beach. Discovered this by accident when visiting Wales and couldn't get enough of it. The beach is vast, with plenty of room to find a quiet spot if you are looking for solitude, even on a busy and sunny day. You can also take dogs on one half of the beach, which was excellent. Ample parking, beautiful castle backdrop and miles of beautiful white sand. 5* from me."
One dubbed it a 'Welsh gem': "What a fantastic unspoilt beach. There is a reasonably priced pay-and-display car park before the 10-minute walk to the beach. You can walk to the right towards the estuary with views of Snowden and Portmeirion."
Harlech Beach appears in a top 15 list of the best beaches and coves in the UK, alongside spots such as Blackpool Sands in Devon, Sandbanks Beach in Dorset, and Luskentyre Beach in the Isle of Harris, Scotland.
