As we head into spring, with summer only a few months away, more and more of us are heading back to the beautiful beaches along the Welsh Coast. It is a well known fact that Wales has some of the most stunning beaches in the UK, if not the world, but there are some that are more popular than others.
Whilst some of our beaches are best kept secret, some draw crowds from across the country, and are even described as tropical in the right climate.
Consumer comparison site TripAdvisor has listed all of the most popular beaches in Wales The list is sorted by traveller favourites, with things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data, which included reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
Read more: 2 3 stunningly secluded Welsh beaches where you'll avoid the crowds when the sun's out
Here are the top 10 most popular beaches according to TripAdvisor. If you can't see you're favourite beach on the list, tell us what it is in the comments below.
1.Tenby Castle Beach
Tenby Castle Beach is Wales's most popular beach according to TripAdvisor. 724 of the 964 are 'excellent' and 213 of the reviews are 'very good. giving this beach an overall rating of 4.5/5.
Recent visitors praised the nice sandy beach, its accessibility and closeness to the town centre. One reviewer wrote: " What a lovely beach, plenty of sand to walk on especially when the tide is out. Well worth checking out when you visit Tenby."
Another added: "Unspoilt and beautiful. Great location for families to enjoy lovely soft sand in a wonderful setting. Lots of amenities close by so as to enjoy the whole day here. Very picturesque."
A third had spotted Tenby on Tv and was pleased that it lived up to their expectations: "Having recently seen Tenby on the TV just had to visit while on tour of Wales. Simply gorgeous place with vast beautiful beaches surrounding the town."
2. Cemaes Bay Traeth Bach Beach
Next on the list is Cemaes Bay Traeth Bach Beach. Situated on Anglesey's beautiful coast line, this beach also has a rating of 4.5, with 39 of he 59 reviews being 'excellent'.
One reviewer said: "If you're staying locally, and the sky is clear, grab some fish and chips, walk down to the bay and eat them as the sun's setting. It's absolutely perfect. The carpark at the bar is free after 5pm so it's an ideal place to park up, walk up to the chippy, then back to the bay to soak up the view."
Another glowing review said: "We were staying nearby, and we are so lucky to have found this fabulous location! Even if the weather isn't 100% you can still easily spend a day here playing on the beach and exploring a couple of walks. There are a few eateries too. Cemaes bay is such a lovely bay with good scenery and lots to explore. Would definitely recommend."
A third reviewer called it a 'hidden gem.'
3. Whitmore Bay Beach
Fans of the TV show Gavin and Stacey will recognise this famous Barry Island beach, but its not just fans who love the beach. Reviewers have consistently praised the cleanliness of the beach, along with its accessibility, parking and thinks to do for the kids. Overall, the beach has a rating of 4.5/5.
One reviewer described the beach as very accessible" Disabled parking all along the front and free! I was able to stop, look and drive on to the next fantastic view every few mins, great day out. Hardly any steps and parking near toilets. Bogs need a good scrub and paint but lets face it don't they all these days, its a country wide thing. The promenade was well surfaced and we had no problems getting around, all level."
Another review read: "My husband and I spent the day in Barry and the highlight for us was walking along the beach. The beach is impressively clean and it was lovely to see people out with their dogs having fun."
4. Traeth Abermaw Beach
Traeth Abermaw Beach is southern Snowdonia's most popular beach resort. on TripAdvisor, it has over 1000 reviews, with 72% of them being classified as 'excellent.' This gives the beach a rating of 4.5.
The Blue Flag beach is described as never overcrowded and also has trampolines, bouncy castle and pirate ship during the summer. The Blue Flag status is clearly well deserved as many of the reviews praise the beaches cleanliness, with some claiming it is the best beach in the UK.
One reviewer wrote: "This was our first visit to Barmouth and we were pleasantly surprised, plenty of parking and not expensive either. Had a lovely walk along the front, then got some fab fish and chips and ate those on the front. Had a wander in the town, and then along the beach. Lots of places to eat, gorgeous views and it was very clean."
A second said: "Got to be one of the best beaches in the UK. Tremendous views all around, very spacious and clean with people from all walks of life. If you get great weather it's as good as being abroad!"
5. Rhyl East Beach
Rhyl is not perhaps the first place that comes to mind when you think of beaches, but it is ranked on TripAdvisor as the fifth most popular amongst its users. The beach has an overall rating of 4/5 and is praised for its wide promenade and beach, as well as the cleanliness of the site.
One reviewer said: "Visited Rhyl got a walk on the beach with our fur babies. Pleasantly surprised by the well kept beach and promenade. It was such a lovely time and reminded me of my childhood."
Another wrote: "The seafront is very pleasant with a sandy beach and a wide promenade. There are a variety of entertainments available and places to eat and drink."
6. Rest Bay
Rest Bay at Porthcawl is known for being a surfers beach, but its golden sandy beaches and rockpools make it a beach for everyone to enjoy. It has an overall rating of 4.5/5, with the beach being praised for its scenic views and long walks.
One reviewer wrote: "This beach has it all, great waves, rock pools and sand. It is enjoyed by all. The number of surfers was impressive. We walked down the beach passed the golf course and on to a further beach towards Port Talbot. It really was a nice walk and the beaches were so big that you never felt crowded. I would highly recommend a visit."
Another added: "Lovely beach, nice scenery, good walks. We walked to Rest Bay but could have caught the open top bus or scenic train, both are free for us as being pensioners. Would definitely cone again."
7. Lido Beach
Lido Beach at Prestatyn is described as going on for miles when the tide is out, perfect for walkers. The beach has an overall review score of 4.5/5, with 117 of the 184 reviews being classified as excellent.
One review read: "Lots and lots of lovely sand when the tide goes out. When the tide is in you can walk/cycle along the promenade for miles. Worth a visit."
Another reviewer added: "This amazing golden sandy beach stretches for miles. Indeed you can walk along the coast from Prestatyn to Talacre or to Rhyl if you wanted a good walk. When we visited the beach was clean and there were life guards in attendance. Although a very popular beach, it is so vast that social distancing was not a problem."
8. Newgale Campsite
Newgale Campsite in Haverfordwest was established in 1935 and since then has been welcoming generations of guests to this picturesque spot. The beach itself is descried as a great beach for surfers, with lots of space for dogs to run around. Overall, this beach has a 4.5 rating.
One review said: "Whilst visiting family in Wales they took us to this fabulous beach which was teeming with people enjoying the end of summer celebration. We had fish and chips on the beach whilst watching a stunning sunset."
Another wrote: "Enjoyed several long walks at the dog friendly end of this beach - just beautiful and not busy. Parking is reasonably priced and fairly large area. Beach accessible by climbing down pebble banks."
9. Colwyn Bay Beach
Situated on Wales's north coast, this beach is praised by reviewers for its clean sand and excellent swimming sport. Recently, and much to the surprise of less frequent visitors, the pier has begun to be rebuilt. With an overall raiting on 4/5, this beach is as popular as ever.
One reviewer wrote: "Visited the beach a couple times during brief stay in Colwyn. Really nice clean sandy beach - quiet with it being October but the sea was very calm. Nice to see the pier has been partially rebuilt, though very short at present it is still a nice feature. Really liked the promenade which features some nice information plaques about the history of Colwyn Bay. Well designed to allow for walkers and cyclists as part of the National Cycle Network. Lovely evening walk.
Another added: "Walked along the beach with friends, fortunate for us it was a hot sunny day , all natural lovely views, very clean and tidy. No shops or beach cafes , all natural. Well frequented by both locals and tourists. Well worth a visit if in area."
10. Mwnt Beach
Number 10 on the list is the only beach with a 5/5 rating. Mwnt Beach in Cardigan is called a hidden gem more than once in these reviews, with nearly no poor reviews at all.
One reviewer wrote: "Stunning place to visit. Impossible to choose a favourite aspect. The views from the cliff tops, the walk down the steps, next to the waterfall and the beach itself, with the rugged rocks, all beautiful."
Another added: "This place was mentioned in the guide folder which we had in our holiday accommodation. We had been to Aberporth, but wanted to visit somewhere else before returning. So we followed the sign post for here. Glad that we did! We did not make it to the beach, but there were good views from the top of the headland. The chapel of the Holy Cross is also a very interesting place to visit."
To get the latest WalesOnline newsletters emailed to you directly for free click here.
