A beautiful beach with soft sand, clean water and rolling hills bordering is ranked the best in north Wales.
Part of the beauty of Traeth Harlech, on the coast of Gwynedd is the way the horizon seems to stretch away forever, creating stunning sunsets when the evening begins to recede away.
As the beach is so big, it is easy to find yourself in a section all to yourself, no matter how busy it gets, Wales Online reports.
Clearly those who have visited Traeth Harlech love it and have rated the beach the best in north Wales, just ahead of the beautiful Llanddwyn on Anglesey.
Some reviewers go further, claiming is is the best in Wales and even Europe. Last month, a regular visitor upped the stakes again when breathlessly describing the four-mile sweep of sand as "the most peaceful, calming and beautiful place on earth".
So enamoured was a Southampton holidaymaker that he went down on one knee there and proposed to his partner of 10 years, saying: "It was the perfect setting for us both. It will forever hold a special place in our hearts."
Yet somehow Traeth Harlech sails beneath the radar, despite the presence not only of a mighty castle, but of turtles.
Hanging over the beach is Harlech Castle, a World Heritage Site that was built in the 13th century and now crowns a sheer rocky crag overlooking the dunes far below.
"Harlech was completed from ground to battlements in just seven years under the guidance of gifted architect Master James of St George. Its classic 'walls within walls' design makes the most of daunting natural defences," writes the Welsh government.
"Even when completely cut off by the rebellion of Madog ap Llewelyn the castle held out – thanks to the ‘Way from the Sea’. This path of 108 steps rising steeply up the rock face allowed the besieged defenders to be fed and watered by ship.
"Against fierce competition from Conwy, Caernarfon and Beaumaris, this is probably the most spectacular setting for any of Edward I’s castles in North Wales."
Adding further to its striking image are the rugged peaks of Eryri (Snowdonia) which rise as a backdrop in the far distance.
In summer, leatherback turtles migrate to this part of the coast to feed on the jellyfish and provide a surprising spectacle for the lucky few who manage to see them.
In 1988, a record-breaking 916kg leatherback was washed up on Harlech beach after becoming snared by fishing equipment.
"Sometimes the sea is crystal clear teeming with jellyfish and other times it is a mysterious deep blue," wrote one visitor.
It’s popular with water sports enthusiasts too, with opportunities for surfing and kayaking. Motorhomes gravitate towards the area as well.
The dunes are another feature that makes the place special. Forming the Morfa Harlech National Nature Reserve, they are home to rare orchids and sand lizards. Its neighbour is Royal St David’s Golf Club, one of Britain’s finest links courses.
Famously, Harlech beach is not just dog-friendly, but a haven for pooches, so if you're not a fan of four-legged accomplices running up to you, then it may not be the beach to visit. (Instead, you may want to head to the UK beaches banning dogs this summer).
Between April 1 and September 30, a section in front of the holiday park is off-limits but the rest of the beach is dog-accessible year round.
This is a beach that’s not commercialised: for cafes, pubs and restaurants, you’ll need to head into Harlech’s charming centre. Neither is it a beach to be enjoyed just during the day.
As one reviewer said: "A vast beach which we and our dog greatly enjoy. But to be slightly different, take a picnic and enjoy the sunset; it’s quite incredible!"
Across Wales as a whole, only the remote Marloes Sands in Pembrokeshire is rated higher by Tripadvisor users.
The main pay-and-display car park, at Ffordd Glan Mor (£3.30 for four hours, coin only), has almost 300 spaces but it’s a good 400-metre trek through dunes to the beach. As the sand is so soft, people with mobility issues may struggle. And if you need the toilet, you’ll need to head 400 metres back.
The beach has no lifeguard cover, so visitors should be aware of the possibility of strong currents and strong winds. Digging or burrowing in the sand dunes is strictly forbidden.
