For sheer variety of sand and sea, few places in Britain can match the north-west corner of Wales. Anglesey (Ynys Môn) and the Llŷn Peninsula sit side by side across the water from Snowdonia, each ringed with beaches — from huge dune-backed bays to tiny harbour coves with a pub on the sand. This guide picks out the best of them and tells you what each one is like, so you can choose the right beach for your day, whether you are after surf, safe swimming or somewhere quiet to walk.
The best beaches on Anglesey (Ynys Môn)
Anglesey is fringed with award-winning beaches, and its sheltered coves and shallow bays make it especially good for families.
Newborough & Llanddwyn
The jewel of the south coast, Newborough Beach is a vast sweep of pale sand backed by a pine forest and dunes, with the tidal island of Ynys Llanddwyn — its lighthouse, ruined chapel and romantic legend of St Dwynwen — reaching out at one end. The views across to the Llŷn and the mountains of Eryri are magnificent. It is a wonderful place to walk, and big enough to feel peaceful even in summer.
Rhosneigr & Trearddur Bay
On the west coast, Rhosneigr is a breezy village with two sandy beaches, popular for windsurfing and kitesurfing, while Trearddur Bay near Holyhead is a horseshoe of sand and rock pools that is a long-standing family favourite, with safe swimming when conditions allow. Both have shops and cafés close to the sand.
Benllech & Red Wharf Bay
On the gentler east coast, Benllech offers a wide, easy-access beach with good facilities, and neighbouring Red Wharf Bay reveals an enormous expanse of sand at low tide — a glorious place for a walk, with a famous waterside pub to finish.
The best beaches on the Llŷn Peninsula
The Llŷn reaches out into the Irish Sea with sandy beaches on almost every side, from lively resort sands to wild, end-of-the-world coves.
Porthdinllaen & Nefyn
One of the most photographed spots in Wales, Porthdinllaen is a curve of golden sand sheltering a cluster of old cottages and the much-loved Tŷ Coch Inn, right on the beach. Reached on foot across the sand or over the headland from Morfa Nefyn, it is the picture-postcard Llŷn. The whole north coast around Nefyn is lined with sandy bays.
Abersoch & Llanbedrog
On the sheltered south side, Abersoch is the Llŷn’s sailing and watersports capital, with a busy main beach and the dune-backed Warren nearby. Just along the coast, Llanbedrog has a pretty sheltered beach famous for its row of brightly painted beach huts — one of the prettiest scenes on the peninsula.
Porthor & Hell’s Mouth
Towards the wild western tip, Porthor — the “Whistling Sands” — is famous for sand that squeaks underfoot, while the long surf beach of Hell’s Mouth (Porth Neigwl) draws surfers to its rolling Atlantic swell. These are beaches for big skies and long walks rather than ice-cream kiosks.
Map of the beaches in this guide
All the places featured in this guide, mapped — tap a pin for the name.
Which beach should you choose?
For families wanting safe sand and facilities, head for Trearddur Bay, Benllech or Abersoch. For wild beauty and walking, choose Newborough, Porthor or Hell’s Mouth. For that perfect Welsh seaside photo, it has to be Llanbedrog’s beach huts or the pub on the sand at Porthdinllaen. And if you are touring with a dog, see our guide to dog-friendly North Wales for which beaches welcome them year-round.
Where to stay
Both Anglesey and the Llŷn have accommodation to suit every kind of beach holiday. There are characterful self-catering cottages near the sand, plenty of caravan and camping parks by the bigger beaches, welcoming B&Bs and guest houses and comfortable hotels and inns. Browse places to stay across Anglesey and the Llŷn Peninsula, or read our local guide to where to stay on the Llŷn.
Find your beachside base
Browse independent cottages, B&Bs, caravans and hotels close to the best beaches on Anglesey and the Llŷn — many bookable direct with the owner.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best beach on Anglesey?
- It depends on what you want. Newborough Beach, with its pine forest and the island of Llanddwyn, is the most spectacular for walking and views; Trearddur Bay and Benllech are best for families; and Rhosneigr is the pick for windsurfing. All are within easy reach of each other on the island.
- What is the best beach on the Llŷn Peninsula?
- Porthdinllaen, with its beach-side Tŷ Coch Inn, is the most photogenic; Abersoch is best for sailing and watersports; Llanbedrog is famous for its colourful beach huts; and Porthor (Whistling Sands) and Hell’s Mouth are the wildest and best for surfing and long walks.
- Are the beaches on Anglesey and the Llŷn good for families?
- Very. Sheltered, sandy beaches such as Trearddur Bay, Benllech, Abersoch and Llanbedrog have safe swimming when conditions allow, rock pools to explore and facilities close by. Many hold a Blue Flag or Seaside Award.
- Can I take my dog to these beaches?
- Many welcome dogs, though some of the busier beaches restrict the main stretch between 1 May and 30 September. Quieter coves are usually dog-friendly all year. See our dog-friendly North Wales guide and always check the signs at the beach.