Whether you’re planning a road trip within Cardigan Bay or have a holiday base there and want some day trip ideas, this post has you covered with the best things to do in Cardigan Bay, Wales
It was the urge to be by the sea which made all roads lead to Cardigan Bay.
This inlet of the Irish Sea stretches for 129 miles, incorporating the colourful seaside towns of Aberystwyth, Aberdyfi, Cardigan, and New Quay as well as wild beaches, countless rivers, countryside charm, and walks along the gorgeous west Wales coastline.
With limited public transport connections, and involving a bit of a drive from most places in the UK, Cardigan Bay will never be the mass-market ‘easy’ option for British staycations or summer holidays, and that is undoubtedly a major part of its appeal.
You don’t just arrive here effortlessly; you have to put in effort to arrive.
And, for those willing to do it, you will be treated to a wonderful Welsh travel experience.
Here’s all the best things to do in Cardigan Bay, plus essential things to know before for your own visit!
Our Cardigan Bay Itinerary
When planning our route, it quickly became apparent that attempting to explore the entire stretch of the Cardigan Bay coastline and some of its interior would be wildly unrealistic.
The drive from Aberystwyth to Aberdyfi looks like a short hop along the coast, but it’s actually an hour; and it’s the same again from Aberdyfi to the popular beach town of Barmouth. Those distances meant that it made most sense for a four-day trip to focus on the section of Cardigan Bay which offered the best experiences alongside wonderful landscapes and manageable travel distances between them.
All our research made clear that that was the stretch from Aberystwyth south to the town of Cardigan.
Therefore, we decided to base ourselves in one place (this wonderful converted barn on a farm outside Aberaeron) and take slow, meaningful day trips up, down, and in between.
It gave us everything we hoped for (and more) from a Cardigan Bay experience.
We will hopefully visit the area north of Aber on a future road trip so that we can include a few more places in this post but, if it’s your first visit to Cardigan Bay, we highly recommend doing the same as us.
Hike the Coastal Trail
Stretching an incredible 870 miles, the Wales Coast Path is the first trail in the world to follow a country’s entire coastline, and whilst taking on the whole thing is unrealistic for most people, a visit to West Wales offers plenty of easily accessible day hikes or walks.
In short, if you’re by the sea, you’re going to be by a trail.
You can find full details of all hiking routes along the entirety of the Welsh coast here, or alternatively we have included sections accessible from each major town along Cardigan Bay in our relevant posts.
New Quay
There are a bunch of wild beaches in West Wales, but New Quay is the place we’d make an instant beeline for when the sun is out and we’re in a bit more of a social mood.
Home to several gorgeous sand beaches, a bustling harbour area with a few cafes and restaurants, and the opportunity to head out on a SUP board or a boat trip, it’s clear why this small, colourful Welsh coastal town is such a popular seaside escape.
Keep Reading // Our Guide to New Quay
Mwnt Beach
On a coastline blessed with beautiful coves and stretches of beach, Mwnt stands out as one of the most picturesque; the water is clear, the patch of rectangular sand clean and pristine, and the clifftop paths on each side offer up manageable short walks leading to sumptuous views of the coastline and the Irish Sea.
Just five miles north of Cardigan, this rural secluded beach - owned and maintained by the National Trust - is unmissable.
Be careful on the drive down though…
Keep Reading // How to Visit Mwnt Beach
Dolphin Spotting
With Britain’s largest population of resident bottle-nosed dolphins, Cardigan Bay is widely regarded as one of the very best places to spot them in the wild.
During the summer months, those armed with binoculars will likely be able to see them from the shore, however for almost-guaranteed sightings, jump on a short tour from New Quay.
Cardigan Bay Travel Tips
Having your own car opens up several day trips and accommodation options for you.
With public transport, your best bet is to arrive in Aberystwyth by rail, then take a bus down the coastline.
We recommend staying for a minimum of three nights in Cardigan Bay, whilst seven days in late spring/summer would be fantastic.
Welsh is widely spoken and most signs have both Welsh + English versions.
Caravan parks are a really popular holiday accommodation option in Mid Wales.
Aside from the A487, most roads are small, narrow, countryside B roads. Some will be single-track, there are many blind corners, and passing places (not often marked) have to be used - drive at appropriate speeds.
Several beaches in Mid Wales ban dogs from May to September.
Whatever your budget or travel style, please be a responsible and respectful visitor to this beautiful part of Wales. Be a safe, courteous driver, respect local life, don't litter, and just don't be a dickhead.
The Seaside University Town of Aberystwyth
A grey and miserable school trip many years ago left one half of ADR with less than perfect memories of Aberystwyth.
However upon returning recently we can happily report that this vibrant university town has much to offer the day tripper or indeed holiday maker in spring and summer - not least of all it’s long stretch of beach, calm waters, colourful town centre and wonderful seaside vibes.
It’s also the only place along Cardigan Bay that has a train station, which makes it a good option if you don’t have your own car.
Keep Reading // Our Guide to Aberystwyth
Explore The Colourful Houses of Aberaeron
It was the colourful houses of Aberaeron that initially piqued our interest in Cardigan Bay - turns out this cute little town is rather famous for them!
Once a prosperous boat building and shipping hotspot, Aberaeron is now a popular seaside holiday destination with - thanks to its past glory - a wealth of beautiful (and architecturally significant) kaleidoscopic Georgian properties.
Also, the coastal stretch of drive from here to LLanon is gorgeous.
Keep Reading // Our Guide to Aberaeron
Visit the Beaches
We feel a little bit silly saying this, but prior to our short sojourn to the Welsh coast, we how no idea quite how incredible the beaches in Mid Wales were.
Whether you want a lifeguard-attended family friendly patch of golden sand, or a rugged windswept escape from the masses there really is a beach for everyone, and even in the highest point of summer we have been told it’s still possible to find your own slice of paradise.
We’ve written an entire post on our pick of the best beaches in Cardigan Bay, so head over there for some holiday inspiration.
Also, the sunsets in Cardigan Bay are phenomenal, so do make a point of seeking out one or two.
Hang out in cool Cardigan
If you're going go Mid Wales, then you simply have to go to Cardigan.
A thriving town of 4,000 or so, it punches well above its weight. Sandwiched between two of the best beaches Wales has to offer, it’s home to artists and artisans, creatives and mavericks, independent shops and splashes of a Wes Anderson colour palette, Cardigan’s ideal as a base to explore the region independently, as well as a very pleasant day trip in and of itself.
Keep Reading // Our Guide to Cardigan
Escape To The Countryside
Although the core reason to venture toward Cardigan Bay is its coastline, it’s important to note that you’re always only a very very short drive from a lovely wee village, rural countryside, and sometimes coast & countryside combined.
That’s why we chose the best of both worlds when looking for accommodation, opting to stay at this wonderful converted barn about 15 minutes drive from the coast. If visiting the region for longer than a couple of nights, we’d highly recommend thinking about basing yourself somewhere like that if options by the sea are a bit too expensive or already booked up!
