Dreamy Welsh coastlines: the best beaches near Cardiff

Wales is a nature lover’s paradise – with striking mountain scenery, lush valleys and over 1500 miles of sweeping coastline. The latter makes it a particularly brilliant destination for those seeking sand, sea and sunshine. You don’t have to go far to find a dreamy spot, either. There are plenty of top notch UK beaches near Cardiff perfect for breezy coastal walks or longer weekends away. And the best bit? They’re all under an hour away.

Cardiff’s best beaches on the map

My top picks for family-friendly beaches near Cardiff

In my experience, some of the best family trips have been at the beach. There’s just something so special about splashing around in the sea, crafting elaborate sandcastles and exploring beachfront attractions together.

When it comes to finding beaches in South Wales near Cardiff for a family day out, you’re in luck. This stretch of coastline is absolutely inundated with options perfect for summer holidays or simply a long weekend throughout the year.

1. Cardiff Bay Beach

Located just a 10-minute drive from the city centre, Cardiff Bay Beach is hands-down one of the best beaches near Cardiff. It’s close proximity to the city makes it a popular pick, especially in the summer months when a man-made beach is created alongside the attractions.

Speaking of which, this beach isn’t just for sunseekers. It’s also right next door to the famous Giant Wheel, which offers panoramic views of Cardiff Marina. You’ll also spot a plethora of classic seaside fairground rides and plenty of places to buy summery refreshments.

If you fancy a stroll, there’s a great accessible walk along the Landsea Gardens offering stunning vistas. Or why not venture down to the Marina and book a thrilling boat trip along the coast? Parking can be tricky, so this is a great spot to walk to if you’re not based far away.

Stay in

Hotels in Cardiff

Facilities 

Restaurants, beach chairs, rides, toilet facilities

Sights

Cardiff Marina, the Giant Wheel

Best for

Families with small children

2. Whitmore Bay Beach, Barry Island

You’ll find Barry – the home of Whitmore Bay Beach – a 35-minute drive or 40-minute train journey from the city. It’s another of the best beaches near Cardiff for a family day out, with a sweeping sandy shore that’s ideal for picnics and sandcastle building.

Once a thriving Edwardian holiday destination, Barry Island has lost none of its classic charm. In fact, you might just recognise it from various scenes in the hit TV show, Gavin and Stacey! As well as its glorious soft sand beach, it’s also home to a vintage leisure arcade and seafront rides ideal for kids and adults of all ages.

Whitmore Bay’s promenade additionally has a fantastic outdoor climbing wall if you fancy an active challenge. Plus, it’s safe to swim throughout the summer thanks to the seasonal lifeguard service.

Stay in

Hotels in Barry

Facilities 

Cafes, beach huts, arcade games, parking

Sights

Climbing wall and sweeping promenade

Best for

Families who love to swim

3. Coney Beach, Porthcawl

This gorgeous golden beach (that’s also known as Sandy Beach) sits just 40 minutes by road from Cardiff in the pretty coastal town of Porthcawl.

Along with Coney Beach’s stunning setting, it’s also got plenty of amenities that’ll appeal to families – from a seafront pleasure arcade and a mix of tempting restaurants to several award-winning ice cream parlours.

Porthcawl has a great range of hotels and guesthouses, too, if you fancy staying as close to the beach as possible. Or, if you’re combining your getaway with some time in the city, the transport links from Cardiff are excellent. Take the easy driving route along the M4 or hop on the train which gets you to Porthcawl in under 20 minutes.

Stay in

Hotels in Porthcawl

Facilities 

Restaurants, shops, beach chairs, toilets

Sights

Fairground and amusement arcade

Best for

Kids of all ages

Best beaches near Cardiff for walking

If strolling in the ocean breeze with the sun beating down on your face sounds pretty idyllic, you’re in luck. Wales has some truly incredible coastal walks and you’ll find tonnes of beaches near Cardiff that are ideal places to stretch your legs.

4. Penarth Beach, Glamorgan

This Vale of Glamorgan gem is located just outside of Cardiff – either a 10-minute drive or a 20-minute train ride depending on your transport preference. Penarth Beach’s long pebbled shore makes it ideal for seaside strolling without the hassle of getting sand stuck in your shoes.

This lively beach near Cardiff also boasts a lovely vintage Art Deco pier that’s ideal for a leisurely stroll. Or why not get even more active with a job along the esplanade? Penarth Beach is also popular with fossil hunters, so keep an eye out for some ancient relics hiding in the cliffs as you wander.

Penarth Beach has gorgeous views of the Severn Estuary and plenty of nice places to grab an ice cream, a bag of chips or a coffee. The perfect treats after some refreshing outdoor exercise!

Stay in

Hotels near Penarth

Facilities 

Restaurants, toilets, shops, cinema.

Sights

Ancient fossils and an Art Deco pier

Best for

Adventurers and fossil hunters

5. Sker Bay, Porthcawl

Sker Beach is easily one of the best sandy beaches near Cardiff and a natural beauty spot to boot. The sprawling bay just north of Porthcawl is backed by lovely dunes that are ideal for exploring on foot.

Perhaps one of the best things about Sker Beach is how remote it feels. You can only reach it be first walking through the scenic Kenfig National Nature Reserve; a destination visiting in itself.

Sker Beach is additionally dog-friendly if you want to take your pooch along for a lengthy walk by the sea. You could also combine it with a walk to nearby Pink Bay Beach – another of the best beaches near Cardiff that gets it’s name from the unique pink marbling visible in the rocks.

There are no public transport links from Cardiff to Sker Beach, so it’s a great one to visit if you love a road trip or if you’re hiring a car.

Getting there

Find car hire in Cardiff

Facilities 

Parking and that’s about it!

Sights

Kenfiq National Nature Reserve, Sker House

Best for

Nature lovers and those after peace and quiet

6. Aberthaw Beach, Cardiff

Aberthaw Beach may not be quite as scenic as my two picks above but it’s always very quiet, making it a great spot for a peaceful stroll. It’s located along the sweeping Limpert Bay: a popular spot for local fisherman.

You’ll find this beach near Cardiff airport and it marks the end of the Glamorgan Heritage Coast. A major sight along the shore is the now closed Aberthaw Power Station. Because of its presence and use for so many decades, this beach is relatively protected and has become a habitat for hundreds of species of birds – including oyster catchers and turn stones.

The beach as a small (but free!) car park at its eastern end, accessed from the village of Gileston. There are no facilities here so it really is just a walker’s beach.

Flights

Find flights to Cardiff

Facilities 

Nothing but views!

Sights

Boverton Promontory Fort

Best for

Birdwatching and quieter strolls

Nice beaches near Cardiff for surfing

Cardiff’s beaches don’t just offer up great places for hiking and relaxation. Many also have a fantastic reputation for surfing – with the following being my top picks for catching some waves.

7. Rest Bay, Porthcawl

This popular sandy beach in Porthcawl is the slightly wider cousin of Coney Beach. As well as offering up a huge expanse of sand dotted with rock pools, Rest Bay is also often blessed with great surf so it’s never unusual to see people bobbing about in the shallows on their boards.

As well as bringing your own surfboard with you, you can take lessons at the water sports centre overlooking the beach. Rest Bay also has it’s own surf shop if you’re in need of any new gear. During the summer, the beach has a lifeguard service between 10am and 6pm, making it a safe spot to spend time in the water.

If you happen to visit on a day when the sea is calm, you can simply hop in for a swim or rent kayaks. There’s also a cafe up near the surf school office, plus the centre of Porthcawl is just a short stroll away along the coastal path and inundated with places to eat and drink and connects Rest Bay with Coney Beach.

Facilities 

Parking, cafe, surf school, lifeguard

Sights

Surfers and the Wales Coast Path

Best for

Newbies to surfing

8. Aberavon Beach, Port Talbot

Located near Port Talbot and not far from Swansea, Aberavon Beach may be one of my farther-flung options but it’s well-known among experienced surfers for its big swells.

The curved sandy beach looks out over Swansea Bay and it often boasts ideal conditions for numerous water-based activities – from swimming to surfing. When the weather is right, surfers will get to ride along some long, hollow waves. Plus, if you visit in the summer, there are usually lifeguards on duty for a little more peace of mind.

While the beach does lack a bit in amenities, Aberavon Beach’s scenic promenade leads to nearby Port Talbot. There, you’ll find a wealth of classic seaside attractions, including kids’ play areas, a skate park and plenty of places to eat or grab a drink along the seafront.

Stay in

Hotels in Port Talbot

Facilities 

Parking, toilets, seasonal lifeguard

Sights

Aberavon Skate Park, Swansea Bay

Best for

Experienced surfers

Best dog-friendly beaches near Cardiff

Find beaches without restrictions on dogs can be a little tricky around Cardiff – but there are still a handful of good options. If your pets love the sea and sand, here are a couple of beaches ideal for a fun-packed day out or simply a long walk.

9. Jackson’s Bay, Barry Island

Also located on Barry Island, Jackson’s Bay is close to Whitmore Bay Beach but is much quieter and doesn’t place restrictions on visitors with dogs. It’s a favourite among local dog walkers and offers a lovely sandy bay that dogs can race around on.

Access to the beach is via a pretty steep path so just be aware if you or anyone you visit with has mobility problems. You can also reach it from Barry Island Beach via the Clements Colley Walk coastal trail which hooks around the scenic Nell’s Point.

Jackson’s Bay is one of the easiest sandy beaches near Cardiff to reach if you’re travelling by train with a dog as the journey is under an hour with no changes. Or you could choose to drive in around 30 minutes.

Stay in

Hotels in Barry

Facilities 

Parking, toilets

Sights

Nell’s Point, Barry Docks Breakwater Lighthouse

Best for

Shorter walks with scenic views

10. Ogmore-by-Sea, Vale of Glamorgan

Ogmore-by-Sea is another scenic spot that sits long the Glamorgan Heritage Coast and it’s definitely one of the best dog-friendly beaches near Cardiff. Not only does it have a nice remote feel to it but the beach also has direct access to several coastal trails if you’re after somewhere for a longer stroll.

Take the coastal path south from Ogmore and you’l come across a trio of intriguing heritage sites: Ogmore Castle, the Iron Age Hillfort and Dunraven Castle. Just note that you can’t take your dog on the beach near the latter due to local restrictions.

Ogmore-by-Sea is well set up for dog-walkers, too. There’s toilets on site plus a car park a short walk from the shore. You’ll also spot a couple of cafes and coffee shops if you fancy grabbing a brew or some lunch. This includes the trendy Welsh Coffee Company in Ogmore town and the family-friendly West Farm just a short hop off the coastal path en route to Dunraven.

If you’re visiting with the whole family in tow, the bay also has heaps of rock pools for kids to splash around in.

Facilities 

Parking, toilets, cafes

Sights

Ogmore Castle, Iron Age Hilltop Fort, Dunraven Castle

Best for

Family dog walks

Expert tips for exploring beaches in Cardiff

Visiting the best beaches near Cardiff is usually a very enjoyable and stress-free experience. They’re all within an hour of the city, with some even accessible via public transport. If you have a car (or plan on renting one), you’ll have a wider variety of options. Just be wary that car parks can fill up quickly during the busy summer months, so plan accordingly and avoid weekends if you can.

Another thing to note is that some beaches near Cardiff don’t have many – or sometimes any! – facilities. Consider taking your own food and drink along but just make sure you take any rubbish with you when you leave. Want to bring your dog along for a day out on the sand? A good chunk of beaches in this corner of Wales have restrictions so do you research beforehand to avoid disappointment.

Conclusion

Whether you love bustling seaside towns or exploring remote bays, Cardiff is an excellent jumping off point for exploring much of the Welsh coastline. Beach holidays in Wales are great options for cheap holiday destinations or for long weekend breaks when you want to get out of the city but don’t have a lot time to spare. You’ll also find some of the best of Britain’s National Parks in Wales.