Nefyn

Nefyn sits at the western tip of the Llŷn Peninsula, a proper working village rather than a seaside resort trying to be something it isn't. What you get here is a small beach backed by a cluster of stone cottages, a functioning harbour, and the kind of peace that makes you forget you're in Wales at all - which sounds daft until you've actually been there.

The beach itself is nothing spectacular by summer holiday standards. It's pebbly, gets busy with locals, and the sea temperature won't win any awards. But that's rather the point. This is where people from Pwllheli come when they want their own beach back, not somewhere crawling with day-trippers. There's a cafe, a few shops selling the essentials, and a genuine feel that life carries on regardless of whether tourists show up.

Walkers will find this worthwhile as a starting point rather than a destination. The coastal path runs both directions from here - westward towards Uwchmynydd offers decent views across Caernarfon Bay, whilst the eastern route takes you back towards Abersoch with far fewer people. Allow two to three hours for a proper walk either way.

It works best as a half-day addition to a longer Llŷn exploration rather than a stand-alone trip. If you're based at one of the nearby parks like Tal-y-Fan or Llwyn Ffynnon, Nefyn makes a gentle morning before heading elsewhere. Families with very small children might find the pebbles tedious; teenagers will definitely find it dull. For everyone else after actual Welsh coastal authenticity rather than postcard views, it delivers.