//
Seaside town and community in Pembrokeshire, Wales
Photo: Pauline Eccles, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Tenby (Welsh: Dinbych-y-Pysgod, "little town of fishes") is a beautiful walled town in South Wales that spills out pastel coloured buildings along cliffs and around sandy bays. Tenby is one of Wales' premier tourist spots, and is located on the south Pembrokeshire coast, about 80 km (50 miles) west of Swansea.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
A Cistercian monastery on an island just off Tenby's coast. At low tide, ferries leave from Tenby Castle Beach and at high tide from Tenby Harhour. Fare: £10 (£5 for children)
A 15th-century town house open to the public.
North beach looks onto Tenby's old fishing harbour and out onto Camarthen Bay. This beach provides one of the most popular backdrops for portrait pictures and is the focus of most photographers who visit Tenby, providing them with some of the most dramatic sunrises set parallel to a quaint pastel coloured harbour filled with working trawlers. Goscar Rock sits in the centre of this mile long beach providing hours of fun for young and old to sift through the rock pools, shelter from the winds and, for those who dare, a small climbing adventure (although not advised for any novice climber).
Gumfreston's Church of St Lawrence is romantically situated in a wooded dell and dates from the late 12th century although generally of the 14th to 16th centuries. The tower used to be detached, and the church was well restored in 1869, including new roofs and church furnishings. The porch on the western side may be a remnant of an earlier church on the site, which was a “llan” (walled enclosure around a church) in era of Celtic Christianity. On the wall are the faded outlines of what was once a large and dramatic mural depicting Jesus Christ, fishing nets and other implements. This has been interpreted as a message to the congregation to avoid working on the Sabbath. Three holy wells in the churchyard attracted pilgrims in ancient times. People still visit the church to collect a little of the well water, or to pray. The revival of interest in Celtic Christianity has prompted the development of “services of light” every three months in the church, focusing on Celtic spirituality and led by lay members of the congregation. Services of stories and songs about Celtic saints are a popular feature of the Tenby Arts Festival.
Ritec Valley site of special scientific interest.
Visitor exhibition and shop.
Bikes for hire.
Dog-friendly sport and activity attraction, offering over 30 activities.
Boat trips to Caldey Island or wildlife cruises to see seals and sometimes dolphins in the bay or around the island. Tickets from kiosk at top of Tenby harbour.
Anna's Welsh Zoo
Blues festival in over 15 venues all around Tenby town, with performers from all around the world.
Simple, but freshly made meals.
Featuring local, seasonal produce, meals are freshly prepared by skilled chefs familiar with a seaside appetite. Traditional cooked breakfasts, bar lunches and evening menus.
Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner all day. Local food, quality ingredients.
Splendid beach bar and restaurant right on South Beach.
Overlooking the harbour and North Beach, in a Georgian building. Great views, outstanding coffee, cakes, good breakfasts and Greek food.
The nearest Youth Hostel is at Manorbier (6 miles/10 km).
Quiet campsite next to a SSSI wildlife reserve.
The Old Convent, built in 1896, has been renovated and transformed into a high standard guesthouse & restaurant opposite the famous five arches in Tenby. All the shops, pubs, and restaurants are within a minute's walk.
Castlemead is beautifully situated at the head of a small wooded valley, overlooking the sea, Norman church & castle. Set in half an acre of pleasant, mature grounds and lawns it offers a gloriously relaxing spot, in the heart of the village of Manorbier.
A small country guest house providing bed and breakfast with stunning views across the countryside to the sea and Caldey Island. Close to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and a good base for walking, sightseeing and cycling and for those brave enough to tackle Ironman Wales Gumfreston is 10 minutes from the starting line.
Based on the Esplanade overlooking South Beach. A few minutes walk from the walled town of Tenby. 60 rooms (Standard, Premier and Deluxe). Restaurant and 'The Cwtch' Bar. Small car park at rear of the hotel.
This place offers well-equipped rooms, many with lovely views over the old fishing harbour and across Carmarthen Bay. It's part of a Listed Georgian terrace, built over 175 years ago as individual summer houses. A lift runs from the first half landing and there are footpaths directly to the beach.
Upscale hotel in a Victorian Gothic concoction.
Celtic Haven Cottages
A family-run holiday cottage resort on the picturesque Pembrokeshire cliff tops near Tenby. Many of the pretty whitewashed cottages date right back to the 12th century and onsite facilities include an Elemis spa, Waves cliff-top restaurant, a headland golf course and leisure club with an indoor pool. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path is a short stroll away and many of the cottages are pet-friendly.
By bus
Regular service from Swansea. Infrequent National Express service from London and Birmingham
By road
M4 to end (near Swansea), A48 to Carmarthen, A40 to St Clears, A477 to Kilgetty, A478 to Tenby.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Cardiff · International · CWL
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Tenby and United Kingdom.
Travel tipsComplete 2026 guide to the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Check eligibility, the £20 fee, application steps, and transit rules.
7 min read
Travel tipsComplete 2026 guide to global tourist taxes and access fees. Compare entry fees in Venice, Bali, Bhutan, Kyoto, and Edinburgh, and learn how to pay them.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
Travel tipsA complete guide to taking the Eurostar from London to Paris. Learn about check-in times, border controls, baggage limits, ticket tiers, and booking tips.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.