This one bedroom apartment overlooking the beach at Nefyn is in one of the peachiest locations we know. Nefyn is a lovely seaside village on the north coast of Pen Llyn, with an attractive harbour and some of the best mountains-and-coast views in the UK.
Nefyn’s sandy beach curves south west around a small headland to the tiny old fishing village of Porthdinllaen, with its world-famous Ty Coch Inn (a must-do pub on any trip to Pen Llyn, don’t miss it). It’s a lovely easy walk along the beach, and an idyllic spot for a pint and a ploughman’s, but do check the seasonal opening times before you visit.
Cast your eyes up the coast in the other direction, and you will see the three peaks of Yr Eifl, home to an Iron Age hillfort that towers above the sea. This is also a fantastic walk, though a little more strenuous than the beach (Yr Eifl, also known as The Rivals, is the highest point on Pen Llyn, at 564m). On a clear day, from its summit, you can expect to see as far as the Isle of Man, to the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland and even as far as the Cumbrian peaks of the Lake District. It’s stunning.
If walking’s your thing, then you’ll be pleased to know that Nefyn sits almost exactly midway along Llyn’s north coast path, part of the Wales Coast Path. Pen Llyn has an exceptional and dramatic shoreline, with endless coves, cliffs, bays, secret sandy beaches, stacks and offshore islands to discover and explore.
In the village of Nefyn, the recently reopened Llyn Maritime Museum tells the story of the peninsula’s often stormy relationship with the sea. It’s a great place to get a better understanding of the local heritage and culture. Nefyn is also famous for its fantastic headland golf course.
Follow the coast of Pen Llyn around 13 miles south of Nefyn and you’ll arrive at Aberdaron. Aberdaron was the last stop for medieval pilgrims on the way to Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island), the ‘Isle of 20,000 Saints’, and has a rich Celtic history. A centuries-old inspiration for poets, artists and musicians, it retains a sense of the mystical and wild. It’s a great place for walks and picnics, and in the summer, you can follow in the footsteps of those pilgrims and take a boat trip to Ynys Enlli. If you are visiting Aberdaron, why not call into Becws Islyn Bakery for a warm Welsh welcome and an afternoon tea!
The charming coastal village of Criccieth is around 15 miles in the other direction, with its traditional Welsh tearooms, some great places to eat out, as well as some very decent fish & chips. Expect attractive independent shops and some very browsable galleries and antiques. There’s even a traditional Welsh clog maker who still has his workshop in the town, and a medieval castle to watch over it all. It’s a great place to explore.
This one bedroom apartment overlooking the beach at Nefyn is a short drive from some great North Wales activities and adventures, including Glasfryn Parc with its stand up paddleboarding and clay pigeon shooting (10 miles), and Bounce Below, Zip World and Llechwedd slate mine at Blaenau Ffestiniog (30 miles).
For slightly more relaxing days out, head to the Cwrw Llyn brewery in Nefyn with its brewery tours and tap room (0.5 miles), Portmeirion and its Italian style fantasy village (22 miles), or Harlech with its steep winding streets and UNESCO-listed 13th century fortress (30 miles). Or how about a day out on a steam railway? The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland railway are a splendid way to see more of the stunning landscapes of North Wales, with regular departures from Porthmadog (20 miles). Abersoch, with its buzzing bistros, bars, boutiques and beaches, is around 12 miles away.