The Ultimate Guide to Tenby

Where in Wales is Tenby?

The picturesque medieval town of Tenby is located on Wales’ southwest coast along the shore of Carmarthen Bay. It resides within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

What is Tenby Famous For?

Tenby, or Dinbych y Pysgod in Welsh (Little Fortress of the Fish), started gaining popularity as a seaside resort and spa town in Georgian and Victorian times. This history can be seen in the architectural heritage of the area, most notably with the picture-perfect rows of houses along the harbour that are painted in multi-coloured pastels.

Tenby’s history stretches further back with remnants of Tudor life and reminders of a medieval past present in the 13th-century defensive walls. Historic charm infuses every corner of Tenby, creating a stunning backdrop for your adventures.

The town is also, unsurprisingly, particularly famed for its natural beauty and proximity to various beaches. Here, you’ll be treated to some truly unforgettable seaside views.

Things to Do In and Around Tenby?

Whether you’re visiting with the family or embarking on a couple’s trip, there are plenty of things to do and see in Tenby and the surrounding areas.

Tenby Castle:

Castles adorn loads of Welsh towns, so make some time to check out the remains of Tenby Castle, originally built in the 12th century. Perched atop Castle Hill, you can enjoy some panoramic views of the sea while exploring what’s left of the old tower.

Tudor Merchant’s House:

Travel back in time with a visit to this preserved 15th-century merchant’s house managed by the National Trust. Discover what town life would’ve been like in Tudor times and soak up the historic ambience right in the heart of modern Tenby.

Tenby Museum and Art Gallery:

Also located on Castle Hill, the museum and gallery provides a wealth of cultural delights. Here you can learn about the history of the town and its people as well as enjoy diverse art from local artists.

Guided Tours & Ghost Walks:

Embark on a guided tour or ghost walk to visit all of Tenby’s mysterious and most notable spots. Marion Davies, a Wales Blue Badge Guide, runs a range of themed tours in Tenby so you can learn all there is to learn about the area and get the real inside scoop.

Tenby’s Beaches:

Tenby boasts four lovely beaches within walking distance of the town centre, including North Beach, Harbour Beach, Castle Beach and South Beach, so you’ll have loads of opportunities to play in the sand and sea. They’re all family-friendly spots and offer some wonderful walks and views across the town and coastline.

New and old Tenby Lifeboat Stations with a boat coming in

Tenby Harbour:

Get a real feel for the town by meandering along the harbour, watching the fishing boats come in and taking your obligatory pictures of the iconic colourful harbourside houses!

St Catherine’s Island:

Located just at the foot of Castle Beach, you’ll find St Catherine’s Island and Fort. The fortress topping the limestone outcrop was built during the Napoleonic Wars and later served as a zoo in the 1960s and 70s. Nowadays, the fort sits empty, but it serves as a spectacular lookout point across the surrounding seascapes. The island itself is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Caldey Island:

Just off the coast from Tenby’s South Beach is Caldey Island, which is a holy island run by Cistercian monks. Take the 20-minute boat ride to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of this stunning escape. Once you get to the island, there are several great walks and Priory Beach to explore.

Tenby Lifeboat Station:

While being a working lifeboat station, the RNLI station in Tenby, just off Castle Hill, is also open to visitors. On select days, you can watch lifeboats launch from the viewing gallery, learn all about the history of the station and visit the gift shop.

Dinosaur models at the Dinosaur Park in Tenby

Pembrokeshire Coast Path:

For even more chances to see beautiful local scenery, take to the Coast Path. There is a lovely section between Tenby and Saudersfoot. The route here is moderately challenging but is worth it for the fantastic woodland and ocean scenes.

Fishing:

With fishing opportunities at the harbour and various boat operators to take you out, there’s loads to do for keen anglers. The town isn’t named Little Fortress of the Fish for nothing!

There are also a number of fantastic nearby attractions slightly outside of the main town that are sure to make for a fun day trip.

Dinosaur Park:

Travel back further than ever and walk among dinosaurs at the brilliant Tenby Dinosaur Park. Along the woodland trails, you’ll come across 30 life-sized roaring dinosaurs so make sure to keep your eyes peeled. The park is also home to a range of dino-themed rides and activities for a day packed full of fun.

Manor Wildlife Park:

Embrace the chance to see a range of exciting animals roaming the local landscape. Here, you can see tigers, red pandas, meerkats, zebras, rhinos, monkeys and much more. The Manor Wildlife Park site is also home to an indoor play area, bouncy castle and climbing wall for a thrilling day out for all the family.

Heatherton World of Activities:

The Heatherton activity centre offers another awesome day out for families, perfect for staying active. Have a go at a range of exciting activities including crazy golf, go-karts, archery, pistol shooting, bumper boats, climbing wall, zipline, paintball and much more. The park is dog-friendly and even has a dog agility course to have fun with.

Folly Farm:

This adventure park and zoo has it all. With the zoo that’s home to lions, giraffes, penguins and plenty more, the barn where you can get up close and personal with the best-loved farm animals, the fairground with vintage rides and the themed adventure play zones, there’s never a dull moment when you visit this popular attraction.

The Best Beaches Near Tenby

It’s no mystery why Tenby has a reputation as a must-visit seaside town. With four beaches within walking distance of the town itself, there are plenty of beach-based activities and views to immerse yourself in.

Tenby North Beach: The sheltered stretch of sand at North Beach spans between Harbour Beach and the North Cliffs, offering some great views out over Carmarthen Bay. Be aware that dog restrictions apply to the entire beach from May to September.

Tenby Harbour Beach: The small sandy Harbour Beach is tucked up the harbour and is ideal for families with young children. Enjoy all the nearby amenities and watch the boats go out.

Tenby Castle Beach: Head to the other side of the harbour for the beautiful Castle Beach. The ancient ruins of Tenby Castle loom on the hill above while the beach is backed by cliffs and easy access to the town and harbour. You’ll also get some great views across to St Catherine’s Island from here. At very low tide, this beach connects with South Beach, forming a two-mile sandy stretch.

Tenby South Beach: This is the longest of Tenby’s beaches, providing loads of room to play. The golden beach is backed by rolling sand dunes which provide the perfect seaside vista. South Beach is a nice spot for swimming and other beach activities.

Tenby North, South and Castle beaches are all Blue Flag beaches. This award marks the quality of prestigious beaches, recognising how clean and well-maintained they are.

Along with these main Tenby beaches, there are several other nearby seaside spots that showcase Pembrokeshire’s stunning coastal landscape and are well worth visiting.

Saundersfoot Beach: If you head up the coast from Tenby, you’ll find Saundersfoot Beach, a small yet popular location set in front of the small seaside town. The shallow water makes it ideal for swimming along with other watersports.

Monkstone Beach: Continue down the coast from Saundersfoot to Monkstone Beach for a slightly more remote, wild feel. Access down the beach is quite steep, but once you make it down, you’ll be rewarded with rugged cliff views.

Lydstep Beach: This shingle and sand beach lies on the other side of Tenby. Backed by a pebble bank and framed by cliffs, the crescent beach is lovely for a stroll. You’ll also be treated to dramatic views of Caldey Island.

Church Doors Cove: This unique beach can only be accessed by the Coastal Path and is an excellent example of the forces of nature. The small sandy and rocky cove is framed by towering cliffs. In one of the cliffsides, the sea has carved a giant doorway, making for some amazing scenes and photos.

Manorbier Beach: The little beach here is popular among surfers and other beachgoers thanks to its tempting waters. It’s backed by cliffs, dunes and the magnificent Manorbier Castle which is also a lovely day out.

If you’re embarking on a West Wales adventure with your pup in tow, check out our guide to the best dog-friendly beaches in Pembrokeshire for even more recommendations.

Where to Eat in Tenby

Enjoy some local fare with one of the many delightful places to eat in Tenby. From traditional sweet shops and ice cream parlours to gastro pubs and fish and chip favourites, there are loads of great spots to grab a bite to eat when you’re visiting.

Here we mention just a few eateries you may want to pop into, there are so many more amazing spots to discover.

Plantagenet House: Modern British cooking in a cosy, historic setting.
Salty’s Beach Bar & Restaurant: A restaurant right on the beach with a seafood-heavy menu inspired by the seaside location.
Indie Burger: A burger joint with an array of extravagant burgers using Welsh beef.
Billycan: A casual dining atmosphere with pub classics and bistro-style dishes that utilise local produce.
D. Fecci & Sons Fish and Chips: An award-winning fish and chips run by a local family.
Tap & Tân: An independent craft beer taproom with live fire cookery and BBQ inspired by Welsh produce.
Fuchsia: Homemade cafe fare, including fresh coffee, hearty Welsh breakfasts, lunchtime classics and plenty of cakes and pastries.
Cafe Vista: A cosy cafe with a great view of North Beach serving hearty breakfasts, hot and cold lunches, barista-made coffee and much more.
Loafley Bakery & Deli Co.: A local bakery making freshly-made bakes, sweet treats and custom orders.
Lollies Traditional Sweet Shop: A charming retro sweet shop stocked with all the classics and locally-made ice cream.

Where to Stay in Tenby

Our handpicked selection of Tenby holiday cottages offers an array of stays to ensure you can enjoy the perfect seaside adventure. For many of our Tenby properties, the beach is within a mile, so you’re never too far from the glorious sea and sand.

Other key features of our various self-catering holiday lets in Tenby include proximity to the central town and nearby pubs, luxurious and romantic stays, great waterside views, amazing locations for walkers, dog-friendly options and plenty more.

Eager to start planning your West Wales break? See our available Tenby holiday cottages to discover the ideal backdrop from some unbeatable memories.

To see more properties in the surrounding areas, check out our full collection of holiday cottages in Pembrokeshire.