This seaside village is full of independent shops and cafes and it’s popular with celebrities (Image: Getty)
It’s one of my favourite places in the UK for a seaside escape so it came as no surprise to me that reality television personality Molly-Mae Hague recently visited. In one of the latest episodes of her Amazon Prime series, Molly Mae shared some of the moments from her recent trip to lovely Abersoch in north Wales.
Staying in a beach house on the seafront, she and a friend, plus her daughter Bambi, had their own steps down to the sand and views straight out over the dreamy coastal landscape, which she described as “gorgeous.”
It’s not the first time a celebrity has been spotted here. In 2024, Hollywood mega star Bradley Cooper was seen in Abersoch with survival expert Bear Grylls. The pair ate a quiet lunch in Blades cafe and are reported to have even cleared away their own plates. Traitors star Kate Garraway went for a break with her family, calling it an “amazing weekend”. Coleen Rooney also shared a snap of her holiday in the area.
Abersoch has loads of affordable holiday homes, guest houses and cottages for a weekend break, and you can get great deals in the off-season.
A line of beach huts on a sandy beach in Abersoch (Image: Wirestock via Getty Images)
You can check for hotel deals on sites like booking.com, Sykes Cottages, and Holiday Cottages to find a hotel, cottage, or self-catering stay that suits your budget and group size.
With sandy beaches, resident dolphins and a swish ice cream parlour named one of the best places for ice cream in the UK it’s easy to see why people flock to Abersoch.
Located on the Llŷn Peninsula, or Pen Llŷn in Welsh, the coastal town of Abersoch is one of the most lovely spots along the coastline. The peninsula in north-west Wales is packed with natural beauty, rich cultural heritage and beaches.
Abersoch is also home to incredible homes that look straight out of Grand Designs (Image: Ashley Cooper via Getty Images)
Surrounded by the sparkling clear waters of the Irish Sea on one side and Cardigan Bay on the other, this area of Wales is a perfect alternative for a holiday abroad, where you’ll find plenty of activities, accommodation and indie restaurants and cafes.
There are remains of Iron Age forts and islands to discover, sweeping stretches of sandy beaches and plenty of cute coastal villages and historic sites to visit.
Known as the ‘Welsh Riviera,’ Abersoch, is widely known for its sandy beaches, internationally recognised sailing waters, and a small high street filled with trendy bars, restaurants, big brands, and independent shops.
The coastal bolthole is also renowned for its water sports, especially paddleboarding. If you’re lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of resident dolphins slicing through the clear waters.
The sheltered bay provides perfect conditions for both beginners and experienced paddleboarders, and the village hosts several events and competitions throughout the year, attracting enthusiasts from all over the UK.
You can book a SUP session at Abersoch Watersports, where expert instructors will guide you around the beautiful coastline, pointing out marine life and coastal features. If you’re new to paddleboarding you can learn to paddleboard with their ISA-qualified instructors using the top-of-the-range Red Paddle Co paddleboards.
One of the town’s other main draws is the large sandy beach, which the AA previously named one of the ‘best seaside destinations’.
The AA described Abersoch Beach as a picturesque Welsh location: “The top place goes to this sandy beach, which is dog-friendly and also manned by lifeguards.
“There are two nearby tourist attractions: the Porth y Swnt Interpretation Centre and Nant Gwrtheyrn, which is home to the National Welsh Language and Heritage Centre.”
Nearby is Harbour Beach, a strip of sand on the River Soch between the harbour and Warren Beach. If you fancy a bit of a challenge, Porth Ceiriad is a secluded beach that can be tricky to find. Despite being near the popular Abersoch, this idyllic spot remains less frequented, a fact that regulars undoubtedly appreciate.
Abersoch harbour beach Gwynedd Wales south coast Llyn Peninsula popular coast seaside town known for watersports (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
After exploring Abersoch’s dreamy beaches and coastline, make sure to go for ice cream at Two Islands, a small-batch ice cream parlour that’s just been named one of the best places for ice cream in Wales.
Jack Pollitt from Two Islands Ice Cream in Abersoch (Image: North Wales Live)
Locals and tourists have been raving about this ice cream spot since it opened in 2018. This small-batch ice cream parlour makes the ice cream on-site using local and natural ingredients, including Welsh free-range eggs and organic and fair-trade produce from a co-op that sets the standard for fair and equal working conditions.
Molly-Mae Hague is a recent visitor to Abersoch (Image: Getty)
Inspired by their trip to parlours on the west coast of the USA, the small business aims to create rich textures and original flavours using the best produce with a Welsh twist. Their small but ever-changing menu focuses on seasonality, but you will always find their unique take on a few of the classics. Salted Coffee is a favourite Two Islands Flavour, with a distinctive blend of Coaltown espresso and Halen Môn sea salt, while marscapone and blackcurrant are standout choices when they grace the menu.