Most sights are on or near the coast. Sort them into the north-west around St Davids and Fishguard, and the south around Pembroke, Stackpole and Tenby.
1 St Davids Cathedral and Bishop’s Palace
The cathedral sits in a hollow, out of sight of raiders from the sea. Its purple-grey stone, sloping nave floor and carved oak ceiling date from the twelfth century onwards. Next door are the roofless arcades of the medieval Bishop’s Palace.
Practical: Cathedral entry by donation; the palace is a Cadw site with a ticket.
2 Ramsey Island
An RSPB reserve just off St Davids Head, separated from the mainland by a sound with fierce tidal rapids. Boat trips circle the island, entering sea caves and passing grey seal colonies; landing trips run in season.
Practical: Boats leave from St Justinian’s or St Davids lifeboat station area; about 1–1.5 hours.
3 Skomer Island
A nature reserve famous for its puffins, which nest in burrows beside the paths in spring and summer, along with razorbills, guillemots and a vast colony of Manx shearwaters.
Practical: Boats from Martin’s Haven; numbers limited and weather dependent. Allow a full day.
4 Barafundle Bay and Stackpole
A dune-backed beach between limestone headlands, reached by a walk over the cliff from Stackpole Quay. Nearby are the Bosherston lily ponds and the beach at Broad Haven South.
Practical: National Trust parking at Stackpole Quay (fee). About 15 minutes’ walk to the beach.
5 Pembroke Castle
A mighty Norman castle on a rock above the river, with a huge round keep you can climb. Henry Tudor, later Henry VII, was born here in 1457.
Practical: Privately run; ticketed. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
6 Abereiddy Blue Lagoon and Porthgain
A flooded slate quarry with green-blue water, used for coasteering and cliff diving. A short walk along the coast path leads to the old industrial harbour of Porthgain, with a pub and seafood shack.
Practical: Free; small car parks fill in summer.
7 Strumble Head
A lighthouse on an islet west of Fishguard, linked by a small bridge. The headland is one of the best places in Wales to watch for seals, porpoises and, with luck, dolphins.
Practical: Free; the lighthouse is not open to visitors.
