Tenby (Dinbych-y-pysgod, “little fort of the fish”) is a medieval town still partly enclosed by its thirteenth-century walls. Its narrow lanes lead to a harbour lined with colourful Georgian and Victorian houses, and to four beaches: North Beach, Harbour Beach, Castle Beach and the long South Beach.
Boats sail from the harbour to Caldey Island, where Cistercian monks still live and work. Nearby are the village of Saundersfoot, the castles of Manorbier and Carew, and the start of the coast path into the wider Pembrokeshire Coast.
Highlights
- The harbour and old town: pastel houses, walls and the Five Arches gate.
- Four beaches, two of them right below the town.
- Caldey Island: a short boat ride to a working monastery.
- St Catherine’s Island: a Victorian fort on a tidal rock.
- Manorbier and Carew: two romantic castles within a short drive.
- Watersports: kayaking, paddleboarding and coasteering.
Quick facts
| Where | South Pembrokeshire, on Carmarthen Bay |
|---|---|
| Town walls | Thirteenth century, partly intact |
| From Swansea | About 1 h 30 by train |
| Ideal stay | 2–3 days |
| Best for | Beaches, families, harbour views |
| Getting around | On foot; trains and buses along the coast |
How long to stay & where to base yourself
Stay two or three days for beaches, Caldey and the castles. Book a room inside the walls or on the cliffs above the beaches; Saundersfoot is a quieter alternative a few kilometres north. Tenby makes a good southern base for the Pembrokeshire coast.
