Aberdovey

Travel Guide

Photo by Wilder Wonderer
Photo by Claire Boyle
Photo by Claire Boyle
Photo by Claire Boyle
Photo by Carren Lewis
Aberdovey (also known asAberdyfi) is a small seaside village in Gwynedd,Wales.It is situated in Cardigan Bay on the west coastof Wales, on the northern side of the Dyfi estuary and at the southern edge of SnowdoniaNational Park. The village developed around its harbour and theshipbuilding industry, but today it is best known as a picturesque seasideresort with excellent beaches and a thriving water sports industry.

Sport in Aberdovey

Aberdovey is a verypopular location for water sports, including windsurfing, kitesurfing, sailing,canoeing, fishing and crabbing. It is home to the Dovey Yacht Club and theAberdyfi Rowing Club. 

The village has a famous golf course atAberdovey Golf Club, founded in 1892, which therenowned golf writer, Bernard Darwin, a member, wrote extensively about. Thefirst Welsh Golfing Union Championship was held at the club in 1895. Thevillage also has its own football club, AberdyfiFC.

Shopping in Aberdovey 

Aberdovey has aninteresting selection of traditional independent Welsh shops, sellingeverything from clothes, furniture, toys, fresh meat, fruit and vegetables,gifts, arts and crafts, rugs, jewellery and more, to specialist boating andadventure sport equipment and supplies.

Food and Drink in Aberdovey 

For such a small village,Aberdovey has a surprising number of restaurants,pubs and cafes, offering traditional Welsh food, fish and chips orinternational cuisine. In addition, there are quite a few restaurants, pubs andhotels a little further away in the surrounding countryside. As you mightexpect from the village’s coastal location, fresh seafood is a particularspeciality.

Attractions In and Around Aberdovey 

The golden beach that stretches towards Tywyn fromAberdovey is said to be one of the finest beachesin Wales. The dunes behind it are ideal for walkers to enjoy the scenery andthe sea air.

Snowdonia National Park covers 823 square miles ofvaried scenery. It boasts the highest mountain in England and Wales, as well asthe largest natural lake in Wales. The park is filled with picturesquevillages, and is an important centre for outdoor activities, including walking,climbing, cycling, mountain biking, fishing, horse riding, canoeing, golf,zip-wire riding, photography, painting, bird watching and much more. 

Approximately nine miles fromAberdovey, Castell y Bere is a historicallyimportant Welsh castle built by Llywelyn the Great in the 1220s. Despite itsnow seemingly isolated location in the shadow of the mountainCader Idris, away from the main thoroughfares, itwas strategically placed to guard an important pass into NorthWales

The Talyllyn Railway is aheritage narrow gauge steam railway that runs between Tywyn and Abergynolwynand Nant Gwernol. The railway offers a fascinating glimpse of the past as itwinds its way at an unhurried pace through the beautiful and unspoiltFathew Valley.

Visit Aberdovey 

With beautiful beaches and a surfeit of leisureactivities on offer, this pretty village is well worth visiting, and also makesan excellent base for exploring both the wonderful coastline of Cardigan Bayand the timeless beauty and rich cultural heritage of Snowdonia NationalPark.

Penhelig Arms
Penhelig Arms
3.5 out of 5
27-29 Terrace Road, Aberdovey, Wales
The price is S$128 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
S$128
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Aberdovey. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (200 reviews)
"The room was delightful. Lovely sea views. The staff were friendly and it was a comfortable stay."

Reviewed on 25 Jun, 2025

Penhelig Arms
Dovey Inn
Dovey Inn
3.5 out of 5
8 Seaview Terrace, Aberdovey, Aberdovey, Wales
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is S$153 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
S$153
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star inn in Aberdovey. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and rainfall showerheads. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (150 reviews)
"Sam was so lovely to us and very helpful"

Reviewed on 24 Apr, 2025

Dovey Inn
Awel y Mor
Awel y Mor
3 out of 5
4 Bodfor Terrace, Aberdovey, Wales
Stay at this 3-star beach B&B in Aberdovey. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), daily housekeeping, and mini golf on site. Popular attractions Aberdovey Golf Club and ...
"Lovely host and a really nice property. Lots of attention to detail. Will definitely visit again."

Reviewed on 22 Sep, 2024

Awel y Mor
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Chalet Forte
Chalet Forte
3 out of 5
Chalet 40 Plas Panteidal, Aberdovey, Wales
Stay at this 3-star golf cottage in Aberdovey. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Ynys Hir Wildlife Reserve and Aberdovey Golf ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
"Stayed in the same area before - quiet and peaceful close to beach and things to do - cabin is lovely and modern"

Reviewed on 2 Jul, 2025

Chalet Forte
Macdonald Plas Talgarth Holiday Resort
Macdonald Plas Talgarth Holiday Resort
3.5 out of 5
Pennal, Machynlleth, Wales
Stay at this 3.5-star eco-certified aparthotel in Machynlleth. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the property condition in ...
8/10 Very Good! (134 reviews)
"Property (No9) was good and clean and we very much enjoyed our stay. However We were told there were only 5 small steps, but the steps were not small, there were eight large ones in total. (If we had both been unable to get up steps we would have found it impossible to check in or both of us to use ..."

Reviewed on 11 Jun, 2025

Macdonald Plas Talgarth Holiday Resort
The Fanny Talbot
The Fanny Talbot
3 out of 5
High Street, Barmouth, Wales
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Barmouth. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and housekeeping. Popular attractions Barmouth Beach and Ty Crwyn are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (37 reviews)
"Nice and clean with ample car parking and good shower, a great location too positioned close to the beach and restaurants. My only feedback is the room felt abit dark as it lacked sunlight but other than this it was a great stay."

Reviewed on 1 Jul, 2025

The Fanny Talbot
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Aberdovey

4.8
Top destination
5 - Excellent
5
5 - Excellent 83%
4 - Good
1
4 - Good 17%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

The beach is fabulous & dog friendly. We have been going there for many years. It's a very picturesque seaside town. Gets very busy at peak times.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A lovely base to explore this area of Wales. Lots of choices for eating out. Cambrian day ranger ticket was good value on the efficient rail service. With planning,it's possible to visit at least two coastal resorts in one day.