Aberdovey Travel Guide

Tourist 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 £74 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
£74
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Aberdovey. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, daily housekeeping and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their 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
The price is £84 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
£84
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star inn in Aberdovey. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, daily housekeeping and rainfall showerheads. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (150 reviews)
"Sam was so lovely to us and very helpful"

Reviewed on 24 Apr 2025

Dovey Inn
Caban Dyfi – A tranquil, dog-friendly woodland escape near Aberdovey,  Wales
Caban Dyfi – A tranquil, dog-friendly woodland escape near Aberdovey, Wales
Aberdovey, Wales
Stay at this golf holiday home in Aberdovey. Enjoy a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Ynys Hir Wildlife Reserve and Cors Dyfi are located ...
Caban Dyfi – A tranquil, dog-friendly woodland escape near Aberdovey, Wales
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.
Caban Dyfi – A tranquil, dog-friendly woodland escape near Aberdovey,  Wales
Caban Dyfi – A tranquil, dog-friendly woodland escape near Aberdovey, Wales
Aberdovey, Wales
Stay at this golf holiday home in Aberdovey. Enjoy a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Ynys Hir Wildlife Reserve and Cors Dyfi are located ...
Caban Dyfi – A tranquil, dog-friendly woodland escape near Aberdovey, Wales
Luxury Seafront Apartment in Aberdovey -pets allowed/free parking -sleeps 8
Luxury Seafront Apartment in Aberdovey -pets allowed/free parking -sleeps 8
Aberdovey, Wales
Stay at this beach apartment in Aberdovey. Enjoy a beach locale, laundry facilities and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Aberdovey Golf Club and ...
NOT LUXURY - FILTHY
"HORRIBLE and FILTHY - when we arrived we found black mold in the second bathroom, hair on the sheets and in the drawers, vomit or diarrhea on the duvet, a broken couch, mold in the shower gel and more. To top it off the owner was on vacation and told us to call the property manager. I told her this ..."

Reviewed on 26 Aug 2024

Luxury Seafront Apartment in Aberdovey -pets allowed/free parking -sleeps 8
Large 5 Bedroom Sea Front Family Home in Aberdovey Village which sleeps 11.
Large 5 Bedroom Sea Front Family Home in Aberdovey Village which sleeps 11.
Aberdovey, WLS
Stay at this holiday home in Aberdovey. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and a pool table. Popular attractions Aberdovey Golf Club and Aberdyfi Beach are ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (30 reviews)
"Really lovely house . Excellent in all ways . Minor irritation re parking but sea side location made up for this!I would suggest instructions for eg how to operate the central heating controls . We did it by guess work . Also the rubbish had not been emptied , I suppose because of the day the bin ..."

Reviewed on 12 Jun 2025

Large 5 Bedroom Sea Front Family Home in Aberdovey Village which sleeps 11.
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.

Cities near Aberdovey