Last Updated on 12/06/2025
If you’re looking for an intriguing beach getaway in Wales, with historical sites and one that can transport you to The Med (at least on a Sunny day) then you need to visit Pembrokeshire! In this post, I share my Pembrokeshire 3-day itinerary, which includes castles, beautiful beaches, and even a Harry Potter filming location!
This post is written in collaboration with Classic Cottages, a Which recommended supplier for three years running, who have a fabulous range of cosy cottages on the Pembrokeshire Coast. If you’re looking for the perfect place to relax after embracing long days on the coast, be sure to check out the Pembrokeshire cottages with hot tubs, open fires and incredible scenery overlooking the Welsh countryside that I’ve selected in this post!
3 Days in Pembrokeshire Coast Itinerary
Pembrokeshire is the ideal holiday destination, with 50 beaches and 186 miles of rugged coastline to explore, and it goes without saying, many of the Pembrokeshire attractions included in this post are spaced out along the coast and are best visited by car.
Whilst there is public transport such as trains, buses and Pembrokeshire coach tours, the best way to get around Pembrokeshire is by car to enjoy the attractions at your own leisure with fewer tourists.
Luckily for you, I’ve shared my own Pembrokeshire road trip on another post! However, below you will find a Pembrokeshire 3-day Itinerary detailing my favourite spots (map included) and sharing how I would spend a long weekend in Pembrokeshire.
Pembrokeshire Itinerary Day 1
The first day of the itinerary is all about exploring the seaside towns in Pembrokeshire, which is likely the reason for your visit. Day one also includes some optional family fun activities near Tenby, which may be ideal if you’re travelling with little ones or if you’re looking for rainy day activities in Pembrokeshire.
Tenby
The jewel in the crown, Tenby is the picture-postcard harbour town that has no doubt enticed you to visit Pembrokeshire. Known for its colourful Victorian chocolate-box houses, which to me resemble idyllic towns found in northern Italy, Tenby is a seaside lover’s dream.
Tenby is one of the main towns in Pembrokeshire, with history stretching back to medieval times when the Normans built intimidating stone walls around the settlement to fortify it against potential invaders. Sections of these impressive walls still stand tall today, giving the town an old-world medieval charm and now serve to offer safe swimming and paddle-boarding spots on Castle and North Beaches.
The main draw of visiting Tenby is without a doubt its beaches, and nearby Giltar and Penally beaches delight with their wide sands and, for surfing swells, head to South Beach on blustery days.
During your visit to Tenby make sure to explore the ruins of its 13th-century castle, stroll down the narrow lanes filled with small independent shops, galleries and cafes, sample fresh seafood caught offshore, and take a boat trip out to peaceful Caldey Island just off the coast. With its idyllic beaches, rich history, coastal scenery, and relaxing seaside ambience, Tenby is worth visiting and is an unforgettable Welsh seaside destination.
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay with spectacular views in Tenby, check out St Catherine’s House below:
St Catherine’s House
Seeking a stay with the best views in Tenby? St Catherine’s House offers a 5-star stay in a Georgian house with mesmerising views overlooking Castle Beach and St Catherine’s Island.
Situated in the heart of Tenby with direct access to the beach, St Catherine’s House benefits from a ground floor snug, table-tennis, table-football and a Bluetooth sound system providing the perfect retreat for a luxurious coastal stay in Pembrokeshire.
Additional benefits: Sleeps 16+, dogs welcome and located just 20 yards from the nearest pub!
Beachscape
Looking for a more affordable stay in Tenby without scrimping on sea views? Then you need to stay at Beachscape!
Set in an elegant 19th-century converted townhouse, Beachscape nestles on the lane to the harbour and the beach, with seaside views that will take your breath away. Ideally positioned to enjoy the best of Tenby’s North Beach, South Beach or Castle Beach, where you can take a dip in the sea or take to Tenby’s watersports activities, such as paddle-boarding and kayaking.
Additional benefits: Sleeps 6 + 2 cots. 10% off for parties of 4 + cot or less and 20% off for parties of 2 + cot or less at certain times of the year.
West Cottage
Why visit the best beaches in Pembrokeshire when you have your own private heated pool and hot tub? West Cottage has the best of both worlds, being just 10 minutes drive from the village and sandy beach of Amroth and eight miles from Tenby.
Places to visit near Tenby
The Pembrokeshire cottages above are ideal if you want to stay near Tenby and below you will find a selection of beaches, natural attractions and family-friendly activities near Tenby:
Saundersfoot
Saundersfoot is more compact than Tenby, but still has so many things to do, from kayaking, paddle-boarding to pottery-making.
Saundersfoot is one of my favourite seaside towns in Pembrokeshire to visit as it has a whopping 6 beaches, whilst still retaining an intimate feel, and also has a good mix of restaurants including Kookaba Restaurant, Harbwr Bar & Kitchen, Coast and The Mulberry Kitchen. As you would expect you can also find a fish n chip shop and The Captains Table pub is a good spot for a drink with views over the marina.
There are a selection of shops to browse, and you can walk from Saundersfoot Beach right through to Amroth Beach, with watersports activities found on Coppet Hall Beach, where you can also park if you have your own paddleboard.
Barafundle Bay Beach
Barafundle Bay Beach is a beautiful, secluded beach only accessed via the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. With its sheltered location and soft sand, Barafundle Bay Beach is the perfect place to relax and soak up the sun with fewer tourists. Though, sadly it was raining on the day we visited…
Barafundle Bay is located half a mile over the cliffs from Stackpole Quay car park (free for National Trust members) and offers visitors a nice scenic walk to one of Pembrokeshire’s best beaches.
Whilst secluded on the beach itself, there is a cafe where you can grab a bite to eat and toilet facilities you can use before walking to the beach.
The Dinosaur Park Pembrokeshire
If you’re looking for things to do in Pembrokeshire with kids (or are a kid at heart), The Dinosaur Park has 30 life-size dinosaurs on display, and shows you a different side of Pembrokeshire!
Folly Farm
Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo also provides family fun activities, with over 100 different rides and attractions to enjoy to keep kids of all ages entertained for hours.
Be sure to check out the zoo as well, where you can see a wide variety of animals, from lions and tigers to elephants and monkeys.
Pembrokeshire Itinerary Day 2
The itinerary for day two in Pembrokeshire takes us on a discovery of Pembroke Castle and exploring the natural wonders of the Pembrokeshire Coast that make this getaway so unique.
Pembroke Castle
Located in the town of Pembroke in Pembrokeshire, this medieval castle is the birthplace of Henry VII; the founder of the Tudor dynasty and the first Tudor Monarch.
A must-see in Pembrokeshire, Pembroke Castle has been used as a fortress, a palace and a prison over the years. With beautiful gardens, this castle also has a secret cave hidden in its depths.
Wogan Cavern, is a subterranean natural cave created by natural water erosion and is accessed via a spiral staircase within the castle.
Best Places to Stay in Pembroke
Looking for cottages with hot tubs in Pembrokeshire? Check out these Pembrokeshire cottages below, which can be rented individually or together for family holidays in Pembrokeshire:
Beach House
Beach House offers a blissful stay amidst the beauty of Pembrokeshire National Park, with breathtaking views over the tidal estuary and secluded woodland landscape, which includes a heated outdoor pool and hot tub.
Leeward Cottage
As an alternative to Beach House, nearby Leeward Cottage, which sleeps eight shares this blissful spot with views over the river estuary. Therefore, if you’re looking for accommodation for larger parties why book both together and bring the whole family along?!
Leeward Cottage also benefits from spacious accommodation and an outdoor hot tub to unwind in after enjoying days out in Pembrokeshire.
Harry Potter Filming Location Freshwater West – Dobby’s Grave
I bet you didn’t realise you could visit a Harry Potter filming location in Pembrokeshire!
Pay homage to Harry Potter’s beloved friend Dobby by visiting Dobby’s Grave located on Freshwater West Beach
Pembrokeshire’s Freshwater West Beach was used to film the scenes at Shell Cottage and is where Harry Potter buried Dobby without using magic. Though sadly Shell Cottage was dismantled after filming ceased, you can still visit the beach to see Dobby’s Grave, which has since become a shrine for Harry Potter fans who leave Dobby socks and colourful hand-drawn stones. For environmental reasons, I would recommend sticking with stones to avoid sock fibres polluting the ocean or causing problems for marine life.
As a massive Harry Potter fan, this one was pretty high up on my Pembrokeshire bucket list. If you are too, don’t miss paying your respects to Dobby!
Are you intrigued to discover other Harry Potter filming locations around the world? Check out the posts below:
Harry Potter in Porto Portugal
Natural Pembrokeshire Attractions
Pembrokeshire boasts a treasure trove of natural attractions that are unique to this area, from incredible rock formations to peaceful areas off the beaten track. Surprisingly, these natural attractions are all located within close proximity to each other making them the ideal pitstop on your Pembrokeshire road trip. My favourite attractions detailed below are also some of the best sections of the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path (in my opinion) as the route is easy to navigate and crosses off so many wonderful places to see.
Bosherton Lily Ponds
The Bosherton Lily Ponds are located close to The Green Bridge, St Govan’s Chapel and Church Doors Cove, which is ideal if you are looking to combine a visit to these Pembrokeshire attractions.
The Bosherton Lily ponds were formed by the damming of the river valleys, creating a natural nirvana which soon became a popular Pembrokeshire wildlife hotspot to see kingfishers, otters, dragonflies, butterflies and water lilies.
There are over 200 acres of ponds and wetlands to explore, and the best time to see the carpet of lilies at Bosherton Ponds is the month of June when the lilies are in bloom.
Green Bridge
Located a few miles from the popular coastal town of Tenby and the pretty village of Bosherton, The Green Bridge is a rock formation you may already recognise…
Resembling The Azure Window in Malta, which sadly has since eroded and washed out to sea – don’t miss seeing the Welsh wonder that is The Green Bridge.
To visit The Green Bridge you need to drive through a Ministry of Defence area with signs saying “danger”, “shooting range” and “tanks crossing”, which can be slightly intimidating to say the least! But, rest assured, this is a public access road and you will eventually reach a car park next to The Green Bridge!
From The Green Bridge walk left along the cliffside to the Elegug stacks and The Cauldron rock formations, which are located a short distance away.
St Govan’s Chapel
Dating back to the 6th Century, St Govan’s Chapel is a small chapel within close proximity to the village of Bosherston, and is believed to have been named after a coastal hermit named Govan.
Finding refuge in the rocks to escape from pirates, Govan found inner peace and stayed to worship, with the healing well water said to cure ailments from eye complaints to skin diseases.
The picturesque location of St Govan’s Chapel overlooking the sea is a beautiful place to visit in Pembrokeshire and visiting before sunset, we found we had the place to ourselves, which made it even more beautiful.
It’s easy to combine a visit to St Govan’s Chapel with a visit to Church Doors Cove and The Green Bridge, as all these Pembrokeshire attractions are a short drive from one another.
Huntsman’s Leap
Experience jaw-dropping coastal views at Huntsman’s Leap, which is one of the most spectacular natural sights along the Pembrokeshire Coast.
Huntsman’s Leap is located a short distance along the coast path from St Govan’s Chapel or if you’re looking for a longer hike you can follow the Pembrokeshire Coast Path from the village of Abereiddy. As you hike about one mile along the trail, you’ll pass striking scenery from rocky coves to grassy clifftops before reaching the dramatic scenery of Huntsman’s Leap.
According to local legend, this cliff is named after a huntsman whose horse leapt to its death from the cliff while chasing a fox. A more verdant tale claims that the huntsman was being chased by the devil and died after looking back on the gap he jumped.
Gaze down in awe at the sheer drop to the azure waters below and soak in the panoramic views across St Brides Bay.
Church Door Cove
If you’re seeking Instagram spots in Pembrokeshire then don’t miss visiting Church Door Cove, which is particularly stunning at sunset, as you can see from my Instagram Reel:
Seen one rock formation in Wales, you’ve seen them all right?! Wrong! Church Door Cove is a must-see in Pembrokeshire!
A small, but beautiful cove in the parish of Llangwm, Church Door Cove is set in an idyllic setting with clear water and rugged cliffs.
To visit Church Door Cove, simply park at the free YHA Manobier car park and walk left of YHA down a scenic path, which takes you to this picturesque spot in around 10 minutes. It’s worth noting, to reach the cove you need to take around 100 steps down, which are not so enticing on the way back up!
For those seeking some relaxation, why not stop for a drink at Lystep Tavern, followed by a relation spa treatment at Lystep Spa…
Pembrokeshire Itinerary Day 3
The third day of the Pembrokeshire itinerary is all about exploring the best of the Northwest coast of Pembrokeshire – including popular spots such as St David’s and Fishguard, as well as natural areas from The Blue Lagoon to puffins on Skomer Island.
Fishguard
Encapsulating the beauty of the Pembrokeshire Coast, Fishguard is a quaint fishing town with cosy pubs, antique shops and independent coffee shops.
The surrounding area offers endless opportunities for adventure, where you can challenge yourself on the cliffside walks of Dinas Head or rent a kayak and paddle along Fishguard’s coastline, admiring the spectacular views.
Whether you spend your time beachcombing, coastal hiking, bird watching, or sampling Pembrokeshire specialities (don’t miss eating Welsh cakes), the bustling yet peaceful Fishguard is an unforgettable retreat.
Pentre Ifan
The Stonehenge of Wales, Pentre Ifan is actually a burial chamber that has been in place for over 5,000 years and would have originally been covered with earth.
Located 12 miles north of Fishguard, this popular megalithic site is backed by the Preseli Hills and has sweeping views over Cardigan Bay.
Local folklore tales speak of fairies dancing at dusk in the fields near Pentre Ifan.
Pink Door at 54
If you’re seeking a home-away-from-home stay in Pembrokeshire, then look no further than Pink Door at 54, which has the most beautiful interiors, including a huge spacious kitchen complete with pink Smeg accessories.
This Classic Cottages property is within 2 minutes walking distance to the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, 5 minutes walk to the nearest beach and within walking distance to local pubs. Don’t miss a soak in the roll-top bath after a day exploring Pembrokeshire!
Pembrokeshire Coast Path
As Pink Door at 54 is located within such an easy distance to the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, and with so much of Pembrokeshire covered by the Pembrokeshire National Park, it really is a must-do activity when visiting Pembrokeshire.
The true highlight of visiting Pembrokeshire is the 186 miles of Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, which is a popular activity for hikers, nature enthusiasts and tourists who are hoping to see the many attractions in this area.
If you like visiting Cornwall, Pembrokeshire has a similar scenic coastal path to Cornwall, with so many hidden gems in Pembrokeshire along the coast, which you will enjoy discovering even if you’re not an avid hiker.
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path is as difficult as you would like to be, whilst some may choose to walk the entire length of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path taking around 15 days, many visitors walk the coast in small sections of 3-5 miles to walk between the towns, enjoy nature and check out the historical and natural attractions. For inspiration of routes to follow on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, check out the Visit Wales website.
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path can be used to walk to beaches only accessed on foot, such as Barafundle Bay, or to see unique attractions in Pembrokeshire including Church Door Cove, The Green Bridge and The Blue Lagoon, which I’m sharing more about below.
Abereiddy Blue Lagoon Pembrokeshire Wales
When you think of The Blue Lagoon, do you picture the iconic thermal spa in Iceland or the bright turquoise waters of The Blue Lagoon in Malta?
It’s hard to imagine a place with a name like “The Blue Lagoon” exists in Wales, but you will be pleased to learn it does!
Pembrokeshire’s Blue Lagoon may lack the warm thermal heat of its Icelandic counterpart, but it is perhaps considered more of a natural wonder, if we move past the hole made in the cliffs to access it… And on a sunny day, it can glow as bright blue as The Blue Lagoon found in Malta!
The Blue Lagoon came to be when a Fisherman had a brainwave of blasting a channel between the quarry and the sea, following the closure of St Brides Slade Mine in 1910.
The bright turquoise waters of The Blue Lagoon shine luminously due to the slate minerals contained in its depths, which are a draw to people visiting the Pembrokeshire Coast.
Fun activities to enjoy at The Blue Lagoon, include swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding and cliff-jumping! Yes, you read that right!
In fact, Cliff-diving is one of the most popular activities at The Blue Lagoon, thanks to the Red Bull Cliff Diving Series, which has been filmed here multiple times!
This is an activity I certainly wasn’t prepared to take part in myself, but it is intriguing to watch other people cliff-jumping as you can see on my Pembrokeshire Instagram Story Highlights!
It goes without saying, that activities such as cliff-jumping are undertaken at your own risk! If you’re not planning to jump, simply take the accessible path from the car park up to the cliff tops to admire the exquisite azure-blue colour of The Blue Lagoon from above.
Be careful not to get too close to the cliff edge here, as locals have witnessed chunks of cliff falling away, which can make this area dangerous, particularly if you’re travelling with small children or dogs.
Located along the side of Abereiddy Beach, The Blue Lagoon shares parking with the beach, which costs £4 to park all day (cash only) and is payable all day no matter how late you arrive. It’s worth noting, the car park is on the small side so you may want to arrive fairly early to ensure you get a space and make the most of the parking fee.
If you want to beat the crowds, why not stay at Towyn Cottage?
Towyn Cottage
Towyn Cottage offers guests a rural retreat where they can hear the sounds of the waves from Abereiddy Beach and enjoy easy access to the Welsh wonders of The Blue Lagoon.
Aside from the perfect location a stone’s throw from the beach, I love how spacious, rustic and cosy this property is with the wood burner and beams.
A must for your Pembrokeshire itinerary, don’t miss the natural beauty of the crystal clear waters of the Abereiddy Blue Lagoon; a National Trust site.
Ps – if you would like to explore more of the coast path around The Blue Lagoon, take a 15-minute walk to the secluded Traeth Lynn secret beach, which is another benefit of staying at Towyn Cottage.
Nothing beats fish n chips after a day at the beach, check out The Shed or The Sloop at Porthgain for the best fish and chips in the area, which make for the perfect sundown treat!
St Davids
As Spring approaches, so does St David’s Day; which celebrates the Patron Saint of Wales. Whilst presenting an opportune time to admire daffodils, why not visit St David’s instead?
St David’s is the smallest city in the UK, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in charm! The Cathedral (named St David’s) is also the smallest in the UK, but it is a beauty to behold and worth a visit. Inside you can see the magnificent treasury which holds intricate silver chalices and gold vestments, with ornate ceilings and medieval tombs.
With quirky shops and farm-to-table restaurants, such as Cwtch and Bishop’s Palace, it’s well worth spending a couple of hours in St David’s. During our St David’s visit, we stopped for a bite to eat in Bishop’s Palace, where I enjoyed the fish pie topped with mash.
You can also indulge in fresh fish, local produce and tasting menus at The Really Wild Emporium, enjoy an exquisite Michelin Star dining experience at Blas Restaurant or recharge with a craft ale at the 300+ year-old Farmer’s Arms pub.
Take to the Pembrokeshire Coast Path to explore the oceanfront trails to the magical St Non’s Chapel ruins and Holy Well, where St David was allegedly born. Nearby Whitesands Bay offers surfing and sunbathing around the Blue Flag beach.
Boasting big coastal views, heritage, and charm, little St David’s is a jewel worth exploring in magical western Wales.
Below you will find a selection of Classic Cottages in Pembrokeshire to stay in and around St David’s, which includes affordable stays, cottages with a sea view and, dog-friendly accommodation in Pembrokeshire.
Beach Seekers
Seeking an affordable seaside getaway in Wales – look no further than Beach Seekers! This affordable Welsh holiday cottage sleeps 8 and can be rented for 7 days for as little as £375!
Located within a mile of the local pub and easy distance to a whopping twelve beaches, the nearest, Newgale Beach, is a Blue Flag beach with golden sands.
Beach Seekers has picture-perfect views over the rolling countryside to the Preseli Mountains, and one of my favourite features about Beach Seekers is the beautiful roll-top bath; the perfect place to relax after a day exploring the neighbouring countryside.
Additional benefits include: 10% off for parties of 6 + cot or less and 20% off for parties of 4 + cot or less, 25% off for parties of 2 + cot or less at certain times of the year.
Seaholm
Enjoy a 5-star stay in Pembrokeshire with blissful sea views at Seaholm, located 100 yards from Newgale Beach’s golden sands.
This spacious property has a large patio with spectacular views over the beach, perfect for al fresco dining and, even has storage space for surfboards, paddleboards and bicycles. The outdoor shower is ideal for hosing down wetsuits and dogs! Not to mention, a ping-pong table!
Additional benefits include: Sleeps 10 + cot (1 dog) Take 10% off for parties of 6 + cot or less and 15% off for parties of 4 + cot or less, 20% off for parties of 2 + cot or less at certain times of the year.
Skomer Island
Puffins aren’t birds you come across every day, and it’s not every day you get the chance to visit Skomer Island, particularly as tickets to the island are limited to 250 people per day!
On a sunny weekend, it can be very difficult to secure tickets as they sell out very quickly, therefore it’s worthwhile heading out to Lockley Lodge first thing in the morning for your chance to visit.
See puffins in Pembrokeshire’s Skomer Island between April and July, before they migrate. A trip to Skomer Island also presents the opportunity to see dolphins, seals, a variety of birds and even a Skomer Vole.
Skomer Island is particularly beautiful in Spring as the whole island is carpeted in bluebells. If you aren’t able to secure tickets to visit the island, you can still enjoy a boat trip with an optional stop-off at Marloes Sands, which has a beach over a mile long.
Alternatively, you can take a cruise to the uninhabited Ramsay Island to see rare birds.
Pembrokeshire Coast Itinerary Map
Here’s how I would spend 3 days on the Pembrokeshire Coast!
Feel free to use my Pembrokeshire Map to plan your own itinerary with the places mentioned in this post:
Is 3 days in Pembrokeshire Enough?
After taking in all the sights and wonderful places to visit in this post you may be thinking how many days do you need in Pembrokeshire… is 3 days enough?! Whilst, spending 5-7 days in Pembrokeshire will allow you to see the main attractions with some days to chill in your chosen Pembrokeshire cottage (you’ve got a great selection to choose from in this post!)
However, 3 days in Pembrokeshire is enough to enable you to see the highlights of the Pembrokeshire Coast, which is ideal if you want to enjoy a long weekend to decide which areas you would like to revisit.
If you’re looking for a longer holiday, you may also want to combine a trip to The Cotswolds? Travelling to Pembrokeshire from Milton Keynes means I normally head to The Cotswolds en route to Pembrokeshire or on the way back, therefore if you’re looking for recommendations for places to see and where to stay in The Cotswolds, you can check out my Cotswolds collaboration with Classic Cottages.
I trust you found this 3 days in Pembrokeshire blog useful to plan your own Pembrokeshire itinerary, in terms of places to visit and where to stay in Pembrokeshire – if you did, please use the social links below to share the beauty of Pembrokeshire with others!
Happy travels!
Jaz
Check out my Wales blog posts & beyond:
Pembrokeshire Shepherds Hut Stay
Exploring Brecon Beacons Four Waterfalls Trail Wales
Romantic Places to Visit in The Cotswolds