Nestled In Mid Wales Is A Charming Town With Coastal Vibes, Tasty Eats, And Art

There's a town on the edge of Wales that's sandwiched between the rising ridges of the Cambrian Mountains and the white-capping, salt-spraying waters of the Irish Sea. It has beaches to its north and south, a vibey town center that bustles with shops, university students, and visitors at its heart, and historical landmarks that still echo with the turbulent story of medieval Wales. Its name? Aberystwyth, or just Aber for short.

Although this is actually one of the biggest urban hubs in the whole of the Mid Wales region, it's still home to just shy of 16,000 people. It oozes charm, too. Just head to the ocean-facing promenade, where a tiara of Edwardian mansions and Victorian homes face the waves, and classic family entertainments abound. Or duck into the historic town center, where streets zig this way and zag that way, revealing quirky fashion emporiums and Celtic souvenir shops alike, not to mention local bistros serving creative takes on Welsh ingredients.

Aberystwyth might not be the easiest town in Wales to get to, but it's also not the hardest. It's conveniently located on the A487, which is very much the backbone of the Welsh coast, linking spots in the south with the far north of the country. For those flying into the United Kingdom, the drive here from Wales' main international airport in Cardiff is likely to take just under three hours in total, while the larger international airport in Manchester is also a roughly three hours' drive away. However, a direct train line links Birmingham International (BHX) to Aberystwyth, with the journey taking just shy of three and a half hours, trundling through Wolverhampton, Shrewsbury, Welshpool (home to the world's tastiest McDonalds), Machynlleth, and others along the way.

Calling all foodie travelers, because Aberystwyth is now a bona fide culinary hotspot. Don't just take our word for it. National Geographic hailed the town as one of the country's leading gastronomic destinations. And while the Michelin-starred restaurant — SY23 — that helped to put it on the map closed for good back in 2023, there's now a new wave of eateries with their own tempting menus to devour.

Take Ultracomida, a relaxed wine bodega and deli that specializes in Spanish fare. Or there's Kwizinn, a coming together of Creole cooking and local produce that scores an impressive 4.9 out of 5 on Google Maps, with past visitors waxing lyrical about both its Caribbean staples and its fine Sunday roast spreads.

The good news is that Aber also has all the culture you need to work up an appetite. For one, the largest art center in Wales makes its home here. Cue the Aberystwyth Arts Centre, which hosts a real mix of events, from comedy fests to pottery workshops to slam poetry. A department of Aberystwyth University, it's located on campus close to yet another totemic cultural institution: the National Library of Wales. Go there to see centuries-old Welsh manuscripts, early photography, and more.

The Welsh coast is studded with some seriously jaw-dropping locations, from the "supermodel of British beaches" that is Rhossili Bay in the south to the dunes and breathtaking views of the "Island of Love" up north. For its part, Aberystwyth sits on a stretch of coastline known as the Ceredigion coast, a 60-mile run of the coastal path that covers the entire Welsh coastline.

You won't have to stray far from town to find truly gorgeous beaches. In fact, you won't have to stray at all. Aberystwyth North Beach is right there in the center, fringing that aforementioned promenade with its own buzzy run of sand, complete with genteel Victorian and Edwardian townhouses and a vintage pier in attendance. It's a prime spot for a bit of beachcombing, and boasts fantastic sunset shows to boot.

If you are willing to travel just a bit, then either hop in the car or hop onto that coast path. A 5-minute drive or a 20-minute walk can bring you to Tan-y-Bwlch Beach, just to the south of town. It's a long, wild ribbon of dark shingle and sand that's overshadowed by the ancient hill fort of Pen Dinas. The currents are often too strong for swimming, but there are stunning walks up Pen Dinas and around the coast. For a bigger adventure, hike north. The challenging 11.7-mile route to Ynyslas takes you along a rock-ribbed coastline, past reefs and stratified cliffs, and past Borth Beach, one of the longest in the region and a doozy for surfers.