Llŷn is an area in the county of Gwynedd, North Wales. It is, broadly speaking, the peninsula sticking out westwards beyond Snowdonia. Its beaches and headlands rival those of the better known Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in south-west Wales.

Coast of Llŷn Peninsula in North Wales

Towns and villages

• 1 Aberdaron
• 2 Abersoch
• 3 Criccieth
• 4 Nefyn
• 5 Pwllheli
• Cilan

Beaches and headlands

The largest beach is Porth Neigwl between Abersoch and Aberdaron. Other large beaches are Llanbedrog and Nefyn.

Smaller but really delightful beaches are those at Porth Oer on the north coast near Aberdaron and Porth Ysgo on the south coast, where there is something for lovers of industrial archaeology as well. The beach at Porth Oer is busy on a nice spring day, has whistling sands that squeak under your feet when you walk, and has a small restaurant down at the beach.

There are impressive headlands west of Aberdaron, giving superb views over Bardsey Island (Ynys Enlli). There are many others but a really fine one is Mynydd Penarfynedd to the east of Porth Ysgo. A new road has been built from Porth Neigwl after a major landslide closed the former road.

Other destinations

Nant Gwrtheyrn on the north coast, where tiny hamlet Porth y Nant, until 2011 only accessible by sea, has been converted into a Welsh language and cultural centre. Some good quarrying remains on the cliffs.

Garn Fadryn is an ancient earthwork on a mound roughly in the centre of the peninsula, with terrific coastal views north, west and south and views west to the mountains of Snowdonia.

Bryncir Woollen Mill on the A487 is well worth a visit.

Yr Eifl the highest mountain on the peninsula, at 1,841 feet, with spectacular views.

Do

• Walk the Welsh Coast Path, which goes around the entire peninsula. Along the North Coast of Llyn, you can walk to the Ty Coch Inn, on the beach in the village of Porthdinllaen. The Inn serves food and drink and both the Inn and the beach are busy in the spring.

Eat

A popular food is a bap, a split roll filled with sandwich fillings, such as meat or cheese.

Sleep

• 1 Nant-Y-Big, Nant-Y-Big, Cilan, Abersoch, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, LL53 7DB, ☏ +44 758 712686. Positioned close to Porth Ceiriad Beach near Abersoch on the Llyn Peninsula. Offering camping, touring, seasonal pitches, self catering accommodation and holiday homes for sale. (updated Mar 2018)