Tenby is one of the most colourful seaside towns in Wales – if not all of the UK. It’s full of narrow, winding streets, pastel-coloured houses, and plenty of great restaurants and coffee shops.
We’d heard great things about Tenby so, before getting the ferry back to Ireland (FYI, the ferry terminals in Fishguard and Pembroke are quite close to Tenby) we decided to spend a night and one full day in Tenby. And we’re so glad that we did, in fact, we’re already planning to return in the summer.
I’ve come up with what I think is the perfect day in Tenby. It includes the town’s top attractions, stunning beaches, excellent coffee, the best restaurants as well as a few unforgettable hidden gems!
To put it simply, I’ve done the research so you don’t have to so let’s uncover how to have the best one day in Tenby.
How do you spend a day in Tenby?
My perfect day in Tenby would begin with a stroll along the waterside promenade over to South Beach, then, I’d wander through the town’s narrow streets – snapping photos of the colourful buildings along the way. Next, I’d pop over to Tenby Castle to admire the view and check out the ruins of this 12th-century castle.
In the afternoon, I’d hop on a boat over to Caldey Island, which is home to a community of monks and a gorgeous beach. And finally, in the late afternoon, I’d check out Tenby’s best beaches (I love Harbour Beach and North Beach). Before ending my day with a yummy dinner in a cozy restaurant.
These are the most popular guided tours in Tenby:
Morning – Wander the town & Tenby Castle
The first thing I do when I arrive in a new town is to spend a few hours exploring it on foot. That way I can get my bearings, snap some photos, and figure out where I want to eat that evening.
And this is exactly what I suggest you do this morning. First things first, grab a takeaway coffee from the Stowaway Coffee Co. on Penniless Cove Hill and then head down to the harbourfront, take your time admiring the ocean views, and continue along the esplanade to South Beach while you sip your coffee.
Then, walk back the same way you came and head up to the Tudor Merchant’s House on Quay Hill. This unique building was built in the late 15th Century and was home to a Tudor merchant family. The house is quite small and it will take only around 30 minutes to go around it. It’s run by the National Trust and entry costs around £6.50, from what I remember.
There’s a volunteer staff member in each room of the house and they are a wealth of knowledge on not only this house but the history of Tenby itself.
Another good place to check out on your walk this morning is Five Arches Gate on the edge of the town – the gate was the former entry to Tenby (which was once a fortified town).
Tenby Castle:
Later, this morning make a beeline for Tenby Castle which is perched atop Castle Hill (next to North Beach). From here you’ll be treated to one of the best views in town. The castle dates back to the 12th century and was originally built by the Normans. Although much of the original structure has not survived the test of time, remnants of the stone walls and the gatehouse can still be seen.
Afternoon – Caldey Island
In the warmer months (from Easter to October), there are regular boat trips to Caldey Island from the pier in Tenby. This island is totally unique because it’s primarily inhabited by a community of Cistercian monks, who have called it home since the early 20th century.
On a visit here be sure to check out St. Illtyd’s Church (which was built in the 12th Century) and the monastery itself, where the monks produce and sell products like perfume, chocolate, and shortbread.
Caldey Island is also home to several beautiful sandy beaches, verdant woodlands, and stunning cliffside views. Boats operate over to the island around every 20-30 minutes from May to September (peak season). And tickets cost £18 for adults and £10 for children over 4 years of age (kids under 4 travel for free). Please note, that Caldey Island is closed on Sundays.
Late Afternoon/ Evening – The beach & St Catherine’s Island
Later in the afternoon, be sure to tick off all of Tenby’s gorgeous beaches if you have time – my personal favorite is Harbour Beach. And if it’s low tide, it’s well worth strolling across Castle Beach to climb up to St Catherine’s Island, which is home to a 19th-century fort and boasts some of the best views in Tenby!
North Beach, South Beach, Harbour Beach & Castle Beach:
Tenby is one of the most popular summer vacation spots in Wales and as you can guess, one of the main reasons for its ‘warm weather popularity’ is the fact that Tenby is home to a couple of golden sand beaches.
Yup, Tenby boasts several beautiful sandy stretches, each offering its own unique charm. North Beach is perhaps the most iconic, with its golden sands framed by the backdrop of the colourful Tenby harbor. This beach is especially popular with families as it is typically safe to swim here (i.e. the waves are never too big).
South Beach stretches over two kilometers and provides a more tranquil setting, ideal for long, leisurely walks and enjoying the breathtaking views of Caldey Island. Castle Beach, located near the ruins of Tenby Castle, is another firm favorite with families as there are plenty of rock pools teeming with marine life here.
And finally, Harbour Beach, though smaller, offers a quaint and sheltered spot perfect for a peaceful day by the sea.
St Catherine’s Island:
As I said, if it’s low tide, you can walk to St Catherine’s Island from Castle Beach. This tidal island is home to the impressive St Catherine’s Fort, a 19th-century Palmerston Fort built to defend against potential French attacks. However, it’s not always open to the public.
And as you can guess from this prime vantage point you can take in the stunning views of the surrounding coastline – it’s the perfect place to visit at sunset.
Dinner – Billycan
For dinner this evening, we suggest the Billycan on Lower Frog Street. We loved our dinner at this cozy English diner – the portions are huge and the staff were so helpful and friendly.
The Baytree on Tudor Square is another popular dinner restaurant in Tenby.
Afterward, we headed for drinks in the Hope & Anchor, which is cozy and has a couple of different areas to sit in. There’s also a gorgeous outdoor area, which would be lovely in the summer, I imagine.
Where to stay in Tenby:
We stayed at the Premier Inn Tenby Town Centre and it was perfect for us, the room was clean, comfortable and spacious. They had a restaurant on-site but for breakfast we opted to head out to No 25 Cafe on High Street for our breakfast. And we highly recommend it. I believe we paid around £100 for a family room which slept the four of us.
Some other highly-recommended hotels in Tenby, include – The Belgrave Hotel and the Atlantic Hotel.
Thanks for Reading!
To me, one day in Tenby is just enough to scratch the surface of this charming town. If you can, I’d try to visit for at least 3 days (especially in the summer). I just love it here and I know after visiting you will too!
If you enjoyed this article, you may also enjoy my other articles like –
Everything you need to know before visiting Peppa Pig World: 2025 Guide
How to Spend One Day in Rye, England
How to Spend One Day in Brighton
Brighton: A Local’s Guide to the Best Things to Do in Brighton
Last Updated on May 2, 2025 by snaphappytravel