Things to Do in Tenby: A Local's Guide

Tenby is famous for its four blue-flag beaches, each with its own character and charm. Castle Beach was even named the Sunday Times Beach of the Year in 2019.

• Castle Beach - soft sand and rock pools at low tide
• South Beach - 1.5 miles of sand, dog-friendly in peak season
• Harbour Beach - sheltered cove perfect for toddlers
• North Beach - sweeping sands with Goscar Rock in the middle

Castle Beach is the most popular, with soft sand and caves around St Catherine's Island to explore at low tide. South Beach is quieter and stretches all the way to Giltar Point - you can walk for miles there. Harbour Beach is small and sheltered, best at high tide when a pond forms at the end of the harbour wall where kids can catch crabs and shrimps. North Beach sweeps up towards Saundersfoot and is marked by the rocky outcrop of Goscar Rock. On clear days you can see all the way to The Gower. Watch out for the seagulls though - they're known to snatch chips and ice creams right out of your hands.

Castle Hill is the historic heart of Tenby, where the ruins of a 12th-century Norman castle sit alongside panoramic views and a striking marble statue.

• Remains of Tenby Castle - one small tower still stands
• Prince Albert statue - 2.7m tall Sicilian marble, 1864
• 17th-century cannons restored in the 1960s
• Panoramic views over the harbour and St Catherine's Island

The Normans built Tenby Castle in the 12th century, and although the castle walls are still complete, all that remains on the hill is one small tower. The castle was captured by the Welsh in 1153. At the top of Castle Hill you'll find the Prince Albert statue, created in 1864 at a cost of £500 Guineas - it's made from Sicilian marble and stands 2.7 metres tall. Several cannons from the 17th century were restored and relocated here in the 1960s. The Tenby Museum & Art Gallery is built onto what was likely the castle's hall, and the nearby Lifeboat Station is worth a visit too.

A short 20-minute boat ride from Tenby takes you to Caldey Island, a peaceful retreat run by Cistercian monks with a working monastery, lighthouse, and quiet beaches.

• Active monastery run by Cistercian monks
• Walk to the lighthouse for stunning views
• Wildlife - puffins, seals, and red squirrels
• Handmade chocolates and perfumes for sale

Caldey Island is owned and run by a community of Cistercian monks. You can visit the monastery, walk to the lighthouse, and enjoy the beautiful views back towards Tenby. The island has a gift shop selling handmade chocolates and perfumes made by the monks - you can also buy these at their shop in Tenby town. Boats run from April to September, and it's best to check weather conditions before you go. Keep an eye out for puffins, seals, and even red squirrels along the trails.

Tenby's town centre is a maze of narrow streets lined with independent shops, bakeries, and historic buildings like St Mary's Church and the Tudor Merchant's House.

• Independent shops - Equinox, Jago, Cofion Books
• Market Hall with bead stall (beads from 2p)
• St Mary's Church - 13th century, tomb of Thomas White
• Taste local pasties and fresh seafood

The centre of Tenby is a maze of narrow little streets, pedestrianised in summer when bars and restaurants set up al fresco dining. Don't miss Equinox on St Julian's Street - a two-storey gift shop that feels like an Aladdin's cave. For book lovers, Cofion Books on a cobbled side street stocks out-of-print treasures. In the Market Hall, children can create their own jewellery from a selection of beads and charms starting from just two pence. For food, try a pasty from Pembrokeshire Pasty & Pie Co (Prince Charles once visited) or grab a crab sandwich from Simply Seafoods on the harbour wall. St Mary's Church, dating back to the 13th century, holds the tomb of Thomas White who helped Henry VII escape Tenby. The Tudor Merchant's House nearby is a National Trust site showing life in the 1500s.

At low tide you can walk across the sand to St Catherine's Island, where a 19th-century fortress stands atop the rocky landscape, offering guided tours and a glimpse into Tenby's military past.

• Mid-19th century fortress built in 1867
• Accessible on foot at low tide
• Guided tours available
• Once a zoo from 1968 to 1979

St Catherine's Fort was built in 1867 and has taken on many roles - most recently a zoo between 1968 and 1979, before being left empty. The island is still open to visitors, and at low tide you can walk right across the sand from Castle Beach. Boat tours also pass close by, giving you a great view from the water. The fort offers guided tours that explain its history. Check tide times before you go - the causeway is only exposed for a few hours each day.