4 days in Saundersfoot

Most things are within walking distance and with buses and trains running to surrounding towns, it’s accessible for all. The stunning Blue Flag beach is popular with families and is an ideal place for sea swimming, canoeing, sailing and fishing. It’s a top choice for a seaside retreat, whatever the season, and with our proposed itinerary below, you’ll be left wondering if four days is enough!

Day one

Wake up to a stunning sunrise. With its east-facing beach, Saundersfoot enjoys some of the best sunrise views in the county and there really isn’t a better way to start the day. If you’re feeling brave, try a dip in the sea. Early mornings are a tranquil time at the beach, with that golden light and only the sound of birds calling and waves lapping the shore.

For a hearty breakfast head to Sip n Sea, a family-run café‑bar on Cambrian Terrace serving home‑cooked all‑day breakfasts, light lunches and a children’s menu. It’s also dog-friendly and wheelchair accessible.

By now it’s time to get a feel for Saundersfoot – head to the harbour complete with working fishing boats. The main beach unfurls towards Coppet Hall and if the tide is right you can walk along the sand to Wisemans Bridge and on to Amroth, the start of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. On the other side of the harbour, there’s a ramp down to Glen beach which at low tide takes you all the way to Monkstone Point.

This stretch of beach is popular with dog walkers and cockle pickers but be aware of the tide, it can easily cut you off.

There are bluebell woods to walk through at the Hean Castle Estate, or if you’re arriving later in the year, pop over to Colby Woodland Gardens for walks among established rhododendrons, azaleas and specimen trees. The on-site restaurant is well worth a visit, especially for a cream tea!

For a flat walk easily accessible for prams, pushchairs and wheelchairs, walk through the tunnels towards Wisemans Bridge and enjoy a drink and lunch sat outside the Wisemans Bridge Inn, where the beer garden is right on the beachfront.

Unwind after your first day in Saundersfoot with a sauna session at Hwyl Sauna, a traditional Scandinavian wood-fired sauna right on the harbour. Bookable for half hour and hour sessions, enjoy the invigorating experience of deep healing using the heat of the sauna and the cold of the sea – the perfect way to relax and feel amazing.

Day two

By now, you’ll be familiar with Saundersfoot so time to explore a bit further afield. Take the short trip to Tenby – there are regular buses and trains – and soak up the traditional seaside vibe of this colourful town.

Today is the day for a boat trip and an opportunity to see Pembrokeshire’s stunning coastline from a different angle. Leaving from the harbour you can either take a wildlife trip to see the seal colony off Caldey Island or try your hand at fishing – mackerel fishing trips are perfect for novices and families of all ages and you never know, you could bring back dinner!

For landlubbers why not head out on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path with a picnic and marvel at our stunning coastline? The path is easy to find and follow if you want a short walk. Or if you are up to something slightly more challenging, grab a map before you begin so you can plan your own adventure.

You can walk all the way back to Saundersfoot if you’re up for it, or another favourite of ours is to head towards Lydstep and up onto the headland. The path here is usually quite dry and easy walking and takes you all the way to Bubbleton Farm Shop for a hearty lunch stop and great coffee and homemade cakes. Keep an eye out for porpoise and seals! And if you don’t fancy walking all the way back, catch the train from Penally back to Saundersfoot! From Saundersfoot station, there is now a pedestrian path which follows the road back into the village.

After a day by the sea, you’ll need a good supper – there are plenty of options in Saundersfoot, among them The Mulberry Restaurant. This cosy bistro-style eatery seats up to 80 and offers both indoor ambience – with exposed brick and wooden beams – and al fresco tables perfect for people-watching. The menu blends British and international dishes using locally sourced produce, with standout options including perfectly cooked sea bass, king prawn skewers, and a vegan-friendly vegetable curry.

Day three

Time for some R&R! Try the open-air infinity pool at St Brides Spa Hotel, which looks out over Saundersfoot Bay and which feels as if you are part of the landscape itself. If you need a massage after yesterday’s strenuous activities, there are lots of treatments on offer.

Back in the heart of the village, Philly’s Bar & Kitchen is a great spot for lunch. It offers freshly made baguettes, light lunches, coffee and cocktails, all served with a friendly vibe. Sit indoors or outside and watch the world go by.

In the afternoon, it’s time to make like a local – grab an ice-cream and head to the beach – whatever the weather! The rock pools between Saundersfoot beach itself and neighbouring Coppet Hall are always good to have a sneak peek at, just watch out for the incoming tide and the local fishing boats!

If you’d like to learn more about the history of the area, head to the Welcome Centre and discover Saundersfoot's origins and the significance of the coal industry in Pembrokeshire, its rise in importance globally, resulting in the construction of the Harbour, and Pembrokeshire coal's ultimate decline in the last century. Afterwards take a stroll around the pretty sensory garden situated next to the Welcome Centre. In the summer months it’s bursting with colour.

Finish your day with supper at Lan y Mor at Coppet Hall, the restaurant with stunning views right across the bay towards the Gower peninsula beyond.

Day four

On your final day, look beyond Saundersfoot and plan a mini adventure. With the train station on the doorstep, why not catch a train to Manorbier and explore the castle and beach? A popular surfing spot, you can even hire surfboards from Outer Reef surf school in the village and try catching a few waves.

For keen walkers, you can walk from Manorbier and pick up the coast path to Skrinkle beach and Church Doors cove – two beautiful beaches separated by a tall cliff with a secret natural tunnel between them. Or head in the opposite direction and take a picnic to Swanlake beach, a stunning secluded and quiet beach with views towards Barafundle and Stackpole.

Or, take the train or short drive to nearby Narberth, a stunning market town with a bustling high street packed full of independent shops and regularly voted one of the best places to live in Wales.

Places to stay

There are lots of great options for accommodation in and around Saundersfoot to suit every budget.

For a touch of luxury book into St Bride’s Spa Hotel, perched on the clifftop overlooking the bay. It is a 4-star Visit Wales-rated escape with an award-winning spa, outdoor infinity pool, thermal suite, fitness room and a 2 AA Rosette restaurant serving Pembrokeshire produce. Its stylish lounge areas and coastal terraces offer stunning sea views.

Want to be right at the heart of village life? Check out Saundersfoot Harbour’s accommodation. It offers cosy, modern stays with stunning sea or harbour views, tea/coffee facilities, fast Wi‑Fi and direct access to beach and village amenities. Some rooms are dog friendly too!

If holiday parks and caravans are more your style, look up Swallow Tree Gardens and Trees Caravan Park.

Swallow Tree Gardens is an award‑winning, family-run coastal holiday park just yards from the beach. It offers luxury lodges, pine cabins and well‑equipped caravans (some with hot tubs), as well as on-site leisure facilities including an indoor pool, sauna, steam room and fitness suite.

Trees Caravan Park, a small family‑run site in Stepaside, has modern static caravans, peaceful woodland surroundings, and is just a mile from Wisemans Bridge and close to Saundersfoot. Dog‑friendly with family facilities and free Wi‑Fi, it’s ideal for those wanting quiet and access to the coast.

After that action-packed break, it sounds like you’ll need… erm… a holiday to recover!