06 February 2026
Centred around the impressive 12th Century cathedral and ancient bishop’s palace, St Davids in Pembrokeshire offers a charming village-like atmosphere, full of independent boutique retailers and makers, the perfect peaceful hub for artists and explorers alike.
The Cathedral
The city’s quaint and gently sloping streets conceal this beautiful building almost completely, so prepare yourself for a breath-taking sight as the Cathedral comes into view nestled deep in the valley. An ancient site of pilgrimage, it’s easy to tell why people have flocked to this sacred place for centuries.
The Cathedral is home to the resting place of Dewi Sant (Saint David) himself, the Patron Saint of Wales who is celebrated annually, every 1st March. Born around 500 AD, he was a prominent teacher and preacher who founded the monastery here. Known for a miracle where a hill rose beneath him so a crowd could hear him speak, as well as his famous last words to his followers “Be joyful, keep your faith and your creed, and do the little things that you have seen me do and heard about”. After his death and burial at St Davids, Pope Callixtus II declared that two visits to St Davids were the equivalent to one to Rome.
Spend an hour or so exploring its atmospheric and ornate interior, and the nearby St Davids Bishop’s Palace, where, on a summer evening, you might be lucky enough to catch a performance of Shakespeare by the wonderful Festival Arts, who have been performing in the venue since 1970. The atmospheric ruins are a perfect theatre set!
Celebrating St Davids Day, can take many forms from decorating your home with a vase of daffodils, enjoying a delicious Welsh cake or cawl, learning about Welsh history and culture or perhaps enjoying a glass of Pembrokeshire bubbly made by Velfry Vineyard. However you choose to celebrate on the 1st March, we wish you a “Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus”!
Café Culture
St Davids offers a variety of charming, high-quality cafes focusing on local Welsh produce, artisan coffees and sweet treats.
Famous for their various flavours of homemade Welsh cakes, the Mamgu Welshcakes café set in the ruins of St Marys College, a 14th century part of the St Davids Cathedral, is a must visit.
The TYF Café located on the High Street boasts a gorgeous range of coffee options as well as breakfast and lunch menus, perfect for fuelling up ready for your next adventure. Not to mention the delicious treats available at Pebbles Yard Gallery & Espresso Bar, and The Mill Café.
The Visitor centre ‘Oriel Y Parc’ at the top of town, features The Brunch House Café; serving a brunch menu of local ingredients with Middle Eastern influences.
The friendly National Park staff at Oriel Y Parc are at hand for all the local insights and recommendations as well as information regarding the artwork on display within the gallery; as a branch of the National Gallery of Wales, Oriel-y-Parc features a regularly changing collection of works from the national collections that celebrate the Pembrokeshire sea and landscapes.
Tastes of St Davids
We highly recommend that you pop into the Cathedral gift shop to pick up some Pembrokeshire honey made from the hives in the Cathedral grounds themselves. St Davids wildflower honey makes the perfect memento or gift.
Or should you wish to enjoy something in the moment, a homemade ice cream from The Bench is always a good idea.
Huge range flavours from The Bench
Adventures and Exploration
Head to the coast for an afternoon stroll. Caerfai Bay (perfect beach for swimming) and St Non’s Chapel (the birthplace of Saint David) are both within easy reach of St Davids on foot.
For something a little longer, combine these spots in a circular walk along the Coast Path to Porthclais Harbour, or to St Justinians and catch the Celtic Coaster bus back to town. This handy bus service covers the whole peninsular and is an efficient way of getting around to avoid congestion and car park charges – plus, it allows you to do one-way walks without having to go back on yourself… A win-win!
Alternatively, you can hire bikes from TYF Adventure on the high street to be a truly eco-conscious traveller. Ditch the stress of having the car and see the best of the St Davids peninsular from two wheels.
Wales Coast Path Kayakers love the crystal clear waters at Porthclais harbour
Dinner is served
With its independent eateries and annual food festivals, St Davids has become a mecca for foodies across the globe.
From fine dining options at the Blas Restaurant, set within Wales first ‘Art Hotel’ Twr-y-Felin Hotel, to small plates of delicious foraged treats at ‘Best place to eat winners 2024’ The Really Wild Emporium, through to more informal dining experiences such as the wood-fired pizzas and local Bluestone Brewery beers served at Grain, there are a host of options to satisfy every palate.
Hearty and welcoming pubs are part of the fabric of St Davids, so grab a pint of Welsh ale in the sunny beer gardens of the Bishops or the Farmer’s arms, or you can cwtch up beside their fireplaces on cosy winter nights
Retreats Group Venison with Celariac, Mustard, Shallot at Blas restaurant
Staying in St Davids
St Davids may be the UK’s smallest city, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t an abundance of accommodation types for your stay. From caravan, camping, glamping and bunkhouse accommodation, to County House and Art Hotels plus a host of gorgeous self-catering options, you really are spoilt for choice when you stay in this Pembrokeshire gem.
While you’re there…
No trip to Pembrokeshire is complete without embracing the sea, and what better way to do so than with a boat trip from St Justinian’s with options to circumnavigate Ramsey Island, go fishing, spot whales and dolphins or go to Skomer Island to see the Puffins.
If being on the water doesn’t float your boat… Hop on the Strumble Shuttle bus northwards to Abereiddy to visit the famous Blue Lagoon, a former slate quarry now home to Celtic Quest Coasteering, where qualified guides take adventurous souls swimming, traversing and cliff jumping.
Or for those of you with adventurous young ones, a trip to Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm is an educational and fun highlight to your holiday.
If you want to keep your feet on the ground, from here it’s a pleasant walk to the fishing harbour of Porthgain along a stretch of coast steeped in industrial history. There’s something rather pleasant about watching the harbour at sunset while enjoying the fabulous Fish & Chips available from The Shed.
For all our available St Davids accommodation, eateries and activity providers, see our website.
After dark…
There are plenty of lovely options to fill hungry stomachs in the evening. You can enjoy a delicious, locally-sourced meal at St Davids Kitchen while sipping gin distilled from botanicals grown on nearby Ramsey Island (https://www.visitpembrokeshire.com/explore-pembrokeshire/wildlife-and-nature/ramsey-island). For the foodies out there, fine-dining in Pembrokeshire can be found at Blas Restaurant at the Twr-y-Felin Hotel, or, for an al-fresco experience, head to Grain for pizza and a pint of one of Bluestone Brewery’s finest beers. For the curious among you, venture into the Really Wild Emporium for a meal to remember – specialising in foraged and wild foods, the dishes are unique and creative, not to mention delicious, giving you a real flavour of Pembrokeshire.
Hearty and welcoming pubs are part of the fabric of St Davids, so grab a pint of Welsh ale in the sunny beer gardens of the Bishops or the Farmer’s arms, or you can cwtch up beside their fireplaces on cosy winter nights.
Within striking distance…
See the area (and plenty of wildlife!) from a different perspective on a boat trip from St Justinians with Voyages of Discovery, with options to circumnavigate Ramsey Island, go fishing, spot whales and dolphins or go to Skomer Island to see the Puffins.
If being on the water doesn’t float your boat… Hop on the Strumble Shuttle bus (https://www.visitpembrokeshire.com/explore-pembrokeshire/getting-around) northwards to Abereiddy to visit the famous Blue Lagoon, a former slate quarry now home to Celtic Quest Coasteering, where qualified guides take adventurous souls swimming, traversing and cliff jumping.
If you want to keep your feet on the ground, from here it’s a pleasant walk to the fishing harbour of Porthgain along a stretch of coast steeped in industrial history. If you can tear your eyes away from the scenery for a short while, we recommend popping your head into the Harbour Lights Gallery and gazing at some of Pembrokeshire’s finest land and seascapes.
End the day filling your belly with hearty pub-grub at The Sloop, one of the county’s most characterful pubs, or you can grab fish and chips from The Shed and sit on the harbour wall looking out to sea.
Celtic Quest Coasteering is everything your parents told you not to do!
Alternatively, travelling south from St Davids, you’ll find a sheltered, picture-perfect harbour in the quaint village of Solva, fantastic for water activities of all kinds. Hours can easily be whiled away watching boats putter in and out and soaking in the mellow harbourside atmosphere with a drink or bite to eat from the numerous cafes and pubs close to the water. We recommend popping into Mamgu’s Café (pronounced mam-gee. Mamgu is Welsh for Grandma) for some of their famous welshcakes, served hot off the griddle, and there are vegan and gluten-free options available.
For dinner, the Cambrian Inn is a popular choice, or if you venture down the coast a little further, The Haven Brasserie in Nolton boasts some of the best beach views in Pembrokeshire and provides a relaxed, beach-side take on fine dining for those wanting to enjoy excellent cuisine while gazing out over lapping water – bliss!
While you’re there…
No trip to Pembrokeshire is complete without embracing the sea, and what better way to do so than with a boat trip from St Justinian’s [AF1.1]with options to circumnavigate Ramsey Island, go fishing, spot whales and dolphins or go to Skomer Island to see the Puffins.
If being on the water doesn’t float your boat… Hop on the Strumble Shuttle bus (https://www.visitpembrokeshire.com/explore-pembrokeshire/getting-around) northwards to Abereiddy to visit the famous Blue Lagoon, a former slate quarry now home to Celtic Quest Coasteering, where qualified guides take adventurous souls swimming, traversing and cliff jumping.
Or for those of you with adventurous young ones, a trip to Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm is an educational and fun highlight to your holiday.
If you want to keep your feet on the ground, from here it’s a pleasant walk to the fishing harbour of Porthgain along a stretch of coast steeped in industrial history. There’s something rather pleasant about watching the harbour at sunset while enjoying the fabulous Fish & Chips available from The Shed.
For all our available St Davids accommodation, eateries and activity providers, see our website.
