10 of the happiest places in South and West Wales

Here at FBM Holidays, there’s nothing we love more than spreading a little holiday happiness by sharing our beautiful corner of Wales with guests from near and far. So, when we teamed up with our sister site, holidaycottages.co.uk, to discover the UK’s happiest holiday destinations, we were especially excited to see which spots in South and West Wales had captured people’s hearts. 

With some of the most breathtaking coastline and beaches in the world, it’s no surprise that guests voted by the (spade and) bucketful for numerous seaside spots across the region. From colourful resort towns that have been welcoming holidaymakers since Victorian times, to tiny fishing villages where you’ll find peace and relaxation, South and West Wales stand out as a true hotspot for holiday joy. 

Carry on reading to discover the top 10 happiest places in South and West Wales, some of our guests' happiest memories, and their top recommended things to do while holidaying there. 

Skip to:

• Tenby 
• Saundersfoot 
• St Davids 
• Gower 
• New Quay 
• Broad Haven and Little Haven 
• Newport, Pembrokeshire 
• Mumbles 
• Cardigan
• Aberaeron

Tenby

“Every time we go to Tenby, the worries just slip away. We instantly feel relaxed and happy when we arrive and enjoy every single moment we're there.” 

With its quaint harbour, colourful houses, and an abundance of beautiful beaches, it’s no surprise that Tenby not only topped the list for West Wales but was also voted the happiest place in all of Wales and ranked in the top 5 towns across the UK. 

This much-loved seaside town boasts a rich and fascinating history, from its beginnings as a 12th-century fortified settlement to a thriving Tudor trading port and later, a popular holiday destination during the Georgian and Victorian eras. Today, Tenby continues to bring joy to visitors year after year. 

Those who voted Tenby as their happiest place in the UK praised its laid-back atmosphere, gorgeous beaches, and excellent choice of places to eat and drink. It also stood out as a fantastic destination for multi-generational family holidays, with something for everyone to enjoy, young and old alike. 

Saundersfoot

“I spent a few family holidays in Saundersfoot as a child, then revisited as an adult with my own child and fell in love with it all over again. Myself and my husband try to return every year.” 

For anyone familiar with the charming seaside village of Saundersfoot, it will come as no surprise that it was near the top of the happiest places list. Nestled around golden sands and a pretty harbour, this coastal gem is a truly idyllic spot for a joyful holiday. 

Both locals and visitors sang Saundersfoot’s praises for its stunning seaside location and welcoming village atmosphere. The beach was a standout favourite enjoyed in all seasons, from the bracing New Year’s Day swim to long, sunny afternoons of sandcastles and sunbathing, followed by a relaxed BBQ back at the holiday home. 

Saundersfoot was also very popular for those holidaying with their four-legged friends. Guests loved how dog-friendly the village was, from being able to eat out at a dog-friendly Saundersfoot restaurant and shop with their pups, to part of the beach allowing dogs all year round. 

St Davids

“My happiest memory is spending the day walking the coast path around St Davids (straight from our holiday cottage door − no need for a car) and stopping for a picnic high on the cliff overlooking Ramsey Island in warm, late October sunshine − we needed sunscreen!” 

The smallest city in the UK proves that bigger doesn’t always mean better. St Davids proved incredibly popular when it came to being a happiness hotspot. Its unique blend of coast, countryside, wildlife, and welcoming amenities made it the perfect place for guests to unwind and enjoy a relaxing break. There are plenty of things to do in St Davids as well as lots of tasty places to eat.

Thanks to its stunning location on the far west coast of Wales, cliff-top walks were a popular way to explore the area. Guests loved soaking up the scenery and discovering hidden coves, perfect for a peaceful picnic. Many also highlighted the fantastic wildlife experiences, from spotting seals lounging on the beach to visiting the RSPB reserve on Ramsey Island for birdwatching and coastal adventures. 

Gower

“Every time we go, it feels as if it is our secret little place, however many people are there. It feels very spiritual to be there, it is awe inspiring, it is so breathtakingly beautiful.” 

Spectacular scenery, beautiful beaches and magical memories were just some of the reasons that the Gower Peninsula was voted as the happiest spot in South Wales. Visitors from far and wide shared that visits to Gower reminded them of childhood holidays and family fun. 

With over 45 miles of coastline and 25 beaches, it’s no wonder that much of what made Gower a happy place for so many was based around the sea. From learning to surf in Caswell Bay to watching the sun set over Three Cliffs, being close to the water is what truly made people’s hearts sing. If you’re dreaming of a holiday with golden sands, cliff-top walks, and unbeatable views, Gower ticks every box. 

New Quay

“We snatched a short break after Christmas one year and stayed in a tiny cottage near the coast. Much to our delight, New Year's morning, a dolphin-watching boat was running a tour. In the brilliant sunshine, just like a mild spring day, the boat was surrounded by dolphins. They seemed so big up close, at times they were almost at touching range. It was a very magical start to the new year and one I will never forget.” 

Set in the heart of Cardigan Bay, the harbour town of New Quay is a true coastal gem − famous for two very special residents: Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, who once called it home, and the bottlenose dolphins that leap through its waters. 

Home to the largest pod of bottlenose dolphins in Europe, Cardigan Bay offers magical wildlife moments you won’t forget. Unsurprisingly, many guests said that spotting these playful creatures was the highlight of their holiday − an unforgettable experience that made New Quay their happy place. 

The wonderful local eateries were also a major part of people’s enjoyment in New Quay. With everything from fresh seafood and hearty pub grub to irresistible ice creams, often served with stunning views across the bay. 

Broad Haven and Little Haven

“My most joyful memory there would be teaching both my boys to bodyboard on the beach.” 

One of the smallest places on the list, the twin villages of Broad Haven and Little Haven are found on the West Pembrokeshire coast. They aren’t the most well-known of our holiday hotspots, so it’s a testament to their happiness factor that these hidden gems made the top 10. 

Broad Haven has been a holiday destination since the 1800s, with its long sweeping bay, promenade and beachfront holiday homes and restaurants, it’s easy to see why. Just a short walk away, reachable along the beach at low tide, you’ll find the picturesque village of Little Haven, complete with narrow streets and a quaint harbour.   

The Havens are made for beach days, almost everyone who voted it as the place they feel the happiest mentioned their sheltered bays. From learning to swim to supper on the sand, Broad and Little Haven are the places to be for a beach break. 

Newport, Pembrokeshire

“After spending many lovely holidays in Newport and thinking our two sons were getting too grown up to join us, they have both since surprised us by turning up and joining us, which has been a lovely bonus.” 

Sometimes our guests want the best of both worlds, mountains to climb and beaches to explore, and it’s this unique combination that earned Newport in Pembrokeshire a spot on our happiest places list. Backed by the majestic Mynydd Carningli, this charming coastal town lets you hike in the morning and relax on the sand in the afternoon.   

And when it comes to beaches, Newport truly spoils you for choice. Many who chose it as their happy place mentioned the coastline as a major highlight, though most couldn’t pick just one favourite beach, there are eight stunning options nearby after all!   

Mumbles

“I first started to visit the Mumbles when I was a child with my parents. Each year, our family would just enjoy each other's company with beautiful surroundings. When grown up, I took my children with me, and we still go back as often as we can just to chill and be happy.” 

Mumbles has been home to everything from woolly mammoths to Hollywood A-listers over the years. This former fishing village is now regularly voted as one of the best places to live in the UK, so it’s not a surprise that locals and holidaymakers also voted it to be one of the top happiness spots too.

Known as the gateway to Gower, Mumbles has been a holiday haven since Victorian times. Visitors still flock to this picturesque village for its stunning beaches, sea views, and welcoming community feel. Whether it’s relaxing on the beach, taking a walk along the coast path, enjoying family fun at the pier, or sipping cocktails with a view, Mumbles offers the perfect blend of holiday bliss.   

Cardigan

“We took our puppy (aged 6 months at the time) to his first beach and enjoyed a coastal walk. He loved the water, and the whole experience brought me close to tears seeing him enjoy this simple pocket of peace.” 

While it's not far from golden sands, Cardigan is one of only two places in our top 10 that aren’t directly on the coast. So, what is it that made visitors to this West Wales town rank it so highly on the happiness scale?  

Visitors loved Cardigan’s rich heritage, riverside setting, and family-friendly atmosphere. Whether it was kayaking on the River Teifi, exploring the remarkable Cardigan Castle, or simply strolling through town enjoying the many independent shops and eateries, our guests found there was something for everyone to enjoy.   

Cardigan also makes the perfect base for discovering Ceredigion’s coastal gems. Travelling one way out of town leads you to the sweeping Poppit Sands, while the other offers a network of coastal paths and hidden coves just waiting to be explored.   

Aberaeron

“So many happy memories as we spent a lot of time there when our children were growing up. Crabbing was a favourite pastime!” 

Famed for its colourful houses and charming harbour, Aberaeron beautifully rounds out our top 10 happiest places in South and West Wales. If you’ve ever been lucky enough to visit this delightful town on Cardigan Bay, you’ll know exactly why. 

A treasured holiday destination for generations, many of our guests shared fond memories of visiting Aberaeron with their parents, and now returning with their own children. They cherish the simple joys of a traditional seaside break with mornings spent on the beach, followed by a well-earned ice cream treat. Passing down the art of crab-catching from the harbour walls, before enjoying a delicious dinner at one of the town’s inviting restaurants, or even classic fish and chips by the sea.   

Find your own happy place in South and West Wales

From seaside resort towns to quaint coastal villages, South and West Wales is the perfect place to find happiness. Offering guests relaxing days building sandcastles on the beach and miles of coast and country to explore, it’s an ideal place to make memories. 

Here at FBM Holidays, we have a plethora of holiday homes for you to stay at while you spend time with your loved ones. From Pembrokeshire cottages to Carmarthenshire holiday stays, we have the perfect home-from-home for you. If holidays aren’t the same without your pooch, you’ll love our range of dog-friendly holiday cottages in West Wales, or if you dream of a stay by the sea, our coastal cottages could be the ones for you.