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At first glance Abersoch may appear like any other coastal village in North Wales . Located in the south-eastern corner of the Llyn Peninsula and overlooking Cardigan Bay, Abersoch used to be a small fishing port but experienced a tourism boom in the 1950s. It's a magnet for holidaymakers thanks to its stunning beach - which was named the best in Britain in 2023 - and its quaint marina. In fact sailing is a huge part of Abersoch’s identity and each August it hosts a regatta with raft races, sand castle building and paddle boarding competitions. Yet this tiny village has become a hotspot for celebrity visitors. In 2024, Hollywood mega star Bradley Cooper was seen in Abersoch with survival expert Bear Grylls. They were seen eating a quiet lunch in Blades cafe and are reported to have even cleared away their own plates. Traitors star Kate Garraway went for a break with her family, calling it an "amazing weekend". Coleen Rooney also shared a snap of her holiday in the area. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE Molly-Mae Hague is the latest famous face to pay Abersoch a visit, Wales Online reports. In one of the latest episodes of her Amazon Prime series, Molly Mae shared some of the moments from her recent trip to lovely Abersoch in north Wales. Staying in a beach house on the seafront, she and a friend, plus her daughter Bambi, had their own steps down to the sand and views straight out over the dreamy coastal landscape, which she described as “gorgeous.” It's easy to see why celebs flock to Abersoch, with sandy beaches, resident dolphins and a swish ice cream parlour named one of the best places for ice cream in the UK by the Sunday Times. Surrounded by the sparkling clear waters of the Irish Sea on one side and Cardigan Bay on the other, this area of Wales is a perfect alternative for a holiday abroad, where you'll find plenty of activities, accommodation and indie restaurants and cafes. Nearby there are remains of Iron Age forts and islands to discover, sweeping stretches of sandy beaches and plenty of cute coastal villages and historic sites to visit. Known as the 'Welsh Riviera,' Abersoch, on the southern part of the Llŷn, is widely known for its sandy beaches, internationally recognised sailing waters, and a small high street filled with trendy bars, restaurants, big brands, and independent shops. This coastal bolthole is also renowned for its water sports, especially paddleboarding. If you're lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of resident dolphins slicing through the clear waters. The sheltered bay provides perfect conditions for both beginners and experienced paddleboarders, and the village hosts several events and competitions throughout the year, attracting enthusiasts from all over the UK. One of the town's other main draws is the large sandy beach, which the AA previously named one of the 'best seaside destinations'. It described Abersoch Beach as a picturesque Welsh location. "The top place goes to this sandy beach, which is dog-friendly and also manned by lifeguards. "There are two nearby tourist attractions: the Porth y Swnt Interpretation Centre and Nant Gwrtheyrn, which is home to the National Welsh Language and Heritage Centre." Nearby is Harbour Beach, a strip of sand on the River Soch between the harbour and Warren Beach. If you fancy a bit of a challenge, Porth Ceiriad is a secluded beach that can be tricky to find. Despite being near the popular Abersoch, this idyllic spot remains less frequented, a fact that regulars undoubtedly appreciate. As reported by North Wales Live, its deceptive closeness to Abersoch and the enveloping cliffs add to the mystery of finding this secluded beach. The adventure of discovering Porth Ceiriad is well-known locally. It earned the moniker of the "Porth Ceiriad Mystery Tour" because of the curious case of disappearing tourists led astray by unreliable Satnav directions and confounding maps. After exploring Abersoch's dreamy beaches and coastline, make sure to go for ice cream at Two Islands, a small-batch ice cream parlour that's just been named one of the best places for ice cream in Wales. Locals and tourists have been raving about this lush ice cream spot since it opened in 2018, and the Sunday Times has now given it its seal of approval. Their Journalists named it one of the top spots for a cone and urged readers, "Don't miss the raspberry ripple." This small-batch ice cream parlour makes the ice cream on-site using local and natural ingredients, including Welsh free-range eggs and organic and fair-trade produce from SUMA, a co-op that sets the standard for fair and equal working conditions. Inspired by their trip to parlours on the west coast of the USA, the small business aims to create rich textures and original flavours using the best produce with a Welsh twist. Their small but ever-changing menu focuses on seasonality, but you will always find their unique take on a few of the classics. Salted Coffee is a favourite Two Islands Flavour, with a distinctive blend of Coaltown espresso and HALEN MôN sea salt, while marscapone and blackcurrant are standout choices when they grace the menu. For more of the latest What's On news, click here.
