Perched in a totally stunning area of West Wales, Aberystwyth is a gorgeous town that has thousands of years of history. In fact, with all the history, quaint little foodie spots and sites to see it’s a totally lovely place for a little getaway. This is exactly why I wanted to share some of the very best things to do in Aberystwyth when you decide to visit.
Now, although Aberyswyth has some pretty historic places to see, it’s also a thriving university town that’s got a lively character to boot.
After spending quite a bit of time in Aberywtyh, I’ve come to suss out some of the top spots that make this town great. This is exactly why I wanted to share some of my favourites.
It really is a quaint town to visit and somewhere you can easily spend a good few days relaxing and exploring.
Take a look, below, at some of the best things to do in Aberystwyth. Have the best time.
1.) See the sunset from Consitution Hill
Yeah, rambling to the top Constitutional Hill is a little workout but well worth it for the views from the top. This is especially true around sunset when the town glows from the sun setting over the sea.
For me, this is one of the best things to do in Aberystwyth that I’ve done countless times. Though, just make sure to wear sensible shoes and be very careful around the cliff edges as it can be dangerous.
Once at the top, there’s even a little cafe that’s open in the summer months, too.
Plus, if you’re feeling really tired, you can always take the Cliff Railway back down.
Read more: Best things to do in West Wales
2.) Head on the Cliff Railway
Speaking of the Cliff Railway, you can’t really visit Aberystwyth without a little jaunt on it!
After all, it’s the longest funicular electric cliff railway in Britain and has been operating since the 1800s.
Now run by a non-profit organisation, return tickets cost between £3-5 and is open in the summer months. It’s easily one of the best things to do in Aberystwyth, especially for how historic it is.
Read more: Spots to visit on a Welsh road trip
3.) Explore Aberystwyth Castle
Speaking of historic things, Aberystwyth Castle is probably one of the oldest structures in the whole town.
Perched right on the seafront, it’s an Edwardian fortress that dates well back to the 1200s.
The castle has a long history, with Owain Glyndwr capturing the castle from the invading English back in the 1400s.
Then, by the 1600s King Charles, I turned the whole castle into a Royal Mint that produced silver shillings for the crown.
In more recent years, the castle has fallen into ruins but you can still walk through the towers, rooms and grounds which overlook the Cambrian coast.
It really is one of the best things to do in Aberystwyth, especially if you love castles.
Read more: Best castles in Wales to visit
4.) Take the steam train to Devil’s Bridge
If you’re fancying a little jaunt from the town, take the Vale of Rheidol Railway that connects Aberystwyth to Devil’s Bridge.
Now, it might sound totally ominous, but it’s actually a pretty lovely spot to visit for a few hours.
You see, after getting off the train, you can wander down to the waterfalls and stop off at the cafe and restaurant for a little meal before heading back.
5.) Walk the promenade
On a sunny day, one of the best things to do in Aberystwyth has to be to walk the promenade. Dating back to Victorian times, the promenade stretches the whole length of the town and will take you around an hour for a leisurely stroll.
Also, you might notice that at the end of the ‘prom’ there’s a bar that many students kick once they’ve graduated. It’s a little pastime that many people do and you’ll find it around graduation days for sure.
Just make sure you keep your eyes peeled for the local dolphins that call this bay home.
6.) Visit the National Library of Wales
So, if you’re a total bookworm, then you’ll likely love the National Library of Wales. Free to enter, it’s one of only a few libraries in the UK that has every book ever published within it.
Standing, overlooking the town, the library is easy to get to in a taxi or a walk from the centre itself. It’s the building that looks like Buckingham Palace up on top of the hill.
7.) Ceredigion Coastal Path
Talking of walking, another great thing to do if you love a ramble is to join the Ceredigion Coastal Path that stretches the coastline.
By joining the path, you can actually explore so much of the coast of this area and see the natural beauty of the Cambrian Coast.
Read more: Best places for a road trip in Wales
8.) St. Michael’s Church
Perched right behind the castle, St. Michael’s is an impressive church that’s steeped in history.
Free to enter, it’s a great place to see one of the most impressive churches in all of West Wales.
Read more: Best castles in Wales to see
9.) Visit the Pier
So, one of Aberystwyth’s most famous assets has to be the pier that juts out into the sea itself. Here, they have everything from restaurants, games arcades, a night club and a few bars, too.
Take a wander around, see the starlings that call the pier home in the summer months and grab a gelato (or two). It really is one of the best things to do in Aberystwyth.
Read more: Best things to do in Cardiff
10.) Gorge at Pysgoty
If you’re fancying some tasty Italian cuisine, hop on over to Little Italy that’s become a firm favourite in Aberystwyth and has been going for decades. Yeah, I know it’s not typically Welsh but it’s so good.
Their homemade tiramisu is so good.
Just make sure to book a table if you’re visiting on a weekend as tables can book up fast.
Read more: Best places in Wales to explore
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