2 days in Pembrokeshire: a weekend itinerary

Pastel harbour houses, a monks' island and Britain's smallest city, on a famous coast.

Independent UK guide
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Updated October 2026

Pembrokeshire has some of the best coastline in Britain, with golden beaches, high cliffs and a long coast path. This plan covers the south on day one, with the colourful town of Tenby, and the west on day two, with St Davids and a famous beach.

The distances are long by Welsh standards, so a car helps.

Length2 days, 2 nights

Best forWalkers, Families, Dog owners

Best time to goMay to September for beaches, puffins and boat trips. Spring wildflowers are spectacular.

Typical budget (2 people)£320–£560, excluding travel

Day 1: Tenby and Caldey Island

Morning: Explore Tenby, with its pastel-painted houses, harbour, medieval walls and sandy beaches.
Lunch: Eat seafood at the harbour.
Afternoon: Take a boat to Caldey Island, home to a working monastery, in season, or walk on the beach.
Evening: Have dinner in Tenby.

Day 2: St Davids and Whitesands

Morning: Visit St Davids Cathedral and the Bishop's Palace in Britain's smallest city.
Lunch: Eat in St Davids, with its cafes and galleries.
Afternoon: Walk on Whitesands Bay, or the coast path, and look for seals and seabirds.
Heading home: Leave in the late afternoon, or take a boat trip to Skomer Island in puffin season.

Where to stay

Tenby is the best-known resort, and St Davids is a calm base for the west. Solva is a pretty harbour village in between.

Compare places to stay in Pembrokeshire

Prices change daily, so check a few sites. These are affiliate links.

Getting there and around

From Cardiff: About 2 hours by car.
From Bristol: About 3 hours by car.
From Manchester: About 5 hours by car.

A car is the easiest way to link the coast. Tenby has a railway station, but St Davids does not.

If it rains

If it rains, spend longer in Tenby's museums and cafes, St Davids Cathedral and the National Trust's shops.

Packing list for Pembrokeshire

Handy things people often forget. These are Amazon links, so prices and availability are set by Amazon.

More kit guides: Beach and coast gear Walking gear Wet-weather gear

Frequently asked questions

Is Pembrokeshire good for a weekend?

Yes, though it is a long way from many places, so a long weekend works better.

When is the best time for Pembrokeshire?

Spring to autumn, with puffins from April to July.

Can I visit Caldey Island?

Boats run in season, mostly Monday to Saturday, but check the timetable.

Keep planning

Pembrokeshire guideWales

A rugged coast of golden beaches, seabirds and a famous coast path

Coasteering in PembrokeshirePembrokeshire Coast, Wales

Coasteering means travelling along the rocky coastline by swimming, scrambling and jumping into the sea, with a guide, helmet and wetsuit.

A day on Tenby's beachesTenby, Pembrokeshire

Tenby is a walled harbour town in Pembrokeshire, with pastel-coloured houses and four sandy beaches including North Beach, South Beach, Castle Beach and Harbour Beach.

Pen y Fan walkBannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), Wales

Pen y Fan is the highest peak in southern Britain at 886 metres.

Plan this weekend with our finder

Last reviewed October 2026. Prices, opening times and travel details change, so check before you go. Report an error or share a tip.