A breathtakingly beautiful Welsh beach has been crowned the fifth best in all of Europe, beating out stiff competition from the likes of Greece and Italy, to emerge as a deserving winner.
It’s been named among the best beaches in all of Europe(Image: Getty Images)
It’s no secret the UK is home to a number of stunning beaches, yet travellers often feel they have to hop across to European countries like Greece, Italy, Spain or Croatia to find the best seaside escapes.
For those with a little more time (and money) on their hands, the Caribbean or Southeast Asia are considered top choice destinations for when you want a beach vacation.
Now, what if we told you a drop-dead stunning UK beach has been crowned the fifth best in all of Europe, beating stiff competition from beaches in the likes of Greece and Italy, to emerge as a deserving winner.
A breathtaking beach in Britain has bagged one of the top spots in Time Out’s 2026 rankings for ‘The Best Beaches in Europe’.
The secluded gem is situated on the Welsh coast — and visitors can’t stop singing its praises. Backed by golden sand dunes and a stunning forest, this isolated jewel is wrapped by dramatic cliffs on either side, adding to its jaw-dropping allure. Its crystal-clear azure waters are the cherry on top of an already exceedingly enticing cake.
Time Out has crowned Wales’ Barafundle Bay as the fifth best beach in Europe, and just one glance at the beautiful seaside destination will explain why.
Ranking above beaches in the likes of Italy, Croatia and Greece, the Time Out ranking says: “You’re spoilt for choice for perfect beaches along Pembrokeshire’s coastline in Wales, but arguably the loveliest is Barafundle. Not least because this bay is only accessible by a beautiful half-mile walk.
“Follow a path past the lily pads of Bosherston Lakes and you’ll stumble across the warm golden sands of this glorious crescent-shaped bay. The water here is calm and safe for bathing, making it ideal for younger families. And the lack of road access mean that there’s always plenty of space to make your own for the day.”
The only other UK beach to make it onto the publication’s ‘Best Beaches in Europe’ list is Kynance Cove on Cornwall’s Lizard Peninsula.
Barafundle Bay, known in Welsh as Bae Barafundle, is a stunningly remote, east-facing sandy beach that boasts a slightly curved topography and sits pretty on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path near Stackpole Quay in Wales’ Pembrokeshire.
Once a property of the Cawdor family of Stackpole Court, it’s now a part of the Stackpole Estate which is owned and managed by the National Trust. The beach’s northern approach features steps and a wall, which were originally built in the 18th century by the Cawdor family to ease their access onto what would be their then-private beach. This wall was built to enclose the family’s deer park, and the steps were said to have been lined with beautiful trees and ornamental columns.
How to get there
Barafundle Bay is often described as the most beautiful beach in Britain and definitely gives off an exotic vibe — elevated by the beach’s utterly secluded setting.
Part of what makes this Welsh beach so special is that it’s exceedingly well hidden. Reachable only via a half-mile walk through woodland along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, the beach can only be accessed on foot. After the stunning walk to the bay, a steep set of steps on the Stackpole Quay side lead you to this beach’s pristine sandy shores.
The beach’s beauty hits you from the very top of the stairs, before you even begin your descent, offering visitors a magnificent view of Barafundle’s curving, golden, unspoiled shores and gleaming, clear blue waters. Reaching this breathtaking Welsh beach takes a bit of effort — and that only adds to its allure.
The half-mile walk in itself takes you across rolling hills and lush, calm woodland, with the journey offering up stunning panoramic views of the coastline before the bay is revealed in all its glory. Glacially winding your way down to Barafundle Bay on a bright and lovely day has its own charm.
What makes it so special
If fine golden sand, a backdrop made up of dunes, verdant woodland peppered with pine trees along with dramatic views of the coastline weren’t enough to convince you to visit, perhaps the beach’s secluded setting and (largely) calm and safe waters will add to its appeal.
Barafundle Bay’s east-facing coastline and cliff-hugging shores ensure this seaside spot is always sheltered from prevailing winds. This also means it’s particularly calm and safe for bathing, especially for families with younger children. There are no lifeguards on the beach however, so it’s important to always stay vigilant when swimming here.
It’s renowned for its swathes of pristine golden sand, crystal-clear waters and dramatic natural beauty, so it’s not surprising Barafundle Bay is often called one of the UK’s most beautiful beaches and even likened to the Caribbean.
The bay’s captivating blend of rich history, abundant wildlife, and jaw-dropping scenery make it a must-visit destination for beach lovers, nature enthusiasts, hikers, or anyone seeking a peaceful seaside escape.
This Welsh beach’s beauty lies in its simplicity — it’s the perfect destination for sunbathing, building sandcastles, or simply relaxing while looking out towards the turquoise waters of the Celtic Sea.
Barafundle Bay is ideal for swimming, paddling or taking a dip, and the beach is actually a part of a larger coastal ecosystem that’s teeming with exploration opportunities and abundant wildlife. The bay’s surrounding area is home to dramatic limestone cliffs which are the breeding grounds for seabirds such as guillemots and razorbills.
Close-by, Stackpole Quay offers a perfectly charming harbor with a tea room and ample parking for visitors. A short walk from the bay, the Bosherston Lakes are a literal haven for wildlife, with water lilies, dragonflies, and the chance of spotting otters.
Things to note
There are a few things for visitors to note when planning a trip to Barafundle Bay — since the beach is isolated, there are no facilities on the beach itself.
It’s also recommended to check tide times before making your way down, to ensure you have plenty of time to enjoy the beach without getting cut off by the incoming tide. Barafundle Bay is also unsuitable for wheelchairs, powered mobility vehicles, pushchairs, and for those who are unsteady on their feet. No lifeguards also means a certain level of self-caution needs to be maintained.
Why visitors love it
Travellers love this little slice of heaven in Wales, and the glowing reviews back up this claim.
One visitor writes on Tripadvisor: “This is the gem of Pembrokeshire. National Trust car park at the end of some very very narrow lanes and then a short walk across the stunning cliff tops to the stunning bay. It really is beautiful. Would highly recommend.”
While another happy traveller notes: “Our first view of it was breathtaking as the contrasting colours of the red sand, sea and sky were beautiful. We took plenty of photos from the ruins on the path. Once on the beach, the sand is soft. It is also very clean. The beach is dog friendly. This was the best beach we came across in Pembrokeshire.”
Another review of Barafundle Bay says: “This is one of the most beautiful beaches anywhere, no facilities at beach only at nearby stackpole. This place is only accessible via the coast path, so difficult for less able people. Stunning views and lovely clean sand and dog friendly.”
