Porthcawl

Travel Guide

Photo by Stephen Keen
Photo by Stephen Keen
Photo by MARK WALDEN
Photo by Steve Olds
Photo by Martin Borley-Cox
Porthcawl is a bustling seaside resort on the South Coast of Wales, with all the best traditions that we know and love — a promenade, safe sandy beaches fringed by rocks, craggy cliffs, waves for surfing and the Coney Beach Amusement Park for all the fun of the fair. There is a nature reserve, a museum and a ruined castle too.

Once you arrive, it is hard to imagine that you are only 20 miles from the city of Swansea or 30 miles from Cardiff. This is another advantage of a trip to Porthcawl — it is so easy to get to, just 10 minutes off the M4, with reasonable public transport access too.

In the days when mining in the Welsh valleys dominated the region, Porthcawl harbour was used to export coal but that industrial past is no longer in evidence. Tourism is its trade now.

Before the closure of so many of the coal pits, Porthcawl was once the favoured place for miners and their families on their annual two-week break in the summer, but even that is a piece of history now. Porthcawl is simply an all-round great resort for anyone who enjoys a traditional seaside holiday.

While families, above all, enjoy Porthcawl, the town hosts a number of festivals that attract a wider range of visitors. Each September, for example, there is the Elvis Festival — the largest in Europe, with Elvis lookalikes and tribute artists from all over the world congregating on the promenade. There is also a jazz festival, and Surf Cult too, so pick your time carefully, depending on your interests.

Staying in Porthcawl

Available in a range of star ratings, there is plenty of holiday accommodation in Porthcawl, so your requirements will be satisfied no matter what you are able to spend.

There is a variety of hotels, both large and small. One iconic building stands right on the seafront with spectacular sea views from many of the 89 bedrooms. Another is associated with the local golf course and has a newly built orangery where you can dine in style. Otherwise, there are many guesthouses, inns and B&B accommodation throughout the town.

As far as self-catering goes, the east side of Porthcawl has a huge holiday park with caravans and a leisure complex. Elsewhere, there is a selection of holiday apartments and cottages to let.

There is no shortage of places to eat out - fish bars, brasseries, carveries, Indian, tapas, ice-cream parlours, cafés, pubs and hotel restaurants.

Shopping in Porthcawl

John Street is the retail centre of town, where there are quirky craft shops as well as regular stores for your everyday needs. Around Castle Hill it is surfers' shopping heaven. For bulk food purchases, it is only a short hop by car to Bridgend.

Porthcawl - Traditional Seaside Holiday at its Best

Busy in the summer months and school holidays, Porthcawl still has something to offer all year round — not least, a bracing walk along the promenade to blow away the cobwebs.

Rose And Crown
Rose And Crown
3.5 out of 5
Heol-Y-Capel, Nottage, Porthcawl, Wales
The price is S$95 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
S$95
includes taxes & fees
21 Apr - 22 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star inn in Porthcawl. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (171 reviews)
"Stayed at the Rose and Crown for two nights with friends. The staff were amazing. Service was excellent and the food delicious. The location was perfect being a short walk to the stunning coastline. I would not hesitate to recommend staying here"

Reviewed on 4 Apr, 2025

Rose And Crown
Bayside Guest House
Bayside Guest House
3 out of 5
70 Mackworth Road, Porthcawl, Wales
The price is S$95 per night from 13 Apr to 14 Apr
S$95
includes taxes & fees
13 Apr - 14 Apr
Stay at this 3-star guesthouse in Porthcawl. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 beach bars. Popular attractions Coney Beach and Trecco Bay are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (25 reviews)
"Great little stay will stay again"

Reviewed on 3 Jan, 2025

Bayside Guest House
Mary House
Mary House
3 out of 5
46 Mary Street, Porthcawl, Wales
The price is S$86 per night from 13 Apr to 14 Apr
S$86
includes taxes & fees
13 Apr - 14 Apr
Stay at this 3-star B&B in Porthcawl. Enjoy free breakfast, daily housekeeping, and a computer station. Popular attractions Coney Beach and Trecco Bay are located ...
8/10 Very Good! (140 reviews)
Rugby
"Amazing stay and always friendly"

Reviewed on 23 Feb, 2025

Mary House
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Cwmbach Cottages
Cwmbach Cottages
3 out of 5
Cwmbach Road, Cadoxton Neath, Neath, Wales
Stay at this 3-star guesthouse in Neath. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Neath Golf Club and Aberdulais Falls are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (44 reviews)
Lovely stay
"Lovely stay. Large comfortable room."

Reviewed on 3 Nov, 2024

Cwmbach Cottages
Goodstay Apartments by Urban Space
Goodstay Apartments by Urban Space
4 out of 5
Hood Road, Barry, Wales
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Barry. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and furnished patios. Popular attractions Barry Island Beach and Cardiff Bay are ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (28 reviews)
"Second time staying and have already booked another trip here. Won’t stay anywhere else!"

Reviewed on 1 Sep, 2024

Goodstay Apartments by Urban Space
Moorshead Farm
Moorshead Farm
3.5 out of 5
Siginstone, Cowbridge, Wales
Stay at this 3.5-star cottage in Cowbridge. Enjoy free parking. Popular attractions Beaupre Castle and Taskforce Paint Ball Games are located nearby.
9.6/10 Exceptional! (45 reviews)
"Lovely, cosy little cottage, perfectly located for seeing our friends in Sigingstone. Lovely walks and only short drives to many attractions. Only downside was the bed which was too soft for us and very creaky! That being said, we would definitely consider coming back and will recommend Moorshead ..."

Reviewed on 8 Apr, 2025

Moorshead Farm
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Porthcawl

4.1
Top destination
5 - Excellent
2
5 - Excellent 25%
4 - Good
5
4 - Good 63%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 13%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

A great place to stay - a trip down memory lane for us as I used to live . The weather was spectacular so being beside the sea was great