Why Choose Holiday Cottages in Cemaes Bay?
This pretty fishing village combines stunning coastal scenery with proper local character. You're not staying in a tourist trap here.
The village has kept its authentic charm while offering everything modern visitors need. Three welcoming pubs serve excellent food, award-winning fish and chips draw queues for good reason and it still operates as a working fishing harbour.
Our collection of Cemaes cottages ranges from quaint fishermen's cottages to luxury homes with hot tubs and sea view windows framing Anglesey's rugged coastline.
What Makes Cemaes Bay Special?
Two Sandy Beaches on Your Doorstep
Traeth Mawr and Traeth Bach give you choice every single day. The bigger beach, Traeth Mawr, spreads out with golden sand perfect for castle building and rock pools teeming with crabs and tiny fish.
Traeth Bach curves around the harbour, quieter and more sheltered. Both beaches are family-friendly and remarkably uncrowded even in summer months.
St Patrick's Bell sits on the main beach, installed in 2014 to chime with the high tide. It's become a beloved local landmark.
Protected Natural Beauty
Cemaes sits within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with portions owned by the National Trust. This isn't just marketing speak.
The dramatic cliffs, hidden coves and unspoilt landscapes are protected for future generations. Wildlife thrives here, from peregrine falcons soaring overhead to seal colonies you can spot from coastal paths.
Historic Sites That Tell Amazing Stories
The Oldest Christian Site in Wales
Llanbadrig Church crowns the headland east of the village. Founded in 440 AD by St Patrick himself after a shipwreck on nearby Middle Mouse island, it holds the title of the oldest Christian site in Wales.
The church interior surprises everyone. A 19th-century restoration gave it stunning Moorish blue tiles and Arabic styling after Lord Stanley converted to Islam. It's utterly unique.
Walk up from Cemaes Bay and you'll understand why the Dalai Lama called Llanbadrig "the most peaceful spot on earth." On clear days, views stretch to the Isle of Man, Lake District and Ireland's Mountains of Mourne.
The Copper Kingdom Centre
Just two miles away, Parys Mountain tells the story of when this corner of North Wales dominated global copper production. In the 1780s, this was the largest copper mine in Europe.
The Copper Kingdom Centre in nearby Amlwch Port explains how local solicitor Thomas Williams became the "Copper King." His copper sheets protected British naval ships, giving them crucial speed advantages at Trafalgar.
The mountain itself looks otherworldly. Red, orange and purple rocks create a Martian landscape that's been used for film locations. Free parking and marked trails make it easy to explore.
Where Should You Eat in This Fishing Village?
Y Wygr Fish and Chips wins awards year after year. Locals and visitors queue happily because the fish is impossibly fresh and the batter impossibly crispy.
The Bay View Restaurant at Gwesty Gadlys Hotel serves locally sourced Welsh lamb and beef with panoramic bay views. It's the spot for special occasions.
For relaxed dining, The Stag Inn pours proper pints alongside hunters chicken and scampi. Wales' most northerly watering hole has three bar areas and an open fire for chilly evenings.
The Harbour Bistro overlooks the water, perfect for watching boats while eating. The cafe by the beach car park serves surprisingly good pizza from a wood-fired oven.
What Can You Actually Do Here?
Coastal Walking Heaven
The Wales Coast Path runs right through Cemaes. Turn east and you'll tackle dramatic cliff tops toward Amlwch, passing the haunting Victorian ruins of Porth Wen Brickworks.
Head west to Cemlyn Nature Reserve, home to the only breeding Sandwich tern colony in Wales. Around 1,500 pairs nest here each year, making it the UK's third-largest colony.
The Cemaes Bay Circular Walk covers five miles of moderate terrain with steep bits that earn the views. Historical gems hide around every headland.
Water Activities
The sheltered bay is brilliant for kayaking, paddleboarding and learning to sail. Boat trips leave from the harbour wall, targeting mackerel, flatfish and the occasional ray.
Rock pooling keeps kids entertained for hours. The pools between the two beaches fill with shrimp, crabs and sometimes baby fish trapped by the tide.
Rainy Day Options
Cemaes Heritage Centre charts the village's maritime history through photographs and memorabilia. The cafe serves excellent homemade cake.
Drive to Amlwch's Copper Kingdom Centre for interactive exhibits about the area's industrial past. The old sail loft brings the copper boom era to life.
Finding Your Perfect Cottages
Accommodation in Cemaes Bay ranges from cosy one-bedroom boltholes to spacious six-bedroom houses sleeping whole families.
Many cottages in Anglesey cluster right in the village centre, meaning you can walk everywhere. No car journeys to reach the pub or beach.
Self-catering accommodation in Cemaes Bay often features:
- Wood-burning stoves for cosy winter evenings
- Private gardens where dogs can roam safely
- Modern kitchens stocked with everything you need
- Sea view windows framing spectacular sunsets
- Parking spaces (essential in coastal villages)
- Hot tubs for stargazing after beach days
Pet-friendly options are plentiful. This is Wales after all, where dogs are welcome almost everywhere.
When's the Best Time to Visit?
Summer brings warmest weather and longest days. The beaches buzz with families and everywhere feels alive.
September and October offer fantastic value with lower accommodation rates. The sea stays swimmable, but crowds disappear.
Winter has its own magic. Storm watching from your window with a fire crackling beats any cinema. Plus winter walks clear your head like nothing else.
May through July is perfect for birdwatchers visiting Cemlyn's tern colony.
How Do You Get Here?
| From | Distance | Journey Time | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holyhead | 16 miles | 25 minutes | A5025 coastal road |
| Bangor | 20 miles | 35 minutes | A55, then A5025 |
| Chester | 75 miles | 90 minutes | A55 across North Wales |
| Manchester | 105 miles | 2 hours | M56, A55, A5025 |
| Liverpool | 85 miles | 1 hour 45 mins | M53, A55, A5025 |
Holyhead offers ferry connections to Ireland if you're extending your trip. Bangor has the nearest train station with connections across the UK.
What About Facilities and Shops?
The village convenience store stocks essentials plus local produce. A nearby farm operates an honesty-box vending machine selling fresh milk, milkshakes and seasonal vegetables.
The gift shop showcases crafts from 30 local makers. You'll find everything from pottery to preserves, plus homemade cakes that sell out fast.
Amlwch, five miles away, has larger supermarkets if you need a big shop.
Booking Your Cemaes Holiday Home
Our selection of Cemaes properties books up fast, especially for school holidays and summer weekends. Peak season (July and August) needs booking months ahead.
Last-minute bargains pop up occasionally when plans change. Sign up for alerts if you can be flexible.
Most self-catering properties require Saturday changeovers in summer, with three or seven-night minimum stays. Winter offers more flexibility with short breaks available.
What Else Should You Know?
Mobile signal can be patchy in this picturesque corner of Anglesey. Most cottages have WiFi, but it's worth checking if you need reliable internet.
The nearest hospital is in Bangor, about 20 miles away. Amlwch has a minor injuries unit and pharmacy.
Dog restrictions apply on main beaches between May and September. Traeth Bach welcomes dogs year-round.
Parking costs £2 for all day at the beach car park, though the town centre car park is free. After 5pm, harbour parking becomes free too.
Why Families Love This Seaside Getaway
The shallow, sheltered waters make Cemaes Bay perfect for nervous swimmers and young paddlers. Parents can relax while kids explore safely.
The promenade along Traeth Mawr means pushchairs and wheelchairs can access sea views easily. Clean, accessible toilets sit right by the beach.
Fish and chip dinners eaten on harbour walls watching boats bob create those simple memories that stick forever.
Beyond the Village
Cemaes makes an excellent base for exploring wider Anglesey. Beaumaris Castle, Plas Newydd House and the red squirrel reserve at Newborough are all within 30 minutes' drive.
South Stack lighthouse near Holyhead offers dramatic cliff-edge walks and puffin watching in spring.
Cross the Menai Strait to Snowdonia National Park for mountain adventures, just 40 minutes away.
Making the Most of Your Stay
Buy fresh crab and lobster direct from local boats. Ask at the harbour which vessels are landing that day.
Book tables at popular restaurants ahead. The Bay View and Church Bay Inn fill up fast on weekends.
Bring binoculars for wildlife watching. You'll spot porpoises, seals and incredible seabirds from coastal paths.
Pack proper walking boots. The paths reward proper footwear with access to hidden beaches and spectacular viewpoints.
Check tide times before planning beach days or coastal walks. Some paths become impassable at high tide.
Ready to Book Your Holiday Cottages in Cemaes Bay?
This unspoilt corner of North Wales offers exactly what busy lives need: space to breathe, nature to explore and communities that welcome visitors warmly.
Whether you're after an active adventure packed with coastal hikes and water sports, or a quiet retreat with nothing but books and beaches, accommodation in Cemaes Bay delivers.
The combination of natural beauty, fascinating history and genuine Welsh hospitality makes this fishing harbour something special. Couples find romance here. Families create traditions. Solo travellers discover peace.
Your perfect accommodation is waiting in Wales' most northerly village, where the past meets the present beside two of Anglesey's finest beaches.