Strewn along the coastline and nestling between three green hills is Aberystwyth, a bustling little university town in Wales. With its colourful Victorian townhouses strewn along the seaside promenade, it is an incredibly picturesque place and one that is steeped in history. The ideal destination for a romantic weekend away, you will be swept off your feet by the wild and raw beauty of its hills, the haunting nature of the ruins and the understated charm of the way-of-life - boasting some amazing gourmet restaurants, second-hand bookshops and classy fashionista boutiques. The best places to stay in Aberystwyth are often small charming spots with an authentic feel.

From the summit of Pen Dinas, an Iron Age hill-fort, you can see Cardigan Bay sweep before your feet. The site is a lovely hiking spot and provides fantastic panoramic views of both Aberystwyth, the surrounding countryside and coastline. But it also shows the sheer depth of the town's roots. Being in a prime location - Aberystwyth Castle, built by the Norman king Edward I in the early 12th century, was once the architectural envy of Wales. Sadly, it is now a ruin, but its imposing structure remains.

The town itself is quite beautiful. The mile-long seaside promenade, lined with pastel-coloured Victorian townhouses, is undeniably picturesque - seemingly pulled from an Edwardian seaside postcard. Further in-town are a whole host of vintage stores, secondhand-bookstores, Celtic jewellers and fashion boutiques. There are also a great many bars in Aberystwyth, over 50 in fact, an impressive variety of microbrewers and a good collection of old-fashioned oakwood pubs.

Aberystwyth is also the beating heart of Welsh culture and language, recognised widely as a "flagship" for the British arts community, with shows like Hinterland being filmed there. It is easy to see why. The landscape is lush and unspoilt, with the surrounding hills being ideal for long walks. The town lies near to Snowdon - the largest mountain in Wales - but for a gentler excursion, consider climbing Constitution Hill: with the world's largest Camera Obscura, from the summit you gain a 1000-mile bird's eye view of the surrounding landscape. If you don't fancy the long trek, take the Aberystwyth Electric Cliff Railway, which trundles up the hill and across the cliffs, providing gorgeous views of Cardigan Bay.

What not to miss

• At sunset take a gentle stroll along the seaside promenade and enjoy the sublime views of the Irish Sea.
• Head over to Aberystwyth Castle and explore the ruins of what was once Wales' most imposing castles.
• Climb to the summit of Pen Dinas, an Iron Age fort atop a hill overlooking the town, and enjoy the marvellous views!
• Check out the Aberystwyth Arts Centre for any exhibitions or concerts.
• Make the journey up Constitution Hill - by either foot or the Electric Cliff Train - and use the Camera Obscura for a 1000-mile bird's eye view.
• Get lost in the centre of town amongst the high-end fashionistas, chic boutiques, art galleries, cafes and microbreweries.

This is not a huge town and there is equally not a huge amount of accommodation so to ensure you bag a spot at one of the best places to stay in Aberystwyth we recommend booking well in advance.

The best places to stay in Aberystwyth

For Rural Grandeur

• A grand old Georgian house set in mature woodland, Nanteos gives its gests a chance to experience life in a quintessentially British home.

For a Seaside Stay

• A boutique property with fabulous sea views. Gwesty Cymru has a very central location and a charming homely feel.

For an apartment or cottage

• Our partner Booking.com has a wide range of cottages and apartments in the nearby area.

Travel information

• Dominated by the Gulf Stream, the town receives remarkably clement weather, particularly during summertime when the temperature ranges between 10 and 20 degrees.
• Fly to Birmingham International Airport and get a train to Aberystwyth.
• If you want to rent a car, contact our partner Rentalcars.

Still not sure?

• Expand your search to include our pick of the best places to stay in North Wales.
• Or scroll through the best places to stay in Wales.
• Or contact one of our Gurus for advice.

Weather

Monthly Weather in Aberystwyth