An Epic 3-Day Pembrokeshire Itinerary

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Planning a trip to South-West Wales and wondering how to spend 3 days in Pembrokeshire without wasting time on overrated spots? If you’ve never been to Pembrokeshire before, it can be hard to decide what to see in Pembrokeshire and what deserves a spot on your itinerary.

Pembrokeshire is packed with dramatic coastline, quiet beaches, small villages, and walks that feel a world away from busy UK hotspots. But without a plan, it’s easy to miss the best bits or try to squeeze in too much. That’s where a clear, realistic itinerary makes all the difference.

This guide is based on the exact 3-day Pembrokeshire itinerary I followed myself, with a few tweaks made after experiencing it firsthand. I’ve focused on places that feel special rather than saturated, balancing coastal scenery, buckets of history, and time to slow down and enjoy where you are.

Whether you’re visiting as a couple, travelling solo, or exploring with friends, this itinerary shows you how to make the most of your time, without rushing or following the crowds. If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-track UK escape that still delivers on wow-factor, you’re in the right place.

Pembrokeshire Itinerary Summary

Day 1 – Hike the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, Evening picnic on Freshwater East Beach

Day2 – Stackpole Quay, Barafundle Bay, Bosherston Lily Ponds, and Freshwater West

Day 3 – Pembroke Castle, Tenby, Carew Castle

Pembrokeshire’s coastline is the main highlight of any trip to South Wales, so this itinerary focuses mostly on outdoor experiences.

If you have bad weather during your trip, you can always throw on some waterproofs, or focus more on the history in Pembrokeshire, exploring castles and local towns such as Tenby, Pembroke and St Davids.

3-Day Pembrokeshire Itinerary

Day 1 – Hike the Pembrokeshire Coast Path

On day one, I recommend heading straight for the beautiful and untouched Pembrokeshire Coast Path. On day one, I hiked the section from Freshwater East Beach to Stackpole Quay, which is a beautiful section.

You can walk the Pembrokeshire Coast Path in both directions from Freshwater East Beach, but I’d highly recommend the walk between Freshwater East and Stackpole Quay, where you’ll find a lovely National Trust cafe, The Boathouse Tearoom, serving light lunches, snacks and hot drinks.

The walk from Freshwater East to Stackpole Quay is approximately 3 miles each way, so allow at least 3-4 hours to complete this walk (depending on your pace and including a refuel stop at the cafe). The views along the coastline are dramatic and absolutely beautiful!

While there are no facilities on Freshwater East Beach, I liked this as it feels beautifully untouched. There is a small pub, The Freshwater Inn, a short drive from the beach, that I can recommend, but if you’re not planning to walk to the cafe at Stackpole Quay, make sure to bring a picnic lunch with you.

Picnic on Freshwater East Beach

Following your hike, on your return to Freshwater East Beach, enjoy a picnic on the beautiful beach as the sun sets. We rolled out a blanket, cracked open a bottle of bubbly, ate some cheese and bread and enjoyed the golden light and the laidback vibes while we played cards until it got dark.

Day 2

Hike from Stackpole Quay to Barafundle Bay and Bosherston Lily Ponds

On day 2 of our 3 days in Pembrokeshire, we walked from Stackpole Quay to Barafundle Bay and the Bosherston Lily Ponds. If you’re looking for a relatively easy amble along an untouched coastline, some of the UK’s most beautiful beaches and gorgeous scenery, this walk is for you.

As I recall, the walk is relatively flat and suitable for all ages and abilities and is around 6 miles in length. If you don’t fancy another hike, you can drive to Bosherston Lily Ponds and the Stackpole Estate, owned by the National Trust, and enjoy a short walk around the lakes.

If adrenaline-filled activities are your thing, you can even explore a 4-mile mountain bike trail through the Stackpole Estate.

If you’re up for a hike, start at Stackpole Quay and head west to the stunningly beautiful Barafundle Bay, around Stackpole Head and on to Broad Haven (another beautiful beach), before heading inland to enjoy a ramble around the pretty Bosherston Lakes Fish Ponds.

I was blown away by the beauty of the beaches on this walk – totally unspoiled and absolutely beautiful golden sands. You can only reach Barafundle Bay on foot, which means it remains fairly protected and cut off from the masses.

As well as The Boathouse Tearoom in Stackpole Quay, there’s a nice little cafe, The Olde World Cafe in Bosherston, just a short walk from the lakes, where we enjoyed a coffee.

To properly enjoy this walk at a relaxed pace, allow 4-5 hours, with refreshment stops along the way and plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the scenery. Parking is available at the National Trust car park at Stackpole Quay.

Freshwater West

If you find yourself with time to spare, take a drive along the coast to Freshwater West, another beautifully unspoiled beach with expensive golden sands and dunes. Again, this beach feels refreshingly cut off, although there are public toilets available.

The beach here is gorgeous and surprisingly quiet, seeing as it’s one of the most popular spots in Pembrokeshire. With so little in the way of amenities, you really get the feeling that you’ve stepped away from the rat race and stumbled upon something special.

Freshwater West claims to have some of the best waves in the country due to its south-westerly facing beach, so it’s a great spot to watch experienced surfers tackle the waves. However, due to strong rip currents, it’s advised that only strong swimmers surf here.

Day 3

Explore Pembroke Castle

A jaunt to Wales wouldn’t be complete without a trip to a Welsh castle, and history-lovers will definitely enjoy a visit to Pembroke Castle – an impressive medieval castle with a tumultuous and enthralling past.

You’ll enjoy sweeping views from the battlements, interesting exhibitions detailing the castle’s history, residents and heritage, as well as being able to picnic in the grounds or enjoy a bite to eat from the onsite cafe (closed in winter).

Tickets do not need to be booked in advance and can be purchased on arrival. Admission for adults is only £11 and well worth the cost.

Visit Carew Castle

On your way from Pembroke Castle to Tenby, don’t miss Carew Castle and Tidal Mill. Around 15 minutes from the centre of Tenby, it’s a beautiful castle ruin to visit if you’re a history lover or simply want to enjoy the beautiful views across the lake. There is a tearoom on site, which is open from March to December, serving homemade cakes and light lunches.

Carew Castle is open year-round, but the Tidal Mill is only open March-November.

Enjoy a Stroll Around Tenby

Finish your 3 days in Pembrokeshire with a trip to the famous seaside town of Tenby. While Tenby is a tourist hotspot, it’s still worth a visit to see the pastel-coloured Victorian houses that surround the harbour, as well as many quaint shops and glorious beaches – including Castle Beach, North Beach and South Beach.

If you’re feeling extra energetic, enjoy the 4.5-mile coastal walk from Tenby to Saundersfoot or hop on the ferry to Caldey Island.

There are so many sights to see that a 3-day Pembrokeshire itinerary doesn’t even scratch the surface. However, it’s a good way to dip your toes in the water and get a feel for what Pembrokeshire is all about before you plan your next trip to South Wales!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you planning a trip to Pembrokeshire? If you’ve got a question about what include in your 3-day Pembrokeshire itinerary, get in touch with me via the contact form!