Tenby had been on our list for a while, so when we finally booked a seven-night stay, we decided not to cram every corner of Pembrokeshire into one hectic week.
Instead, we made Tenby our base and took things at a slower pace.
There were beach days, town days, historic places to explore, good food, plenty of walks and, most importantly, lots of time for our dog to enjoy being beside the sea.
We stayed in a flat overlooking North Beach, which turned out to be a brilliant base for exploring Tenby on foot. With the beach, harbour, shops, restaurants and historic streets all close by, we hardly needed the car once we had arrived.
Over the course of our week, we discovered some of Tenby’s best dog-friendly spots, took a short drive into the surrounding countryside and spent a full day walking along South Beach towards Penally and Giltar Point.
Here’s how our week unfolded.
Our Tenby Trip at a Glance
Length of stay: 7 nights
Base: Tenby
Journey from Buckinghamshire: Around 4 hours by car
Accommodation: Flat above North Beach
Highlights: South Beach, Castle Hill, St Catherine’s Island, Carew Castle & Tidal Mill, Penally and Giltar Point
Best for: Beaches, coastal walks, history, food and relaxed dog-friendly days out
Day 1 – Arriving in Tenby
We left Buckinghamshire early, hoping to get ahead of the traffic on what would be around a four-hour journey.
Arriving in Tenby at about 9 am meant we had most of the day ahead of us. We left the car at North Beach car park with a week pass, reasonably priced at £25.
Rather than heading straight to our accommodation, we started the holiday as we meant to continue it, with food and a walk.
Brunch at Fuchsia Cafe
Our first stop was to find some food; we picked Fuchsia Cafe for brunch before heading off to explore.
After several hours in the car, both we and the dog were ready to stretch our legs, so we wandered into Tenby and began getting our bearings.
There’s something wonderful about arriving somewhere new with no particular agenda.
We wandered through the colourful streets, explored the shops and took in our first proper views of the coastline.
And then came the moment when it felt like we were actually on holiday.
We checked into our flat above North Beach.
Our Base Above North Beach
Having accommodation so close to the town made a huge difference to our week.
It meant we could head out for a quick morning walk, return home for a rest, and then wander back into town whenever we fancied it. Although North Beach was not dog-friendly, this was not a problem as everything in Tenby is just a short walk away.
We also arranged a Tesco online grocery delivery for essentials, which meant we didn’t have to spend part of our first day searching for a supermarket.
That evening we cooked at the flat and settled into our new surroundings.
After a four-hour drive, it was the perfect gentle start to the week.
Day 2 – Exploring Tenby
Sunday was all about Tenby.
Tenby is one of those places where wandering without a plan works particularly well. There are narrow streets to explore, independent shops to browse and plenty of places where you can stop to admire the colourful buildings.
We also took a walk around Castle Hill, one of the best places to appreciate Tenby’s coastal setting.
With the sea on several sides of the town, you never feel far from the water.
It was a relaxed day of exploring, shopping and getting to know our temporary home.
Dinner at Upper Mews Burger & Bar
That evening we headed to Upper Mews Burger & Bar for dinner.
One of the biggest advantages of staying centrally in Tenby is that you can enjoy an evening meal and walk back to your accommodation afterwards. In August, we discovered that booking was sensible, as pubs and restaurants were busy.
Day 3 – South Beach & St Catherine’s Island
Monday was our first proper beach day.
We headed down to the only dog-friendly beach in Tenby, South Beach, which quickly became one of our favourite places to spend time with the dog.
The long sweep of golden sand gives you plenty of space to walk, paddle and enjoy being beside the sea.
We also went to Castle Beach, where we explored St Catherine’s Island and Fort. Although Castle Beach has dog restrictions, dogs are allowed on the sand over to the Island.
The island is one of Tenby’s most recognisable landmarks and looks particularly impressive from the beach. One word of caution: the steps up to the fort are uneven and steep; there is a metal bridge with gaps to cross, and the fort has some dark, smelly rooms that may cause a problem for some dogs.
It was a lovely combination of beach time and history, without needing to get in the car.
Fish & Chips from Oh My Cod
For dinner, we kept things suitably seaside-inspired with fish and chips from Oh My Cod.
After a day by the sea, fish and chips somehow taste even better.
We took ours back to the flat and enjoyed the end of another relaxed day overlooking North Beach.
Day 4 – Another Day Exploring Tenby
By Tuesday, we’d settled into our holiday rhythm.
There was no need to rush off somewhere else every day, so we spent more time exploring Tenby itself.
We returned to South Beach and camped out with beach walks and swims.
One of the things we particularly enjoyed about our week was not feeling the need to tick everything off in one day.
If we liked somewhere, we went back.
That’s one of the pleasures of staying somewhere for a whole week rather than making Tenby a quick stop on a road trip.
Dinner at Florentino’s
That evening we headed to Florentino’s, near the harbour, for an Italian meal.
The harbour area is particularly lovely in the evening, when the town begins to wind down.
Day 5 – Carew Castle & Carew Tidal Mill
Wednesday gave us a chance to explore beyond Tenby.
We jumped in the car for the short drive to Carew Castle and Carew Tidal Mill.
Both were dog-friendly, making them an easy choice for half a day out when you’re travelling with your dog.
Carew Castle is an impressive medieval ruin overlooking the millpond, while the tidal mill provides a fascinating glimpse into the area’s past.
It’s the sort of outing that works particularly well when you don’t want to spend hours travelling.
After our morning exploring, we returned to Tenby and enjoyed a quiet evening with dinner at the flat.
Sometimes, after a busy day, there’s nothing better than putting your feet up and letting the dog sleep off the day’s adventures.
Day 6 – The Big South Beach Walk
Thursday was the day we’d been looking forward to.
We headed back to South Beach, but this time we weren’t just staying close to Tenby.
We followed the beach towards Penally, continuing onwards towards Giltar Point.
This was one of the highlights of the whole holiday.
The landscape gradually changes as you leave Tenby behind, with increasingly open views across the coast and plenty of space for the dog to explore.
There’s something very satisfying about seeing Tenby gradually disappear behind you as you follow the shoreline.
If you enjoy longer coastal walks, this is definitely one to put on your list.
A Drink at Harbwr
After our walk, we headed to Harbwr Brewery & Tap for a well-earned drink.
The beer garden was a particularly welcome stop after all those miles.
And, because apparently one portion of fish and chips wasn’t enough for the week, we had fish and chips again.
No regrets.
Day 7 – South Beach, Shopping & Harbwr
Our final full day was deliberately slow.
We went back to South Beach for more time with the dog, splashing around and enjoying one last proper dose of Tenby seaside life.
There was also time for some final shopping before we headed back to Harbwr Brewery & Tap.
This time we stayed for drinks and food.
It made a lovely final evening.
By this point, we’d found our favourite places, knew where we wanted to walk and had completely settled into the Tenby rhythm.
And that’s perhaps what made the week so enjoyable.
There was no pressure to keep moving.
Day 8 – Time to Go Home
Sadly, all good holidays have to end.
We checked out at around 8:30 am and began the four-hour journey back to Buckinghamshire.
After a week beside the sea, the drive home always feels a little different.
But we left knowing we’d had exactly the kind of holiday we wanted: plenty of time outside, lots of exploring and a dog who had spent a whole week discovering new smells, beaches and walking routes.
Eating & Drinking in Tenby
We kept food fairly relaxed throughout the week.
For lunches, we often made our own simple sandwiches using bread, cheese and other supplies from the supermarket and bakery.
This worked particularly well on beach and walking days. There was no need to stop somewhere for a full lunch when we could pack something and keep exploring.
We also made good use of the local beer.
Harbwr Brewery was our choice for beer on our evenings at the flat, as well as for a couple of memorable stops during the week.
Our evening meals included:
- Fuchsia Caffe – brunch
- Upper Mews Burger & Bar
- Oh My Cod – fish and chips
- Florentino’s – Italian
- Harbwr Brewery & Tap – drinks and food
- Several relaxed meals cooked at the flat
And yes, we had fish and chips more than once. You’re in Tenby. It’s practically compulsory.
Our Favourite Things About Staying in Tenby
Being able to walk everywhere
Staying centrally meant we could leave the car parked for much of the week.
That’s a huge benefit when you’re travelling with a dog.
We could head to the beach, explore the town, grab a drink or find somewhere to eat without having to worry about parking.
South Beach
South Beach became our go-to place for dog walks and beach time.
It’s beautiful and spacious, and it gives you the option to either stay close to Tenby or turn your visit into a much longer beach walk.
St Catherine’s Island
It’s difficult to miss St Catherine’s Island when you’re in Tenby, but it’s worth taking the time to explore it properly.
The island adds something completely different to a beach day and makes for some brilliant coastal photographs.
Carew Castle & Tidal Mill
The short drive from Tenby makes Carew an excellent change of scene.
If you’re looking for a dog-friendly historic half-day out without spending hours in the car, it’s well worth considering.
What we Didn’t do in Tenby
Caldey Island sits just off South Beach, and you can take a boat over and spend the day walking and on the beach. We chose not to do this as our dog is not very good on a boat. But if yours is, we would definitely suggest adding this to your agenda.
Is Tenby Good for a Dog-Friendly Holiday?
Absolutely.
What makes Tenby particularly appealing is the variety.
You can spend the morning walking on the beach, wander through the historic town in the afternoon and finish the day with a drink at a dog-friendly pub or brewery.
And when you want to explore further, some of Pembrokeshire’s most beautiful countryside and historic attractions are only a short drive away.
The key is to check the latest seasonal beach restrictions before you visit, as dog access varies by time of year.
Our Tips for a Week in Tenby with a Dog
Stay somewhere central
Being close to the beach and town made the whole holiday much easier.
Don’t try to see everything
Pembrokeshire is enormous.
You could spend every day driving somewhere different, but you don’t have to.
Some of our favourite moments were simply sitting on the beach or wandering around Tenby.
Have a mixture of beach and sightseeing days
This worked particularly well for us.
We mixed town days and beach days with one trip further afield.
Make use of the supermarkets
Our online Tesco delivery meant the essentials were waiting for us when we arrived.
It saved time and meant we could make simple lunches and meals at the flat.
Pack a picnic for longer walks
Bread, cheese and a drink were often all we needed for lunch.
It meant we could stay out longer and eat when it suited us.
Check beach restrictions before travelling
This is especially important during the summer months.
Of Tenby’s three town beaches, only one allows dogs year-round.
Our 7-Night Tenby Itinerary
| Day | What we did |
| Saturday | Arrived at 9 am, brunch at Fuchsia Caffe, explored Tenby, checked into our flat and relaxed |
| Sunday | Explored Tenby, shops and Castle Hill; dinner at Upper Mews Burger & Bar |
| Monday | South Beach and St Catherine’s Island; fish and chips from Oh My Cod |
| Tuesday | Tenby and St Catherine’s Island; Italian dinner at Florentino’s |
| Wednesday | Carew Castle & Tidal Mill; relaxed evening at the flat |
| Thursday | South Beach → Penally → Giltar Point; drinks at Harbwr Brewery & Tap, and fish and chips for a second time |
| Friday | South Beach, shopping and a final visit to Harbwr Brewery & Tap for food and drinks |
| Saturday | Checked out at 8:30 am and drove home |
Planning Your Own Tenby Adventure
Our week showed us that you don’t need an action-packed itinerary to have a fantastic dog-friendly holiday in Pembrokeshire.
Tenby works brilliantly as a base.
Spend a day exploring the town. The next morning, head for the beach. Take a short drive to a castle. Walk further along the coast. Stop for a drink. Have fish and chips. Then do absolutely nothing for a few hours.
That’s the beauty of it.
We’ve created detailed MyPAWfectPlace guides for the places we visited and researched, so you can dig deeper into the individual beaches, walks, attractions, food and dog-friendly places before planning your own trip.
Explore our Tenby guides
🐾 Dog-Friendly Tenby Guide
Everything you need to know about visiting Tenby with your dog.
🏖️ Tenby Town Beaches Dog-Friendly Guide
Beach access, walking, seasonal restrictions and our tips for enjoying South Beach with your dog.
🏝️ St Catherine’s Island & Fort
Discover Tenby’s dramatic island fortress and how to make the most of a visit.
🏰 Carew Castle & Tidal Mill
A dog-friendly historic day out just a short drive from Tenby.
🍺 Dog-Friendly Pubs, Cafes & Places to Eat in Tenby
Our guide to places where you and your dog can enjoy a drink, meal or coffee together.
Would We Go Back?
Without hesitation.
Seven nights gave us enough time to settle into Tenby rather than pass through.
We found beaches to explore, walks to enjoy, historic places to discover and plenty of good food and drink along the way.
But perhaps the biggest reason we’d return is that we still haven’t seen everything.
If we were to use the car a little more, there are more beaches to discover, more sections of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path to walk and plenty more places waiting to be explored with our dog.
And that’s exactly what we want from a holiday.
Not a list of things we’ve ticked off, but a place that makes us want to come back.
Thank you, Tenby; we’ll see you again. 🐾
