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St DavidsTyddewi

St Davids.
Photo: presumably en:User:Chrisrivers, CC BY-SA 3.0

Give St Davids one full day and two nights: cathedral and Bishop's Palace in the morning, coast path or a Ramsey Island boat in the afternoon. A car helps.

St Davids is Britain's smallest city, population about 1,750, and the westernmost city in Wales. It exists for two things: the cathedral and the Bishop's Palace, and the Pembrokeshire Coast Path that runs past both. The city itself is 15 minutes end to end on foot. Everything else — Whitesands Beach, St Justinian, the boat trips, the cliff walks — is a short drive or a longer walk out. Come for one full day and two nights, or use it as a stop on a Pembrokeshire coast trip. A car makes the peninsula far easier; without one you are tied to the 411 and T11 buses.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
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More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
GBP
Best months
May–Jun, Sep
avoid Jul–Aug (crowds, full car parks), school summer holidays for camping minimum stays
Airports
Cardiff (CWL) · Bristol (BRS)
Nights
2

About St Davids

St Davids, called Tyddewi in Welsh, holds the title of Britain's smallest city and lies within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park on the River Alun. It is the westernmost city in Wales, and the A487 links it to Haverfordwest and Fishguard. The city is the burial place of Saint David, the patron saint of Wales, and carries his name. Its 210 listed buildings draw walkers, tourists and modern pilgrims, and several old structures, the Bishop's Palace among them, admit the public. In 2021 the population was 1,750.

City status came in the 12th century, a rank traditionally granted to cathedral towns. The cathedral is described as the most important in Wales. Walking suits the place best, since it is compact, and the coast around St Davids Head is reached on foot via many trails.

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for St Davids: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
  • Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
  • Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
  • United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
  • United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
  • United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices

See

What is worth your time in St Davids.

  • St David's Cathedral — The most important cathedral in Wales, with no admission charge and an organ festival each year at the end of May.
  • Bishop's Palace — A ruined building across a small river from the cathedral that shows the former wealth and power of the clergy; adult entry is £5.
  • Whitesands Beach — A broad sandy beach with views of Ramsey Island, split into zones for swimmers and for surfers and windsurfers, with lifeguards on duty.
  • St Davids Lifeboat Station — At St Justinian, the boathouse stands on stilts above the water and displays tell of rescues, many of boats caught on The Bitches rocks in Ramsey Sound.
  • The Bug Farm — A research centre and visitor attraction at Lower Harglodd Farm devoted to invertebrates.

Do

  • Take a rigid inflatable boat tour around RSPB Ramsey Island from St Justinian, bringing a waterproof coat against the spray.
  • Walk sections of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, then ride a subsidised council bus back to the starting point.
  • Swim or scuba dive, and visit the beaches within a short drive of the city, most of which have lifeguards.
  • Join a surfing lesson at Ma Simes Surf Hut on High Street.

Eat and drink

Specialities of this place.

  • The Old Cross Hotel — On Cross Square, a quieter spot than many of the busier tourist places for a drink and a snack.
  • The Bench — An Italian-style coffee and wine bar and ice cream parlour on High Street, serving pasta and home-made pizzas.
  • Farmers Arms — On Goat Street, the only real pub in the city, so it tends to be busy, and it serves hot food.

Customs

  • Welsh name for the city is Tyddewi, meaning house of David.
  • The city forms part of a cultural history area in Wales.
  • Pilgrims, walkers and tourists come to the city, and its cathedral is central to that draw.

Events

  • Annual organ festival — Held at St David's Cathedral.end of May
Emergency numbers for St Davids999 ▾
  • Emergency (police, fire, ambulance, coastguard)999
  • Emergency from any phone, EU-wide112
  • NHS non-urgent advice111
  • Police non-urgent101

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about St Davids, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeCoffee or tea in a café£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
  • Sit-down mealPub main course£12–20 (≈ US$16–30)
  • Street or quick mealSandwich or pasty from a deli£4–7 (≈ US$6–10)
  • BeerPint of beer in a pub£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
  • Museum or sight ticketCathedral entryFree; donations recommended
  • Budget bedCampsite pitch with tent, a night, per room£18 (≈ US$25)
  • Mid-range bedHotel or inn double room, a night, per room£150 (≈ US$200)
  • High-end bedHotel or inn double room, a night, per room£260 (≈ US$350)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget £55 (≈ US$75) · Mid £100 (≈ US$140) · High £180 (≈ US$250)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

St Davids CathedralBishop's Palace ruinsPembrokeshire Coast PathWhitesands Beach and Ramsey Island boat trips
Airports
CWL Cardiff Airport (About 2 h 30 min by road; check onward bus and rail connections.) · BRS Bristol Airport (About 3 h 30 min by road via the M4 and A40.)

Map of St Davids

Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.

SolvaAbereiddyPorthgainNewgaleAbercastleBroad HavenHerbrandstonHaverfordwest

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

  • St Davids
  • Basic guide

Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps

Guides nearby

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    not flagged

    8°C (46°F)

  2. Feb

    not flagged

    8°C (46°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    10°C (50°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    12°C (54°F)

  5. May

    Best

    15°C (59°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    17°C (63°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid

    19°C (66°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    19°C (66°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    17°C (63°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    14°C (57°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    11°C (52°F)

  12. Dec

    not flagged

    9°C (48°F)

Best: May–Jun, Sep. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (19°C (66°F)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F) low), wettest Jan (16 rain days), driest Jun (9). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

St Davids: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

8°C (46°F)

3°C (37°F)

16 rd

Feb

8°C (46°F)

3°C (37°F)

13 rd

Mar

10°C (50°F)

4°C (39°F)

13 rd

Apr

12°C (54°F)

5°C (41°F)

11 rd

May

15°C (59°F)

8°C (46°F)

10 rd

Jun

17°C (63°F)

10°C (50°F)

9 rd

Jul

19°C (66°F)

12°C (54°F)

9 rd

Aug

19°C (66°F)

12°C (54°F)

11 rd

Sep

17°C (63°F)

11°C (52°F)

11 rd

Oct

14°C (57°F)

9°C (48°F)

15 rd

Nov

11°C (52°F)

6°C (43°F)

16 rd

Dec

9°C (48°F)

4°C (39°F)

16 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Walk in the city: Cross Square to the cathedral is about 5 minutes downhill. For the coast, use the seasonal council coast bus (check the current timetable) or drive; lanes are narrow with passing places and main car parks fill by mid-morning in summer. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path runs through the peninsula, so you can walk between bays and bus back.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Solva

go

Door to door: 1.5–2 h on foot

Coast path walk east, about 3 miles, or the 411 bus

Harbour village with pubs; walk back along the coast or take the bus.

Whitesands Beach and St Davids Head

go

Door to door: 15–20 min by car

Car or coast bus to Whitesands, then walk

Lifeguarded in season; the headland walk is exposed — take a windproof.

Ramsey Island (RSPB)

caution

Door to door: Half a day

Boat from St Justinian, about 10 min by car from the centre

Landing trips are limited and weather-dependent; book ahead.

Fishguard

go

Door to door: About 30–40 min by car

A487 by car, or the 411 bus

Ferry port for Ireland and a rail link; useful as a wet-day or onward stop.

Tenby

go

Door to door: About 1 h

Car via the A487 and A478

Walled seaside town; a full day out, not a quick hop.

Pembroke

go

Door to door: About 45 min

Car via the A487 and A477

Castle and town; pairs well with a Haverfordwest rail connection.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Cross Square and High Street

The centre: pubs, cafés, shops and the cathedral 5 minutes downhill. Best for a short stay without a car.

The Pebbles and The Close

The lane down to the cathedral and Bishop's Palace; quietest for the sights themselves.

Whitesands and St Justinian

Coast and beach bases 5–10 min by car; YHA hostel and campsites; needs a car or bus.

Caerfai and Porthclais

South and west of the centre; camping, cottages and cliff walks.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
£45–75 (≈ US$60–100) excl. bed
Mid
£75–130 (≈ US$100–180) excl. bed
High
£130 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Hotel or inn double room1 × 2 nights × £150£300
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × £100£400
Bishop's Palace adult entry2 × £5£10
Ramsey Island landing trip2 × £20£40
Cathedral entry2 × £0 · Free; donations recommended for upkeep.£0
eSIM, about a week of data2 × £10£20
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge£77
Trip total≈ £212 per person per day, bed included£847≈ US$1,200

2026 estimate in pounds; travel to Pembrokeshire excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee or tea in a café£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
Pub main course£12–20 (≈ US$16–30)
Sandwich or pasty from a deli£4–7 (≈ US$6–10)
Pint of beer in a pub£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
Cathedral entryFree; donations recommended
Bishop's Palace adult entry£5 (≈ US$7)
Ramsey Island boat tripFrom about £20 (≈ US$30)
Car park, half day£3–6 (≈ US$4–8)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Very safe. The real risks are the sea and the weather: fast tides and cold water off St Justinian and Ramsey Sound, cliff edges in wind, and narrow lanes with passing places. Swim between lifeguard flags only.
  • Car parks at Whitesands, the cathedral and St Justinian are fee-paying and fill early in summer; have a fallback.
  • Many lanes and minor roads are single-track with passing places: drive slowly and use the passing places.
  • Swim only between the lifeguard flags at Whitesands; check daily lifeguard cover before you go in.
  • Boat trips to Ramsey Island are weather-dependent and sell out: book ahead and take a waterproof.
  • Camping and some self-catering have minimum stays in the school summer holidays: check before booking.

Emergency numbers

Emergency (police, fire, ambulance, coastguard)
999
Emergency from any phone, EU-wide
112
NHS non-urgent advice
111
Police non-urgent
101

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

St DavidsTyddewi

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

I'r cyfeiriad hwn, os gwelwch yn ddaTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Emergency (police, fire, ambulance, coastguard)999
  • Emergency, any phone112
  • NHS non-urgent111
  • Police non-urgent101

Embassy

No embassies in St Davids; London has the main embassies and Cardiff has consulates for some countries. Check your own country's list.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Bus 411 St Davids → Haverfordwest: check the current timetable and fare with Richards Coaches
  • Bus T11 Haverfordwest station → St Davids: check the current timetable and fare
  • Taxi in the city: short hops only; check locally

Say or show

  • Helo — Hello (HEH-loh)
  • Diolch — Thank you (DEE-olch)
  • Os gwelwch yn dda — Please (os GWEL-ookh un thah)
  • Hwyl fawr — Goodbye (hooil vowr)
  • Ble mae'r toiled? — Where is the toilet? (bleh mire TOY-led)
  • Faint yw e? — How much is it? (fynt yoo eh)

Welsh is co-official in Wales; English is spoken everywhere.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for St Davids. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Jun, Sep · avoid Jul–Aug (crowds, full car parks), school summer holidays for camping minimum stays · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 6 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for CWL and BRS: last bus and rail times field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Cross Square, The Pebbles and The Close, Whitesands and St Justinian, Caerfai and Porthclais.
  3. Place pages with verified cutoffs (cathedral, Bishop's Palace, Oriel y Parc, Whitesands) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Coast bus and boat-trip fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to United Kingdom

Sources

Ask about St Davids

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