Carmarthen

Travel Guide
Photo by Steve Ponsford
Carmarthen is said to bethe oldest town in Wales, and has an incredibly rich history, dating back topre-Roman times. The county town ofCarmarthenshire, it sits on the River Towy, eightmiles north of beautiful Carmarthen Bay and itsfamous beaches. With an abundance of historical sites, an extremely diverseshopping experience, and pubs and restaurants galore,Carmarthen is a place you will remember for a longtime after your visit.

Sport in Carmarthen

Typical of many Welsh towns,Carmarthen has a strong sporting tradition, withtwo rugby union teams, Carmarthen Quins andCarmarthen Athletic, and a rugby league team, CPCBears. The town also boasts its own football team,Carmarthen Town FC, and an athletic team,Carmarthen Harriers. There are two golf courses inthe town, while Carmarthen Leisure Centre offersfacilities for a wide range of sports, including swimming, tennis, squash,gymnastics and martial arts. Carmarthen Park alsooffers sporting facilities, most notably a cycling velodrome that has been incontinuous use since its opening in 1900.

Shopping in Carmarthen

From small independent traders to major high streetchains, cobbled medieval streets to modern shopping centres,Carmarthen offers an enticing mix of old and new. Takeyour time to explore the winding lanes and alleys of the old town and itscharacter-filled selection of independent shops, or visit St. Catherine’s Walkand Merlin’s Walk for a more contemporary shopping experience. In the towncentre, Guildhall Square, Red and Blue Streets, Lammas Street and Dark Gate areall brimming with shops and cafes nestled in amongst historicalbuildings.

Food and Drink in Carmarthen

Carmarthen has arestaurant or cafe to please every palate, from traditional Welsh cooking tothe most exotic international cuisine. For traditional fare little can beatenjoying tasty dishes in the local pubs whilst sampling a selection of locallybrewed beers. You should make a point of visiting Carmarthen Market, whichdates to Roman times, and offers an excellent selection of localproduce.

Things to See and do in Carmarthen

At one time a Roman fort, named Moridunum, the towntoday has one of the few remaining Roman amphitheatres. CarmarthenCastle was built on the site of a Norman castle that was  destroyed in 1215.

Carmarthen was one of thefirst medieval walled towns in Wales, and features many other historicbuildings and monuments, such as the Guildhall, Picton Monument, St. PetersChurch, Carmarthen Bridge and Pont King Morganbridge.

You can learn aboutCarmarthen’s fascinating history at theCarmarthenshire County Museum in Abergwili, a shortdrive or bus ride from the town centre. Set in beautiful gardens, and featuringartefacts from every time period, from mammoth bones to Roman coins, Welshdressers and local pottery, it is well worth a visit.

If you follow the river a few miles to the south toCarmarthen Bay you will find several famousbeaches to explore, such as Pendine Sands and Cefn Sidan, and also come acrossthe superbly preserved Norman castle at Kidwelly.

Visit Carmarthen

With a heritage to rival anything in Wales, a hugevariety of shops, restaurants and pubs, and an idyllic surrounding countryside,this medieval town offers an unforgettable experience.

The Ivy Bush Royal Hotel By Compass Hospitality
The Ivy Bush Royal Hotel By Compass Hospitality
3 out of 5
11 Spilman Street, Carmarthen, Wales
The price is RM444 per night from 26 May to 27 May
RM444
per night
26 May - 27 May
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Carmarthen. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8/10 Very Good! (241 reviews)
Good stay
"Good stay, excellent lication near town centre, hotel a little tired but clean with good staff an excellent breakfast and free parking."

Reviewed on 18 May 2024

The Ivy Bush Royal Hotel By Compass Hospitality
Spilman Hotel
Spilman Hotel
3 out of 5
36 Spilman Street, Carmarthen, Wales
The price is RM493 per night from 17 Jun to 18 Jun
RM493
per night
17 Jun - 18 Jun
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Carmarthen. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (325 reviews)
"Stunning as usual"

Reviewed on 21 May 2024

Spilman Hotel
Picton House Hotel
Picton House Hotel
4 out of 5
Picton House, Llanddowror, Carmarthen, Wales
The price is RM517 per night from 10 Jun to 11 Jun
RM517
per night
10 Jun - 11 Jun
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Carmarthen. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (106 reviews)
"Lovely property and friendly relaxed staff. The food was lovely. We will go back."

Reviewed on 20 May 2024

Picton House Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Nik The Greek
Nik The Greek
4 out of 5
9-13 Stepney Road, Burry Port, Wales
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Burry Port. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Burry Port Lighthouse and Pembrey Country ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (36 reviews)
"Location close to family"

Reviewed on 16 Mar 2024

Nik The Greek
The Sleeping Giant - Pen Y Cae Inn
The Sleeping Giant - Pen Y Cae Inn
3 out of 5
Pen Y Ace Inn, Swansea, Wales
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly vacation home in Swansea. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and premium bedding. Popular attractions Craig-y-Nos Country Park ...
10/10 Exceptional! (6 reviews)
Perfect stay
"The cleanest place ever stayed. New and well thought facility. Good communication. No sign at the entrance, easy to miss."

Reviewed on 7 May 2024

The Sleeping Giant - Pen Y Cae Inn
Snow White's House - Farm Park Stay with Hot Tub, BBQ & Fire Pit
Snow White's House - Farm Park Stay with Hot Tub, BBQ & Fire Pit
3 out of 5
Coynant Farm Guest House, Swansea, Wales
Stay at this 3-star cottage in Swansea. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions RSPB Cwm Clydach Reserve and Quad Challenge ...
6/10 (2 reviews)
"cotrage was lovely and quaint .hottub was lush .only downside is i was expecti g a little holiday type village with tge cottages dotted aroynd ina woodlands type ..its not.this cottage is literally just in the front garden of tbe farmers house ( lovely gent ) .. lovely and quiet ..clean cottage .very ..."

Reviewed on 7 Mar 2023

Snow White's House - Farm Park Stay with Hot Tub, BBQ & Fire Pit
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Carmarthen

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
32
" "5 - Excellent 40.50632911392405%
4 - Good
41
" "4 - Good 51.89873417721519%
3 - Okay
6
" "3 - Okay 7.594936708860759%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Dave
20 Feb 2020

Carmarthen has all the main shops you could want with restaurants and cafes , these are all with in easy walking distance from the Old Priory Guest House. it is advisable to be able to drive if you wish to go site seeing

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
9 Dec 2019

Lovely shops and very friendly people.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
28 Nov 2019

Visited llansteffan castle, had a lovely time.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
26 Oct 2019

I enjoyed my overnight stay in Carmarthen but I arrived late and left early the next morning.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
6 Sep 2019

We stayed in Laugharne not Carmarthen!!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
26 Aug 2019

Laugharne is breathtakingly beautiful around the castle and estuary. The walk to Dylan Thomas's boathouse is a must.