Why Aberystwyth Is Perfect For Solo Female Travellers

For the past three years, I have been living in the small Welsh town called Aberystwyth. It’s the sort of place that you’ll never find in any travel brochure – but then again, isn’t that the case with all hidden gems? I have been exploring Aberystwyth and the nearby mid-Wales by myself for the majority of these three years, and have come to the conclusion that it’s one of the safest, most exciting places to visit as a solo female traveller.

Why Aberystwyth Is Perfect For Solo Female Travellers

Local mountain ranges

Aberystwyth is conveniently located between some of the most beautiful mountains in Wales – such as the Black Mountains, Snowdon, and the Brecon Beacons, to name but a few. They lend for the perfect day trip for a solo woman traveller – all you have to do is wake up early, drive the one hour it takes to get to any one of these ranges, and spend the day hiking amongst copper, coal, and flint, staring out at the breathtaking cross-country views. Another favourite mountain to visit is Carnedd Llewelyn, which features a wonderful walk dusted with red Clogau – the sort of souvenir that could earn you thousands.

Beautiful cuisine

Welsh food is rich with diversity and flavour, and is perfect for exploring as a solo traveller. Snack on cage bach as you wander a local Welsh market, try a bowl of cockles as you sit at the beach, try out some Glamorgan sausages as you picnic atop a hill. Even try your hand at baking your own Crempogs and bara briths, enrolling on an evening cookery course to truly understand what makes Wales tick – you’re sure to meet likeminded foodies as you go.

Community

When you visit Aberystwyth, you will be immediately welcomed by the tight-knit community that thrives here. Welsh people are renowned for being some of the nicest people there are – we welcome visitors with open arms, a cup of tea, and a nice warm cage bach. In places like Aberystwyth, you’re sure to never feel lonely – locals will always want to know what you’re doing, where you’re going, and why. This makes things such as nightlife a wonderful thing to experience as a solo traveller. You will immediately find yourself adopted by a group of locals, raring to take you to the dance floor. It’s like being part of a big family.

It’s budget-friendly

Whilst our neighbours such as London and Cardiff are known for being really expensive, Aberystwyth – and pretty much every other Welsh town, come to think of it – are very budget-friendly. A cinema ticket will only put you back five pounds, and a big meal out would cost you 20 GBP maximum. You can rent out a little cottage to stay in – 50 GBP a night – and spend your evenings indulging in all the free things Wales has to offer, such as walking tours, days climbing mountains, and evenings by the beach. You name it, it’s unlikely to cost you a pretty penny.

Beaches

The Welsh coastline is one of the most beautiful things that you can visit – with places such as the Gower and Swansea Bay being travel priorities. Imagine bright white sand dotted with caves and caverns, pink dolphins swimming in the distance, waterfalls cascading from the rocks behind you… it really is a fairytale experience.

I often recommend Aberystwyth as a place for solo travel because of the hospitality and the food, but these beaches are one of the main things that you cannot miss out on. It’s a beautiful experience to be able to be by yourself as you reminisce and look out to sea, and you’re sure to return home as a whole new person.

Myths and legends

Another thing that Wales is known for are its myths and legends – and Aberystwyth really is at the centre of it all. King Arthur is a legend known all across the world – but just outside of Aberystwyth is a small place called ‘King Arthur’s Labyrinth.’ As the king was rumoured to have been born and buried in Wales, it comes as no surprise that you can visit a world ‘filled with dragons, colossal giants, fierce battles and the legendary King Arthur.’ You can learn all about his history whilst being guided through the Labyrinth by a hooded boatman, living in the dreamy romanticism of Welsh history.

Another great example of myths and legends thriving in the Aberystwyth countryside is the local castle, which was built by the one and only Owain Glyndŵr, an infamous Welsh ruler who scoured the country for decades. His own legend whispers from within the 600 castles we have across the country, where tales of early Celtic ancestors still thrive. You can visit a retelling at castles across South and North-Wales, experiencing what it would have been like to live here hundreds upon hundreds of years ago, first hand.

A love for the arts

There is a famous saying in Wales which goes ‘To be born Welsh is to be born privileged. Not with a silver spoon in your mouth, but music in your heart and poetry in your soul.’ This describes in the simplest of terms the love for the arts that the Welsh hold so dearly. We are known for our male-voice choirs, in which hoards of large men proceed to sing together, in perfect harmony, for hours on end. We have our Eisteddfods, which celebrate music, poetry, and art, and are nationwide and widely attended. We have clog dancing, an ancient Welsh dance which is still taught in schools and classes. We have famous artists such as Dylan Thomas and Catherine Jenkins, whose records are still bought in abundance. And finally, we have the most gorgeous architecture, handcrafted to perfection, with high-ceilinged galleries and marble-decorated shop roofs and oak-beamed restaurants.

It’s just one big adventure

Finally, and arguably the best reason as to why Aberystwyth is perfect for solo female travel, is that it is the perfect place to rediscover the child that still lives inside of you. Every single day in Wales is an adventure, and each day you’re bound to see something that enthrals you. Whether you walk, drive, ride a horse, or swim across Wales, you’re bound to be met with open arms, welcoming you into this place that we so lovingly call home. Aberystwyth, as one of the safest towns in the UK, is the sort of place where you can really feel yourself, and really feel at ease.

Aberystwyth is a gorgeous hub filled with history, diversity, culture, and art – and is also one of the most overlooked places on the continent. Tourists still choose places like England and France for their European getaways, which is a real shame as Wales really does have a lot to offer. Having explored this beautiful town for three years now, I am still as in love with it as I was all those years ago.

I am excited to welcome you to our wonderful town – come on, join the family.

Would you explore Aberystwyth as a solo female traveler?

This beautiful guest post was contributed by Amy Aed.

BIO: Amy is a tea-addicted traveller from Wales. She is the editor of the blog Wandering Everywhere, where she writes comprehensive guides on beautiful places, focusing on solo female travel and travelling with Crohn’s Disease.

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