The western edge of Anglesey faces the Irish Sea with nothing between you and Ireland but 60 miles of open water. On clear evenings, the sun drops into that vast horizon like a burning coin sliding into a slot, painting the sky in colours that shift from gold to copper to violet. Anglesey’s position — jutting out into the Irish Sea as the westernmost point of Wales — makes it one of the finest places in Britain for watching the day end.
South Stack Cliffs, Holy Island
The most dramatic sunset viewpoint on the island requires no debate. South Stack Lighthouse perches on its rock stack 30 metres below the clifftop, connected by a zigzagging staircase of 400 steps. As the sun lowers toward the horizon, the white-painted lighthouse catches the orange light and the sea below turns from slate grey to molten bronze.
You don’t need to descend the steps for a memorable sunset — the clifftop car park and Ellin’s Tower RSPB viewpoint offer uninterrupted western views. The cliffs themselves glow ochre and pink in the dying light, and on still evenings you might hear the choughs calling from their roosts as darkness approaches. Arrive at least 45 minutes before sunset to secure a parking space in summer; the car park fills with photographers who know this spot well.
Getting there: Follow signs for South Stack from Holyhead (Caergybi). The car park sits at the end of South Stack Road, about 3 miles from the town centre. Parking is pay-and-display.
Rhoscolyn Beach, Holy Island
Where South Stack offers drama, Rhoscolyn delivers intimacy. This sheltered cove on Holy Island’s western flank faces southwest, catching the sun as it arcs toward the water. The beach is tucked between rocky headlands, and at low tide a sweep of pale sand reflects the sky’s changing colours like a mirror.
Walk south along the coastal path from the beach for an elevated view, or stay on the sand and watch the cliffs darken to silhouettes as the light fades. The White Eagle pub (white-eagle.co.uk) sits a five-minute walk inland — time your visit to catch the sunset, then warm up with a pint and dinner.
Getting there: Rhoscolyn is signposted from the B4545 between Trearddur Bay and Four Mile Bridge. Park at the small National Trust car park at the end of the lane; it’s a short walk down to the beach.
Llanddwyn Island, Newborough
Llanddwyn (Ynys Llanddwyn) isn’t technically a separate island — a sandy causeway connects it to Newborough Beach except during the highest tides — but it feels like one. The peninsula’s collection of ruined church, lighthouse cottages, and Celtic crosses creates a silhouette that photographers travel from across Britain to capture against a burning sky.
Walk the mile-long beach from Newborough Forest car park as the afternoon light softens. Time your arrival on Llanddwyn for golden hour, and you’ll have the lighthouse pillar and Tŵr Mawr (the old beacon tower) perfectly positioned against the western sky, with the mountains of the Llŷn Peninsula rising dark across Caernarfon Bay.
Getting there: Pay for parking at the Newborough Beach car park (managed by Natural Resources Wales). Walk through the forest or along the beach — allow 20–30 minutes to reach Llanddwyn itself.
Porth Dafarch, near Trearddur Bay
A small sandy cove backed by low cliffs, Porth Dafarch faces almost due west and catches the full arc of a setting sun. The beach is popular with families during the day, but as afternoon visitors pack up, the cove empties and the light turns theatrical.
Sit on the rocks at the northern end of the beach for the clearest sightline to the horizon. The Sea Shanty (seashantycafe.co.uk) at nearby Trearddur Bay serves until early evening in summer — worth checking before you go.
Getting there: Porth Dafarch is signposted from the B4545 between Holyhead and Trearddur Bay. A small free car park sits above the beach.
Church Bay (Porth Swtan)
The northwestern tip of Anglesey feels remote even in high season. Church Bay faces northwest, which means the sun sets slightly to your right rather than dead ahead — but this creates some of the most complex skyscapes on the island, with light raking across the water at an angle and picking out every wave and ripple.
The Lobster Pot (thelobsterpot.net) overlooks the bay, and booking a window table for dinner as the light drops is one of Anglesey’s finest evening experiences. Fresh seafood, local wine, and a view that changes by the minute.
Getting there: Church Bay is signposted from the A5025 coast road between Cemaes Bay and Llanfaethlu. Parking is limited — arrive early in summer.
Cemlyn Bay
The shingle lagoon at Cemlyn Bay, managed by the North Wales Wildlife Trust, isn’t the obvious sunset spot — it faces north rather than west. But walk to the western end of the shingle ridge and you’ll find an unobstructed view toward the setting sun, with the lagoon catching reflected light and the tern colony (if visiting May–July) settling for the night in a chorus of calls.
The light here has a particular quality, bouncing off water on both sides of the narrow ridge. It’s quieter than the better-known beaches, and the lack of facilities keeps the crowds away.
Getting there: Park at the small car park at the western end of Cemlyn Bay (signed from the A5025 near Tregele). Walk along the shingle ridge for the best western views.
Practical tips for sunset watching
Check the tide. Some spots — particularly Llanddwyn and Rhoscolyn — change character dramatically between high and low water. A beach that’s spacious at low tide may be reduced to a narrow strip as the water rises.
Bring layers. Even in summer, the wind picks up as the sun drops. A west-facing clifftop can feel cold by the time the light has gone.
Stay for the afterglow. The best colours often come 15–20 minutes after the sun has actually set, when the sky cycles through pink, purple, and deep blue. Don’t rush away the moment the disc disappears.
Time it right. Sunset times shift by over four hours between midwinter and midsummer. Check before you go, and aim to arrive at your chosen spot at least 30 minutes early to settle in and watch the light build.
The west coast of Anglesey offers a sunset for every mood — wild and windswept at South Stack, peaceful and reflective at Cemlyn, romantic and photogenic at Llanddwyn. Whichever you choose, you’ll understand why this island draws people back evening after evening, watching the same sun set over the same sea but never quite the same way twice.