An age-old debate when booking your next holiday is whether to book a beach relaxing on the beach, or opt for a more cultural getaway, taking in the sights, sounds and history of a new place.

While there are very few places you can do both without boarding an expensive flight, one tiny little town in North Wales may have you covered – and you might never have even heard of it.

Staycations across North Wales have been booming lately, and increasingly, people want more than just a beach and an ocean view.

Visitors want somewhere they can spend a few hours walking on the beach, and then sometimes exploring rich, local history.

The coastline here is a mix of dramatic cliffs, sheltered bays, and quiet promenades; inland, rolling hills and old castles rise against the sky with Snowdonia looming just a few miles away.

From the Llŷn Peninsula’s rugged bays to the mountainous backdrop, you can combine fresh sea breezes with stories of princes, wars and mythical folklore all in the same trip.

A town perfect for this is Criccieth. The seaside resort sits on the shores of Cardigan Bay, giving you stunning coastal views on one side and mountains on the other. The town is so beautiful, it is known as the ‘Pearl of Wales on the Shores of Snowdonia’

If that wasn’t enough to keep your eyes occupied, at one end of the shoreline and overlooking the main beach is the 13th-century fortress, Criccieth Castle.

Built by Llywelyn the Great and strengthened by Edward I more than 800 years ago, it stands between two beaches. To one side, the sandy, shallow east shore, perfect for families wanting to put out some deck chairs and sit by the sea; to the other, a quieter, pebbly stretch with a dramatic view of the mountains.

For anyone wanting even more history, a drive out to the holy site of St Cybi’s Well may help you to feel younger than ever. Its waters are said to have healing properties, with the well itself thought to possibly be pagan, with its sacred status potentially dating back even before Christianity.  

Perfect for those wanting to walk, the Wales Coast Path extends right around the country’s coast, and near Criccieth, the route can be perfect to pick up for a stroll either north or south. A popular choice is following the route around the bay to the bustling harbour of Porthmadog, which can be made easier with a hop on the bus on the way back.

On a trip last year, travel blogger David McClane from Man Vs Globe claimed not many beaches in Britain offered quite the views of Criccieth.

He added: “Standing on Black Rock’s vast sands, I watch as small breakers tumble ashore and listen to gusts of wind whistle through the ridges of the dunes. 

“Not many beaches in Britain can boast scenery like this. The rugged mountains of Snowdonia provide a towering backdrop while the ancient woods, farmland, and foothills that stand between me and those distant peaks are streaked with the purple of blooming hydrangeas.”

Anyone looking for a trip away, there are plenty of local B&Bs and holiday rentals, as well as a handful of hotels and inns.