An attractive coastal town, Aberaeron is notable for its squares and streets of multi-coloured Georgian houses. The large harbour is surrounded by pastel-coloured houses built in the early 19th century by Rev Alban Gwynne, who had the Aeron estuary dredged to form a new port for mid-Wales. The formally planned town was constructed around it, it is said from a design by John Nash. The Georgian planning is most visible around the Alban Square.

Aberaeron is home to a number of tourist attractions. The sea aquarium has a tide pool of local fish and the Hive on the Quay is a comprehensive interpretive centre on bees and bee-keeping where visitors can sample many honey-based products, including its famous ice cream.

Local crafts people have a number of workshops and shops in Clos Pencarreg at the southern end of town. And just three miles east of the town is Llanerchaeron, a late 18th century Nash-designed country estate which is open to the public and is being renovated by the National Trust.