Aberdare is a town in the Cynon Valley area of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, at the confluence of the Rivers Dare and Cynon. Aberdare has a population of 39,550. Aberdare is 4 miles south-west of Merthyr Tydfil, 20 miles north-west of Cardiff and 22 miles east-north-east of Swansea.