If you’re planning your first visit to Wales, we have just one question: what took you so long?
Although, we do understand. Wales might be a fascinating and beautiful country, but visitors often overlook it in favour of England’s better-known sights and cities. But Wales has actually had a thriving tourism industry for centuries, and its popularity as a holiday destination is ever-growing. And it’s easy to see why!
People are drawn to this little country for its dramatic landscapes, stunning coastline, rich history and authentic culture. It’s a wonderful place for a holiday, whatever your vacation style. Whether you want to visit the capital city’s galleries, shops, restaurants and museums, enjoy a traditional seaside break on a golden sandy beach, or go hiking, mountain biking, surfing or kayaking, Wales is the perfect playground.
But if you’ve never visited before, it can be tricky to know where to start, so we’ve put together this guide to Wales for first-time visitors. It contains everything you need to know to plan the perfect holiday.
Let’s get started!
Welcome to Wales!
Croeso i Cymru! Welcome to Wales! A little country with a big heart and an even bigger soul.
If you’ve never visited Wales, you might wonder what’s so special about it. Isn’t it basically just another bit of England? To that, we say No! And how dare you?!
Wales is a fascinating country with a history going back hundreds of thousands of years and a personality, language and culture quite distinct from its eastern neighbour.
Welshness has its roots with the Celtic people. And this can still be clearly seen today despite the many invasions by the Normans, Romans, and English who sought to stamp out this way of life.
Wales has faced many challenges over the years, from conquest and revolt to industrialisation and the collapse of the mining industry to the decline and almost eradication of the Welsh Language. But despite all this, the country remains a resilient nation with a fierce belief in its place in the modern world and a resurging pride in its language, culture and customs.
Wales is a land of song, a land of castles, coal mines, and eisteddfods. It’s filled with country villages, thriving market towns, vibrant seaside resorts, and bustling cities. It’s a place to explore wild coastlines, vast national parks, rolling hills, verdant valleys, and towering mountains. A playground in which to enjoy adventure sports, attend internationally renowned festivals, discover excellent food, spot fantastic wildlife, meet wonderful people and, above all, make incredible memories.
Which area’s best for you?
Wales may be a small country, but it’s surprisingly varied from east to west and north to south. And although travelling around enjoying the hills and valleys of Mid Wales and the stunning coastal roads is a wonderful experience, you don’t want to spend your whole holiday on the move.
So you need to pick a base in an area that best suits your needs.
Luckily for you, Wales has got the perfect spot for everyone. Whether you’re a family with young children, a couple on a romantic break, an urban explorer, a foodie, a hiker or a surfer, read on to find your perfect place to stay.
Best places in Wales for families
Wales is very popular for family holidays, both with first-time visitors and those who enjoyed holidays here when they were kids and want to pass it on to the next generation. A large part of the appeal is the many beautiful beaches, almost 40 of which have Blue Flag status for their cleanliness and safety, perfect for a traditional seaside holiday.
Many families head straight for Pembrokeshire in South Wales for its stunning beaches and abundant attractions. Lively Tenby, quieter Saundersfoot, and often overlooked Newport, are popular with families. Also, in the south, you have Barry Island, where you have all the amenities of a vibrant summer resort with the city nearby, should you want it.
Moving up the coast, Cardigan and Aberporth offer plenty of activities to entertain all ages. Aberystwyth is a brilliant Mid Wales spot with dramatic scenery and abundant attractions, and Barmouth in Gwynedd has a beach offering old-fashioned amusements in stunning surroundings.
In North Wales, Abersoch and Pwllheli on the Llyn Peninsula and Benllech and Beaumaris on Anglesey are the most popular places for traditional seaside holidays in beautiful locations.
Best places in Wales for families with teens
Families travelling with older children will find that many places listed above have plenty of amusements for all ages, especially Tenby. But if you want more options, Cardiff is another great choice. It’s home to plenty of all-weather activities, including interactive museums, a rock climbing centre, a go-kart track, indoor surfing, an artificial rafting river and an ice rink.
If you want to avoid the city centre, the Cardiff Bay area is also a lively spot with plenty of attractions, including a Wetlands reserve ideal for walks and picnics and a lovely waterfront recreation space.
And North Wales is making a name for itself as the adrenaline capital of Wales, so if you want to keep your teens busy with extreme ziplining and underground trampoline parks, make your way north.
Best places in Wales for couples
If you’re looking for a romantic break, you could choose a secluded beach, a remote country escape, a stay for two in the mountains, or a sophisticated urban break. Some of the best spots for romance are:
Betws-y-Coed in the Conwy Valley. This remote spot is the gateway to the Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park and is perfect for romantic hikes beside sparkling lakes and magical forests.
Stay on Anglesey to combine hiking, sightseeing, fine dining and distillery hopping with a trip to Ynys Llanddwyn, the tidal island where St. Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers, once lived.
The Gower Peninsula is one of the most beautiful areas of Wales. It is perfect for walking, surfing, and relaxing in stunning surroundings, with all the amenities and bright lights of Swansea an easy drive away.
Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) is just built for romantic breaks. Take long walks in the hills stopping for relaxed lunches and evening drinks in cosy country pubs before returning to secluded accommodation. And if you want to up the romance, head to the Usk Reservoir Dark Sky Site to do some star gazing in one of the best dark sky reserves in the country.
Cardiff is the place if you want your romance with a side of urban life. Enjoy abundant shopping, eclectic dining options, elegant health spas, vibrant nightlife, and endless entertainment.
Best places for water sports in Wales
If it’s surf you’re after, you’ll find beaches up and down the coastline with surf schools and rental shops designed to get you out on the water. For some of the best surf spots, head to Newgale in Pembrokeshire, Porthcawl in Bridgend County, Rhosneigr off Anglesey, the ominously named Hell’s Mouth on the Llyn Peninsula or, possibly Wales’s best surfing spot, the Gower Peninsula. And if the waves aren’t in Wales when you are, don’t worry; head to Surf Snowdonia, Wales’s first artificial surfing lake!
Wales is also a popular location for Stand Up Paddleboarding, sea kayaking, snorkelling and Coasteering – a form of extreme coastal adventuring where you climb, jump, slide and swim around the coastline.
Pembrokeshire, Cardigan, and Anglesey are the best spots for these kinds of watersports, and you’ll find rental outlets and instructors in all the popular beach destinations. Dale in north Pembrokeshire is one of the best places. It’s the town in Wales which receives the most hours of sunshine. So what better place to take to the water to sail, surf, kayak, SUP board, windsurf and swim?
And if you prefer your watersports in fresh water, head to the Eryri or Bannau Brycheiniog national parks to white water raft down river rapids, kayak across mountain lakes, go canyoning and gorge walking.
Best places for hikers and bikers in Wales
Wales is just one big adventure playground, perfect for walkers, mountain bikers, and trail runners.
Hikers have no end of choices since Wales lets you walk the entirety of its coastline. The Wales Coast Path stretches from Chepstow in the south to the Dee Estuary near Chester in the north. Some of the most popular sections of it are the Pembrokeshire Coast Path which leads past spectacular beaches and scenery, or the Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path, which lets you circumnavigate the whole island with a walk of 135 miles!
Another option is Wales’ longest hike, the Offa’s Dyke Path, which stretches the length of the Wales-England border for 177 miles passing through stunning scenery and three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Hay-on-Wye makes a great base for tackling this hike, as you can enjoy both the Wye Valley and Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. Alternatively, enjoy a holiday in Llangollen, then take two or three days to walk the 42 miles to seaside Prestatyn.
If you’d rather hit the trails on a bike, the national parks are the place for you. The Brecon Beacons have dedicated mountain biking trails for all abilities, while Snowdonia National Park has fully equipped bike parks, equipment hire shops, and routes for all levels.
For a more mellow way of cycling, try the Elan Valley Trail through a fantastic Mid Wales landscape of Victorian dams and reservoirs. Cycle around Cardiff Bay or visit The Swansea Valley Trail to enjoy stunning views of the Brecon Beacons, the Black Mountains and Carmarthen Fans. For a short but lovely trail, hit the Tramway between Saundersfoot and Stepaside.
Best places in Wales for foodies
If, for you, travel is all about trying excellent food and discovering new delicacies, then Wales won’t disappoint. It’s a land that loves its food and prides itself on the excellence of its produce.
Certain Welsh staples like Cawl (a hearty stew of potatoes, leaks and Welsh lamb), and Welsh cakes (flat scone-like cakes best served hot with butter), you’ll be able to try anywhere, but there are certain areas you should aim for if you want to focus on food.
One of these places is Abergavenny, home to the largest food festival in Wales, which attracts over 30,000 people each year. Even outside of food fair times, this South Wales market town will ensure you enjoy excellent, locally sourced meals, especially if you visit the nearby Michelin-starred restaurant The Walnut Tree.
Narberth in Pembrokeshire, is a tiny town with a big reputation for food. The colourful high street is filled with independent delis, traditional butchers and fishmongers and more than its fair share of excellent restaurants.
Conwy is famous for its world-renowned mussels, and excellent seafood. If you stay there, you’ll find a Bib Gourmand-winning restaurant along the coast in Colwyn Bay and a Michelin-starred restaurant, Sosban and the Old Butchers, just across the bridge on Anglesey.
And if one Michelin star isn’t enough for you, never fear. Just head to Ynyshir in Machynlleth, Powys, for a two-Michelin-starred, immersive dining experience you’ll never forget.
And if you’re after something more relaxed (yet possibly more delicious), head to Tenby and visit Fecci’s for (in my opinion) the best fish ‘n chips in the country!
Best place in Wales for those who love a tipple
If you’re more of a drinker than a foodie, listen up. Wales is a land of surprises, one of which is its many wineries. You’ll find vineyards scattered throughout the country in the Vale of Glamorgan, the valleys north of Cardiff, in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, in Mid Wales close to the English border and on the north coast. So really, you’re never very far from a vineyard in Wales.
If spirits are more your style, consider staying in the foothills of Bannau Brycheiniog and taking a tour of Wales’ premier whiskey distillery Penderyn. It pairs perfectly with a walking holiday in one of Wales’ most beautiful areas.
Alternatively, stay in North Wales and visit their second location in Llandudno, then nip over to the Menai Strait and sample the competition at the Aber Falls Distillery. Then continue to Anglesey, where you can find several other distilleries specialising in Welsh whiskey, rum and gin.
If beer’s more to your taste, Anglesey will slake your thirst with its craft beers and ciders. Or you could head to Tenby, home to two microbreweries (plus the Pembrokeshire Gin Co.). Visit Newport, Gwent, for the home of Tiny Rebel craft brewery, or Cardiff to tour the Brains factory, which has been serving the nation since 1882.
Best places in Wales for culture vultures
Cardiff is probably the first stop for those seeking culture, as it is home to the country’s largest concentration of museums, galleries and performing arts venues. It’s the home of the National Museum with its acclaimed art gallery and St. Fagans National Museum of History, where you’ll find open-air exhibits designed to spark the imagination.
You can visit the iconic Cardiff Castle and beautiful Castell Coch. Or catch a show by the Welsh National Opera, Ballet Cymru or the National Orchestra of Wales. Plus, many smaller independent galleries and grassroots production companies are located within the city.
Swansea also has its fair share of cultural sights, including the Dylan Thomas Centre, The Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, the National Waterfront Museum, the Swansea Museum, and the Swansea Grand Theatre.
And, of course, St Davids is a must-see for culture, heritage and history lovers. The UK’s smallest city is packed with sights, including the spectacular 5th-century cathedral, which often hosts classical concerts, choral music festivals and cultural events. The ruins of the 14th-century Bishops Palace are also well worth exploring, and the Oriel y Parc Gallery and Visitors Centre will educate you on local history.
Visit Laugharne to walk in the footsteps of Dylan Thomas, and visit the Boathouse, where he lived and worked for much of his life. Then stay in Carmarthenshire to see a collection of stately homes and gardens, including the National Botanic Gardens of Wales, plus more castles than you could shake a knight at.
If you like your culture to have a more literary bent, visit Hay-on-Wye, or ‘the town of the books’, home to the fantastic Hay Literary Festival. Or visit the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth to study some ancient Welsh language, myths and legends. Visit Llandudno to follow the trail of the real-life Alice in Wonderland, the Llyn Peninsula to walk in the footsteps of Tolkien, and Cardiff to discover Roald Dahl’s connection to the Norweigan Church.
Best places in Wales for beaches
Wales has an epic 1,680 miles of coastline, and it is chock full of stunning beaches, including almost 40 blue flag-winning spots.
For family-friendly stretches with convenient amenities and lifeguards in the summer months, check out Tenby’s fabulous South and North Beaches, Barry Island Beach, Benllech Beach on Anglesey and Abersoch Main Beach.
For epic scenery, check out Cefn Sidan in Carmarthenshire, an 8-mile-long, shipwreck-strewn beauty. Cliff-backed Rhossili Bay on the Gower peninsula is a favourite of surfers and photographers alike. Barafundle Bay consistently wins ‘best beach’ awards for its stunning white sands and clear waters. Llandanwg Beach in Gwynedd is famous for its location on the edge of the Eryri National Park and its dramatic mountain views.
For rugged stretches away from the crowds, walk to Monkstone Beach. It’s between Tenby and Saundersfoot, two of Pembrokeshire’s most popular destinations, yet it feels miles away from anywhere. Llanddwyn Beach, Anglesey, is an isolated and romantic spot popular with couples, while Porth Iago Beach is the best place to avoid the crowds on the beautiful Llyn peninsula.
And movie lovers should head to Freshwater West in South Wales. This beach is so beautiful it’s featured in not one but two Hollywood movies. Russel Crowe’s 2010 Robin Hood and the Harry Potter movies, in which it’s the location for Shell Cottage.
Best place to visit in Wales for nightlife
No matter how remote the area, you won’t have to go far in Wales to find a pub in which to have a drink or two, chat with some locals, maybe watch rugby, or catch some live music. But if you’re looking for something a little more lively, if you want a range of bars, lounges and clubs, then you need to head to the cities.
As the capital and largest city, Cardiff is the obvious place to head for a big night out. It’s a city of multiple universities and colleges with many nightlife areas offering a mix of cool cocktail bars, local microbreweries, wine bars, chain pubs, LGBTQ+ venues and superclubs.
If you’re looking for the largest concentration of bars, head for St Mary’s Street, where you’re guaranteed a raucous night. For a more chilled but still fun night, try The Bay, and if it’s live music you’re after, check out Womanby Street for rock and indie bands, or, why not go big and catch a gig at The Principality Stadium?
Swansea is Wales’ second largest city, but many say it rivals Cardiff for nightlife. It’s another university city with vibrant, youthful energy and many choices for your night out. Choose from classy drinks in the marina or the hipster bars and live music of Uplands.
Tackle the real ale pubs of the infamous Mumbles Mile, or head for the cheap drinks and student crowds of pub-filled Wind Street (pronounced Wine Street by locals – for obvious reasons). Then finish up in the clubs of the city centre.
Newport (Gwent, not Newport Pembrokeshire – they could not be more different!) is another city that knows how to party, although it lacks the variety of the other two. Aberystwyth is a surprisingly fun night out, given its remote location. And Tenby used to be the go-to destination for stag and hen parties. It now has a classier reputation while still offering excellent nightlife.
Best place to visit in Wales for wildlife lovers
Looking to spot some animals on your holidays? Well, you’ve come to the right place. The waters around Wales are home to pods of dolphins, porpoises, and seals, and regular boat trips head out from the Tenby, Cardigan Bay, and Anglesey areas to help you spot them.
If you’d rather stay on land, head to the coastal paths of Cardigan Bay and stop at the cliffs above Cemaes Head, Strumble Heads or Mwnt for an excellent view of the water. Keep your eyes peeled for passing sharks, orcas and humpback whales too!
The rocky beaches of the Llyn Peninsula are where you’ll find seals basking on land, and if you visit in September to December, you might even see the unbelievably cute and fluffy baby seals.
Visit the islands of Ramsey and Bardsley to see more seals and seabird colonies, and visit Skomer Island to see hundreds of colourful puffins and the world’s largest population of Manx Shearwaters.
And if it’s not sea life you’re after, try spotting some red squirrels in Eryri National Park, the Tywi Forest in Mid Wales, the Clocaenog Forest in the northeast or the extensive grounds of Plas Newydd on Anglesey.
Best places to stay for something different
Want to make sure your holiday is one to remember? Once again, Wales has got you covered. For a taste of Italy in the Welsh hills, head to the whimsical village of Portmeirion, a surreal and fantastic place that was famously the filming location of the 1960s sci-fi drama The Prisoner. The village closes in the evening, so if you stay in one of the luxurious accommodations within the grounds, you have the town to yourselves after dark.
Most people have heard of the Welsh town with the longest name in Europe, and many people have stopped at the train station to photograph the iconic town sign. But very few people ever actually stay in Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch or take the time to explore it thoroughly. Located just across the bridge from the mainland, Llanfair PG (as it’s known when you’re short on time) is a historic place with a fascinating history and makes a great base from which to explore the rest of Anglesey.
We talk about Llanwrtyd Wells a lot because it’s just such a delightful place. This unassuming town in Mid Wales has made a global name for itself as Wales’ wacky centre of weird activities.
So why not stay there so you can be front and centre for the world-famous Bog Snorkelling Championship, the World Mountain Bike Chariot Racing Championship, or even the World Stone Skimming Championship? You’ll find a warm and hospitable town that has built its reputation on welcoming and entertaining tourists.
Plus, there’s a cracking pub at the Neuadd Arms Hotel, which specialises in real ales and local brews, and the surrounding countryside is a hiker’s dream.
Wales’ amazing attractions
Now that you know where you’ll be staying, let’s look at some of the best attractions nearby.
Theme parks in Wales
For the biggest collection of theme parks, head to Pembrokeshire. You can visit Oakwood for roller coaster thrills and high-octane excitement and Blue Lagoon indoor water park for a great rainy day activity there. Heatherton World of Adventure has an incredible variety of activities, perfect if you have a mix of ages in your group, while Tenby’s Dinosaur Park is guaranteed to spark your child’s imagination.
Then there’s Zip World adventure park and outdoor activity centre, which has three locations in North Wales and one in the south. This adrenaline-fuelled place lets you climb towers, then leap off them, fly through the trees and across quarries on super-fast zip lines, ride on the Forest Coaster or race down mountain tracks on all-terrain go-karts.
Its Llechwedd location is also home to Bounce Below, an underground trampoline park in a disused mine. It’s an incredible experience!
Attractions for animal lovers in Wales
Animal lovers will find plenty to amuse them in Wales. You can take boat trips out into Cardigan Bay to watch for dolphins and whales, kayak the coastline to get up close to seals lounging on rocky outcrops or visit Skomer Island to see the colourful puffins fishing and feeding their young.
Horse lovers can ride scenic trails through the stunning landscapes of the Pembrokeshire Coastal Park, the Vale of Glamorgan, along Carmarthenshire’s seven-mile-long Pendine Beach or the sands of the Menai Strait in Anglesey.
If you visit in spring, you can wander the countryside watching the lambs gambling about in the fields. And if you want to get a little closer to them, you can visit St Fagans living museum, where you can view a working farm and maybe bottle feed a lamb or calf. Visit another working farm on Anglesey at Foel Farm Park, or head to Greenacres Animal Park to see a mixture of farm and exotic animals.
But the winning animal attraction in Wales has to be Folly Farm in Pembrokeshire. When I was a child, this place was a simple farm park with tractor rides, a hay jump and a small petting zoo.
These days it is one of the leading conservation centres in the UK and home to some incredible exotic animals, including giraffes, lions, critically endangered black rhinos and adorable red pandas. Plus, it has a fantastic underwater viewing area where you can watch the penguins at play!
Wales’ top history and heritage attractions
Mining is a massive part of Welsh history, and visiting a mine while in Wales is a must for heritage lovers. And you’ve plenty of choices. You can follow the old tramway in Saundersfoot to see the remains of the mines in Stepaside, visit the South Wales Miners Museum in the Afan Valley or the nine slate caverns at Llanfair in Gwynedd. If gold is more your style, head to Dolaucothi to explore the only Roman gold mine of its kind in the UK.
But the best choice has to be the UNESCO Heritage-awarded Big Pit. There you’ll descend into a real coal mine and walk in the footsteps of the many Welsh miners (and school children) who have come before you.
Some other excellent heritage sites are:
- St Davids, the UK’s smallest city, the resting place of the country’s patron saint and home to the iconic 5th-century cathedral.
- For a royal connection, head to Tenby’s harbour to see the house where Henry Tudor – later King Henry VII – took shelter in 1417 before fleeing through secret tunnels to avoid the king’s army.
- Take a trip to Caldey Island, one of the UK’s holy islands owned by an order of Cistercian Monks. Learn about the island’s 1,500-year history as you walk its secluded beaches and beautiful paths.
- Visit Waun Mawn in Pembrokeshire to see the remains of a neolithic stone circle thought to be the site of the original Stonehenge monument before the stones were moved to England.
- Visit Tintern Abbey, a mediaeval monastery built in the 12th century on the banks of the river Wye. It now stands in roofless ruin but is still one of Wales’s most beautiful and evocative historic sites.
- For more recent history, head to Ebbw Vale to see the Aneurin Bevan Memorial Stones, laid to commemorate the Tredegar-born politician and founder of the NHS.
- And – so long as you’re not afraid of heights – visit the Llangollen Canal in North Wales to take a vertigo-inducing trip across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. This incredible feat of engineering has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Wales’ best castles
We can’t talk about Wales and not mention the castles! Because for a small country Wales sure has a lot of them, over 600, in fact, ranging vastly in style and state of repair. You won’t fail to see a castle or two on your travels through the country, but if you want to tour one, these are some of the best.
Cardiff Castle is perhaps the most famous Welsh castle and an iconic symbol of the capital and country. Its mixture of architectural styles and well-maintained staterooms makes for a fascinating exploration. Just outside Cardiff is another fantastic castle, although a very different one. Castell Coch is a romantically beautiful castle that sits tucked into the hillside and trees like something from a fairy tale.
The imposing mediaeval fortress Conwy Castle is a must-visit while in Wales and is one of four castles built by King Edward I which now make up a designated World Heritage Site. The other three are the symmetrical concentric Beaumaris with its surrounding moat, the impressive Caernarfon Castle with its polygonal towers and stunning battlements, and Harlech Castle, which stands in a spectacular Mid Wales location with dunes to the front and Snowdon behind.
Powis Castle has a rich history and fantastic grounds, as does Chirk Castle on the England-Wales border and 12th-century Dinefwr Castle in Carmarthenshire.
Pembroke, Caerphilly, Manorbier, and Carew castles are not just fantastic fortifications but have packed events calendars of mediaeval reenactments, guided tours, ghost walks and family fun days in the school holidays.
And if you’re looking for an ‘as seen on TV’ moment, head to Gwrych Castle in Abergele, near Colwyn Bay. This sprawling place was the location for I’m a Celebrity, Get Me out of Here for two years.
Museums and galleries in Wales
Many of the castles and heritage sites listed above have excellent museums on site, but there are also many more worth visiting around the country. There are seven national museums, including the National Museum in Cardiff, the Big Pit UNESCO world heritage site, St Fagans living museum and The National Waterfront Museum in Swansea.
Also, in Swansea, you can visit the Dylan Thomas Centre, The Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, and the Swansea Museum. In Cardiff, you’ve got the Royal Mint, the Techniquest science discovery centre, Cardiff Story Museum, Whitewall Contemporary Art Gallery and Principality Stadium, where you can learn all about the history of Welsh Rugby.
Outside the big cities, you’ve got the Tenby Museum and Art Gallery and the Tudor Merchant’s House, where you can see how Tenby’s families lived in the 15th century. St David’s Oriel y Park Gallery is a fantastic exhibition space for local artists, while Laugharne has turned Dylan Thomas’s boat house into a museum of his life and a gallery of local art.
For modern Welsh art, visit MOMA Machynlleth in Mid Wales. Then head north to Conwy to the Royal Cambrian Academy and Ffin y Parc Gallery for changing exhibitions of the best of Welsh artists.
In Caernarfon, you’ll find The Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum and the Airworld Museum for aviation lovers. Across the water is the Anglesey Transport Museum and Oriel Môn art gallery.
And also well with a day trip is Dan yr Ogof, The National Showcaves Centre. This is primarily about exploring the incredible underground cavern system of cathedral-sized caves. But also on site is a museum, dinosaur park with fossil centre, shire horse centre, Victorian farm complete with a blacksmith, and an iron age village. Quite enough to keep you busy for a whole day!
National Trust Gardens in Wales
Wales’ wild landscapes are spectacular, but there are also a wonderful collection of parks and gardens around the country lovingly restored and maintained by the National Trust. They are lovely places to see the seasons changing and especially to view the first signs of spring emerging after the Welsh winter. Plus, National Trust properties always have the best tea rooms!
In Pembrokeshire, visit Colby Woodland Garden to see a once-working coalfield fully transformed. In Carmarthenshire, you can view 20 different garden styles in Aberglasney or learn about conservation and scientific advances at The National Botanic Garden of Wales.
In Mid Wales, the 300-year-old grounds of Powis Castle offer a riot of colours in their Grade I listed Italianate gardens. And the traditional Welsh estate Llanerchaeron, in Ceredigion, holds ancient orchards, herb gardens filled with medicinal plants and hay meadows bursting with life.
In North Wales, visit the cottage gardens and restored meadows of Plas yn Rhiw or wander the eerie bog garden in Penrhyn Castle Gardens. Visit Bodnant Gardens to see stunning views of the Conwy Valley or Plas Newydd House and Garden, which overlooks the Menai Strait and Snowdonia and is home to a large number of red squirrels.
Getting there and getting around
Many areas of Wales feel remote, wild and many miles away from the rest of the world, but in reality, it’s not too hard to get here or get around. The country has good road, bus and train connections with England and is well connected to the rest of the world by air and sea, especially if you’re visiting the popular south or north coasts.
Let’s take a closer look at the best ways to travel.
Air
Wales has an international airport in the capital, Cardiff, which is connected to plenty of locations across Europe. It only offers a few direct flights to places outside Europe but can connect you to good travel hubs like Amsterdam.
If you’re looking for more direct flight options, Bristol Airport is a great choice. It’s well connected to the whole world and is only 20 miles away from the Severn Bridge to Wales. Bristol also has regular direct train links with Cardiff. Trains don’t leave from the airport but from the city, which is reached via a frequent shuttle bus.
If you’re visiting North Wales, there’s no Welsh airport, but you have some great choices. Both Manchester and Liverpool are close by and have excellent international airports. Liverpool is especially close, just 25 miles from the border, 60 miles from Conwy and 70 miles from Eryri National Park. Both airports have strong train links with Wales.
For Mid Wales, consider Birmingham International Airport, which is 60 miles from the border. Alternatively, you can fly into any London airport and connect to Wales via road, bus or train, which will take roughly 3 to 4 hours.
Car
Navigating Wales by car is not only an easy but often magical experience. The landscapes are spectacular, and playing a travel game of I Spy becomes much more interesting when you can spy craggy coastlines, open ocean, rolling farmlands, mountains, valleys and castles.
The roads in Wales, especially those to the popular tourist spots, are good and well-maintained. If you’re travelling along the south coast to Pembrokeshire and West Wales, you’ll be on the motorway most of the way, from the Severn Bridge (now toll-free) until you change to A-roads at the end.
Similarly, driving into north Wales from England is straightforward on well-travelled well-maintained roads that hug the coastline.
Once you head into Mid Wales, the roads get a little narrower and a lot more winding. And the scenery gets even more breathtaking as you travel some of Wales’ most spectacular drives. Feel free to pull over at the many breathtaking picnic spots you discover along the way.
Once you’ve reached your destination, a car can be handy for exploring the local area, especially if you want to get off the beaten track or head for spots the local buses don’t cover. However, just be aware that in busy, popular tourist areas, especially in peak season, parking can be tricky to find and expensive. So check with your accommodation when you book whether they provide or can recommend the best parking options for you.
If you’re flying in and want to rent a car, you’ll find competitively priced rental car services at all international airports and cities.
Train
The train is a fantastic way to travel as you don’t have to worry about traffic, getting lost or finding a place to park. Not only that, but Wales’ train lines run through some spectacular scenery making the journey an experience in itself.
Wales has strong train links with England and a good internal network. As mentioned above, Manchester and Liverpool connect well with the North of Wales. You might need to change trains in Chester, but then direct trains run along the north coast stopping at Rhyl, Colwyn Bay, Conwy, Llandudno, Bangor, crossing over to Anglesey and all the way to Holyhead.
For Mid Wales, the transport hub is Shrewsbury, England, where you can get a direct train through the middle of Wales to Aberystwyth or the Llyn Peninsula.
Alternatively, you can take the evocatively named Heart of Wales line, which travels diagonally down through the middle of the country through hills and valleys, stopping at remote villages, Victorian spa towns, SugarLoaf mountain, and our favourite quirky Mid Wales town Llanwrtyd Wells, until it reaches Llanelli on the south coast. It’s not a fast line, but it’s a picturesque one where many stops are run by volunteers fuelled by pure local pride.
South Wales has excellent links with the south of England. You can get a direct train from London Paddington to Cardiff Central twice an hour throughout the day, and the journey only takes two hours. From Cardiff, you can take trains along the beautiful South Welsh Coast to Barry Island, Swansea, and Carmarthen, and into Pembrokeshire to stop at Tenby, Saundersfoot, and Fishguard.
Lines also run north from Cardiff through the valleys to Merthyr Tydfil and the Wye Valley. And you can connect from Cardiff north along the English border to Shrewsbury, Wrexham, and Chester to connect with mid and north Wales.
Some vintage and specialist railways also run through Wales, making great days out. The most famous is the Snowdon Mountain Railway which can take you to the summit of Wales’ highest peak. There are eleven other journeys to some of the most picturesque places in Wales. Check out the Great Little Trains of Wales website to plan a memorable day out.
Coach and bus
Arriving in Wales by bus can be a good option for budget travellers as the cost can be a fraction of the price of train tickets. However, the journeys do take longer, and the network is not as comprehensive as the train.
Two main bus operators connect Wales with the rest of the UK. Megabus is often the cheapest but only services South Wales with regular daily connections between London and Cardiff, Newport and Swansea.
National Express, on the other hand, run daily buses from Manchester along the north coast to Llandudno for the fantastic fare of £5 and daily routes from Birmingham through Mid Wales to Aberystwyth for just £12. On the south coast, there are almost hourly connections between London and Cardiff (4 hours) and Swansea (5 hours). If you want to travel further west, the buses decrease to twice daily but go to Carmarthen, Tenby, Pembroke and Haverfordwest.
Once you’re in Wales, why not hop on a bus to explore the country? There are networks of local buses connecting all the main towns and villages – although be aware that the more rural you go, the more sporadic those services might be.
For longer journeys, TrawsCymru is the bus service for you, with routes connecting all areas of the country and passing through some spectacular landscapes, such as the Eryri and Bannau Brycheiniog National Parks. Plus, they also connect Aberystwyth with the south of the country since no trains run that way. There’s a handy app to help you plan and track your journey, buy tickets online and look out for deals. You can check out route maps here.
In an initiative designed to reduce traffic and parking issues in the national parks, a variety of shuttle buses serve them, which is ideal for walkers. Check out the Sherpa’r Wyddfa in Snowdonia, the coastal shuttles in Pembrokeshire and the Fflecsi bus, which operates a flexible shuttle service in various locations around the country. Also, in Pembrokeshire, why not see the sights from the Tenby Coaster, a colourful open-top double-decker bus that runs a hop-on hop-off service between Tenby and Saundersfoot?
Ferry
Coming from Ireland? Consider hopping on a ferry instead of a flight. It’s a great way to travel since you can bring your car and your dogs, and there’s no weight limit on luggage to worry about. Regular ferries connect Rosslare with Pembroke Dock and Fishguard in South Wales and from Dublin to Holyhead in North Wales. Crossings take between two and four hours, and there’s the chance of seeing dolphins and even whales from the boat!
Best time to visit Wales
There’s a chance that I am biassed, but I do believe Wales is a beautiful holiday destination all year round. Each new month brings a whole heap of events to enjoy, while each new season doesn’t just create stunning changes in the landscape but opens up new opportunities for activities and adventures.
Summer
If you want the best weather, then the summer months of June, July and August are the time to visit Wales. These months see the most hours of sunshine and the hottest weather, with temperatures reaching average highs of 18 – 21 °C, although they can hit the mid 20’s on the best days. They are also the driest months, with the least of the famous Welsh rainfall.
The summer also comes with the kids’ school holidays, leading to vibrant crowds filling up the beaches and tourist attractions and kids’ clubs, activities, events and festivals springing up nationwide. This creates an energetic, celebratory atmosphere across the country that’s great to be a part of.
However, it also means that the popular spots can be very busy, prices rise to make the most of peak season, and accommodations and activities can be booked out. It’s also worth noting that many beaches restrict access to dogs during the summer, so those travelling with their canine companions can only run free on some beaches.
Shoulder seasons
If you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy lower prices, the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn are the perfect time to visit Wales. May and September are often beautiful, with stunning sunny weather, empty beaches and walking trails, and plenty of space in even the most popular spots, restaurants and accommodations.
Spring and autumn are also fantastic times for nature lovers. Spring brings new life bursting forth in every area of the country, and it’s a wonderful time to walk the country paths looking for wildflowers, woodlands filled with bluebells and wild garlic, the fields filled with rabbits and Welsh lambs springing about.
In autumn, the changing colours across the forests and valleys are a wonder to behold, and the crisp days of late autumn create the perfect hiking climate. It’s also the start of the surfing season, a great time to head out sea kayaking, and the season to spot baby seals lounging along the coastline. Plus, most of the country’s excellent food festivals take place in autumn!
However, the shoulder seasons do come with changeable weather, with April and October being some of the wettest months. Wales is known for having plenty of drizzly, foggy days, and they are hard to enjoy. However, try to remember that it’s the combination of the Welsh coast and mountains that creates this wet climate, and that rain is responsible for the lush green valleys and landscapes that we love so much.
But, if you can’t force yourself to be grateful for the rain, just remember that the weather can change several times a day in Wales. So make sure you pack plenty of layers and always carry your waterproofs!
Winter
Winter can feel like a bleak time for a holiday, but if you plan it right, it can be a wonderful experience. The coastal areas of Wales are known for mild and frost-free winter weather, and you get the bonus of a lack of crowds. You can walk the beaches undisturbed and take your canine companions with you without restrictions.
As you head inland and to higher elevations, the weather gets colder, and there’s a greater chance of frost and snow, transforming the landscapes into a photographer’s dream. The Cambrian Mountains in Mid Wales, the Brecon Beacons National Park and the Preseli Hills in Pembrokeshire look stunning under a blanket of frost and make for exceptionally scenic hiking, while Snowdonia offers opportunities for winter sports like ice climbing. Plus, if there’s one thing you can always count on in Wales, it’s finding a cosy country pub to warm up in afterwards.
Wales also loves to celebrate Christmas, so you’ll find fantastic light shows, decorations, festive markets and winter wonderlands popping up all over the country, from the cities of Cardiff and Swansea to smaller coastal towns like Saundersfoot, Beaumaris, and Llandudno.
An extra bonus of winter’s short days and long nights is the chance to enjoy gazing at the heavens. Wales has some incredible stargazing locations, several dark sky reserves, and even a Welsh Dark Skies Week in February.
What more could you want from a winter holiday? How about the lowest prices of the year? Go on, then!
Language
Wales not only has its own language, Welsh or Cymraeg, but it’s the oldest language in the UK, with its roots in early Celtic Britain. There are records of it dating back over 4,000 years, with stories and poems recorded in Welsh as early as the 5th century. Despite this lengthy history, however, Welsh was almost wiped out thanks to the Norman and English invasions of the 15th century and the laws they passed, which prevented Welsh being used in religious, legal or government legislation.
Luckily in the 20th century, the resurgence of Welsh began with education reforms reintroducing Welsh to school curriculums. With this came a move towards Welsh language radio and TV channels, music and film festivals and increased support for the Welsh culture and language festivals, Eisteddfods.
These days pride in the Welsh language is ever-growing, especially in younger generations and North Wales. Now almost 20% of the country can speak and understand Welsh.
This push towards keeping the language alive can be seen in the fact that the Welsh people recently voted to return to using the original Welsh names for their famous landmarks rather than the English. Hence Snowdon is now going by Eryri and the Brecon Beacons as Bannau Brycheiniog.
Welsh has an alphabet of 29 letters, most of which you’re familiar with from the English alphabet, but there are a few additional double letters, such as:
- CH – which has a guttural pronunciation as in the Scottish ‘Loch’
- DD – pronounced like the ‘th’ in the or there
- TH – pronounced like the ‘th’ in thick or thin
- FF – said like f because a single f has a v sound (confused yet?)
- And the famous LL, which sounds like something between a cat hissing and Donald Duck speaking (as my dad once described it). It may sound tricky, but it’s an easy enough sound to make. Simply place the tip of your tongue behind your top teeth as you would to pronounce an English L. Then, keeping your tongue there, blow air out either side of your tongue. Great! Now you’re ready to pronounce some common Welsh names like Llewelyn or Llinos and town names such as Llandudno, and Llanelli and, of course, have a go at the longest town name:
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch
Which roughly translates to : Saint Mary’s Church in the hollow of the white hazel near the rapid whirlpool and the Church of Saint Tysilio of the red cave.
If you can’t wrap your tongue around these strange sounds and syllables, however, don’t panic. Despite Welsh’s re-growing popularity – everyone in Wales also speaks English, and it’s still the primary language for most people. Road signs show both the English and Welsh names for places, while menus, signage, and necessary information in restaurants and hotels will always be provided in English.
But, if you do fancy having a go at some Welsh words while you’re visiting, here are some basics to get you started. It’ll go a long way towards befriending the locals, and it’s always fun for kids to try making the sounds!
| Helo | He-lo | Hello |
| Croeso i Gymru | Kroy-so ee Gum-ree | Welcome to Wales |
| Bore da | Bor-eh dah | Good morning |
| Nos da | Nohs dah | Good night |
| Sut wyt ti? | Sit oi tea | How are you? |
| Da iawn | Dah yoww-n | Very well |
| Diolch | Di-ol-ch | Thank you |
| Os gwelwch yn dda | os g-well-ooch un tha | Please |
| Iechyd da! | Yeh-chid dah | Cheers! |
Festivals and events
Wales is a country that loves to celebrate, and you’ll find this little nation has a huge events calendar packed with festivals for everything from music, food and arts to cultural days and historical occasions. Here are some of our favourites you should look out for.
Cultural
Wales is understandably proud of its distinct culture and heritage and enjoys celebrating the days, traditions and events that set it apart from the rest of the world. Immerse yourself in Welsh culture by visiting on:
- March 1st to celebrate the country’s patron saint on St David’s Day
- St Dwynwen’s Day, aka Welsh Valentines Day on January 25th
- Welsh New Year’s Day is celebrated in the Gwaun Valley on January 13th
- Visit on Dylan Thomas Day to celebrate one of Wales’ most famous sons
- Catch a Music festival on February 10th, Welsh Language Music Day, or Dydd Miwsig Cymru!
- Check out the most Welsh of all festivals, an Eisteddfod. The National Eisteddfod is a massive celebration of the Welsh language, arts and culture. It’s a highlight of the country’s summer calendar and attracts over 150,000 visitors yearly. Or, catch the youth version – The Urdd National Eisteddfod.
- Wales celebrates its farming history every year at the Royal Welsh Show. This pinnacle of the country’s agricultural calendar is a wonderfully atmospheric event and a chance to see rural Welsh life at its best. Catch the winter version instead at The Royal Welsh Winter Fair.
- Or watch Cardiff turn rainbow bright with Pride Cymru – an energetic and colourful two-day festival celebrating Wales’s LGBTQ+ community on the lawns of Cardiff City Hall.
Music
If your summer isn’t complete without a music festival, you’re in luck! Wales has some fantastic music festivals, including the epic three-day In It Together Festival featuring international headliners and huge crowds. Monorbier in Pembrokeshire hosts the five-day independent arts and music event Westival, while rock lovers should head to the mountains of Ebbw Vale for Steelhouse.
If that’s not your vibe, don’t worry, Wales has music festivals for all tastes and genres, such as St Davids Cathedral Festival of classical music. Visit Tenby Blues Fest, the Brecon Jazz Festival, and FOCUS Wales, a showcase of emerging Welsh and international talents.
And if you like your music with a side of wellness – check out The Big Retreat Festival. There you can enjoy yoga, mindfulness, meditation classes, foraging workshops, wild swimming, and SUP boarding alongside such legendary performers as Toploader and Reef!
Arts
If you’re after a cultural fix while on your holidays, you’ll find plenty to tempt you on the events schedule. Check out some of these popular art festivals:
- Tenby Arts Festival has been running for over 30 years. It is an end-of-summer institution showcasing arts of all disciplines, including poetry, literature, dance, and music.
- The Hay Festival is a huge event with an international reputation. Once dubbed ‘the Woodstock of the mind,’ this renowned literary and arts festival attracts over 100,000 attendees to a little town on the Wales – England border. Thanks to its massive global success, the Hay Festival now has a winter version – Hay Festival Winter Weekend a mini version of the summer event filled with talks, workshops, performances and celebrations of all things literary.
- The Iris Prize, this prestigious film festival, draws filmmakers and fans worldwide to submit and view short films and documentaries telling LGBTQ+ stories.
- Deep thinkers will want to head to the world’s largest philosophy and music festival, How The Light Gets In, which also happens in Hay-on-Wye.
- And if you want to go off the grid for a while, check out Green Gathering, where music, poetry, and performance art happens alongside workshops and talks about social and environmental change.
Food
Wales has some delicious local delicacies and traditional meals that must be tried. Visit during one of these special occasions to eat and drink to your heart’s content:
- The 14th of April is National Laverbread Day and is celebrated by eating your fill (or sampling once and never again) this love-it-or-hate-it Welsh seaweed dish.
- Saundersfoot’s Cawl Trail lets you try different versions of this hearty Welsh stew cooked by every restaurant in town. And then you vote for your favourite!
- The Big Cheese, Caerphilly. Who doesn’t love cheese? Celebrate it in all its forms in the atmospheric grounds of Caerphilly Castle, alongside drink stalls and live music.
- There are plenty of food fairs throughout the year. Still, the Abergavenny Food Fesitval is the largest and most famous in the country, with over 150 stalls featuring local and international fare.
- Conwy is one of Wales’ must-visit destinations for foodies, so why not double down by visiting during the Gwledd Conwy Feast, where you can sample this estuary town’s world-famous seafood and mussels? Or experience the Conwy Honey Fair, one of Wales’s oldest festivals at 700 years old.
- The Pembrokeshire Street Food Festival is a chance to sample delicious international fusion cuisines in the beautiful setting of Tenby South Beach.
Quirky
Want to experience something a bit different during your time in Wales? Well, there are plenty of weird and wonderful activities going on in this country, most of them centred around the quirky Mid Wales town of Llanwrtyd Wells, which hosts a wacky collection of events throughout the year. Including:
- The World Bogsnorkelling Championships, which rivals the Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling as the weirdest must-see event in the UK.
- Man Versus Horse has been pitting humans against horses in races through the mountainous landscape of Mid Wales for over 40 years.
- The Saturnalia Beer Festival, inspired by an ancient Roman celebration designed to cheer up mid-winter, features a range of winter ales, live music, food stalls, family-friendly entertainment and The World Mountain Bike Chariot Racing Championships!
Outside of Llanwrtyd Wells, you can check out one of these quirky festivals:
- Porthcawl Elvis Festival – This annual event is the largest Elvis-themed festival in the world outside of the US!
- Festival No 6 – Portmeirion is a strange and unique place all year round, but it gets extra surreal during this festival of art, music, culture and comedy.
- Llandovery Sheep Festival – Sheep are an enduring symbol of Wales, so of course, there’s a whole festival dedicated to them!
Or, if you’re in Wales during the festive season, why not celebrate by plunging into the frigid Welsh waters with a winter swim? Plunge into the sea in the name of charity in Porthcawl on Christmas Day. Tenby, Pembrey or Llandudno on Boxing Day, or kick your new year off with a splash in Saundersfoot, Barry Island or Abersoch. Fancy dress at these events is optional but encouraged, and you’re guaranteed to make memories you’ll never forget!
There you go!
That’s everything you need to know to visit Wales for the first time and have an amazing holiday. Or is it? Have we left anything out? If you still have questions, get in touch and we’ll be happy to answer them.
And now that you know all the best places to stay, take a look at our range of fantastic accommodation choices so you can book your perfect Welsh holiday!
Anita moved to South Wales as a child and has thought of herself as Welsh ever since – especially when it comes to rugby! She spent her childhood sailing the coastline and playing on the beaches and now continues to explore her chosen country as an adult. She loves discovering quirky villages, trying out adventure sports, and hunting for the best fish n chips in Wales.