Wales is often overlooked with foreign tourists visiting the UK, I’d even go as far to say it is underrated with UK nationals too. With bustling cities, scenic villages and also mountains and scenery to rival New Zealand, Wales will not disappoint.
Best Places to Visit in Wales
Welcome to Wales, or if you want to truly embrace the Welsh experience…’Croeso i Gymru’. Here are some of the top things to do.
Begin your Welsh adventure in Cardiff… Bursting at the seams with restaurants, bars, exhibitions and parks, Cardiff is the compelling capital of Wales. Millennium Stadium’s sporting events keeps the city abuzz, Cardiff Bay is the ‘sunset’ spot, and the 2000-year-old castle adds a dashing of rich history to the mix.
The Gower Peninsula
Witness, in peaceful isolation, the serene beauty of The Gower Peninsula. Golden dunes seep into blissful beaches, as waves crash into ancient rocks and piercing blue skies cap rising cliffs, framing the coastal oasis. A timeless battle between elements; the turning tide snatches treasures from sandy stretches. Though notorious as a summer sanctuary the Gower’s magnificence retains its reign in later months.
Llansteffan
Head west to discover Llansteffan – nestled on an estuary of the River Towy, Llansteffan is lined with golden beaches and framed with a backdrop of rolling hills. The local coastal walk weaves you along shoreline beauty and picturesque Welsh countryside.
Pembrokeshire
From the birthplace of King Henry VII, to the only coastal national park in the UK; Pembrokeshire has no shortage of visceral beauty. And with Fishguard acting as the gateway to Ireland, if you do get tired of the Welsh cakes, you can always hop on a ferry and grab a glass of Jameson.
Machynlleth
Machynlleth has more to offer than its beautiful clock tower, green hills and close proximity to the infamous Bron-Yr-Aur cottage where Led Zeppelin recorded their third album. As the location of the Centre of Alternative Technology, arguably the most influential research facility for sustainability in Europe, the town gifts you natural beauty whilst teaching you how to respect it.
Bangor
Bangor is one of Britain’s smallest cities, linking to the island of Anglesey via the Menai Bridge. Nature has blessed this area with magnificent coastlines and picture postcard views to explore at a leisure activity of your choosing. Megalithic monuments pay homage to this ‘area of outstanding natural beauty’.
Wales Coastal Path
Walk the Wales Coastal Path from Llandudno to Colwyn Bay (11km) to view the magnificent medieval Conwy Castle. The Great Orme is a large limestone peninsula home to ancient copper mines and many natural springs. Experience the diversity of the wildlife and the stunning views over the Irish Sea.
Captivating Conwy
Conwy is a walled medieval market town found on the north coast of Wales running alongside the banks of the river Conwy. Somewhat foreboding, Conwy Castle is as formidable as the rock on which it stands.
When visiting, ensure to scale the battlements and take in the eye-opening view of where Snowdonia’s mountains meet the sea. From this colossal hunk of military might, stroll down to Conwy’s harbour where Britain’s smallest house perches.
Inhabited until 1900 by a 6ft 3 inch fisherman named Robert Jones, today the house is declared unfit for human habitation – with room for no more than a bed, a stove, a water tap and bedside cabinet it’s easy to see why. At just £1 entry this tiny bolt hole is well worth a peek.
From the past to the future, Conwy is also the location of a 300m wave garden opened in 2015. Surfers of all abilities rip through waves of up to 6m… or head for total wipeout!
Snowdonia
Journey through Wales and reach Snowdonia – a Narnia of natural beauty. Soaring peaks, endless valleys, cascading waterfalls, pristine lakes and fresh air make for a Welsh standing ovation. Ancient beauty stands defiant to modernity and invites you to co-create in its ongoing legacy.
Snowdonia’s mighty mountains stamp an impressive statement on the wilderness vista of Wales, whilst pocketed away on the country’s very northern tip you can stumble across Conwy – a hidden treasure town. This endearing town is enchanted by surrounding luscious countryside – not least the enigmatic Snowdonia skyline, enjoyable for hikes.
In the Snowdonia region don’t miss the beaches of Black Rock and Borth-y-Gest, as well as Isle of Anglesey and Caernarfon Castle. South of Snowdonia you’ll find more beauty in the shape of a mountain called Moel Hebog, Porthamadog – a busy harbour town – and Portmeirion, a village with an Italian twist. You never quite know what you may find tucked in the wilds of Wales!
The village of Corris holds the gateway to King Arthur’s Labyrinth – a sub terrain network of snaking waterways and immense caverns. Deep in the darkness a hooded boatman waits to guide you on a medieval journey and delight your mind with tales of magic, dragons, giants and Celtic glory.
Myth-chasers not yet satiated can discover further folklore at the Lost Legends of the Stone Circle: an enchanted maze brimming with quirky characters. Make it to the heart of the maze and you will discover a mysterious circular monument fashioned from Druid-age stone.
Don your hardhat for another journey deep underground – this time into the mining past of Llechwedd Slate Caverns. Descend hundreds of feet on Britain’s steepest railway – not for the faint hearted! To re-live the life of a Victorian miner, grasp a hammer and get to grips with slate-splitting, a craft which all are welcome to try their hand at.
Step blinking back into the light and feel the rush of wind on an adrenaline-fuelled zip line ride at Zip World – speeding across a quarry on wires of up to 1000 metres long, you can even ride parallel to your friends if you don’t fancy flying solo.
Llanwrtyd Well
The spa town of Llanwrtyd Well – is known for its healing water, fabulous countryside and crazy events – the World Alternative Games, the Man Versus Horse Marathon and the World Bog Snorkelling Championships. The latter two races started as banter in the local pub, so watch what you say!
Brecon Beacons
Wales’ spiny, striking mountain range, the Brecon Beacons, is one of the country’s most beautiful and little-visited national parks. Pen Y Fan, proudly described as South Wales’ highest mountain, offers an eagle-eye panorama of the Beacons. Upon reaching the exposed pinnacle, you’re confronted by a vertigo-inducing drop as the hillside sheers away into the lush valleys.
I highly recommend going to climb Pen Y Fan; standing tall at 886m. Don’t miss the mystical waterfalls that feed into the impressive Tal-y-bont reservoir. With over 500 square miles of scenic moorlands, mountains and forest, it’s also an international Dark Sky reserve, so offers marvellous stargazing as well as daytime sightseeing.
Plan Your Trip to Wales
If you want to visit the Britain and see more than just London, then Wales is a great option. You plan to travel more in the UK you might also find these guides helpful:
• England travel tips
• Scotland travel tips
• Ireland travel tips