Looking for the best places in Wales to visit?? Here are my suggestions based on my lifetime living in and near many of these beautiful places in Wales!
Wales is such a great destination to visit and often so underrated! I love writing about Wales on my travel blog because whether you want mountains, beaches, cities, family activities or historic sites, Wales really has it all!
I’ve also spent much of my life living in Wales or near Wales so I always have plenty to talk about and so many recommendations for places to visit in Wales!
Here is my ultimate round up of the BEST 48 Places to Visit in Wales in North Wales, South Wales and Mid Wales to help you plan your trip which include scenic places in Wales as well as the top activities in Wales and most beautiful beaches in Wales!
At the end of this post, I’ve given more details on how to get around Wales, how long to spend in Wales and what to do in Wales!
BEST Places to visit in Wales
Map of most beautiful places to visit in Wales
Here is a map of Wales which details all of the best places to go in Wales I have noted below. This will help you work out where all these Wales tourist attractions and natural beauty spots are so you can plan your trip to Wales.
Places To Visit in South Wales
1. Cardiff City (Cardiff)
– Best cities to visit in Wales
Cardiff is the capital city of Wales and one of the best places to visit in Wales. It is a great city to visit and perfect for a city break with some added extras.
Cardiff is well known for its nightlife and things to do in Cardiff during the day include Cardiff Castle and walking around Cardiff Bay.
Cardiff is a good base to see more of South Wales from, you can do day trips from Cardiff to visit many places on this list of places to go in South Wales like the Brecon Beacons and Swansea Gower.
Related Posts: 1 Day Cardiff Itinerary & TOP 20 Things To Do In Cardiff, Cardiff Bay & Near Cardiff!
2. Castle Coch (Cardiff)
– Best Castles in Wales
Another great stop on your way into or out of Cardiff is Castle Coch, one of the best castles in Europe, not only Wales!
Castle Coch is a really impressive castle and as you drive towards it, it looks like a fairytale castle sticking out of the woods! It’s a 19th-century Gothic Revival castle built to protect Cardiff.
You can go inside the castle by purchasing a ticket however it is impressive to see from the outside and you can also go for a walk around the woods of Fforest Fawr where it’s located.
It’s one of the great things to do on a Wales trip with kids!
3. Tenby (Pembrokeshire)
– Best seaside destination in Wales
Now we are onto Pembrokeshire and South West Wales on this list of best places to visit in Wales!
Pembrokeshire is the top holiday destination in Wales, and Tenby is the most popular beach and seaside town in Pembrokeshire.
This extremely colourful town has everything you need for a Welsh seaside holiday includes Tenby holiday cottages, 3 sand beaches, coastal walks, shops, restaurants and boat tours.
I really recommend visiting Tenby on your Wales holiday because it is such a popular place and so many people love it as one of the best places to visit in Wales.
Another reason Tenby and the places near Tenby are so good is because you can base yourself here to see more of Pembrokeshire from in an easy way.
Related Posts: 15 BEST Beaches in Pembrokeshire To Visit & A Map & 10 Best & Beautiful Campsites Near Tenby And Close to the Beach!
4. Saundersfoot (Pembrokeshire)
– Best beaches in Pembrokeshire
Saundersfoot has a beautiful, big, sandy beach with a pretty seaside village and it’s really close to Tenby. In fact, one of my favourite South Wales walks is walking from Saundersfoot to Tenby!
Saundersfoot is home to some amazing food and restaurants you should visit here when in Wales if you want a less touristic beach but still one with good holiday facilities around you.
Related Post: Things To Do in Saundersfoot & Things To Do Near Saundersfoot.
CAR HIRE IN WALES
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5. Manorbier (Pembrokeshire)
– Best beaches to visit in Wales
Manorbier Beach is one of the beaches near Tenby and the one of the best beaches in Wales. It’s popular with locals and holidaymakers from nearby accommodation and holiday parks!
It’s a great beach for beginner surfing, and surfing for children because of its small waves. It has a rock and sand beach and is surrounded by a beautiful coastal path.
Whilst stopping in Manorbier on your Wales trip, you can also visit Manorbier Castle and get some cake at Beach Break Tearooms!
6. Barafundle Bay (Pembrokeshire)
– Best beaches in Wales
Voted one of the beaches in the world, Barafundle Bay is a must-visit for beautiful places in Wales.
The reason why this beach and bay is so nice is because you need to walk 10-15 minutes over a field and cliff top to get there and once you are there there are no beach facilities.
Related Post: How to Get to Barafundle Bay.
7. Bosherston Lilly Ponds (Pembrokeshire)
This is a lovely and surprising walking loop from the very small village of Bosherston. From the car park, you are a minute from a beautiful pond and footpath that takes between 1-2 hours to walk around.
Not many people know about the Bosherston Lilly Ponds because they are hidden, so they are definitely a hidden gem in Wales that you need to keep in mind when planning where to go in Wales!
Related Post: How To Visit the Bosherston Lilly Ponds in Pembrokeshire!
8. St Govan’s Chapel (Pembrokeshire)
– Best hidden gems in Wales
If you want to visit more hidden gems in Wales, St Govan’s Chapel is another place to visit!
This is a chapel hidden down a set of steps that leads out onto a hidden bay!
It’s really close to Bosherston Lilly Ponds so you should plan to visit both at one time on your Wales itinerary.
Related Post: How to Visit St Govan’s Chapel in Pembrokeshire! A Hidden Place!
9. Freshwater West Beach (Pembrokeshire)
If you’re a Harry Potter fan you may know of this beach because it is where Dobby the house-elf is laid to rest after his battle!
There is a little memorial for Dobby with rocks and stones behind the dunes that you can visit which is a must-visit for Harry Potter fans in South Wales!
You should still visit this beach in Pembrokeshire even if you are not a Harry Potter fan because it is another one of Pembrokeshire’s best beaches. I visited at sunset and it was such an amazing sunset spot so try to include this on your itinerary for Wales too!
10. Pembroke Castle (Pembrokeshire)
– Best Castles in Wales
Pembroke town is not somewhere you need too spend much time but whilst travelling through Pembrokeshire in Wales, you may find yourself passing through Pembroke and Pembroke Castle is a nice place to stop.
There are so many castles in Wales and Pembroke Castle is one of the big castles that you can fully walk around so it’s one of the great things to do in Pembrokeshire with kids.
When in Pembroke town you can also take a walk along the river and get lunch or a drink in one of the many pubs close to the castle.
11. Oakwood Theme Park (Pembrokeshire)
– Best family activities in Wales
This is Wales biggest theme park and therefore the biggest of the Wales tourist attractions. From my many experiences there as a teenager, a really good theme park too!
If you want to do something a bit different or it is not beach weather, you can have fun at Oakwood theme park!
12. Ramsey Island (Pembrokeshire)
– Best islands to visit in Wales
Ramsey Island is one of the beauty spots in Wales. You can see and visit Ramsey Island on a boat trip. I booked this whilst in St David’s which is the small city nearby.
In the right season you can spot whales and dolphins from the boat and I believe all year round you’ll get to see seals which is what I saw. It’s a great day out in South Wales and Pembrokeshire for children and adults!
Related Post: 10 Things To Do In Broad Haven close to St David’s.
13. Blue Lagoon (Pembrokeshire)
– Best places to swim in Wales
If you want somewhere cool to swim in Wales, especially in the summer, you have to add the Blue Lagoon to your list of top places to visit in South Wales!
It’s a former slate quarry and now features a big, and deep, lagoon that is popular for coasteering, kayaking and swimming!
To find it, you need to search and head to: National Trust – Abereiddi to Abermaw. You won’t find ‘Blue Lagoon Wales’ as a point on Google Maps.
The Blue Lagoon is now one of the South Wales Instagram spots you see a lot of online!
14. Pen Y Fan (Brecon Beacons National Park)
– Best hikes in Brecon Beacons
The Brecon Beacons National Park is definitely one of the top places to visit in Wales because of its stunning countryside, its activities and hikes!
The Brecon Beacons is the best place for hiking in South Wales, it has the second-highest peak in Wales called Pen Y Fan (the highest peak is Snowdon in North Wales).
Hiking Pen Y Fan makes for a brilliant day out in Wales and I really recommend taking on the challenge to tick this well known peak off and see South Wales from above!
Related Post: How To Do Pen Y Fan Walk in The Brecon Beacons!
15. Hay on Wye (Brecon Beacons National Park)
– Prettiest towns in Wales
You’ll find the pretty market town of Hay on Wye in the Brecon Beacons National Park to the North on the edge of England and Wales.
Hay on Wye is a really unique place making it one of the places of interest in Wales because it is famous for its literature and books!
The town is full of book shops old and new along with other independent shops and lots of nice cafes. It’s a real gem in South Wales!
16. Brecon Beacons Waterfalls (Brecon Beacons National Park)
– Best Waterfalls in Wales
When looking for famous Welsh places to visit, how can you leave Brecon Beaons National Park. It is full of waterfalls and if you’re looking for where to visit in Wales, I recommend going to see some waterfalls in the National Park.
There is a 4 waterfall walk which is a popular walk and relatively easy walk to do taking just a few hours.
There are places to go wild swimming in the Brecon Beacons on the walk as well as walking behind a waterfall and seeing more of the beautiful landscape of the National Park in Wales.
Related Post: How To Do The Brecon Beacons Waterfalls Walk to 4 Waterfalls!
17. Barry Island (Glamorgan)
– Best beaches to visit in Wales for families
If you know of Gavin and Stacey, you’ll know Barry Island, and for some seaside fun and for one of the popular days out in Wales you can head to Barry Island for the day!
Barry Island is full of candy floss, fish & chips, arcade games, and rides, some people think it’s a bit tacky but if you go for the fun of it, you’ll have a good time!
Plus, there are a few different beaches in Barry Island and some are much quieter and relaxed than others so it’s still worth checking out, even if you are dubious!
Related Post: Barry Island Beaches Guide! 4 BEST Beaches in Barry To Visit!
18. Nash Point (Glamorgan)
– Best walks in Wales
A hugely underrated part of Wales is the Glamorgan Heritage Coast! This part of the Wales Coastal Path between Cardiff and Swansea is full of amazing beaches and Wales beauty spots.
Nash Point is my favourite area on the Glamorgan Heritage Coast in South Wales.
It has a towering cliff edge and the rocks down at the beach are one of the best places in ways for fossil hunting in Wales! If you have children who are into dinosaurs, this is a great stop in Wales!
19. Merthyr Mawr Sand Dunes (Glamorgan)
– Best hidden places in Wales
For a super unique walk in Wales, check out the Merthyr Mawr Nature Reserve featuring huge sand dunes.. yes sand dunes!
My sister goes walking here with her dogs all the time and I only recently found out about it because it is a spot only locals know!
Head to Merthyr Mawr Nature Reserve on Google Maps here. As you reach this point, you’ll get to the car park and from there you’ll see the big sand dunes you need to climb!
You can choose the steep dunes or some easier sand dunes and once at the top you’ll be rewarded with an incredible coastline view over Merthyr Mawr Beach and you can keep walking around the nature reserve from here which is easier to walk since you’ve already passed the sand dunes!
20. Cowbridge (Glamorgan)
– Most beautiful towns in Wales
Cowbridge is a lovely market town between Cardiff and Bridgend so if you’re driving from Cardiff to the Glamorgan Heritage Coast I suggest you take the scenic route rather than the M4 and drive through Cowbridge.
It’s full of independent shops in colourful buildings. There’s a pretty garden called the Physic Garden you can stretch your legs in and I recommend getting ice cream from Fablas Ice Cream Parlour.
It’s a hidden gem in Wales for sure!
21. Rhossili Bay (Swansea Gower)
– Best beaches to visit in Wales
The Swansea Gower feels like an Island off of the coast of Swansea and South Wales but it is actually joined to the mainland making it easy to visit from the M4.
Rhossili Bay is the most famous place to visit on the Gower because this beach has been voted as one of the best beaches in Wales (and maybe the world?). It’s not hard to see why so it should be on your list of places to visit in Wales!
The beach is huge and you get an amazing view of it whilst taking a coastal walk down Worms Head.
22. Three Cliffs Bay (Swansea Gower)
– Best beach walks in Wales
Another one of the best beaches in Swansea Gower is the Three Cliffs Bay which offers you a wild beach experience with sand dunes, a salt marsh and limestone cliffs, plus an amazing sand beach.
You can base yourself here for a few days on your Wales trip, the Three Cliffs Bay Holiday Park is a well known and popular place to stay in Wales or you can stop by whilst visiting the other places to go in South Wales on this list.
Related Post: How To Visit Three Cliffs Bay & Three Cliffs Bay Walks!
23. National Botanic Gardens of Wales (Carmarthenshire)
– Best gardens to visit in Wales
When planning your Wales trip, the National Botanic Gardens of Wales outside Carmarthen is a good place to stop all year round and definitely one of the good things to do in Wales when it rains because much of it is inside!
At this Wales tourist attraction you can visit the Great Glasshouse and Tropical House indoors and get a ticket for the British Bird of Prey Centre!
If the weather is good you can stretch your legs in the 400 acre Waun Las National Nature Reserve which is an enchanting mosaic of flower-rich meadows, evocative woodlands, waterfalls and cascades.
When stopping in Carmarthen, there are many nice villages near by like Llansteffan near by so be sure to plan in a few hours to see the near-by area!
24. Pembrey Country Park and Beach (Carmarthenshire)
If you’re doing this Wales trip with kids and want to wear them out, or you want a really good walk yourself, Pembrey Country Park is where you need to visit.
With an 8 mile long beach and a huge woodland area there is plenty of space to walk! You can also do activities here like horse riding, Wales longest toboggan run, dry ski slopes, crazy golf and more!
If you are looking for caravan sites and camping in Wales sites, I really recommend Pembrey Campsite because of how many facilities are within the County Park.
25. Wye Valley (England Wales Border)
– Best places to visit in Wales near England
On the very edge of Wales is the Wye Valley so if you’re driving from Southern England to Wales, you should pass through the Wye Valley on the way.
One of the main places to visit in the Wye Valley is Tintern Abbey. The historic Abbey ruins of Tintern Abbey and the village of Tintern are a good place to stretch your legs at the start or end of your Wales road trip as these are the famous landmark in Wales.
If you want a bit of a hike you can hike up to Devils Pulpit which is nearby and a great introduction to Wales hikes!
26. Cardigan
For places to visit in Wales, Cardigan has to be on the list! Despite Cardigan’s small size, this ancient market town is a great place to base yourself in South West Wales because there are plenty of things to do in Cardigan and Cardigan Bay.
The Cardigan Bay coastline is by far the top attraction, it’s actually where the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path starts so if you enjoy hiking, this is a great place to go.
Cardigan is surrounded by amazing beaches which are much less touristy than many of those further South in Pembrokeshire and you’re bound to see more of Welsh local life in this part of Wales.
Best Places to Visit in Mid-Wales
27. The Elan Valley (Powys)
The Powys region is technically in Mid-Wales but when looking at a map of Wales, it is closer to the South and easier to reach from South Wales, that’s why this impressive place area is ending my list of places to visit in Wales!
Elan Valley and the Elan Valley Dams and Reservoirs are one of the top places to visit in Powys. They were built a hundred years ago to supply desperately needed clean water to Birmingham. Today, they are perfect for walking around and they are impressive to see with gushing water travelling from one dam to another!
If you are coming from the Midlands into South Wales, going via the Elan Valley is a good way to enter or exit Wales and see this stunning beauty spot in Wales!
Places to Visit in North Wales
28. Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon) (Snowdonia National Park)
– Best hikes in Wales
If the weather is on your side, climbing Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon) should be on top of the list on your Wales itinerary! Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon) is the highest peak in Wales and although climbing it is hard work, it is do-able for many people and such a great achievement!
There are a few routes to the top, I have done it from Pen Y Pass a few times which I recommend, and if you don’t fancy the walk you can use the Snowdon Mountain Railway train to help you which is especially good if you’re in North Wales with children.
Related Post: Climbing Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon) From The Pen Y Pass Snowdon Route!
29. Llanberis Eryri National Park (Snowdonia National Park)
– Best places for families to visit in Wales
Llanberis is the town most people will pass through on the way to Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon) and many people park in Llanberis and start the hike up Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon) from here too.
Therefore if you are looking for things to do near Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon), Llanberis is a good place to visit.
Llanberis has a huge lake which is popular for watersports and many families come to relax on the grassy bank along the lake which has play areas too.
Tourist attractions in Llanberis include the Llanberis Lake Railway, National Slate Museum and Dolbadarn Castle. Overall it’s a perfect place for families to visit in Wales.
30. Dinorwig Quarry (Snowdonia National Park)
Also in Llanberis is Dinorwig Quarry but I’m adding this as it’s own place to visit in Wales because it’s a full day out on it’s own.
We had a great afternoon hiking here last year. We parked up in Llanberis main car park and headed straight into the forest between the two lakes here. If you search for Dinorwig Quarry on Google maps, you’ll find it easily.
We were so surprised by what we saw here. There are lots of old mining buildings within the forest, also known as the Anglesey Barracks as workers from Angelesey used to stay here. Dali’s Hole is a lake right at the top of the mountain and forest which you can walk to and then you can head over into the footpaths through the old Quarry.
On google it’s hard to see where to go, but trust me when you are there there are many places for walking here, with amazing views of the Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon) in front.
31. Watkins Path Waterfalls (Snowdonia National Park)
– Best waterfalls in Wales
Now wild swimming is all the range, one of the super unique and cool places for wild swimming in Wales and in Snowdonia is the Watkin Path Waterfalls!
The Watkins Path is another route to the top of Mount Snowdon but close-ish to the start of the walk you’ll find lots of pools one after each other than run down the mountain. They’re basically natural infinity pools in North Wales and the best places for swimming in Snowdonia.
32. Cwmorthin Lake, (Eryri National Park – Snowdonia National Park)
– Best lakes in Wales
Eryri National Park (Snowdonia National Park) is made up of so many lakes and it will be hard to drive past them on your North Wales trip without wanting to stop! One of the good lakes to stop at is Cwmorthin Lake because of its history.
This used to be a slate mine so when you visit the lake you can see the former Cwmorthin Slate Mine, there is also Cwmorthin Waterfall down the river from the lake so it makes a great place to stop for a walk in nature.
If you fancy some wild swimming in North Wales, this place is for you too!
33. Zip-Line (Eryri National Park – Snowdonia National Park)
– Best activities in Wales
One of the top places to visit in Wales for a lot of fun is Zip World in North Wales.
Zip World have 4 locations in North Wales 3 of which are in Eryri National Park (Snowdonia National Park).
The activities in each of them change from a roller coaster through the forest, sky rides, velocity ziplines and so much more, so pick which ones sound most appealing to you and book in because this will give your Wales road trip a huge adrenaline hit!
Zip World have revamped their North Wales activities quite a lot recently and now, in their Slate Cavern location in Eryri National Park (Snowdonia National Park) you can play underground golf and go on trampolines inside the cavern!
It’s best to book all Zip-World activities in Wales online in advance so you don’t miss out, especially for weekends and school holidays!
34. Adventure Parc Snowdonia (Snowdonia National Park)
– Best attractions in Wales
Adventure Parc Snowdonia has something for everyone in the family and you don’t have to have children to enjoy it! It’s an adults adventure playground too!
For high class, adrenaline activities in Wales like surfing on a man-made surfing pool, rock climbing walls, high ropes, indoor caves, soft play, paddle boarding, zip lines, biking and coasteering, check Adventure Parc Snowdonia out for all of the best water activities in North Wales!
35. Mount Tryfan (Snowdonia National Park)
– Best hike in Snowdon National Park
If you are up for an intense hike, be sure to add Mount Tryfan to your list of places to go in Wales and places for hiking in North Wales.
In fact, it’s not a hike, it’s a scramble to the top! It took me 5 hours and although it was hard and scary at times, it was so rewarding!
My Related Post: A Guide to Climbing Tryfan & Hiking Tryfan for Non-Climbers in North Wales!
36. Conway City (Conwy)
– Best cities in Wales to visit
Conway is a walled market town and worth visiting a few reasons. The main reason being Conwy Castle. There are many Castles in North Wales but this one is hugely impressive and if you only visit one castle in Wales it should be this one!
Conway is also home to the smallest house in Great Britain and still has it’s town walls intact so it’s a great place to visit for history in Wales if you don’t fancy a beach day or the weather is not on your side for exploring the wild outdoors.
37. LLandudno (Conwy)
– Best seaside resorts in Wales
Llandudno is an old British seaside resort but it is still thriving today and is clean and tidy to visit.
I love the old victorian buildings that line the huge promenade and beach. Llandudno pier is easily the top of the list of Llandudno tourist attractions is a good place for some typical seaside fun!
It is a resort town so there are lots of activities near Llandudno like a ski slope and one of the popular things to do in Llandudno is to drive up to and around the Great Orme rock that stands out beside the town. Be sure to look for seals in the ocean below too!
For one of the great places to visit near Llandudno you can go to Conwy city or one of the many nearby beaches like Colwyn Bay Beach.
We have some paddle boards and recently took them out onto the sea from Llandudno beach. We found it easy to park right by the beach and get to the water carrying the boards. The water was a bit choppy for us but if it was a nice still day, this is a great paddle boarding spot in North Wales.
38. Gwrych Castle (Conwy)
– Best castles in Wales to visit
Another one of the top Castles to visit in Wales is Gwrych Castle. This is one of the beautiful places in Wales to visit anyway, however it has now become even more popular due to it being where “I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!” was filmed for two consecutive years.
You need to purchase tickets to enter Gwrych Castle and if you want to know what it’s like to stay overnight in a castle, you can book to stay in one of their lodges!
39. Portmeirion Tourist Village (Gwynedd)
– Best places for families to visit in Wales
Aside from Snowdon, I’d say this is the top of the list in tourist attractions in Wales.
For a slice of Italy in Wales, you can visit Portmeirion. It is a pretty iconic place so you may have seen photos of it before online and it’s definitely one of the most iconic places to visit in North Wales.
It is a tourist village and it does get very busy so don’t go expecting a quaint village, it also costs £12.00 per adult to enter but for a unique experience to see some nice buildings and gardens it’s worth going.
Porthmadog is the closest town to Portmeirion which is quite a popular tourist town, so this place works as one of the great places to visit near Porthmadog.
40. Harlech Beach (Gwynedd)
– Best beaches in Wales to visit
For one of the best beaches in Wales with a beautiful stretch of white sand and clear blue water head to Harlech Beach! It’s one of the most beautiful beaches in Wales I have seen and I love that it has the sand dunes behind it.
Whilst you’re in Harlech you can check out the local town and definitely take a visit to Harlech Castle which stands prominently on the hill and another great North Wales attractions.
Harlech is a good place to visit before or after Portmeirion as they are quite close together.
41. Black Rock Sands Beach (Gwynedd)
– Biggest beaches in Wales
Black Rock Sands Beach is a really cool and different beach to visit because you can drive onto it!! It’s so amazing and fun, especially if you have always wanted to experience driving on a huge beach!
It costs £5.00 to enter the beach and after that, you have the whole beach to decide where to drive and park up. There is a chance you could get stuck in wet sand but there are people there to help pull you out!
This is another one of the good places to visit near Porthmadog as it isn’t far away at all.
42. Aber Falls (Gwynedd)
– Best waterfalls in Wales
Wales is all about waterfalls and one of the most visited waterfalls in Wales is Aber Falls! It’s a great place to stop as you are leaving Snowdon to go into North England or Conwy or Llandudno because it’s just off the main North Wales Expressway.
Aber Falls is popular because it is fairly easily accessible so it’s good for kids to walk with an impressive waterfall at the end so get this on your list of things to see in Wales!
43. Abersoch Beach (Llyn Peninsula)
– Best beaches for families in Wales
The beaches in North Wales are some of the top places to visit in North Wales all year round.
For a calm and sandy beach, Abersoch is the beach for you. You can head here in all seasons for a sunny day on the beach and a winters walk.
If you have children this is a good beach to add to your places to visit in Wales with kids as it is family friendly and safe.
44. Ty Coch Inn (Llyn Peninsula)
– Best pubs in Wales
A Beach Bar might not be what you expect to see in Wales, but this is why this part of the UK is so great because it offers surprise after surprise.
Ty Coch Inn has been voted in the top ten beach bars in the world because this typical Welsh pub is located on a beautiful stretch of beach.
It’s definitely one of the unique places to visit in Wales because there are not many other places you find a pub in such an incredible location.
45. Pen-Llyn Riding Centre (Llyn Peninsula)
– Best activities in Wales
If you want to add some horse riding in Wales to your list of things to do in Wales, I went out on a hack with Pen-Llyn Riding Centre last year and it was such a great way to see see this part of the Llyn Peninsula which is called Pwllheli.
46. Beaumaris (Anglesey Island)
– Best islands in Wales to visit
Anglesey is an island off of the North-West coast of Wales connected by a bridge in Bangor, and if there is one place you should visit in Anglesey it’s Beaumaris.
Beaumaris is a charming seaside town with a mix of medieval, Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian architecture and lots of them are painted in bright colours!
For tourist attractions in Anglesey, you can visit Beaumaris Castle, take a Puffin Island boat trip, walk along the seafront and get some fish and chips from one of the many shops!
47. Newborough Beach (Anglesey Island)
– Best sandy beaches in Wales
This is one of my favourite beaches in Wales! To get there you drive through Newborough National Nature Reserve, followed by a quick walk over sand dunes before getting to a long stretch of white sand!
The Eryri National Park (Snowdonia National Park) Mountains provide a stunning backdrop to this beach. It’s perfect for water sports like kayaking and paddle boarding and you can do a great walk to the end of the peninsula to see the lighthouses.
48. South Stack Lighthouse (Anglesey Island)
– Best lighthouses in Wales
This is one of my husbands top places to visit in Wales. He just loves seeing South Stack Lighthouse perched right on the last edge of the West Coast of Wales so remotely and it’s amazing that it was built in 1809.
We also love the drive to South Stack Lighthouse, it’s so scenic and totally worth the extra time it takes you get here as it’s a one of the best places to see in Anglesey.
Once here, you can visit inside the lighthouse with a ticket, there are walking paths along the coast and you can check out Elin’s Tower.
How to get to Wales?
The best way to get to Wales is by car and it depends whether you plan to visit South Wales, North Wales or Mid Wales.
For access into South Wales, go via the M4 into Cardiff which is an easy route for getting to Wales.
For access into North Wales, go via the North Wales Express which is an easy route for getting to Wales.
How to get around Wales?
Wales is best travelled by car because many of the best places to visit in Wales are remote and a car is needed to access them.
However, the train and bus system in Wales is good too. Here’s my post on visiting Wales by train and some ideas of where to go in Wales by train.
Best Time of Year to Visit Wales
I say that late spring, summer and early autumn is the best time to visit Wales for the best opportunity of good weather!
But, the weather in Wales is unpredictable, just like the rest of the UK, therefore as long as you have the right clothing for the weather, any time is the best time to visit Wales!
I have a more detailed post here on the best time of year to visit Wales which goes through the weather each month.
Where to Stay in Wales
There is a range of accommodation available in Wales for all budget types which can be booked on Booking.com, Airbnb, Hostelworld, Cool Stays etc.
Budget: For budget accommodation in Wales, look for hostels. YHA is a great hostel chain offering many locations throughout Wales!
Mid-Range: For hotels and guest houses, have a look on Airbnb and Booking.com. You’ll also find many glamping in Wales options in the mid-range price category.
Splurge: If you want some really unique accommodation in Wales like some luxury glamping in Wales, you’ll need to pay more but it will be worth it! You can find places like this on Cool Stays, Booking.com & Airbnb!
Wales FAQ’s
What is the most beautiful part of Wales?
I’d say that the most beautiful part of Wales is Pembrokeshire in South Wales! Pembrokeshire has a huge coastline with so many amazing beaches to visit. There are many seaside towns here and many of the family attractions in Wales here so it is not only beautiful but easy to see and stay here.
Is South Wales or North Wales better?
Both South Wales and North Wales have their highlights. If you enjoy hiking, North Wales is best. Both sides have top beaches in Wales though and many of the top attractions in Wales.
If you are struggling to decide where to visit in Wales, it’s best to visit the closest part to you. If you live in South England or the Midlands, South Wales will be better for you. If you live in North England or Scotland, North Wales will be better for you!
Where should I go in Wales?
The top areas to go in Wales are Eryri National Park (Snowdonia National Park), Pembrokeshire, Brecon Beacons and Cardiff.
Is Wales worth it?
Yes! Wales is definitely worth it! So many people are so surprised by Wales and how beautiful it is. Whether you go on a day trip or spend a 1 week holiday in Wales there is so much to see and do!
I hope this list of the places to visit in Wales has helped you plan your Wales trip and Wales itinerary!
- More of my Wales posts to help you plan your trip:
- How To Spend 3 Days in Wales! Perfect 3 Day Wales Itinerary!
- How To Spend 1 Week in Wales!
- 20 Things To Do In Cardiff, Cardiff Bay & Near Cardiff!
- 16 Beaches Near Cardiff To Visit. All 1 Hour From Cardiff!
- How To Climb Snowdon From The Pen Y Pass Snowdon Route!
- 16 Beautiful Staycations in Wales To Feel Like You’re Abroad!