Skip to Content

Wales Road Trip Itinerary & 56 Places To Stop On Your Wales Road Trip!

This post may contain affiliate links. I will receive a small commission if you use these links.

A Wales Road Trip is the best way to explore Wales because although there is a train line within the country and there are buses too, to get to the top places to visit in Wales you need a car, there’s no doubt about that!

Whether you’re planning a short Wales road trip for a few days, perhaps a London to Wales Road Trip, or you have longer to explore Wales,, I have written this post to give you lots of ideas for where to visit in Wales which will help you plan your Wales road trip itinerary or staycation in Wales!

I don’t recommend visiting ALL of these places in Wales in one trip because I have given you so many places, but you can use the below map of Wales and the way I have categorised the places into areas to help plan your Wales travel itinerary depending on how much time you have and what you want to see in Wales!

When it comes to planning your Wales itinerary, the best thing about doing a Wales road trip is that you can see a lot in just one day, especially in Snowdonia and Pembrokeshire!

I’ve spent nearly all my life back and forth between England and Wales and now I live in Cardiff so I can’t wait to share these gems in Wales with you!

Wales Road Trip

Wales Road Trip
Keep Reading for the best places to go on a Wales Road Trip! Including this colourful village!

CAR HIRE IN WALES

If you’re reading this post with future dreams of doing a Wales road trip but don’t have a car, visit Rentalcars to get a quote. They search all of the top rental companies like Budget and Hertz to get you the best price!

Search car rental prices for Wales here!

Wales Road Trip Map

Use this Wales road trip map to see all of the places I have detailed in this post easily to plan where to visit on your Welsh road trip:

Wales Road Trip Itinerary

In this blog post, I have focused on the best places to visit in Wales and the best places to stop in as you drive through Wales so you can plan your own road trip itinerary based on how long you have, what your interests are and what time of year it is.

However for some guidance, here are some Wales Road Trip itineraries I have put together:

To create your own, perfect Wales road trip itinerary I suggest the following:

If you have limited time, my advice for your itinerary for Wales is to stick to a certain area and explore it well.

For example, if you have 3 days in Wales, don’t try to visit North AND South Wales as you will miss so much in both places and spend most of your days driving between them.

Wales is a relatively small country and the South Coast is easy to travel along using the M4 and A roads, however, once you are off these roads, the roads do become very small and windy and more time is needed to drive along them so keep this in mind when planning how long it takes to drive around Wales!

When planning your Wales road trip itinerary, I recommend that you visit up to 4 places in a similar area in one day and base yourself in a location for 1-3 nights to explore the local area and beyond to get the most out of your Wales road trip!

Find What You're Looking For Easily Here!

Best Time to Road Trip Around Wales

Like the rest of the UK, the weather in Wales can change a lot each day and it can change dramatically throughout the year!

Generally, there’s never a bad time to visit Wales as long as you are prepared for the weather.

However, from my experience living in Wales, I say that late Spring and early Autumn is the best time for a Wales Road Trip though as the weather is more pleasant – not too hot, not too cold, and you miss the summer traffic and crowds.

For more information on the weather in Wales, each month see this detailed post I wrote – the best time to visit Wales!

Staycation in Wales Llandudno
This was in Spring at Great Orme National Park! It was cold but beautiful sunny!

Where to Stay on a Wales Road Trip

There is so much accommodation on offer in Wales for all budgets and preferences.

In the summer you will find endless campsites in Wales, especially along the coast, especially campsites in Tenby. There are cool options for glamping in Wales so you can stay in shepherds’ huts, cabins, yurts, etc.

There are many B&B’s, cottages to rent on Airbnb, private rooms to book on Airbnb, and many well-known chain hotels on the likes of booking.com.

glamping in Wales, Wales Road Trip Accommodation
I recently stayed in this glamping tent in North Wales which was a great base!

Places to Visit on a Wales Road Trip:

Now, let’s get into places to stop on your Wales road trip and the best places to add to your Wales road trip itinerary.

I’ve started with places in South Wales first and then I go into places in North Wales. I’ve noted them all by their county/region so you can realistically plan where you can visit with the time you have.

CAR HIRE IN WALES

If you’re reading this post with future dreams of doing a Wales road trip but don’t have a car, visit Rentalcars to get a quote. They search all of the top rental companies like Budget and Hertz to get you the best price!

Search car rental prices for Wales here!

1. Tintern Abbey (Wye Valley)

On the very edge of Wales is the Wye Valley so if you’re driving from England to Wales, especially if you’re on a London to Wales road trip, 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 places to stretch your legs at the start or end of your Wales road trip. If you want a bit of a hike you can hike up to Devils Pulpit which is nearby.

Wye Valley, Devils Pulpit View, Wales Road Trip
A view from Devils Pulpit on the edge of Wales on a winter hike!

2. Cardiff City (Cardiff)

Cardiff is the capital city of Wales. You may be coming to Wales for nature on your Welsh road trip but if you fancy a good night out, Cardiff is well known for its weekend 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 but I suggest you book accommodation in the places to visit in South Wales below rather than basing yourself in Cardiff and doing day trips out because even on a Wales road trip for 4 days you can still see a lot of the South of Wales!

Related Post: 16 Day Trips From Cardiff! & 1 Day Cardiff Itinerary!

Wales Road Trip, Cardiff Castle
Cardiff Caste is a must visit in Cardiff on your Wales road trip!

3. Caerphilly Castle (Cardiff)

Caerphilly is just a 20 minute drive from Cardiff City Centre and it’s a good place to stop when you are entering or leaving Cardiff.

The top attraction is Caerphilly Castle which when constructed in the 13th Century was the biggest castle in Wales! Wales has some brilliant castles that you really should see when you’re here and because Caerphilly is so close to Cardiff, it’s a great place to pass through on your road trip around Wales.

If you want to stretch your legs, be sure to climb Caerphilly Mountain which is more of a hill than a mountain so it doesn’t take long and it’s pretty easy but it gives amazing countryside views!

Related Post: How To Do Caerphilly Mountain Walk! Easy Walk Near Cardiff!

Caerphilly Castle, Wales Road Trip

4. Castle Coch (Cardiff)

Another great stop on your way into or out of Cardiff is Castle Coch! This 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 Forest Fawr where it’s located.

Wales Road Trip, Castle Coch

5. Brecon Beacons National Park

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) and therefore it is easily one of the best places to visit in Wales.

There are hiking trails, waterfalls and pretty villages to be found in the Brecon Beacons so it has something for everyone and for every time of year.

Related Posts: How To Do Pen Y Fan Walk in The Brecon Beacons! & How To Do The 4 Waterfall Walk in the Brecon Beacons!

3 Day Wales itinerary, Brecon Beacons Waterfalls
The Brecon Beacons Waterfalls make a great day out with 3 days in Wales!

6. Hay on Wye (Brecon Beacons)

You’ll find this pretty market town in the Brecon Beacons in the North of the National Park on the edge of England and Wales.

It is famous for its literature and books and most of the town is book-themed which makes it a historic and pretty town for visitors to visit. You’ll find some good food there too!

Wales Road Trip, Hay on Wye

7. National Showcaves Centre (Brecon Beacons)

A really great attraction in Wales for families is the National Showcaves Centre of Wales located in the south of the Brecon Beacons!

It is a cave exploration attraction with a dinosaur park, museum, Iron Age farm and kids’ play area so it’s the perfect stop on your Welsh road trip for children to enjoy!

8. Barry Island (Glamorgan)

If you know Gavin and Stacey, you’ll know Barry Island and for some seaside fun, head here! If you are a big fan of Gavin and Stacey you can even go on a Gavin and Stacey Tour.

You won’t get the best beach in wales here but you will get candy floss, arcade games and colourful beach huts. Some people think it’s a bit tacky but if you go for the fun of it, you’ll have a good time!

Wales Road Trip, Barry Island Beach
Colourful beach huts in Barry!

9. Nash Point (Glamorgan)

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 Nash Point is my favourite!

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 on your Wales Road Trip!

Nash Point, Wales Road Trip

10. Cowbridge (Glamorgan)

Cowbridge is a lovely market town in-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.

Cowbridge, Wales Road Trip

11. Rhossili Bay (Swansea Gower)

The Swansea Gower feels like an Island off of the coast of South Wales but it is actually joined to the mainland.

Rhossili Bay is the most famous place to visit in the Gower because this beach has been voted as one of the best beaches in Wales (and maybe the world?) and 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.

Wales Road Trip, Rhossili Bay
Now you can probably see why Rhossili Bay is famous!

12. Three Cliffs Bay (Swansea Gower)

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.

The Gower is wild and wonderful. You can base yourself here for a few days on your Wales road trip or pass by for a day and this is one of the beaches you should visit!

Related Post: How To Visit Three Cliffs Bay & Three Cliffs Bay Walks!

Three Cliffs Bay, Wales Road Trip
Three Cliffs Bay is such a nice beach and a popular beach for locals to visit!

13. The Mumbles (Swansea Gower)

For a Welsh seaside town, you can stop off at The Mumbles whilst on the Gower. The Mumbles has its own beach and colourful shops and cafes in town. There’s also a pier and lighthouse to visit at the end of the beach.

It’s a good place to get some lunch on the Gower before carrying on with the rest of your Wales road trip.

Wales Road Trip, The Mumbles, Swansea Gower
The Mumbles is a good place for lunch on your Wales road trip!

14. National Botanic Gardens of Wales (Carmarthenshire)

On your road trip through South Wales, the National Botanic Gardens of Wales 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!

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.

15. Pembrey Country Park and Beach (Carmarthenshire)

If you’re doing this Wales road 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 because it is easily one of the best places in Wales.

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!

16. Tenby (Pembrokeshire)

Tenby beach is the most popular beach and seaside town in Pembrokeshire, and maybe even in Wales. This extremely colourful town has everything you need for a Welsh seaside holiday include holiday cottages, 3 sand beaches, coastal walks, shops, restaurants and boat tours.

I really recommend visiting Tenby on your Wales coastal road trip because it is such a popular place and one of the best places to visit in Wales. You can base yourself here to see more of Pembrokeshire from or you can stay nearby and visit for the day.

Tenby in the evening as the clouds turn a pastel colour is a lovely time of day too!

Related Post: Best Tenby Cottages for Self Catering in Tenby!

Wales road trip, Tenby beach and town
Tenby Beach is one of the best places in Wales to visit!

17. Saundersfoot (Pembrokeshire)

Saundersfoot has a beautiful, big, sandy beach with a pretty seaside village next to it.

Home to some amazing food and restaurants you should stop here on your Pembrokeshire road trip if you want a less touristic beach but still one with facilities around you.

Related Post: Things To Do in Saundersfoot & Things To Do Near Saundersfoot.

Wales road trip, Saundersfoot Beach
Add Saundersfoot Beach to your Wales road trip itinerary!

18. Manor Wildlife Park (Pembrokeshire)

Manor House Wildlife Park is a 52-acre zoo with large animal enclosures which you can walk through and see a close up view of the animals.

A great stop for families on a Wales road trip in Pembrokeshire to keep the kids entertained and great is the weather isn’t that great and you don’t want to be on the beach!

CAR HIRE IN WALES

If you’re reading this post with future dreams of doing a Wales road trip but don’t have a car, visit Rentalcars to get a quote. They search all of the top rental companies like Budget and Hertz to get you the best price!

Search car rental prices for Wales here!

19. Manorbier Beach (Pembrokeshire)

Manorbier Beach is one of the beaches near Tenby, it’s popular with locals and holiday makers from nearby accommodation and holiday parks!

It’s a great beach for beginner surfing, and surfing for children because of it’s small waves. It has a rock and sand beach and is surrounded by a beautiful coastal path either side to more impressive places to visit in Wales which I’ve given next on this list!

Whilst stopping in Manorbier on your Wales road trip, you can also visit Manorbier Castle and get some cake at Beach Break Tearooms!

Manorbier Beach, Wales Road Trip
Manorbier Beach is a popular spot for surfing for the locals!

20. Church Door Cove (Pembrokeshire)

A super unique place to visit along the coast of Pembrokeshire is Church Door Cove! A small bay with a huge ‘door’ cut into the cliffs from the Waves!

This is one of those cool places in Wales you see on Instagram and wonder – Where is that? How do I get there??

If you’re driving by you can park nearby at Lydstep Head however, the best way to visit Church Door Cove is to walk from Manorbier Beach along the Wales Coastal Path which is a stunning walk and will take about 45 minutes.

Related Post: How To Get To Church Door Cove & Skrinkle Haven Beach.

Best beaches in Pembrokeshire, Church Door Cove
This impressive hole in the cliff makes it one of the Best beaches in Pembrokeshire!

21. Barafundle Bay (Pembrokeshire)

Voted one of the beaches in the world, Barafundle Bay is a must visit on your Wales self drive itinerary. The reason why it 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.

Even if you are doing this Wales road trip in the winter or on a non-beach day, the coastal walk here is nice and you’ll be surprised by what you see at the end!

Related Post: How to Get to Barafundle Bay.

Wales Road Trip, Barafundle Bay
Barafundle Bay is hidden but worth the walk!

22. 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.

This is definitely one of the places you should visit on your Pembrokeshire road trip as part of your wider Wales road trip and it is easy to access from Tenby.

Related Post: How To Visit the Bosherston Lilly Ponds in Pembrokeshire!

Wales Road Trip, Bosherston Lilly Ponds
This walk is a must do on your Pembrokeshire road trip.

23. Broad Haven South Beach (Pembrokeshire)

Half way through the Bosherston Lilly Ponds walk you will come out at Broad Haven Beach which is a huge, beautiful sand beach and no matter the weather deserves a visit during one of your days in Pembrokeshire.

Related Post: Broad Haven South Beach Directions, Information & Things To Do.

Wales Road Trip, Broad Haven South Beach
Bosherston Lilly Ponds bring you out here!

24. St Govan’s Chapel (Pembrokeshire)

If you want to visit a hidden gem in Wales, St Govan’s Chapel is the place to visit! This is a chapel hidden down a set of steps that leads out onto a hidden bay!

It’s a really close to Bosherston Lilly Ponds so you can visit both at one time and whilst you’re there have a walk out onto St Govan’s Head along the top of the cliff top.

Related Post: How to Visit St Govan’s Chapel in Pembrokeshire! A Hidden Place!

Wales road trip, St Govans Chapel
Can you see the top of the chapel at the bottom of the stairs??

25. 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 with rocks and stones behind the dunes that you can visit which is very quirky and unique.

You should still visit this beach as part of your Wales road trip even if you are not a Harry Potter fan because it is another one of Pembrokeshire’s best beaches. I visited at sunset once and it was such an amazing sunset spot to try to include this on your itinerary for a wales road trip!

Wales Road Trip, Freshwater West Beach
Visit Freshwater West Beach at Sunset on your Wales road trip!

26. Pembroke Castle (Pembrokeshire)

Pembroke town is not somewhere you need too spend much time but whilst on your Wales scenic drive, beach hopping through Pembrokeshire, you may find yourself passing through and Pembroke Castle is a nice place to stop.

Wales has many castles 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.

Wales Road Trip, Pembroke Castle
Photo via Celtic Haven

27. Oakwood Theme Park (Pembrokeshire)

This is Wales biggest theme park and 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 here at Oakwood theme park!

28. Narberth (Pembrokeshire)

Narberth is inland in Pembrokeshire rather than on the coast like many of the places to visit in Pembrokeshire I have noted on this Wales road trip itinerary.

It is a pretty market town full of colourful houses and shops inside Georgian and Edwardian buildings and most of the shops are all independent and boutique shops which make it extra special.

If it’s not beach whether when you’re in Pembrokeshire then spend a few hours here instead and get warm in one of the cafes!

Wales Road Trip, Narberth
Look how colourful Narberth town is!

29. St Davids (Pembrokeshire)

St Davids is a city in Southern Pembrokeshire and is well worth a visit. St Davids Cathedral is stunning and people come all the way to the city just to see it.

Aside from this, although a city, St Davids is very walkable and from the Cathedral, you can walk its small streets which have independent shops running along them. From here you can also book onto tours to the nearby islands like Ramsey Island.

Wales Road Trip, St Davids Cathedral
St Davids Cathedral is why many people visit St Davids and you can probably see why!

30. Ramsey Island (Pembrokeshire)

From St Davids I booked onto a Ramsey Island tour which I thoroughly enjoyed and I recommend it as one of your Wales road trip ideas! We were driven from the city to the coast which was handy so we didn’t have to drive ourselves, we got onto a small but comfy boat and were out on the search for seals before we knew it.

In the right season you can also spot whales and dolphins from here. It’s a great day trip activity in Pembrokeshire for children and adults!

Related Post: 10 Things To Do In Broad Haven close to St David’s.

Wales Road Trip, Ramsey Island
A Ramsey Island boat tour is a great idea on your Wales road trip!

31. Newgale Beach (Pembrokeshire)

Close to St David’s and worth stopping at on the way is Newgale Beach. It’s a huge beach at 3km long and when the tide is out it’s incredibly wide too, I’ve never seen a beach like it.

It’s a great beach for a good walk or for a beach day if the weather is nice!

Wales road trip, Newgale beach
Newgale beach is a great stop for a walk on your Wales road trip!

32. Blue Lagoon (Pembrokeshire)

If you want somewhere cool to swim in Wales, especially in the summer, you have to add the Blue Lagoon to your Wales itinerary!

It’s a former slate quarry and now features a big, and deep, lagoon that is popular for coasteering, kayaking and swimming!

Abereiddy is the nearest town and you can visit Abereiddy Beach while you’re there!

Blue Lagoon, Wales Road Trip
Photo via Coastal Cottages

33. Fishguard (Pembrokeshire)

Fishguard is a coastal town on the West Coast of Wales with a traditional Welsh harbour. If you’re just passing by you can stop at the harbour and take in the views or you can head into Fishguard town. You’ll find plenty of cafes in the town too to enjoy.

If you want some adventure you can go out on a kayak tour in search of marine life in all of the caves along the coast and you might spot seals too! In the right season, you can also do whale and dolphin boat tours from Fishguard which will add some excitement to your road trip through wales!

Wales Road Trip, Fishguard Harbour
Kayaking tours leave here from Fishguard Harbour!

34. Aberfforest Beach (Pembrokeshire)

Close to Fishguard is a hidden beach you should make the effort to visit. There is no parking but as you go down the track you’ll see a small place to park on the edge of the lane and then it’s a 10-minute walk down a footpath.

You’ll be greeted with a small cove beach with calm water, it’s not a golden sand beach but still a nice one to sit on and great for dogs. Nearby there is Aberforrest Waterfall which you can walk to from the beach.

Wales Road Trip, Aberfforest Beach
Aberfforest Beach is a hidden gem!

35. Preseli Hills (Pembrokeshire)

The Preseli Hills or Preseli Mountains as they are also known are a great place for a day of hiking in Wales on your Wales road trip. A lot of people go hiking in the Brecon Beacons but this is a great and alternate place to go hiking, you’ll likely see fewer people and it’s more of a wild Wales experience!

If you’re looking to go horse riding in Wales on your Wales road trip, the Preseli Hills are a good place to go riding!

36. Aberaeron (Cardigan)

If your wales road trip includes visiting both South and North Wales you’ll use the West Coast of Wales to get between them and you’re lucky because this Wales scenic drive along the West Coast is beautiful!

There are a few places to stop to break up your journey and Aberaeron charming and colourful Georgian harbour town on the Cardigan Bay is one of the places you can stop. You can stretch your legs on Aberaeron Beach or stop in one of its many cafes for a drink.

Aberaron, Wales Road Trip

37. Aberystwyth (Cardigan)

Aberystwyth is an ancient market town but these day’s it is much more developed and the town centre isn’t so attractive in places but it does have a big beach and promenade to walk along and some other tourist attractions.

On your scenic drive in Wales along the West Coast, if you need to stop somewhere to pick up supplies, go shopping or have lunch, this is a good place to stop.

38. Elan Valley Dams (Powys)

The middle of Wales isn’t as visited as the North and South, probably because many of the roads are country roads but there are some stunning places to visit in Mid-Wales and in the Powys region of Wales!

One of these is the Elan Valley and the Elan Valley Dams and Reservoirs. 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!

(Although if the water levels are low as they were when I went, you won’t see gushing water, but they are still lovely to see and walk around.)

If you are coming from the Midlands into Wales on your road trip, this would be a good way to enter or exit Wales!

Elan Valley Dams, Wales Road Trip,
Mid-Wales and the Elan Valley is a great place to add to your Wales Road Trip Itinerary!

39. Mount Snowdon (Snowdonia National Park)

If the weather is on your side, climbing Mount Snowdon should be on your North Wales itinerary! Snowdon is the highest peak in Wales and although climbing it is hard work, it is do-able!

There are a few routes to the top, I did it from Pen Y Pass which I recommend, and if you don’t fancy the walk you can get the Snowdon Mountain Railway train to the top which is especially good if you’re touring Wales by car with children.

Related Post: Climbing Snowdon From The Pen Y Pass Snowdon Route!

Wales Road Trip, Mount Snowdon
Hiking Mount Snowdon should be on your Wales road trip itinerary!

40. Fairy Falls Waterfall (Snowdonia National Park)

There are so many places to visit in on your North Wales road trip and the Fairy Falls is a waterfall that has been recommended to me a few times.

The Fairy Falls are located in the village of Trefriw which is located on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park. Trefriw is a good place for a walk around and you can continue walking further down the river that make the falls.

41. Cwmorthin Lake (Snowdonia National Park)

Snowdonia is made up of so many lakes and it will be hard to drive past them on your welsh road 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 Snowdonia National Park, this place is for you too!

42. Watkins Path Waterfalls (Snowdonia National Park)

Talking of wild swimming, one of the super unique and cool places for wild swimming 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 Wales!

43. Mount Tryfan (Snowdonia National Park)

If you are up for an intense hike, be sure to add Mount Tryfan so your Wales road trip itinerary!

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!

Related Post: A Guide to Climbing Tryfan & Hiking Tryfan for Non-Climbers in North Wales!

Wales road trip, Mount Tryfan
The view whilst scrambling up Mount Tryfan

44. Zip World (Snowdonia National Park)

One of the top places to visit in Wales for a lot of fun is Zip World in North Wales.

They have 4 locations in North Wales and 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!

45. Adventure Parc Snowdonia (Snowdonia National Park)

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 like surfing on a man-made surfing pool, rock climbing walls, high ropes, indoor caves, soft play, paddle boarding, zip lines, biking and coasteering!

46. Portmeirion Tourist Village (Gwynedd)

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!

Wales Road Trip, Portmeirion,

47. Harlech Beach (Gwynedd)

For 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.

Harlech is a good place to visit before or after Portmeirion as they are quite close together.

Wales Road Trip, Harlech Beach
Look at this sand and water! It doesn’t even look like Wales!

48. Black Rock Sands Beach (Gwynedd)

Another beach recommendation for North Wales, did you know North Wales had this many amazing beaches?

Black Rock Sands Beach is a really cool and different beach to visit because you can drive onto it fully!! It’s so amazing!

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!

Wales Road Trip, Black Rock Sands Beach
You can drive all along here!

49. Abersoch Beach (Gwynedd)

North Wales has plenty of beaches too, 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 North Wales road trip.

Wales Road Trip, Abersoch Beach

50. Aber Falls (Gwynedd)

Wales is all about waterfalls and one of the most visited waterfalls in North Wales is Aber Falls! It’s a great place to stop as you are leaving North Wales into North England because it’s just off the main A road.

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!

51. Newborough Beach (Anglesey Island)

This is one of my favourite beaches in North 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 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.

Newborough Beach, Wales Road Trip

52. Beaumaris (Anglesey Island)

Anglesey is an island off of the North-West coast of Wales and if there is one place you should visit here it is 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! 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!

Wales Road Trip, Beaumaris
The pretty town of Beaumaris is worth a visit in North Wales.

53. Holyhead (Anglesey Island)

Holyhead is the harbour port where you get the boat over to Ireland. It is the biggest town on Anglesey Island and a great place to base yourself on this Wales road trip if you want to see a lot of Angelsey.

It has a bustling town with nearby beaches and activities like cycling, golf, a lighthouse walk and a Maritime Museum!

wales road trip, Holyhead

54. Parys Mountain (Anglesey Island)

This is a really unique place in North Wales and in Anglesey! It’s an historic copper mining site and because of this the ground and rocks are striking colours of gold and copper!

It’s a great place to go walking on Anglesey Island!

55. Conway City (Conwy)

Conway is a walled market town and worth visiting for a few reasons. The main reason being Conwy Castle which is a hugely impressive Castle 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 North Wales if you don’t fancy a beach day.

wales road trip, Conwy

56. LLandudno (Conwy)

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 and the Llandudno pier 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 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!

Wales road trip, Llandudno

Wales Road Trip FAQs

How long does it take to drive around Wales?

To drive around the outer edge of Wales and therefore drive all the way around Wales it will take about 6-7 hours without stopping. This could take longer if you get stuck behind traffic on the small A roads.

How long does it take to drive from one end of Wales to the other?

4 hours. There is not a motorway connecting North and South Wales. To drive from one end of Wales to the other you can drive through the middle of Wales along the A470 in 4 hours, or the A49 which is mostly in England for 4 hours, or along the A487 on the West Coast in 4 hours. However, if you get stuck in traffic or behind tractors, the journey can take longer.

What is the best month to visit Wales?

Generally, there’s never a bad time to visit Wales as long as you are prepared for the weather. I’d say that late Spring in May and June and early Autumn in September and October is the best time for a Wales Road Trip and the best month to visit Wales.

How many days do you need to see Wales?

At least 3 days in Wales is a good amount of time to see a lot of the Country. However if you have 7 days or more, this will enable you to see both the North and South of Wales in one trip, or get to know one area really well.

I hope this has helped you plan your Wales road trip.

To SEE wales you can watch some of my Wales YouTube videos here!