Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures, historic castles or fun cities, these are the 13 best places to visit in Wales for an amazing day out!
What can I say about Wales? It’s one of those places that just alights the senses, isn’t it? Just say the name and I bet an image of dramatic landscapes or castles pops into your head.
What’s not to love. You’ve got the beauty of the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia National Park, some of the best beaches in Great Britain, an amazing history and culture than can rival any in the world. There really is something for everyone here.
Are you looking for some of the best places to visit in Wales though? Well if so then this is the blog post for you!
All of these places vary from historic castles to stunning national parks to adrenaline-fuelled adventures and everything else in-between. Just a few nights in Wales can be full of possibilities, making it the perfect place to stay at any time of year.
Wales attractions are some of the best in the entire UK. You can easily go from trail to town in no time at all.
From the stunning sands of the Llyn Peninsula to the vibrant streets and events of Cardiff to the world-class outdoor adventures of the Snowdonia National Park (Eryri), Wales is a stunning and often underrated place to visit.
Even though I’ve visited Wales dozens of times, I always find something new and beautiful to see and experience every time I visit. It’s that good!
So, where might you be visiting on your next trip to Wales? Let’s dive in and find out more.
Contents:
Best places to visit in Wales
Explore Mount Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa)
Want to take on one of the biggest mountains in the UK? Mount Snowdon, known by its Welsh name, Yr Wyddfa, is the tallest mountain in Wales and is one of the easier large mountains to climb. Located in the stunning Snowdonia National Park (Eryri), there are four main routes up the mountain, all varying in difficulty and offering different beautiful landscapes along the way.
If you only fancy hiking one way, you can jump on the Snowdon Mountain Railway which goes up and down the mountain all the way through the summer season.
Hike along the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path
If stunning coastal views are more your thing, then I’d highly recommend heading to the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path. This is a part of the much longer Welsh Coastal Path, but it’s one of the most beautiful sections of this huge multi-day trail.
Traversing the coastlines along Tenby, Freshwater West, Marloes Sands, and more, the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path takes you to some of the most amazing beaches in Wales. Pembrokeshire has the highest concentration of Blue Flag beaches in the country, so you’re bound to enjoy a relaxing day on the sands after a long few hours of hiking.
Discover Conwy Castle
I love exploring historic castles all over the world, but Conwy Castle is one of the most well-preserved medieval castles that I’ve ever seen. It harks back to the 13th century, so it’s a building that’s full of interesting history, architecture, and art.
If you’re interested in Welsh history and how this amazing nation became a part of the United Kingdom, then this is absolutely the place to do so. Conwy is also a beautiful walled town to visit, where you’ll find the smallest house in the country. If you’re in the area, it’s a really cool and unique Welsh attraction.
If castles are your thing, you can check out the best castles in North Wales here!
Adventure through Brecon Beacons National Park (Bannau Brycheiniog)
Whether you love hiking, mountain biking, climbing, or kayaking, it’s all possible in the stunning Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog). Home to some of the best trails in the country, it’s any adventurer’s dream playground.
If you happen to stay in the Brecon Beacons, you’ll be treated to another magical adventure when the sun goes down. That’s because Bannau Brycheiniog is a registered Dark Skies Reserve. It’s the perfect spot to see the stars and planets on a clear Welsh night.
Dive into history at Caernarfon Castle
Located in the northwest of the country, Caernarfon Castle is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Wales. It’s a hugely important Welsh attraction as it’s the place where the Prince of Wales was historically crowned.
It’s an awesome place to visit and is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the town around the castle, you can find a ton of historical and culturally-significant sights, including the UK’s longest heritage railway, The Welsh Highland Railway. This steam train sets off on its picturesque journey from just next door to this amazing castle.
This is a tour I’d really recommend which takes in the best of the area including Caernarfon Castle and Portmerion.
Get your thrills at Zipworld
Are you looking to get your heart pounding and adrenaline racing? Head to the mighty Zipworld in Bethesda, North Wales. Bethesda is home to some of the best adventure excursions in the country, but the crowning glory is Zipworld.
With the record for the longest zipline in Europe and the fastest zipline in the entire world, it’s a thrillseeker’s paradise. Journey through the old slate quarry to the top of the hill, get strapped into a hanging canopy, and race your friends down the mountain, reaching speeds of up to 100mph. It’s insane!
Shop til your drop in Cardiff
Honestly, I can’t put together a list of the best places to visit in Wales without mentioning the capital city, Cardiff. From the amazing sporting events and concerts on at the Principality Stadium to the stunning Cardiff Castle to the picturesque harbour, there’s a little something for everyone.
If you’re looking for an upbeat, city vibe when you’re visiting Wales, there is no better option than Cardiff. There’s always something going on from Pride parades to food festivals to rugby matches and beyond.
Try and pronounce Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch
So, there’s a small town on the island of Anglesey with a ridiculously long name. It’s one of the longest place names in the whole world. Locally, due to how long the name is, the town is referred to as LlanfairPG.
For the full effect, many tourists travel to the train station of this small town to take a photo with the really long place name sign. It’s one of the most popular attractions in the whole of Anglesey – it’s wild. Go ahead, try and say it all in one go – I challenge you!
Pretend you’re in Italy in Portmeirion
In a small village in northwest Wales, you’ll find a unique vibe that looks more like the Italian Riviera than anywhere else in the UK. Portmeirion was the brainchild and passion project of Sir Clough Williams-Ellis in the early 20th century and has drawn tourists in for decades.
Dominated by brightly coloured buildings and Mediterranean-style architecture, it’s a beautiful place to spend the day, especially if you’re a fan of stately homes and landscaped gardens. It’s even been used in TV shows and movies throughout the past few decades.
I’d say this is one of the best places to visit in Wales for families, so add it to your itinerary if you’re travelling with the little ones.
Explore the bookstores at Hay-on-Wye
Bookworms, this place is definitely going to make you feel like you’ve gone to heaven. Located in south Wales on the border with England is the beautiful town of Hay-on-Wye. The whole town is full of charming bookstores and other cute and quirky independent shops.
If you happen to find yourself in the area during late May or early June, you’ll be treated to the world-famous Hay Festival, which celebrates writers, artists, and performers from all around the world. It also means the town is in full bloom and jam-packed with eventgoers.
Marvel at the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Llangollen
Consider yourself a bit of an engineering nerd? Well then, you need to visit the stunning Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Llangollen. Located just outside the Snowdonia National Park, this amazing feat of engineering and architecture dominates the valley landscape.
This amazing bridge features 18 archways and has the Llangollen Canal flowing over the top of it. It’s actually pretty common to see canal boats, kayakers, and paddleboarding floating on the top of the aqueduct. Wander along the top of this awesome structure and try not to look down!
See the magic at Aber Falls
One of the great things about Wales’s natural beauty is that it’s jam-packed full of stunning waterfalls. If you’re looking for one of the best in the country, head to North Wales and check out the majestic Aber Falls.
Located near the distillery of the same name, you can easily get the bus from neighbouring towns, or drive to the huge car park. From there, it’s just a short, accessible hike to the base of the falls, making it a perfect day trip for people of any fitness level!
Wander the beaches of the Llyn Peninsula
What’s a trip to Wales without a day or two at the beach? Some of the best beaches in north Wales lie on the Llyn Peninsula, which juts out just south of Caernarfon. Thanks to its semi-tropical microclimate, the peninsula has pretty great weather all year round.
This area is home to stunning beaches like Porth lago, Porth Llanbedrog, and the popular surfing beach, Porth Neigwl (which translates in English as Hell’s Mouth Beach!). Whether you want to try out a new sport, relax on the sands, or dip your toes in the water of the Irish Sea, the Llyn Peninsula is a great place to make it happen.
So there you have, the 13 best places to visit in Wales, no matter what season you decide to travel. Which Wales attractions are your favourites? Let me know in the comments below and I’ll be sure to add them to my next Wales itinerary.
Like this blog post? Then Pin it for the future!
