47 BEST Things To Do in Wales [With Map]

Wales might have a small population, but we have a huge soul, a strong culture, and a treasure trove of things to do across the country, from the quaint country villages to the big cities.

As a Welshman born and bred, I've already explored most of Wales and just over a year ago, I set out on a challenge to visit every tourist attraction in the country, as reported by Wales Online.

This ultimate guide is the culmination of that challenge. Here, I'll share the very best things to do in Wales from the majestic castles to the lesser-known attractions.

Best Things To Do

1. Climb a mountain in Eryri National Park (Snowdonia)

Eryri National Park, also known as Snowdonia in English, is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in Wales, including all 15 of the Welsh 3000s, these are the mountains in Wales above 3000ft.

The most famous is, of course, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) which is the tallest mountain in England and Wales. This is the most-climbed mountain with no fewer than six routes to the top.

However, Yr Wyddfa can get very busy during the summer, so I recommend that you consider some other mountains in the national park such as Cadair Idris, Cnict (also known as the Welsh Matterhorn), or Tryfan (this one is very challenging).

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2. Visit Cardiff, the Capital City of Wales

Wales' capital city, Cardiff, is an absolute must for anyone visiting South Wales. During the day, you can visit the city's most famous landmarks such as Cardiff Castle, the Victorian shopping arcades full of quaint tea rooms and independent shops, and the city's museums including the National Museum Cardiff and the Museum of Cardiff.

Whilst in Cardiff, you have to visit Cardiff Bay where you can see the Senedd (home of the Welsh government), take a boat tour around the bay, spot wildlife at the wetlands, or take a ride on the Giant Wheel.

Cardiff also has a vast range of live performance venues, including the Millenium Centre (pictured above), St David's Concert Hall, and the New Theatre.

If you'd rather a more energetic end to your day, Cardiff has all sorts of evening activities from escape rooms to nightclubs. Most of the nightlife is centred around St Mary's Street where there is every kind of bar you could ask for, from cocktail bars to dive bars.

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3. Explore the medieval castle and town walls in Conwy

One of my favourite places to go in North Wales has to be the town of Conwy with its impressive medieval town walls and Conwy Castle which are part of a UNESCO Heritage Site.

Although a ruin, the castle is well-preserved so you can get a feel for what it would have been like in medieval times, plus you can climb to the top of the towers for a stunning panoramic view of the Welsh countryside.

The town walls are almost fully intact and you can walk around the top of them totally free. The town is also home to the smallest house in Great Britain and Plas Mawr which is a grand Elizabethan townhouse set up exactly as it would have been back in the 16th century.

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4. Visit Waterfall Country in the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)

Bannau Brycheiniog (the Brecon Beacons) is Wales' second largest national park. Whilst all of our national parks are full of stunning and diverse natural landscape, what makes this one different is the number of valleys and gorges.

This has led to one area of the national park becoming known as waterfall country due to its high concentration of waterfalls where three rivers flow through the gorges. This is one of my favourite places to visit in South Wales and a must-do activity whilst in the park.

The area is full of several well-marked trails. The most popular is the Four Falls Trail where you see four epic waterfalls along a circular family-friendly route. Another well-known spot is Henrhyd Falls which is famous for featuring in The Dark Knight Rises as the entrance to the Batcave.

However, a couple of others that I recommend are the Elidir Trail which also has four stunning waterfalls and Melincourt Falls, which is technically just outside of the national park so it's much quieter but equally impressive.

Aside from waterfalls, you can enjoy walking, cycling, horse riding, stargazing, and other activities in the park.

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5. Discover the history of Swansea, Wales' waterfront city

Swansea is the second biggest city in Wales and has a rich history, once at the heart of the world's copper trade it had the nickname Copperopolis. You can learn all about this during your visit to Swansea by taking the Copper Jack, a public boat that runs along the River Tawe and into Swansea Marina with full commentary from a knowledgeable guide.

Swansea has a huge number of museums that I recommend you check out. My favourites were the National Waterfront Museum with over 15,000 artefacts showcasing the history of Wales’ industrial and maritime heritage, and the Dylan Thomas Centre where you can learn about the legacy of a Swansea-born lad who went on to become one of the world’s most famous poets.

The city also has castle ruins you can see, several parks with permanent orienteering, and a stunning beach right at the edge of the city.

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6. Walk along the Wales Coastal Path

Did you know that Wales is one of the few countries with a walking path that goes around its entire coastline? At 1,400km (870 miles) long it could take you up to 7 weeks to walk the entire route. However, there's nothing stopping you from choosing a small part of the path to walk during your visit to Wales.

There's stunning scenery around every corner with a glorious view across the sea along the way. Some of my personal favourite parts of the route include the St David's Head route in South Wales, the route from Aberystwyth to Borth in Mid-Wales, or the stretch from Aberdaron to Porth Meudwy on the Llyn Peninsular.

Keep in mind that this path is for walking only, you cannot cycle the coastal path. However, if you're travelling with a four-legged friend, most parts are suitable for dogs too. But keep an eye out for livestock and other wildlife in some areas.

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7. Walk or kayak across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

The Llangollen Canal is a waterway in North Wales that's popular with boaters and walkers alike. The highlight of the canal is where it goes across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct (shown above) which at 38m is the highest aqueduct in the world and the longest aqueduct in Britain.

The aqueduct is worth visiting where there's a visitor centre and you can walk across the feat of engineering. However, one of the best things to do in North Wales is to kayak across it. You can't do this by yourself without a licence, so I recommend you take a guided kayak tour with Bearded Men Adventures.

If you prefer something slightly more calming, you can also take a trip along the aqueduct on a canal boat from Llangollen. The scenic journey takes 2 hours and includes a return shuttle back to Llangollen afterwards.

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8. Walk, cycle, or drive around the Elan Valley

The Elan Valley is a beautiful area in Mid-Wales, best known for its six dams and reservoirs. Around the reservoirs, you’ll find plenty of waymarked trails for walking or cycling as well as some hidden waterfalls.

If you plan to cycle around, you can take your own bicycles or hire them at the visitor centre where you can choose between mountain bikes or e-bikes.

Even if you’re not hiring equipment, the visitor centre is the best place to begin your visit. Here, you can find out about the history of the dams and pick up maps for the trails in the valley. The cafe has recently been renovated so you can grab lunch here too.

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9. Visit Aberystwyth, the cultural capital of Wales

Aberystwyth is an iconic seaside town in Mid-Wales, but it’s also been a cultural hub for centuries with Wales’ first university being established here and the National Library of Wales is still found here today.

I’ve visited the town more times than I can count and still enjoy it every time. Despite being a relatively small market town, there is still plenty to do.

You can’t visit without heading up Constitution Hill on the funicular or visiting the ruins of Aberystwyth Castle. A relatively new addition to the town is the Ceredigion Museum, housed in an old grand theatre, where you can learn about the history of the area.

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10. Uncover the legend of King Arthur in Machynlleth

At the southern end of Eryri National Park is Machynlleth where the main attraction is King Arthur’s Labyrinth, an underground adventure that tells the story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table as you sail along an underground river.

Expect to meet mythical characters including dragons, giants, and King Arthur himself.

Also near Machynlleth, you’ll find Corris Craft Centre, full of independent shops and businesses, Dyfi Distillery which produces award-winning gin, and the Centre for Alternative Technology which is an eco-centre which teaches you about alternative technology and sustainable living.

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11. Visit the Italian Village of Portmeirion in North Wales

One of the more unusual things to do in Wales is to visit an Italian village right here in North Wales, but I'm not lying. The picturesque village of Portmeirion was designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis in the early 20th century in the style of an Italian village.

Based on the fishing village of Portofino on the Italian Riviera, Portmeirion has all the charm that you'd expect from Italian architecture but set against the stunning backdrop of Welsh mountains

Visitors can explore the village, stay in the hotel, or enjoy a meal in one of the restaurants. There are also a number of shops selling local arts and crafts and they hold an annual music festival there too.

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12. Explore the castle in the royal town of Caernarfon

Wales is known as the castle capital of the world and one of the most renowned is Caernarfon Castle. This was another of King Edward I's 'Ring of Iron', and is where he effectively governed North Wales after taking it in the 12th century. More recently, it's famous as the place where Prince Charles (now Kig Charles) was inaugurated as the Prince of Wales.

Included with your ticket is entry to the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum, a three-floored museum across two of the castle towers that tells the history of Royal Welch Fusiliers, a historic regiment of the British Army.

The highlight of the town is the castle, but there are plenty of activities to enjoy a few days here including walking around the town walls, taking a sightseeing cruise down the Menai Strait, and visiting the nearby Airworld museum.

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13. See the giant cathedral in St David's, Britain's smallest city

St David's is officially the smallest city in Great Britain, with a population of just 2,000 people. I was surprised to find out it's a city because it feels almost like a tiny village.

However, at one end of the village is a huge surprise. The imposing St David's Cathedral, which is the biggest cathedral in Wales. It is dedicated to St David, the patron saint of Wales, who lived in the area and established a monastic community on this site around 15 centuries ago.

Next to the cathedral is also the Bishop's Palace, which itself is a magnificent building too. You can also visit St Non’s Chapel and Well, where St David was born, or try something different and eat bugs at Dr Benyons Bug Farm.

The nearby peninsular is also the launching point for boat tours to Ramsey Island, which is one of the best sites in Wales to see the rare choughs as well as seals and a variety of seabirds. We even spotted porpoises (a relative of the dolphin) within a few minutes of leaving the shore.

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14. Explore Anglesey, Wales' largest island

Anglesey is an island off the North Wales coast and is connected to the mainland by two bridges.

On the island, you'll find heritage sites, such as Beaumaris Castle, beautiful beaches such as the long sandy stretch of Rhosneigr beach, and epic landmarks such as the Little Church in the Sea and Llynon Mill.

My favourite part about the island is exploring its adorable lighthouses. There are seven across the island, but the best ones are South Stack Lighthouse, where you can actually go up the tower, and Twr Mawr which is on the famous Llanddwyn island, only accessible at low tide.

Of course, it's customary to stop at the village with the second longest place name in the world, Llanfair­pwllgwyngyll­gogery­chwyrn­drobwll­llan­tysilio­gogo­goch.

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15. Explore the 'Town of Books' at Hay-on-Wye

Literary lovers must visit Hay-on-Wye, a small town in Mid-Wales famous for its many bookshops, gaining it the nickname 'the town of books'. When I visited the small town of just 2,000 residents, I counted at least 14 bookshops as well as bookbinder and trade sellers.

Aside from the books, there's also Hay Castle which has an engaging guided tour and some great walks both in the town's woodland and further afield in the national park.

The River Wye is also one of the top kayaking spots in Wales. You can hire a canoe or kayak from Wye Valley Canoes upstream in Glasbury and make your way down the river to Hay. The company will collect the equipment at the end.

Hay-on-Wye isn't the only town in the Brecon beacons worth checking out, you could also visit Crickhowell, which was named 'Best High Street in Wales' thanks to its selection of independent businesses, and Brecon, which has several great museums and a canal.

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16. Go coasteering along Wales' rocky coastlines

Wales is the home of coasteering, in fact, one tour provider in St David's claims to have invented it.

If you're not familiar, coasteering involves exploring the coast by scrambling over rocks, swimming through coves and deep water, and even jumping off cliffs to get from one side to the other. It's similar to canyoning or gorge walking, only along the coast instead of through gorges.

Wales' rocky coastlines dotted with coves and caves make it the perfect place to give the adrenaline sport a go. Some of the best spots are Anglesey, Pembrokeshire, The Gower, and The Llyn Peninsular.

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17. Explore the market town of Llangollen

Llangollen, a charming market town in North Wales, offers you a range of exciting activities and attractions which is why it’s one of my favourite places to visit in Wales.

Some of the top attractions include Plas Newydd, a 14th-century country house that was the home to the infamous Llangollen Ladies and Castell Dinas Bran, the remains of a medieval castle on the hill overlooking the town.

The town grew significantly during the Industrial Revolution thanks to its railway and canal that provided essential transport links. Both of these have now been turned into tourist attractions where you can ride a heritage steam train to the village of Corwen or hop on a horse-drawn canal boat.

The river that runs through the town is an excellent place for watersports. You can spend the day tubing, kayaking, or white water rafting with some of the local activity providers.

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18. Reach Worms Head on the Gower Peninsula

The Gower Peninsula, near Swansea in South Wales, is a paradise for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. I recommend taking a road trip to explore the small villages, such as Mumbles, as well as the coastlines which are easily the best in South Wales.

The peninsular is also home to several blue flag beaches such as Langland Bay, Caswell Bay, and Port Eynon. This means they are recognised for outstanding quality, cleanliness, and sustainability.

Two of the most famous places on the Gower is Three Cliffs Bay, which was voted as one of the best beaches in the world by TripAdvisor, as well as Worm’s Head.

Worms Head is a headland at the tip of the peninsular, made up of two tidal islands that you can walk to when the tide is out. The two islands are separated by Devil's Bridge which is one of Wales’ most recognizable natural landmarks.

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19. Visit Llandudno Pier and the Great Orme

Llandudno is a popular seaside town in North Wales that’s known for its Victorian pier which is the longest in Wales. Dotted along the pier you’ll find amusement rides, a Ferris wheel, arcades, and shops.

The highlight of visiting Llandudno is ascending the Great Orme, a limestone headland just north of the town which is more than 200m high at its peak. Don’t worry, you don’t need to walk up, there’s both a cable car and a tramway.

At the top, you won’t just enjoy the sweeping views across the coast, you’ll also find the Great Orme Summit Complex which has shops, restaurants, mini-golf, and more.

Also in Llandudno, you’ll find a huge number of other family-friendly activities ranging from the Chocolate Experience to the longest toboggan run in Britain.

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20. Soak up the ambience in Tenby

Many coastal towns and villages in Wales have colourful houses, but none can live up to the reputation of Tenby in Pembrokeshire.

The town itself has no fewer than three beaches (some would even say it has five) which are home to beautiful golden sand and clear water. Also in the town is the Tenby Museum and Art Gallery, and the National Trust Tudors Merchant House.

At low tide, you can walk across to St Catherine’s, a tidal island that’s home to an old fort.

Tenby makes a great base in West Wales for visiting several of the other items on this list including Caldey Island and the theme parks in West Wales.

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21. Spend a day at St Fagan’s open-air museum

There are plenty of museums in Wales, but the biggest, and arguably the best in my opinion, is St Fagans National Museum of History which showcases the history and heritage of Wales.

Not far from the capital, this museum is spread across the grounds of the majestic St Fagans Castle which is full of historic buildings such as a farm, a school, and traditional workshops.

The reason I say it’s the best is due to the huge open-air museum, where you’ll find buildings from different time periods which have been moved here from other parts of Wales or reconstructed based on evidence historians have gathered.

There are over 40 buildings which are open to explore and often have staff inside who can give you more information. These range from Iron Age roundhouses right up to 19^th-century homes and shops.

Inside the main building at St Fagans, there are several exhibitions where you can find out more about the people that used to live in these buildings

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22. Zip down the fastest zipline in the world

Adventure lovers need to check out Velocity 2 at Zip World Penrhyn in North Wales which claims to be the fastest in the world at more than 100mph and the longest in Europe stretching 1.5km through the stunning landscapes of Snowdonia (source: Guinness World Records).

The Penrhyn site is just one of several Zip World sites across Wales, each offering different activities including zip line safaris, treetop adventures, alpine rollercoasters, underground golf, trampolining in a cave, quarry carts, and more. Visit their website to find out more about each location.

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23. Ride the Welsh Highland Railway

The Welsh Highland Railway is a heritage railway in Wales which runs from Caernarfon to Porthmadog, passing straight through Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) with stops in popular destinations such as Beddgelert and Rhyd Ddu.

An addition track runs from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog which is known as the Ffestiniog Railway, although the two names are often used interchangeably and some services run along the entire length.

The railway allows you to take a step back in time and experience what rail travel was like in the Victorian era. You can choose a package depending upon where you first board and how long you want to spend on the train. You can find all of the packages on their website here.

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24. Eat Welsh Cakes to your heart's content

If you visit Wales and don't try a Welsh Cake then you've done something wrong. Welsh cakes are like a biscuit, a scone, and a pancake all rolled into one. Modern-day takes on the Welsh Cake can include chocolate chip Welsh Cakes, jam-filled Welsh Cakes, gluten-free or vegan recipes, and more.

They are a Welsh culinary tradition that can be found in bakeries, cafes, and supermarkets across the country. However, the best ones I have tried are from Fabulous Welsh Cakes which has two shops in Cardiff or can be purchased online.

Of course, you can always try your hand at baking them yourself with my traditional Welsh Cake recipe which was created by a Welsh chef especially for this site.

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25. Take a trip to a remote island

Whilst mainland Wales is one of the most scenic parts of the UK, there’s also a treasure trove of tiny islands around its coastline that offer something different. Here are a few that you can visit:

• Caldey Island - Caldey Island (Ynys Bŷr) sits off the coast of Tenby in Pembrokeshire and is one of just two islands in Wales with permanent residents. On the island, you’ll find Caldey Abbey which has been the home of monks for thousands of years.
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  The island is famous for its flowers and has many species that are rare across the rest of the country. The monks use them to make perfume which is one of the major incomes for the island, along with tourism and chocolate.
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• Flat Holm Island - Flat Holm Island (pictured above) sits in the centre of the Bristol Channel, about 5 miles from the coast of Cardiff. The island is home to a lighthouse and several old fortifications. It’s also home to rare plants such as rock sea-lavender and colonies of lesser black-backed gulls, herring gulls, and great black-backed gulls.
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• Bardsey Island - Bardsey Island  (Ynys Enlli) is a remote island located off the Llŷn Peninsula in North Wales. The island has deep religious connections with the nickname ‘the Island of 20,000 Saints’.
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  Although now uninhabited with only the island’s wardens living there today, it once had a permanent population with a monastery and provided refuge for persecuted Christians. According to legend, Merlin was buried here.

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26. Ride the Alpine Coaster at Zip World Fforest

Zip World have five sites across Wales, all of which are worth visiting in their own right. I’ve already mentioned their Penrhyn sites with the fastest zip line, but another one worthy of a position in my top things to do in Wales is their Zip World Fforest site near Betws-y-Coed.

This site is best known for the Fforest Coaster, the only alpine roller coaster in Wales. This 1km track will see you twist and turn as you speed through the trees. You control the speed, so you can go as fast or slow as you like, with top speeds reaching 25mph.

Other activities at this site include Europe’s highest giant swing, adventure courses in the trees, and a zip safari.

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27. Spend a day at Pembrey Country Park

Pembrey Country Park is a large coastal parkland not far from Llanelli which includes a designated nature reserve, woodlands and an 8-mile-long sandy beach.

Some of the activities here include relaxing on the beach at Cefn Sands, playing mini golf or footgolf, trying your hand at skiing or tubing down the dry ski slope, or their toboggan track.

There are also plenty of walking and cycling trails with the opportunity to hire a bicycle from the onsite hire shop. They also have 4-seater family bikes!

Technically, it’s free to visit Pembrey Country Park, although you will still have to pay the parking charge if you visit by car.

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28. Chill out on the beaches of Pembrokeshire

Wales has over 150 beaches across more than 1,400km of coastline, this includes 41 blue flag beaches, which means they are super clean and safe (source: Blue Flag). You can find great beaches on the Llyn Peninsular and down the western coast, but my favourite part of Wales to visit for golden sandy stretches is Pembrokeshire in West Wales.

Here, you'll the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park which is the UK's only national park along the coast. Trust me, the coastlines here are amazing, with a mixture of rugged cliffside and beautiful stretches of beach.

A couple of places that I can highly recommend in Pembrokeshire include Freshwater West, Manobier Beach, which is overlooked by a castle, and Poppit Sands.

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29. See Puffins and other seabirds that visit Wales during Summer

During the summer, Wales is the home to several seabirds including Manx shearwater from South America, guillemot and razorbill from the Irish Sea, and the iconic puffin from as far as North Africa or Canada.

The seabirds tend to inhabit smaller islands off the coast where there are no land predators to steal their eggs. The best places to spot Puffins in Wales are Puffin Island which is just off the coast of Anglesey and Skomer Island just off the coast of Pembrokeshire.

I must admit, I'm not a super enthusiastic bird watcher, but I really enjoyed the whole experience of visiting the islands and having experts explain what I'm looking for and the best places to look. However, keep in mind that you can only see Puffins in Wales between April and July.

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30. Step back in time at Castell Henllys

Castell Henllys is a family day out in Wales where you’ll find the recreation of an iron-age village right on the spot where a settlement would have existed more than 2,000 years ago.

A team of experts and archaeologists helped design it to be an accurate replica so the attraction would appeal to both families and history nerds (myself being the latter).

You’ll get the chance to meet some “actual” Iron Age villagers who will tell you about their daily lives and show you some of the tools they used.

I recommend spending the entire morning or afternoon there because otherwise, you might miss out on some of the activities on offer such as workshops and demonstrations.

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31. Canoe down the Teifi from the Welsh Wildlife Centre

Just outside of Cardigan is the Welsh Wildlife Centre, a large nature reserve with several great walking trails that are perfect for getting into the wilderness and spotting birds, otters, and other wildlife.

There are several trails of varying difficulty including one that is pram and wheelchair-friendly, making it a great family-friendly activity.

Also located at the centre is Cardigan Heritage Canoes. On a tour with them, you’ll make your way down the Teifi Gorge in a traditional open canoe past wildlife habitats and ancient woodlands. Kingfishers, dragonflies, and salmon are among some of the wildlife you can expect to see.

This small group guided tour lasts for two hours and can accommodate 2 to 3 people per canoe.

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32. Find the legendary grave of Gelert the Dog in Beddgelert

Beddgelert is one of Wales’ cutest villages, full of stone buildings surrounded by the beautiful landscapes of Eryri, also known as Snowdonia.

The English translation of Beddgelert is ‘Gelert’s Grave’ which refers to the village’s number one attraction – the grave of Gelert the Faithful Hound. You can visit Beddgelert and hunt out his grave to find out why it’s so famous (you can also read this guide for the full story).

Gelert’s grave isn’t the only thing to do in Beddgelert, there are also several walking trails for all abilities, some of which run alongside the scenic river. The legendary Dinas Emrys Trail is also nearby.

I recommend allowing at least half a day to explore the village or a full day if you plan to attempt one of the longer walks.

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33. Take a stroll around Bodnant Gardens

Bodnant Gardens is a National Trust property in the Conwy Valley and one of the most beautiful gardens in Wales.

The garden was created over two centuries by five successive generations of the same family and today, it covers 80 acres with a variety of different gardens to explore including a Japanese garden, herbaceous borders, and even a Laburnum arch which is covered in golden flowers in May.

There are several trails to follow as you make your way around the garden including a family trail and a plant hunter trail for those hoping to explore Bodnant’s famous collection of plants. Expect the best rose gardens you’ve laid eyes upon, lily pools and lots of herbs.

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34. Go underground at the National Showcaves for Wales

The National Showcaves Centre for Wales is located at the southern end of the Bannau Brycheiniong (Brecon Beacons) National Park and is home to some of the most impressive caves in the UK.

Some of the most popular caves at the centre are Dan-yr-Ogof, which is known for its stunning stalactites and stalagmites, and the Cathedral Cave, where you’ll find a 40ft high waterfall.

The centre offers tours of the caves which last around an hour and a half, and you’ll get to see some incredible rock formations as well as learn about the history of the area. There’s also a dinosaur park, a museum, and a kid’s play area.

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35. See rare plants at the National Botanic Gardens for Wales

The National Botanic Garden of Wales is home to the world’s largest single-span glasshouse, measuring 110m by 60m wide. Whilst at the gardens you can explore the 400 acres of the Waun Las National Nature Reserve which contains flower-rich meadows, woodlands and waterfalls.

Other activities available at the gardens include various exhibitions, campfires, den building and wildlife safaris which will help keep the kids entertained. If you’d like to take your dog, you can do so on Mondays or during special weekend events.

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36. Walk to Aber Falls

Whilst most of the best waterfalls are found in Waterfall Country (mentioned earlier), there are some other worthy contenders elsewhere across the country.

One example is Aber Falls in North Wales where water plunges 36m (120ft) over the cliffs. As well as the stunning cascade, there’s also a scenic walk to reach it. The walk took me around 1hr15 round trip from the car park.

Not far from the waterfall is Aber Falls Distillery where they run tours to see how their award-winning whiskey is made and they have a visitor centre and bar where you can sample their drinks or get a full meal. It’s worth combining the two into a day trip.

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37. Tour Barry Island with Dave’s Coaches

The town of Barry in South Wales shot to fame as the filming location of the BBC sitcom Gavin and Stacey, but it’s long been popular with the locals.

The town is best known for Barry Island where you’ll find a large sandy beach, Barry Island Pleasure Park with fun fair and amusement arcades, plus the iconic colourful beach huts you can rent.

But my absolute favourite activity in Barry is Barry Goodsheds (shown above). This ‘sustainable high street’ is made from shipping containers and old train carriages which house independent shops selling gifts, homeware, and clothing.

They also have an incredible range of street food vendors with everything from Greek food to pizza.

If you’re a fan of Gavin and Stacey like me, you can explore the filming locations by taking a Gavin and Stacey filming locations tour where you’ll be escorted around the town onboard Dave’s Coaches to discover the famous spots.

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38. Visit the clifftop Harlech Castle

Another epic tourist attraction in North Wales is Harlech Castle. Unlike the other castles I’ve already mentioned such as Conwy, Caernarfon, and Cardiff, Harlech is unique because it’s found in a tiny village rather than a large walled town.

The castle stands mightily on top of a rocky outcrop, overlooking Harlech Beach with views right out to sea.

While visiting the castle, you can climb to the top of one of the towers, walk along the walls, and explore the gatehouse. There is also an informational video to teach you about the castle and a shop and restaurant with castle views.

Other great things to do in Harlech and the surrounding area include driving down the world’s steepest street, touring an old mine at Llanfair Slate Caverns, and the woodland walks at Rhaeadr Nantcol Waterfalls.

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39. Find Dobby’s Grave in Pembrokeshire

Wales has been used as a filming location for many movies and TV shows, from Merlin and Sherlock to scenes for James Bond and Batman. Freshwater West Beach in Pembrokeshire was also used as the location to film scenes for Harry Potter.

One of the most famous scenes filmed there was the tear-watering death of Dobby the House Elf.

To this day, fans have maintained a shrine to the much-loved character at the rear of the beach in the same location where Harry, Ron, and Hermione buried him in the movie.

Today, the location where this scene was filmed has become a pilgrimage for Harry Potter fans who have left pebbles, socks, and other memorials to their favourite house elf (although the council have kindly asked fans not to leave objects on the beach any more due to environmental concerns).

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40. Visit Chepstow Castle and Tintern Abbey

The Wye Valley is home to two important historical locations that are less than 15 minutes apart by car. These are Chepstow Castle and Tintern Abbey.

Chepstow Castle is thought to be the oldest surviving castle in Wales, dating back to 1067. It is found on the cliffs above the River Wye.

Not far away, Tintern Abbey is a ruined monastery that was founded by Walter de Clare, Lord of Chepstow in 1131.

It would have been a bustling community of monks but it has now laid in ruins for almost 500 years. There’s also an on-site museum which houses many artefacts that were found during the excavations of the abbey.

Whilst you can drive between the two, a much better way is to walk. Offa’s Dyke, one of the best long-distance walking trails in Wales, runs from Chepstow right past Tintern Abbey. It would take around 2hr30 to walk from one to the other.

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41. See one of the Seven Wonders of Wales at Pistyll Rhayadr

Pistyll Rhayadr is a waterfall in Mid-Wales that’s often claimed to be the tallest in the country, however, there are plenty of examples of taller waterfalls, it’s just that they are much harder to reach.

Nonetheless, with a total height of 73m (240ft) where the Afon Rhaeadr crashes over the cliff face, it’s impressive. Plus, it’s much quicker to reach than many other waterfalls with a car park right near the base but you can also take a hike through nearby forests to reach the top.

The only downside is that the route to get there is along a winding single-path lane that’s narrow even by Welsh standards so if you have a big vehicle you might want to rethink visiting or head at a quiet time.

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42. Enjoy surf and sun on the Llyn Peninsula

The Llyn Peninsula is the arm at the top of Wales and home to some of the country’s most beautiful beaches along with picturesque villages and towns that are worth exploring.

To make the most of your time on the peninsula, be sure to visit Abersoch – a popular spot for watersports lovers – and the stunning medieval castle in the town of Criccieth. If you’re into surfing, Porth Neigwl, also known as Hell’s Mouth, is the best spot for it in North Wales.

But if you’re looking for a place to relax and enjoy some food and drink, the Tŷ Coch Inn on Porthdinllaen Beach was voted the third-best beach bar in the world and it’s not hard to see why.

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43. Visit Pembroke Castle where Henry VII was born

Pembroke is a historic town in West Wales, famed for its medieval castle which sits at the heart of the town.

As far as castles go, Pembroke Castle is one of the best family days out with lots of areas to explore, including the walls, towers, and dungeons. They have an enormous map of Wales in the outer ward which children love and there is family entertainment on busier weekends.

Aside from the castle, Pembroke also has a museum that will appeal to anyone interested in the town’s history, as well as a town trail that will take you around its iconic landmarks.

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44. Explore Newport

Newport is Wales’ third biggest city and an often overlooked destination. Whilst the city centre itself isn’t much to shout home about, there are plenty of attractions scattered around the town that are worthy of your time.

One of these is Tredegar House, a magnificent National Trust property with over 500 years of history. It was once the home of the Morgan family who were very wealthy and also slightly eccentric. Today, you can visit the property which has been furnished exactly how it would have been back in Victorian times.

I also recommend visiting Newport Wetland Reserve which has several family-friendly walking trails and is a great place to see wild birds.

Finally, Newport’s most famous landmark is the Newport Transporter Bridge, one of only a handful of transporter bridges still in operation worldwide. However, during my most recent visit, it was closed as they were building a new visitor centre. Check their website for updates.

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45. Ride the rollercoasters at Oakwood Theme Park

You might be surprised to learn that Wales has a theme park, and quite a big one at that. Situated in Pembrokeshire, Oakwood Theme Park promises an exhilarating experience and non-stop fun for everyone, adults included.

If you’re an adrenaline junky, then Speed has a stomach-quenching vertical drop whilst Megafobia is one of the UK’s number-one wooden rollercoasters.

But don’t worry, there’s something for everyone here including family-friendly rides such as The Creepy Crawly and Bobsleigh. If you’re travelling with younger children, then head to Neverland for giant teacups and slides.

Plus, with plenty of places to eat and drink across the site, from sweet snacks to Woody’s Burger Bar, you can spend a full day here. The park is open daily during school holidays and throughout the summer, but the opening schedule varies in the rest of the year so check their calendar before visiting.

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46. Spot dolphins on a tour of Cardigan Bay

Cardigan Bay is home to the largest population of dolphins in the UK with more than 250 bottlenose dolphins calling it home throughout the year, although you are more likely to see them during the summer months (source: BBC).

I've been told that you can spot them from the shore at places like Poppit Sands, however, I've never been able to see them myself. Instead, I hopped on a dolphin-spotting trip. There are two you can chose from:

• New Quay Boat Trips offer daily tours during peak season starting from the main pier in New Quay. You'll board their fully-equipped Emerol boats (which have an onboard toilet) and head out for a 1.5hr cruise. These are dog-friendly too.
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• A Bay to Remember launch from near Cardigan, with tours throughout the day during peak season. This is the company I used and we saw dolphins right next to our boat within the first 10 minutes. They use a faster RIB boat which means you get to explore more of the coast, however, there is no toilet and it's not dog friendly.

I recommend combining this with a visit Cilgerran Castle, Poppit Sands Beach, and the Welsh Wildlife Centre which I mentioned earlier.

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47. Stop by at a Welsh festival

There is always something exciting going on in Wales with a jam-packed events calendar. There are festivals almost every month including food festivals, music festivals, and Eisteddfodau which are competitive festivals with music and poetry in Welsh.

Some of the biggest festivals in Wales are the Hay Festival, a famous ten-day celebration of literature and the arts, the Green Man Festival, an annual music festival in the Brecon Beacons, and the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod where performers from across the world take part in competitions.

We also have lots of unusual events including a bog-snorkelling festival and an Elvis festival where everybody dresses like the King of Rock and Roll.

Sign up to my mailing list using the form on my homepage to receive my monthly round-up of upcoming events across Wales.

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