Wales might be a relatively small country, but it’s very diverse in terms of what’s on offer. From the towering peaks of our National Parks to the iconic castles scattered across the countryside, there’s something for all tastes, but this can make it difficult to know exactly where to go.
Having travelled to most destinations in Wales, I’ve put together this guide with a list of my favourite places to visit. Whether you live here or visiting Wales for the first time, each place offers something unique and I’d encourage you to add all of them to your bucket list.
1. Anglesey
Just off the coast of North Wales, you’ll find the country’s largest island, Anglesey, which is easily one of the top places to visit in Wales.
Being an island, you’re never far from the coast which is dotted with rugged cliffs and picturesque bays. It also has some of my favourite beaches in Wales.
Some of the best things to see in Anglesey include Ynys Llanddwyn, a small tidal island with a ruined cathedral and a lighthouse, Plas Newydd, a former manor house that’s known for its red squirrels, and Beaumaris, which is home to a castle and several great museums.
This doesn’t even touch the surface, you can easily spend several days exploring the different areas of the island.
2. Conwy
Conwy is one of Wales’ top destinations to visit, a walled market town on the bank of the River Conwy in North Wales. My favourite activities here are wandering along the well-preserved medieval town walls and visiting Conwy Castle.
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.
My dedicated guide to the top things to do in Conwy, Wales has more information.
3. Caerphilly
Caerphilly is a town in South Wales that sits among my top recommended destinations. Right at the heart of the town is Caerphilly Castle, the largest castle in Wales, and the second largest in the UK, after Windsor Castle.
If you head inside the castle, you can walk along the walls, climb the towers and head inside some of the rooms. But it’s equally impressive from the outside, look for the castle’s iconic leaning tower, known as the ‘leaning tower of Wales’ which out-leans the tower of Pisa.
As well as the castle, Caerphilly has a small-town charm that makes it a delight to explore. You can also head up Caerphilly Mountain (which isn’t a mountain and only takes 20 minutes to reach the summit), walk the Gruffalo Trail at Mountain View Ranch, and pet animals at The Meadows Farm Village.
4. Eryri National Park (Snowdonia)
Eryri National Park, previously known by its English name, Snowdonia, is the largest of Wales’ three national parks.
It’s best known for the iconic Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) which is the tallest mountain in England and Wales. However, there are many other notable peaks across the park which is home to all 15 of the Welsh 3000s, the peaks in Wales over 3000ft.
Aside from mountains, Eryri is home to lots of adorable towns and villages such as Betws-Y-Coed, Llanberis, and Beddgelert where you’ll find cobbled pavements, stone houses, and cute country pubs.
Other activities here include ziplining down the fastest zip line in Europe, going on caving adventures, underground trampolines, several railways, castles, and waterfalls.
See my full guide on the top things to do in Eryri to find out more.
5. Llangollen
Llangollen is a charming market town in North Wales with a range of exciting activities and attractions which is why it’s one of my favourite places to visit.
Some of the top things to do in Llangollen include visiting 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 River Dee runs through the town and makes an excellent place for water activities including tubing, kayaking, and white water rafting.
Whilst visiting Llandudno, you should definitely stop off and visit Pontcysyllte Aqueduct which is just 10 minutes outside of the town. This is the highest aqueduct in the world and the longest in Britain. You can walk across it, ride over it on a canal boat, or kayak across it on a guided kayak tour.
6. Swansea and the Gower Peninsular
Swansea is Wales’ waterfront city, sitting right alongside Swansea Bay with easy access to the beach from the city. In the city, you’ll find lots of things to do including Wales’ largest indoor market, the ruins of Swansea Castle, and lots of beautiful parks.
The city has a ton of museums to visit, including the National Waterfront Museum where you can learn about the city’s past and the Dylan Thomas Centre which tells the story of Wales’ most famous poet and former Swansea resident.
From Swansea, you’ll also have convenient access to the Gower peninsular where you’ll find some of Wales’ best beaches including Three Cliffs Bay and Rhosilli Bay. Along the coasts, you’ll find a range of natural formations that are worth seeing including Worm’s Head, a tidal island, and Blue Pool Bay, a natural pool of clear blue water.
There are plenty of small villages to explore along The Gower, including Mumbles which is home to Oystermouth Castle and the iconic Mumbles lighthouse and pier.
7. Cardiff
My next recommended place to visit in Wales is one that everyone has heard of, Cardiff, the capital city of Wales.
Some of the best things to do in the capital include visiting Cardiff Castle, the medieval fortress which sits at the heart of the city, and exploring the city’s Victorian arcades which are filled with independent businesses from tea rooms to vintage clothing stores.
Cardiff also has an excellent collection of museums, many of which are free to visit. Some of the best ones in the city are the National Museum Cardiff, which tells the story of how Wales and the world evolved, and the Cardiff Story Museum which is all about Cardiff’s history.
I can also recommend spending time down at Cardiff Bay which is my favourite part of the city. Formerly the busy docks that grew Cardiff into the mighty city it is today, this area has been regenerated into a waterfront dining, leisure and entertainment area.
There is also plenty to do at night, with the main nightlife hub around St Mary’s Street. There are cocktails bars, speakeasy bars, rooftop bars, clubs, and more.
8. Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)
The Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park straddles the border between Mid-Wales and South Wales. There are a huge range of activities in the Brecon Beacons including visiting caves, horse riding, cycling, and stargazing with it being one of Wales’ Dark Sky Reserves.
Of course, being a national park, there are plenty of mountains with lots of popular walking and hiking routes. The most famous is Pen-Y-Fan, the tallest mountain in South Wales.
A must-visit part of the park is Waterfall Country which is the area around the village of Pontneddfechan. Here, you’ll find a high concentration of waterfalls in one area where several rivers run through the gorges of the rugged terrain.
You should also check out the cute villages of the National Park, most notably Hay-on-Wye which is known as the 'town of books' due to having so many bookshops in a small town.
9. Aberystwyth
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Slightly further up the coastline in Ceredigion, you’ll find Aberystwyth. It’s home to Aberystwyth University, the first university in Wales, so there’s a bustling student population during term time.
During the summer when the students have left, the town is a hotspot with locals and tourists who come to walk along the promenade and visit the Victorian pier. There are several cultural attractions in Aberystwyth including the National Library of Wales, the Ceredigion Museum, and the Aberystwyth Arts Centre.
One of the most visited places in Aberystwyth is Constitution Hill, known as Consti to the locals. You can walk up or take the funicular to the top where you’ll get stunning views across the town. There’s even a café on top and some fun games such as mini golf and frisbee golf.
If you leave the town itself, you can immerse yourself in nature at Bwlch Nant-Yr-Arian forest and Devil’s Bridge Falls, one of the best waterfalls in Wales.
10. Caernarfon
Caernarfon is a town on the coast of North Wales with a charming town centre full of narrow streets, colourful buildings, and traditional Welsh shops and eateries.
At the heart of the town is the iconic medieval fortress, Caernarfon Castle. As well as being one of Edward I’s most grand castles in North Wales, it’s where he governed his newly conquered territory, where his son, Edward of Caernarfon (later Edward II) was born and more recently where Prince Charles (now King Charles III) was invested as the Prince of Wales.
Aside from the castle, there are several other places to visit in Caernarfon including the main square and the old town walls. I’ve put together a self-guided walking tour which will take you around the town, find it on my Wales Guidebook app for Apple or Android.
You can also take a boat trip down the Menai Strait, ride the highland railway which begins/ends here, and enjoy an evening outside the Anglesey Arms, one of my favourite sunset spots in North Wales.
11. St Davids
St Davids is famous for being the smallest city in Britain and for being named after the patron saint of Wales who once lived here.
Despite being such a small place, there are lots of things to see in St Davids including the enormous St David’s Cathedral, which is the largest cathedral in Wales. Next to this is the Bishops Palace, a medieval palace that was built when the cathedral became a popular pilgrimage spot as the home for the bishop and to host notable pilgrims.
Just outside of the so-called city, is the St David’s Head peninsular. This is where you’ll find some beautiful coastal walks and the famous St Non’s Chapel where St David was born. It also serves as a gateway to nearby islands, such as Ramsey Island, known for its wildlife and scenic boat tours.
St David’s is considered to be the home of coasteering, with local adventure sports provider, TYF, claiming to have invented the activity long before the word coasteering has even been coined.
12. Laugharne
Laugharne is a small coastal village in West Wales that’s best known as the final home of the iconic Welsh poet Dylan Thomas.
When visiting Laugharne, you can also take a trip to the Dylan Thomas Boathouse where he lived, see his writing shed where he wrote many of his major pieces, and take a walk along the coastline which inspired him on the Dylan Thomas Birthday Walk.
Laugharne also has its own castle ruins that you can visit too. Originally built in 1116, the castle was a formidable Norman stronghold and played a role in conflicts in the region. After the conflicts ended, Laugharne Castle almost fell to ruin but was transformed into a magnificent Tudor mansion by Sir John Perrot.
In the 20th century, the castle is said to have inspired the author Richard Hughes as well as Laugharne local Dylan Thomas.
13. Llanelli
When I visited Llanelli, I didn’t expect too much but was surprised by the number of things to do in the town and its surroundings. It’s the largest town in Carmarthenshire and has a rich heritage in the tinplate industry which earned it the nickname ‘Tinopolis’.
Located on the coast, Llanelli has a beautiful sandy beach which forms part of the Millenium Coastal Park with excellent walking and cycling options too. Nearby, there’s also Sandy Water Park with a huge lake that’s home to a resident population of swans and ducks.
Also in the town is Llanelli Wetland Centre where salt marshes provide habitats for many different species, including water voles, the only black-headed gulls in South Wales, and an iconic flamboyance of Caribbean flamingos. Yes, you heard right, flamingos in Llanelli.
Just outside of Llanelli, you’ll find Pembrey Country Park which is a great place to visit in itself. Here, you’ll find beaches, walking trails, toboggan, mini-golf, picnic spots, and more fun for all the family.
14. Harlech
Harlech might only be a small town (almost the size of a village), but it’s worth visiting due to the magnificent castle that stands proudly at its heart.
The castle is part of the UNESCO Heritage Site along with Caernarfon, Conwy, and Beaumaris, recognising its grandeur and importance in Welsh history. The castle stands on a rocky outcrop, overlooking Harlech Beach with views right out across Cardigan Bay.
Harlech's long sandy beach is another highlight, perfect for walking or relaxing. A few days per year, when the tide is low enough, it even reveals the remains of a WW2 plane hidden beneath the sand.
Other things to do here include Royal St. David's Golf Club, renowned for its challenging links course, the world’s steepest street, and nearby you can find an old mine at Llanfair Slate Caverns and the woodland walks at Rhaeadr Nantcol Waterfalls.
15. Skomer Island
Skomer Island, located off the coast of Pembrokeshire in Wales, is an uninhabited island and renowned nature reserve. It is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including the largest breeding colony of Manx shearwaters in the world.
However, it’s best known for its iconic puffins with over 40,000 of them migrating there during the summer to breed on the predator-free island.
The island is also home to other seabirds such as guillemots and razorbills as well as seals, and rare plant species.
You can take a sightseeing tour around the island or spend the day there on a landing trip. Find out more in my full guide about how to book a trip to Skomer Island.
16. Tenby
Last but not least, I couldn’t have a list of places to visit in Wales without including the iconic seaside town, Tenby. The colourful Georgian houses that stand overlooking the coast couldn’t be mistaken for anywhere else.
With its medieval walls, picturesque harbour, and no less than 5 pristine beaches to choose from, Tenby is popular with families and couples.
In Tenby and its surroundings, you’ll find a variety of attractions, including a museum, alpaca trekking, a dinosaur park, escape rooms, a wildlife park, and Heatherton World of Activities which is one of the top family activities in Pembrokeshire.
Plus, there are several islands off the coast you can visit, including the tiny St Catherine’s Island which you can walk to at low tide and the larger Caldey Island which you can spend an entire day exploring.
Related Questions
Where is the Prettiest Place To Visit in Wales?
The prettiest places to visit in Wales are the charming villages that sit within the country’s National Parks, for example, Hay-on-Wye and Crickhowell in the Brecon Beacons, and Beddgelert or Betws-Y-Coed in Snowdonia.
What is the Best Season To Visit Wales?
The best time to visit Wales is between April and September. The best weather is during the summer months, however, keep in mind that July and August will be very busy due to the school holidays when Wales is a popular staycation destination.
Why is Wales Good To Visit?
Wales is a great place to visit if you love castles, waterfalls, mountains, and beautiful coastlines.
Is Wales Cheap To Visit?
Yes, it can be cheap to visit Wales if you go during shoulder season (April, May, June, and September) and if you choose your destinations carefully. Cardiff is particularly expensive for accommodation and parking so avoid the capital if you’re on a budget.
How Long Should I Visit Wales?
I recommend spending at least 5-7 days in Wales. Ideally, you’ll pick one part of Wales and immerse yourself in this, rather than attempting to see the whole country within a week. Of course, it’s going to leave you wanting to come back for more but that’s the magic of Wales.
What Food is Famous in Wales?
Wales has its own traditional foods which are different from elsewhere in the UK. Some of these include Welsh Rarebit, Welsh Cawl, Laverbread, Bara Brith, and Welsh Cakes. See my full guide to Welsh food and drink for more.
Published: 21 December 2022 · Last updated: 10 July 2023