From the rugged cliffs of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park to the enchanting castles and picturesque beaches, it’s no surprise that West Wales is among the best places to visit in Wales.
But the region is bigger and more varied than you first think, so choosing the best spots to visit can be overwhelming. That’s why I’ve taken a lifetime of experience living and travelling around Wales to put together this guide to the top destinations to visit in West Wales.
Whilst Pembrokeshire is the best-known county in West Wales, I’ve also included some towns in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion too.
1. St Davids
St David's 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, St Davids has a lot to offer 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 in Wales, with local adventure sports provider, TYF, claiming to have invented the activity long before the word coasteering has even been coined.
2. Laugharne
Laugharne is a small coastal village in Carmarthenshire that’s best known as the final home of the iconic Welsh poet Dylan Thomas.
On a day out in Laugharne, you can visit 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, Laugharne 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.
3. The Limestone Coast of Wales
Pembrokeshire has some of the most stunning coastlines in Wales which is why most of it has been designated as part of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. This is the smallest of the three national parks in Wales and the only one in the UK to be predominately coastal landscapes.
The coastlines are dotted with rugged cliffs, hidden coves, and beautiful beaches.
However, there is one particular section which is far above the rest in terms of coastal formations, and that’s the section between Castlemartin and St Govan’s Head, which is part of a special scientific area called the Limestone Coast of South West Wales.
Here, you’ll find iconic natural formations such as the Green Bridge of Wales, Stack Rocks, and the Huntsman's Leap. Along the way, you’ll also find St Govan’s Chapel, a stone chapel built into the side of the cliff.
4. Fishguard
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Fishguard is one of the most underrated places in West Wales. It’s often assumed that people only come here to catch the ferry to Ireland but it makes a great place to base for exploring the northern parts of Pembrokeshire.
Fishguard is famous as the place where the last invasion of Great Britain took place back in 1797. An impressive tapestry in a dedicated section of the Fishguard library tells the story of the invasion and how local women aided in successfully capturing invading French forces.
No visit to Fishguard is complete without visiting the ruins of the historic Fishguard Fort and taking a walk around the harbour in Lower Town, just below the fort.
One of my favourite things to do in Fishguard is sea kayaking with Kayak King. Whether you’re a total newbie or an experienced kayaker, the tour is great fun and will take you around some impressive caves, natural landmarks, and you’ll learn lots about Fishguard’s past with pirates.
5. Cardigan
Cardigan is a market town that sits alongside the River Teifi, straddling the border between Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. It’s a charming town with plenty to see and do.
Cardigan has a famous fortress in the centre, Cardigan Castle, which is one of the few castles in Wales you can stay in. However, whilst it looks impressive from the outside, there isn’t much to see on the inside so instead, I recommend you take a trip to the nearby Cilgerran Castle which is far more interesting.
Whilst visiting Cilgerran Castle, you can also stop by at the Welsh Wildlife Centre where you’ll find lots of walking trails, several of which are family-friendly and suitable for prams. From the centre, you can take a heritage canoe down the River Teifi too.
If you’re a beach lover, then my favourite beach in the area is just outside of Cardigan, Poppit Sands. This is also the launching point for dolphin spotting boat trips in Cardigan Bay.
6. Oakwood Theme Park
Visiting Oakwood, Wales’ largest theme park just 20 minutes from Haverfordwest, is one of the best things to do in West Wales. It’s a thrilling amusement park that offers a range of adrenaline-pumping rides and family-friendly attractions, including several that will leave you drenched.
The star of the show is the iconic Megafobia wooden coaster which is the fastest theme park ride in Wales and has been voted as the best roller coaster in Europe. If you love a thrill but can’t stomach the big rides, there are plenty of others such as a large water slide, a bobsleigh, a tree-top rollercoaster, and more.
Away from the big rides, they also have interactive experiences and live shows, plus there’s a dedicated area called Young Adventure & Neverland with rides and activities for the little ones.
Oakwood is a great place to spend a full day with plenty of shops, cafes, and amusements to keep you busy. The park isn’t open every day, so check here for the latest opening times before you turn up. The park is extra special with spooky events if you can visit around Halloween.
7. Pembroke
Pembroke is a historic town in the centre of Pembrokeshire, famed for its medieval castle which is one of the best castles to visit in West Wales.
Pembroke Castle a great family day 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.
But it’s Pembrokes location that makes it one of the best places to stay in Pembrokeshire since Bosherton, Stackpole, Freshwater West, Manobier, Lamphey, and the Limestone Coast are all within a 20-minute drive of the town.
8. 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. See my full guide to visiting Skomer Island to find out more.
9. Llanelli
When I visited Llanelli, I didn’t expect too much but was surprised by the number of things to see and 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, it 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.
The town is also home to Parc y Scarlets, the rugby stadium of the Scarlets team which is one of only four professional rugby union teams in Wales.
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.
10. Aberystwyth
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 top things to do in Aberystwyth is to head up 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.
11. Tenby
Last but not least, I couldn’t have a list of places to visit in Pembrokeshire and West Wales without including the iconic Welsh seaside destination, 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, Heatherton World of Activities, escape rooms, a wildlife park, and even a dinosaur park.
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.
Published: 6 July 2023