travel planner wales

How to Plan the Perfect Wales Itinerary: 7 Things to Consider

From storybook castles alive with myths and legends to snow-capped peaks and windswept beaches, Wales is an incredible holiday destination. Prefer more of an urban scene? Whether you’re gallery-hopping in Cardiff or savouring Michelin star cuisine in Swansea, you can pack your Wales itinerary with something for everyone. Planning is key, which is why we’ve put together the ultimate guide on how to plan a travel itinerary for your trip to Cymru.

1. Your personal interests

Naturally, your personal interests should be at the top of your priority list when planning a Wales itinerary. Below, we take a closer look at some inspiration for your trip.

Outdoor adventures in Wales

If you love to hike and be in the wilderness, destinations like Snowdonia National Park will tick your boxes. The country’s other national parks – Brecon Beacons (keep an eye out for wild ponies) and Pembrokeshire Coast (hello puffins!) – are also top picks for nature lovers.

Crazy about castles

Similarly, if you’re a bit of a history buff, you may prefer to prioritise attractions like Pembroke Castle and Cardiff Castle. Both are Welsh showpieces and grace countless postcards and guidebooks. But we’ll let you in on a secret. There are more than 600 castles in Wales! No wonder the country is nicknamed The Land of Castles.

Foodie fiend

Wales is an incredible destination for foodies. You’ll find Michelin star restaurants scattered across the country. As well as big cities like Cardiff and Swansea , you’ll find award-winning establishments in pocket-sized towns and villages.

Of course, one of the best things about Wales is the incredible combination of history, culture and scenery you’ll find around every corner. This makes it easy to plan a Wales travel itinerary that features a variety of experiences.

2. Save with passes

From centuries-old castles to ancient forts, Wales is brimming with historical attractions. Visiting one or two big-ticket attractions is doable for most travellers. But admission costs can quickly add up when you spend more than a few days in Wales. This is where passes come in. Here’s a quick overview of what’s on offer:

Cadw Explorer Pass

The Cadw Explorer Pass is a godsend for history aficionados. Available for either three or seven days, this pass unlocks access to a huge range of selected sites and attractions.

It’s offered by Cadw, a government agency dedicated to protecting historic buildings, sites and landscapes across Wales. Fun fact: the word “cadw” translates to “to protect” in Welsh.

• 3 Day Cadw Explorer Pass gets you three days of free entry over a seven-day period.
• 7 Day Cadw Explorer Pass gets you seven days of free entry over a 14-day period.

Another option is to become a Cadw member for the year. This gets you unlimited access to hundreds of castles, forts, abbeys and other heritage attractions across the country. If you plan to visit lots of Cadw sites in a single trip or to holiday in Wales multiple times through the year, annual membership offers excellent value for money.

National Trust membership

The National Trust is another organisation worth joining if you plan to visit heritage sites and attractions. Like the Cadw pass, membership gets you unlimited entry to hundreds of National Trust sites across Wales, as well as England and Northern Ireland.

City Sightseeing ticket

In Cardiff, Llandudno and Conwy, a City Sightseeing pass can be a great way to get around the city.

Great Little Trains of Wales card

For train buffs, a Great Little Trains of Wales Discount Card or Gold Card is a worthwhile investment. Enjoy discounted tickets on iconic Welsh train rides, including the Brecon Mountain and Snowdon Mountain Railway.

3. Transport options for your Wales itinerary

Transport is one of the most important factors to consider when researching how to plan a travel itinerary in Wales. Major towns and cities are well-connected by public transport, including buses and trains. Of course, nothing beats a rental car for the ultimate sense of freedom. Or you could consider using your own vehicle, depending on where you live and if you have the time to drive over to Wales.

Like passes for sights and attractions, there are big savings on offer when it comes to transport. Here are a few of our favourite picks:

• Explore Wales Pass – available to purchase from ticket offices, this pass offers four days of travel within an eight-day timeframe. Enjoy access to all Transport for Wales services, as well as select bus partners and privately-operated railways.
• Brit Rail UK Pass – Includes travel on National Rail services in Wales. There’s lots of flexibility, making this pass a great option for intrepid travellers.

Another option is booking a guided tour of Wales. If you’re the kind of person who hates planning, an all-inclusive tour can be a great way to experience Wales without lifting a finger. At least when it comes to planning!

4. Book attractions and experiences in advance

Simply turning up and buying a ticket at the entrance gate is a good option for most Welsh attractions. However, if you have something extra special in mind it’s worth booking in advance. If you’re wondering how to plan a travel itinerary with zero hiccups, this is one of our best tips.

For example, securing reservations at Michelin star restaurants like The Whitebrook in the Wye Valley and Beach House in Oxwich can be difficult, especially in summer. So it’s best to book in advance if you have your heart set on a particular restaurant.

Pro tip: if you’re looking for Michelin award-winning food at a delicious price, make reservations at The Walnut Tree  in Llanddewi Skirrid. Prices start at £45 for a three-course lunch, making this one of the best-value, top-rated restaurants in the country.

The same concept applies to special events. For example, don’t expect to score last-minute tickets to a high-profile concert at Cardiff Castle or an event at the Wales Millennium Centre.

5. Where to stay

Accommodation has a big impact on your travel experience. Your personal preferences, as well as your budget, are two of the biggest factors to consider when deciding on accommodation for your Wales itinerary. Let’s take a closer look at some of the options:

B&Bs in Wales

Want to experience Wales through a local lens? We highly recommend checking into a B&B. You’ll find them across Wales – everywhere from big cities to chocolate-box villages. Yes, Airbnb is hugely popular. But when we say B&B, we’re talking a more traditional vibe. Expect a warm welcome from your host, cosy décor and most importantly, a scrumptious homecooked breakfast every morning. There’s simply no better way to kickstart a day of sightseeing in Wales.

From Brecon Beacons to the Usk Valley, Wales is blessed with incredibly beautiful countryside. Farm stays are the perfect way to immerse yourself in the scenery and truly appreciate the fresh country air. You’ll find these rural properties across the country, usually on working farms complete with friendly barnyard animals. Naturally, this makes farm stays a popular option for a family-oriented Wales travel itinerary. That said, you’ll also find some amazing luxury farm stays in Wales suitable for romantic getaways.

For some travellers, nothing beats the convenience of a hotel . They’re a great option in cities like Cardiff and Swansea, where you’ll find hotels for every budget. Whether you’re looking for something cheap and cheerful or want to splurge on a boutique hotel housed in a heritage-listed building, you’re spoilt for choice in Wales.

Self-contained accommodation

Travelling as a group or family? Self-contained accommodation offers all the comfort of home. Features like separate bedrooms, spacious living areas and fully equipped kitchens make it easy to explore by day and stick to your usual evening routines.

Self-contained accommodation is also a wonderful option for groups. If the goal of your trip is to bring people together or spend quality time with your nearest and dearest, self-contained properties are a great choice.

Camping in Wales

Planning a Wales trip itinerary on a budget? Swap hot showers and plush beds for a camping adventure. Wales is strewn with campsites for every occasion. The most affordable are remote and off-the-grid. Perfect for if you want to sleep under the stars and escape the crowds.

If you’re travelling with a family or prefer a few more creature comforts, serviced campsites are a terrific option. Enjoy landscaped grounds, clean toilet and shower blocks, and easy access to nearby towns and villages. Many campsites are within walking distance of pubs!

6. Weather and when to go

Summer in wales.

For many travellers, weather can make or break a holiday. If you’re the kind of person who has a much better time when the sun’s shining, you’ll want to plan your Wales itinerary between June and August. The country is often bathed in sunshine, especially coastal areas like Pembrokeshire.

If activities like swimming and bucket-and-spade fun are on the cards, summer is the best time to visit Wales. For most people, pleasant temperatures and sunshine also make outdoor activities more enjoyable. Of course, summer also translates to bigger crowds and inflated prices, especially when it comes to accommodation.

Autumn can be a wonderful time to visit Wales. Days are often clear and crisp, the countryside explodes in a sea of colour and sipping a pint of ale by a roaring fireplace feels all the more cosy. September, October and November are considered ‘shoulder season’ in Wales and are great months to visit if you want to skip the crowds and score great discounts on accommodation.

Winter in Wales can be a little wet, windy and wild to say the least. But if you’re up for an adventure and aren’t afraid to get stuck in the occasional rainstorm, winter is an amazing time to plan your Wales travel itinerary. For starters, the country’s mountains are dusted with snow which gives the entire country a storybook feel.

Armed with the right winter shoes and clothing, destinations like Brecon Beacons National Park are still open for business. Instead of a cascade, Sgwd yr Eira Waterfall is decorated with crystalline icicles. Work up an appetite on the three-hour return hike, then head to nearby Penderyn Distillery for a snap of Welsh whisky.

Winter is also a fantastic time to enjoy indoor attractions. From the National Museum Cardiff to MOMA Machynlleth, there’s plenty to keep you entertained on a rainy day. You’ll even find a slew of underground attractions, like King Arthur’s Labyrinth and the Llanfair Slate Caverns.

Spring in Wales

Locals wax lyrical about the period from April to June, when the country is carpeted in wildflowers. Spring is in full swing, and daffodils, bluebells and crocuses start to replace milky-white snowdrops. Waterfalls start to cascade, the sun feels warmer and there’s that sense of hope and positivity in the air. Just don’t forget to pack your wellies. Spring in Wales can be muddy!

The final word on when to plan your Wales itinerary

The bottom line is that weather in Wales can be frustratingly unpredictable. You might encounter glorious sunshine one day and relentless drizzle the next. Our best tip? Pack wisely. There’s no such thing as bad weather. Just bad clothing choices! Or at least, that’s what the Welsh will tell you.

7. Research festivals, events and holidays

It’s always worth doing a bit of research before locking in your Wales travel itinerary just in case there’s an event you want to attend or avoid. Prices can skyrocket over busy weekends like the Green Man Festival held in Brecon Beacons every August and the Hay Festival of Literature & Arts in Powys.

If you want to attend an event it’s worth paying a premium for accommodation. However, if you’re not planning to attend, you’ll be forced to absorb inflated prices. This is when shuffling around your Wales trip itinerary can be a good idea.

Now you’re armed with tips on how to plan a travel itinerary in Wales, it’s time to get stuck in as planning is half the fun, so enjoy the process, get creative and most importantly, enjoy your adventure in Wales!

Nick, your trusted guide to Wales travel and exploration, shares a deep passion for this enchanting land. With years of exploration, Nick offers expert insights into the best of Wales. Join him on a journey through its captivating history, culture, and hidden gems, as he inspires you to create unforgettable Welsh travel experiences.

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The Ultimate 5 to 7-Day Wales Road Trip Itinerary

Published on December 6, 2023

by Neota Langley

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Taking a Wales road trip from the majestic peaks of Snowdonia National Park (known as Eryri in Welsh) to the windswept shores of the Pembrokeshire Coast is the best way to immerse yourself in this land where breath-taking landscapes and charming towns and cities are combined.

Take 5 to 7 days in Wales to fully immerse yourself in the warmth of Welsh hospitality, sample traditional cuisine, and embark on a journey that reveals the fascinating Celtic heritage of this often underrated gem. 

Located on the windswept west coast of the United Kingdom, Wales is home to endless rugged landscapes, ancient history, and a vibrant cultural scene. This enchanting country is not to be overlooked, for it reveals a treasure trove of experiences. Perfect for those who seek to take the road less travelled. 

Table of Contents

How Many Days in Wales?

Wales is a country in itself but it is much smaller than the likes of Ireland or Scotland . This makes it the perfect location for a week-long getaway. Although you won’t be able to explore every corner with 5-7 days, that doesn’t mean you can’t easily experience the highlights. 

With 5 days in Wales, you will be able to hit the two largest national parks, the rugged and mountainous Snowdonia and the glorious coastline of Pembrokeshire.

For the purpose of this itinerary, we begin in the north and come to a close in the south which makes this a circular road trip. This means you can experience the variation of this country in a short amount of time.

Depending on your priorities, you could easily swap out some of the more outdoorsy activities for days spent in Wales’ towns and cities. That’s the joy of exploring such a small country.  

If you have 1 week in Wales, you will be able to visit all 3 national parks. Ramble along coastal footpaths, climb mountains and visit the country’s capital, Cardiff. Discover local cuisine such as Bara Brith (fruit loaf), Lava Bread (seaweed) and the incredibly moreish Welsh Cakes.

The Celtic past and delve into the myths and legends that surround Wales. One week is the perfect amount of time to spend in this varied country but if you do have more time on your hands, we have included some additional locations at the end of this itinerary that are worth adding to your route. 

Getting To & Around Wales

Getting to Wales is relatively straightforward, thanks to its air, rail, road and sea connections. This itinerary is set up as a Wales road trip so, the best way to make the most out of your time here, is by car.

If you are visiting the UK and don’t have a car with you, there are several hire locations across the country where you can pick up, and drop off your hire car. You can browse Rentalcars.com to compare options.

There are public transport options if you are unable to hire a car but across the more rural parts, the timetables can be sparse. Visiting Wales is doable when relying on public transport but you will have to allow extra time for connections and there may be certain areas you won’t be able to explore. You can view schedules here.

If you are travelling from further afield, there is one major airport in Cardiff which offers flights to a wide range of destinations across Europe and beyond. There are also direct ferries connecting Anglesey and Fishguard with Ireland . 

5-7 Day Wales Itinerary

Welcome to Wales, from the mountains in the north to the golden sandy beaches in the south, this road trip whisks you away on a journey of discovery. Take the slow road and explore the hidden gems throughout this Wales itinerary. 

Day 1 – Anglesey

For the purpose of this itinerary, our road trip begins in the north and you can’t get any further north than the island of Anglesey. Known as the “Mother of Wales,” this island, attached to the mainland by the Menai Bridge, is a wild place full of ancient ruins, windswept landscapes, and picturesque villages. 

Anglesey makes the perfect day trip, although you could easily take longer to explore the coast. Start your day by driving over the Menai Bridge, an iconic suspension bridge connecting Anglesey to mainland Wales.

If you have been stuck in the car for a few hours, you will find the National Trust property Plas Newydd on the other side of the bridge. It’s the perfect place to stretch your legs, with beautiful views across the Menai Strait, especially if you have a four-legged companion. 

There are a few options for spending the day on Anglesey, depending on what you want to see and do with your time. 

For those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and embrace the serenity, head down to Newborough Forest. Take a peaceful stroll amidst the towering pine trees before reaching the stunning Llanddwyn Island. Explore its historic lighthouse, ruins, and peaceful beaches.

To get the best of both worlds, head to South Stack Cliffs RSPB Reserve, where the South Stack Lighthouse stands proudly against the dramatic coastal backdrop.

Take a stroll along the cliffs for breathtaking views out to sea. Then, in the afternoon, you will have time to explore Holyhead, the largest town on Anglesey. Visit St. Cybi’s Church and unwind beside the Holyhead Harbour. 

For the evening, return to the mainland, maybe making a pit stop a the incredible Conwy Castle or Caernarfon Castle on the north coast. For the first two nights of this itinerary, we will be based in or around Snowdonia National Park . 

Where to Stay Near Snowdonia National Park

Hafan Artro – This small hotel in the village of Llanbedr is a great base for exploring North Wales. They have free on-site parking, a full breakfast and a range of comfortable rooms available.

The Tilman – Those after luxury will love this 5-star hotel during their time in North Wales. They have several luxe rooms to choose from, a fab breakfast available and amenities including an on-site bar to enjoy.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Snowdonia hotels!

Day 2 – Snowdon (Eryri)

After a peaceful day enjoying the sea breeze over on the island of Anglesey, it’s time to lace up those hiking boots to head up to the tallest mountain in Wales, Snowdon (Eryri in Welsh). 

For those who love walking and want to complete the challenge of the ascent, the hike up to the summit is beautiful and accessible for most fitness levels/ages during the summer months.

For those who would rather reserve their energy, there is a train that chugs up the steep mountainside to reach the top from Llanberis. No effort required. 

If you are hiking, it’s best to set out early. During the peak season, the path can become crowded, especially later in the day. There are 6 pedestrian routes to the summit but the two that start and finish on the Pen Y Pass road are the best.

You can also create a circuit with these two routes which gives a little more diversity than the other paths. You can park your car in the Pan y Pass car park but you will need to book ahead for a spot during the summer.

Head out on the ‘Pyg’ trail and return on the ‘Miners’ – this way, you could pack your swimwear and take a dip in the Llyn Llydaw, a chilly mountain lake, to cool off on the return. Make sure to wear appropriate footwear, pack a coat and take plenty of snacks and water.

The weather can change very quickly in the mountains so it’s always best to be prepared, even if it’s a beautiful sunny day in the car park. 

You will most likely spend the entire day in the mountains, the hike takes between 6-8 hours. If you are an inexperienced hiker and prefer to go with a guide you can  join a hiking tour  or  organise a private hike.

As you return to your car, it’s likely you will need to have a good meal to replenish your energy. There are plenty of cosy pubs offering meals beside the fire around the area, including ‘The Heights’ in Llanberis.

There is also a pizza restaurant serving the best wood-fired pizzas in North Wales called ‘ Hangin Pizzeria ’ in Betws-y-Coed a short drive away which is definitely worth the trip.  

Day 3 – Portmeirion/Mid Wales 

After spending 2 nights in North Wales, day 3 is a road trip day. We have added a few options for pit stops along the way so depending on how much time you have, you could visit one or all three.

The drive itself takes between 3-4 hours depending on where exactly your accommodation is. There is one main road down the west coast of Wales and you’re in luck, it’s an incredibly scenic drive through mountains and along the coast road. 

Our first stop is a slight detour from the main road but is well worth visiting, especially during the summer months when the sun is shining. 

Portmeirion – Is this really Wales? You’d be forgiven for confusing the village of Portmeirion with a quaint village in Italy. It defies convention with an enchanting blend of Italianate architecture and lush landscapes.

Conceived by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, this colourful haven transports visitors to a Mediterranean-inspired realm, adorned with pastel buildings, cobbled streets, and exotic gardens. 

Stop number two is the charming coastal town of Aberystwyth. Mid Wales is often overlooked but it is a real hidden gem, with the Cambrian mountains on one side, and Cardigan Bay on the other.

Home to Aberystwyth University, this town exudes a youthful energy, with vibrant cafes, shops, and cultural spaces. You will find the mediaeval castle ruins on one side of the promenade and the funicular railway up Constitution Hill on the other.

Aberystwyth offers endless options for exploration, from spending time on the beach, treating yourself to some authentic Welsh cuisine, hiking in the hills, to rummaging through the independent shops along the high street. If you only have time to stop once on your journey south, Aberystwyth is the place to visit. 

The final stop is the quaint coastal market town of Fishguard. This maritime town is the gateway to Pembrokeshire but also serves as a ferry port to the Republic of Ireland.

The town is famed for the Last Invasion of Britain in 1797, an event commemorated by the impressive tapestry found in the Town Hall. Take a stroll to enjoy breathtaking views from the cliff tops overlooking Fishguard Bay before exploring the winding streets lined with Georgian and Victorian architecture, uncovering local shops and cafes along the way.

For the next 3 nights on this Wales itinerary, we will be based around Pembrokeshire National Park. In terms of accommodation, selecting a central location is a strategic move and will help cut down on driving hours.  

Where to Stay in Pembrokeshire

Coach Guest House – This guesthouse in Tenby is a great base in Pembrokeshire. They have plenty of comfortable rooms to choose from and a wonderful breakfast each morning.

The Park Hotel – Situated in South Wales just outside of Tenby, this hotel is a great, peaceful getaway in the region. They have beautiful rooms (some with sea views) and a swimming pool on site.

Beachcomber B&B – This beachfront bed and breakfast is another excellent base for exploring Pembrokeshire. They have several delightful rooms to choose from along with an exceptional breakfast available.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Pembrokeshire hotels!

Day 4 – Pembrokeshire – North

We kick off day 4 in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Home to meandering cliff paths, turquoise waters and long stretches of sandy beaches, this is Wales’ answer to the Riviera.

For the purpose of this itinerary, we have split this vast area into two days. It may look like a small national park but with most of the roads being windy country lanes, it can take time to get from one location to the next. 

The unofficial capital of this National Park is St Davids, Britain’s smallest city. Despite its city status, St Davids exudes a charming village atmosphere, characterised by its stunning cathedral, historic sites, local boutiques and a backdrop of rolling hills and pristine beaches. 

Any day trip to this micro-city should start at the magnificent St David’s Cathedral. Dating back to the 12th century, this beautiful building stands as a testament to the city’s religious significance, drawing pilgrims from around the world. 

St Davids also serves as a gateway to the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, a renowned long-distance trail hugging the rugged Welsh coastline. The nearby St Davids Peninsula, with its secluded coves and panoramic vistas and is within walking distance from the city centre,  giving you ample opportunity to explore its natural wonders. 

The centre of the city can become very crowded during the peak summer months and, due its size, parking can be tricky. It’s best to arrive early to make sure you bag a spot and can explore for the rest of the day without worrying. 

Pembrokeshire is a coastal paradise, so it’s only right that our next destination is a beautiful sandy beach. Framed by towering cliffs and rolling sand dunes, Marloes Sands is one of the more ‘off the beaten track’ beaches in this National Park and even during the busiest seasons, there is plenty of space to spread out and find your own slice of tranquillity.

The expansive sands reveal intricate rock formations, tidal pools, and the iconic “Church Rock,” a limestone stack rising dramatically from the sea.

The beach is also a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, as seabirds soar overhead and seals often bask on the offshore rocks. Make sure you take note of the tide times before visiting, at high tide there is little to no sand visible. 

Day 5 – Pembrokeshire – South

Day 5 begins in the unassuming village of Bosherston. As with most of the destinations in Pembrokeshire, it’s best to arrive early to make sure you get a parking spot.

Bosherston is a very small village, with just a campsite, a handful of houses, a pub and a cafe. The reason this quaint village is so popular is what is hidden beneath the trees beyond the car park, the Lily Pools.

These beautiful lakes are full of lily pads and if you visit in July/August, the flowers will be in full bloom. There is a circular path around the lakes but if you take a short diversion, you will emerge from the treeline onto the coast at Broad Haven South Beach.

This hidden bay is complete with golden sands, surrounding countryside and breathtaking rock formations.  

After spending the morning soaking in the best of Wales’ coastline, it’s time to head into the seaside town of Tenby. Although Tenby is a town, it is much larger than St Davids and there are plenty of ways to spend your afternoon.

The town’s three golden-sand beaches invite sun-seekers from around the world, while the mediaeval town walls surround the quirky, vibrant atmosphere of the town’s shops, galleries, and cafes. Explore the bustling harbour, where fishing boats bob on the tide, or take a short boat trip to Caldey Island, home to a tranquil abbey and lighthouse.

If you only have 5 days for your trip to Wales, Tenby is the perfect place to round off your trip. From here, you will be able to reach the M4 in just one hour or, if you are using public transport, there is a train station just outside of the walled town centre.

Make sure you grab a bite to eat before you leave, Tenby is home to some excellent up-and-coming restaurants and street food stalls such as Tap & Tan, Ultracomida and Lokky’s. 

Day 6 – Brecon Beacons 

If you have dedicated a whole week to exploring Wales then you’re in luck, our next destination is the rugged Brecon Beacons National Park.

A true hiker’s paradise, the Beacons are much smaller than the mountains of Snowdonia but they can be equally as beautiful and are much more accessible for every level of adventurer. Encompassing lush green valleys, cascading waterfalls, and ancient woodlands, this national park has it all. 

If you loved climbing to the summit of Snowdon, it’s only right that you also bag Pen y Fan, the highest peak in southern Britain. Towering over the rolling hills that surround it, Pen Y Fan stands at 886m.

The climb is moderate and is accessible to most, with an easy-to-follow, non-technical path. The journey begins from the popular trailhead at Pont ar Daf, winding through heather-clad slopes and rocky terrain. As you ascend, the panoramic views are revealed, step by step. 

Climbing Pen Y Fan is a popular choice for a day trip in the Brecon Beacons, but for a unique adventure that is a little further from the beaten path, you’ll want to head over to the other side of the National Park to discover the magical trails of Waterfall Country.

Here, a meandering path leads you deep into the ancient forest, venturing along the trails of the Mellte and Hepste Rivers. The highlight is the Four Falls Trail, a mesmerising circular route leading to four breathtaking waterfalls – Sgwd Clun-Gwyn, Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn, Sgwd y Pannwr, and the awe-inspiring Sgwd yr Eira.

Each waterfall has its own unique charm but at Sgwd Y Eira, you can actually walk behind the curtain of water to the otherside. This is also a popular place to go wild swimming in the fresh Welsh mountain river. 

Last on our list of things to do in the Brecon Beacons is the Llyn Y Fan Fach circular hike. This horseshoe walk is much quieter than the Pen Y Fan horseshoe but the incredible views and dramatic geology make it a real hidden gem.

Ascent behind the lake to walk along the ridgeline then loop back around, passing another hidden lake. The real highlight is this legendary hidden valley, where the Lady of the Lake is said to have risen from the waters.

This mythological past, coupled with the tranquil beauty of the lake and mountain views, makes the Llyn y Fan Fach walk a must-do for any adventurer visiting the Brecon Beacons. Plan to spend the night in Cardiff.

Where to Stay in Cardiff

Parador 44 – This hip hotel is an excellent mid-range option in the centre of Cardiff. They have several modern rooms on offer, an on-site restaurant serving Spanish cuisine and a superb breakfast each morning.

Future Inn Cardiff Bay – This luxe hotel is wonderful for those after a plush stay in Cardiff. Located within easy walking distance of Bute Park and Cardiff Castle, there is a wonderful restaurant on-site along with amenities like room service to enjoy.

The Spires Serviced Apartments – These pet-friendly apartments are perfect for those looking for a self-catering option in the Welsh capital. They have several furnish flats to choose from and a great location for exploring the city.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Cardiff hotels!

Day 7 – Cardiff 

Seeing as we are rounding off our trip to Wales in the south, it would be a shame to miss out the country’s capital, Cardiff. This city blends its rich history with a modern day vibrancy, there is plenty to see and do whether you want to discover the castle, spend the day shopping or immerse yourself in Wales’ favourite sport, rugby. 

The city’s iconic skyline is dominated by Cardiff Castle, a mediaeval ruin nestled in the heart of the bustling metropolis.

Take a stroll through Bute Park, a natural oasis perched along the River Taff, before immersing yourself in the cultural delights of the National Museum.

It’s also worth making a short detour to visit the recently modernised waterfront of Cardiff Bay which houses the Wales Millennium Centre and a plethora of shops and restaurants.

If you are a night owl, you will find plenty to do in the city centre as the darkness draws in. From mysterious cocktail bars to thumping nightclubs, this is a university city which really comes alive after dark. 

Have More Time?

If you have more than one week to spend exploring Wales, there are a few additional stops along the way that are worth adding to your itinerary. The first being the coastline just beyond the city of Swansea, known as The Gower Peninsula. 

Designated as the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Gower is home to iconic spots like Rhossili Bay, with its sweeping sands and the famous rocky outcrop of Worm’s Head. The peninsula is dotted with mediaeval castles, such as Pennard Castle, overlooking Three Cliffs Bay.

A true haven for water enthusiasts, the Gower offers world-class surfing at Llangennith, and opportunities to discover secluded coves by paddleboarding and kayaking.

Wye Valley / Offa’s Dyke

On the border between Wales and England, you will find Offa’s Dyke, an ancient earthwork tracing this historic frontier built by King Offa in the 8th century. Spanning 177 miles, it weaves across diverse landscapes, from rolling hills to woodlands.

Today, the dyke serves as a long-distance trail for hikers and nature enthusiasts, revealing remnants of history along the way, including ancient forts and Roman ruins. 

You can explore this trail the entire way down the spine of Wales but the section that runs through the Wye Valley is the most breathtaking and is well worth taking a day to explore. Carved by nature, this UNESCO-listed Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty follows the river Wye, bordered by ancient woodlands and towering limestone cliffs.

Climb up to Symonds Yat Rock, a scenic viewpoint above the village, offering breathtaking vistas of the river winding through the valley. Don’t forget to visit Tintern Abbey, a Gothic masterpiece, founded in 1131. Its soaring arches and weathered stone walls stand as a thought-provoking testament to centuries past.

Llyn Peninsula

Another destination that is a little further from the beaten path is the rugged Llyn Peninsula. Often forgotten in favour of Snowdonia and Anglesey, this coastal haven juts out of north Wales into the wild Irish Sea.

Renowned for its rugged landscapes and picturesque villages, the peninsula boasts enchanting beaches like Porth Neigwl and Porth Oer. Aberdaron, a charming coastal village, marks the far western tip, with its quaint charm and the historic St Hywyn’s Church.

The Llyn Coastal Path meanders along the shoreline, offering panoramic views of Cardigan Bay and Snowdonia.  If you want a peaceful holiday away from the crowds, even in the high season, the Llyn Peninsula is the perfect destination. 

Wales may be a small country but with hidden valleys, towering mountains, golden sands and mystical waterfalls, it really does have everything. With ample opportunities to discover hidden gems, Wales is one of those destinations that will always leave you wanting more. 

Are you planning to visit Wales? Have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments!

Related Posts:

9 Best Places to Visit in Pembrokeshire, Wales

The Perfect 2 to 3 Days in Snowdonia Itinerary

One Day in the Brecon Beacons Itinerary: A Day Trip from Cardiff

About Neota Langley

Neota is a writer for The World Was Here First. Born and bred in Cornwall, she can usually be found with hiking boots on, ready to embark on an adventure. For the last 6 years, she has travelled throughout Europe in her self-built campervan with her trusty canine companion, Ivy. She loves exploring France, the Nordics and spending time in Alpine destinations.

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Finding the Universe

Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor

A Detailed Guide to Planning a Trip to Wales

Last updated: April 17, 2024 . Written by Laurence Norah - 2 Comments

If you’re planning a trip to Wales, then you’ve come to the right place! In this guide we’re going to share everything you need to know to plan the perfect Wales trip. This is based on our experiences of traveling in Wales and also my time living in Wales, which I did for many years. I was actually born in Wales!

In this post, we’ll cover the best times of year to visit Wales, highlights not to miss, how to get around Wales, where to stay in Wales, what to eat in Wales, how to book tours, and many more tips to help you plan the perfect Wales adventure.

We’d suggest reading this guide alongside our detailed Wales road trip itinerary , which will give you more ideas of a specific itinerary and sights to see.

Let’s start with an overview of Wales.

A Quick Overview of Wales

Wales is a country with a population of around three million people. It is part of the Island of Great Britain along with England and Scotland. It is one of the four countries (along with England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland) that make up the United Kingdom.

Geographically, Wales borders England along its entire east coast, from around Chester in the north down to near Bristol in the south. The rest of the countries border is made up of stunning coastline, mostly along the Irish Sea.

The history of Wales is fairly complex. People have been living here for hundreds of thousands of years, with continuous habitation for at least 9,000 years. Since the Roman times, many battles were fought between the Welsh and the English as each side fought for control over what is present day Wales.

One of the side effects of all these wars is that Wales now has a huge amount of castles you can visit which is great as a tourist. There’s also a lot of fascinating history and culture which is unique to Wales.

Back to the present, and modern-day Wales exists as its own country with its own language (Welsh) and, since 1999, its own parliament. However, there are no border controls or anything like that when traveling from England to Wales (they are both part of the UK), and English is also of course the most widely spoken language.

If you are not that familiar with the history of Wales, we can highly recommend reading a book on Welsh history before or during your visit. This will not only help you better understand many of the places you are likely to visit in Wales (e.g., castles, museums, churches, Iron Age ruins), but it will also help you better understand the modern culture and politics in Wales.

What is there to see in Wales?

There is a lot to see in Wales, something really for everyone.

To start with, with so much history spanning thousands of years, Wales has a huge amount of cultural attractions.

From iron age burial chambers to fascinating museums to unique cultural events like the Eisteddfodd , there really is a huge amount to choose from.

Of course, the first thing that likely springs to mind when you think of Wales are the castles, a side effect of all the various wars over the years. Wales has a huge number of castles, including a number of UNESCO listed medieval castles .

In fact, Wales has more castles per square mile than any other country in Europe! Suffice to say, if you like exploring castles as much as we do, Wales has no shortage to offer you.

If you do plan on seeing a lot of castles, then we can highly recommend picking up a Cadw pass. This includes access to a huge number of historic sites in Wales, including most the castles.

You can buy this  online here , or in person at most Cadw sites. We found this saved us a lot of money on our most recent trips.

Lovers of the outdoors, like us, will also find plenty to do in Wales. There’s a huge amount of natural landscapes to explore, from stunning coastal scenery to beautiful hills and mountains. It’s perfect for hikers of all abilities. So whether you prefer to wander along a lovely bit of beach or climb to the top of a mountain, Wales has you covered.

Speaking of beaches, with so much coastline, as you might imagine there are plenty of beaches to choose from. These run the full gamut, from beautiful sandy stretches to those covered in pebbles. So if you’re after a good swim or just a nice walk on the beach, there are lots of options for you.

All that lovely outdoors space also means Wales is a great destination for wildlife. The variety in landscape and habitat means there’s a lot of different bird species you can spot, and there are various nature preserves you can visit where you can spot various types of bird and learn about them.

It’s more than just birds of course, with viewing opportunities for all kinds of wildlife, from seals and other marine life through to mammals, reptiles, and more!

Finally, Wales is also a great destination for lovers of mythology. This should be obvious from the flag, which is emblazoned with a red dragon, arguably the world’s coolest flag. Naturally, you can learn all about the mythology of Wales, from the origin story of King Arthur through to dragons and druids.

Overall, we think it’s fair to say that Wales is not a destination where you will run out of things to do!

Some Basic Information for Traveling in Wales

Let’s cover some basic information for traveling in Wales.

Wales and the wider UK

Wales is a part of the United Kingdom (UK), so once you have entered the UK then you can travel in and out of Wales freely.

If Wales is your first point of entry into the UK (such as if you arrive into Cardiff Airport from outside the UK), then you would need to go through passport control and have the correct visa and any necessary documentation.

You can see more information on any required visas for your visit on the UK government website here or from your own government’s official travel website.

If you arrive into another part of the UK such as England or Scotland, then you don’t need to go through any further controls when you travel to Wales, be that by car, train, or plane.

Getting to and from Wales

Wales is an easy country to get to. In terms of flights, the only commercial airport in Wales is Cardiff airport , which offers both local and international flights to a limited number of destinations.

Wales is also well served by regional transport connections from the UK. By train, Cardiff is around 2.5 hours from London, 50 minutes from Bristol, and 4 hours from Liverpool.

North Wales destinations like Conwy are around an hour by train from Chester, or 3.5 hours from London.

You can also easily drive to Wales from locations around the UK. It’s around 3 hours by car to from London to Cardiff, 4 hours from Liverpool to Cardiff and 7 hours to Cardiff from Edinburgh.

Wales is also served by ferry routes which link Wales with the Republic of Ireland. So if you are doing a trip like our two week UK itinerary , this would let you connect between Wales and the Republic of Ireland.

There are also multiple tours that include Wales, departing from locations such as London or Bristol. More on tours later on in this guide. Suffice to say, you have plenty of options for getting to and from Wales!

Language in Wales

Wales has two official languages: Welsh and English. Just under 20% of the population of Wales speaks Welsh, but pretty much everyone also speaks English.

However you will almost certainly hear Welsh being spoken during your visit.

The main way you will encounter Welsh as a visitor is likely to be on signs. Most signs are provided in both Welsh and English. Place names are also nearly always written in Welsh.

Welsh is a pretty challenging language to learn and the pronunciation is definitely not always obvious! Place names can easily trip visitors up, although the good news is that most Welsh people are pretty used to it.

If you’d like to improve your pronunciation, this is a good starter guide . A good guide book to Wales should also include a guide to pronunciation.

Driving in Wales

Driving in Wales is the same as driving in the rest of the UK, with the main difference being that the majority of the road signs are in Welsh as well as English.

If you drive in Wales, you will quickly learn some Welsh words from the road signs, particularly “Araf” which means “Slow”. In the majority of cases though, signs will be in both English and Welsh.

Other than that, driving in Wales is the same as driving in the rest of the UK. Drive on the left of the road and be sure to observe all speed limits and road rules. Speed limits are normally posted, with the national limit at 60 miles per hour and limits for built-up areas normally 20 to 40 miles per hour. You can see more tips in my guide to driving in the UK .

If you are renting a car ( compare prices here ), you can drive the car between England and Wales without any issues.

Be aware that the majority of cars in the UK use a manual transmission, so be sure to specify an automatic if that is what you are used to driving. Just note that these do normally carry a price premium as they are not as common.

Depending on where in the world you are visiting from and the language your license is in, you may also need an international driver’s license from the country which issues your driver’s license.

Public Transporation in Wales

Wales has a pretty good public transport network, with both buses and trains which link many of the towns and cities across the country. You can see the main transport routes on the Transport for Wales website here .

For travel planning by public transport in Wales (and the UK in general), we recommend and use the Traveline website . It’s a free service provided by a partnership of public transport operators in the UK, and will help you plan your travel between pretty much any two points in the country.

For the majority of public transport in Wales and the UK (especially on longer distance routes) you will get better prices if you book online in advance. We recommend the trainline website for train and bus booking, we’ve used them for years for our public transport needs in the UK.

Other options to consider, especially for long distance bus journeys include National Express and Megabus .

Electricity in Wales

Wales uses the same power system as the rest of the UK. It’s a 220v system which uses a three-pin plug (plug type G).

Travellers from most of the rest of the world, including mainland Europe and the United States will need an adapter like this .

American travellers will also want to check their equipment supports the 220v standard, as the U.S. uses a 110v standard. The voltage a device supports will be written clearly on the power adapter, usually in the form of 110v – 240v.

In our experience most modern laptops, phone and camera chargers, and other small electronics are universal, whilst larger devices like hair dryers and hair straighteners are not.

See more on travel adapters and how to choose one for your trip in our guide to the  best travel adapters .

Currency in Wales

Wales uses the same currency as the rest of the UK, namely Pound Sterling, or GBP (Great British Pounds). Wales uses the bank notes issued by the Bank of England, so the currency in use in Wales looks exactly the same as that used in England.

Note that this is different to Scotland and Northern Ireland, where bank notes are issued by Scottish and Irish banks respectively. These bank notes can also be used in the rest of the UK (and Bank of England notes can be used in Scotland and Northern Ireland).

Time Zone in Wales

Wales is on the same time zone as the rest of the UK, which is either GMT, or GMT+1, also known as British Summer Time (BST).

BST runs from the last Sunday in March through to the last Sunday in October.

Best Times to Visit Wales

You might be wondering when the best time to visit Wales is. Whilst Wales is a year-round destination, there are certainly advantages and disadvantages to visiting at different times of year.

Best for Weather

Wales has a relatively mild climate year-round without tremendous extremes.

If you want warmer weather and longer hours of daylight for sightseeing, then the best time of year to visit is going to be from late May through to mid-September.

This time of year will give you the best chance of good weather and sunny days, although note that rain and cooler temperatures are possible year-round.

The summit of Snowdon in summer – good weather not guaranteed!

Avoiding Crowds

Wales is a popular destination, especially for visitors from other regions of the UK. There are a number of big English cities near Wales such as Birmingham, Liverpool, Bristol, and Manchester, and visitors from these cities regularly take trips to Wales. It is an especially popular destination for families.

As a result, the busiest time of year in Wales is generally going to be over the school holidays (school breaks) in England and Wales.

The exact timing of school holidays varies a little by area, but generally there are major holidays over the Easter period, and over the summer months from mid-July through to the end of August.

There are also “half-term” holidays which occur halfway through each school term and are generally a week in duration. There is normally one in mid-February, one around the end of May and one around the end of October.

The most popular time for people to visit Wales is during the warmer summer months, and during school holidays, especially the Easter holidays, spring half-term, and summer holidays.

As a result, if you want to visit Wales when it is likely to be quieter then you would be best served avoiding these times.

If you still want good weather, we’d suggest June or September to be optimal months, although April and May can offer good weather if you have a bit of luck on your side!

Best for Hiking / Climbing Snowdon ( Yr Wyddfa )

Whilst you can hike in Wales at any time of year, we would suggest that the best times for hiking are going to be similar to that for visiting for the best weather. So that is going to be from late May to mid-September.

Whatever time of year you plan to go hiking though, be aware that the weather can change very quickly. So you will want to be prepared, ensure someone knows your route and where you are going, and pack appropriately. For more information, this safety guide is very helpful.

The most popular hike in Wales by far is the hike up Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa in Welsh). You can both hike and take a train to the summit, both of which are popular options.

In our experience, Snowdon can be busy year round, but the warmer summer months are definitely the most popular time to tackle the hike.

If you want to avoid the crowds on the hike itself, then we’d suggest avoiding the Llanberis path which tends to be the most popular, and taking one of the other less popular routes such as the Snowdon Ranger path or the Rhyd Ddu path .

Of course, Wales has a great many more mountains you can hike, the majority of which are far less busy and popular than Snowdon. A personal favourite is Cader Idris , which also offers spectacular views across the Snowdonia National Park, and attracts a fraction of the visitors!

Major Festivals in Wales

Wales plays host to a number of festivals and fairs throughout the year, including music festivals, food festivals, literary festivals, craft fairs, art festivals, and more (see a fairly comprehensive list of festivals in Wales here ).

The largest festival in Wales is normally the National Eisteddfod of Wales , which is held for around a week on the first week of August each year. The location for the festival changes each year, and it normally attracts upwards of 100,000 visitors. The festival celebrates Welsh culture, with the events and activities all taking place in Welsh.

If you plan on visiting the Eisteddfodd (or any other festival in Wales), you will definitely want to plan well ahead as accommodation can book out, and the area where the event is being held is likely to be much busier than usual.

Conversely, it’s worth being aware when and where festivals are being held even if you don’t plan on attending them, so you don’t get caught up in the crowds!

How Long to Spend in Wales

As should hopefully be obvious by now, although Wales is a relatively small country, there is a huge amount to see and do in Wales. You could easily spend many weeks exploring the country without running out of things to see and do.

Our recommendation would be to spend at least a week if possible to get a good idea of what is on offer and to have time to explore some of the country’s highlights.

If you have less time, say three to five days, then we would recommend focusing on one area or region of the country rather than trying to cover too much ground.

So, for example, with three days you might want to focus on visiting Cardiff and south-west Wales or explore part of north Wales with visits to Caernarfon and Snowdonia National Park.

If you have a week or more, then you can expand your itinerary to cover more of the country.

We will share some suggested itineraries further on in this guide to help you plan, and we also have a 7 – 10 day Wales road trip itinerary you should find helpful. That itinerary can easily be expanded to 2 or more weeks.

Where to Stay in Wales

Wales has a wide range of accommodation options across all budgets. Whether you prefer camping , glamping , self-catered accommodation , family-run guesthouses , country house hotels or  regular hotels , you are going to find something to suit.

We have stayed at a huge range of accommodation options across Wales, including apartment rentals, guesthouses, bed and breakfasts and hotels. Usually we prefer to either stay at a locally owned bed and breakfast or small hotel. But for longer stays, we normally book an apartment or cottage.

When looking for accommodation, we recommend a mix of the following sites:

• Booking.com – this is usually our first stop for all sorts of accommodation types, from hotels to guests houses to apartments. We like the powerful filter system that allows us to hone in on exactly what we want in each location, as well as the map tool that lets us see different options in different areas.
• Sykes Holiday Cottages – for longer stays in Wales (and the wider UK) we also use Sykes. They specialize in holiday cottages, and we have stayed at some really lovely properties through their system.
• Vrbo UK – if we are specifically looking for an apartment or vacation rental, we’ll also usually look on Vrbo. They offer a good selection of options and it is nice to have a comparison.

If you would like more options for accommodation booking in Wales and the UK, see our guide to booking holiday homes in the UK for some ideas!

What to Eat in Wales?

You might be wondering what food you should try in Wales when you visit, and if there are any uniquely Welsh dishes. Well, the answer is yes there are.

Whilst there are certainly a lot of similarities between Welsh food and English food, including staples such as fish and chips and the full fried breakfast experience, there are some dishes that are common to Wales. Here are some to try:

• Cawl – one of more traditional Welsh dishes, cawl (pronounced cowl) dates back to the 11th century at least and is essentially a stew made with meat, vegetables, and potatoes.
• Welsh Rarebit – whilst this sounds like it’s going to involve rabbit, this quintessential Welsh dish is actually melted cheese on toast. There are variations on the recipe, with mustard or a bechamel sauce added to the cheese. Delicious however it’s made!
• Glamorgan sausage – this popular “sausage” is a traditional vegetarian sausage primarily made from leeks, cheese, and breadcrumbs. It dates back to at least the 18th century but rose in popularity during World War II due to meat rationing and remains popular today.
• Welsh cakes – this small cake is made from dough, raisins, currant and candied fruit peel and then cooked on a griddle. It can be eaten hot or cold and is texturally more similar to a shortbread than a cake. We like it served hot and eaten with butter!
• Bara brith – this fruit loaf is a popular option to have with afternoon tea and is often served with butter on it. It’s basically a fruit cake filled with raisins, currants and dried candied fruit peel.
• Laverbread – This is a very interesting delicacy, which despite the name, isn’t a bread at all. Instead, it’s a puree made from a specific type of seaweed which grows along the Welsh coastline. The seaweed is cooked for hours to form the puree, which is then most commonly served with bread.
• Welsh cheese – Wales is home to many milk producing animals, including cows, goats, and sheep. As such, there are many traditional Welsh cheeses to enjoy. The most well-known is Caerphilly, which is a hard but crumbly white cheese. Others include Y Fenni, Tintern and Pantysgawn
• Local drinks – Wales produces a wide range of local drinks, including locally brewed beers and ciders. There are also over 20 vineyards in Wales producing Welsh wine, and Welsh whisky is becoming more popular as well!

As well as specific dishes, there are also many foods that Wales is generally known for. These include Welsh lamb and beef, seafood, seaweed, and leeks, the latter of which is actually the national symbol of Wales.

If you are going to be shopping and cooking during your time in Wales, you should have no problem finding some local Welsh produce.

We can also recommend The Welsh House for trying a variety of Welsh foods. They are in a few locations, including in Cardiff near the castle. The last time we visited they had a “Taste of Wales” menu option which let us try a lot of different Welsh dishes for a very reasonable price.

Suffice to say, we don’t think you’re going to go hungry during your stay in Wales.

How to get around Wales?

There are quite a few options for getting around Wales, which we’ll go through now.

Our preferred option for traveling in Wales is to drive ourselves. Wales has a lot of attractions that are a little off the beaten path, and a car makes it a lot easier to reach those tucked away castles or hidden beaches.

That said, you should be aware that the road network in Wales is primarily made up of regular two-lane roads rather than multi-lane freeways (known as motorways in the UK).

As such, journey times can take a bit longer than in other parts of the UK. It is difficult to zip across Wales and journeys may take longer that you expect from just looking at the map.

This isn’t a bad thing, as the scenery is generally lovely, and there are plenty of things to stop and look at anyway. However, you’ll just want to be aware when planning that even if the distances don’t look particularly long, it can take a bit of time to get from place to place.

If you are planning on traveling by car and need to rent, we recommend comparing car rental prices on Discover Cars here . They compare all the main providers so you can get the best price for your trip.

Public Transportation

As mentioned in the section on public transport, Wales has a pretty good public transport network.

The main thing to know if you are planning to travel in Wales by public transport is that you’ll definitely want to plan well in advance. You will also want to be aware that it can take quite a bit of time to get between locations.

I have done a fair bit of travel by train and bus in Wales, and whilst the scenery is always very pretty, it can take a while to get from location to location. So just be aware that if you are on a limited timetable, you will need to plan carefully so as not to spend all your time sitting on a bus or train.

It’s also worth noting that whilst trains and buses connect a lot of the country, they don’t go absolutely everywhere. So if there is somewhere you really want to see, do check to ensure you can actually get there by the mode of transport you wish to use.

Overall, whilst you can definitely get around Wales by public transport, for folks on a limited timeframe who want to see a lot, we would probably recommend either driving or taking a tour.

Easiest Places to visit in Wales by public transport?

If you are planning on visiting Wales by public transport, you might be wondering what the best locations are for doing so. Here are some tips.

First, we’d suggest focusing on a specific region of Wales if you plan on visiting by public transport, as then you’ll be able to spend more time sightseeing and less time traveling.

Cardiff is a very well-connected city, and then from here you could easily explore along the south coast to Tenby and even St. David’s.

Alternatively, if you’d prefer to explore more of the mountains, then head to North Wales. I’d recommend taking the train line along the north coast from the English city of Chester (or Liverpool), which connects to a number of other train and bus routes.

This will allow you to explore many highlights of the region, including Conwy, Bangor, Caernarfon, the Snowdonia National Park, as well as the northeast coastline including Harlech and Barmouth.

You could easily make a loop through North Wales by public transport, going into Wales from Chester across to Conwy and Bangor, then heading south down the coast to Barmouth and Aberdovey, and then finally east through Machynlleth to Shrewsbury.

This route will let you explore castles, see coastline and experience the mountains, all without needing a car.

Join a Tour

One of the best way to see Wales in our opinion, especially if you prefer not to drive, is to join a tour. A tour lets someone else handle all the logistics, from planning what to see and do to how to get from place to place.

You do lose a bit of flexibility when taking a tour of course, as they generally follow a fixed itinerary. This is particularly the case if you join a group tour. A private tour will normally offer a lot more customization, with the downside that they tend to be more expensive.

That said, in our experience most group tours focus on the highlights that visitors want to see anyway. Just be sure when choosing a tour to ensure it visits the majority of sights and attractions you really want to see in Wales.

We have some recommended tours of Wales in the section of this guide on recommended tours. You can also see a range of tours by various providers at different price points and durations on TourRadar here .

Best Guided Tours of Wales

A great way to see the highlights of Wales without having to worry about the logistics of planning transport and accommodation is to take a guided tour.

There are a number of tours to choose from that visit Wales, of varying duration and price.

The longer Wales tours generally depart from London, Bristol, or Cardiff.

Some we suggest are as follows:

• This  5 day road trip with Rabbies would be our first pick of available small group tours of Wales. We’ve taken a great many tours with Rabbies and we love their knowledgeable driver guides and small group sizes. This tour departs from London and covers many of the highlights of the country, from Snowdonia down to south west Wales.
• This  8 day tour from Cardiff follows a similar route to our own suggested Wales road trip itinerary . This tour includes time in Cardiff, the Brecon Beacons mountains, Snowdonia National Park, Conwy Castle, St. Davids, Tenby, and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
• If you have less time to spare, then this 3 day tour with Rabbies departs from Bristol and focuses on the highlights of south Wales, including Carreg Cennen Castle, Hay on Wye, St. Davids, Tenby, and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
• This is another 3 day tour with Rabbies which departs from Bristol and focuses on the highlights of North Wales. It includes Snowdonia National Parks, Conwy Castle, Harlech Castle, the Slate Museum, and Portmeirion.

There are of course more tours to choose from in Wales. See  this selection from a range of operators on TourRadar  which will let you sort and filter by duration, places visited and price.

Highlights in Wales

There’s a lot to see in Wales, enough to fill many weeks of explorations. As it can be hard to figure out what to see, we wanted to share some of our personal highlights in the country. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but we do think it covers a lot of what the country has to offer.

We’ve divided it roughly into attractions in the southern half of Wales (basically everything south of around Aberystwyth) and the northern half of Wales (everything north of Aberystwyth).

We think this makes sense because if you are on a shorter timetable you will want to focus on a more manageable area.

If you are lucky enough to have more time then you can definitely visit the whole country!

South Wales Highlights

South Wales has a lot to offer, from the cultural attractions in and around the capital city, through to the stunning landscapes of the Pembrokeshire National Park where you will find ample hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities.

This part of Wales is also home to ancient burial grounds, beautiful churches, castles, beaches, and more!

Here are some highlights to consider adding to your Wales itinerary.

• Cardiff Castle
• Cardiff Museum
• St. Fagans (National Museum of History)
• Castell Carreg Cennen
• Caerphilly Castle
• Freshwater Beach
• Whitesands Beach
• St. David’s Cathedral
• Hiking in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
• Pentre Ifan Burial Chamber
• Amgueddfa Ceredigion Museum, Aberystwyth
• Elan Valley
• Brecon Beacons

North Wales Highlights

North Wales is perhaps best known as being how to the spectacular Snowdonia National Park, which is fair enough as it is a truly beautiful part of the world.

However, there’s lots more to this region of the country, from epic castles through to heritage steam railways and wonderful beaches.

Here are a few highlights to consider adding to your itinerary for Wales!

• Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways
• Caernarfon Castle
• Beaumaris Castle
• Conwy Castle
• Harlech Castle
• Mount Snowdon & Snowdonia National Park
• National Slate Museum
• Bird Watching in the Dyfi Valley & Coast
• Centre for Alternative Technology
• Barmouth Beach
• Portmeirion

Suggested Itineraries for Wales

There is a lot to see in Wales! We wanted to share some suggested itineraries for visiting the country for different durations, so you can make the most of your visit.

Of course, your mode of transport will dictate exactly how far you are able to go and what you are able to see. If you are relying on public transport, we’d definitely recommend focusing on a smaller area so you can spend more time seeing sights and less time traveling.

If you are on a tour or in your own vehicle, you will likely be able to fit more in.

1 – 3 Day Wales Itineraries

With one to three days in Wales we would highly recommend focusing on a specific area of the country, such as an area of south Wales or north Wales.

For example, for south Wales you might consider spending a day in Cardiff and then a day or two exploring the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, overnighting in St. David’s or the pretty coastal village of Tenby.

Another option would be to focus on the mountains and castles of north Wales.

Basing yourself in Caernarfon for example would put you in easy reach of some of the most spectacular castles in Wales, as well as the hike or train ride up Snowdon. You could easily spend a wonderful one to three days visiting castles, exploring beaches and hiking in the mountains of Snowdonia.

3 – 6 Day Wales Itineraries

With three to six days you would be able to more thoroughly explore a region of Wales.

Again, we wouldn’t necessarily recommend trying to see the whole country in this time period as it might feel a bit rushed. Instead, focus on a particular area and hone in on some of the attractions you are interested in.

For example, if you want to experience culture and coastal scenery, then we’d suggest starting in Cardiff, working your way along the south coast, and then heading up towards Aberystwyth.

Along the way you’ll be able to visit cultural attractions, experience beautiful coastal walks and take in a number of castles.

Alternatively, head up to north Wales. With a bit more time you can explore more of this beautiful part of the world, from the peaks of the Snowdonia National Park to the UNESCO listed castles to the heritage steam railway lines.

We’d suggest basing yourself in two or three locations, such as Caernarfon, Porthmadog, Conwy, or Barmouth, and exploring from there.

6 Day+ Wales Itineraries

With more than six days in Wales, you would be able to explore from top to bottom if you so wished. We’d suggest a loop along the coast, starting in Cardiff, heading out to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, then all the way up to Snowdonia National Park and north Wales.

We have a suggested 1 week Wales itinerary (can be adjusted to 10+ days) for doing just that with lots of detailed information, which we think you’ll find helps you get around.

What to Pack for Wales

Wales, like the rest of the UK, is a country where the weather can be highly variable. Rain is possible at any time of year, as are cooler temperatures.

So when you plan what to pack for your trip to Wales you will want to be prepared for a variety of scenarios. Additionally, as a lot of the activities in Wales involve time spent outdoors and particularly hiking, you’ll want to plan and pack accordingly to ensure you are prepared.

We would recommend reading our guide to what to pack for the UK as a general overview, but also to remember the following items:

• Layered clothing so you can adjust what you are wearing as the weather changes over the day. We’d suggest something like a t-shirt baselayer, a fleece mid-layer and a waterproof outerlayer .
• A good pair of hiking pants and waterproof hiking boots if you plan on doing any hiking. We love our Scarpa hiking boots and have hiked in them all over the world, but there are many options available .
• A travel plug adapter like this so you can charge all your devices
• A good guidebook for Wales which you can use for planning and reference is always a good idea

Further Resources for Visiting Wales and the UK

And that’s it for our detailed planning guide for visiting Wales! We hope you found this guide useful. We also wanted to share some more resources we think might help you with planning this and future trips in the UK.

• We have a detailed 7 – 10 day road trip itinerary for Wales , with day by day highlights, tips on where to stay, and lots more.
• If you’re looking for more road trip inspiration in the UK, we have a  two week UK road trip itinerary  and a  one week UK road trip itinerary . We also have a  one week Cornwall itinerary
• If you’re heading to Scotland, check out our  2 day Edinburgh itinerary , our  Glasgow and Loch Lomond itinerary , our guide to the  best day trips from Glasgow , our guide to  things to do in Edinburgh , our  itinerary for Skye and the Highlands , our guide to the  best day trips from Aberdeen , and our guide to the best  day trips from Edinburgh . We also have a  North Coast 500 planning guide  and  North Coast 500 seven day itinerary
• If you’re not familiar with driving in the UK, see my  guide to driving in the UK  for helpful tips.
• We have guides to many cities in the UK you can check out! See our guides to  things to do in Manchester ,   things to do in Stratford upon Avon ,   things to do in Bristol ,   things to do in Portsmouth , tips on a  weekend in York , tips on  Visiting Oxford on a Day Trip , and  things to do in Cambridge  to get started
• If you’re looking for a guidebook for your trip, check out the  Rough Guide to Wales

And that’s it! Have you ever visited Wales? Do you have anything you’d add to the above? Just let us know in the comments below, and safe travels!

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Claudia says

11th March 2024 at 1:52 am

Hi, there! First, I’d like to say that I find your blog, travel news and tips really useful and interesting!! Then, I wanted to share with you part of my experience in Wales. Last October I traveled solo from Argentina around Wales, England and Scotland. I organised my own trip visiting ONLY castles during 21 days and I can say that Welsh castles just blew my mind!!!! 🥰🥰 I visited some of the ones you’ve mentioned and some you haven’t, and I think ALL are worth seeing: Cardiff, Caerphilly, Chepstow and Kidwelly in the south and Conwy, Caernarfon and Beaumaris in the north ❤️❤️❤️. I really do hope I can go back some time!!! Cheers from Argentina🇦🇷

Laurence Norah says

13th March 2024 at 3:01 pm

Hey Claudia!

Wow, that sounds like an awesome trip 🙂 The Welsh castles are definitely epic, and I’m so glad you enjoyed your time visiting them. I agree, they are all worth seeing. We’re actually heading back to Wales in a couple of weeks to see some more 😉

Safe travels!

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Wales Road Trip – the ONLY Itinerary (with Route Map) you Need!

Planning a tour of Wales? Want to know the best places to visit on a Wales road trip? Here are some of the best routes and places to visit to create an incredible Welsh road trip itinerary, plus a map to help you see where everything is!

Don’t forget to grab your free downloadable Wales road trip guide to help you plan your trip.

*We work hard to make this the best motorhome travel blog and road trip website possible, full of helpful content for you. The website is supported by our readers, so if you buy through links on this site we may earn a commission- at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain our own .

If you find this post useful, you can also treat us to a coffee – we promise to enjoy it while creating more useful content like this- we might even indulge in a biscuit (or two!)

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Wales road trip ideas

I love touring and exploring Wales. It’s one of my favourite places to road trip in the UK and every time I visit I find something new to enjoy, whether it’s a coastal walk, cute independent shops, medieval castles or the never-ending natural beauty.

From my very first trip there, I’ve always found the people friendly, the roads fun and the scenery jawdropping. On that first trip with the motorhome I visited a couple of the best motorhome sites in Wales and it started a love of the country that’s never faded.

I’ve now visited numerous times and can’t wait to go back again. Indeed, I’ve been back several times on my own and recently spent some time exploring the Gower peninsula with my dog and had a great time.

Like many places where there’s so much to do outdoors, the weather can make or break a trip, but the advantage of a road trip around Wales is you can always drive to a different area where the weather might be better!

Wales road trip – most scenic drives

The Welsh tourist board have created 3 national driving routes called the Wales Way and they are all fantastic. One explores the fabulous north coast, one the wilder middle section and one the breathtaking south.

But those driving routes can take longer than you might have for your trip, so we’ve put together some alternative Wales road trip itinerary ideas for you.

If you’ve only got 2 or 3 days, or a long weekend, stick to one area. If you have a week or longer to explore, you could easily do several places on these itineraries or explore one of them in more depth. However you plan your Welsh road trip, you’ll have a fabulous time. 

Planning a trip to Wales?

Grab your FREE guide to the Wales Way road trip routes, including:

• suggested routes around Wales
• best places to see on your trip
• campsites to stay at along the way
• and other tips for touring Wales

When is the best time to road trip around Wales?

One of the reasons we love Wales so much is all the outdoor activities it offers. For that reason, we recommend visiting Wales anytime between Easter and mid-October, to really take advantage of the highlights. 

Having said that, Wales is not as seasonal as somewhere like Cornwall , and many tourist attractions and historical sites do not shut for the winter, so you could go out of season and enjoy the lack of tourists. It’s entirely up to you! 

Wales Road Trip Map- plan of our Welsh itinerary

This is a map of our suggested Wales road trip itinerary in full. I find it so frustrating when people mention all the best places to go… and you have no idea where any of them are! I hope this Wales road trip map helps you get more familiar with the places we share in this post.

How long to do a Wales Road Trip?

We recommend at least 10-14 days to do the entire route. If you have a shorter time, just pick an element of it – one of many good reasons to come back for the rest later!!

Doing it ALL in a week might be a struggle, although you can if you drive a lot and don’t stop often during the day. 

The problem with doing this is you will miss some beautiful places- after all, part of the joy of a road trip is getting out and experiencing the place you’ve just driven to.

Brecon Beacons National Park- the Perfect South Wales Road Trip

Suggested by Pauline | BeeLoved City

The Brecon Beacons National Park is perfect for road trippers looking for an adventure. It’s one of the most beautiful places in the UK and yet so underrated. You will find beautiful wild camping spots where you can enjoy these wide-open spaces, beautiful landscapes and a sky full of stars!

The Brecon Beacons is one of three national parks in Wales. They all offer breath-taking landscapes and amazing hiking opportunities for nature lovers. 

Brecon Beacon road trip- driving the highest mountain road in Wales

The highest driving road in Wales is called the Gospel Pass- snaking over the Black Mountains from Abergavenny to Hay-on-wye on the east of the Beacons

How to get to the Gospel Pass

From Abergavenny, turn off the A465 at Llanvihangel Crucorney and follow signs for the ruins of Llanthony Priory. From Hay-on-Wye, the Gospel pass is sign-posted.

CAUTION- The Pass is 22 miles of often single track, very steep (1/4) and is rarely cleared in winter. Motorhomes might find it tough and snow chains are essential in winter. 

Driving the Top Gear Road

You can also drive another of the best driving roads in Wales- the A4069 (to the west of the Brecon Beacons.) This road was made famous by Jeremy Clarkson and Top Gear (no, this is NOT the same road as the Gospel Pass!)

The road runs from Brynamman to Llangadog (I swear I’m not making these names up!) This is another incredibly scenic road- and most of it is 2-way you’ll be pleased to know. We did it on a motorbike- it was spectacular.

What else is there to do on a Brecon Beacons road trip? 

• Hiking. Lots and lots and lots of hiking
• Pen-Y-Fan- the highest peak in South Wales (on the road from Merthyr Tydfil to Brecon) Try a Beacons Horseshoe ridge walk which will take you up to the summit of Pen Y Fan- a popular spot with 360-degree views on the Cwm Llwch valley. This 3 to 4 hours walk is the perfect way to experience the true beauty of the Beacons.
• Waterfalls! There are some incredible waterfalls all over the Brecon Beacon National Park. One of the most popular waterfalls is Sgwd Gwladys. On some there is a small commission for entry and some can be a long walk to get there!
• Kayaking, rafting and bouldering are also popular
• Show Caves- visit some of the largest showcases in the UK
• Visit amazing castles such as Carreg Cennen or Brecon Castle. The area has a rich history and guided tours are a great way to discover amazing Welsh local legends and stories.
• Visit cute towns like Brecon, Crickhowell or Hye-on-Wye. 

If you have time before you start your Brecon Beacons National Park road trip, be sure to visit the capital city of Cardiff, Castell Coch, Cardiff Castle and nearby Barry Island.

Gower Peninsula – Wales Road Trip highlight

Recommended by Clemens | Travellers Archive

The Gower peninsula is a perfect stop on a Wales Road Trip. It’s a small peninsula on the south coast, just west of Swansea. Did you know, it was the first region in Great Britain to be recognised as an “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty”.

Why should I include Gower in a Welsh Road Trip itinerary?

“The Gower”, as the peninsula is also called, is a perfect place for outdoor/ nature enthusiasts and is super popular with:

• bird watchers
• sun worshippers
• watersports enthusiasts
• campers and motorhomers

It’s a short but scenic drive from the main motorway down to Gower Island, where you’ll find an idyllic scene of sandy beaches, fine dining, unique shops and traditional pubs. Above all, it’s topped with the relaxed vibe of a surfing village – the ocean is near and so is the fresh air. It’s the perfect place to relax and have a good time.

Ok, so it’s pretty- but what is there to DO? 

You can easily spend a whole week on the Gower Peninsula.

• Worm’s Head is a good starting point; a bizarre tidal island on the southwest tip of the peninsula in Rhossili Bay. This is one of the Gower’s most famous attractions- although it’s not entirely clear why!
• Definitely put in a stop at the small town of Rhossili, where you can rent a surfboard at PJ’s Surfshop and also enjoy delicious fish and chips at the ‘The King’s Head’ pub.
• Gower also has several of the best beaches in Wales where you can spend relaxed days in the sun. Our favourites are Caswell and Landland, the perfect base for everything you need for a day on the beach: ice cream, parking and shops.
• Also, don’t forget to go on a proper coastal hike.  The easiest of them all is actually the hike between the two aforementioned beaches. 
• The Mumbles is where we spent our very first night ‘off-grid’ in our motorhome in late spring. DEFINITELY worth a visit.

Pembrokeshire Road Trip

Recommended by Suzanne | Meandering Wild

The Pembrokeshire Coast is located in the far south-west of Wales.  It is easily accessible from the end of the M4 at Swansea.  The road follows the coastal way with numerous little beaches, beautiful castles and small towns.  Further around the west Wales coast, the roads become smaller and the landscape more rugged.

Highlights of Pembrokeshire- what to include on your Wales road trip?

• Seaside town of Tenby
• Caldey Island
• Pembroke and Pembroke Castle
• Pembrokeshire coast national park
• Manobier Castle
• Skomer Island (puffins!)
• St Davids- the smallest city in the UK

Pembrokeshire road trip itinerary

Tenby is one of the small seaside towns in Pembrokeshire and has beautiful golden beaches.  In the summer months you can take a short boat ride to the monastic island of Caldey Island.  This is the perfect escape and you can walk to the lighthouse as well as try the chocolate made by the monks.

A short distance from Tenby is Pembroke.  This is one of the larger towns and has a spectacular castle that sits overlooking the river that flows through the town.  Pembroke Castle is impressive, but even more impressive is the nearby Manobier Castle that looks over a small bay perfect for surfing.

If seeing puffins is on your bucket list then don’t miss the nature reserve of Skomer Island. In the summer months this small island is home to thousands of puffins and it’s practically guaranteed to see them.  There are day trips to the island via a boat which runs in good weather (not in the winter months sadly) and cannot be booked in advance.  You will need to arrive in St Martins Haven car park very early to get a ticket for the boat trip. 

The final place to visit in Pembrokeshire is St David’s.  This is the smallest city in the UK but is a great place to visit. Don’t miss the beautiful cathedral and small winding streets- as well as one of the best pasty shops we’ve ever found!

How long should you plan for a Pembrokeshire road trip?

A road trip around Pembrokeshire needs at least three days to really explore, but the longer you can spend there the more you can see.  In the summer months it is busy but the weather is better- especially for the beaches.  In the winter it is wild and desolate but attractions are empty.

You can also grab our interactive map and online guide filled with places to visit in Wales- check it out here

Wales Road Trip- driving the coast from south Wales to North

As with most countries, there are plenty of routes to head north through Wales from south to North. You could choose the Cambrian Way however, in this instance we highly recommend the coastal route around the west coast of Wales.

Head up from Anglesey, you can enjoy the magnificent views of

• Cardigan Bay- famous for clear water and frequent sightings of bottlenose dolphins
• Fishguard- a pretty harbour and village
• Strumble Head lighthouse
• The coastal town of Aberystwyth- an ancient market town and home of the National Library of Wales. If you have time, detour inland and visit the visitor centre of Elan Valley.
• Menai Straits- infamous stretch of water and very dangerous!
• Snowdonia National Park- this requires at least 3 days to do it justice, but if nothing else be sure to visit Mt Snowdon- Wales’ highest peak. You can take a trip on the Snowdon Mountain Railway or choose a walking trail and explore the region.
• Whilst in Snowdonia, be sure to visit Swallow Falls near Betws-y-coed. It’s the single highest continuous waterfall in Wales, just a short walk from the car park. While you’re here, Capel Curig is also worth a visit.

Isle of Anglesey, North Wales Road Trip

Recommended by Sophia | The Wanderful Me

Featuring unbelievable hikes, gorgeous green rolling hills, endless seaside coastlines, cool castles, beautiful beaches and cute little Welsh villages (filled with delicious food!), you should definitely include Anglesey on your Wales road trip itinerary.

Best Things to do in Anglesey 

Across the Menai Strait in North West Wales you’ll find Anglesey- regularly mentioned as one of the best places to visit in Wales . Here are some of the highlights you can include in your driving itinerary:

• Coastal hikes — there are SO many to choose from and all will deliver incredible views over the sea.
• Parys Mountain — an abandoned copper mine that now looks like the surface of Mars. 
• Beaumaris Castle — A Unesco World Heritage site built during the late 13th century and considered to be the most technically perfect castle (its symmetry is incredibly accurate)
• Visit a lighthouse  — dotted all across the coastline of Anglesey, you’ll find a number of beautiful lighthouses. You can even enjoy an overnight stay in one!

How long should an Anglesey road trip take?

Since Anglesey is pretty small, a road trip shouldn’t take too long! It could easily be done in 1-2 days (especially if you’re not a big hiking fan). Of course, you could slow down and take a few days to see all this island has to offer.

Does it cost money to get to Anglesey if it’s an island?

No- there’s a suspension bridge (the Menai bridge – although sometimes called the Telford Bridge by locals), and it’s free to cross. Cars and motorhomes can get across no problem- just follow the road signs.

When is the best time to plan a road trip to Anglesey?

Wondering what time of the year is best for a visit? Though summers are blissful on Anglesey, it’s incredible packed at this time with UK vacationers and families. Thus, I recommend either doing an Anglesey road trip in the fall or spring, when it’s not too cold or overrun with visitors! 

Want more places to visit in Europe in Autumn? Here are some of the best!

On your way back from Anglesey, there are plenty of incredible places to visit:

• Caernarfon Castle (right up near Anglesey)
• Llangollen Canal – we hired a narrowboat from here for a few days to go over the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct- which is the best way to experience it! You can do this as a day trip too.
• Dinas Bran Castle (near Llangollen)
• Chester- one of my favourite cities in the United Kingdom; right on the border between England and Wales- we visited as part of our epic England Road trip
• Chirk Castle- a National Trust property well worth a visit
• Conwy- we stayed here for several nights on a yacht MANY years ago and it was beautiful- a great stop.
• Wye Valley – Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)

Useful things to know for your Wales Road Trip planning

Do they really speak welsh.

Yep. All signs will be in Welsh, then English. The Welsh are a small nation but fiercely proud of their heritage and language. However, nearly every person in Wales speaks at least some English, and certainly everyone who deals with tourists.

Do they take £/ GBP?

Yes, Wales does NOT have its own currency. They use pound sterling, just like the rest of the UK.

Do they drive on the left or the right?

In the UK, we drive on the left everywhere.

If you’re hiring a rental car, Cardiff city or Swansea is a good base to collect it from in the south, or Chester in the north.

Is it easy to find camping spots for motorhomes/ campervans?

Yes- if you don’t go in high summer. We went in the Easter holidays a few years ago and had no problems finding a campsite, but I’ve heard in the summer they get VERY booked- especially near the sea and Cardiff city.

Books to help your Wales Road Trip

If you prefer a physical book, you might find these helpful:

Is wild camping legal in Wales?

It’s tolerated, as much as wild camping is anywhere in the UK . Stay away from the main tourist areas and you should be fine. You might be able to use services at campsites for an extra cost.

Having said that, we were in Wales when it all went a little wrong- watch the video below:

When wild camping goes wrong! (Wild camping tips for beginners)

If you want a free wild camping checklist, grab it here .

Planning a UK Road Trip? You might find these posts helpful:

• How to plan a UK road trip- essential things you NEED to know
• England road trip- the BEST places to visit
• The ONLY Scotland itinerary you need

See all our UK travel itineraries and tips

I hope this post has helped you find incredible places to visit and enjoy. Been already? Where’s your favourite Wales Road trip? Let us know!

Kat never planned to buy a motorhome. She also never planned to quit her job as an air traffic controller, go touring around Europe in said motorhome, start one of the UK’s largest motorhome travel websites… or get a cocker spaniel.

Find out how she went from stuck in the rat race to being a digital nomad and inspiring thousands of people to have their own epic adventures here.

If you’d like to connect with Kat, send her an email or follow her adventures on social media.

Last update on 2024-05-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Langland bay on the Gower I assume. I used to surf there as a nipper. PJs surf shop is still there, wow. Pete was a world class surfer back in the day, bought my surf boards and “sex wax” (look it up, it’s for your surfboard) from him when it was just a small shed/garage. I camped there for a summer back in the late seventies, early eighties( the year of the fast net disaster(that was windy), beautiful place. Thanks for the wonderful trip back in time

As someone who was born and brought up in Usk, Monmouthshire (now called Gwent) I would also suggest: 1 the Wye Valley from Chepstow to Monmouth en route to Abergavenny and the Black Mountains 2 Lougharne and the Taff estuary which is not only very beautiful but is a place of pilgrimage for anyone interested in Dylan Thomas 3 Portmeirion on the Mawddach estuary with Barmouth at it’s mouth. Another beautiful spot. 4 There are also number of National Trust houses and gardens that are well worth visiting. Just get on the National Trust website/app. to find out where.

Can I suggest that a trip via Pembrey to visit Wales longest beach (there’s also a very nice caravan park at Pembrey Country Park), Burry Port and North Dock are all worth a visit. It’s then only 30 mins to the Gower peninsular to pick up the remainder of the trip.

Thanks for the tips!

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Wales Travel Guide

Welcome to our  Wales Travel Guide  where you will find links to all the travel-related posts about Wales on the website. This includes articles about itineraries, where to visit, what to see and do, best day trips, tours and tickets, books to read and lots of practical tips, resources and inspiration for your trip.

Are you planning a visit to Wales? This guide contains everything you need to plan the very best trip. Discover the best places to visit in Wales plus resources, tips, and guides to ensure you make the most of your time at your chosen Welsh destinations.

Wales (or Cymru in Welsh) is famous for its rugged coastline (over 2,700 kms of it), beautiful National Parks, castles and mountainous landscapes.

With 2 official languages (English and Welsh) and a strong Celtic tradition, Wales has a population of around 3 million. Approximately 20% of the population speak Welsh.

Cardiff is the capital and Snowdon (or Yr Wyddfa) is its highest mountain.

If you love castles it is worth noting that Wales has more per square mile than any other country in the world.

Wales is also home to the town with the second-longest one-word place name in the world – LLanfairpwllg wyngyllgogery chwyrndrobwllllant ysiliogogogoch !!!

The leek and the daffodil are official emblems of Wales.

Click on the links below for travel inspiration and tips to make the most of your visit to Wales.

Start here – Top 10 places to visit in Wales

Travel guides for welsh cities, regions and attractions, 🎧 podcasts about visiting wales, when is the best time of year to visit wales, itineraries, best group tours and tickets, where to stay in wales – accommodation guide, travel books about wales, wales travel guide – popular destinations to visit in wales.

Follow-up your initial research with a more in-depth look at the places that interest you before then checking out the various itinerary and tour options for Wales.

CARDIFF TRAVEL GUIDE

WELSH CASTLE GUIDE

NORTH WALES TRAVEL GUIDE

LLANDUDNO TRAVEL GUIDE

PODCAST EPISODE #52 – AN INTRODUCTION TO NORTH WALES & ARTICLE

PORTMEIRION

FAQs – PLAN YOUR VISIT TO WALES

If you are wondering when is the best time of year to visit Wales the answer will depend on a number of factors.

The weather in Wales varies with the seasons and the number of hours of daylight also changes throughout the year. These factors should be considered when planning your visit as reduced daylight hours and cool. wet weather may impact your choice of activities.

Wales experiences its warmest and lightest days in the summer months of June, July and August and the colder, darker days during December, January and February.

For more information to help choose the best time of year to plan your visit to Wales read my in-depth article – ‘When is the best time of year to visit the UK?’ which examines each season as well as detailing popular events on a month by month basis.

Suggested itineraries for Wales coming soon

Read my month-by-month guide to visiting the UK which contains information about what to expect during the different seasons as well as shows/attractions and activities.

Tours and tickets for attractions can be purchased through Get Your Guide (one of my tour companies of choice) and include the following:

Fancy staying in a fairytale Welsh castle? Take a look at my curated list of 8 castles you can stay at in Wales.

My accommodation guide for Wales includes our pick of the best hotels, apartments, cottages for your stay.

• Best places to stay in North Wales (area and accommodation guide)

> CLICK HERE FOR MY STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO PLANNING YOUR UK TRIP !

What to budget

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What is Traveline Cymru?

Traveline Cymru is a public transport information service funded by the Welsh Government. We work in partnership with operators and local authorities to provide public transport information across Wales for bus, coach and train, as well as walking and cycling routes.

Our purpose is to offer a 'one-stop-shop' for travel information, where you can find all the journey information you’ll need in one place, in a few simple steps.

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The finest hotels in Wales for a getaway in the great outdoors

Welsh wonders from Snowdonia to St Davids – these are the best hotels in Wales

It may be small, but there’s plenty to see and do in this diminutive destination – and if you’re planning a visit for 2024, these are some of the best hotels in Wales.

The Welsh coastline has some of the country’s most spectacular scenery, with paths mapped out for road trips and seaside strolls, such as the Coastal Way, the Cambrian Way and the North Wales Way.

Wales is also home to the UK’s smallest city: St Davids has a population of just 1,751, but qualifies as a city because of its cathedral, which was built in the 12th century.

In the north is Snowdon (known locally as Yr Wyddfa), the highest point in the British Isles outside of the Scottish Highlands . If hiking to the summit sounds like too much effort, you’ll be pleased to hear that there’s a scenic railway taking you all the way to the top.

Weary hikers returning from a trek up Snowdon will be relieved to lay their heads down at Palé Hall , one of the finest luxury hotels in the UK .

In the heart of Pembrokeshire’s Preseli Hills, The Grove at Narberth is another charming countryside retreat; or check in to the Harbourmaster Hotel on the quayside of Aberaeron along the Cardigan Bay coast. Here are our favourite hotels in Wales…

The Grove at Narberth, Pembrokeshire

This luxury Welsh hotel has long been one of Britain's most beloved country boltholes. The Grove at Narberth is the perfect Pembrokeshire base for exploring the Preseli Hills – and the cosy country house hotel is exactly where you’ll want to retreat to after days out rambling. It is also an excellent choice for anyone in search of a dog-friendly hotel in Wales, with a resident labradoodle ready to welcome fellow furry guests. Enjoy an aperitif beside the fire in a lounge filled with antiques, before an evening meal at the Grove’s fine-dining restaurant, some of the produce for which is grown on-site.

Twr y Felin Hotel, St Davids

If you're planning a stop in St Davids during your trip to Wales, this is the Welsh hotel for you. On the edge of the UK’s smallest city, Twr y Felin , which means ‘Mill Tower’ in Welsh, has a windmill built in 1806 at its heart. Its heritage also includes spells as a temperance hotel and as an intelligence headquarters during World War Two. The hotel is under 10 minutes on foot from the centre of St Davids, where you can explore its many pubs, restaurants and, the highlight, its 12th-century cathedral.

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Palé Hall, Snowdonia

One of the finest hotels in Wales, Palé Hall is a Victorian mansion on the edge of Snowdonia, with all of the turrets, towers and wings you could wish for. Guests can climb to the top of the mountain in the famous national park on the hall’s doorstep, or take the more leisurely route by rail, before returning to enjoy the lawns, river and general grandeur of this stately stay. The main house has 18 bedrooms, with period features such as domed ceilings, wood-panelling and antiques – or you can book one of the suites in the grounds. Restaurants on-site include a bistro and the fancy Henry Robertson Dining Room, and of course, afternoon tea is served daily.

The Swan at Hay, Hay-on-Wye

If you’re looking for a hotel in Wales for your trip to the world-renowned Hay Festival held each May, the Swan at Hay is an excellent choice for a literary leisure break. The boutique hotel is in a listed Georgian building, close to the centre of the Town of Books. The former coaching inn was built in 1812. In addition to rooms in the main building, there are a handful in the coach house. The location puts it within easy reach of the hiking and cycling trails of the Wye Valley and the Brecon Beacons; you’ll also be able to chart a path along Offa’s Dyke, which roughly follows the border with England.

Roch Castle, Pembrokeshire

Be kings and queens of the castle at this historic hotel in west Wales. Roch Castle in the Pembrokeshire town of Haverfordwest was built by the Normans in 1195. It was rescued from ruin in the early 20th century to become a private residence and has been a bed and breakfast for the past decade or so. The ancient stone walls are intact, but the castle is now graced with stylish new interiors. Guests can admire the views out to sea and across the Preseli Hills. Hearty breakfasts will set you up for day trips to pretty fishing ports such as Solva and Little Haven, or you can head half an hour north to see St Davids.

Glen-yr-Afon House, Monmouthshire

Just outside of the town of Usk and a short drive from Abergavenny in Monmouthshire, this Victorian villa is on a three-acre estate with pristine lawns and cherry trees. The River Usk is close by, handy for walks along its banks; other strolls on offer include up to the ruins of the hilltop castle in town (though since the castle is in the grounds of a private family home, visiting restrictions apply). After a day out fishing or playing golf, you’ll be able return to Glen-yr-Afon House to enjoy afternoon tea in the lounge or some classic British dishes at Clarkes.

Trefloyne Manor, Pembrokeshire

For a hotel in Wales where you can play golf, book a stay at Trefloyne Manor near Tenby in Pembrokeshire, which has an 18-hole course attached. The Victorian farmhouse overlooks the fairways, but it’s not just golfers that are catered to. There’s a spa in a dovecote, bedrooms in the old coach house and a restaurant with an AA Rosette. The manor is less than 10 minutes by car from the spectacular Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (home to a scenic national trail; and an unmissable pitstop on the majestic Coastal Way); and the restaurants and shops of Tenby are also within easy reach.

Slebech Park Estate, Pembrokeshire

This vast estate, on the banks of the Daugleddau estuary, spans 650 acres in the middle of the beautiful Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. At the centre is a Grade II-listed coach house, which dates back to the 18th century. Along with the estuary, which is one of the biggest natural harbours in Europe, the backdrop to Slebech Park Estate features meadows and mature woodlands. Wildlife to keep watch for includes otters, bats and various species of water birds. It’s undoubtedly one of the best hotels in Wales for nature lovers, so be sure to bring your binoculars.

Harbourmaster Hotel, Cardigan Bay

There are many photogenic road-trip routes in Britain, including the NC500 loop in the far north of Scotland. In Wales, the drive that's not to be missed is the Coastal Way, along Cardigan Bay in the west. The journey spans 180 miles, from Aberdaron to St Davids – and the Harbourmaster Hotel on the Georgian quayside in Aberaeron is the perfect pitstop. The cobalt-coloured façade is impossible to miss – the landmark building was indeed created for the harbourmaster back in 1811 and served as both his home and office. For the past two decades, it has been a boutique hotel, with a restaurant that champions Welsh produce, whether cheese from Ceredigion, local lamb and beef, or shellfish straight from the bay.

Llangoed Hall, Powys

In the county of Powys in central Wales, Llangoed Hall is a grand retreat with stately suites that have canopied beds, chandeliers, pretty pelmets and patterned wallpaper. It won’t come as a surprise to learn that the classic country house, which dates back to 1632, was once owned and refurbished by Laura Ashley’s husband, Sir Bernard Ashley. The hotel is in the Wye Valley, with an impressive collection of art and antiques, 17 acres of landscaped gardens with a Black Mountains backdrop, and an excellent restaurant where the produce from the kitchen garden is put to good use. Handily for hikers hoping to explore the nearby national park, it's close to the Brecon Beacons.

Escape, Llandudno

For a more contemporary take on a B&B in Wales, book a stay at Escape in the seaside town of Llandudno in the north. It was set up by a couple 20 years ago and their daughter is now the general manager. The interiors at this Victorian villa showcase classic boutique-hotel style, with colourful cushions and throws, Anglepoise lamps, velvet headboards and mid-century armchairs. Llandudno is a typical British seaside town, with a 19th-century pier and a games arcade. More natural wonders include the cliffs of the Great Orme’s Head and the Little Orme reserve. Also nearby is the largest Bronze Age mine in the world, the Great Orme copper mines, which were mined thousands of years ago.

Ael y Bryn, Pembrokeshire

Ael y Bryn is a lovely bed and breakfast with a close to perfect Pembrokeshire location – from its address in the sleepy village of Eglwyswrw, you’ll be within easy reach of both Cardigan and Newport, the latter of which has beautiful beaches either side of the estuary.

During World War Two, it was used as a hostel to house Italian and German prisoners of war, but was rebuilt by its current custodians. There’s an expansive garden with views out to the Preseli Hills in the distance. Indoors, the decor is simple but comfortable, and the owners have adorned the interiors with various artworks and trinkets. Your hosts have mastered the art of hospitality, with hearty breakfasts enjoyed around a communal table and suppers to look forward to at the end of a day out exploring.

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The future of journey planning

Traveline cymru is now part of transport for wales..

We’re building on the expertise and strong foundations of the Traveline Cymru team so that planning door-to-door journeys is simpler in Wales. 

Our aim is to increase the number of journeys by active travel or public transport by 40% by 2040, the target set in the Welsh Government’s strategy for the future of transport in Wales - Llwybr Newydd: the Wales Transport Strategy 2021 . 

We want to inspire people to think differently about how they travel and for walking, wheeling, cycling and travelling by public transport to be their preferred choice. 

Creating a journey planning service that will be your expert travel companion will make it easier to choose public transport and active travel by improving the way you plan your trips from start to finish. 

It’s a big job and there’s a lot we need to do to make sustainable choices easier. Together, we can encourage more people to think about the way they travel.

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We’re continuing to provide the same journey planning and data services. While you might notice small changes to the Traveline Cymru website, the expert knowledge you rely on will still be available. Longer term, we’re building a journey planning service for the future.

For help planning journeys you can access Traveline Cymru through the website, app or through the dedicated bilingual contact centre team by calling 0800 464 00 00 . 

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Labour concern grows over donations to Vaughan Gething’s campaign in Wales

Welsh first minister urged to pay back £200,000 to firm whose owner was convicted of environmental crimes

There is growing anger and concern within the Labour party that the new Welsh first minister, Vaughan Gething , took £200,000 from a company whose owner was convicted of environmental crimes, with insiders warning it was critically undermining his authority and could cost the party votes at the general election.

Gething, who made history when he became the first black leader of a European country in March, is facing growing calls to pay the money back and order an independent inquiry into the donations, which helped him secure a narrow victory in the race to replace Mark Drakeford.

This week Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Tories led debates in the Senedd on the issue, and in the House of Commons the UK prime minister, Rishi Sunak, backed the calls for a independent investigation. But the most worrying development for Gething may be the tension within Labour that the party is being drawn into a sleazy Westminster-style donations scandal.

Beth Winter, the Labour MP for Cynon Valley in south Wales, told the Guardian: “Restoring trust in politics is more important than ever. The ongoing furore around this donation casts a long shadow and there are upcoming elections to win. Clearing this up is in the interests not only of Vaughan Gething , but of Welsh Labour reconnecting with voters. An independent investigation is the only way this is going to get resolved.”

Speaking in the Senedd, the former Labour deputy minister Lee Waters described the donation as “unjustifiable and wrong”. He said: “We are meant to be better than that. The reputation of politics, and politicians, seems to be lower than ever. We look to our leaders to model the behaviour we want to see, to reflect our nation.”

A senior Labour figure, who asked not to be named, told the Guardian: “I think Welsh Labour is stunned by the whole thing … Everybody I know is aghast. Nothing like this had ever happened in Welsh politics .”

The figure said the issue had become “insidiously poisonous” within the Senedd’s Labour group, where a majority supported Gething’s rival in the first minister race, Jeremy Miles. “I know Keir Starmer’s office is very concerned about it. I don’t see it going away. This is going to fester on and I honestly don’t know whether he [Gething] can survive.”

Two £100,000 donations for Gething’s campaign came from a company called Dauson Environmental Group, whose director, David John Neal, was convicted of environmental crimes.

Gething has ordered an internal review led by another former first minster, Carwyn Jones, while repeatedly emphasising that he has not broken any rules. But another insider said: “That’s exactly what David Cameron said about his involvement with Greensill. From a legalistic point of view, he may not have broken any rules but when you’re leader, you also have to have a certain moral authority. It isn’t just about being politically successful politically, it’s also having secure ethical standards.”

Since he won the leadership race, Gething has taken part in three first minister’s questions sessions, and on each occasion was criticised for his donations.

This week, questions focused not only on Dauson but on the taxi company Veezu, which also donated money to Gething’s campaign, after reports one of its drivers had refused to pick up a man with a guide dog. Gething said he was appalled by the case and was pleased that the company has removed the driver from its platform, but believed the public was more interested in the cost of living crisis than who had funded his campaign.

A former Welsh minister said Labour members could not believe Gething’s lack of humility or acknowledgment that there was a problem: “In the short term Vaughan Gething may reckon he can tough it out, but the stench is not going away.”

Plaid Cymru has a cooperation agreement with Labour but its leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth, said the issue risked poisoning Welsh politics. He said: “This isn’t the kind of politics we want in Wales. This leaves a very bad taste that needs to be cleared up.”

Any money left over from Gething’s campaign is expected to be returned to the UK Labour party. Ap Iorwerth said: “The Labour party will have to come to a decision. Will they accept money that had come from a company whose boss had been found guilty of environmental crimes? Or if they pay it back because they judge that it’s the right thing to do, what does that tell us about the first minister’s judgment?”

Andrew RT Davies, the leader of the Tories in Wales , compared the internal inquiry to the Soviet politburo “slapping themselves on the back and saying, ‘we’ve done a great job’”.

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Davies said the saga was stopping Labour getting on with the task of governing. He said: “We need to get this distraction off the table so the government can get on with the big-ticket job of dealing with health, education and economy.”

The Welsh Lib Dem leader, Jane Dodds, said: “This episode has cast a dark shadow upon Welsh democracy. Politics has always been a dirty game where cash is often king, but this cannot carry on.”

The donation row has particular resonance in some areas, including the Gwent Levels , a precious, protected landscape in south-east Wales, where Neal illegally dumped waste .

Catherine Linstrum, the co-chair of Friends of the Gwent Levels , said: “This is depressing. Gething should give the money back and acknowledge the fact that he’s done the wrong thing.”

Another of Dauson’s companies, Resources Management UK, faced action by Natural Resources Wales after complaints about the smell at a landfill site in Pembrokeshire. “It still stinks,” said a local resident, Sue Lewis. “I don’t think companies should be funding anybody. It looks like favours are being bought.”

Will Hayward, the Welsh affairs editor for WalesOnline, said the saga had badly damaged Gething. “My impression is, if it wasn’t a matter of months before a general election, there would be moves against him from within the Labour group. The knives are absolutely out.”

Laura McAllister, a professor of public policy at Cardiff University, said the £200,000 had made a critical difference in Gething’s campaign and he faced a difficult time – a split party at a time of squeezed finances, complicated by the impending end of the Plaid cooperation agreement. But she said the impending general election could help.

“We know that discipline and a desire to retain power at all costs is what keeps Welsh Labour together however much they disapprove of the new FM’s actions. I suspect Gething’s future depends on whether he is regarded by those who matter as an electoral liability or an electoral asset,” McAllister said.

• Vaughan Gething
• Welsh politics

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