Places to Visit in Wales

Abergavenny is a thriving market town located 6 miles from the border between England and Wales, in Monmouthshire. Its historic flea markets, craft markets, antique markets, and farmers markets are held on a weekly or monthly basis, and in the center of town, the Brewery Yard offers visitors a beautiful terrace and piazza to enjoy food and drinks as well as a lovely view of this ancient town. Abergavenny is home to several large festivals throughout the year, where guests can enjoy a wide variety of food, drink, and goods from all over Wales and England. The town is located in the Brecon Beacons mountain range, and also offers a great opportunity for walking and hiking.

A popular seaside town in Northern Wales, Abersoch is a lovely destination for visitors looking for beaches, sailing, and a quaint town with a nice climate. Located on the Llyn Peninsula, Abersoch is home to some of the nicest beaches in Wales, with waters that are internationally sought out for sailing, but are also great for surfing, paddleboarding, and windsurfing. Fishing is also quite popular, both in the sea and in the well-stocked freshwater Llyn Lakes. The gorgeous coastline of Abersoch is available for exploration via the Wales Coastal Path, which passes through Abersoch on its 870-mile route.

Aberystwyth is an ancient town located on the western coast of mid-Wales. Visitors to Aberystwyth can explore the ruins of a 13th-century castle and an old hill fort, ride a funicular train to the top of Constitution Hill and, of course, enjoy the beautiful seaside. At the Ceredigion Museum and the National Library of Wales, visitors can enjoy exhibitions about local and national history, while at the Penglais Nature Park they can experience beautiful views of the town and the sea. Nearby, tourists can visit the waterfalls of Devil’s Bridge or the waterwheel at Dyfi Furnace.

The Welsh Lake District of Snowdonia is located in the northwest region of the country and contains some of the most beautiful mountains and scenery in the country. Bala is on the eastern border of this region, and is home to Bala Lake, the largest natural lake in Wales. Visitors can canoe, kayak, sail, or go fishing on its waters, and there are many beautiful mountain trails that overlook the lake as well as a scenic railway that follows the shore. While staying in Bala, visitors can camp in the wilderness, stay in a caravan park, rent a holiday cottage, or enjoy one of Bala’s quaint bed and breakfasts, all while enjoying some of the best that Snowdonia has to offer.

Barmouth is the place to go for all types of nature – both on land and at the seaside. Located on the west coast of the Snowdonia region in Wales, Barmouth offers beaches, mountain hiking and activities, and a harbor for boating, fishing, and rentals. This town is the very picture of a traditional holiday at the seaside, complete with all the fresh air anyone could want. Families, couples, friends, and solo travelers will love the wide variety of activities in Barmouth, from donkey rides to crabbing. In the evenings, visitors can enjoy a meal or a drink at one of Barmouth’s restaurants, pubs, or cafes, and perhaps an evening out at The Dragon Theatre, which shows films, concerts, and stage productions in a beautiful space that was once an old chapel.

A range of mountains in South Wales called the Beacons give this national park its name and one of its defining skylines. The scenery in this 520-square-mile park is stunning, with mountains, rolling hills, forests, caves, and waterfalls into its lakes. It is one of the last remaining habitats for wild Welsh ponies, which roam the hills and rugged terrain of the uplands, and the clear skies of the park are dotted with the soaring figures of red kites, which were once endangered. The park contains ancient monuments built by the Romans and the druids, including historic hillforts and stone circles. Brecon Beacons National Park visitors can hike the trails during the day and camp at night to watch the bright stars of the night sky.

Caernarfon is home to Caernarfon Castle, one of the most prominent Welsh castles in history. Built in 1283 by Edward I when he conquered Wales, Caernarfon was designed with the architecture of Constantinople in mind, and stands today as a majestic stronghold with polygonal towers and colorful stonework. The castle is open to visitors, and the town that has grown around it is a lovely place to visit. After exploring the battlements and towers of the castle, visitors can take a pleasure flight over the region with Caernarfon Air World, get their adrenaline pumping at the Beacon Climbing Centre, or explore the wood and meet Shetland ponies, pygmy goats, and pigs at Gypsy Wood.

Cardiff is the capital city of Wales and is a popular tourist destination with plenty of attractions. Located only a short 2-hour train ride from London, Cardiff is great for a day or weekend trip as well as a longer stay. Visitors can tour historic houses and castles, see the work of famous artists at the National Museum, or explore one of the best Edwardian gardens in Wales, Dyffryn Gardens. At Y Pierhead, visitors can learn about Cardiff’s history as a port city and get a whiff of salty seaside air that will leave them wanting more. This thriving city is a wonderful holiday destination that is full of culture, great shopping and food, and history.

Cardigan is located in west Wales on the Teifi River Estuary where it meets Cardigan Bay. This ancient town is picturesque and lovely, with markets, shops, and eateries all set to the backdrop of Cardigan Bay. The town of Cardigan gives visitors a good starting point from which they can also explore Ceredigion County as well as the surrounding counties of Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire, for a full Welsh experience. In Cardigan, guests can take a boat ride out into the bay, where they might spot dolphins, or explore the town and its galleries and shops. If the weather is pleasant, the Ceredigion Coastal Path runs through the town and offers walkers and hikers the chance to see some local birds and wildlife as well as gorgeous views from the coast.

Chepstow is a quaint riverside town located on the western banks of the River Wye. This ancient town has seen quite its share of history, and from the medieval walls to the 11th-century castle, much of this history is still evident today. Visitors will see architecture from all ages, Norman to Georgian to Victorian, as they explore the town and its shops, restaurants, and pubs. Chepstow Castle is a must-see destination, and for the best views of the castle’s sweeping curtain walls and towers, visitors should head to the center of Chepstow Bridge, a historic 19th-century cast iron bridge spanning the River Wye.