Whether you’re planning a family day at the beach or a romantic stroll through the countryside, Wales is home to some of the UK’s most picturesque locations! Some of the best places to visit in wales are undiscovered by many tourists and often off the beaten track.
Wales is a small country with a population of approximately 3 million and an area of around 8,023 sq miles, and due to its location in the British Isles, it has many similar political and social ties with England. However, the country has managed to retain its distinct cultural identity.
Wales is one of only a few bilingual countries in the world, with a lot of the population speaking Welsh as well as English, and you can also see this across the country, especially in the road signs, which are written in both languages.
The scenery! Wales has more than 1,680 miles of stunning coastline, and is largely mountainous; here you can climb the highest mountain in England and Wales – Snowdon – at 3,560ft.
Following the announcement of the easing of lockdown restrictions in Wales, we have uncovered the best – and most relaxing spots to add to your road trip in Wales itinerary!
So grab your sunglasses, walking shoes and a camera. We’re going to Wales!
Photo by Lukas Hartmann from Pexels
Contents
Top 10 Best Places to Visit in Wales
- Brecon Beacons National Park, South Wales
- Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Pembrokeshire
- Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire
- Portmeirion, Gwynedd
- Llanddwyn Island, Anglesey
- Devil’s Bridge Falls, Ceredigion
- Tenby Harbour, Pembrokeshire
- Three Cliffs Bay, Gower Peninsula
- Bodnant Gardens, Conway
- Swiss Valley Trail, Llanelli
How to get to Wales
If you are coming from London, the drive to Wales is around 3 hours and a distance of 150 miles approx. It’s a long way but is definitely worth it! Wales is easily reached from the rest of the UK, Ireland. The AA Route Planner helps you plan driving routes and times.
If you are coming to Wales by plane and then picking up your camper, you will fly into Cardiff Airport.
If you want to travel to Wales by train, you can get to Wales in an easy 2-hour direct train journey from London. Jump on the train at London Paddington to Cardiff – Wales’s capital city. Note: book your tickets in advance for cheaper options!
Or if you want to travel by bus, there are many coach services that run from London Victoria Coach Station to various destinations in Wales for as little as £5 and as regularly as once an hour.
Whichever way you get to Wales, you will be able to visit the best places to visit in Wales…
Photo by Krisztina Papp from Pexels
When to visit Wales
Wales is an amazing country to visit at any time of the year. It’s a country of different sides and faces, but if you are looking for a recommendation the shoulder season from April through May is the best time to visit Wales as this is when spring begins and the flowers bloom.
It is also a great time to see the Atlantic puffins take over Skomer. Summer is the busiest season for good reason, because of the weather, but hotels and accommodation in Wales are more expensive this time of the year.
How to get around Wales
One of the best ways to get around Wales is via campervan! I would highly recommend hiring a campervan for your road trip in Wales and would suggest going with Indie Campers.
Indie Campers own and operate Europe’s largest fleet of campervans and motorhomes to give you the freedom and flexibility to create your ultimate road trip experience.
They are based across the UK and Europe, and you can start your road trip in London and decide where you end up. They actually own the campervans and motorhomes and they are high-quality vans, with lots of space and no more than two years old.
A campervan will also enable you to see even more of the best places to visit in Wales, as you will have more freedom.
Photo by Julia Phillips of Pixabay
Top 10 Road Trips Stops in Wales
One of the best things about a road trip in Wales is getting to experience the amazing natural landscapes and national parks. I just love the best places to visit in Wales.
Wales is home to three of Britain’s National Parks. Snowdonia is mountainous and home to Mount Snowdon. There is also the Brecon Beacons which is all green rolling hills and adorable hillside castles. And last but not least there is Pembrokeshire which covers a wild and windswept coastline.
And if this isn’t enough for you, you can also find cathedrals, beaches, railways, castles, and ancient towns.
FUN FACT: Wales has the highest number of castles per square mile than any other country in the world!!
Brecon Beacons National Park, South Wales
Those looking for dramatic views will find them in Brecon Beacons National Park. Covering 520 square miles, this area of spectacular scenery and wealth of wildlife is a walker’s paradise, You’ll need your camera at the ready; the views are phenomenal! This is one of the best places to go hiking in Wales!
Photo by Lukas Hartmann from Pexels
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Pembrokeshire
Sandwiches, a glass of something bubbly and the gushing sound of the waves hitting the rocks scream perfection! World-famous for its beaches, cliffs, islands and wildlife, Pembrokeshire offers endless opportunities for the whole family to enjoy the beautiful outdoors.
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park was voted one of the top two coastal destinations in the world by National Geographic Traveler Magazine. This is one of the best places to visit in Wales!
Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire
Whether it’s a picnic on the beach or a quick dip in the sea you fancy, Barafundle Bay offers an impressive setting for a get-together with family and friends. Backed by dunes and pine trees, the picturesque spot is only accessible by walking a half-mile along a scenic pathway, making it a truly beautiful spot detached from the busy outside world.
Barafundle Bay has been awarded both the Green Coast Award 2019 and Seaside Award 2019, providing just how amazing this quaint little spot really is.
Portmeirion, Gwynedd
Talk about a storybook town. This beautiful village is lined with Riviera inspired houses that stand out amongst the trees and its own ornamental garden located in the centre of town. There are many idyllic spots to take a break from walking and enjoy your alfresco lunch close to the village.
Designed by Sir Clough Williams- Ellis in the early 20th century, Portmeirion is the picture-perfect location filled with history and architecture. Take a stroll past the Gothic Pavilion, Bristol Colonnade, Hercules Hall and Belvedere to visualise the town’s history. This is one of the best places to visit in Wales!
Photo by Lisa Fotios from Pexels
Devil’s Bridge Falls, Ceredigion
Another of the best places to visit in Wales is located in the heart of the Cambrian Mountains, Devil’s Bridge Falls is a spectacular waterfall attraction surrounded by breathtaking views. If you’re looking for tranquillity, you’ll find it here. Make sure you pack your walking boots as there are plenty of beautiful walks located around the waterfall for the whole family to enjoy.
Llanddwyn Island, Anglesey
Romantic and remote, Llanddwyn Island boasts plenty of great picnic spots in spectacular surroundings. On a beautiful summer’s day, you can relax by the water with a picnic and a book, listening to the world go by. And on a late summer evening, you can watch the sun go down on the hills, while the waves crash against the shore – the perfect setting for a romantic picnic for two.
Three Cliffs Bay, Gower Peninsula
Ringed by a spectacular shoreline of sand dunes, limestone cliffs and salt marsh, Three Cliffs Bay is a sight worth seeing – and snapping a picture obviously! Frequently visited by horses and their riders who love a gallop along the long stretch of golden beach. The views are amazing and worth travelling for but beware the walks to and from the car parks aren’t for the faint hearted.
Photo by Lisa Fotios from Pexels
Bodnant Gardens, Conway
Book in advance to capture the spectacular surroundings of Bodnant Garden, the natural beauty overlooking the Conway valley towards the Carneddau mountains. Bring the family along for a fun-filled day in the forest, or take a romantic stroll across the picturesque waterfall. Don’t forget to bring your camera, this location is jam-packed with beauty!
Swiss Valley Trail, Llanelli
Pack a picnic and your cycling gear, this local hot spot is perfect for a bike ride with the family. Starting at Sandy Water Park this trail leads you past the peaceful Lliedi Reservoirs, there are plenty of spectacular views to capture on your walk or cycle. But don’t forget to pack some lunch, this trail offers plenty of opportunities to sit back and relax with a sandwich or two.
Tenby Harbour, Pembrokeshire
It’s hard not to fall in love with the pastel-coloured houses, quaint beach and boating harbour at Tenby. This unique harbour is built into the corner on North beach and is the perfect spot for young children to splash about. Head down to the harbour early to catch a boat trip to Caldey Island – to see more picture-perfect views! This is one of the best places to visit in Wales!
Image by Tim Hill from Pixabay
Where to eat in Wales
After you’ve been to visit the best places to visit in Wales, you will be hungry, so I have listed some of the best places to eat in Wales.
- Sosban & The Old Butchers
- Ynyshir
- The Whitebrook
- Restaurant James Sommerin.
- The Warren
- The Grove
- Heaneys
- Casanova
- Asador 44
- Purple Poppadom
- Bully’s
- Canna Deli
- Hare & Hounds
- The Fernery at The Grove
- The Marram Grass
- Tide at Halen Môn
- Freckled Angel
Are you ready for your Wales road trip? Do you have any other recommendations for the best places to visit in Wales?
If you on a bigger trip exploring more of Europe check out my guides to France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Portugal, Spain and United Kingdom.
My Travel Tips and Recommendations
Flights
To book flights, I always use flight search engine, Skyscanner, I regularly use the Everywhere tool to find the cheapest places to travel. It’s how I get to travel so much all around the world. I find it the easiest way to compare flight prices across airlines and get the best deals.
Accommodation
For accommodation, I usually book most of my hotels or hostels through Booking.com. I love using this platform as it provides me with some amazing deals for accommodation all around the world. Or if you prefer, I also recommend using Airbnb. If you haven’t signed up with Airbnb already, you can use this link to get £25 off your first visit!
Photography and Technology
Here is a list of the technology I always travel with:
- Canon G7X Mark II
- Canon EOS M50 and lens
- GoPro Hero Black 7
- DJI Mavic Pro
- RØDE VideoMic GO On Microphone
Travel Insurance
Picking travel insurance that covers you in all eventualities is an essential part of planning a trip for every single person. If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel. You never know what’s around the corner. World Nomads is an affordable option that I personally recommend. BOOK HERE
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Thank you for reading and as always happy adventuring! If you have any questions about the destination please leave these in the comments below.
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Sophie X
