Wales has scenery – and then some. In fact, the unparalleled view of the natural lake Llyn Llydaw from the summit of Mount Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales at 3,560 feet (1,085m), is regarded as one of the best views in the UK. Hike to the mountain’s pinnacle and you’ll be rewarded with panoramas of rolling fields, forests and snow-capped mountains too.
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Wales has long been a favourite destination for walkers, but it has plenty for thrill-seekers too. It’s home to the wacky concept of coasteering which involves exploring coastlines on foot, climbing on rocks and jumping off cliffs into the water below. Zip World leads the charge with three locations in North Wales and a range of activities, including Bounce Below underground trampolines and Zip World Velocity 2, the fastest zip line in the world and the longest in Europe.
The release of King Arthur: Legend of the Sword lent a frisson of Hollywood glitz in 2017, but the Excalibur-wielding king and his accompanying magician, Merlin, first appeared in Welsh poetry around AD 594. You can follow a series of trails around ancient hill forts, standing stones and mysterious lakes to walk in the footsteps of the original early medieval hero. Pictured here is Llyn Llydaw, one of the lakes purported to have contained the famous Excalibur sword.
A real family destination, Wales is filled with kid-friendly places to stay, from Bluestone, Wales’ answer to Center Parcs in Pembrokeshire, to Vale Resort near Cardiff, with its fun activity breaks. Rainy-day ventures like the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea make trips to Wales' top cities stress-free too. There are family deals all over the country, and under-fives go free at many museums and attractions.
Wales looks great from behind the wheel. Be sure to take the famous track that is the A4069, also known as the Black Mountain Road, which twists, dips and climbs through the Brecon Beacons National Park. During the thrilling drive, you’ll experience stunning views of the Tywi Valley and the crumbling ruins of Carreg Cennen Castle.
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The Wales Coast Path has some of the best stretches of sand in the continent. With its golden beach, sparkling waters and secluded location on the Gower Peninsula, Rhossili Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe and is definitely a must-visit.
A selection of great museums reveal Wales' long and rich history. One family-favourite attraction is the Big Pit National Coal Museum in Blaenavon, a working coal mine until the 1980s. Typically, the museum offers tours 300 feet (91.44m) underground to discover the history of the old mine and learn what life was like working as a miner.
Nicknamed the ‘Land of Song’, Wales has a historic singing tradition and diverse music scene. Whether it’s seeing a breathtaking opera at the Welsh National Opera or catching up-and-coming bands at popular live music venue Clwb Ifor Bach in Cardiff, the country has a little something to suit everyone's tastes.
Wales features on-screen and in cinemas regularly, from Doctor Who to Hollywood blockbusters such as the Jurassic World sequel. S4C's Hinterland, filmed around Aberystwyth, is considered one of the best Celtic-noir dramas ever on BBC4, but it’s Portmeirion, the pretty Italianate village in North Wales, that takes the leading role. It provided the mysterious backdrop to the cult Sixties television series The Prisoner, known as The Village on the show.
For more reasons to visit Portmeirion, see our guide to exploring the village
Welsh adventures run on full stomachs and the country’s slew of Michelin-starred chefs will make sure you don’t go hungry. Favourite spots include Tyddyn Llan, brainchild of Caerphilly-born chef Bryan Webb, in the village of Llandrillo, or Home at Penarth by James Sommerin for fine dining. Welsh vineyards and a burgeoning microbrewery scene mean that there's always a great tipple too – sample a pint from Porthmadog’s Purple Moose Brewery down the local pub.
Set within the gorgeous Pembrokeshire National Coastal Park, St Davids may be small but it’s definitely not short on things to see and do. St Davids is filled with adorable cobble-stoned streets, cute tea shops and quirky independent boutiques. One of the city’s top attractions is the famous 12th-century St Davids Cathedral, one of Wales’ most iconic religious sites where you can discover the history of the city. There’s also the Oriel y Parc Gallery, which hosts a huge display of artwork from the National Museum Wales as well as work by local artists and craftspeople.
This Welsh town and pleasure island in the Vale of Glamorgan rose to fame after featuring in the hit TV series, Gavin and Stacey. You can visit much-loved spots like Stacey’s house on Trinity Street or head to the Island Leisure Amusement Arcade, known as Nessa’s Slots, for some arcade classics. If you’re feeling peckish after all the sightseeing, head to Boofy’s fish and chip shop, the TV couple’s chippy of choice, for some quality cod on the seafront.
This pretty university town in the middle of the rugged Ceredigion coastline is a popular holiday spot. The Victorian promenade is a local favourite, featuring the oldest pier in Wales (built in 1864). Art lovers can spend a few hours wandering the Aberystwyth Arts Centre, one of the largest art centres in Wales with a gallery, cinema and book shop. The historic Aberystwyth Cliff Railway will take you up to Constitution Hill, home to the world’s largest camera obscura.
Wales’ stunning natural landscapes are teeming with some of the UK’s most amazing wildlife. Bird lovers can travel to Skomer Island, off the coast of Pembrokeshire, which is one of the best places in Wales to see puffins in their natural habitat. There are also several marine wildlife-watching spots such as Cardigan Bay, home to one of Europe’s largest populations of bottlenose dolphins. You might also spot seals, porpoises and even the odd shark.
A country steeped in history, Wales has plenty of amazing castles you can visit. One of the most popular is Caernarfon Castle located in the royal town of the same name. Perched on a pretty riverside, the magnificent medieval fortress was the birthplace of King Edward II. Visitors can tour the UNESCO World Heritage Site by wandering through the grounds, while the Eagle Tower is arguably the castle’s most impressive feature.
Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire is known for its remote natural beauty and is regarded as one of Britain’s best beaches. The peaceful hideaway is isolated and has no facilities so be sure to pack a picnic to enjoy on the sand. As there’s no road access, the bay can only be reached by a half-mile walk from the nearest car park in Stackpole Quay.
From cosy comfort foods like cawl (lamb stew) and Welsh cakes to delicious regional delicacies like Conwy mussels and Glamorgan sausages, Wales has plenty of mouth-watering foods to try. The Warren in the heart of Carmarthen is the perfect spot to sample some Welsh favourites with a modern twist. Popular dishes include mussels in a bacon and cider broth, the slow-roasted hogget with kale and wild garlic pesto and the truffle Welsh rarebit, plus plenty of vegan and veggie options too.
As well as the smallest city, Wales also lays claim to the smallest house in Great Britain. Measuring just 112 inches tall and 72 inches wide, the tiny home in Conwy, also known as the Quay House, was built in the 16th century and lived in until 1900, when it was deemed unfit for habitation by the local council. Since then, the miniature house has attracted thousands of visitors from around the world, who come to marvel at its small stature.
Many of Wales’ pretty beaches and bays are great places to catch some waves. Llangennith in the Gower is a popular surfing spot, with calm waters suitable for all abilities, while more confident surfers can head to Pembrokeshire’s Manorbier Beach for more of a challenge. If you fancy some lessons before heading out to sea, Surf Snowdonia is the UK’s only artificial surfing lake: there's a wave every 90 seconds and you can learn with surfing pros. Surf Snowdonia is temporarily closed but you can sign up for opening alerts on its website.
Although compact, Cardiff is an ancient city jam-packed with shops, museums and music venues, and even has a castle to explore. The grand fortress that is Cardiff Castle has towered over the city since the 11th century. If you fancy some old-school shopping there’s Cardiff Market, with stalls selling everything from top hats to freshly baked bread.
Built in 2004, this impressive venue in Cardiff has quickly become a world-renowned hub for the creative arts and one of Wales’ greatest landmarks. The centre hosts a huge range of events, from West End musicals to the best of stand-up comedy and even free daily performances.
The impressive gardens and conservation centre in Llanarthne stretches across 560 acres of countryside, featuring an amazing collection of over 8,000 varieties of plant. Roam through the world’s largest single-spanned glasshouse and enjoy all the magnificent displays, or explore the Apothecary’s Hall, where you can learn about healing plants and flowers used in Edwardian times.
Covering a mighty 870 miles (1,400km), the Wales Coast Path is a lovely footpath that stretches around the entire Welsh shoreline, connecting the country’s north and south. From the beautiful beaches and colourful cliffs of Pembrokeshire to the pretty coastal towns and dramatic salt flats of Anglesey, some of the country’s finest beauty spots can be found along the pathway.
Founded in 1131 by Cistercian monks, this remarkable roofless abbey is set on the west bank of the River Rye and is one of the greatest monastery ruins in Wales. The romantic ivy-covered building has been an inspiration to many writers and was made famous by English poet William Wordsworth in his poem Tintern Abbey.
Wales has a thriving art scene, and its offerings range from important historic displays to poignant contemporary installations. The National Museum Cardiff hosts one of the UK's finest art collections, which includes 15th-century Italian paintings and Welsh pottery and porcelain. For more modern artists, MOSTYN in Llandudno is an impressive contemporary gallery in a traditional Edwardian building holding exhibitions for both local and international modern artists and craftspeople.
The incredible Pontcysyllte Aqueduct has stood in the Vale of Llangollen for over 200 years and is one of the best sights in North Wales. Designed by engineers Thomas Telford and William Jessop, the World Heritage Site is over 11-miles (18km) long and carries canal boats across the valley of the River Dee. Usually, visitors can take a boat or canoe ride along the aqueduct for blissful views of the valleys, or wander along the canalside path. Keep an eye on the website for boat and canoe hire availability.
Deep within the woodland of the Brecon Beacons National park, with a drop of around 90 feet (27m), Henrhyd Falls is believed to be the highest waterfall in South Wales. A pretty walking route winds through parkland until it reaches the falls, which also starred as the famous Batcave in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Rises.
To experience the beauty of Wales in luxury and comfort, take a journey on the Ffestiniog or Welsh Highland Railway. Historic Ffestiniog is the world’s oldest narrow-gauge railway and climbs from the pretty Porthmadog Harbour towards the quiet slate-quarrying town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. The UK’s oldest heritage railway is a peaceful journey stretching 25 miles (40km), and scenic highlights include the picturesque village of Beddgelert and travelling through the beautiful Aberglaslyn Pass.
Wales is known for its extraordinary place names, but there’s one town that’s a particular head-turner. Located on the isle of Anglesey, the town name (pictured), or Llanfairpwll for short, is sometimes said to have been created as a publicity stunt in the 1850s to encourage visitors to stop at its railway station. Though the true origins of the name are uncertain, the town has become a tourist hot spot, attracting thousands of visitors annually.
Having scooped numerous awards in Pembrokeshire and Wales throughout the years, this huge farm, conservation zoo and park in Begelly is a child’s paradise. The zoo is home to animals from all over the world, including leopards, rhinos, armadillos and even the only giraffes in Wales. The Farm also has its own petting barn where you can interact with animals such as horses, owls and llamas. End your day at the farm’s vintage fairground, which is filled with plenty of fun rides and activities.