Great Britain is a country known for its beauty and splendor. Many small locations in Great Britain, such as Wales, are delightful to visit. Some of the finest places to visit in Wales are its magnificent castles, historic buildings, countless gardens, and breathtaking scenery.
The capital city of Cardiff is a cosmopolitan location with plenty of attractions and sightseeing opportunities. If you ever decide to visit Wales for your next holiday, then you must try the following 15 beautiful places in Wales.
Wales – Small Yet a Beautiful Country
Although Wales is such a small country, it has all the right ingredients for a trip of a lifetime. Visitors who love the outdoors, rich history, and fascinating culture will find most places in Wales captivating and enrapturing.
Lovers of nature will love to hike on Mount Snowden or relax on the lovely beaches of Anglesey. Those who do not wish to get their feet wet can spend their time watching the dolphins on the Pembrokeshire Coast.
Essential Things to Note While Visiting Wales
While visiting Wales, it is essential to jot down a few travel notes before you head to this incredible country in the United Kingdom.
Although many can get by in this location without hassle, as many locals are well-versed in English, you may also come across a few Welsh-speaking countrymen.
Here are a few tips before you go on your journey to the beautiful country of Wales:
- Always try to rent a car- You can travel around the country quite easily by car or train. But the most convenient of them all is travel by car.
- Have a Google Map downloaded offline – This is mainly done to avoid hassles involving the internet.
- Have travel insurance at all times.
- Buy a universal adapter.
- Always keep your visa handy. Please check if a visa is required at specific locations.
15 Beautiful Places to Visit in Wales
Check out 15 beautiful places which are a must-visit for you once you visit Wales:
1. Snowdonia National Park (ERYRI NATIONAL PARK)
Whenever anyone thinks about the city of Wales, the first thing that enters their mind is “Snowdonia.”
Snowdonia is located in the country of Gwynedd, a beautiful range of mountains and hills. Snowdonia, or Eryri as it is known in the Welsh language, is one of Wales’s most incredible places to visit.
This Welsh countryside boasts 14 majestic peaks that are over 3000 feet high. The most famous among them all is Mount Snowdon, located in the Snowdonia National Park, which is the highest peak in the UK to have a train that runs to its summit.
The Snowdonia National Park offers breathtaking vistas from every corner and has recently been added to the UNESCO World Heritage site. As one of the most popular vacation destinations in the UK, Snowdonia National Park attracts nearly 4 million visitors each year.
Many consider Snowdonia one of Britain’s most sought-after hiking destinations, with more than 1479 miles of marked trails. It is also one of the best places to visit in Wales for mountain biking and horse riding.
2. Brecon Beacons National Park
Brecon Beacons National Park is one of the UK’s top holiday places.
Two black mountains border it. The first mountain is to the west and is the source of River Usk, and to the east is another mountain range famous for wild ponies.
All the Brecon Beacons National Park mountains are above 1000 square feet, and some are over 2000 feet. The national park has been named after red sandstone that resembles the beacons of light used to warn the Welsh about the invaders in their countryside.
Many nature lovers and walking enthusiasts are drawn to the quaint villages of Brecon Beacons National Park.
3. Cardiff Castle
Among the many castles found in the city of Wales, the most photographed of them all is Cardiff Castle.
Cardiff Castle boasts of nearly 2000-year-old constructions. It is considered a well-preserved and well-maintained castle that does not take more than a few hours to explore.
Some of the notable features of Cardiff Castle are the State Apartments and Old Chapel. The State Apartments is known for its informative displays about life in the castle and the old ages.
You will also find a well-preserved Banquet Hall with medieval murals and a beautiful fireplace. In addition, all tourists can choose from various guided tour options available.
Another tourist attraction in Cardiff Castle is the National Museum Cardiff. It is one of the free things to do in Cardiff. There are impressive collections that focus on archaeology, zoology, and botany.
You will find the National Museum of Art in the same building, which features an excellent art gallery belonging to some of the world’s most famous artists.
4. Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
Pembrokeshire is a famous county in the western part of Wales. It is one of the best places to visit in Wales for the gorgeous coastlines in Great Britain.
It has the country’s most beautiful beaches, and the coast is a lovely national park that can be best explored on a hike. Wildlife lovers would love to walk along the coast of Pembrokeshire and visit Skomer Island, where many puffins come together to nurture their young.
If you want to stay at the Pembrokeshire, St Brides Spa Hotel is the place for you. St Brides Spa Hotel conveniently sits on the cliff top overlooking the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
The hotel is famous for its award-winning spa facilities, great rooms, exquisite restaurants, and calm atmosphere.
5. David’s Cathedral (UK’s Smallest City)
Another charming little place in Pembrokeshire of West Wales is St David. It is considered the UK’s smallest city.
St David is built on the location of a monastery founded by St David or Dewi Sant, the patron saint of Wales.
The adjacent medieval ruins of Bishops Palace are rarely missed. St David’s historic buildings are pretty spectacular, but you must take the time to wander around the small town’s narrow streets.
You will find numerous art galleries and cafes, and it’s only a pub.
Whitesands Bay is one of the sandy beaches on the Wales coastal paths. It has some of the best surfing locations in Wales. If you prefer to walk around on the beach, then be sure to watch out for dolphins and seals in this small market town.
6. The Isle of Anglesey
Many think the Isle of Anglesey has some of the best and most favorite things to do in North Wales. So don’t be surprised if many locals flock to Anglesey on a UK bank holiday weekend. There are two well-known facts about the Isle of Anglesey.
Number one is that the Duke and the Duchess of Cambridge lived some of the early years of their marriage on the Isle of Anglesey. The other fun fact about Anglesey is that you will find a village here with the longest name in Europe.
Other things to do here would be to visit Beaumaris Castle or pay a visit to the once-largest copper mine in the world, Parys Mountain. Nature lovers would love to view the Dingle Nature Reserve or stroll on one of the many beaches on the Island.
7. Conwy Castle
If you are looking for an impressive Edward I Welsh castle, you must visit Conwy Castle. This is one of the terrific examples of Europe’s 13th/14th-century military architectural marvels.
As one of Wales’s World Heritage sites, Conwy Castle is a top Edward I Welsh Castle on the Wales bucket list of places to see in Wales.
Conwy Castle can be found on the banks of the River Conwy. You will find the Snowdonia National Park, with its outstanding natural beauty looming in the distance. However, Conwy is only a short stop during a visit. You need to know it is one of Wales’s most incredible places.
8. Llangollen
Llangollen is a quaint little village in the small country of Wales. It is considered one of the most picturesque towns in North East Wales.
With lovely cobbled streets, Tudor-styled architecture, independent shops, cute places to eat, and fantastic views of rolling hills, Llangollen is undoubtedly one of Wales’s best places to visit.
There are some stunning castle ruins at Llangollen, and visitors love to soak up under the warm sun on the River Dee. Some love to go for a refreshing swim on the award-winning beaches of the pretty seaside towns of Llangollen.
As a popular tourist spot for all the family, there are plenty of things to do here at Llangollen. Have fun walking, shopping, visiting a museum or canal, and or simply exploring the local history of this beautiful place.
9. Portmeirion
If you want a slice of Italy in Wales, you must head to Portmeirion. It is the brainchild of designer and builder Sir Clough Williams Ellis.
This quaint place that resembles an Italian village was built between 1925 and 1975.
Do not forget to stroll through this lovely place that is famous for its Italian-style architecture and brightly colored buildings that are designed to give you that Mediterranean feeling.
10. Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
Pontcsyllte Aqueduct is exceptionally close to Llangollen. It is a place to visit in Wales with some of the best tourist attractions. As a world heritage site, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is a wondrous marvel. Its 18-arched stone and cast iron bridge carries canal boats over the River Dee.
Pontcysyllte is also known as “the stream in the sky” as it is the longest aqueduct in Great Britain. So, if you are one of those tourists who have never come across canal boats, then come to the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct to be completely blown over by this beautiful historic site.
You would love to walk across the narrow bridge to see some of the marvelous scenic views of the Welsh countryside.
11. Tenby
Wales is known for its beautiful beaches. However, the pebble beach’s outstanding natural beauty at Tenby is one of the top contenders for this location.
This pretty seaside town is also renowned for its charm and rich history. Tenby in South Wales is a quaint fishing village with beautifully colored houses around its harbor.
Castle Beach in Tenby was voted the UK’s best beach for 2019—many love relaxing on its golden sand as the smallest of all Tenby beaches. You can walk across St Catherine’s Island and Fort during the low tide.
12. Hay on Wye
Hay on Wye is a mini-market town in Powys County. It is close to the English border and on the River Wye. The National Book Town is an exciting place with some unusual bookstores. There are at least twenty-four-odd bookstores that will keep all book lovers coming back for more.
As a book lover, you would love to visit this delightful little place in Wales. A visit to Hay on Wyre is more about the books than the buildings that house them. Some books can be found inside old castles, in boutique stores, or on a street shelf.
Hay on Wyre hosts the Hay Festival of Literature and Arts each year. The festival is for ten days. Bill Clinton, former President of the United States, famously described the festival as “Woodstock of the Mind“
13. Gower Peninsula
The Gower Peninsula is known in the United Kingdom as the “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.” The rugged coastline has cliff-edged hikes and beautiful beaches that can be enjoyed by many who are fond of outdoor adventures.
Some even come to the Gower peninsula to participate in water sports.
Rhossili Beach is an acclaimed beach rated as one of the top 10 beaches in the world. Gower is quite popular with surfers and coasters. Other places to experience sandy beaches are Three Cliffs Bay, Port Eynon, and Oxwich.
14. Pen Y Fan
Pen Y Fan is an important place to go while visiting Wales. It is located in Brecon Beacons National Park and is the highest and most famous peak.
Pen Y Fan is close to 886m high and big enough for anyone looking for a beautiful workout. There are several routes to reach the top of the summit. The most accessible trail will take you just a little over an hour. The hike can be undertaken by both experienced and inexperienced alike.
15. Caernarfon Castle
Caernarfon Castle is not just another castle but an echo of imperial Roman architecture.
Therefore, Caernarfon Castle is the spot for you to visit in Wales if you want to see the constructed walls of Constantinople or to experience the Welsh tale of Macsen Wledig.
After 700 years, this place is still called the Castle of Dreams because tourists are given an unparalleled view.
Key Takeaways
There are many reasons to visit Wales. As long as you love great food and exceptional outdoor settings, the country of Wales will rarely disappoint you. If you are looking forward to learning about new cultures or traditions, then heading to Wales would be the right thing to do.
All the places to visit in Wales are of excellent value for your time and money. The all-inspiring green rolling hills and lovely country atmosphere are other reasons for visiting the beautiful places in Wales.
Last Updated on July 8, 2024 by Sathi Chakraborty
