Things to do in Wales
60 places worth stopping for and 24 places to stay on a road trip through Wales.
See and do
Walk · Llanberis Pass
Pen-y-Pass and the Pyg Track
The busiest start point for Snowdon, with the shortest climb to the summit.
- Walk
Walk · Libanus
Pen y Fan from Storey Arms
The highest peak in southern Britain, with a clear path from the road.
Waterfall · Pontneddfechan
Four Falls Trail and Pontneddfechan
Waterfall Country walk with four falls, including Sgwd yr Eira that you can walk behind.
- Wildlife
Wildlife · Martin's Haven
Skomer Island puffins
Day trip by boat to Skomer to see puffins nesting each spring.
Beach · Newborough
Llanddwyn Island and Newborough Beach
Tidal island with a ruined church, lighthouses and views to Eryri.
- Beach
Beach · Stackpole
Barafundle Bay
Golden half-mile beach reached on foot from Stackpole Quay.
Beach · Rhossili
Rhossili Bay and Worm's Head
Gower's best-known beach, three miles of sand beneath a headland with a causeway.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant
Pistyll Rhaeadr
One of the tallest waterfalls in Britain, 73m in stages, reached from a car park.
Waterfall · AbergwyngregynHidden gem
Aber Falls (Rhaeadr Fawr)
A 35m double waterfall at the end of an easy valley walk from the north coast.
- Lake
Lake · TrefriwHidden gem
Llyn Crafnant
Quiet forest lake above Trefriw, flat shoreline path and a small cafe.
- Lake
Lake · DolgellauHidden gem
Cregennan Lakes
Two peaceful lakes on the Cadair Idris foothills with estuary views.
- Scenic drive
Scenic drive · Llanuwchllyn to Dinas MawddwyHidden gem
Bwlch y Groes
The highest road pass in Wales, a lonely mountain road with huge views.
- Town
Town · LlithfaenHidden gem
Nant Gwrtheyrn
Abandoned quarry village in a cliff-lined cove, now a Welsh language centre.
- Lake
Lake · LlanddeusantHidden gem
Llyn y Fan Fach
A glacial lake in the western Black Mountain tied to the Lady of the Lake legend.
- Scenic drive
Scenic drive · Hay-on-WyeHidden gem
Gospel Pass
The highest road in Wales, climbing from Hay-on-Wye over the Black Mountains.
Lake · Ogwen Valley
Llyn Idwal and Cwm Idwal
Easy lakeside loop under the Glyderau cliffs, a good first Snowdonia walk.
Scenic drive · Capel Curig to Bethesda
Ogwen Valley (A5 drive)
Dramatic A5 stretch with Tryfan on one side and Llyn Ogwen beside the road.
- Walk
Walk · Minffordd
Cadair Idris from Minffordd
Steep but rewarding classic climb to Llyn Cau and the summit ridge.
Town · Penrhyndeudraeth
Portmeirion
Italianate village on a cliff by the estuary, built by Clough Williams-Ellis.
History · Harlech
Harlech Castle
Edward I fortress on a crag above the dunes, big views to Llŷn and Eryri.
Beach · CemlynHidden gem
Cemlyn Bay
Shingle bay and lagoon on the north coast with a tern colony in summer.
Beach · Morfa NefynHidden gem
Porthdinllaen
Tiny National Trust fishing hamlet on a bay, reached by a walk along the beach.
Viewpoint · AberdaronHidden gem
Mynydd Mawr and Aberdaron
The wild tip of Llŷn with a view to Bardsey Island across Bardsey Sound.
- Wildlife
Wildlife · Rhayader
Gigrin Farm Red Kite Feeding
Daily red kite feeding with hides and hundreds of birds swooping.
Garden · PontrhydygroesHidden gem
Hafod Estate
A hidden landscape of waterfalls, tunnels and woodland walks.
- Beach
Beach · CardiganHidden gem
Mwnt
Small, steep-sided cove with a whitewashed 14th-century church on the headland.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · Coelbren
Henrhyd Falls
At 27m, the tallest waterfall in South Wales, with a path behind it.
History · LlanthonyHidden gem
Llanthony Priory
A ruined Augustinian priory deep in the Vale of Ewyas with a pub in its cellar.
Town · PorthgainHidden gem
Porthgain
Old industrial harbour with brick hoppers and a famous pub.
- Lake
Lake · AbereiddiHidden gem
Abereiddi Blue Lagoon
Flooded slate quarry with blue-green water beside a dark sandy beach.
History · NevernHidden gem
Pentre Ifan
The best preserved Neolithic burial chamber in Wales, on a hillside.
Viewpoint · FishguardHidden gem
Strumble Head Lighthouse
A lighthouse on a rocky islet, good for sunsets and seal spotting.
Beach · MarloesHidden gem
Marloes Sands and Martin's Haven
Rugged beach with tilted rock strata and the departure point for Skomer boats.
History · Conwy
Conwy Castle and town walls
Perfectly preserved 13th-century castle and a complete ring of town walls.
History · Caernarfon
Caernarfon Castle
The biggest of Edward I's Welsh castles with banded polygonal towers.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · Holyhead
South Stack Lighthouse and RSPB
Cliff-top lighthouse with seabird colonies and a steep stairway down.
Lake · Rhayader
Elan Valley Reservoirs
Victorian dams and lakes in the Cambrian Mountains, nicknamed the Welsh Lake District.
- History
History · Trapentgarth
Carreg Cennen Castle
A castle on a limestone crag above a deep valley, with a cave passage inside.
Museum · Blaenavon
Big Pit National Coal Mining Museum
Free-entry former coal mine where ex-miners lead you underground.
History · Trevor
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
Telford's iron aqueduct carrying a canal 38m above the River Dee.
Walk · Bosherston
Bosherston Lily Ponds
Quiet lily lakes opening to Broad Haven South beach and Church Doorway cove.
History · St Davids
St Davids Cathedral
UK's smallest city, with a cathedral tucked in a sheltered valley.
Museum · St Fagans
St Fagans National Museum of History
Free open-air museum of rebuilt historic Welsh buildings.
History · Tintern
Tintern Abbey
Roofless Cistercian abbey on the Wye that inspired poets and painters.
- History
History · Llanfihangel-y-PennantHidden gem
Castell y Bere
Remote Welsh-built castle on a crag at the foot of Cadair Idris, free and almost always quiet.
- Wildlife
Wildlife · Tenby
Caldey Island
Boat trip from Tenby to a monastery island with a white lighthouse, beaches and a chocolate shop.
- Beach
Beach · Bosherston
Broad Haven South
Wide sandy beach on the Stackpole estate with a sea stack, Church Rock, at the south end.
- Walk
Walk · LlanaelhaearnHidden gem
Tre'r Ceiri hillfort
Iron Age hillfort on the Yr Eifl ridge with ring-walls, huts and sea views.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · Strumble HeadHidden gem
Pwll Deri
High clifftop viewpoint on the Coast Path above the sea with sunsets and a youth hostel.
- Walk
Walk · Llangollen
Castell Dinas Brân
Hilltop castle ruins above Llangollen with huge views over the Dee valley.
- History
History · Bosherston
St Govan's Chapel
Tiny chapel tucked into a sea-cliff cleft, reached down a set of stone steps.
- Activity
Activity · Llanberis
Snowdon Mountain Railway
Rack-and-pinion train from Llanberis to near the summit of Yr Wyddfa.
Lake · TrefriwHidden gem
Llyn Geirionydd
Pretty little wild swimming lake in the forest, popular with paddlers.
- Scenic drive
Scenic drive · RhayaderHidden gem
Claerwen Dam
Remote high dam on a quiet road beyond the better-known Elan reservoirs.
Lake · RhandirmwynHidden gem
Llyn Brianne
Remote reservoir deep in Cambrian hills, reached by a narrow road past the Towy valley.
Scenic drive · Llanberis
Llanberis Pass
A steep-sided glacial pass on the A4086 with big crags either side.
Town · Beddgelert
Beddgelert and Aberglaslyn Pass
Stone-built village at a river confluence with a gorgeous river walk.
History · MoelfreHidden gem
Din Lligwy hut circles
Romano-British hut settlement hidden among the trees near Moelfre.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · PenmonHidden gem
Penmon Point and Priory
The island's eastern tip with a lighthouse, a dovecote and views to Puffin Island.
Beach · AberffrawHidden gem
Aberffraw Bay
Dune-backed sandy bay with an old tidal estuary and the Llys of Welsh princes.
Food stops
Pub · PorthdinllaenHidden gem
Ty Coch Inn
Beach pub on the sand at Porthdinllaen, often ranked among the world's best beach bars.
- Pub
Pub · Pontfaen, Cwm GwaunHidden gem
Dyffryn Arms (Bessie's)
Time-warp pub in Cwm Gwaun that still serves beer from a jug.
Restaurant · PorthgainHidden gem
The Shed Porthgain
Casual fish bistro in a harbour shed serving local seafood.
Pub · Nant GwynantHidden gem
Pen-y-Gwryd Hotel
Climbers' hotel where the 1953 Everest team trained, with a public bar open for tea, cake and light lunches.
Market · Swansea
Swansea Market
Wales's largest indoor market with cockles, laverbread and Welsh cakes.
Farm shop · Corwen
Rhug Estate Farm Shop and Bistro
Organic estate farm shop and bistro right on the A5, with a drive-thru and overnight parking.
Restaurant · Llanddewi Skirrid
The Walnut Tree Inn
Michelin-starred inn below Skirrid mountain, a splurge lunch on the Welsh borders.
Pub · Felin Fach
The Felin Fach Griffin
Dining pub with rooms between the Black Mountains and the Beacons, dogs welcome.
- Pub
Pub · RosebushHidden gem
Tafarn Sinc
Community-owned 1876 pub in zinc and timber beside the old railway platform.
- Farm shop
Farm shop · Brynsiencyn
Tŷ Halen (Halen Môn sea salt)
Anglesey sea-salt producer with a shop, outdoor cafe, tours and seaweed baths.
- Pub
Pub · Red Wharf Bay
Ship Inn, Red Wharf Bay
Beachside pub on Anglesey known for Sunday roasts and real ale, dogs welcome.
- Farm shop
Farm shop · Pontseli, near BoncathHidden gem
Caws Cenarth cheese shop
Welsh farmhouse cheesemaker near Cenarth, makers of Perl Las and Caerffili.
Places to stay
- Campground
Campground · Capel CurigHidden gem
Gwern Gof Uchaf
Farm campsite at the foot of Tryfan, with climbers' atmosphere.
Campground · Nant Gwynant
Llyn Gwynant Campsite
Lakeside camping at the foot of Snowdon's Watkin Path.
- Campground
Campground · LlangadogHidden gem
Cosmos Camping
Adults-only stargazing site with a bar and a regular food truck.
Campground · Rhyd DduHidden gem
Llyn Cwellyn Lakeside Camping
Camping on the shore of Llyn Cwellyn, below Snowdon.
- Campground
Campground · ArthogHidden gem
Graig Wen Camping
Camping above the Mawddach Estuary with Cadair Idris views.
Campground · Newgale
Newgale Camping
Camping behind the long Pembrokeshire beach at Newgale.
Campground · St Davids
Caerfai Bay Caravan and Tent Park
Camping near Caerfai Bay and the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
- Campground
Campground · Llangennith
Hillend Camping
Large camping field behind Rhossili Bay, Gower's surfing coast.
Campground · Southgate
Three Cliffs Bay Holiday Park
Camping above Gower's Three Cliffs Bay, a favourite photo spot.
- Campground
Campground · Near HaverfordwestHidden gem
Preseli Glamping
Car-free meadow tent pitches and a geodesic dome, twenty minutes' walk from a quiet beach.
- Campground
Campground · LlangrannogHidden gem
Camp at Erwan
Adults-only, dog-friendly coastal site above Cardigan Bay with an enclosed dog field.
Campground · AbercastleHidden gem
Abercastle Campsite
Twelve grass pitches with their own fire pits, a short walk down to Abercastle cove.
- Campground
Campground · Druidston, near HaverfordwestHidden gem
Shortlands Farm
Family farm with sea views and a fifteen minute walk to Druidston Haven.
- Campground
Campground · Near Milford HavenHidden gem
Little Welsh Wood
Eco meadow and woodland camping with private fire pits, ten minutes from the coast.
Campground · Near NeathHidden gem
Wenallt Wild Camp
Family-run tent site among mountain woods in the Neath Valley.
- Glamping
Glamping · Erwood, near Builth WellsHidden gem
Beacons Bluff Escapes
Ensuite pods around a lake you can swim and kayak in, twenty minutes from Hay-on-Wye.
- Campground
Campground · AbercastleHidden gem
Trellyn Woodland Camping
Woodland camping with some ensuite pitches and a wood-fired sauna, close to Abercastle beach.
- Campground
Campground · WhitlandHidden gem
Cowpots Camping
Eco camping with ensuite pitches, a wild spa and a licensed pizzeria.
- Campground
Campground · Betws Garmon
Bryn Gloch Camping
Big family-run site by the river, at the foot of Snowdon.
Campground · Beddgelert
Beddgelert Forest Campsite
Forest campsite near Beddgelert, with trails for walkers and cyclists.
Campground · Pencelli
Pencelli Castle Caravan and Camping Park
Family site beside the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.
- Campground
Campground · LlanbedrHidden gem
Cwm Bychan Campsite
Campsite at the end of a single-track road by a lake in the Rhinogydd.
Campground · Nant Gwynant
Gwynant Campsite
Lakeside campsite below Snowdon with direct path access.
Hut · Pen-y-Pass
YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass
Hostel at the top of the pass, closest bed to the summit.
Plan the drive, not just the stops
Roadtrip works out what the drive costs in fuel for your car, splits it into days with the best stops and places to sleep, and finds the cheapest fuel on the way.
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