Wales has a lot of shared history with the rest of Great Britain, but it is unique because of its beautiful landscapes and friendly people. A major difference is the Welsh language, although English is still widely spoken. When visiting Wales, it’s fun to learn a few phrases in one of the oldest languages in Europe.
Apart from its Celtic culture, Wales is known for its many impressive castles. The scenic mountains, valleys, and coastlines are also captivating, and exploring one of the stunning national parks is a must. Here is an overview of the top places to visit in Wales.
10. Pembrokeshire Coast
Pembrokeshire county in Wales is home to the country’s only coastal national park. It includes the southwestern peninsula and nearby islands. This national park is very popular, attracting over four million visitors annually.
The main attraction is the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, a scenic route that stretches for 300 km (186 miles) along the cliffs, offering beautiful views of the rugged coastline. The area is also known for its diverse wildlife, with seals sunbathing on the rocks and many different bird species flying overhead.
Additionally, the region offers plenty of options for thrill-seekers, such as wind, kite, and regular surfing, thanks to its numerous beaches. Exploring the charming fishing villages and ancient castles is another enjoyable activity in the area.
9. Caernarfon
The city of Caernarfon, located in northern Wales, is famous for its well-preserved 13th-century castle. It was built by Edward I as both a royal palace and a military fortress.
While the inner buildings and apartments are no longer present, the defensive structures like murder holes, gates, portcullises, towers, and walls still remain, giving visitors a glimpse into the lengths the English went to defend against the Welsh.
Caernarfon is also significant as the birthplace of King Edward’s son, who was named the Prince of Wales. The northeast tower now houses the Prince of Wales Exhibition.
8. Conwy
Conwy, a historical town, is found in North Wales near the Snowdonia forests, situated on the Conwy Estuary. The impressive Conwy Castle, made of dark stone, stands out in the city. Constructed in the 1280s by Edward I, the castle’s large walls and eight round towers remain intact and breathtaking.
From the castle’s battlements, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the Great Hall, as well as the medieval town’s walls and towers. Additionally, the St. Mary’s church is worth exploring due to its Byzantine processional cross and 15th-century screens.
7. St. David’s Cathedral
St. David’s Cathedral is a stunning religious building in the City of St. David’s, Pembrokeshire county. It was built during the Middle Ages and showcases beautiful architectural design. The cathedral is dedicated to St. David, the patron saint of Wales, who was a bishop in the Catholic Church around the 6th century.
The original structure of the cathedral served as his burial site. Construction for the current cathedral started in the 1180s and it was made using purple-colored sandstone. Today, it is part of the Church of Wales.
Inside, you can find many valuable treasures such as bishop staffs covered in gold, which are over 800 years old, as well as silver chalices dating back to the 13th century, and a Welsh Bible from 1620.
6. Hay-on-Wye
Hay-on-Wye is a charming little town situated on the banks of the River Wye, near the border between England and Wales, and is surrounded by the beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park. It has gained fame as the National Book Town due to its numerous bookshops, totaling at least twenty-four.
However, what truly puts Hay-on-Wye on the map is its notable annual event, the Hay Festival, which has been supported by the Guardian newspaper for many years. This festival, which first took place in 1988, attracts a massive crowd of 80,000 attendees every year.
It offers a platform for people to engage in intriguing discussions about the arts alongside renowned writers, philosophers, and other talented individuals.
5. Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth is a university town in Wales that is known as “Aber” by the locals. It has a rich history and is located on the west coast of Wales. The town attracts many students with 7,000 attending school there every year. Due to the high student population, Aberystwyth is also a popular holiday destination for young people.
The town has over 50 pubs, which is evidence of its popularity among young visitors. The seafront of Aberystwyth has beautiful Victorian architecture and a wide promenade where visitors can relax and enjoy the sun. There is also a large Iron Age fortress on one of the nearby hills, with its remains still visible today.
Additionally, Aberystwyth is home to the first Norman castle built in Wales, which can still be seen in the town.
4. Llandudno
Llandudno is located in North Wales, between the limestone headlands of Great Orme and Little Orme. It is the largest seaside resort in the country and is considered to be very charming. The town was built by the wealthy Mostyn family during the 1950s, and it has all the qualities that wealthy Victorians desired in a summer resort.
One of its main attractions is a promenade that runs along the northern beach, which includes a 700-meter (2,300-foot) pier that extends into the bay. Additionally, there is the Great Orme Tramway, which was constructed in 1902.
This tramway takes visitors up to the summit of the 200-meter (680-foot) headlands, where they can explore an old copper mine with the help of self-guided tours and hard hats.
3. Brecon Beacons National Park
The Brecon Beacons National Park is named after two big hills in the middle of the park. It has a diverse landscape with hills, valleys, grasslands, and meadows. The park also has ancient remnants from Wales’ history, like burial mounds, old stones, forts, and castles.
It has many caves and lovely waterfalls, such as the Sgwd yr Eira Waterfall where you can walk behind the falling water. If you want to explore the park, you can start at the National Park Centre near Brecon city.
2. Snowdonia
The Snowdonia National Park in North Wales has mountains that are very popular to visit. Although the peaks in Snowdonia are not very high, they have steep and wooded slopes which make them look very dramatic. These mountains also create a beautiful view behind the park’s estuaries, lakes, rivers, slate mines, and villages.
Many people enjoy hiking in Snowdonia, and there are ancient burial cairns from the Neolithic period and Roman ruins to explore in the park as well. Visitors can also reach the top of Snowdon, the tallest peak in the park and its namesake, by taking a cog railway.
1. Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital of Wales and it was established as the capital in 1955. After becoming the capital, several projects were initiated to enhance the old port city.
Some of the city’s top attractions now include the Millennium sports stadium, which can seat 74,200 people, the futuristic Wales Millennium Centre for performing arts, and Cardiff Castle. The castle, which was built in the 11th century, is a great way for visitors to learn about Welsh history.
Climbing to the top of the castle provides breathtaking views of the city and surrounding countryside. Additionally, the National Museum Cardiff is a highly recommended place to visit, as it displays exhibitions of Roman pottery and gold jewelry dating back to the Bronze Age.