Are you searching for the Best Places to Visit in Wales? Are you thinking of a trip to Europe and wondering what to explore in Wales? We’ve got you covered. Wales offers many excellent opportunities to explore the most compact of mainland Britain’s component nations.
The south has the bustling city of Cardiff, which is famous for its stunning castle and is an ideal base to start exploring the remainder of Wales. With its fantastic shopping arcades and many historical buildings, it’s a city with plenty of things to explore and activities to take in.
If you’re looking to go further, you’ll discover many places to visit and attractions, including over 400 castles, fortifications, numerous gardens, spectacular views, and a system of heritage railways that span a large part of Wales. If you choose to spend your time in Wales, ensure you’ll be in good hands.
The Welsh are among the most fascinating, friendly people you’ll meet anywhere.
To find out more about the top things you can do in Wales, look at our list of top tourist destinations in Wales.
Cardiff Castle & National Museum Cardiff
Cardiff Castle & National Museum Cardiff is one of the best places to visit in Wales. Perhaps the most photogenic of Wales of the many castles, Cardiff Castle is a must-see. This magnificently preserved castle will take several hours to visit, with entire sections built more than a century ago.
Make sure you have ample time to do this on your Cardiff action plan. Highlights include the State Apartments, notable for their informative exhibits relating to the castle’s life through the ages and the charming old chapel.
The other notable attractions include the impressively preserved Banqueting Hall, which has its medieval-themed murals and a grand fireplace. A range of guided tours are available, as well as an audio guide which can be obtained at the visitor’s centre.
If you have time left following your castle tour, take the time to make an excursion to the National Museum Cardiff. Undoubtedly on top of the list of top activities in Cardiff, the main attraction is home to impressive collections concentrating on archaeology, zoology and botany, as in the arts.
The National Museum of Art is located inside the building. The museum is a great art gallery that showcases several paintings by some of the most renowned artists in the world and artists, including Old Masters and Welsh painters.
Devil’s Bridge and the Hafod Estate
The Bridge is 12 miles from the town of the same name in Aberystwyth. Devil’s Bridge is three bridges that are spectacularly placed on top of each other. Its oldest (and the smallest) is from the 11th century, while the latest was built in 1901.
They stretch over the Rheidol Gorge, where the River Mynach plunges 300 feet into the valley below. Make sure you follow the Falls Nature Trail until you reach the bottom.
It’s a little of an uphill climb – particularly those steep, slippery stairs in Jacob’s Ladder, which leads towards the longest Bridge; however, the views are stunning.
Then, take a trip to Hafod Estate, 200 acres of beautifully restored gardens and woodlands that were once considered the most beautiful in Britain. The manor house has been vacated, and visitors can enjoy relaxing walks along well-marked trails that lead past waterfalls, ancient trees and the estate’s enclosed historic formal gardens.
If you’re looking for an idyllic getaway in the cottage, it’s the charming historic Hawthorn Cottage allows guests an unforgettable stay.
Snowdonia National Park
Imagine Wales. You’ll most likely be thinking of Snowdonia (Eryri), the stunning range of mountains and hills within the County of Gwynedd. The range is comprised of 14 mountain ranges that rise over 3,000 feet-the most well-known being the 3,460-foot Snowdon, the summit of which can be reached via train.
Snowdonia can be seen in the distance of Porthmadog on the West coast. It remains one of the most sought-after holiday locations in the UK, with an estimated 4 million people each year.
If you’re in the area, you can see why the region has played a prominent role in local myths, such as the ones that revolve around the King Arthur, which people in the area will claim was Welsh.
Snowdonia National Park (Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri) is one of Britain’s most sought-after hiking spots, with over 1,479 miles of marked trails. Climbing is also popular in the park, as is mountain cycling or horse riding.
The way you go, the views from the top are breathtaking, which extend from the coastline all up down to Bala Lake.
Brecon Beacons National Park
Brecon Beacons National Park (Parc Cenedlaethol Bannau Brycheiniog) is an area that is among the gorgeous regions of Wales. Two different types of Black Mountains border this paradise for hikers.
The first, located to the west, is where you’ll find the Usk River. Usk in the west, and to the east lies the range known because of its ponies. Most mountain ranges in the 520 square-mile park are more than 1,000 feet. There are several of them exceeding 2200 feet.
They are named for the red sandstone, which makes them look like lights that once were used to warn people of invaders. Explore the park’s waterfalls and caves, including Henrhyd Falls in Coelbren. Outside the park, in the vicinity of Abergavenny, you can tour the coal mines at the Big Pit National Coal Museum.
Other activities and activities to enjoy during the Brecon Beacons. The Brecon Beacons include mountain biking, canoeing, horse riding, fishing, sailing, and camping.
Wales by Rail
Wales by Rail is one of the best places to visit in Wales. Wales was at one time well-known for its mining operations, particularly the mining of slate for roofing that is still used in the area. Although most of these quarries and mines have been shut down, many narrow-gauge railways used to transport goods (and later Victorian-era tourists) across the country are being restored and offer scenic tours.
Today, more than ten historic railway lines link some of the nation’s most famous landmarks, including coastal towns, mountains and castles. Some more extensive railways, like the 14-mile-long Ffestiniog Railway running through Snowdonia National Park, offer unique train driving training and volunteer opportunities that enhance the overall experience.
Bike Park Wales
Wales has a fantastic system of cycle paths to explore, but for more adventurous mountain biking, I would highly suggest a visit to Bike Park Wales, located on the outskirts of my home town of Merthyr Tydfil.
The hillside is forested, and Bike Park Wales is the only mountain bike centre in the UK offering uplift options. It means you have all the excitement of the downhill without the hassle of an uphill. Winner!
At Bike Park Wales, you can find 40 trails graded in colour suitable for riders of all levels. They provide bike rentals as well as coaching sessions. They also have a cafe that serves bottles of locally made ale. The popularity of this place has increased in recent years, so make sure to reserve your tickets early enough.
Pembroke Shire Coast National Park
With water surrounding it on all three sides, Wales has more than its fair share of spectacular coastlines. The most impressive are located along the coastline and the Pembrokeshire Peninsula, which juts out into the Irish Sea, much of it being part of the boundaries of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (Parc Cenedlaethol affording Penfro).
It is best to take in this stunning scenery by foot, along the stunning Pembroke shire Coast National Trail finding communities like the beautiful little town of Tenby, which is still partially enclosed by medieval walls.
Other Pembroke shire coastline highlights include Pembroke Castle, St. David’s Cathedral (in the town named after it), and idyllic fishing ports like Laugharne, where Welsh poet Dylan Thomas lived for much of his time. His home as a boathouse above that bay now serves as an art museum.
Like other areas in Wales, the adventurous traveler will find unique places to stay, such as the classic farmhouses of the past and gipsy caravans, and old railcars.
Beddgelert & Betws-y-Coed
Beddgelert & Betws-y-Coed is one of the best places to visit in Wales. The Welsh are a welcoming group of people. And nowhere is this more apparent than in the numerous picturesque tiny villages scattered throughout the Welsh countryside.
Two of the prettiest and most welcoming villages are within striking distance of Snowdonia National Park: Beddgelert & Betws-y-Coed. Only 30 minutes driving distance apart and both postcard-perfect villages along the river are a perfect day excursion.
They offer a little traditional Welsh hospitality through their charming guesthouses, B&Bs, tearooms, inns and eateries. They are often hailed as the most picturesque towns, not only in Wales as well as across the UK.
The town is located at the border of Cowan, at the junction of the Cowan and Glaslyn Rivers. Beddgelert is most popular among hikers who use the town as a base to conquer Snowdon itself. A variety of more gentle trails and paths are easily accessible and ideal for those looking for a stroll with stunning views of the mountains.
Without that, a leisurely walk around the village is a pleasure or jump on the heritage Welsh Highland Railway for a relaxing train ride up to Porthmadog and Caernarfon.
Betws-y Coed can also be an ideal base for a Snowdonia adventure. It is located in the Gwydyr forest. It’s stunning during the fall and spring seasons when the changing seasons transform the forest into a vibrant display of colours (it’s also more peaceful when it’s not as crowded).
Alongside the numerous stunning examples of old structures in the village, don’t forget to walk to nearby waterfalls like Conwy Falls.
Anglesey
Anglesey (also known as Ynys Anglesey or Ynys) is the largest island in Wales and provides visitors with various options to take part. Most of the coastline surrounding Anglesey has been designated An Area of Outstanding Beauty and is a gorgeous destination worth visiting in Wales.
The coastline is perfect for those who love walking, and some coastlines have been declared Award Winning. A resident named the town to promote his business, which is effective! In the southeast, you can go to the moated castle of Beaumaris, the final of Edward I’s castles.
But, my favourite activity to visit when in Anglesey is to go to the tidal islands that is Ynys Llanddwyn. It’s got a beautiful lighthouse and the 16th-century chapel St. Dwynwen (the Welsh Patron Saint of Lovers). It’s one of the top destinations to visit in Wales.
National Slate Museum & the Big Pit
National Slate Museum & the Big Pit is one of the best places to visit in Wales. Wales is a country that was built on mining, and as such, it has done a fantastic job of conserving its mining history. There are many things to do in the context of the rich past of Wales. It is impossible to match the feeling of exploring some of those mines for yourself.
In Caernarfon, The excellent National Slate Museum is a fascinating look into the operation of a 19th-century slate quarry and the associated machinery and workshops that include a massive, still-running waterwheel. The focus is also paid to conditions for the workers and their families and live-streamed demonstrations on the mining process.
In the town of the Brecon Beacons, located in the Brecon Beacons, the Big Pit National Coal Museum provides a peek into the country’s other mined material and the experiences of those who worked at the Big Pit. The highlights of a visit are exploring the beautifully preserved old structures and houses on the site.
Blaenavon is also home to older ironworks worth exploring and Blaenavon’s “Big Pit” blast furnaces and foundries. It’s worth a visit, too. Rhondda Heritage Park lets visitors descend into “pit bottom” in an old elevator for miners. The Black Gold Experience Underground Tours are guided by former coal miners and add credibility to your experience. A replica village is also available to visit, which reflects the daily life of families mine.
Official site: https://museum.wales/slate/
Conclusion
All destinations are awesome! According to my opinion, Snowdonia National Park is the best to start. I hope you have enjoyed our list of Best Places to Visit in Wales.
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