25 Top Things to Do in Wales

Author Anietra Hamper and photographer Ian Henderson traveled throughout Wales while on assignment for PlanetWare.

Wales has such a diverse culture, history, and landscape that every experience feels like a new destination. With hundreds of castles to visit, rugged landscapes to hike, remnants of its mining past still visible, and the wild Atlantic coastline, there are so many things to do in Wales that you will want to plot your trip geographically and plan on spending quite a bit of time to cover it all.

The types of experiences to enjoy in Wales are unmatched, due in part to its natural beauty, found along the dramatic coastal cliffs, the mountain peaks in Snowdonia National Park, in the forests of the Brecon Beacons, and by looking for rare plants and wildlife on the isle of Anglesey. Wales is a magical place, so it is no wonder that there's so much folklore aligned with its history and why it is tapped for so many mystical backdrops in movies.

The mystique is real, and the diversity of places to visit make for an unforgettable stay. Plan your travels with our list of the best things to do in Wales.

Paddle along Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Llangollen Canal in the Dee Valley

The UNESCO World Heritage Site at the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Llangollen Canal in the Dee Valley is an impressive place to visit with an even more impressive engineering history. The canal stretches for 11 miles near Llangollen on the northeastern side of Wales.

Walk alongside the canal to watch the narrow boats navigate single-file across the aqueduct that stands 126 feet above the River Dee. You can even rent a canal boat to experience this bygone era of British transportation history for yourself.

You will have intimate views of the construction that makes this site so notable and see why it is considered one of the most prominent engineering designs of the Industrial Revolution.

The aqueduct opened for operation in 1805 and was designed by Thomas Telford, who was responsible for several other famous bridge designs in the UK.

Address: Station Road, Trevor Basin, Wrexham LL20 7TG

Official site: https://www.pontcysyllte-aqueduct.co.uk

Walk the Old Town Castle Walls in Conwy

The town of Conwy in northern Wales is a spectacular city to visit, with medieval castle walls that you can traverse all the way around its perimeter.

Not only are these the best views over Conwy, the castle, and the harbor, but your inner child will enjoy the mystery of climbing through old castle walls that were once essential to protecting and fortifying this waterfront town.

These are some of the best-preserved stone walls in Britain, but be mindful of the uneven footing and narrow staircases. You will need to navigate through various sections, so sturdy shoes are a must. The walls are segmented by 21 towers, and you can follow the signage to get on and off the walkway in different parts of town.

After you see Conwy from above, you can stop for fish and chips at the harbor then make your way over to Conwy Castle for a sightseeing tour.

One of the best times to enjoy the Conwy Castle walls is in the early mornings, when there are fewer people and the dawn light is spectacular over the town.

Become a Part of the Literary Elite in Hay-on-Wye

For bibliophiles, the small market town of Hay-on-Wye should be a top priority. The quaint town with nearly two dozen bookstores is renowned for its literary history and significance.

Surrounded by the Brecon Beacons National Park, the Black Mountains, and the River Wye, Hay-on-Wye is a place of worldwide literary significance, and it is known globally as the Town of Books.

Besides the overriding literary ambience of Hay-on-Wye, it is a fun and walkable town with small shops, local artist galleries, and antiques. There is often live cultural music throughout the town's winding streets that you can enjoy while sipping a cup of coffee from one of the many outdoor cafés.

One of the most significant events in "Hay" as the locals call it, is the annual Hay Festival that takes place for 10 days from May to June and draws thousands of people from around the world, including notable authors and celebrities.

While you are in Hay-on-Wye, you can also book a tour through the 13^th-century Hay Castle, which sits on the hillside, or book a canoe trip down the River Wye.

Recreation on Bala Lake in Gwynedd

For inland water recreation in Wales, there is no better place to play than on Bala Lake. The glacial lake, also called Llyn Tegid, in Gwynedd, is the largest natural lake in Wales and a popular spot for kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, wild swimming, windsurfing, and boating.

The freshwater lake is nearly four miles (6.3 kilometers) long and one-mile (1.6 kilometers) wide, tucked into the serenity of Snowdonia National Park.

There are many access points to Bala Lake and park space with picnic tables located around the exterior. Even though the lake is one of the most popular lakes in Wales there is plenty of space, and the local wildflowers and rural countryside that surround it make it feel secluded.

You will often find anglers enjoying the diversity of fish species in Bala Lake, from perch and pike to brown trout. During the winter months, you might see the Gwyniad, a native species in the lake that is believed to have survived there since the Ice Age.

You are less likely to see Teggie, the lake monster of Welsh folklore that is said to have inhabited Bala Lake, with tales of sightings that date back to the 1920s.

Walk the Corridors of Caernarfon Castle in Caernarfon

There are many castles to experience in Wales, but if you must pick just one, then the prestigious Caernarfon Castle should top your list.

The castle is in the village of Caernarfon on the River Seiont and is recognized as one of the most outstanding from an architectural standpoint with its masterful stonework, dramatic curtain walls, and its imposing towers that are visible from all parts of the town.

Take a tour of the 13^th-century Caernarfon Castle to learn about the details imposed by Edward I and his architect Master James of St. George who is noted for several other unique castle designs in Wales, including Conwy Castle, Beaumaris Castle, and Harlech Castle. These four castles are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of their excellence in military construction and unique design elements.

See the design details that took nearly 47 years to complete, like 20-foot-thick walls, the inner courts, and the 100-foot-long Great Hall.

Caernarfon Castle has special significance, as it is where the investiture of Charles, Prince of Wales took place in 1969.

Address: Castle Ditch, Caernarfon LL55 2AY, United Kingdom

Learn to Surf in Newton

Wales is surrounded by coastline, so it is no surprise that learning how to surf in some of the most wave-worthy places, like Caswell Bay Beach in Newton, is one of the top things to do in the country.

The beach is in the southern part of Wales in the Gower Peninsula. Besides the epic Atlantic waves that make this a prime spot for surfing in Wales, the scenery is just as impressive, with steep cliffs and the soft sand making this a prized Blue Flag Beach.

There are a few surf academies that operate out of Caswell Bay and cater to surfers of all skill levels. Don't be intimidated by the pros that you find in the water almost daily here, as this is also a great spot to learn. You can book surf lessons year-round that range from two-hour individual instruction to family and children-specific lessons.

If you give it a go and decide that surfing is not for you, Caswell Bay has plenty of other beach day options, from water sports to trails along the coastal path with scenic views over the bay.

For a sit-down bite to eat and shopping, you can head into the village of Newton.

Experience a Victorian Vacation in Llandudno

The Victorian town of Llandudno in northern Wales is known as the Queen of Welsh Resorts and has a long history of serving up iconic and scenic beach vacations to families.

Little has changed as far as architecture and the simplistic, wholesome vacation vibe in this town since the 1800s. There are so many unique experiences in Llandudno that can fill a week of memorable time.

The centerpiece of Llandudno is the beachfront, bordered by grand Victorian hotels and the promenade that parallels the beach featuring entertainment and food stands. You can grab an ice cream and sit to watch the Codman's Punch & Judy traveling puppet show performed live the same way it has been on the promenade since 1860.

Spend some time on the 70-meter-long Llandudno Pier, which is the longest in Wales and where you will enjoy the tourist attractions, games, rides, and picturesque views. Speaking of views, a must-experience in Llandudno is the Great Orme. You can drive to it along the scenic road or take a ride to the summit on the Great Orme Tramway or Cable Car the way that Victorian vacationers used to do.

There is symmetric elegance to Llandudno because of the way the town is structured, with three-and four-story terraced buildings around the streets creating a uniform layout. It is a great walkable town with lots of shopping on Mostyn Street, museums, performance venues, outdoor adventure, and golf.

Newborough National Nature Reserve & Llanddwyn Beach

There are so many stunning beaches along the Welsh coastline, but one of the most unique is Llanddwyn Beach, in south Anglesey, nestled in the Newborough National Nature Reserve. This is where you will experience the convergence of Wales' all-natural landscape with the ocean, cliffs, sand dunes, forest, and coastal marshes all in one place, resulting in unique geology and biodiversity for plants and animals.

The coastal national nature reserve was the first of its kind in Wales and is a special destination, created by thousands of years of shifting wind and sand combined with the right climate for nurturing the natural resources here.

There are many ways to enjoy this spot. A day at Llanddwyn Beach is how many prefer to do it, adding in nature walks. This Anglesey beach is a mile-long Blue Flag Beach, with lots of space to play by the water.

Other things to do here is hike one of the many trails, including a fun Animal Puzzle Trail for kids, or on the walking trails with scenic views of the cliffs and ocean. Of course, wildlife viewing, especially for the rare red squirrel, should rank high on your to-do list, along with observing some of the rare plant life that exists here. During your walks you are also likely to spot some of the ancient ruins that exist in the area.

Location: Newborough, Anglesey

Spot Rare Birds and Flowers at the South Stack Lighthouse in Holyhead

One of the most memorable experiences you can have in all of Wales is on the cliff's edge at the South Stack Lighthouse in Holyhead in Anglesey. This is a special place, where you can not only see rare flowers and wildlife, but walk away with knowledge about one of the most special natural locations on Earth.

The lighthouse itself is worth some time to visit. Pack comfortable shoes to trek the 400 steps down to the spectacular lighthouse, which sits on a small peninsula warning ships of the cliffs the same way it has every day since 1809. Don't forget about the 400 steps back up to your starting point!

The next experience here is all the natural diversity surrounding the lighthouse on the cliffside. You can look for birds like falcons, magpies, swallows, kestrels, razor bills, and puffins in May and June. You might also spot the rare choughs that nest here, with only 500 pairs estimated to remain in the UK.

There are several cliffside paths to walk, or you can sit on some of the benches lining the cliffside to look out into the ocean for marine life. Look closely at the ground below you and see if you can spot the spatulate fleawort flower that only grows here.

The South Stack Cliffs Nature Preserve on the cliffs above the lighthouse is run by the Royal Society of the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and offers visitors educational information and free binoculars to use inside Elin's lookout tower.

Location: Holyhead LL65 1YH

Official site: https://southstack.co.uk

Catch a Game of Rugby at Principality Stadium in Cardiff

One of the best opportunities to experience the intense patriotism of the Welsh people is by attending a game of rugby by the national team in Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Donn your red colors and join 74,000 fans in chorus in a deep tradition of singing the Wales national anthem at the start of the game.

Rugby is a sport that has united the small nation in a way no other collective experience has been able to do since the late 19^th century. The sport is rooted in patriotism and was started as a way to improve the life of the Welsh people and elevate their status as a nation. The game, while one of the most physically intense in the sporting world, is a symbol of respect for competition, camaraderie, and an example of the highest level of sportsmanship.

The rugby season generally runs from November to early spring. If your visit to Cardiff does not coincide with an opportunity to see a game, you should at least plan to visit the national stadium, which has a variety of behind-the-scenes tours that you can take to learn about this intensely patriotic sport and the rugby legends that created it.

Address: Westgate Street, Cardiff, CF10 1NS

Official site: https://www.principalitystadium.wales

Take the Railway to the Summit of Snowdon from Llanberis

An exciting way to experience Snowdon, the tallest mountain in northern Wales, is by taking a ride onboard the Snowdon Mountain Railway. Start your journey in Llanberis and take a 4.7-mile train ride up the mountain with stunning views of the Wales countryside, and valleys along the way.

This popular train ride has been in operation since 1896 and remains the only narrow-gauge rack and pinion railroad in the United Kingdom.

Plan for a full day on the railway with one of several train trips available to the summit. You will ride onboard one of the railway's steam or diesel locomotives that churn past viaducts across the Afon River, scenic countryside, and historic dwellings.

Llanberis sits at the base of Snowdonia National Park, so when you return to the train station, walk around the small village and grab lunch at one of the local eateries while you continue to enjoy the surrounding mountain views.

The railway is closed from November through mid-March but operates daily otherwise. During the busy summer season, you will want to book tickets early.

Location: Llanberis, Gwynedd, LL55 4TT

Indulge in a Traditional Welsh Cake in Mumbles

The truth is that you can find decadent Welsh cakes throughout the country, but some people swear that these traditional baked treats in the village of Mumbles are the best.

Welsh cakes are made from scratch in local bakeries. They are considered a traditional sweet bread, with roots that date back to the 19^th century. The small, round cakes look like medallion pancakes made from flour, fat, sugar, currants, or sultanas and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Welsh cakes are often topped with a dusting of caster sugar. They are best hot off the griddle, but people enjoy them cold, too.

Welsh cakes are dense with a flavor and texture that resembles a mixture of a scone and cookie. Besides the well-known bakeries in Mumbles that sell them using generations-old recipes, you can find several good bakeries in Cardiff from the local vendor stalls in Cardiff Market.

Hike in Snowdonia National Park from Betws-y-Coed

Hiking in Snowdonia National Park is a bucket-list adventure for many visitors to Wales. Start your journey in the town of Betws-y-Coed, which is in the heart of the Snowdonia Mountain region.

Throughout Snowdonia's 823 square miles of terrain, you can find various types of trails to accommodate all fitness levels. Whether you opt for the three-mile Llyn Idwal Circular Trail; the 8.1-mile Miner's Track Trail; or go backpacking on the challenging 9.1-mile Llanberis Path, considered the longest and most challenging trail, your trek will be memorable.

Trails have varying terrain and difficulty, but all of them take you past the dramatic landscape of Snowdonia's nine mountain ranges, lakes, coastline, and dense forests in some way.

You might want to spend a few days hiking several different trails from Betws-y-Coed, where you can also enjoy the charm of the town that is filled with lodging, food, and shops geared towards outdoor enthusiasts.

Go to the Beaches in the Gower Peninsula

The beaches in the Gower Peninsula along Wales' southern coastline are some of the best in the country with so many to enjoy that it will be difficult to pick just one. Your best bet is to plan a few days in the Gower Peninsula and make your way to a different beach each day.

This 19-mile peninsula has a wild coastline defined by impressive limestone cliffs, waves that draw surfers, and stunning natural scenery and wildlife. Its beaches range from the wide landscape at Rhossili Bay, one of the Gower's most popular spots; to Oxwich Bay, surrounded by a national nature reserve; or the surfing haven of Llangennith Beach and the dramatic coastal cliffs of Three Cliffs Bay.

The draw of the Gower Peninsula beaches are the water and scenery, but you should take advantage of the coastal walking paths that stem from many of them if you have time. The views from the cliff's edges give you a new appreciation for the natural beauty of the area.

Walk the Pembrokeshire Coast Path in Tenby

Seeing Wales' wild landscape on foot is such a fun experience, so it makes sense to put the Pembrokeshire Coast Path on your Tenby itinerary.

One of the finest coastal paths in the country, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path is the first long-distance path in Wales, but it is easy to only do specific sections of it, unless you are hard-core and want to tackle all of it in the Coast Path Challenge.

Stretching for 186 miles along the Pembrokeshire Coast, it promises to introduce you to the best unspoiled scenery in all of Wales. Beyond the scenery and wildlife that you will see on this rugged path, you are likely to also come across ancient forts, Neolithic cromlechs, and relics from early civilizations that lived on this coastline.

A nice and popular section to try is the 4.5-mile path from Tenby to Saundersfoot, which takes you along the cliffs, through woods, and along the coastline most of the way.

Official site: https://www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/coast-path/

Play Golf on a Links Course in Porthcawl

If you enjoy a round of golf with stunning scenery, then you will want to hit the links course of the Royal Porthcawl Golf Club. It is one of several top links courses in Wales where you can enjoy a day on the greens with the breathtaking backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean.

This links course is unique in that it does not have sand hills, which allows for unobstructed views of the ocean while putting on every green. The Royal Porthcawl Golf Club has a rich history with refined golfers, starting with a group of businessmen that built the course sloping to the sea in the late 1800s.

There are over a dozen links courses in Wales, so you can make a full vacation just trying several of them. Some of the other courses to check out are the Tenby Golf Course in Tenby, Conwy Golf Club in Conwy, and Bull Bay Golf Club in Anglesey.

Address: Rest Bay, Porthcawl, Mid Glamorgan, South Wales, CF36 3UW

Official site: https://www.royalporthcawl.com

Arcade Shopping in Cardiff

The capital city of Cardiff has a collection of Victorian Arcades that make for a spectacular day out shopping. It is nicknamed the "City of Arcades" because of the elegant Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades that have been an iconic part of the city since the 1800s. They were built to protect shoppers from the inclement weather during the Victorian era.

The oldest arcade is the Royal Arcade, but there are several dozen around Cardiff to explore. Inside the glass-covered structures with detailed architecture are many kinds of local boutiques, shops, and cafés.

You can plan a full day making your way around to the arcades enjoying this traditionally Welsh way of shopping.

Walk the Batman Backdrop in the Brecon Beacons

Have you ever wanted to visit the Batcave from the famous Batman movies? Take a walk through the Brecon Beacons to the spectacular Henrhyd Falls, and you will see why it was chosen as a backdrop for the Batcave in the movie The Dark Knight Rises. You can hike to the falls and enjoy a moment taken right from the big screen.

This isn't the only location in Wales where the dramatic natural scenery of the country was used in movies.

You can plan your visit through Wales plotting movie set locations from some of Hollywood's biggest hits. Areas of Snowdonia, including the Pen Y Pass and the Alexandra State Quarry, were used in action scenes in Tomb Raider: Lara Croft and the Cradle of Life.

Locations around Cardiff include the Wales Millennium Centre, used in Doctor Who. The Italian architecture in Portmeirion was used as a Mediterranean backdrop in the 1966 film The Prisoner, and several Marvel Studio and DC Films have taken advantage of the landscape around Monmouthshire, Swallow Falls, Snowdonia National Park, and Caerwent for movies like Wonder Woman and Captain America.

It is possible to visit all these movie locations, and it might be fun to watch the films they were included in before your visit.

Coastal Fishing from Milford Haven

Anglers heading to Wales will want to put coastal fishing in Milford Haven on their list of things to do. It is the best place in Wales to book an offshore fishing charter, especially for shark fishing for blue, porbeagle, and thresher sharks.

While there is great coastal fishing for several species here, many anglers come to target the ruthless, fighting sharks. Blue sharks are best targeted starting in May, with mid-June through October being the prime window for catching them.

Porbeagle sharks show up on the Welsh coast and start moving inshore in March, but are mostly caught in the fall. The acrobatic thresher shark is difficult to catch, but the challenge is one of the reasons this is a trip of a lifetime for anglers, with the prime window between July and August.

Milford Haven has a robust port of charter boats and captains that specialize in offshore fishing. If you are not ready for the open water, Milford Haven is a great fishing location for other coastal species like pollack, dog fish, and wrasse.

Walk the Ruins of Tintern Abbey & Chepstow Castle in Chepstow

One of the most significant places to visit in Wales from an architectural and historical perspective is the ruins of Tintern Abbey and Chepstow Castle, which are two national treasures that you can visit on the same day.

Though the structure is still grand, Tintern Abbey is a shell of its previous stature, when it was founded by Cistercian monks in 1131. It started out as a modest stone church, and over the centuries evolved into the grand structure that you can envision given the number of ruins that are left. It was ordered closed by King Henry VIII in the 1500s.

Chepstow Castle is just down the road from Tintern Abbey and has a history leading back to 1067. It is the oldest fortification in Britain built of stone and sits on the cliffside above the River Wye. You can walk the corridors and many levels and sections of the castle to see the grand scale of defense required for this entry point to Wales.

Location: Tintern, NP16 6SE

Wild Swimming in Abereiddy

Wild swimming is a popular activity in the UK, and there are many places throughout Wales where you can take a dip and join the locals in this refreshing pastime.

A spectacular place to get your feet wet (so to speak) with wild swimming is at the Blue Lagoon in Abereiddy in Pembrokeshire in Western Wales. The lagoon is the result of a defunct slate quarry that fills with the deep blue water from the sea, ideal for diving and swimming among the cliffs.

Wild swimming is exactly what its description indicates: it is swimming in the natural water of rivers, lakes, and even waterfalls. Sometimes this outdoor adventure involves actual swimming, and other times it's just about bobbing in the water and enjoying the views. The activity is noted for its health benefits for the mind and body, with a focus on intense, deep breathing and being in the moment.

There are many places in Wales to enjoy wild swimming, including Bala Lake and the crater of Cadair Idris. If you are new to wild swimming, you might want to hire a coach for instruction for your first time.

Ride a Historic Cliffside Funicular Railway in Aberystwyth

Take a ride on the cliffside funicular railway in Aberystwyth to experience how Victorian vacationers enjoyed simple entertainment that took advantage of the unique Wales landscape.

The Aberystwyth Cliff Railway is a historic funicular rail car that uses a counterbalance system to transport visitors up and down Constitution Hill.

The cars trek 430 feet up the steep cliffside with the best views of the landscape and the city scene over Aberystwyth only rivaled by the views at the top. The cars alternate up and down every 10 minutes, so you can stay at the top as long as you like.

The historic railway opened in 1896 as a popular entertainment option for vacationers to Aberystwyth. They would spend time at the top at Luna Park, which had a bandstand, camera obscura attraction, and a tearoom.

Today you can still enjoy the renovated camera obscura with a 1,000-square-mile view, walk along a coastal path, or just sit with a cup of coffee at the cliffside café.

Official site: https://www.aberystwythcliffrailway.co.uk/things-to-do

Feel the Spray from the Tallest Waterfall in Wales in Pen-y-Bont-Fawr

There are so many stunning waterfalls to see in Wales, but if you had to pick one to check off your list, you might head for Pistyll Rhaeadr in Pen-y-Bont-Fawr. It is the tallest waterfall in Wales, with a drop of 240 feet (80 meters).

These falls in northern Wales are couched within the Berwyn Mountains surrounded by stunning scenery, like forest, steep hills, and varying shades of green across the countryside. The single-drop waterfall is one of the most popular in the country and is often referred to as one of the seven wonders of Wales.

The waterfall is accessed from the village, located along B4396 just outside the more identifiable village of Llanwddyn. A series of one-track lanes gets you to the car park, but from here, the waterfall is on a marked path that only takes about one minute to walk.

There is a longer trail available for about a 25-minute walk to the falls, if you have the time and want to explore more of the surrounding landscape.

Take Part in a Mining Experience in the Rhondda Valley

Coal mining, especially in the Rhondda Valley in southern Wales, is an integral part of Welsh heritage and an important area to visit to understand the roots of the country.

One of the best experiences in Wales to learn about this heritage is at the former Lewis Merthyr Colliery in the Rhondda Heritage Park. Take a 90-minute tour in the mines with a former mine worker as your guide to learn about this once thriving industry in its heyday, from the late 1800s through to the mid 1900s.

The experience gives you insight into the mining communities throughout the valley. Today there are only relics and former coalfields left to remember it by.

The Lewis Merthyr Colliery has been transformed into a museum of sorts to honor this history and educate visitors about the impact that mining had on the region.

After your tour, walk through the museum to see preserved photographs, mining equipment, and donated items from the miners and their families. Round out your visit in the café, which serves food inspired by the immigrants who came to the region to work in the mines.

Address: Lewis Merthyr Colliery, Coed Cae Road, Trehafod, CF37 2NP

Official site: https://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/EN/Tourism/RhonddaHeritagePark/Home.aspx

Working Farm Holiday in the Welsh Marches

Just along the border of Wales and England is an area known as the Welsh Marches, which is home to several working farms. Here, you can experience some of the traditional ways of life in the rural countryside. With approximately 9.5 million sheep in Wales, there are about three times as many sheep as people.

A working farm holiday lets you get up close to the farm animals, like sheep and cattle, and participate as much or as little in the experiences of taking care of them as you like. Try your hand at herding sheep, shearing, or trekking with them, or even assist with birthing lambs in the spring. This is a fun, hands-on way to get up close to Valais Blacknose sheep and other farm animals.

While there are several working holiday farms throughout the country, there is a good concentration of them in the countryside of the Welsh Marches. Most of them are small, family-owned operations with a variety of experiences offered, depending on the time of year. Accommodations range from traditional farmhouses to cottages, with organic, locally produced food served for meals.