Ready for your dream Wales vacation? From the castles of Conwy to the mountains of Snowdonia, the beaches of Pembrokeshire to the buzz of Cardiff, this guide outlines the ultimate Wales itinerary.
These easy-to-use and curated itineraries help you find the best things to do in Wales—featuring storybook castles, coastal hikes, steam trains, Welsh cakes, and rugged national parks.
Want to make your Wales trip even more special? Learn a few Welsh phrases before you go
- Cardiff: Wales’ capital city blends medieval castles, buzzing nightlife, rugby pride, and a revitalized waterfront scene.
- Snowdonia National Park: Towering peaks, mirror lakes, and storybook villages—home to Mount Snowdon and endless adventures.
- Conwy: A stunning seaside town with an epic medieval castle, ancient walls, and one of the smallest houses in Britain.
- Llandudno: A charming Victorian resort town with a classic pier, sweeping sea views, and a nostalgic British seaside feel.
- Tenby: Colorful cliffside homes, sandy beaches, and historic walls—this Pembrokeshire gem is Wales at its coastal best.
- Brecon Beacons National Park: Rolling green hills, waterfalls, and stargazing galore—ideal for hikers, cyclists, and dreamers.
- Pembrokeshire Coast: Dramatic sea cliffs, hidden coves, and one of the most beautiful coastal hiking trails in the UK.
- Caernarfon: Home to one of Wales’ most majestic castles and a stronghold of Welsh heritage and language.
- Portmeirion: A surreal Italian-style village tucked into a forested estuary—quirky, colorful, and totally unique.
- Anglesey: A laid-back island escape with beaches, ancient ruins, and the UK’s longest place name (yes, that one).
- St Davids: The UK’s smallest city—packed with spiritual beauty, cathedral calm, and stunning Pembrokeshire surroundings.
- Hay-on-Wye: A book lover’s paradise filled with indie bookstores, literary festivals, and countryside calm.
- Aberystwyth: A vibrant university town with a seaside promenade, cliffside railway, and a rich cultural vibe.
- Swansea: A coastal city with urban energy, beach access, Dylan Thomas heritage, and the stunning Gower Peninsula nearby.
📅 Wales Calendar
- St. David’s Day (March 1, Nationwide): Parades, daffodils, and national pride for Wales’ patron saint
- Urdd Eisteddfod (May, Rotating cities): Youth Welsh-language music and performance festival
- Machynlleth Comedy Festival (May, Mid-Wales): Alternative comedy in a tiny market town
- Urdd Eisteddfod (Late May, Rotating locations): Youth Welsh-language arts festival full of music and dance
- Hay Festival (May–June, Hay-on-Wye): World-renowned celebration of books, thinkers, and ideas
- Royal Welsh Show (July, Builth Wells): Agriculture, animals, crafts, and rural heritage
- National Eisteddfod (August, Rotates yearly): Major Welsh-language cultural celebration
- Green Man Festival (August, Brecon Beacons): Folk, indie, and family fun in the mountains
- Abergavenny Food Festival (September, Abergavenny): Welsh produce, cooking demos, and street food
- Cardiff Half Marathon (October, Cardiff): A scenic race through the Welsh capital
- Halloween at Castell Coch (October, South Wales): Spooky castle nights and storytelling
- Llandudno Christmas Extravaganza (Late November, Llandudno): Festive lights, markets, and mulled wine
- Christmas Markets (December, Cardiff & Swansea): Mulled wine, gifts, and twinkling lights
- New Year’s Eve Fireworks (December 31, Cardiff): Ring in the new year with music and sparkle on the bay