- Trains from London Paddington reach Cardiff in about 2h, and from Euston to the North Wales coast in about 3h
- Wales has three national parks and the Wales Coast Path
- You'll see bilingual Welsh and English signs everywhere
- Most built-up roads have a 20mph limit, so watch your speed
- Airports
- Cardiff (CWL), Bristol (BRS), Manchester (MAN), Liverpool (LPL)
- Best time to go
- May-September; April and October for quieter walking
- Type
- Region
Wales is small, but it is packed with variety. It has more castles per square mile than almost anywhere in Europe, three national parks, a coastal path that follows the entire coastline, and sandy beaches that rival anywhere in Britain. The capital, Cardiff, is a lively, compact city, while the north and west are where the Welsh language is most widely spoken, giving the country a distinct identity from its English neighbour.
Getting there from England is easy, with no border formalities, the same currency and the same rules of the road. For more ideas, see our United Kingdom guide.
Where to stay
- Eryri (Snowdonia) – mountains, lakes and slate villages in the north-west, with Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), the highest peak in Wales.
- Pembrokeshire – Britain's coastal national park, with golden beaches, Tenby and tiny St Davids.
- Cardiff – the capital, with its castle, Cardiff Bay, the Principality Stadium and free national museum.
- The Gower – a peninsula near Swansea with Rhossili Bay, Britain's first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
- Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) – rolling mountains, waterfalls and dark skies, close to the book town of Hay-on-Wye.
- Anglesey and the Llŷn Peninsula – quieter coast, little harbours and some of the best beaches in the north.
- Conwy and Llandudno – a walled castle town and a Victorian seaside resort on the north coast.
Things to do
- Climb Yr Wyddfa – walk up Snowdon or ride the Snowdon Mountain Railway from Llanberis.
- Castles – Conwy, Caernarfon, Harlech and Beaumaris are UNESCO-listed; Cardiff and Pembroke are just as striking.
- Wales Coast Path – about 870 miles around the whole coast, walked in short sections.
- Rhossili Bay – one of Britain's finest beaches, with the Worm's Head tidal island.
- St Fagans National Museum of History – a free open-air museum of rebuilt Welsh buildings near Cardiff.
- Portmeirion – an eccentric Italianate village on the coast of Eryri.
- Waterfall Country – the Four Falls Trail in Bannau Brycheiniog.
- Heritage railways – the Ffestiniog, Welsh Highland and Talyllyn lines.
Best time to visit
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring (March-May) | Lambs, daffodils and fewer people; St David's Day on 1 March |
| Summer (June-August) | Warmest and busiest, especially on the coast in school holidays |
| Autumn (September-October) | Often settled, good for walking, autumn colour |
| Winter (November-February) | Wet and windy, snow on the mountains, cosy pubs and Six Nations rugby in Cardiff |
Getting there
GWR trains run from London Paddington to Cardiff in about 2h and on to Swansea in about 3h. Avanti West Coast runs from London Euston along the North Wales coast to Llandudno Junction, Bangor and Holyhead in about 3-3h45, and Transport for Wales links North and South Wales with Manchester, Chester, Birmingham and the Marches. By car, the M4 crosses the Severn into South Wales toll-free, and the A55 runs along the north coast from Chester. Cardiff Airport has a small number of flights, so most visitors from the UK come by road or rail.
Getting around
A car is the easiest way to explore rural Wales, but roads can be narrow and winding, so allow extra time. A default 20mph limit applies on most roads in built-up areas, with some exceptions. Trains run along the coasts and through the middle of Wales on scenic lines like the Heart of Wales and Cambrian lines, and TrawsCymru buses link many towns. The cities are best explored on foot.
Wales is about 170 miles from north to south, but journeys take longer than you'd expect, so pick one or two areas rather than trying to see the whole country in a week.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to speak Welsh?
No. Everyone speaks English, but you'll see Welsh on signs and hear it widely in the north and west. A "diolch" (thank you) is always appreciated.
Is North or South Wales better for a holiday?
The north is best for mountains, castles and Eryri; the south and west for beaches, Cardiff, the Gower and Pembrokeshire. Both are lovely for walking.
Is there a tourist tax in Wales?
Wales has passed a law allowing councils to introduce a small overnight visitor levy, expected from 2027 at the earliest. Check with your accommodation if it applies.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
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