15 must visit places in South Wales
In this blog post I have highlighted 15 must visit locations in South Wales.
Being a lover of the outdoors, this list is primarily focused on the vast array of sensational outdoors sights and natural landscapes available in South Wales.
Whether you want to go swimming in crystal clear waters, hike across flat-topped, glacial carved mountains, wonder through the cobbled streets of the countries capital, or treat your taste buds at quaint seaside village, South Wales is the place for you.
The region is home to two national parks, (one of which is completely on the coast ) alongside the countries first area of Outstanding Natural beauty.
It’s an outdoor enthusiasts delight with enough things to see and activities to do to easily fill two weeks worth of adventures.
I have listed the locations in geographical order from East to West, and included an interactive map below.
Anyway enough waffle lets crack into it…
Cardiff
Time needed here: A couple of hours to a full day
The Principality Stadium, Home of the Welsh Rugby Union.
Wales’ largest city and capital since 1955, Cardiff is everything you could ask an urban city to be.
It has a vast mix of old and new culture alongside a wide range of independent cafes, shops and restaurants. And to top it all off its nightlife and live music scene makes for one barmy night out.
As well as being the biggest, the city is the most vibrant in Wales and is the perfect starting point for those beginning their Welsh adventure. It’s location and transport links also make it an excellent base for day trips to the nearby Brecon Beacons and Glamorgan Heritage coast.
I’d firstly recommend heading into the city centre. Here you will find over a kilometre of Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades lined with independent boutiques, family-run coffee shops, and some very tasty places to grab a bite. Those interested in history can pay a visit to Cardiff Castle or for the sporting enthusiasts take a tour of the the Principality Stadium, home of Welsh Rugby.
Another location worth visiting is Cardiff bay. This suburb of Cardiff serves as a low key escape from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. Here you’ll find both history and culture intertwined with a whole host of modern restaurants and bars.
For more information check out my guide to Cardiff below.
Sunset over Cardiff Bay
Nash Point, Glamorgan Heritage Coast
Time needed here: An hour to half a day
With its dramatic costal cliffs, secluded coves, and awe inspiring views the 14 miles of the Glamorgan Heritage Coast is a must visit for coastal ramblers and seaside lovers alike.
My pick of the coastline would be Nash point, which perfectly encapsulates the rugged but majestical scenery of the Heritage Coast.
Situated just outside the village of St Donats, Nash point is a large bedrock beach, lined with fossils and rock pools, and backed by sheer 30m high rugged cliffs. The dramatic shoreline can either be seen from the coastal path which hugs the clifftop above, or explored from the rocks below which are accessible for several hours either side of low tide.
Adding to the locations charm is a 19th century, grade 2 listed lighthouse which still guards passing seafarers from the treacherous rocks below. Tours of the lighthouse are available but only by prior arrangement only.
Parking is available for around 8-10 in free gravel parking area however if that is full you can park for £3 at the cliff top cafe. From both locations you have to walk less than 50m in order to access either the cliffs or the beach below.
Although this spot can be seen in a fleeting visit and is perfect for a sunset, I’d recommend spending some time following the coastal path westwards towards Dunraven Bay. The four mile one way walk, is truly spectacular and wont leave you disappointed.
Nash Point Lighthouse
Central Brecon Beacons
Time needed here: Half to a full day
Sunrise over the peaks of the Central Brecon Beacons
Established in 1957 as the third and final Welsh National Park, the Brecon Beacons is a region that encompasses some of the finest scenery in South Wales.
Within the centre of the park lies a series of magnificent flat topped peaks which includes the highest mountain in Southern Britain, Pen-y-Fan (886m) and the prominent Cribyn (795m). The summit, which on a clear day can offer magnificent 360 views across the Beacons, can be reached in a hour making it a firm favourite with hikers of all ages and abilities.
There are dozens of routes to reach the summit, however my recommendation would be to complete the Pen-Y-Fan horseshoe, which takes between 4-6 hours to complete. Details of the hike can be found in my blog post below.
If you are pushed for time or just fancy a shorter and easier walk, then the summit can be reached from the Pont ar Daf car park. The two mile path to the summit, which is nicknamed the motorway, involves 440m of climbing ands is even suitable for young children. The route description be found here.
Once you have finished hiking make sure to visit the historic town of Brecon for a bite to eat, my recommendation would be the delectable Hills for a belly busting burger.
If hiking up a mountain isn’t for you, then consider spending some time exploring the Pontsticill Reservoir, the Blaen-y-Glyn waterfalls, or taking a ride on the Brecon Mountain Railway.
The view of Cribyn & Pen-y- Fan
Cribyn from Pen-y-fan
Waterfall Country, Brecon Beacons
Time needed here: A couple of hours to a full day
Sgwd Einon Gam
If there’s one thing you are bound to encounter here in Wales apart from a sheep, its rain. So when you do visit, its best to factor the weather into your plans and schedule an activity which isn’t ruined by the regular downpours which we are treated too down in the South.
Waterfalls are even more impressive during periods of heavy rain and luckily for you the Brecon Beacons is home to some of the most magnificent falls in the UK.
Situated between Pontneddfechan and Ystradfellte in the south of the Brecon Beacons National Park, lies Waterfall Country , an area of over a dozen waterfalls of all shapes and sizes. They may not be the most tropical or the biggest, but their surroundings combined and the fact that you can walk behind several of them makes them some of the most spectacular you’ll visit.
A few noteworthy waterfalls include the highest waterfall in South Wales, Henrhyd falls, its one which you can walk directly behind and has been used for a filming location for the Batman movie.
Two other noteworthy Walks in the area include the ‘Four waterfalls walk’ or ‘The Elidir trail’. Both are low level woodland walks suitable for even young children which encompass several wonderful waterfalls
For a detailed description of the all the waterfalls including walking routes and where to park, check out my Brecon Beacons waterfall guide below;
Henrhyd Falls
Sgwd-yr-Eira, A waterfall you can walk directly behind
Carmarthenshire Fans, Brecon Beacons
Time needed here: Half to a full day
Picws Du & Llyn-y-Fan Fach
This is easily my favourite location in the Brecon Beacons.
The Carmarthenshire fans are a lesser known gem of a mountain range situated on the western border of national park. Although slightly more difficult to reach than the popular Pen-Y-fan, this breath taking area epitomises the true beauty of the Brecon Beacons and should be your ‘must do’ hike if you only have one day in the park.
The highlight of this region has to be Llyn-Y-Fan Fach, an enchanting glacial lake set beneath the dramatic flat topped peaks of the Carmarthenshire countryside. The Lake, which is translated from Welsh into “Lake of the small hill”, Once featured in Lonely Planets list of 1,000 ultimate sights across the globe within the top 10 most unusual lakes category.
A loop around Llyn y Fan Fach, summiting the peaks of Picws Du and Bannau Sir Gâr, is 6 miles and involves 500m of ascent. For a detailed hike guide including directions and where to park check out my blog post below;
If you do plan to visit the Carmarthenshire fans you will also have the option of visiting Llyn y Fan Fawr, a slightly larger glacial lake located two miles to the east.
You can actually extend your hike from LLyn-y-fan Fach to to encompass the neighbouring Llyn y Fan Fawr, the hike is around 9 miles long and will take between 4-5 hours to complete. Alternatively you can start the hike from the eastern side of the Fans and tackle some beautiful waterfalls in the process, I have outlined a description of that route below.
A view of Llyn-y-Fan Fach from Waun Lefrith (677m)
LLyn y Fan Fawr
Mumbles, Gower Peninsula
Time needed here: A couple of hours to a full day
Located on the south coast of the peninsula, Mumbles is a small seaside village which acts as the gateway to the Gower. The village and surrounding coastline is full of charm and jam packed with things to do and places to eat, making it a perfect place to base yourself if you are planning on spending some time exploring the peninsula.
Firstly take time to explore the village itself, I would recommend grabbing an infamous infamous Joes Ice cream (Double scoop, sprinkles and nuts with a flake and wafer) before walking the promenade from the recently developed Oyster Wharf for 1.5 miles around to Bracelet bay.
On route you will pass Verdi’s, Mumbles pier, and the ever impressive Mumbles lighthouse before finishing at the delectable Castellamare restaurant. From here you can either return to Mumbles or continue to follow the coastal path for a further 1.5 miles around to my next suggestion, Langland Bay…
Langland Bay is a small but charming beach with beautiful coastal views and arguably the best facilities on the Gower. Lifeguarded year round, the blue flag beach has ample parking on its shoreline alongside two cafes and restaurant. Its also a firm favourite for the local surfers and even has four free tennis courts situated behind its iconic white and green huts.
For those wanting to stretch the legs and get a sample of the Gowers magnificent coastal views, I would recommend following the wheelchair friendly coastal path for one mile around to the neighbouring Caswell Bay.
Langland Bay
Sunrise from Mumbles Lighthouse
Three Cliffs Bay, Gower Peninsula
Time needed here : A couple of hours to a full day
One of the peninsulas most visited locations, Three Cliffs Bay is my favourite beach on the Gower and the first place i visit when I’m in need of some gorgeous coastal views.
The beach is made famous by its three iconic peaks which protrude from a wide bay of golden sand backed by gently sloping dunes. Adding to the the beaches allure is the magnificent Pennard castle. A 12th century Norman fortress, whose remains stand prominently on the cliffs above the winding pennard pill which cuts through the luscious green valley.
Three cliffs is beautiful at any time of the year and is particularly worth visiting for either sunrise or sunset.
Unfortunately the beach isn’t the easiest or quickest to reach. Adding to complication of your visit, will be the fact that the two sides of the beach can be cut off by the incoming tide, which flows up the river and overspills its banks.
There are three places to park to reach Three Cliffs which I have outlined in the blog post below, each of them require a short (15-25 minutes) but spectacular walk which adds to the enjoyment of the visit.
Pennard Castle
Worms Head & Rhossili Bay, Gower Peninsula
Time needed here: A couple of hours to a full day
The view of Rhossili Bay from the cliff top
Once voted as the best beach in Europe and included within the top 10 in the world, Rhossili bay is a location which words simply can not justice.
The beach is made up of three miles of golden sand and is backed by the peninsulas highest point, Rhossili Downs. Stradling the southern end of the beach is one mile of rugged and dramatic coastal cliffs which lead out to the highlight of the rergion, the spectacular Worms head.
This a giant sea-serpent shaped island which marks the most westerly tip of Gower. Named after the Viking word for Dragon, it is connected to the mainland by a rocky causeway which is only accessible two and and a half hours hours either side of low tide.
For those feeling a little more adventurous you can hike onto the Worm and all the way to its outer head. Access is via a rocky causeway which gets cut off 2.5 hours either side of low tide. I have written a detailed blog guide below for those who want more information on this.
Finally, Rhossili is undoubtedly the best place on the Gower to watch the sunset as you can see the sun drop directly below the horizon. Aim to head down in the late afternoon / early evening and take the time to stick around, you wont be disappointed.
For more information, check out my detailed guide to Rhossili and Worms head below.
Wreck of the Helvetia, a Norwegian ship which ran around here in 1887
Sunset behind the worm
Tenby, Pembrokeshire
Time needed here: A couple of hours to half a day
No visit to West Wales wouldn’t be complete without stopping at the quintessential seaside town of Tenby.
Situated on the south coast of Pembrokeshire, Dinbych-y-Pysgod (which translated from Welsh to "little town of fishes”) is a small harbour town and seaside resort. Surrounded by a 13th century medieval stone wall, It’s cobbled streets are lined with charm and are perfect for roaming around with an ice cream in hand.
Those in search of spending time by the beach are spoilt for choice, It has not one but three different beaches, one of which, Castle Beach, was awarded ‘Britain’s Best Beach in 2019’ by the Sunday Times.
There is also the beautiful Tenby harbour which is backed by a rainbow of picture postcard high rise Victorian buildings and Castle Hill which overlooks the Harbour and offers views views of St Catherines Island and the two lifeboat stations.
There are number of places to park amongst Tenby’s narrow bustling streets, however the cheapest place to park is in the multi-storey car park beneath Sainsburys, it’s 50p per hour for a maximum of two hours, which is more you need to snap some picks and a grab a coffee or bite to eat.
Now personally I am slightly torn on Tenby, On one had its a quaint seaside village packed with charm and busting with activity. On the other hand its a bit of tourist trap, which if you visit at the wrong time can really detract from how beautiful this place is.
I’d definitely avoid this spot during the busier summer months, and if you are planning on visiting aim to call by in early the morning before the hordes of day tripper arrive.
Bosherston, Broadhaven South, & Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire
Time needed here: Half to a full day
Bosherton Lily ponds
Now I have grouped these three together as they form one of the best walks on the Pembrokeshire coastal path. However either Broadhaven or Barafundle can be visited separately if you just want to spend the afternoon lounging on the beach.
Located on the edge of the Stackpole Estate in south Pembrokeshire, Broadhaven South is a golden sand beach nestled in front of sand dunes. The bay is instantly recognisable by church rock, A large limestone monolith which which protudes from the middle of the bay.
As well as being popular with walkers and tourists, Broadhaven South is an extremely popular bodyboarding beach, which under the right conditions creates notorious barrelling wedges which people travel up from Cornwall to surf.
Parking can be found in Bosherston village, postcode SA71 5DW, where there are also toilets, a country pub and a small café. The beach is best reached by taking an easy one mile walk through the magical Bosherton Lily ponds. The man made lakes are famous for their spectacular display of waterlilies and their resident otters and make for an extremely pleasant way to access the beach.
I’d also recommend continuing walking eastward around the coastal path until you reach the neighbouring Barafundle bay. It’s a golden sanded beach which is often regarded as one of the Best in the UK. the stretch of stretch of coastline is also incredibly dramatic and picturesque with Inaccessible sandy bays tucked beneath sheer 100ft cliffs,.
This walk can be done as part of a loop starting from Bosherston lily ponds which is one of my favourite walks on the Pembrokeshire coastline. You can find out more about the walk below
Barafundle Bay
St Govans Chapel, Pembrokeshire
Time needed here: less than an hour
St Govans Chapel is tiny stone building carved into the limestone cliffs of the Pembrokeshire Coast. Dating back to 13th Century the chapel was built to honour the hermit St Govan who lived here alone here during the 6th century.
The history of St. Govan is shrouded in mystery. Govan was believed to be an Irish Abbott who was en-route to Wales when he was attacked by some pesky Irish pirates off the coast. Forced to flee into the cliffside, the rocks allegedly morphed into a secret cave for him to hide in. After successfully evading his captors Govan chose to set up a monastic hermitage in the cove, living off the surrounding land, and remained there for the rest of his life.
I prefer to believe that he was forced to self isolate here after the 6th century Welsh Coronavirus outbreak, started.
The chapel is reached by descending 52 stone steps, polished smooth by the feet of generations of visitors. After passing through the wonderfully atmospheric chapel you are able to head down and marvel at the structure from the rocks below.
The chapel steps are located a short 100m from the car park in Bosherston, postcode SA71 5DR.
Once again this location is located within the a MOD military firing range so you will need to check if the road is open to the public before visiting by calling either the Pembroke Visitor Centre (+44 01437 776499) or Castlemartin Range (+44 01646 662367).
Green Bridge of Wales & Elgug stacks, Pembrokeshire
Time needed here: An hour or two
The Green Bridge of Wales is a 24 m high natural limestone arch located southern coastline of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
It’s a spectacular coastal feature, which in my opinion, not only rivals but betters Durdle door not only due to the beauty of the place but also due to the fact that there will be scarcely any people there when you visit it.
Situated 500m down the coastline are Stack Rocks, two limestone stacks which rise steeply from the sea. These impressive coastal features were once part of the Pembrokeshire coastline but have been eroded away over thousands of years and now serve as an important nesting location for many species of seabirds found on the Pembrokeshire Coast.
Elegug Stacks
Continuing westwards you’ll reach The Witches Cauldron, a large bowl shaped cavern and blow hole situated on the edge of the cliffs and Bulls-laughter bay. An empty golden sanded beach, backed by dramatic coastal cliffs.
If you wanted to stretch your legs the spectacular coastline runs for a further three miles westwards past Huntsmans Leap and towards St Govans Chapel, a tiny 13th century chapel built into the cliff face.
The free car park is located right next to the coastal path and is only a 300m walk from both The green bridge and stack rocks. However in order to reach the car park you have to (legally) drive 2.5km through a MOD military firing range.
Unfortunately, as I have found out on two occasions, this road can be closed off during certain times for training exercises. To avoid a wasted trip, you can check that the road through the firing range is open to the public by calling the Pembroke Visitor Centre (+44 01437 776499) or Castlemartin Range (+44 01646 662367)
Although the Green Bridge & Elgug stacks can be seen in a quick fleeting visit, this area of coast is some of the most dramatic and impressive not only in Wales but the UK, so take the time to enjoy it
Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire
Time needed here: Half a day
must-visit for any nature or wildlife enthusiasts. Skomer Island is located less than a mile from the Pembrokeshire coast and is home to the largest puffin colony in southern Britain.
However there is so much more to the bird paradise than just puffins. The island is surrounded by some of the richest waters for wildlife off the British Isles and sightings of dolphins, porpoises and grey seals are extremely common.
Skomer island is only accessible by boat, but for conservation purposes, the total number of people who are allowed onto the island is capped at 250 people per day. All boats depart from Martins Haven, a delightful little cove situated on the north coast of the peninsula, Tuesday to Sunday at 10 am, 11 am and 12 noon.
Tickets used to be sold on a first come first serve basis but due to the coronavirus pandemic, Online advance booking is now required (that’s one positive of the virus) so pre-book to avoid disappointment. Parking for Skomer Island is available at Martins Haven beach
Whilst you are in the area I would highly recommend visiting the breathtakingly beautiful Marloes Sands, a hidden gem of a beach backed by steep rugged coastal cliffs nestled on the very western edge of Pembrokeshire.
If you’re planning to visit, check out the tide times to make sure you’ve plenty of beach to play on and that you don’t get cut off by the incoming tide. There is a National Trust car park located next to the café Runawaysklin (a fantastic little café which you should definitely stop by) which costs £5 a day. From here it’s a half a mile walk to the beach.
Marloes sands
St Davids Peninsula, Pembrokeshire
Time needed here: A couple of hours to a full day
Whitesands beach & Carn Llidi
Named after the patron saint of Wales, St Davids is Britain's smallest city. Home to just over 2,000 people it owes its city status to the magnificent Cathedral built in the 12th Century.
However there is far more to this stretch of headland than the Cathedral.
To the south of Whitesands is the weathered Treginnis Peninsula, home to the oldest rocks in Pembrokeshire. Here you can walk the coast path from quaint and beautiful Porthclais Harbour around to the RNLI's St Justinian lifeboat station. If you do visit Porthclais harbour make sure to grab a coffee from the little kiosk there.
From St Justinian lifeboat station you can catch a boat tour over to Ramsey Island. Sat 1km off the coastline, Ramsey is the fourth largest of all Welsh islands and is an RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) reserve. The island has spectacular coastal scenery with dramatic western cliffs rising 120m from the ocean. The island is also a breeding site for grey seals, with over 400 seal pups being born here each autumn. There are several boat trips which run each day, details of which can be found here.
Northwest of the city of St Davids lies the headland peak of Carn Llidi. The 181m hill is rich in history with two burial chambers located on the southwest slopes alongside an old WWII radar station on its summit. From the summit you will be rewarded with panoramic views across the peninsula.
Beneath this craggy peak is beautiful Whitesands bay, a firm favourite with families and surfers alike. Parking is available for 60 cars in Whitesands Car park, (SA62 6PS) for £5 a day. However as the car park is manned if you arrive after 5pm or before 9am its free.
The view towards Whitesands bay and Ramsey Island from the summit of Carn Llidi
Blue Lagoon, Pembrokeshire
Time needed here: A couple of hours to half a day
Pembrokeshire's Blue lagoon is abandoned slate quarry, filled with turquoise water on the north coast of the coastal path. Shut down in 1910, the seaward wall of the quarry was blasted open by fisherman in order to flood the mine and provide refuge for their boats.
With the fishing industry all but disappeared, Blue Lagoon is now an oasis for swimming, coasteering and even cliff diving. Despite the name, the water within the quarry actually has a beautiful greenish hue due to its high mineral content.
The spectacular nature and location of Blue lagoon has resulted in it being chosen as a stop on the Red Bull cliff diving series in 2012, 2013 & 2016. The events saw the world's best divers leap from a man-made platform, suspended 27 metres above the quarry. The diving board has since been taken down, however you can leap from several platforms, ranging from 2 to 10m, on the far side of the quarry. Don’t worry about hitting the bottom, the water is over 25m deep.
Parking is available at the nearby Abereiddi Beach, its free in the winter months but costs £4 otherwise. From here the quarry is easily accessible via a short 500m walk. From the base of the lagoon you can climb up and around the cliffs and even visit the watch tower perched on the tip of the peninsula.
Whilst at Blue Lagoon I would also recommend walking the coastal path northwards for a further 3km until you reach the quaint, picturesque fishing harbour of Porthgain. On route you’ll skirt around some of Pembrokeshire’s most dramatic and rugged coastline which towers over one-hundred feet above its turquoise clear waters.
1km into this walk you’ll also pass the beautiful Traeth Llyfn, a hidden gem of a beach, backed by towering cliffs which can be accessed by a steep metal staircase. With the majority of people unaware this beach actually exists, you’ll most likely have it to yourself, so pack a picnic and take the time to enjoy it.
If you are looking for a lunch spot then I would recommend eating at the either the Shed or Sloop inn located at Porthgain harbour. There serve terrific fish and chips which is best washed down with a local beer or three.
So there we have it, my 15 must visit locations in South Wales. I’d love to know your thoughts on this blog post. Are there any places I missed, or locations which wont worthy of a mention? Let me know in the comments below.
I have to say curating this list was very difficult. There are a vast array of magnificent places to see and do in South Wales which I haven’t included in this list. For more inspiration check out my detailed guides to one of the four regions below or give me a follow on Instagram
