Staycation Wales – The Best 20 Places To Staycation In Wales This Year

Abersoch

We’ve included Abersoch separately from the rest of the Llŷn Peninsula as it’s a world away in feel and, mostly price bracket. It’s a village on the south coast of the Peninsula, with lovely Llanbedrog a few miles to the north and the windswept wilderness of Porth Neigwl (Hells Mouth), a favourite among the North Wales surfing community, just over the hill to the west.

Things To Do In Abersoch

You come to Abersoch (pronounced Aber-sawkh, though many prefer to call it ‘Aber-sock’) for the beautiful sheltered beaches with their views of the peaks of Snowdonia on the horizon. They are fantastic beaches, and the headland behind keeps the waters calm. In summer, they’re constantly abuzz with activity, from bathing, swimming and paddling to taking short boat trips in the bay.

If you can haul yourself away from the outstanding beaches, there is more of a choice of places to eat and drink than anywhere else in North Wales of comparable size – indeed there are as many restaurants in Abersoch as in some small towns in North Wales.

Around Abersoch

If you’ve travelled this far down the Llŷn Peninsula, I’d suggest staying local to see what it has to offer. Close by, Porth Ceiriad is a superb sandy beach frequented by few, and Llanbedrog, 4 miles to the north, has one of the best beaches in North Wales.

We can also recommend getting lost in the tangle of country lanes to the west Abersoch, eventually heading up to the fascinating Plas yn Rhiw and, eventually, Aberdaron.   

Conwy

Conwy is one of the most impressive towns in Wales, with its awe-inspiring Castle and Town Walls and relaxed riverside vibe.

What To Do In Conwy

For a small town, there are surprisingly many things to do in Conwy. The Castle – one of the most beautiful in Europe – is one of the most compelling in the country, and remains an imposing sight seven and a half centuries after it was completed. The Town Walls were added at the same time, and it’s well worth taking the walk along the tops to get some great views over the town.

You’ll also find other remnants of medieval Conwy, from half-timbered Aberconwy House to Plas Mawr, a grand 16^th century town house that has been impeccably restored inside.

Also head down to the river and Conwy Quay, where you can sit outside the Liverpool Arms with a drink looking across the river and over to the Castle, or put your head around the door (not much else will fit) to see the inside of the Smallest House in Great Britain.

Places To Visit Near Conwy

One of the advantages of a North Wales staycation in Conwy is the ease of getting around, whether it’s to nearby Llandudno, along the coast to Bangor and Anglesey or into Snowdonia, via Bethesda or Betws-y-Coed. Don’t overlook the charms of the Conwy Valley – one of the most beautiful in Wales – either.

Llandudno

We’ve included Llandudno in our staycation Wales selection despite it being just 4 miles (6 km) from Conwy because it’s markedly different from its neighbour. It has often been called the ‘queen of resorts’, and is one of the best seaside towns in Wales, with a whole host of things to do and very good public transport connections.

Things To Do In Llandudno

There is a regal splendour about Llandudno’s Promenade, with its fine hotels stretching along the North Shore seafront. The town is rich in Victoriana, with its extravagant Pier (the best in Wales – sorry Bangor!), traditional Punch and Judy shows and architectural details galore.

Alice Liddell, the inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice In Wonderland, regularly enjoyed holidays in Llandudno, and you can follow a trail around places associated with her in the town.

The vast limestone headland, the Great Orme, rises high above Llandudno, and there are several attractions to explore and ways to get around.  You can take a boat trip around It or catch a cable car to the summit or hop on the Great Orme Tramway. You can also drive around it or walk or even run around it too.  

The Great Orme summit area is worth visiting for the views along the North Wales coast and the Great Orme Copper Mine. The Mine dates from the Bronze Age – around 4,000 years ago. You follow a self-guided tour around the network of tunnels – it’s a fascinating place only discovered in 1987. I can remember reading about it in the newspaper (remember them?) at the time.

Betws y Coed 

There are enough things to do in Betws-y-Coed to keep you around the village for a day or three, but it’s best-known as the main gateway to the Snowdonia National Park. The village – on the edge of the Gwydyr Forest and the National Park itself – is a wonderfully quirky little place, and we’ve used it as a base for exploring North Wales countless times.

What To Do In Betws-y-Coed

Betws-y-Coed is quite different in feel to the other villages in Snowdonia. The first place to head is Pont y Pair – the Bridge of the Cauldron – a centuries-old stone bridge spanning the Afon Llugwy. It works up quite a froth over its short course, and you usually have to raise your voice sitting by the riverside to make yourself heard over the roar of the rapids.

One of the most famous waterfalls in Wales, Swallow Falls, is formed from the same river two miles or so upstream. The River Conwy is also spectacular, with Conwy Falls and the narrow ravine at Fairy Glen. Betws-y-Coed is also a good base for exploring the Conwy Valley, from Bodnant Garden to the remote lakes Llyn Crafnant and Llyn Geirionnydd.

Things To Do Near Betws-y-Coed

Betws-y-Coed is on the main A5 and A470, so is ideally placed for exploring the rest of Snowdonia, or making the quick trip to Anglesey and its brilliant beaches. Conwy and Llandudno can be reached by bus and train as well as car, and Portmeirion and the Llŷn Peninsula are also a short drive away.

Llangollen

Llangollen, a few miles from the English border, is one of the most beautiful towns in Wales, in a gorgeous location in the Dee Valley, which is part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty along with the Clwydian Range to the north. It’s on the A5, an hour from Betws-y-Coed and Snowdonia, and ideally placed for exploring the North Wales Borderlands and the remote Berwyn Mountains to the south.

Things To Do In Llangollen

Llangollen is a small town next to the loud rapids of the Dee, which is spanned by the fine medieval stone arched Llangollen Bridge. The scant – yet romantic – ruins of Dinas Bran Castle are a stiff uphill walk away, as is one of the best sections of the entire Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail, which runs coast to coast from North to South Wales. This runs high above the romantic ruin of Valle Crucis Abbey, one of the most atmospheric in Wales.

The best thing to see in the town is Plas Newydd, a delightful black-and-white half-timbered house in extensive gardens. It was once home to the famous Ladies of Llangollen, Sarah Ponsonby and Eleanor Butler, who lived there for many years, attracting famous visitors including Shelley, Byron and Wordsworth.

Four miles downstream from Llangollen, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, carries the Llangollen Canal high above the Dee Valley. It’s one of the most impressive bridges in Europe, and in 2009 was designated the third UNESCO World Heritage Site in Wales.   

See Also: Things To Do In Llangollen

Places To Visit Near Llangollen

Llangollen is ideal for exploring North East Wales, one of the most overlooked parts of the country, and also venturing south along the border with England or to the remote moorland of the Berwyn Mountains.

National Trust-owned Chirk Castle is a few miles to the west, and Powis Castle, one of the most magnificent in the UK, is an hour’s drive south. The Berwyn Mountains are incredibly remote – I’ve never seen a soul while walking there – but they are a great vantage point over North Wales.

You could also catch the Llangollen Steam Railway ten miles west to Corwen, and visit two remarkable churches there –  Rug Chapel and Llangar Church, both of which are run by Cadw.

Staycation Wales – Mid Wales

Brecon Beacons

The Brecon Beacons are a series of mountains – and ranges – between the formerly industrial South Wales and the rural heart of Mid Wales. The main Brecon Beacons range is immediately to the south of the town of Brecon, with the moorland of the Black Mountain to the west and the steep ridges of the Black Mountains to the east, reaching the English border.

Things To Do In The Brecon Beacons

The Beacons are enormously popular with hikers, from occasional ramblers taking on the quick route up the highest peak, Pen y Fan, to aficionados tackling multiple summits in a day. The terrain is very diverse, and as well as the windswept ridges and summits there are also plenty of rivers, particularly in the limestone valleys of Waterfall Country in the south of the National Park.

The area is rich in history, from Carreg Cennen Castle in the far west to the stunning ruins of Llanthony Priory in the east, just inside the border with England.

There are also several great towns in the Brecon Beacons, including Hay-on-Wye, Brecon and the lovely Crickhowell, on the River Usk below the Black Mountains.  

Day Trips From The Brecon Beacons

Much of southern Wales is within easy reach of the Beacons, including Cardiff, the Gower Peninsula and everywhere in between. Mid Wales, including the Elan Valley and Aberystwyth, are a longer but manageable drive too.

New Quay and Cardigan Bay

New Quay – not to be confused with its Cornish near-namesake – is one of the best seaside resorts in Wales. It’s on the Cardigan Bay coast, close to a string of superb beaches and a pod of bottlenose dolphins which reside a few miles along the coast.

Things To Do In New Quay

New Quay – Cei Newydd – is the one seaside town in Wales to give Tenby a run for its money in the picturesqueness stakes. There are two beaches in the town, and the Harbour Beach is the pick of these. The colourful streets of the town run like ribbons above the beach, a gorgeous sight.

Apart from indulging in the usual British seaside pleasures – especially ice cream and fish and chips, both of which are extremely good here – one of the most popular things to do in New Quay Wales is to take a boat trip down the Ceredigion coast to spot the resident dolphins and porpoises. You’re just as likely to see Atlantic grey seals basking in the tiny hidden coves.

The town was also briefly home to Welsh poet and writer Dylan Thomas, and is believed to be the inspiration for Llareggub, the setting for his play for voices, Under Milk Wood.

Places To Visit Near New Quay

The elegant Georgian town of Aberaeron is just four miles (6 km) up the coast, and has a pretty harbour and a couple of pebble beaches to entice you. The food at the Harbourmaster is also excellent.

Several of the best Cardigan Bay beaches can be found to the south of New Quay, including Llangrannog, Tresaith and Penbryn. Mwnt beach is another favourite, just a few miles along the coast from the town of Cardigan, which has been rejuvenated somewhat after the restoration and opening of its 13^th century Castle.

Otherwise, the Cambrian Mountains and the wilds of Mid Wales beckon to the east. Or there’s Pembrokeshire to the south-west or Aberystwyth to the north.

Cambrian Mountains

If you’re contemplating a staycation Wales has so many hidden places to discover, and the Cambrian Mountains is one of the least explored areas of all. It’s sometimes called the Green Desert of Wales, though the Empty Quarter of Wales is perhaps more apt. Most of it consists of moorland, forestry or lakes, and you could walk for days across this beautiful area of Wales while scarcely seeing another soul.

Things To Do In The Cambrian Mountains

The Elan Valley reservoirs are the best-known part of the Cambrian Mountains – a series of lakes and dams built to supply the English city of Birmingham with water. You can do a 20-mile circuit drive from the Mid Wales town of Rhayader, or extend your scenic route down to Cwmystwyth and Devils Bridge, terminus of the Vale of Rheidol Railway from Aberystwyth.

Plynlimon is the highest peak in the Cambrian range, offering up superb views of Mid Wales and Cadair Idris for the few who make it to the summit. This is one of the most rewarding hikes in the Cambrian range, as is the section of Glyndwr’s Way long distance trail from Llanidloes past Llyn Clywedog to Machynlleth.

There are also several great driving routes through the Cambrian Mountains, from the 20-mile Abergwesyn Pass from Tregaron to Llanwrtyd Wells to the B4518 and minor road run from Llanidloes to near-deserted Dylife.

Places To Visit From The Cambrian Mountains

Most of the Cambrian Coast – from the fringes of Snowdonia to Pembrokeshire – are within reach, especially Aberystwyth, Aberaeron and New Quay.  

Aberystwyth

Aberystwyth is one of the highlights of the Mid Wales coast, a university town by the sea and by far the most cosmopolitan place in this part of the world. It’s ideal for venturing in either direction along the coast or inland to the Cambrian Mountains or southern Snowdonia.

Things To Do In Aberystwyth

Aberystwyth seafront is the place to start, with two beaches, one of a few piers left in Wales, one of Edward I’s 13^th century castles and the extraordinary Old College, a Gothic Revival masterpiece that could have been lifted straight out of a Bohemian forest.

It’s also well worth making the climb – on foot or by the Cliff Railway – up Constitution Hill, for the views along the coast or a visit to the Camera Obscura.

Aber is very much the cultural capital of Mid Wales, and the National Library of Wales, up on Penglais Hill next to the main university campus, is an outstanding place to visit. Aberystwyth is also well blessed with pubs catering to the student population, giving it an eternally young feel.

Places To Visit Near Aberystwyth

Seaside towns like New Quay and Aberaeron to the south are easily reached, as is Borth to the north. Borth is a one-street village straggling along the road parallel to the excellent beach , which, at exceptionally low tides, reveals its amazing secret, the remains of a petrified forest.  Ynyslas, the northern continuation of Borth beach, has exceptional sand dunes and walks along the estuary looking across to Aberdovey.

The Cambrian Mountains are also on Aber’s doorstep, and you can take the wonderful narrow-gauge Vale of Rheidol Railway up to Devils Bridge.   

Hay-on-Wye

Hay-on-Wye is the second-hand bookshop capital of the world and a wonderful place to get lost in literature at any time of year. It’s also close to some gorgeous countryside across the border in Herefordshire and up in the Black Mountains, the easternmost redoubt of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Things To Do In Hay-on-Wye

Many come to Hay for the annual Hay Literary Festival or, at other times of year, for the books.  The heyday of Hay – when there were over 50 bookshops – is some way in the past, but there are still 15-20 and you could easily lose yourself browsing there for days.

There are other things to do in Hay-on-Wye besides shopping for books. Hay Castle has just been restored and been re-opened as a centre for literature and learning. Or you can go canoeing on the river Wye down as far as Glasbury, four miles upstream.

Places To Visit Near Hay-on-Wye

Hay is 20 miles (32 km) from the cathedral city of Hereford, and the county has several beautiful Black and White Villages, with many centuries-old half-timbered houses.

It is also close to the Black Mountains and Llanthony Valley, which you can reach via the Gospel Pass road that runs beneath the summit of Hay Bluff. This valley is one of the most beautiful places in Wales, with two wonderful country churches (at Capel-y-Ffin and Cwmyoy) and the wondrous ruins of Llanthony Priory.

The rest of the Brecon Beacons is within a half-hour drive of Hay, and the Elan Valley and Cambrian Mountains are just over an hour away.

Staycation Wales – West Wales

St David’s

St David’s is the smallest city in the UK and second smallest in Europe after the Vatican City. This unlikely city in the far west of Wales has a population of less than 2,000, but its Cathedral is the spiritual centre of Welsh Christianity, and its sublime coastline draws beach lovers and hikers alike.

What To Do In St Davids

The one place in St David’s that everyone should see is the Cathedral, which dates from the 12^th to 16^th centuries and stands on the site of a monastery founded by St David, patron saint of Wales. It’s the finest church in Wales, its simple exterior hiding away some extraordinary architectural wealth within, from the wooden nave roof to the central tower vault.

The ruined building across the Alun stream is the St Davids Bishops Palace, a very substantial residence for the wealthiest bishops in Wales dating from the 13^th century.

Most other things to do in St Davids are along the coast. Whitesands Bay and Caerfai Bay are superb beaches, both within two miles of the city. Just along from Caerfai Bay, serene St Non’s Bay is the presumed location of the birth of St David. His mother, St Non, is another prominent Celtic saint, revered as far away as Brittany, and there’s a beautiful, simple stone chapel dedicated to her, as well as the ruin of a medieval chapel and holy well.

These all sit just above the magnificent cliffs which are the birthplace of coasteering, a far from serene activity involving clambering around sea cliffs and jumping into the water. This activity has spread elsewhere around Pembrokeshire, Wales and indeed the world, but this is where it all started.

Places To Visit Near St David’s

You can reach most of Pembrokeshire from St Davids, and we’ve written more about the county as a staycation Wales destination in the following section. 

Pembrokeshire

The westernmost county of Wales has everything – gorgeous beaches, some of the best coastal scenery in Europe, wildlife, beautiful towns, attractions geared towards families and kids, not to mention several great castles and thousands of years of history, including the source of the stones used at Stonehenge.

Things To Do In Pembrokeshire

Tenby and St David’s are tremendous staycation destinations, but there’s much more to Pembrokeshire to explore.  North Pembrokeshire is the less explored, wilder part of the county, and the hike from Newport (Pembrokeshire) to St Dogmaels is one of the most dramatic in the whole of the UK.

The nearby Preseli Hills are also part of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, and these long ridges supplied he stones that were used in Stonehenge – indeed, it is now believed that the Preseli Hills may have been the original site of the stone circle, which would then have been moved to its present site in Wiltshire some time later.

The Pembrokeshire Coast has a great many more treasures, from the wide open sands of Newgale and Freshwater West, both beloved of surfers, to sandy coves like Porthmelgan, close to St David’s Head, or Skrinkle Haven near Tenby.

Add in a few treasures like the humble stone St Govan’s Chapel, at the foot of a cliff, and Abereiddi, with its famous Blue Lagoon and hidden beach at Traeth Llyfn, and you have one of the best staycation UK destinations on your hands.     

Staycation Wales – South Wales

Cardiff

Our old hometown is by far the best place to visit if you’re looking for city breaks in Wales. The capital of Wales is by far its biggest and most cosmopolitan city, its cultural hub and home to two of the best museums in Wales.  It also plays host to many major sporting events, including Wales rugby internationals.

Things To Do in Cardiff

Don’t miss Cardiff Castle, the best-preserved of the many castles in South Wales, with its sumptuous, unique Victorian interiors.  And while you’re in the city centre, visit some of the gorgeous Edwardian arcades, home to many of the best independent shops in Cardiff.

Also visit the National Museum Cardiff, which tells you the story of the Evolution of Wales, and is home to one of the best collections of Impressionist paintings outside France, including one of Monet’s rare Venice sunsets.

Or take a 20-minute bus ride from the city centre to the remarkable St Fagans National Museum of History, which has a collection of historic buildings from around the country, each painstakingly rebuilt.  It’s one of the best museums we’ve visited anywhere in the world.

Cardiff Bay is very close to the city centre, built on the site of the former docks. It’s a bit of a mish-mash with a collection of chain bars and restaurants, pleasant enough for an evening by the waterfront. The highlight is undoubtedly the Wales Millennium Centre, one of the great landmarks of Wales and finest concert venues in the UK.

Check out our guide to all 6 Cities in Wales.

Around Cardiff

Check out our Day Trips From Cardiff feature for over 30 suggestions. These include the likes of Castell Coch, Caerphilly Castle, the Wye Valley and Gower Peninsula.

Vale of Glamorgan

The Vale is right on Cardiff’s doorstep and, if you’re driving, makes for a wonderful Welsh staycation, Its mixture of sandy beaches, spectacular coastal scenery and bucolic inland country lanes can make for a quiet break away, but with the M4 motorway running along its northern edge you can branch out and explore further very quickly.  

Things To Do In The Vale Of Glamorgan

The Vale is perhaps best-known for Barry Island, the setting for the famous TV comedy Gavin and Stacey. Its main beach is one of the most popular family day trip destinations in South Wales, and the funfair and amusement arcades behind give you a flavour of the traditional British seaside.

Penarth overlooks Cardiff Bay,and has its own beach and recently renovated Pier. It’s very different in feel to Barry, and a quiet base from where you can catch the train down the hill to Cardiff.

We have always loved the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, a series of bays backed by stunning stratified cliffs – especially Nash Point and Southerndown – with some great walks along the tops.

Inland, you’ll find several beautiful old villages, lovely Dyffryn Gardens, a few small medieval castles and the beautiful old town of Llantwit Major and the splendid St Illtud’s Church, one of the finest churches in Wales.

Places To Visit Near The Vale of Glamorgan

Most of South Wales is within easy reach from the Vale – Cardiff, Swansea, Gower, the Valleys, the Brecon Beacons.

Wye Valley

The most popular and scenic stretch of the Wye Valley runs south from Hereford to the Bristol Channel, and the river forms the border between Wales and England for much of its final run to the sea. It’s a beautiful forested area, ideal for a South Wales staycation with time for plenty of forays across the border.

Things To Do In The Wye Valley

The Wye Valley was the birthplace of British tourism.   The first package tours – in the late 18^th century – were a slow two-day trip down the river from Ross-on-Wye to Chepstow, with stops along the way to sketch or paint picturesque scenes.

Hereford makes a great place to start – it’s one of the most underrated cities in Europe, but is home to one of the finest cathedrals in England, with the extraordinary Mappa Mundi, a 13^th century map of the world. One of the best Wye Valley viewpoints, Symonds Yat, is a short drive south near the Welsh border.

Monmouth is one of the most intriguing towns in Wales, with the unique fortified Monnow Bridge the one must-see in Monmouth. From there, the Ä466 winds along the contours of the river, eventually reaching the amazing Gothic ruin of Tintern Abbey, one of the greatest landmarks in Wales.

Chepstow Castle is a few miles south, overlooking the tidal river and border.

Day Trips From The Wye Valley

The Wye Valley is close to many great places to visit in England as well as Wales. The Forest of Dean and Gloucester – one of the finest landmarks in England – are very close by, while the Cotswolds are an hour’s drive.

On the Welsh side, the rural county of Monmouthshire, the cities of Newport and Cardiff and the Brecon Beacons National Park are also within easy reach by car.