Barry

Travel Guide

A row of colorful beach huts with stone walls in the background.
A bridge with balustrades overlooking a waterfront during sunset.
A rocky shoreline with a beach and a distant view of a town.
A sandy beach with rocky outcrops and a row of houses on a cliff.
A sandy beach with gentle waves, a rocky breakwater, and a clear blue sky.

Barryis the largest town in Wales.It is packed full of maritime and industrial history, but most visitors know itbest for the seaside resort of BarryIsland that sits at its southern tip. Barry is far from beingall beach, beach, beach, but, if its sand, fun and amusements you seek, it canprovide it by the bucketful!

Barryis located just 5 miles west of Cardiff Airport in the Vale of Glamorgan. Youcan almost smell the fresh sea air as your plane touches down into the airport,and it won’t be long before you are feeling the sand between your toes.

For Those Whodo Like to be Beside the Seaside

Blessed with beautifully spacious sandy beaches atWhitmore Bay, Jackson Bay and the Old Harbour, Barry also boasts a delightfullylong pebbled beach that stretches all the way from Knap Point to the mostsouthern point of mainland Wales.This stretch of the coast has a phenomenal tidal range of 15 metres, whichmakes for plenty of room to enjoy the sand.

The young, and the young at heart, will love Barry Island. It’s theperfect place to take in the sun, build a sandcastle, fly a kite, treatyourself to ice-creams, gorge yourself on candy floss and enjoy the promenade,adventure golf courses, amusements, shops and funfair rides.

The south-facing beach of Whitmore Bay ranks as one ofthe finest in Wales,with its sweeping crescent of perfectly golden sand. What’s more it is easilyaccessible to wheelchair users and protected from the roads by a widepromenade, so children can play quite safely here. 

Barry Island:Home to Gavin & Stacey

Fans of the hit BBC TV show Gavin & Stacey candiscover ‘what’s occurring’ (and seewhere it occurred) on tours around the town. You can take in all the famouslocations, from Gavin’s  home in TrinityStreet to the ‘slots’ arcade where Nessa worked, and relive all your favouritemoments.

Barry Beyondthe Beach

For sporting fans there are three fantastic eighteenhole golf courses nearby and many live football and rugby matches just a shorttrip away in Cardiff.

Nature lovers will enjoy the Welsh Hawking Centre,where there are more than 200 birds of prey, or taking a walk throughPorthkerry Country Park, which offers the tranquillity of 220 acres of woodlandand meadows. Sheltered in in a valley that gradually winds its way down to asecluded pebble beach flanked by spectacular cliffs, the park offers a realchance to get away from it all.

Enjoy Barry

With its industrial and maritime heritage, stunningbeaches, scenic walks, bustling seaside and sporting facilities Barry offers a lot ofsomething for everyone. Fancy a trip?

Where to stay in Barry

Find the best Barry areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most.

Saint Athan

The fantastic nightlife and popular shops are just a few highlights of Saint Athan. Make a stop by Watch House Beach or Limpert Bay while you're exploring the area.

Rhoose

Rhoose is noteworthy for its bars, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Watch House Beach and Porthkerry Country Park.

Llancarfan

While Llancarfan isn't home to many top sights, Barry Island Beach and Barry Island Pleasure Park are some notable places to visit nearby.

The Knap

Though The Knap might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Barry Island Beach and Barry Island Pleasure Park.

Cadoxton

While Cadoxton isn't home to many top sights, Barry Island Pleasure Park and Barry Island Beach are some notable places to visit nearby.

Celtic International Hotel Cardiff Airport

Celtic International Hotel Cardiff Airport

3 out of 5
Port Road Barry Wales
The price is P4,289 per night from Jul 12 to Jul 13
P4,289
P5,146 total
Jul 12 - Jul 13
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Barry. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (802 reviews)
"Enjoyable stay, even sorted out lost room keys quickly"

Reviewed on Jul 4, 2026

Celtic International Hotel Cardiff Airport
The Mount Rooms

The Mount Rooms

4 out of 5
Porthkerry Road Barry Wales
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Barry. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,005 reviews)
"Everything was on top quality and staff verry nice and helpfull."

Reviewed on Jul 7, 2026

The Mount Rooms
The Angel Hotel

The Angel Hotel

3 out of 5
Castle Street Cardiff Wales
The price is P3,938 per night from Aug 9 to Aug 10
P3,938
P4,726 total
Aug 9 - Aug 10
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Cardiff. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (3,260 reviews)
"Great location, friendly staff, reasonable price, cool building"

Reviewed on Jul 7, 2026

The Angel Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Goodstay Apartments by Urban Space

Goodstay Apartments by Urban Space

4 out of 5
Hood Road Barry Wales
Stay at this apartment in Barry. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and furnished patios. Popular attractions Barry Island Beach and Cardiff Bay are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (33 reviews)
"We didn’t like the fact that there was no one on site to talk to. We didn’t get fresh towels even though we stayed for 6 nights. The TV in the bedroom was broken and some of the cutlery was dirty. At the end of the stay we had to take all our rubbish to bins at the end of the street. We wouldn’t ..."

Reviewed on Jun 27, 2026

Goodstay Apartments by Urban Space
The Spires Serviced Apartments Cardiff

The Spires Serviced Apartments Cardiff

3 out of 5
10 Cathedral Rd Cardiff Wales
Stay at this apartment in Cardiff. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (324 reviews)
"Unfortunately, the parking did present a problem having a large car. However reception were great and allowed us to park in an easier space. The room was smaller than expected. The window did not lock shut so had to be left open. The room could have done with a better clean as there were old crisps ..."

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2026

The Spires Serviced Apartments Cardiff
Quay Apartments Clarence House

Quay Apartments Clarence House

3.5 out of 5
Clarence Place Newport Wales
Stay at this apartment in Newport. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Celtic Manor Resort Golf Club and Riverfront ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (153 reviews)
"Nice evening Newport not so nice Would stay again if needed to"

Reviewed on Jun 29, 2026

Quay Apartments Clarence House
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Stay near popular Barry attractions

Things to do