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.

East Aberthaw

While there might not be top attractions in East Aberthaw, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Watch House Beach and Barry Island Beach.

Celtic International Hotel Cardiff Airport

Celtic International Hotel Cardiff Airport

3 out of 5
Port Road Barry Wales
The price is P4,286 per night from Oct 9 to Oct 10
P4,286
P5,143 total
Oct 9 - Oct 10
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! (853 reviews)
"Lovely, friendly staff who will go out of their way to help you. Nice, clean beds and rooms. Everything you need. Would be nice to have a hairdryer in the room instead of having to ask for one, but this is only a minor inconvenience. We didn't use the bar or have breakfast there as we were visiting ..."

Reviewed on Oct 4, 2026

Celtic International Hotel Cardiff Airport
The Mount Rooms

The Mount Rooms

4 out of 5
Porthkerry Road Barry Wales
The price is P3,382 per night from Oct 8 to Oct 9
P3,382
P4,058 total
Oct 8 - Oct 9
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,000 reviews)
"Clean basic room, twin beds were not overly comfortable as felt leaning one way!! But cheap and easy, right by station. Could have used a glass in room to get some water to drink. Overall it was what it said on the tin so to speak!"

Reviewed on Oct 4, 2026

The Mount Rooms
Celtic Manor Resort

Celtic Manor Resort

5 out of 5
Chepstow Road Newport Wales
The price is P10,414 per night from Oct 26 to Oct 27
P10,414
P12,497 total
Oct 26 - Oct 27
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Newport. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 indoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
Celtic Manor Resort
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 Cardiff Bay and Goodsheds are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (35 reviews)
"This was our second time of staying here and again was not disappointed it was clean and tidy and had everything we needed. The only issue was the mattress we feel a new one would be beneficial due to wear"

Reviewed on Sep 5, 2026

Goodstay Apartments by Urban Space
 Park Lane Aparthotel

Park Lane Aparthotel

4 out of 5
23-24 Park Place Cardiff Wales
Stay at this apartment in Cardiff. Enjoy free WiFi, meeting facilities, and housekeeping. Popular attractions Cardiff Castle and Utilita Arena Cardiff are located ...
7.6/10 Good! (89 reviews)
"I was informed two days before my arrival that the property I had booked had a maintenance issue, and I was offered a different property instead. Although the location was not ideal for my purpose, I had to accept it given the short notice. I was then sent the check-in instructions, but they included ..."

Reviewed on Sep 16, 2026

Park Lane Aparthotel
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! (331 reviews)
"We had a very comfortable stay. The bed was really comfortable. The location was excellent for walking in and out of Cardiff centre. The room was clean and we were grateful for the fan. The freezer part of the fridge needed defrosting as the compartment door wasn’t shutting. Otherwise, very ..."

Reviewed on Sep 19, 2026

The Spires Serviced Apartments Cardiff
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