Things to do in South Wales

Activities, attractions and tours

Visit South Wales

Types of activities

Where to stay

South Wales Travel Guide

Bracelet Bay Beach featuring rugged coastline, a bay or harbor and landscape views

Neath featuring a ruin, a park and heritage elements

Swansea featuring general coastal views, a sunset and boating

Swansea featuring street scenes and night scenes

Rhossili Beach showing a sandy beach and landscape views

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Top places to visit

1. Principality Stadium

Opened in June 1999 complete with the first fully retractable roof in the UK, it has hosted some of the world’s most famous sporting events as well as concerts featuring the biggest entertainers in show business, from Take That, One Direction and Oasis to Madonna, Rihanna and Beyoncé.

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Millennium Stadium featuring a river or creek and modern architecture

2. Brecon Beacons National Park

The park is made up of 519 square miles of mountain ranges, river valleys, rolling hills, forests, lakes, waterfalls and hidden caves. In among this stunning natural beauty, you will also find some of Wales’ most colourful towns, pubs, farmers’ markets and Michelin-starred restaurants. The quaint village of Llanddewi Skirrid near Abergavenny is particularly worth a visit.

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Brecon Beacons National Park which includes a waterfall, a lake or waterhole and rainforest

3. Tenby Beach

While all of these beaches are worth exploring, it’s Harbour Beach, at the rear of the harbour, which offers the best protection from the wind and must be considered one of the most child-friendly beach destinations in Pembrokeshire. Recently named the finest beach in Europe, Harbour won out over competitors from Portugal, Croatia and Italy. Considered the jewel in the crown of Pembrokeshire’s tourism portfolio, it’s postcard-perfect, if a little crowded during peak season.

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4. Cardiff Castle

A 12-sided medieval keep offering panoramic views across the city from a platform at its top is at the castle’s heart, but the site is also full of later additions that capture the imagination. Fabulous mock-Gothic features, including an extravagant banqueting hall and clock tower, were added during the Victorian era.

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Cardiff Castle which includes heritage architecture, heritage elements and a castle

5. Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Established in 1952 and covering 240 square miles of spectacular landscape, it is Britain’s only predominantly sea-based national park. Dolphins, porpoises, whales and seals are a common sight in the crystal blue coastal waters, while the cliffs and islands are home to vitally important breeding populations of sea birds.

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Pembrokeshire Coast National Park which includes farmland

6. Barry Island Beach

Sun worshippers have been flocking here since Victorian times to what is essentially a small island, though joined now to the mainland since 1896 by a small pier. The site of a Butlins holiday camp during the 1960’s, Barry Beach is perfect for families, with its signature calling card being Barry Island Pleasure Park. Come here for crowds, candy floss and sticks of rock, the scream of the rollercoaster and the thump of the dodgems.

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Aerial panorama of Barry Island, Wales, UK

7. Cardiff University

One of the UK’s major teaching and research universities, in its 2014 University Guide the Sunday Times described Cardiff as “the acknowledged leader of higher education in Wales”. The previous year it hailed it as a “powerhouse of academic and research excellence”.

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Main building of Cardiff University - Wales; Shutterstock ID 289260233; purchase_order: Comps; job: ; client: ; other:

What to do in South Wales

Popular places to visit

Principality Stadium

The spiritual home of Welsh rugby, the Principality Stadiumin Cardiff is one of the most famous sporting arenas on the planet, envied the world over for its cauldron-like atmosphere and state-of-the-art facilities.

Wales Millennium Centre showing a city, modern architecture and a square or plaza

Cardiff Bay

Explore the waterfront in Cardiff with a trip to Cardiff Bay. Discover the top-notch restaurants and acclaimed theater scene in this relaxing area.

Tenby Beach

Visitors to Wales are often staggered by quite how picturesque it can be here and nowhere more so than at Tenby, probably the most iconic seaside town in the country. Tenby Beach is the generic name given to not one but four of its beaches, all of which offer sheltered, deep blue water and outstanding views.

Cardiff Castle

Located in the heart of the city centre, Cardiff Castle is one of Wales’ most important cultural attractions. A rich history spanning 2,000 years is contained within its walls and fairytale-style towers.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Running the length of the beautiful coastline of south-west Wales, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park takes in rugged cliffs, craggy offshore islands, fabulous beaches, pretty moorland hills and an amazingly diverse range of wildlife.

Barry Island Beach

If you’re looking for a quintessential Welsh seaside experience, look no further than Barry Beach in the picturesque Vale of Glamorgan.

Cardiff University

Founded by Royal Charter in 1883 and located in the heart of the thriving Welsh capital, Cardiff University has built an international reputation for the quality of its work.

Three Cliffs Bay Beach

Why not spend a carefree afternoon at Three Cliffs Bay Beach during your travels in Swansea? Stroll along the marina in this quaint area, or check out its lively bars.

Utilita Arena Cardiff

Cardiff Motorpoint Arena is located on Mary Ann Street in the heart of Cardiff. It was opened in 1993 and is the largest purpose-built facility for staging exhibitions and concerts in South Wales.

Areas of South Wales

Cardiff which includes modern architecture, a statue or sculpture and a city

Cardiff City Centre

The fantastic nightlife and popular shops are just a few highlights of Cardiff City Centre. Make a stop by St. David's or Utilita Arena Cardiff while you're exploring the area.

Castle Quarter

The fantastic nightlife and popular shops are just a few highlights of Castle Quarter. Make a stop by Cardiff Market or St. David's while you're exploring the area.

Butetown

The ample dining options and luxurious spas are top of the list for many visitors to Butetown. A stop by Wales Millennium Centre or Cardiff Bay Water Feature might round out your trip.