Top 10 Places to Visit in South Wales on a Road trip

South Wales is a breathtaking part of the country, home to two national parks. In this blog, we’re highlighting 10 places to visit in South Wales, perfect for any road trip! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Heads up, this list is perfect for nature lovers! While we’re all about the great outdoors, if you’re after city attractions, this might not be the guide for you. 🌿

And if you're looking to map out a 2-week road trip, don't forget to check out our 2 week road trip route through South Wales.

👉 Discover South Wales: Mountains and Coast

1. Wales’ Waterfall County 💧

Imagine a place where waterfalls cascade through forests, the air is fresh and the sound of tumbling water fills the air. Welcome to Waterfall County in South Wales. This region is home to several awesome waterfall trails, with the Four Waterfalls Trail being the most well-known.

The clue is in the name, there are four falls to visit on this hike and you can even walk behind one of them, which is a pretty cool experience. It’s an easy route to follow as it’s well signposted but you can also find the route on Alltrails, and don’t forget good footwear for this hike.

If you're craving a quieter waterfall experience, the Elidir Trail will take you to another four magnificent falls. We loved this hike even more than the other and we did it in Autumn so the autumn colours were in full force as well as the waterfalls. 

For an easy-to-reach gem, visit Henrhyd Falls, just a short stroll from the parking area. It’s flat, accessible, and you can even walk behind the falls, how cool is that?

The best part is that waterfalls really are great no matter what season it is: visit in autumn, winter or spring, you’re guaranteed more powerful waterfalls due to more rainfall, visit in summer and you might even want to get in for a swim. Waterfalls might be one of the only outdoor activities that is made better by rain!

2. Visit South Wales’ Mountains in the Brecon Beacons ⛰️

Brecon Beacons is one of South Wales’ national parks, home to the tallest peak in the region, Pen y Fan.  This is a popular hike which is almost guaranteed to be busy, even on a wet and miserable day. But it is a beauty. For a more challenging hike, tackle the Brecon horseshoe, a circuit that takes you over Corn Du, Pen y Fan, Cribyn, and Fan y Big. 

Close by you can also visit Talybont reservoir, which is one of our favourite places in the Beacon’s. The area also boasts several lovely hikes, including the stunning Blaen y Glyn waterfalls.

3. A Welsh National Icon: Tintern abbey

Tintern Abbey, an iconic Welsh landmark on the banks of the River Wye, is a unique place to visit in South Wales. Though it was left in a roofless state due to Henry VIII's dissolution of monasteries in 1536, it still stands as a spectacular Gothic ruin to wander around. Take your time exploring the site and soaking in its history.

Not far from the Abbey, you’ll find Eagle’s Nest, a viewpoint offering incredible vistas over the Wye Valley.

4. The Welsh Capital: Cardiff 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

No visit to South Wales would be complete without a visit to Cardiff, the vibrant capital city. Explore Cardiff Castle in the city centre, stroll around Cardiff Bay, and enjoy a meal at one of the many waterfront restaurants and bars. A city break with a mix of culture and beautiful waterfront views, Cardiff is a must-see.

5. One of Wales’ Most Beautiful Beaches: Rhosilli Bay

Rhossili Bay, often hailed as one of the most beautiful beaches in South Wales (and the entire UK), is an essential stop in South Wales. Best of all for dog owners, the beach was even named ‘The UK’s No.1 dog-friendly beach’ by The Times! We’ve never actually visited since we had a dog but she loves the beach so we’ll definitely be visiting again with her.

At low tide, the beach stretches out for miles, and you can even walk across the bay to Llangennith or onto Worm’s Head. You can also reach Rhossili as part of the Gower Coastal Path 

6. Stroll along 7 miles of beach at Pendine Sands

Pendine Sands, a huge, 7 mile, sandy beach in Camarthen Bay. It is a popular resort beach because it is backed by Pendine Sands Holiday Park, however, if you visit out of season it doesn't feel like that at all.  We chose to walk the coastal path to Gilman Point, which gave us amazing views of Pendine Sands along the way, but the beach itself is also perfect for a walk because you can walk for miles and miles!

7. Cliff jump at the Blue Lagoon, Abereiddi 

The Blue Lagoon in Abereiddi, as the name suggests, is a vibrant blue lagoon surrounded by rugged rocks. Formerly a slate quarry for St Brides Slate Company active until 1910. The amazing blue colour of the water is due to the slate. 

This is a really popular spot for cliff jumping in the summer after it received a lot of attention from Red Bull events. It’s also a great place for coasteering or coastal walks.

We particularly like the coastal walk from the Blue Lagoon to Traeth Llyf, a stunning beach only accessed on foot. You can also start from the other side of the coast by Porthgain, parking next to the Sloop Inn and then walk to Traeth Llyf and the Blue lagoon. 

8. Surf at the best beach in South Wales: Whitesands 🏄

Known for some of the best waves in the UK, Whitesands is ideal for surfers. Fine white sands and the rocky headland of St Davids head, this is a beautiful beach. However, it can get pretty busy in the summer season. Usually, surfers are at the northern end of the beach and the southern end is a bit quieter with some more sheltered bays. 

There are dog restrictions on the beach from 1st May - 30th September. The good news is you can also walk along the coast to Porthmelgan Beach if you are looking for a quieter beach to enjoy and your dog can accompany you here.  

You can also pitch up right next to the beach at Whitesands Camping. It’s only £10 a night and you can camp with beautiful views over the coast. 

9. Visit the Most Beautiful Coastal Town in Wales: Tenby

Tenby is one of the most popular places in Pembrokeshire, with many people visiting to enjoy its beautiful beaches and the quaint fishing town. There's lots of things to do around Tenby, whether you want to enjoy a walk or swim at the beach, head into the town for a mooch or some food, or head out on a boat trip to Caldey island. 

We really recommend a visit out of season because the beaches are much quieter, but the weather is not always on your side. Castle Beach, located between Tenby's North and South Beach is a wonderful little beach that nearly completely disappears at high tide! St Catherine's island with a fort atop is a unique backdrop. 

10. Symonds Yat and the Wye Valley

Okay, not technically a place to visit in South Wales but it is right on the border of England and Wales and it’s too good to miss off this list. Symonds Yat is a village in the Wye Valley and a popular place to visit for stunning walks and views of the river wye. 

There are lots of walks to choose from and swimming spots or you can get higher up and walk to Symonds Yat Rock, a renowned viewpoint in the Wye Valley, offering panoramic vistas of the River Wye and the surrounding landscape. A beautiful and peaceful place, a must visit when passing by.  

So, there are 10 places to visit in South Wales, whether you’re planning a South Wales road trip or looking for an unforgettable day out, there’s something for everyone! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

What about North Wales, we hear you ask! Check out our blog below for North Wales road trip inspiration.

👉 2 Week North Wales Road Trip