South Wales

Travel Guide

Bracelet Bay Beach showing rugged coastline, a bay or harbour and landscape views
Neath featuring heritage elements, a park and building ruins
Swansea showing boating, general coastal views and a sunset
Swansea showing night scenes and street scenes
Rhossili Beach which includes a sandy beach and landscape views

From short city breaksto a countryside retreat, South Wales has you morethan covered. This area of Wales shares itsborders with England and the Bristol Channel and is home to capital city Cardiffas well as the popular coastal city of Swansea.All this has helped make South Wales the home offantastic Welsh culture, sport and of course entertainment.

From coastal retreatsand spa breaks to a range of budget, boutique and luxury hotels, SouthWales has you covered, with Cardiff and Swansea both particularpopular. Indeed, there’s nothing quite like staying in a Cardiff city centrehotel when there is a Welsh rugby game at the national MillenniumStadium, perfectly located right in the heart of Cardiff.

Cardiff has everything andmore if you wish to make this city the focal point of your stay in SouthWales. With unique attractions, entertainment and shopping allwithin a short walking distance, simply hop onto one of the city’s bus toursand get exploring. An area of Wales that is equally fanatical about football asit is rugby, Cardiff plays host to many popular sporting and musical eventsthroughout the year.

For avid mountain bikers,South Wales has it all, regardless of yourability. South Wales has been a popular spot formountain bikers ever since Dafydd Davies built the first purpose built mountainbike trail in the area. Today the area has close to 600km of purpose built mountainbike trails all with unique views of South Wales.Afan Forest and Cwm Cam are two popular mountain bike centres in the area and agreat base for your mountain bike holiday in South Wales.

A little known factabout Wales is that it has more castles than any other country in Europe. Withover 500 castles, wherever you go on holiday in Wales you will not be too farfrom a castle. In South Wales there are someamazing castles to visit with Raglan Castle, KidwellyCastle and Caerphillyup there among the finest in the country. Indeed Caerphilly is well worth avisit as it is the biggest in Wales and almost completely surrounded by aseries of moats. With interactive videos to offer context and fun activitiesaround the castle, a visit to Caerphilly makes for a great family day out.

A visit to the BigPit National Coal Museum offers something different to do while visitingSouth Wales. Head underground and explore a coal mine, with knowledgeable tourguides on hand this is a truly immersive visitor experience.

Alternatively those ofyou interested in art should be sure to get along to the National Museum &Art Gallery located in Cardiff. Not only popular for its art exhibitions butalso the museums rare collection of dinosaur artefacts and a giantturtle.

If it is the coastalbreak you are after in South Wales then a trip to thecity of Swansea needs to be on your list. Here you will be able to relax on thefantastic Swansea beaches or explore the unspoilt countryside along the coast.Gower Peninsula is a special place to visit when in South Waleswith superb beaches and fantastic sites. The Peninsula was the first place inBritain to be named an area of outstanding natural beauty, a place not just forsunbathers and surfers but birdwatchers also with its many beaches circled withwoodland.

Where to stay in South Wales

Cardiff showing a square or plaza, a statue or sculpture and modern architecture

Cardiff City Centre

4/5(888 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from St. David's to Cardiff International Arena – discover Cardiff City Centre, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Cardiff City Centre
Cardiff showing a square or plaza, a statue or sculpture and modern architecture

Castle Quarter

Cosy bars interesting history and top sights from Cardiff Market to St. David's – discover Castle Quarter, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Castle Quarter
Wales Millennium Centre featuring a square or plaza, modern architecture and a city

Butetown

4/5(275 area reviews)

The abundant dining options and relaxing spas are top of the list for many visitors to Butetown. A stop by Wales Millennium Centre or Mermaid Quay might round out your trip.

Butetown
Swansea showing a bridge and a river or creek

Castle

4/5(231 area reviews)

Castle is known for its lively bars, and you can plan a trip to Grand Theatre and LC Swansea while you're in town.

Castle
Default Image

Pontcanna

4.5/5(70 area reviews)

Bars, historical sites and gardens highlight some of the notable features of Pontcanna. Make a stop by Swalec Stadium while you're exploring.

Pontcanna
Default Image

Grangetown

3.5/5(8 area reviews)

You'll enjoy the bars and live music in Grangetown. You might want to make time for a stop at Cardiff Bay or Cardiff International Sports Village.

Grangetown
The Angel Hotel

The Angel Hotel

3 out of 5
Castle Street, Cardiff, Wales
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Cardiff. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,654 reviews)
"Great location, close to shops, restaurants and bars. Also right opposite the castle and principality stadium, in a quiet location. The room was clean and a good size."

Reviewed on 12 Oct 2025

The Angel Hotel
Holland House Hotel Cardiff By Sunday

Holland House Hotel Cardiff By Sunday

4 out of 5
24-26 Newport Road, Cardiff, Wales
The price is €89 per night from 19 Oct to 20 Oct
€89
19 Oct - 20 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Cardiff. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,005 reviews)
"Rooms were spacious , food excellent. Immaculately clean hotel"

Reviewed on 13 Oct 2025

Holland House Hotel Cardiff By Sunday
Cardiff Marriott Hotel

Cardiff Marriott Hotel

4 out of 5
Mill Lane, Cardiff, Wales
The price is €91 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
€91
26 Oct - 27 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Cardiff. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), 24-hour room service, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,071 reviews)
"Clean room very spacious"

Reviewed on 4 Oct 2025

Cardiff Marriott 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.
The Spires Serviced Apartments Cardiff

The Spires Serviced Apartments Cardiff

3 out of 5
10 Cathedral Rd, Cardiff, Wales
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Cardiff. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (284 reviews)
"Had a great 1 night stay in Cardiff as part of a driving holiday across Wales. Apartment is very conveniently located and has excellent facilities and access to cafes dining and a short walk to Cardiffs Main Street. Brand new and spacious kitchen."

Reviewed on 7 Oct 2025

The Spires Serviced Apartments Cardiff
The Studio - 1 Bedroom Cabin - Amroth

The Studio - 1 Bedroom Cabin - Amroth

3 out of 5
Amroth Bay Holidays, Amroth, Narberth, Wales
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Narberth. Enjoy free parking, furnished balconies, and cable TV channels. Popular attractions Tenby Beach and Battlefield Live ...
9/10 Wonderful! (6 reviews)
"Our experience was good settee was a bit uncomfortable, bed was was great not much room in the bath room"

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

The Studio - 1 Bedroom Cabin - Amroth
Quay Apartments Clarence House

Quay Apartments Clarence House

3.5 out of 5
Clarence Place, Newport, Wales
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Newport. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Friars Walk Newport and Belle ...
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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do