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 Utilita Arena Cardiff – 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 Cardiff Bay Water Feature 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 Pennard Golf Course and Grand Theatre while you're in town.

Castle
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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
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Cathays

4.5/5(5 area reviews)

Cathays is well liked for its museums. If you'd like to do some sightseeing in the greater Cardiff area, you might plan a trip to National Museum Cardiff or Cardiff City Hall.

Cathays
The Angel Hotel

The Angel Hotel

3 out of 5
Castle Street Cardiff Wales
The price is €170 per night from 4 Dec to 5 Dec
€170
4 Dec - 5 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Cardiff. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,769 reviews)
Warm room, comfy bed

Reviewed on 26 Nov 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 €75 per night from 30 Nov to 1 Dec
€75
30 Nov - 1 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Cardiff. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,005 reviews)
Convenient location (a reasonable walking distance to the Principality Stadium - I’d come for the Wales vs New Zealand autumn internationals match), many shopping,” and dining options close by (including high street pedestrianised shopping areas). Staff were friendly and accommodating. Room was fantastic, ...

Reviewed on 28 Nov 2025

Holland House Hotel Cardiff By Sunday
Celtic Manor Resort

Celtic Manor Resort

5 out of 5
Chepstow Road Newport Wales
The price is €129 per night from 3 Dec to 4 Dec
€129
3 Dec - 4 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Newport. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 indoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,336 reviews)
Nice room, clean room, amenities where great and the staff were great.

Reviewed on 24 Nov 2025

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.
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 Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (298 reviews)
I stayed in room 8 very clean, comfortable and quiet, situated at the rear over looking park

Reviewed on 21 Nov 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 apartment in Narberth. Enjoy free parking, furnished balconies and cable TV channels. Popular attractions Battlefield Live Pembrokeshire and Pembrokeshire ...
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
The Studio - 1 Bedroom Cottage - Princes Gate

The Studio - 1 Bedroom Cottage - Princes Gate

3 out of 5
The Studio, Hill House Country Estate, Narberth Wales
Stay at this cottage in Narberth. Enjoy free parking, cable TV channels and premium bedding. Popular attractions Battlefield Live Pembrokeshire and Folly Farm ...
The Studio - 1 Bedroom Cottage - Princes Gate
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.

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