South Wales

Travel Guide

South Wales
South Wales
South Wales
South Wales
South Wales

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 aerial view panorama in Wales capital cityscape 360 panoramic skyline feat. River Taff, Principality Stadium, Cardiff Castle, famous landmarks and city center downtown streets from above in UK

Cardiff City Centre

4/5(895 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
Castle Quarter

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
Castle

Castle

4/5(233 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
Big Wheel, Pier head building and ferris building located in Mermaid Quay of Cardiff Bay - Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom at Night

Butetown

4/5(276 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
Grangetown

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
St. Thomas

St. Thomas

4/5(88 area reviews)

St. Thomas is well liked for its restaurants, and you can visit sights like Dylan Thomas Centre and Maritime Quarter if you have time to explore the area.

St. Thomas
Delta Hotels by Marriott Swansea

Delta Hotels by Marriott Swansea

4 out of 5
Maritime Quarter Swansea Wales
The price is €102 per night from 25 Jun to 26 Jun
€102
25 Jun - 26 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Swansea. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a beach locale and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (626 reviews)
"Hotel staff were always been very helpful from the front desk to restaurant. I am immensely impressed with their professionalism and humbleness. The breakfast was plentiful and varieties to pick. Only down site-fridge in our room no.102 was not working."

Reviewed on 29 May 2026

Delta Hotels by Marriott Swansea
The Parkgate Hotel

The Parkgate Hotel

4 out of 5
Westgate Street Cardiff Wales
The price is €140 per night from 7 Jun to 8 Jun
€140
7 Jun - 8 Jun
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 breakfast and the restaurant in their ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,795 reviews)
"Emily at the desk was amazing! Helpful in every way. Hghly recommend the Parkgate for a Cardiff stay."

Reviewed on 29 May 2026

The Parkgate Hotel
The Angel Hotel

The Angel Hotel

3 out of 5
Castle Street Cardiff Wales
The price is €66 per night from 7 Jun to 8 Jun
€66
7 Jun - 8 Jun
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! (3,165 reviews)
"Great staff and very clean. A bit dated and no Aircon in our superior double room but the shower was very good. Lovely comfy bed and a great night sleep. Breakfast was fresh and hot. Not much not to like. The location is central for sports and shopping"

Reviewed on 29 May 2026

The Angel 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.
 Park Lane Aparthotel

Park Lane Aparthotel

4 out of 5
23-24 Park Place Cardiff Wales
Stay at this apartment in Cardiff. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, meeting facilities and housekeeping. Popular attractions Cardiff Castle and Principality Stadium are located ...
7.6/10 Good! (70 reviews)
"The staff was great, amazing and effective communication throughout the stay. The room was quaint and cozy and close to everything I needed. Also loved having laundry on site. Remember, it is still a hotel, so the beds aren't the most comfortable and the water temp and pressure took some adjustment, ..."

Reviewed on 27 May 2026

Park Lane Aparthotel
Quay Apartments Clarence House

Quay Apartments Clarence House

3.5 out of 5
Clarence Place Newport Wales
Stay at this apartment in Newport. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (147 reviews)
"Good spacious one bedroom apartment. Booked for 2 adults and 1 child, but not clear that no bed or sofabed is provided for the 3rd person. Mattress and bedding can be provided for additional fee. Early check in subject to availability. No messages responded to via hotel.com messaging service however ..."

Reviewed on 29 Mar 2026

Quay Apartments Clarence House
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (319 reviews)
"There was everything we needed in the Apartment"

Reviewed on 15 May 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.

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