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 Hall 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 St. David's Hall to Cardiff Market – discover Castle Quarter, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Castle Quarter
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
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
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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
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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
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! (2,562 reviews)
"An older hotel without bells and whistles but with plenty of style and character. Rooms were clean and comfy with basic necessities, staff were accessible and friendly, and the location was in convenient walking distance to many things downtown."

Reviewed on 12 Aug 2025

The Angel Hotel
Celtic Manor Resort

Celtic Manor Resort

5 out of 5
Chepstow Road, Coldra Wood, Newport, Wales
The price is €125 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
€125
25 Aug - 26 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Newport. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 indoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,303 reviews)
"Great"

Reviewed on 12 Aug 2025

Celtic Manor Resort
Hotel Indigo Cardiff by IHG

Hotel Indigo Cardiff by IHG

4 out of 5
Dominions Arcade Queen Street, Glamorgan, Cardiff, Wales
The price is €92 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
€92
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Cardiff. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 bars/lounges, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,448 reviews)
"Excellent"

Reviewed on 10 Aug 2025

Hotel Indigo Cardiff by IHG
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! (267 reviews)
"Great location, friendly staff, only stayed one night. Daughter has dietary needs so kitchen was a bonus"

Reviewed on 1 Aug 2025

The Spires Serviced Apartments Cardiff
Yugo Explore - Arofan House

Yugo Explore - Arofan House

2 out of 5
Vere Street, Cardiff, Wales
Stay at this aparthotel in Cardiff. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Cardiff Castle and Principality Stadium ...
7.8/10 Good! (50 reviews)
"Love it"

Reviewed on 30 Jul 2025

Yugo Explore - Arofan House
Newport Student Village - Campus Accommodation

Newport Student Village - Campus Accommodation

4 out of 5
Usk Way, Endeavour House, Newport, Wales
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Newport. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Friars Walk Newport and Newport ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (210 reviews)
"friendly staff, nice clean rooms, easy access to trains/buses/town/shopping"

Reviewed on 19 Jul 2025

Newport Student Village - Campus Accommodation
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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