Things to do in South Wales

Activities, attractions and tours

Visit South Wales

Types of activities

Where to stay

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

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Top places to visit

1. Principality Stadium

Watch national and international sporting events, see musical legends perform and go behind the scenes at the Principality Stadium. This is the national stadium of Wales, a 74,500-seat venue that is the home of the Welsh national rugby team.

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Millennium Stadium showing modern architecture and a river or creek

2. Brecon Beacons National Park

Brecon Beacons National Park is an expanse of immeasurable natural beauty. Rugged mountain ranges spill down to valleys while limestone caves and dramatic waterfalls highlight a landscape of flower-filled meadows, forests and grassy hills. Brecon Beacons National Park is a paradise for biking, hiking, horseback riding and touring on canals. Discover more than 250 ancient monuments, villages crowned by castles and designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

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Brecon Beacons National Park showing a lake or waterhole, rainforest and a cascade

3. Cardiff Castle

Cardiff Castle is a medieval stronghold and Victorian Gothic mansion with approximately 2,000 years’ worth of history. The magnificent structure was built on the site of a Roman fort and a Norman castle and during its existence also served as a home, a concert venue and a World War II shelter.

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Cardiff Castle featuring heritage elements, château or palace and heritage architecture

4. Tenby Beach

While all of these beaches are worth exploring, it’s Harbour Beach, at the rear of the harbour, which offers the best protection from the wind and must be considered one of the most child-friendly beach destinations in Pembrokeshire. Recently named the finest beach in Europe, Harbour won out over competitors from Portugal, Croatia and Italy. Considered the jewel in the crown of Pembrokeshire’s tourism portfolio, it’s postcard-perfect, if a little crowded during peak season.

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5. Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Escape to the islands, beaches, cafés and heritage attractions of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The park, situated in the southwest corner of Wales, is a popular destination with families heading to the beach, walkers seeking a scenic challenge and photographers wanting to capture the rugged natural beauty of the region. Stay in one of the charming towns located in the sprawling park and go on excursions around the coastline to see different parts of this picturesque area.

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Pembrokeshire Coast National Park showing general coastal views and hiking or walking

6. Barry Island Beach

Sun worshippers have been flocking here since Victorian times to what is essentially a small island, though joined now to the mainland since 1896 by a small pier. The site of a Butlins holiday camp during the 1960’s, Barry Beach is perfect for families, with its signature calling card being Barry Island Pleasure Park. Come here for crowds, candy floss and sticks of rock, the scream of the rollercoaster and the thump of the dodgems.

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Aerial panorama of Barry Island, Wales, UK

7. Cardiff University

One of the UK’s major teaching and research universities, in its 2014 University Guide the Sunday Times described Cardiff as “the acknowledged leader of higher education in Wales”. The previous year it hailed it as a “powerhouse of academic and research excellence”.

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Main building of Cardiff University - Wales; Shutterstock ID 289260233; purchase_order: Comps; job: ; client: ; other:

8. Utilita Arena Cardiff

The main area of the arena is a hugely versatile space capable of staging a wide variety of events, from trade exhibitions to music concerts and stand-up shows. It is capable of holding a standing audience of 7,500 people, a number that falls to 5,000 for seated events.

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D6WYKM Aerial photograph of the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena

What to do in South Wales

Popular places to visit

Principality Stadium

4.5/5(198 reviews)

Follow in the footsteps of sporting and musical greats when you tour this vast sporting arena. Walk on the pitch, see dressing rooms and lift a trophy.

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

Cardiff Bay

4.5/5(190 reviews)

Explore the waterfront in Cardiff with a trip to Cardiff Bay. Discover the top-notch restaurants and acclaimed theatre scene in this relaxing area.

Cardiff Castle

4.5/5(251 reviews)

A fortified tower from the 12th century, World War II tunnels and Welsh military history make a fascinating day out at this magnificent castle.

Tenby Beach

4.5/5(150 reviews)

Visitors to Wales are often staggered by quite how picturesque it can be here and nowhere more so than at Tenby, probably the most iconic seaside town in the country. Tenby Beach is the generic name given to not one but four of its beaches, all of which offer sheltered, deep blue water and outstanding views.

Barry Island Beach

4/5(76 reviews)

If you’re looking for a quintessential Welsh seaside experience, look no further than Barry Beach in the picturesque Vale of Glamorgan.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Experience some of the best coastal scenery in Wales at a national park famed for its picture-perfect coves and stunning walking routes.

Cardiff University

4/5(44 reviews)

Founded by Royal Charter in 1883 and located in the heart of the thriving Welsh capital, Cardiff University has built an international reputation for the quality of its work.

Utilita Arena Cardiff

4.5/5(59 reviews)

Cardiff Motorpoint Arena is located on Mary Ann Street in the heart of Cardiff. It was opened in 1993 and is the largest purpose-built facility for staging exhibitions and concerts in South Wales.

Wales Millennium Centre

4.5/5(210 reviews)

Book your tickets for theater, opera, dance and comedy shows and go on a backstage tour at this prestigious arts venue.

Areas of 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.

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.

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.