South Wales Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Bracelet Bay Beach which includes a bay or harbour, rocky coastline and landscape views
Neath featuring a ruin, a garden and heritage elements
Swansea showing boating, general coastal views and a marina
Swansea featuring street scenes and night scenes
Rhossili Beach showing landscape views and a beach
South Wales boasts a distinct character formed by its fascinating history, rich culture and stunning natural beauty. Once an industrial coal and iron working heartland, the region today boasts green valleys, peaceful forests and rolling moorlands. To top it all off there are castles, glorious beaches and, the icing on the cake, Cardiff, the capital of Wales.

The core South Wales region consists of Cardiff, the South Wales Valleys, the Vale of Glamorgan, and the borderlands of the Wye Valley and Vale of Usk. Within these there is enough to cater for everyone, from nature lovers keen to explore idyllic scenery to history buffs interested in medieval castles and museums, and culture, shopping and food aficionados will love the great shops, dining and entertainments of Cardiff and the region’s other vibrant towns.

Sightseeing in South Wales

If sightseeing is your bag, you won’t be disappointed by South Wales. In Cardiff, you can learn about Wales’ history at the National Museum of Cardiff, and explore fanciful Cardiff Castle. Alternatively, you may want to tour the iconic Millennium Stadium and admire the modernist slate and steel architecture of the Wales Millennium Centre.

Elsewhere, explorers will love the Wye Valley, with its ancient and medieval landmarks, including the stunning Roman baths at Caerleon, Chepstow Castle and Tintern Abbey.

Or you can delve into Wales’ recent industrial past at the Blaenavon Ironworks and The Big Pit: National Coal Museum in the South Wales Valleys.

Your options for historical sightseeing don’t stop there: you could also venture into the beautiful Vale of Glamorgan to see its fine Ogmore Castle and wander round the gorgeous Dyffryn Gardens, laid out in Edwardian times.

Shopping in South Wales

When it comes to shopping in South Wales, Cardiff tops the list. The city bursts with places selling everything from designer clothes to books, jewellery and local crafts. You can browse flagship stores at the St David’s Shopping Centre, stroll the High Street, or scour the independent shops and gift emporiums stuffed into the city’s Edwardian and Victorian arcades.Other shopping haunts include Abergavenny with its buzzing Victorian market hall, and Hay on Wye’s endlessly enticing bookshops.

Food, Restaurants and Nightlife in South Wales

South Wales’ culinary scene is focused on Welsh produce and comes to life in countless restaurants, cafes, markets and foodie events. Cardiff offers artisan coffee spots, modern Welsh eateries and international restaurants, while elsewhere, you’ll find stylish bistros, tearooms, ancient inns, farm shops and gastro pubs perfect for lunches and evenings out. Food lovers especially will rave about Abergavenny’s popular Food Festival every September.

Outdoor fun in South Wales

South Wales has outdoor pursuits in spades, and not just on its beaches. Families will adore the sandy beaches, seaside towns and adventure centres of Glamorgan, not to mention the walking trails, cycle paths and industrial heritage sites of the South Wales Valleys. Other draw cards include the bracing Brecon Beacons National Park with its Brecon Mountain Railway, fishing on the River Wye, and the almost endless opportunities for sports like mountain biking, kayaking, horse riding and golf right across the region.

Where to stay in South Wales

Cardiff showing a square or plaza, a city 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 city and modern architecture

Castle Quarter

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

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

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 river or creek and a bridge

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
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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
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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
The Angel Hotel

The Angel Hotel

3 out of 5
Castle Street, Cardiff, Wales
The price is ₹19,702 per night from 25 Oct to 26 Oct
₹19,702
per night
25 Oct - 26 Oct
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Cardiff. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,665 reviews)
Excellent, central stay
"We travelled as a family (2 parents, 2 teenagers) and were staying one night. The staff on the front desk were very welcoming and the family room was like a palace - with two separate rooms in it: one with a superking bed and the other also very spacious with twins. We were not expecting so much ..."

Reviewed on 19 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 ₹7,458 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
₹7,458
per night
2 Nov - 3 Nov
Stay at this 4-star 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 ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,007 reviews)
"The hotel was convenient, i stayed on the 12th floor and it was very quiet, so a good sleep. Convenient for central Cardiff, all walkable. Ideal for a one night business stay."

Reviewed on 19 Oct 2025

Holland House Hotel Cardiff By Sunday
Celtic Manor Resort

Celtic Manor Resort

5 out of 5
Chepstow Road, Coldra Wood, Newport, Wales
The price is ₹11,023 per night from 5 Nov to 6 Nov
₹11,023
per night
5 Nov - 6 Nov
Stay at this 5-star 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 ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,323 reviews)
"Fantastic"

Reviewed on 18 Oct 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 3-star apartment in Cardiff. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (287 reviews)
"The overall building is a little old but it is worth the money. Do not go in expecting a five star stay as it’s basically a three star experience. They do not have basic items such as tissue papers or toiletries. But I will commend the front desk guy Richard. He was extremely helpful and did provide ..."

Reviewed on 17 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
 Park Lane Aparthotel

Park Lane Aparthotel

4 out of 5
23-24 Park Place, Cardiff, Wales
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Cardiff. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, meeting facilities and housekeeping. Popular attractions Cardiff Castle and Principality Stadium ...
7.2/10 Good! (51 reviews)
"Nice little apartment to stay at, the only thing that let it down was how incredibly hot it was. There was a fan provided but it generally blew hot air back. I would come back but probably just in the winter."

Reviewed on 27 Jun 2025

Park Lane Aparthotel
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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