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 city and modern architecture

Cardiff City Centre

4/5(888 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Principality Stadium to St. David's Hall – discover Cardiff City Centre, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Cardiff City Centre
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
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
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Llantrisant

Visitors to Llantrisant enjoy its restaurants, and if you want to do some exploring, The Royal Mint Experience is worth a stop.

Llantrisant
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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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Pontcanna

4.5/5(70 area reviews)

Bars, historical sites and gardens are some highlights of Pontcanna. Make a stop by Sophia Gardens or Swalec Stadium while you're exploring.

Pontcanna
The Parkgate Hotel
The Parkgate Hotel
4 out of 5
Westgate Street, Cardiff, Wales
The price is €124 per night from 16 Dec to 17 Dec
€124
includes taxes & fees
16 Dec - 17 Dec
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Cardiff. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,545 reviews)
"Perfect location in Cardiff"

Reviewed on 16 Nov 2024

The Parkgate Hotel
Celtic Manor Resort
Celtic Manor Resort
5 out of 5
Chepstow Road, Coldra Wood, Newport, Wales
The price is €119 per night from 22 Nov to 23 Nov
€119
includes taxes & fees
22 Nov - 23 Nov
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! (1,175 reviews)
"Really nice relaxing time"

Reviewed on 16 Nov 2024

Celtic Manor Resort
Mercure Cardiff North Hotel
Mercure Cardiff North Hotel
4 out of 5
Circle Way East, Cardiff, Wales
The price is €51 per night from 22 Dec to 23 Dec
€51
includes taxes & fees
22 Dec - 23 Dec
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Cardiff. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (759 reviews)
"The walls are too thin. You can hear people talking in the rooms either side. Bed was very comfy though"

Reviewed on 18 Nov 2024

Mercure Cardiff North 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.
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! (233 reviews)
Excellent apartment.
"Fantastic apartment, parking spaces were tight but we were warned about this. Very clean, comfy, amazing shower, perfect for our mini break in Cardiff."

Reviewed on 10 Nov 2024

The Spires Serviced Apartments Cardiff
 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 WiFi and housekeeping. Popular attractions Principality Stadium and Cardiff Castle are located nearby.
7.2/10 Good! (37 reviews)
"Pleasant accommodation close to university, with cooking facilities Accommodation was clean , warm and had everything we needed for our stay. Only issue is no on site parking but parking in nearby streets is possible (payable and maximum 5 hours) with a larger NCP car park within 5 minutes walk Would ..."

Reviewed on 12 Oct 2024

Park Lane Aparthotel
The Sleeping Giant - Pen Y Cae Inn
The Sleeping Giant - Pen Y Cae Inn
3 out of 5
Pen Y Ace Inn, Swansea, Wales
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly vacation home in Swansea. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and premium bedding. Popular attractions Craig-y-Nos Country Park ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (27 reviews)
"Food at the inn was superb Pork loin and sauce the best I’ve ever had Children’s meals a really good size and very tasty Accommodation was clean and comfortable Would stay again and recommend to friends"

Reviewed on 31 Aug 2024

The Sleeping Giant - Pen Y Cae Inn
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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