Wales is a beautiful country that has so many incredible places to see. That being said, there’s a whole treasure trove of the best things to do in West Wales that you might not have considered.
Much more than just fluffy sheep and Tom Jones, Wales is a country that is perfect to explore regardless of what type of holiday you’re looking for. This is especially true when thinking of West Wales and the stunning coastline.
If you’re visiting the UK for the first time, or indeed, if you live close by, Wales is pretty easy to reach by car or train, with the West Wales coast reached from London in about 4.5 hours. This all means that it’s a relatively quick trip to somewhere completely different from the hustle of London or other big cities like Bristol or Cardiff.
With that in mind, I wanted to share some of the very best things to do in West Wales on your next trip. Some will be nature-based, others will be little towns, but whatever the case, I hope to show you a few you might like.
Take a look, below, at the best things to do in West Wales. Have the best trip.
1.) Explore Pembrokeshire National Park
Pembrokeshire National Park is perched right on the coast of south-west Wales and is the perfect place to explore the country’s rugged, natural coastline.
It’s one of the only national parks in West Wales and is easily up there as one of the best things to do in West Wales if you love nature. Oh, and be sure to take a stroll to the Green Bridge of Wales (Google Maps pin). It’s a stunner of an area and so nice and quiet.
Keep your eyes peeled for Dolphins, explore the beautiful landscapes and walk the coastal paths that criss-cross this area. When you’re in the area, make sure to visit in Pembrokeshire National Park itself. What I mean by this is that there are some abslute gems and undiscovered places in West Wales that you really shoudln’t miss on a trip.
For instance, you need to make sure you visit the ancient ruins of Pentre Ifan (Google Maps pin). It’s thousands of years old, and you can walk underneath this old dolmen that is believed to have been a burial chamber.
Now, what makes this extra special is that this is very close to the area where the stones of Stonehenge have been analysed to have come from. It might be small, but it’s so historically significant and can’t be missed. Plus, it’s free to enter the site.
Read more: Best National Parks to visit in the UK
2.) Aberystwyth
West Wales is a relatively rural region of the United Kingdom, with very little in terms of big cities and glimmering city lights. That being said, there’s one town that should be on your radar – Aberystwyth.
Take a tour of the National Library of Wales, ramble up Constitution Hill (or take the cliff railway) and walk the far-stretching promenade. It is one of the best things to do in West Wales for a little city break. Well, I say city… It’s actually a town, but it’s certainly the biggest in the wider Ceredigion area.
Also, don’t forget to watch the sunset from Aberystwyth Beach (Google Maps pin). My gosh, it’s westerly facing and you get some of the best sunsets in Wales from here. Then there’s the castle that’s just off the premande, near the Pier. Today, the castle is in ruins but you can walk around the site, explore the old grounds and stop off for a bite to eat on the Pier afterwards.
Fancy a sandy beach day? Then drive about 20 minutes north, beyond the town of Borth, to Ynyslas (Google Maps pin). It’s so sandy and there are heaps of boardwalks through the dunes to stroll. Not only that, you might also see the stumps of an ancient forest at low tide. You see, this whole area was ‘sunk’ after the last ice age, and the forest was subsequently consumed by the sea. You can still spot the tree trunks on the beach!
Read more: Best things to do in Aberystwyth
3.) Take the steam train to Devil’s Bridge
Leaving from Aberystwyth, hop on the steam train that departs almost every day in the summer for the glistening waterfalls of Devil’s Bridge (Google Maps pin). It’s a totally unique experience and one of the best things to do in West Wales for a little nostalgia.
Now, one of the best ways to get here is via the Vale of Rheidol Railway. The train itself slowly climbs the mountain edges of this gorgeous region and chugs along to Devils Bridge itself. Honestly, it’s so worth it in the summer months, and the views across the Ceredigion Valleys are just stunning.
Once in Devil’s Bridge, make sure to take a ramble in and around the Waterfalls that are much less devilish than you might think. Oh, and pack some comfy shoes, there’s a bit of mud on the trails if it has been raining. You’ll have the best time!
Read more: Best things to do in Wales
4.) Cambrian Coastal Route
One of the best ways to see the north-west of Wales is to explore the coastline by train, and although there is only one real train line in West Wales, it stops off at some absolute gems and underrated local spots that so many visitors miss. Trains for Wales, the local train operator, sells unlimited tickets where you can hop on and off the trains as often as you like. Well, over the number of trains you pay for. It’s so worth it as you can cover vast areas of West and North West Wales.
Now, I’ll give you my favourite spots as I have done this journey many times. Take the train from either Aberystwyth or Machynlleth (the ancient Capital of Wales, pronounced, mack-un-thhh-leth) (Google Maps pin).
From here, you can then head further up the north coast of West Wales and stop off at little places like Aberdyfi. It’s a tiny little town overlooking the Dyfi Estuary, and it has a gorgeous sandy beach.
Also, don’t forget to then stop off at Harlech Castle (that’s right next to the train station). There is a small entry fee, but it’s totally worth it to see the (almost) 1,000 years of history.
Finally, stop off at Minffordd Train station and walk about 25 minutes to the Italian town of Portmeirion. There’s a small cost to enter the town but honestly, it’s so worth it to wander around. Whilst you’re here, you can then pop into the little cafes, or even stay overnight in Portmeirion itself.
Read more: Underrated places in North Wales to visit
5.) Tresaith Beach
About a 15-minute drive north of the town of Cardigan is Tresaith. It’s a small, once fishing village, that is now a sleepy little cove where you can easily spend a sunny day in West Wales.
You see, Tresaith (Google Maps pin) has a gorgeous little beach that most visitors to West Wales completely miss. It’s a firm favourite locally. Also, make sure to take a stroll north when on the beach. From here, you’ll see one of the coastal waterfalls of West Wales. Honestly, this place is a gem, and you really don’t want to miss it.
Getting peckish? You’ve even got the Ship Inn (Google Maps pin) for a pint or some food to have in the evening. Talking of food, West Wales has a great deal of delicious food to try.
For me, Welsh Cakes are a must! These flat cakes are baked on a griddle and filled with currants, which I could eat all day. Grab yourself a cup of tea, a freshly baked Welsh cake, and I guarantee you’ll fall in love (or at least your tummy will). If Welsh cakes aren’t your thing, maybe try Bara Brith. It’s a fruit loaf with lashings of salted butter. Finally, Welsh Rarebit – a little like cheese on toast with mustard and heaps of chives. Finally, if you want to warm up, grab a bowl of piping hot Cawl. a lamb-based broth that is filled with seasonal vegetables and plenty of leeks.
Now, technically, you can gorge in any part of Wales, but you might as well try them as you explore the best things to do in West Wales on your trip.
6.) Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon)
Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) stretches for quite some distance in the north-west of Wales, encompassing the highest mountain in Wales and England, Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon).
Grab your hiking boots, plan your trip and enjoy the stunning views from the top. If you’re an experienced hiker, you’ll find the hike up Snowdon pretty enjoyable; on the other hand, if you’re a novice (like me), you may well want to take it slow with lots of little breaks for water and cheeky chocolate (or two).
Now, one of the most popular hiking routes is from the nearby town of Llanberis. It’s called the Llanberis Path and will take around 6-8 hours to complete. For full information and local weather conditions, always check the National Park website before setting out. The hike can be gruelling, and weather conditions can change in an instant.
The whole park is stunning and easily up there as one of the best things to do in West Wales.
Read more: Best things to do in Wales
7.) Portmeirion
I know, I know! I mentioned it before on the train journey up the Cardigan Coastline. But, honestly, if you’ve ever seen Portmeirion (Google Maps pin), you’ll quickly realise why I said you should visit for a second time. This gorgeous Italian village is nestled on the north-west coast of Wales and is perfect to see a unique a different perspective of Wales (or do I mean Italy?).
Think picturesque gardens, beautiful architecture and views across the beautiful Welsh countryside. It really is one of the best things to do in West Wales.
Plus, you can actually stay the night in Portmeirion at this hotel! It’s so picturesque and totally charming.
Read more: Best places in North Wales to visit
8.) Tenby
Nestled on the southern fringes of West Wales, Tenby is a historic fishing town that is pretty popular with locals in Wales. Visiting is easily one of the best things to do in West Wales if you’re already in the wider Pembrokeshire area, and there’s so much to see.
Once here, make sure to spend some time on North and South Beach (both are great, but South Beach is bigger) and take a ramble through Tenby itself. Wander around the cobbled streets, enjoy the town’s sandy beaches and even take a trip over to Caldey Island, one of the last remaining island monasteries in the whole of the UK.
Finally, you’ve got Tenby Castle that’s right in the heart of the town (overlooking the coast). It’s a great ruined area of the city to visit and you can grab a gelato and head up the small mound for views all across the region.
Read more: Best things to do in Tenby
9.) Carew Castle
Carew Castle (Google Maps pin) isn’t too far from Tenby and really easy to visit if you’re visiting West Wales by car. In fact, I’d say it’s the easiest way to get to Carew Castle and totally easy to park once you arrive.
Once here, you’ll be able to learn more about the Norman heritage of the region and see where the powerful Tudors once called home. It’s such a special place, and you get some gorgeous views from the lake just by the car park.
Visits take around 20 minutes.
Read more: Underrated places to see in Pembrokeshire
10.) Blue Lagoon (Abereiddi)
About a 25-minute drive north of St Davids is the Blue Lagoon (Google Maps pin). The coastline here is stunning and this old quarry site has been flooded with sea water which makes for a deep pool for local watersports.
Also, you’ve got Abereiddi Beach nearby, too. It’s a pebble beach, but totally worth chilling here if the weather is nice.
Read more: Underrated places to see in Pembrokeshire
11.) St David’s
One of the smallest cities in the UK, St David’s is a tiny little place to explore with heaps of history. Here, you can wander the cathederal, visit the historic monastery grounds and stop by some of the pubs on th cobbled streets around the city. It really is tiny and we always love stopping here for lunch.
Oh, and if you’re looking for a nearby beach, head over to Whitesands Bay (Google Maps pin). It’s huge, absolutely stunning and a sandy paradise that you can’t miss.
Read more: The best things to do across Wales
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