Wales, where do I start? Honestly, for a relatively small country, it packs a mighty big punch when it comes to epic things to do in Wales.
With close to 1,000 miles of coastline, cities like Cardiff, the stunning areas of west Wales and breathtaking castles that dot its landscape. Wales is a totally essential visit when exploring the best places in the UK.
In fact, I would dare say that Welsh people are very friendliest in all the world. All loving, helpful and pretty darned chilled… then again, I would say that being from Wales.
One thing I love most about my home country is its rich tapestry of culture and natural heritage that the Welsh are very, VERY proud of. I always have such fond memories of Wales and exploring how beautiful the landscape truly is.
It’s something I’ve come to appreciate even more since moving to the big smoke, London.
With that in mind, take a look at some of the most epic things to do in Wales.
1.) Visit Corn Du
Corn Du is the second-highest mountain in South Wales and any avid hiker worth their salt will love this area in the Brecon Beacons.
With plenty of routes and views across to Pen y Fan (the highest mountain in South Wales), it’s the perfect place to stretch your legs and marvel at this wondrous landscape.
It really is one of the best things to do in Wales if you love nature.
Read more: Best things places to see in the Brecon Beacons
2.) Sunset on the coast, Anglesey
Discover the amazing sunsets at Llanddwyn Lighthouse on the Anglesey in north Wales.
It’s totally stunning and really easy to visit if you’ve just come off the ferry from Dublin.
3.) Conwy Castle
Nestled on the north coast of Wales, Conwy Castle is a stunning medieval fortification that is easily reached by train.
Built for Edward I, this castle is a perfect example of Wales’s Royal heritage. Honestly, the castles in Wales are stunning and you have to head to at least a few. It’s easily one of the things to do in Wales for any history buff.
Read more: Best castles in Wales
4.) Stay in your very own yurt
There are many lovely places to stay in Wales; some luxurious, others castles and some are just the coolest yurts you’ll ever see.
Head to Graig Wen and discover a new kind of sleeping experience.
5.) Explore Glamorgan’s heritage coast
Winter or summer, Glamorgan’s heritage coast is a stunning reminder of the natural beauty that surrounds Wales.
Take a wander across its beautiful shores and even partake in a little parasailing or surfing. It’s easily one of the epic things to do in Wales if you love some outdoor sports.
Just wear a dry suit as those waters can get chilly. Brrrrr!
Read more: Best things to do in South Wales
6.) Say cheese
Visit one of Wales’s delicious shops, a cheesemonger.
Believe it or not, Wales has a huge amount of dedicated cheesemongers that sell a variety of cheeses from across the land.
Don’t forget to try ‘Caws Cenarth’ cheeses (they make the best cheese) whilst you visit. You can even take a wheel of cheese home. This is easily one of the things to do in Wales that every cheese lover will love; me included!
7.) Visit the capital, Cardiff
Spend a day or two exploring the diverse capital of Cardiff.
Relatively small, as capital cities go offers a multitude of things to see and do for every visitor.
Don’t forget to head towards Cardiff Bay, where the likes of the Millennium Centre, the Welsh Assembly and a Norwegian Church all line its bay.
Oh, and don’t forget to visit the nearby Castell Coch, too.
Read more: Best things to do in Cardiff
8.) Spot a puffin
Take a boat tour close to Skomer Island, perched just off the Pembrokeshire coastline where you’ll spot some of Wales’s cutest little creatures, the puffin.
Just remember, these little bundles of joy can be seen at certain times of the year and only within coastline areas. It’s one of the things to do in Wales if you love nature.
Read more: Best things to do in West Wales
9.) Experience the Green Man Festival
Discover the Green Man Festival in Powys where you’ll learn fold dancing, drink many a local brew and even learn a little Welsh.
10.) Hike around Cadair Idris
If you’re a keen hiker, spend a day heading to the top of Cadair Idris in Snowdonia National Park.
On a clear day, you can see right down the coast of Wales, surveying the whole of the Cambrian coastline.
11.) Zip across a quarry
Take the plunge, if you dare, over Penrhyn Slate Quarry; one of the longest in the world. We totally loved it and screamed loads!
It’s a pretty high-octane experience that’ll leave you breathless. You’ll love it.
See our video of us doing it here
12.) Visit Tenby
Head to Tenby to explore the many colourful houses and picturesque charm of this wonderful place.
Established as a fishing village many hundreds of years ago, the village has now become famed for its independent crafts, restaurants and beach that locals flock to in the summer months.
If you love cute seaside villages, then a visit to Tenby is easily one of the things to do in Wales for you.
Read more: Best things to do in West Wales
13.) Go above the clouds in Snowdonia
Witness Wales from a different perspective over the Llanberis Pass to Elidir Fawr in Snowdonia National Park.
Visit very early on a sunny morning, when the midnight dew will create a foggy blanket that looks stunning from the top.
14.) Take a steam train to Devil’s Bridge
Visit the West Wales town of Aberystwyth, catching the Vale of Rheidol Railway.
This beautiful train trails its way through the mountains of Ceredigion, with its final destination being Devil’s Bridge.
Don’t worry, the town of Devil’s Bridge is nowhere near as scary as it sounds.
Read more: Best things to do in Aberystwyth
15.) Relax on Lake Vyrnwy
Whilst in Mid Wales, drive towards the stunning reservoir of Lake Vyrnwy in Powys.
This tranquil spot is the perfect place to enjoy inland Wales and even brush up on your fishing skills. Just make sure you have your permits to hand.
16.) Enjoy the Gower Peninsula
The coastline of South Wales is a surfers paradise and is easily one of the things to do in Wales that surfers will love.
Head towards Oxwich and enjoy the waves. Surf’s up!
Read more: Best beaches in Wales
17.) Bodnant Hall
This beautiful stately home is a perfect place to explore to get some insight into Wales’s grand history.
Visit on a sunny day and explore the mighty impressive Bodnant Gardens too.
18.) Explore the Pembrokeshire Coastline
While visiting the puffins on Skomer Island, don’t forget to explore the wider Pembrokeshire National Coastal Path.
It’s pretty beaches and natural charm make it the perfect place to enjoy a warm afternoon.
Read more: Best things to do in West Wales
19.) Find the Italian village in Wales
Portmeirion is one of Wales’s prettiest little towns to visit.
Heavily influenced by Italian architecture, you’ll find an array of beautiful shops, open spaces and a range of world-famous pottery. For me, this is one of my favourite places and easily one of the things to do in Wales whilst on the north coast.
20.) Visit Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth is a beautiful town on the West Wales coast is a great place to visit by train.
Once there, head to the Victorian Pier, the Electric Cliff Railway and the town’s castle. In summer, when the sea is calm, you can also spot jumping dolphins in the Irish Sea.
Read more: Best things to do in Aberystwyth
21.) Walk the Welsh Coastal Path
Wales has one of the longest established coastal paths in the UK.
Choose an area along the Welsh Coastal Path and start and discover bits of Wales that aren’t possible to see by car or train – you might come across the Talacre Lighthouse.
22.) South Stack Lighthouse
For over 200 years, South Stack Lighthouse has signalled the rocky coastline to ships that pass through this region.
Nowadays, the lighthouse can be visited via a bridge and a rather steep coastal path.
The views are amazing, just be prepared for a more than strenuous walk back to the top of the cliffs.
23.) Visit Aberdovey
Just across the estuary from Ynys Las, Aberdovey is a small seaside village on the edge of Snowdonia National Park.
Easily reached by train from Machynlleth, this small town is the perfect stop off on a Cambrian Coast train journey to North Wales.
It’s pretty easy to visit Aberdovey and is easily one of the things to do in Wales whilst exploring the northern route of the Cambrian Coastline (train).
24.) Explore the beautiful Powis Castle
This grand country mansion is one of the most picturesque castles in Wales.
Nowadays, this castle can be explored by the public, giving us all an opportunity to discover its stunning grounds and vast deer park.
Read more: Best castles in Wales
25.) Hike Crib Coch Ridge
Not for the faint-hearted, Crib Goch Ridge has become one of Wales’s most popular hiking spots. A perfect place for a climbing challenge.
26.) Visit the longest named town
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, pronounced “LLAN – FAIR – PWLL – GWYN – GYLL – GO – GER – YCH – WYRN – DROB – WLL – LLAN – TY – SILIO – GO – GO – GOCH”.
It’s the longest named place in all the whole of the UK. You’d best practise now if you end up lost and have to look for directions.
Truth be told, even I forget exactly how to say it!
27.) Try coasteering
Coasteering is the sport of jumping off a cliff into the ocean below.
Coasteering must always be supervised and you should always rely on expert guides when trying this sport. Head to St. David’s to have a go yourself.
28.) Eat a Welsh Cake
I blame these for my weight gain this year.
These delicious, almost scone-like flat cakes are a traditional dish to try in Wales and are only made better by a nice cup of tea.
Honestly, gorging is one of the things to do in Wales that has to be guilt-free.
Read more: Best things to do in South Wales
29.) Search for stars in the Brecon Beacons
After a day rambling across the Brecon Beacons, find a comfy spot and keep your eyes peeled for a shooting star or two.
The lack of light pollution in the Brecon Beacons makes this area a great stop for stargazers.
Read more: Best places to see in the Brecon Beacons
30.) Eat Italian in Wales
Centuries ago, many Italian families settled in Wales bringing with them some yummy aspects of Italian life; food!
From fresh pasta to home-made gelato, there are lots of treats to try in Wales numerous food markets.
31.) Go bog snorkelling
Yup, bog snorkelling is a real thing! Bog snorkelling is one of Wales’s more ‘fringe’ competitive sports.
With competitions every year, locals and visitors alike can choose to take part to earn the glory of chief bog snorkeler. Love or hate the idea, it’s totally unique and one of the things to do in Wales that you’ll likely not find anywhere else.
Read more: Best places to see in Wales