Top things to do in South Wales

Home to magnificent medieval castles, some of Britain's wildest coast with secret coves and surfing hot spots, and a wealth of spectacular natural wonders, South Wales has a lot to offer. Whether you are looking for a vibrant city break, a relaxing getaway on the beach or a more adventurous action-packed activity holiday, there’s an abundance of things to do in South Wales for every type of traveller.

If you're thinking of a staycation, then we have chosen some of the best places to go in South Wales to add to your bucket list. From tackling the highest peak in the Brecon Beacons National Park to delving below ground into mysterious caves, we’ve put together a list of top South Wales tourist attractions to help you get the most out of your holiday.

For more great days out in South Wales, have a read of our guide to the top National Trust places in South Wales, or if you fancy seeing more of this beautiful country, browse our guide to the top 10 things to do in Wales. If you haven’t already checked out our holiday cottages in South Wales, just click the button below.

South Wales cottages

Scale the highest mountain in South Wales

Considered to be one of the most breathtaking places to visit in South Wales, the Brecon Beacons National Park covers more than 500 square miles of natural beauty. The park boasts a diverse landscape, featuring ancient woodland, broad swathes of moorland and four ranges of towering mountains. The highest peak, standing at 886 metres above sea level, is the mighty Pen y Fan and makes for one of the most spectacular hikes in South Wales. 

From the steep summit, walkers are rewarded with mesmerising views of the Black Mountains to the east, the Bristol Channel to the south and the most impressive red sandstone ridgelines. The 4-mile Pen y Fan and Corn Du circular walk is the shortest route to the top. For more adventures, have a read of our ultimate guide to outdoor activities in Wales and a very helpful blog about holidays in the Brecon Beacons.

Enjoy some culture in the capital city of Cardiff

If you’re looking for South Wales places to visit that are brimming with shops, restaurants, attractions and nightlife, then the Welsh capital city of Cardiff should be at the top of your itinerary. 

This vibrant and multicultural city is simply bursting with fun things to do in South Wales: take a tour of Cardiff Castle; catch a show at the Wales Millennium Centre; watch rugby legends at the Principality Stadium; admire iconic artwork at the National Museum Cardiff, and shop ‘til you drop in the Victorian Arcades. Despite being the largest city in Wales, it’s very easy to explore Cardiff’s compact city centre by foot – don’t forget to make time for a stroll along the glittering waterfront at Cardiff Bay.

Explore the enchanting 'Waterfall Country'

For one of the most memorable places to visit in South Wales, head to the Vale of Neath where you’ll find the greatest concentration of waterfalls in Britain. Known as ‘Waterfall Country’, this beautiful area has long been an inspiration to many artists and writers, including landscape painter, Turner, who travelled here to paint Aberdulais Falls, a site now in the ownership of the National Trust. Another of these famous South Wales waterfalls is the 90-foot-high Henryd Falls at Coelbren, the highest in Wales. 

If you fancy a real adventure, spend a day walking the 5.5-mile circular Four Falls Trail, which takes in the dazzling cascades of Sgwd Clun-Gwyn, Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn, Sgwd y Pannwr and Sgwd yr Eira -  the latter offers the chance to walk behind the sheet of icy water as it plummets into the pool at its base. For even more waterfalls to visit in Wales, read our helpful guide.

Discover a labyrinth of caves at the National Showcaves Centre

Another of the must-see South Wales attractions is the National Showcaves Centre for Wales, home to a show-stopping series of caves to delve into and explore. Below ground, there are three main caves to discover, all dating back to around 350 million years. Dan yr Ogof is full of striking stalagmites and stalactites as well as many magnificent passages and chambers, while Cathedral Cave is known for its thundering waterfalls which plunge into underground lakes. 

And then there’s Bone Cave, so named because they found 42 human and animal bones there! More fun can be found above ground, with a shire horse centre, a replica Iron Age village, and a dinosaur park for kids with more than 200 life-sized replicas, including the terrifying Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Conquer the mighty Caerphilly Castle

When it comes to historic places to go in South Wales, you can’t beat a day out at one of the region’s magnificent castles. Sprawled over 30 acres, Caerphilly Castle is the largest fortress in Wales, famous for its leaning tower that leans even more than the Leaning Tower of Pisa! 

Often used as a film set with its profusion of towers and dramatic battlements reflected in a duck-filled lake, this formidable 13^th-century structure was the first truly concentric castle built in Wales. The gatehouse is particularly noteworthy, as are the great hall, and full-sized working replicas of medieval siege engines. Perfect for the whole family, there is a variety of fun events throughout the year, particularly at weekends and during the school holidays. Discover more fascinating fortresses with our guide to the top castles in Wales.

Walk along golden sand on the Gower Peninsula

One of the best places to visit in South Wales for those who like to feel the sand between their toes is the Gower Peninsula. This Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is home to 37 square miles of coastline which is also designated as Heritage Coast. 

Secluded coves, golden beaches, turquoise waters and a surfer's heaven, this stretch of coast encompasses some of the finest beaches in the country, including Tenby,  Llangennith, Rhossili Bay, and Caswell Bay. Take the opportunity to hone your surfing skills, try hang gliding, windsurfing or water skiing, or simply enjoy sandcastle building and beach games with the family. For more seaside ideas read our guide to the top beaches in Wales.

Wander the atmospheric ruins of Tintern Abbey

Nestled in the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Tintern Abbey is one of the greatest monastic ruins in Wales and only the second Cistercian foundation in Britain, founded in 1131. 

This well-preserved Gothic masterpiece stands in roofless splendour on the banks of the River Wye and has been the subject of many renowned poems, perhaps most famously William Wordsworth's ‘Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey’. The finest feature of these haunting ruins is the ornate tracery that once contained the enormous windows, and the soaring arches of the nave are sure to take your breath away.

Experience life as a miner at the Big Pit National Coal Museum

Looking for unique and fun things to do in South Wales? Armed with hard hats and safety lamps, visitors of the Big Pit National Coal Museum can descend 300 feet below the surface into a deep, dark mine shaft led by a former miner and experience what life was like for the thousands of brave men who worked at this coal face until 1980. One of the top South Wales tourist attractions, this fascinating museum showcases Wales’ rich industrial past at the heart of the Blaenavon UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Above ground, you can visit various colliery buildings, including the 1939 pithead baths, filled with displays on the industry and the evocative reminiscences of ex-miners. Bizarrely, the conditions deep in the mine are also ideal for maturing cheese and visitors can purchase some of the mine-matured cheddar in the gift shop!

Take a magical ride on the Brecon Mountain Railway

Planning what to do in South Wales? Try this National Park railway for a gentle and scenic day trip. There is something about the emerald green valleys and craggy mountains of the Brecon Beacons that lends itself to the romance of steam. So, if you’re still pondering what to do in South Wales, why not hop aboard one of the vintage carriages of the Brecon Mountain Railway? 

Chugging its way along the full length of the Taf Fechan and Pontsticill reservoirs to Dol-y-Gaer, this little steam locomotive is sure to put a smile on faces young and old alike. At Pontsticill, you can stop for a slice of sticky cake in the café while admiring the captivating scenery across the reservoir towards the distant peaks of Pen y Fan, followed by a ramble along the water’s edge.

Potter around the National Botanic Garden of Wales

With its inspiring range of themed gardens, the largest single-span glasshouse in the world housing an outstanding collection of Mediterranean plants, a Bird of Prey Centre with more than 20 British raptor species, a hot and steamy tropical Butterfly House, and a string of exciting play areas, you will easily see why the National Botanic Garden of Wales is one of the top things to do in South Wales. 

Set within a Regency landscape, the garden boasts a kaleidoscope of colour with more than 8,000 plants from all over the world. Children are sure to have fun in the Aqualab, exploring a treasure chest of natural wonders, and the dipping pond should certainly not be missed where kids can have fun with nets and microscopes observing aquatic life.

Stay at a self-catering holiday cottage in South Wales

How many of these exciting days out in South Wales will you be adding to your list? Whether you’re planning on visiting this extraordinary part of the country with your whole family or as part of a romantic break, we’ve got a variety of holiday cottages in South Wales scattered amongst the coast and countryside to choose from. Just click the button below to browse our full collection of South Wales cottages.

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