Wales is small on the map but slow to cross: mountain roads wind, and the fastest rail links between north and south run through England. Plan by region, and leave some slack for the weather.
North Wales: castles and mountains
Conwy, Snowdonia, Anglesey and Portmeirion from one or two bases.
A short break without much driving
- Day 1
Conwy and Llandudno
Arrive by train at Llandudno Junction. Conwy Castle and the walls, then the Great Orme. See the Conwy guide.
- Day 2
Snowdonia
A small-group tour or train to Betws-y-Coed, with the Ogwen Valley and Caernarfon. See Snowdonia.
- Day 3
Yr Wyddfa
Hike or ride the railway to the summit from Llanberis, weather permitting.
- Day 4
Portmeirion
A day tour, or drive via Beddgelert to Portmeirion and Harlech.
- Day 5
Anglesey
Beaumaris Castle and Llanddwyn Island on Anglesey, then the train home from Bangor.
Stay in Llandudno for the whole trip if you rely on tours; with a car, spend two nights in Snowdonia.
South and west: capital, Gower and Pembrokeshire
Cardiff, Gower, Tenby and St Davids.
Beaches, castles and coastal walks
- Day 1–2
Cardiff
The castle, the Bay and St Fagans; Castell Coch on the second afternoon. See Cardiff.
- Day 3
Gower
Train to Swansea, then Mumbles, Three Cliffs and Rhossili. See Gower.
- Day 4–5
Tenby
The harbour, Caldey Island and the castles at Manorbier and Carew. See Tenby.
- Day 6–7
St Davids
The cathedral, a Ramsey Island boat trip and, in season, Skomer’s puffins. See Pembrokeshire.
Trains reach Swansea and Tenby; for days 5–7 a car makes life much easier.
South to north through the middle
Cardiff, the Brecon Beacons, Hay and Snowdonia.
Hills, books, castles and mountains
- Day 1–2
Cardiff
The capital and its castles.
- Day 3–4
Brecon Beacons
Pen y Fan and Waterfall Country. See the Brecon Beacons.
- Day 5
Hay-on-Wye
A day among the bookshops and a walk by the Wye. See Hay-on-Wye.
- Day 6
Mid Wales to the north
Drive north through the hills (about four hours) towards Snowdonia, or take the scenic coast line via Machynlleth.
- Day 7–9
Snowdonia and Portmeirion
Yr Wyddfa, Caernarfon and a morning at Portmeirion.
- Day 10
Conwy
End in Conwy and take the train east.
This route really needs a car for days 3–9. Without one, swap the middle section for trains via Shrewsbury.
The grand tour of Wales
Every region, from the capital to Anglesey.
Road-trippers and slow travellers
- Day 1–2
Cardiff
The capital.
- Day 3
Gower
Beaches and Mumbles.
- Day 4–5
Tenby
Harbour town and castles.
- Day 6–7
Pembrokeshire
St Davids, islands and the coast path.
- Day 8
Cardigan Bay
A long scenic drive north along the coast to the Llŷn.
- Day 9–10
Llŷn and Portmeirion
Porthdinllaen, Aberdaron and the Italianate village.
- Day 11–12
Snowdonia
Mountains, lakes and Caernarfon.
- Day 13
Anglesey
Beaumaris, Llanddwyn and South Stack.
- Day 14
Conwy
Finish with the castle and walls, then head home from Llandudno Junction.
Hire a car in Cardiff and drop it in North Wales or Chester if one-way fees are acceptable.
Practical help
See how to get around, where to stay, and tours and tickets for each stop.
