Perched on the western coast of Great Britain, Wales is one of my favourite countries in all the world, it’s a place that’s filled with much more than just fluffy sheep. There’s a whole heap of the best places to visit on a Welsh road trip that you’ll be spoilt for choice. 

Of course, there’s so much you need to see when visiting and if you’re thinking of a visit, take a look at our complete guide to the best experience in Wales. Take a look at some of the very best places you should include on your road-trip across Wales, whilst trudging along our picturesque windy roads, all whilst listening to Tom Jones, of course.

This is why I wanted to share some of the very best places to visit on a Welsh road trip. It doesn’t matter if your starting in the south or north of the country, just make sure to add a few of these stops along the way.

1) Cardiff

Being the capital city of Wales, it’s hard to miss Cardiff when exploring the best places to visit on a Welsh road trip. Now, the thing that makes Cardiff so special is the mountain of things to see and do that actually don’t require your car at all. This is the perfect excuse to have a break from driving and just ramble around the city.

Once here, make sure to wander around the Cardiff Museum, see the magnificent castle and watch a game of rugby in the Principality Stadium. It really is a great city to explore.

2) Pembrokeshire Coast

The Pembrokeshire coastline is a stunning place to visit when in Wales. After all, it’s rugged coastline, puffins and dolphins make this one of the best places to visit on a Welsh road trip.

Once you’re here, make sure to head onto a coasteering adventure. That being said, if you fancy something a little easier, take a wander over to St David’s. If it’s castles you’re after, Carew Castle is a total gem to see.

3) Gower Peninsular

The Gower Peninsula is one totally stunning area of Wales to visit and easily up there as one of the best places to visit on a Welsh road trip. This is especially true if you love a good beach.

For me, one of my best experiences growing up was heading to the Gower Peninsular, picnic and swim shorts packed, for a relaxing day at the beach and all the sand dunes.

Expect strips of white sand, soft pebbles, and a glassy sea that is picture perfect on a corker of a summer day. Just make sure to visit Three Cliffs Bay, Oxwich Bay, Llangennith Beach and Mumbles. It really is so picturesque.

4) Conwy

Perched in the north of Wales, Conwy is a coastal town with one impressive castle to see. Best of all, it’s really easy to visit Conwy as part of the best places to visit on a Welsh road trip when in the north. 

Once here, make sure to wander around the castle, see one of the UK’s tiniest houses and enjoy the thousands of years of history that are steeped in this area.

5) Tenby

Tenby is, arguably, one of the prettiest coastal towns in all of Wales!

Traditionally a historic fishing town, this colourful coastal town has now become one of the region’s best-loved places. This alone makes it one of the best places to visit on a Welsh road trip. Honestly, you can’t miss it.

After gorging on delicious ice-cream (a Mr Whippy), work off those excess calories with a little walk through the town’s Norman stone wall and winding cobbled streets full of interesting nooks and crannies to discover. There’s also the nearby Caldey Island that you can visit too. 

6) Castell Coch

Perched a stone’s throw from Cardiff, Castell Coch is easily one of the best places to visit on a Welsh road trip. Just off the M4 motorway, it’s a fairytale castle that’s perched overlooking the Welsh countryside.

Take a tour inside the castle, wander through the rooms and explore the gorgeous property that’s so iconic in the area. Afterwards, and if you have time, pop over to St Fagan’s for a little wander around the free museum that is based like a little town.

7) Machynlleth & Dyfi Valley

Nestled on the border of Snowdonia National Park, within the Dyfi Valley, you may feel like you have wandered into one of the country’s loveliest little towns. Once the capital city of Wales, Machynlleth is now well worth a visit to discover the town clock or The Centre For Alternative Technology.

For a picturesque afternoon, take the train from Machynlleth, up to the northern coast of Wales – it’s a lovely way to hop on and hop off at beautiful little towns, all whilst seeing the charming beauty of the West Wales coast.

Alternatively, head over to the south side of the Dyfi Valley and visit Ynyslas. Here you’ll be able to stroll across the sand dunes, enjoy the Cambrian coast and possibly see the prehistoric forest that sometimes pops up from the seabed. It really is one of the best places to visit on a Welsh road trip.

8.) Snowdon National Park

In lots of ways, Snowdon is one of the best places to visit on a Welsh road trip. Not just because it’s almost essential to cover by car (and foot), but because there is so much to do.

Once you’re here, make sure to take a ramble to the top of Mount Snowdon, explore the historic lakes and tarns and zip line down some of the historic slate quarries that used to call this spot home.

9.) Aberystwyth

This West Wales town is the perfect spot for bookworms and history buffs. Take a wander through the National Library of Wales, which houses every single book ever published or discover the caved and wooded secret spot where the world’s most famous art was evacuated to during World War II for safekeeping.

If you’re more into the sea-side and its stunning views, take a wander across the promenade, cumulating in a trip on the Electric Cliff Railway, that’ll take you to the highest point in the town…

…a perfect place to watch the sunset and easily one of the best places to visit on a Welsh road trip.

10.) Portmeirion

Perched on the north-west coast, Portmeirion is an Italian/Welsh town that’s one of the best places to visit on a Welsh road trip.

Spend a long afternoon exploring this quaint town, take a wander down the streets and even check into this gorgeous hotel that’s right in Portmeirion itself.

It really is so quaint to see.