I’VE explored over 70 destinations worldwide, but nothing comes close to Cymru.

I might be biased, but it’s easy to fall in love with my homeland – there are sing-song accents, wild landscapes, decent , market towns and sandy beaches galore.

Portia Jones poses in front of a cottage covered in red autumn foliage in Wales.
Wales has loads to explore from sandy beaches to rolling hills Source: Portia Jones

Despite its relatively small size, Wales has loads to explore if you know where to look.

If you’re planning a read on for my favourite places you won’t want to miss…

Best beaches

Scenic coastal view of a sandy beach in Wales bordered by grassy cliffs and turquoise sea under a bright blue sky.
With 1,600 miles of coastline, there are loads of beaches you can visit including Poppit Sands and Monknash Beach Source: Portia Jones

1,600-mile coastline is among the world’s most beautiful, stretching across sandy beaches, pebbled shorelines, and secluded coves – here are some of my top picks:

Poppit Sands, Pembrokeshire

Dune-backed Poppit Sands has retained its Blue Flag for 2026 and is one of my favourite wildlife-spotting locations, as bottlenose dolphins can often be seen from the

The beachside bakery Crwst is another highlight here; pop in for brioche doughnuts and Welsh roasted .

Monknash Beach, Vale of Glamorgan

A lesser-known local favourite, dog-friendly Monknash is only reachable on foot via a wooded path that leads to towering limestone cliffs andembedded rocks.

You won’t find any amenities at this secluded spot, but that’s part of its wild charm.

From the beach, walk to the 14th-century Plough & Harrow for a pint by the fire.

A blonde woman holds a Welsh flag in a Welsh valley with grassy hills and a blue sky with white clouds.
Even the Eryri National Park has beaches, as well as one of the largest campsites in Europe Source: Portia Jones

Shell Island, Eryri National Park

Peninsula in Eryri National Park has sandy beaches and dunes, with over 200 shell varieties strewn along the shoreline.

Known for excellent crabbing, it’s also home to one of packed with amenities including a tavern bar, supermarket, hot showers, and launderette.

Three Cliffs Bay, Gower

Regularly listed as one of the , this sandy beach and salt marsh remain thankfully uncommercialised.

It’s located on a particularly scenic section of the and if you head east, you can reach pretty Oxwich Bay on a wooded clifftop walk.

Best market towns

A town square in Wales featuring a stone clock tower and historic buildings under a cloudy sky.
For a market town you could head to Rhayader where there are lots of boutiques and pubs with their own brews Source: Portia Jones

I’ve clocked up a fair few market towns across Wales, and these beauties are worth the drive.

Rhayader

This crossroads prides itself on its selection of boutiques and pubs where Welsh-brewed ales are still reasonably priced.

Browse haberdashery and Welsh souvenirs at family-run Hafod Hardware, then enjoy a lovely Sunday lunch at the Crown.

Abergavenny

The Gateway to Wales has a long trading history, with weekly and period centred around the Victorian market.

A highlight is the town’s annual where you can watch chef demonstrations and try local produce.

A town square in Wales with a stone clock tower and colorful buildings.
Alternatively, visit Machynlleth for an annual comedy festival with many famous names Source: Portia Jones

Machynlleth

Known for its festivals and arts scene, Mach is a cultural hub, best known for its annual festival that attracts big-name comedians.

Explore indie shops, visit the of Modern Art, and head to the historic Wednesday Market, which has run since 1291.

Llandeilo

This pastel-coloured hilltop town has scores of shops and cafés and is home to the cherry-red 18th-century Cawdor Hotel, along with a haunted 17th-century manor and parklands.

Top places for a pint in Wales

The Tŷ Coch Inn on the coast of Wales, with small boats anchored on the shore under a partly cloudy sky.
The country is home to great pubs as well such as the Ty Coch Inn with views of the Irish Sea Source: Portia Jones

Wales has loads of decent boozers where you can sip a Welsh ale or have a pub tea and here are some of my top picks:

Ty Coch Inn, Porthdinllaen

One of Wales’s most famous s, Ty Coch Inn sits in Porthdinllaen, a tiny village on the Llyn Peninsula.

Voted one of the in the world, it sits right on the golden sands with epic views of the Irish Sea and is only reachable on foot.

Felin Fach Griffin, Bannau Brycheiniog

This dog-friendly pub with rooms is the epitome of a where you can have a reasonably priced Welsh ale by a cracking fire on a squashy sofa.

Listed in the , it also has a decent seasonal menu packed with Welsh produce.

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Exterior view of the Crown Inn in Wales, featuring a traditional pub facade with a sign, dark wood trim, and outdoor seating.
Other options include the 18th-century Sloop Inn and City Arms in Cardiff Source: Portia Jones

The Sloop Inn, Porthgain

I love a character-filled pub, and the 18th-century Sloop Inn’s decor is as eclectic as the crowds, with wood beams paired with vintage fishing nets, a penny bar and historic signs.

Order specials from the chalkboard menu for proper good pub grub.

City Arms, Cardiff

Opposite s Principality Stadium, the historic City Arms has long drawn sports crowds for its buzzing match-day atmosphere and huge selection of Welsh and craft ales.

Get a pint of Brains Dark and a pickled egg.

Mold Alehouse, Mold

Up for , Mold Alehouse is a top-tier micro-pub in a Grade II-listed building with no TVs, live music or spirits.

Instead, the landlords focus on cask beer and quality chats.

Best places to stay

A woman in a white bathrobe stands on a balcony, holding a mug and looking at the view of a lake and forested hills in Wales.
There’s a hotel for everyone from glamping to luxury five-star spots Source: Portia Jones

I’ve stayed in hotels, B&Bs and sites across the country; here are some of my favourite stays:

Parkgate Hotel, Cardiff

My favourite four-star stay is housed in a former and county court.

Parkgate has all the hallmarks of a swish city-centre hotel, with a Michelin-listed brasserie and a glass-fronted spa overlooking the Welsh Capital.

Llanthony Castaway, Llanthony

There’s no signal in this stylishly converted railway cabin in the remote Welsh countryside, so you’ll have to make do with wholesome campfires and

Gladstone’s Library, Flintshire

Unleash your inner Belle at Gladstone Library, the UK’s only residential library, with subtle and a bistro.

Home to over 150,000 books and journals, you won’t be short of bedtime reading.

A woman sits on a wooden bench outside the Harbourmaster hotel in Wales.
At The Harbourmaster Hotel you can stay in one of 13 maritime-themed rooms Source: Portia Jones

The Harbourmaster Hotel, Aberaeron

A landmark hotel and a favourite of , the Harbourmaster has 13 maritime-themed rooms and overlooks Aberaeron harbour.

Bag a seat on the terrace with a Spritz and graze on their signature HM Charcuterie.

Browns Hotel

Forever linked to Dylan Thomas, the bar was the Welsh poet’s favourite drinking hole.

Uniquely designed rooms have everything you need, like a fancy coffee machine, Welsh wool blankets and a good bath.

My top hidden gem – Elan Valley

Two people inside a wooden shelter looking out at a starry night sky in Wales.
And for a hidden gem, visit The Elan Estate to get uninterrupted views of the stars Source: Portia Jones

The Elan Estate in the underrated s covers around 70 square miles of Victorian dams, reservoirs, rugged cycle routes and walking trails.

When night-time conditions are right, you’ll find world-class stargazing opportunities; the estate earned ‘International Dark Sky Park’ status in 2015 and its 45,000 acres are protected from light pollution.