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 pubs, market towns and sandy beaches galore.
Despite its relatively small size, Wales has loads to explore if you know where to look.
If you’re planning a Welsh staycation, read on for my favourite places you won’t want to miss…
Best beaches
Wales’ 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
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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 coastal path.
The beachside bakery Crwst is another highlight here; pop in for brioche doughnuts and Welsh roasted coffee.
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 and fossil-embedded 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 pub for a pint by the fire.
Shell Island, Eryri National Park
Shell Island 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 Europe’s largest campsites, packed with amenities including a tavern bar, supermarket, hot showers, and launderette.
Three Cliffs Bay, Gower
Regularly listed as one of the UK’s best beaches, this sandy beach and salt marsh remain thankfully uncommercialised.
It’s located on a particularly scenic section of the Wales Coast Path, and if you head east, you can reach pretty Oxwich Bay on a wooded clifftop walk.
Best market towns
I’ve clocked up a fair few market towns across Wales, and these beauties are worth the drive.
Rhayader
This crossroads market town 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 markets centred around the Victorian market.
A highlight is the town’s annual food festival where you can watch chef demonstrations and try local produce.
Machynlleth
Known for its festivals and arts scene, Mach is a cultural hub, best known for its annual comedy festival that attracts big-name comedians.
Explore indie shops, visit the Museum 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 National Trust 17th-century manor and parklands.
Top places for a pint in Wales
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 seaside pubs, Ty Coch Inn sits in Porthdinllaen, a tiny village on the Llyn Peninsula.
Voted one of the best beach bars 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 countryside inn, where you can have a reasonably priced Welsh ale by a cracking fire on a squashy sofa.
Listed in the Good Food Guide, it also has a decent seasonal menu packed with Welsh produce.
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 Cardiff’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 CAMRA Wales Pub of the Year 2026, 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
I’ve stayed in hotels, B&Bs and glamping sites across the country; here are some of my favourite stays:
Parkgate Hotel, Cardiff
My favourite four-star stay is housed in a former post office and county court.
Parkgate has all the hallmarks of a swish city-centre hotel, with a Michelin-listed brasserie and a glass-fronted spa pool 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 stargazing.
Gladstone’s Library, Flintshire
Unleash your inner Belle at Gladstone Library, the UK’s only residential library, with subtle literary-themed rooms and a bistro.
Home to over 150,000 books and journals, you won’t be short of bedtime reading.
The Harbourmaster Hotel, Aberaeron
A landmark hotel and a favourite of Jeremy Clarkson, 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 hotel’s 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
The Elan Estate in the underrated Cambrian Mountains 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.