South Wales · City
Cardiff
Wales's capital, combining castle, civic centre, arcades, museums and a redeveloped waterfront.
Explore Cardiff →A capital city, wild coast and valleys shaped by industry and landscape
Explore Cardiff's waterfront and historic centre, head west towards Swansea and the Gower, or turn inland for Caerphilly, the Valleys and the eastern border country.
City to coast in under a daySouth Wales changes character quickly — from capital streets to cliffs and valleysChoose Cardiff, the coast or the Valleys first and let the day build from there.
Explore South Wales & Cardiff
Choose somewhere to begin
Use the map to explore Cardiff, Swansea, Gower, castle towns, valleys and the eastern edge of South Wales.
Featured places
Where to go in South Wales & Cardiff
South Wales is broad enough to need clear sub-regions: Cardiff, Swansea/Gower, the Valleys and the eastern border country.
South Wales · City
Swansea
A coastal city with marina, cultural attractions and immediate access to Gower.
Explore Swansea →South Wales · Coast
Gower Peninsula
Cliffs, beaches and limestone landscapes west of Swansea.
Explore Gower Peninsula →South Wales · Heritage
Caerphilly
A town dominated by one of Britain's largest medieval castles.
Explore Caerphilly →South Wales Valleys · Town
Pontypridd
A lively valley town on the Taff, well placed for exploring the industrial and cultural story of the region.
Explore Pontypridd →Heads of the Valleys · Town
Merthyr Tydfil
A historic industrial town with access towards the central valleys and Bannau Brycheiniog.
Explore Merthyr Tydfil →Eastern Edge · Landscape
Wye Valley
Wooded river scenery and historic settlements along the England-Wales border.
Explore Wye Valley →Vale of Glamorgan · Coast
Barry Island
A traditional seaside destination with beaches, promenade and easy access from Cardiff.
Explore Barry Island →South Wales · Landscape
Vale of Glamorgan
Rolling countryside, villages and a heritage coastline west of Cardiff.
Explore Vale of Glamorgan →Choose your kind of day
What is South Wales & Cardiff best for?
Cardiff culture, castle & waterfrontCapital City
Gower, Glamorgan & beachesCoast
Caerphilly and industrial historyCastles & Heritage
Communities, hills & river routesValleys & Landscapes
Easy combinations
Places that work well together
South Wales rewards choosing a clear zone for the day instead of trying to combine Cardiff, Gower and the Valleys at once.
Cardiff city & bay
A strong first-day city route.
- Castle and civic centre
- Arcades and museums
- Cardiff Bay for the evening
Swansea & Gower
A coast-led day.
- Swansea for city base
- Choose one or two Gower beaches
- Leave time for coastal viewpoints
Caerphilly & the Valleys
A heritage-and-landscape day.
- Caerphilly Castle
- Follow one valley north
- Add an industrial-heritage or hill stop
Choose city, coast or valleys first
The region's variety is its strength, but combining too many zones in one day usually wastes time.
For a dayChoose Cardiff, Gower/Swansea or one valleys route.
For a weekendCombine a city day with coast or countryside.
By railStrong for Cardiff, Swansea and several valley corridors.
By carBest for Gower, Vale of Glamorgan and rural border country.
When you know where you are going
Stay · Do · Explore
Choose the experience first: capital break, coast or valleys.
Keep exploring
Continue towards Bannau Brycheiniog or West Wales
Bannau Brycheiniog and Pembrokeshire & West Wales are the natural next journeys from South Wales & Cardiff.