Whether you're making a trip across Wales or you're looking for one spot, in particular, to base your travels from, the nation has a few more top-notch cities than it tends to get credit for. Here, we're going to take a closer look at some of these highlights, what they have to offer, and which might suit your needs, depending on what it is that you're hoping to find and to see. Keep in mind these are all just suggestions and you should have the final say based on the reason that you're visiting Wales in the first place.
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Come together with the world in Cardiff
Wales might not offer a whole ton of cities that could be called metropolitan, but Cardiff is certainly amongst those. One of the best of the big cities in Britain, there are plenty of eateries, places to shop, and sights to see when you visit Cardiff, making it the perfect place for a city break. Of course, few spots in Wales are bereft of historical interest, and the mighty Cardiff Castle is a must-see for those who want to clap their eyes on some incredibly impressive gothic architecture.
Enjoy the seaside at Llandudno
Wales is known for offering miles upon miles of the gorgeous seaside, and one of the best places to take advantage of that fact is in Llandudno, which is one of the most thriving tourist spots in the nation and by far the biggest seaside resort. There's a lot of old-school Victorian charm to this town, especially in the spectacular pier that reaches over 700 feet, offering some beautiful views of the ocean at the end. A great place for family vacations.
See history in St. David's
Although it's far from the only place in the region to allow you to get a good view of some truly wonderful historical architecture, the smallest city in Britain, St. David's, does offer perhaps the single best-known cathedral: St. David's Cathedral. From a hotel in St Davids, you can see the cathedral, as well as the time-worn but hauntingly beautiful ruins of the Bishop's Palace, there's plenty to admire here. It's also a great place to rent a boat if you want to take a trip out to some of the surrounding islands or to get the chance of skimming the water's surface alongside porpoises and other marine animals.
Take a rest in Tenby
Pembrokeshire is well known for its seaside delights, as well as the historical intrigue of St. Davids, and there are few places that show this off better than the town of Tenby. Perhaps a little too small to really be called a city, this old town has many of its ancient walls still standing, making for one of the more interesting historic routes. With two, gorgeous sandy beaches, the town offers beautiful views from the bay, both of the coastline stretching out before you, and of the rows upon rows of pastel houses and narrow alleys at your back.
Enjoy a read at Hay-on-Wye
Some towns might be known for their coastal views, others for their history, but the lovely town of Hay-on-Wye, surrounded by lush parks, woodland, and rolling hills, is perhaps best known for the many, many bookstores. Despite its relatively small size, it hosts roughly twenty popular and historically beloved bookstores, so it has become known as something of a town for literature lovers. That said, that's not all it has to offer, with the Hay Festival being a routine highlight, connecting with other festivals around the world for a cultural exchange experience the likes of which you won't find in many other places.
Take a train to Llangollen
Wales is perhaps the best nation in all of Britain to see a glimpse of life as it was, as there's no shortage of preservation efforts to maintain the charm of things like the heritage steam train that can take you from Corwen to Llangollen. If you're able to chose how you enter the town, this train ride is something you really ought to try. Otherwise, you should consider hiring a boat to take you down the River Dee, where you can see the mighty impressive Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.
With the points above, hopefully, you have a little more information about what the various cities of Wales have to offer and why you ought to consider each of them. Whether you're looking for the classic city break experience, to enjoy idyllic views, to delve into wonderful history or otherwise, the tips above should lead you to the right place.
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