Best Road Trip from Cardiff

We reckon our road trip from Cardiff ticks all the boxes when it comes to a brilliant Welsh adventure! Taking in stunning beaches, ancient sites and all three of the country’s national parks in one 10-day loop, this trip will let you experience some of the most spectacular scenery possible when you visit Wales. Discover the top places to visit along the way below!

Best road trip from Cardiff – 10 places you can’t miss

From South Wales to Mid Wales and then north, this is one of the best Welsh road trips you’ll ever have. Start from Cardiff – don’t forget to see Cardiff Castle before leaving! – and follow the coast west and north before coming back to Cardiff via its top inland attractions.

The entire route is around 545 miles – see the map below – but we’ve included additional routes on several destinations so you can detour to take in the absolute best of the country.

Total distance : 545 miles | Recommended days: 10 | Best time to drive the route: Mid May to October | Route on Google Maps

1. Gower Peninsula

Our first stop is a jewel in the South Wales crown, the beautiful Gower Peninsula. This Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) was the first AONB to be designated in Great Britain, so it’s a given that you’ll see plenty of gorgeous coastal scenery.

Although only 19 miles long, the Gower Peninsula has heaps of spectacular highlights. Make for Rhossili, a three-mile stretch of golden beach overlooking the breathtaking views of Rhossili Bay; the site is managed by the National Trust which has now added a shop in the former coastguard cottages built here in the 1920s. Elsewhere around the peninsula, there are around 30 beaches and coves to explore – try Llangennith and Langland Bay for surfing, and Oxwich and Horton for family fun. Mumbles and Three Cliffs Bay are also very much worth a visit!

Get to the Gower Peninsula from Cardiff on a 60-mile journey west via Swansea. If you have time for detours, follow the coast south from Cardiff to the seaside town of Barry and the popular coastal village of Ogmore-by-Sea.

2. Pembroke Castle

Onto the Pembrokeshire coast now, one of the best-known tourist destinations in Wales and the setting of the glorious Pembrokeshire Coast National Park… and to one of the best known of Wales’s 600 or so castles, the fortress at Pembroke. Established in 1093 on a strategic rocky promontory, the castle’s had a long and rich role in Welsh history as the birthplace of Henry VII and the seat of the earls of Pembroke. It opens to the public in mid-May every year until the end of December.

It’s about 73 miles direct to the castle from the Gower Peninsula. But take ourRhossili Bay to Pembroke Castle route instead: its 80-mile journey allows for stops at the popular seaside towns of Saundersfoot and Tenby. Inland, you’ll also pass Carmarthen, claimed to be the oldest town in Wales and home of another fabulous castle.

3. St Davids/Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

There are so many activities and sightseeing options in Britain’s only fully coastal national park that you could easily spend a full trip here. We’ve picked St Davids as your second park must-see: this tiny coastal settlement and historic place of pilgrimage is the smallest city in Britain and one of the most iconic sights in Wales. St Davids Cathedral and the adjacent Bishop’s Palace are the top highlights – both recommended.

But St Davids isn’t our only recommendation for the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park! Drive west from Pembroke Castle to the beach at Freshwater West, famous for its surfing and for the setting of Shell Cottage in the final Harry Potter film. See also Poppit Sands, the start/endpoint for the Pembrokeshire Coast Path; Castell Henllys and its open-air museum; and Barafundle Bay, a magnificent sheltered cove. Among the park’s five isles are Caldey Island (access from Tenby), one of Britain's holy islands, and Skomer Island (access from Martin's Haven), a stunning wildlife location.

OurPembroke Castle to St Davids route (44 miles) detours to Freshwater East, then goes north along the Pembrokeshire coast passing Broad Haven, Newgale and Solva.

4. Cardigan Bay

Just as you can’t miss the Pembrokeshire coast on a Wales road trip, neither can you miss Cardigan Bay on a road trip from Cardiff. Running from Strumble Head in Pembrokeshire north along the coast to Bardsey Island on the Llŷn Peninsula, Britain’s biggest bay is famed for its scenery, beaches and wildlife watching. OurPembrokeshire to Cardigan Bay route goes from St Davids to Aberaeron (57 miles), passing Fishguard and Cardigan.

Cardigan Bay is the best place in Wales to spot bottlenose dolphins, as it has the biggest population of them in the UK. Harbour porpoises, grey seals, basking sharks and minke whales can also be spotted around the bay, along with puffins and other sea birds. Potter around Cardigan Bay’s seaside resorts too, such as Barmouth, Porthmadog, Aberaeron, Borth, New Quay… and the next stop on our adventure!

5. Aberystwyth

Aberystwyth on Cardigan Bay is one of the most visited Welsh seaside towns, partly for its scenery and outdoor activities and partly for its vibe and nightlife as a lively university town. It’s a centre for Welsh academia too as the setting of the National Library of Wales.

Start your Aberystwyth sightseeing with a ride up Constitution Hill on the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway, at the northern end of Aberystwyth promenade. You could also visit Aberystwyth Arts Centre, one of the biggest arts centres in Wales, roam around the Parc Penglais nature reserve, or set off on the Ystwyth Trail cycle path, a 21-mile trail linking Aberystwyth with Llanfarian, Ystrad Meurig and Tregaron. A great sightseeing option is to take the Vale of Rheidol steam railway from Aberystwyth to Devil's Bridge, then walk to the Devil’s Bridge waterfalls.

Aberaeron to Aberystwyth is just 16 miles, leaving plenty of time on Day 5 to explore the town.

6. Isle of Anglesey

Beautiful Anglesey is the largest island in Wales, accessed by road over the Menai Bridge over Menai Strait. Its coastline is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has plenty of sandy beaches, many bays around its northern cliffs, and the 124-mile Anglesey Coastal Path.

By road, we recommend visiting county town Llangefni; Beaumaris, home of Beaumaris Castle, and Amlwch, the most northerly town in Wales. At the port town of Holyhead, visit the Holyhead Maritime Museum or take a boat trip out to Skerries Lighthouse.

Drive fromAberystwyth to Anglesey (85 miles), arriving at the small village of Menai Bridge. There are heaps of detours such as Borth, Barmouth and Aberdyfi, or stops along the route at Machynlleth, Dolgellau and Caernarfon.

7. Llandudno

We’re on the North Wales coast now for our next stop! The Victorian coastal town of Llandudno is set scenically between the Great Orme and the Little Orme headlands with the Irish Sea on one side and the estuary of the River Conwy on the other – it’s the biggest seaside resort in Wales, so there’s plenty to enjoy!

Things to do include strolling Llandudno Pier, the longest in Wales, plus visiting the Bronze Age mines on the upper slopes of the Great Orme; you could also bask on North Beach or take the Great Orme Tramway to the summit of the Great Orme. Make sure to take the Llandudno Cable Car too!

TheIsle of Anglesey to Llandudno is 24 miles. Llandudno is under five miles from magnificent Conwy Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the castle to walk along its walls, then wander around Conwy town to see the Royal Cambrian Gallery of Art and opulent Bodnant Gardens.

8. Snowdonia National Park

Our final three stops go inland through Wales back down to Cardiff. The first unmissable destination is Snowdonia National Park, the mountainous region in northwestern Wales that became the first national park in Wales back in 1951. Snowdonia has the UK’s highest peaks outside Scotland and includes Mount Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales. Snowdon is a popular Welsh climbing destination; if you don’t fancy it, take the Snowdon Mountain Railway instead.

The recommended route fromLlandudno to Snowdonia National Park (20 miles) arrives in the park at the visitor centre at Betws-y-Coed. You’ll find all the info you need about activities and sights in Snowdonia here: top attractions are Bala Lake, Harlech Castle and former mining centre of Blaenau Ffestiniog to take the Ffestiniog Railway and visit the Llechwedd Slate Caverns

9. Hay-on-Wye

Hay-on-Wye or Hay is Wales’s premier book town, the setting of the literature-based Hay Festival every year. It has over 40 bookshops as well as plenty of independent shops selling antiques, music, local crafts and local produce. For sightseeing around Hay, take part of the lengthyOffa's Dyke Path which passes through the town.

Try and arrive in Hay on a Thursday if possible for Hay Market, 40+ stalls clustered around Memorial Square, Cheese Market, Butter Market and around the Clock Tower. There’s a real wealth of goods for sale here – not just local fruit, veg, bread and locally reared meat, but local cheeses, pressed juices and chutneys, vintage items and bric a brac, homeware, artworks, clothing and jewellery.

10. Brecon Beacons National Park

Hay is at the northeastern corner of the Brecon Beacons National Park, the final destination on our Wales road trip. This Mid Wales national park is made up of mountains, hills, waterfalls, open spaces, and many historic sites from prehistoric monuments to medieval castles. It’s also the home of mighty Pen Y Fan, the highest mountain in Wales, and a popular climbing and hiking destination around the Black Mountains and Fans Hills.

One of the park’s highlights is the World Heritage Site at Blaenavon with landmarks from the Industrial Revolution – go down a coal mine at the Big Pit National Mining Museum or take a trip on the steam-powered Blaenavon Railway. The park also has guided walks and events throughout the year, food festivals and farmers’ markets, and activities of all sorts including horse riding, pony trekking, whitewater rafting, kayaking, fishing and golf. Also, check out the National Showcaves Centre for Wales to the park’s west – another of our must-sees!

Drive fromHay to the Brecon Beacons National Park visitor centre and tearooms at Libanus (22 miles), passing the market town of Brecon. Once you’ve finished your Brecons sightseeing, it’s 39 miles from theBrecon Beacons National Park to Cardiff and the end of our trip.

If you’re still keen to explore, go east! The Wye Valley AONB, 35 miles from Cardiff on the border between England and Wales is a wildlife haven and protected area centred around the River Wye, perfect for a day trip.

Organising your road trip from Cardiff

Now that you know where to visit on a road trip from Cardiff, it’s time to start planning your holiday! First things first, arrange campervan hire in Cardiff! We have plenty more info too on road trips all over Wales – check out our ultimate Wales road trip route, North Wales road trip itinerary, tips on a west coast Wales road trip, and our guide to the bestroad trip in South Wales.

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