Things to Do in Wales: Your Complete Guide for 2026
The best things to do in Wales range from exploring over 600 castles and 41 Blue Flag beaches to zip-lining at the fastest zip line in the world and coasteering off Pembrokeshire cliffs. Whether you are planning a family day out, an adrenaline-fuelled adventure weekend or a quiet escape into the countryside, this guide covers every activity, attraction and experience worth your time in 2026.
Conwy Castle
What’s New in Wales for 2026
Wales has several major new attractions opening this year. Caerphilly Castle — the largest castle in Wales — has reopened with immersive digital exhibits in the Great Hall and interactive experiences across the grounds. In Wrexham, the new Football Museum opens in June 2026, celebrating the town’s remarkable rise alongside the expanded Wrexham Museum and TyPawb Arts Centre.
The Elan Valley in Mid Wales now has a dedicated planetarium and upgraded visitor centre for stargazers and nature lovers. And Zip World has enhanced its Deep Mine Tour at Llechwedd, adding new underground experiences to what is already one of the most popular adventures and activities in Wales.
Castles and Heritage
Wales has more castles per square mile than any other country in Europe — over 600 in total. The UNESCO World Heritage fortresses at Caernarfon, Conwy and Harlech are the headline acts, but smaller gems like Carreg Cennen perched on a limestone cliff and Laugharne Castle overlooking the Taf estuary are equally rewarding. Many castles are managed by Cadw, and a membership card gives unlimited access to dozens of sites across the country.
Beyond castles, Wales has a deep heritage stretching back thousands of years. Roman fortresses at Caerleon, the National Slate Museum in Llanberis, and over 90 museums and galleries — most with free entry — covering everything from industrial history to contemporary Welsh art. St Fagans National Museum of History near Cardiff is one of the most visited heritage attractions in the UK and is completely free.
Kidwelly Castle
Adventure and Outdoors
Wales is one of the best adventure destinations in the UK. Zip World in North Wales is home to Velocity, the fastest zip line in the world, as well as underground trampolines, forest coasters and the newly enhanced Deep Mine Tour at Llechwedd. Coasteering was invented in Pembrokeshire and remains one of the most exhilarating ways to experience the Welsh coastline — jumping from cliffs, swimming through caves and scrambling across rocks with an experienced guide. Prices start from around £35 per person.
Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park offers mountain trails for every ability. The Llanberis Path is the most popular route up Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), while the Snowdon Horseshoe and Crib Goch ridge challenge experienced scramblers. Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) is home to some of the best gorge walking and adventure sports in Britain, and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park has 186 miles of unbroken coastal path.
Hiking, cycling and mountain biking, water sports, horse riding, fishing and golf are all covered in our specialist guides.
Surfing in Westdale Bay, Pembrokeshire
Beaches and Coast
Wales has 41 Blue Flag beaches and some of the cleanest coastal water in Europe. The 870-mile Wales Coast Path provides walking access to the entire shoreline — the first country in the world to have a continuous coastal path. Pembrokeshire, Gower and Anglesey offer the finest stretches of sand, while surfers head to Llangennith and Newgale and families love Tenby, Barmouth and Abersoch.
Rhossili Bay on Gower has been voted one of the best beaches in Europe multiple times, and Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire is regularly named among the world’s most beautiful. If you are visiting with a dog, our guide to dog-friendly beaches in Wales covers seasonal restrictions and the best year-round options across every region.
Food and Drink
The Welsh food scene has grown enormously in recent years. Wales now has Michelin-starred restaurants, award-winning whisky at Penderyn Distillery, vineyards producing internationally recognised wines, and a street food and drink scene that is gaining a national reputation. Do not miss traditional Welsh cakes, a bowl of cawl on a cold day, or the seafood straight off the boats in Cardigan Bay.
Food experiences are becoming one of the most popular things to do in Wales. Cooking classes, farm-to-fork dining, distillery tours and artisan market visits all feature in our guide to Welsh food and cuisine.
Family Activities
Wales is one of the best family destinations in Britain. Theme parks like Oakwood, Folly Farm and GreenWood offer full days out for every age group, while Zip World’s underground trampoline and forest coaster are unlike anything else in the UK. Castles with interactive exhibits, beaches with rock pools, and heritage steam railways all keep children entertained.
For rainy days, Wales has over 90 free museums and galleries, plus indoor attractions like the Royal Mint Experience, the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea and Dan yr Ogof — the largest showcave complex in Europe. Our comprehensive family guide covers activities for teenagers, children and toddlers.
Nature and Wildlife
Wales has three National Parks, five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and some of the best wildlife watching in the British Isles. Skomer Island off the Pembrokeshire coast is home to one of the largest puffin colonies in the UK, with the best viewing between May and July. Bottlenose dolphins can be spotted in Cardigan Bay year-round, and red kites soar over the hills of Mid Wales thanks to one of conservation’s greatest success stories.
The Elan Valley in Powys is one of the world’s best dark sky reserves, and the new planetarium and upgraded visitor centre make it an even better destination for stargazers. For walkers who prefer woodland to mountaintops, the Celtic Rainforest in West Wales is an ancient temperate rainforest unlike anything else in the country. Explore our full nature and landscapes and wildlife guides for more.
Culture and Events
Wales has a cultural calendar that punches well above its weight. The National Eisteddfod is one of Europe’s oldest and largest cultural festivals. The Hay Festival brings the world’s greatest writers to a tiny border town. Green Man is consistently rated one of the UK’s best music festivals. And Six Nations rugby at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff is an experience unlike anything else in sport.
In 2026, key events include the Portmeirion centenary celebrations, the Wrexham Football Museum opening in June, and Aberystwyth’s new status as a UNESCO City of Literature. The Welsh language is spoken by over 800,000 people and adds a distinctive cultural dimension to every visit — from bilingual road signs to traditional music sessions in country pubs.
Things to Do by Region
Mountains, castles and adrenaline. Home to Eryri (Snowdonia), Zip World, Conwy, Anglesey and the Llyn Peninsula.
Cardiff, the Brecon Beacons, the Wye Valley and the South Wales Valleys. Culture, food, nightlife and stunning scenery.
Pembrokeshire coastline, St Davids, Carmarthenshire and some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe.
Elan Valley, the Cambrian Mountains, Aberystwyth and the Ceredigion coast. Big landscapes, very few people.
Not sure where to start?
Our guide to the most beautiful places in Wales and our Wales road trip itinerary will help you plan the perfect route.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the number one thing to do in Wales?
Visiting a Welsh castle is the most iconic experience in Wales. With over 600 castles — more per square mile than anywhere in Europe — there is one for every interest, from the UNESCO-listed fortresses of Caernarfon and Conwy to romantic ruins like Carreg Cennen. Many are free to enter, and a Cadw membership provides unlimited access to the best.
What can you do in Wales for free?
Many of the best things to do in Wales are completely free. National Museum Cardiff, St Fagans National Museum of History and the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea all have free entry. Every beach in Wales is free to access, the Wales Coast Path is free to walk, and hiking trails across all three National Parks have no entry charge. The only costs are parking (typically £3–5 at popular trailheads) and optional Cadw memberships for castle access.
What is Wales best known for?
Wales is famous for its castles, rugby, male voice choirs, the Welsh language, and dramatic landscapes. It has more castles per square mile than anywhere in Europe, three National Parks, 870 miles of coastline and 41 Blue Flag beaches. Welsh culture — including the National Eisteddfod, traditional music and the country’s distinctive bilingual identity — is what sets it apart from other UK destinations.
Is Wales good for family holidays?
Wales is one of the best family holiday destinations in the UK. It has theme parks (Oakwood, Folly Farm, Zip World), Blue Flag beaches, interactive castle exhibits, heritage steam railways and over 90 free museums. Self-catering cottages and farm stays offer space and flexibility for families, and many attractions cater specifically to children of all ages. See our family activities guide for ideas by age group.
What are the best things to do in Wales when it rains?
Wales has plenty of indoor attractions for wet days. National Museum Cardiff, the Royal Mint Experience, Dan yr Ogof showcaves, Zip World’s underground trampoline, the Llechwedd Deep Mine Tour, and dozens of local museums and galleries are all excellent rainy-day options. Many castles also have indoor exhibits, and Wales’ growing food scene means cooking classes, distillery tours and pub lunches are enjoyable whatever the weather.
Ready to explore?
Browse our specialist guides below or explore Wales by region to find the perfect activities for your trip.
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Our accommodation guide covers cottages, hotels, camping, glamping and unique stays across the whole of Wales.
Last updated: February 2026
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