Best Cities, Towns in Wales to Visit | Major Cities in Wales

Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and shares its borders with England to the west. Wales had a population of more than 3 million according to the latest census. The cities of Wales are worth to be explored. South Wales is the most populous area of which includes cities like Cardiff, Swansea, and Newport. Wales is a wonderful country, offering a stunning coastline, welcoming towns and delicious local produce. With so much to see and do, it can be hard to know where to stay.  From a literary gem to a colorful seafront, we have found you the best towns to stay in Wales. Whether you are looking for a relaxing break complete with top food and cozy cafes, or a more active getaway to blow away the cobwebs, there will be a town to meet your needs here are one of the top cities to visit in Wales:

Top 10 Cities in Wales

1. Chepstow

Chepstow is located in the Welsh county of Monmouthshire, right on the English border, 18 miles northwest from Bristol. As you approach the town, the first landmarks you’re likely to notice are the towering Chepstow Castle and the elegant bridge over the Wye, which dates back to the 1800s. Perched on a cliff, overlooking this best city to visit in Wales, the castle is considered to be one of the oldest remaining stone castles in Britain. During the Middle Ages, the port of Chepstow thrived as an importer of wine and an exporter of wood and bark from the nearby Wye Valley. Chepstow hosts a number of exciting annual events, including Chepstow Festival, Hoggin’ the Bridge and the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow Racecourse. Chepstow Festival takes place from June 19 to July 25 and features theatre performances at the grounds of the castle. Hoggin’ the Bridge is a lively motorcycle rally which takes place in October and sees hundreds of bikers make their way from the magnificent Severn Bridge to Chepstow Racecourse. For many, the biggest event in the town’s calendar is the Welsh Grand National, which attracts thousands of spectators and top jockeys, battling it out for the £120,000 prize. Chepstow has a wide variety of places to eat and drink, from traditional tearooms and cafes to award-winning restaurants and historic pubs.

Read more: Famous Haunted Places in Amsterdam

2. Laugharne

Laugharne in Wales is the last resting place of the 20th-century poet and author Dylan Thomas, the inspiration for Under Milk Wood, and was described as a “Timeless, mild, beguiling island of a town…” by the poet himself. This must-visit city in Wales recently commemorated and celebrated the centenary of the man’s birth a few years ago, and it is now possible to retrace his footsteps thanks to a map published online by The Times. Laugharne faces south out across the Bristol Channel – it is a few miles south of Carmarthen and west of Llanelli and east of Tenby. The town centres around Laugharne Castle, first built in 1116 at the mouth of the River Taf. It’s close to here that you will find The Old Boathouse, the final home of Dylan Thomas who lived here from 1949 until his death in 1953. He died in the USA – in New York City – of pneumonia, but was buried at the St Mary’s Churchyard in Laugharne, his grave marked with a white cross. The Old Boathouse is now a museum dedicated to his accomplishments and his short life of 39 years. He described his home as ‘sea-shaken’ and you can see why from its position, held on some rocks down in the Taf Estuary. A few of its rooms have been kept as they would have been when Thomas lived there and others are filled with original letters, manuscripts and information about his life. A small walk along the cliff top is the poet’s writing shed, jutting out over the sands, where Thomas would lock himself in to write. Also, there’s a tearoom at the boathouse now. Dogs are welcome in the garden but not inside the house.

3. Caerphilly

The town of Caerphilly is one of the best cities in Wales. Caerphilly castle is one of the major attractions that would be too stern for most fairy tales, guards the entrance to the Rhymney Valley to the north of Cardiff. Its name is synonymous with, slightly crumbly, popular variety of mild and hard white cheese that was once made in farmhouses all over South Wales. Its other claim to fame is as the birthplace of Tommy Cooper, a much-loved British comedian who died while performing a live TV show in 1984. A statue of Cooper in his trademark fez and with a rabbit at his feet overlooks the castle from near the tourist office. Unfortunately, nothing else in the town remotely approaches the castle (or the cheese, for that matter) for interest and significance – it’s a definite day-trip candidate.

Read more: Best Theme Parks of Amsterdam

4. Hay-On-Wye

Since 1988, Hay-on-Wye has been the worthy venue for a literary festival which draws over 80,000 bibliophile visitors over 10 days at the end of May / beginning of June. Attend book launches and to see and hear big literary names from all over the world in order to buy books. Including former US President Bill Clinton many high profile visitors visited the Book Fair. The Hay castle is a major point of interest and the Telegraph Hay Festival, a literary festival, which Bill Clinton aptly described as ‘The Woodstock for the Mind’ on 27 May-6 June 2010. On Lion Street at this major city in Wales the Old Black Lion is known for its great food and has a good atmosphere. Tomatitos Tapas Bar on the corner of St John’s Place and Brook Street serves traditional Spanish tapas with a wide selection of wine and beers.

5. Bangor

Bangor is one of the smallest cities in the UK and the oldest city in Wales. By Queen Elizabeth II in 1974, it was officially given city status but the cathedral site of the city dates back to the 6th century.  Near the beautiful waters of the Menai Strait, the city is situated in Gwynedd in North West Wales. This whole city of Wales is pier with seaside charm, a dramatic National Trust mansion called Penrhyn Castle and Wales’ longest High Street.  Over half of the population of Bangor University students, the population stands at nearly more than 20,000. With alumni including the author, director and producer Danny Boyle and poet R S Thomas, the university ranks highly for student satisfaction and teaching quality. The famous singers Aled Jones and Duffy and the Turner Prize winning sculptor Richard Deacon were born in Bangor.   

Read more: Most Visited Museums in Amsterdam

6. Cardiff  

In South Wales, Cardiff is the capital city of Wales. It holds major sporting and entertainment events while retaining a friendly community feel and it is widely known as a compact, vibrant and multicultural city.  Where public transport is the only way to get about, unlike in some capital cities, it’s easy to walk around Cardiff. Built-in the 19th century by the architect William Burges, in the middle of the city centre there is Cardiff Castle. It’s a medieval fortress with thick Roman walls from the outside. With gilded ceilings, stained glass, wood carvings and intricate detailing the rooms are ornately decorated inside. Behind the castle, there is Bute Park which is also known as “green lungs” of the city centre, and the National Museum Cardiff. As well as exhibitions about the history of Wales and touring shows, the museum houses the best collection of Impressionist art outside of Paris. The city centre of Cardiff is a major destination for nightlife, sports, shopping, eating, and entertainment with venues like the Principality Stadium hosting concerts from chart-topping artists and international sporting events and a former dockland area, Cardiff Bay played a vital role in the Industrial Revolution, has Wales Millennium Centre – a venue for all things arts, music, stage and culture. 

7. St David’s

St Davids is the UK’s smallest city in Pembrokeshire. This most beautiful city in Wales is named after the patron saint of Wales, St David who was born and buried there. Building 12 monasteries in his time and teaching thousands of people, St David was a bishop who helped to spread Christianity around Europe. Built between the 12th and 14th century, St David’s Cathedral was on the former site of a 6th-century chapel in the city. In a dip in the hills, it is tucked away, but it is nothing short of spectacular. There are lots of little shops, pubs and places to eat in the main part of the city. Such as Whitesands Beach, the beaches nearby are immaculate. St Davids is used as the start and endpoint for wildlife-spotting boat trips due to its coastal location (it falls within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park). You can visit Ramsey Island, Skomer Island and many more from there with potential sightings of puffins, porpoises, whales, and dolphins on the cards. It’s a good place to do some scrambling and sea-jumping with a guide and coasteering was invented in St Davids.

Read more: Reasons to Visit Amsterdam

8. Newport

To the north of Cardiff, Newport is a city in South East Wales. This famous city in Wales is known as the country’s largest coal exporting port, and it remains an industrial area. Newport Transporter Bridge, one of only six working transporter bridges in the world arguably known as its best-known landmark of the city. You can climb up its towers and walk across the gangway or sail under it on a gondola. As well as the nearby Fourteen Locks Visitor Centre, transport enthusiasts enjoy the engine room and visitor center. The Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales, Newport Museum and Art Gallery has displays on Chartists, while Roman remains are on show in Caerleon. With pop-up shows and theatre productions, the underground arts scene is burgeoning.

9. St Asaph 

In the UK, St Asaph is the second smallest city in Wales. Between the town of Denbigh and the coastal resort of Rhyl, it is in Denbighshire, North Wales. Dates back to the 13th century, St Asaph Cathedral is the smallest ancient cathedral in Great Britain. This most visited city in Wales is the same place where the William Morgan Bible is kept, this bible is the first version of the whole bible that was translated into Welsh from Greek and Hebrew. Various venues across St Asaph host the North Wales International Music Festival every year.

Read more: Beautiful National Parks in Amsterdam

10. Swansea 

Swansea is the second-largest city in Wales. On the coast, the urban university city in the south of the country has a strong focus on Welsh heritage. The city is known for export as well as the Dylan Thomas (1914-53) who was a renowned poet and there is also a museum dedicated to him. The Dylan Thomas Centre, and a Dylan Thomas Trail around the city are some of the landmarks in his life and works.  The Glynn Vivian Gallery of art and the National Waterfront Museum of Welsh industry and innovation are the other museums. Gower Peninsula, Britain’s first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is the prettiest part of Swansea. Gorgeous beaches, coastal paths and rolling hills are the hugely picturesque area of this beautiful city in Wales. Such as Worm’s Head and Rhossili Bay, there are lots of scenic spots to choose from.

These top 10 cities in Wales are letting us know all the best cities in Wales to visit as it is providing a brief description of the top 10 cities in Wales to visit and some Wales major cities. Hope this article would be beneficial for visitors as it provides the name of cities in Wales which should not be missed during your vacation and kindly share your views.

The post Best Cities, Towns in Wales to Visit | Major Cities in Wales appeared first on World Tour & Travel Guide, Get Travel Tips, Information, Discover Travel Destination | Adequate Travel.