Wales, a country steeped in myth and legend, boasts more castles per square mile than anywhere else in the world. From the magnificent fortresses built by Edward I to assert English dominance, to Welsh strongholds that stood as symbols of resistance, these stone sentinels provide a captivating window into the country's turbulent past. But Wales offers far more than just castles – it's a land of dramatic mountains, lush valleys, pristine coastlines, and a proud Celtic culture with one of Europe's oldest living languages.
In this guide, we'll explore the rich tapestry of experiences that Wales has to offer, from its most impressive medieval fortifications to its natural wonders and unique cultural heritage.
The Magnificent Castles of Wales
Wales boasts over 600 castles, ranging from romantic ruins to remarkably preserved structures. Here are some of the most impressive and historically significant castles that should be on every visitor's itinerary:
Caernarfon Castle
Perhaps the most famous of Edward I's "Iron Ring" of fortresses, Caernarfon Castle stands as one of the most impressive medieval buildings in Britain. Built between 1283 and 1330, its distinctive polygonal towers and color-banded masonry were designed to evoke the walls of Constantinople, symbolizing imperial power. The castle has maintained its connection to the British monarchy, serving as the venue for Prince Charles's investiture as Prince of Wales in 1969.
Visitors can explore the castle's towers, walls, and museum exhibits detailing its rich history. The castle's strategic position overlooking the Menai Strait and the town of Caernarfon provides stunning views of Snowdonia and Anglesey.
Conwy Castle
Another masterpiece of medieval military architecture from Edward I's campaign to subdue Wales, Conwy Castle is remarkably compact yet complete. With eight massive towers and a great bow-shaped hall, all set within walls that completely encircle the town, it creates one of the most distinctive fortress profiles in the world.
The castle's position on a rocky coastal ridge gives visitors breathtaking views over Conwy estuary and the mountains of Snowdonia. The well-preserved town walls, stretching for nearly 1.5 kilometers with 21 towers and three gateways, are among the finest in Europe and provide a fascinating elevated walking route around the historic town.
Harlech Castle
Dramatically situated on a rocky outcrop overlooking Cardigan Bay, Harlech Castle seems to rise naturally from the rock on which it stands. Despite being one of the more compact castles in Edward I's Iron Ring, it proved to be one of the most formidable, withstanding the longest siege in British history during the Wars of the Roses.
The castle's concentric design includes a massive gatehouse that was effectively a self-contained fortress in its own right. Today, visitors can walk the castle walls and enjoy spectacular views across Cardigan Bay to the mountains of Snowdonia. The castle's defiant stand inspired the stirring Welsh anthem "Men of Harlech."
Pembroke Castle
The birthplace of Henry VII, founder of the Tudor dynasty, Pembroke Castle is one of the finest and best-preserved Norman castles in Britain. Its imposing Great Keep, standing 75 feet tall with walls 19 feet thick at the base, dates from the late 12th century and dominates the castle complex.
The castle's unusual limestone outcrop location created a natural defensive position surrounded on three sides by the Pembroke River. Visitors today can explore extensive exhibitions, climb the Great Keep for panoramic views, and descend into the fascinating Wogan Cavern beneath the castle – a large natural cave that was incorporated into the castle's defenses.
Caerphilly Castle
The largest castle in Wales and the second-largest in Britain (after Windsor), Caerphilly Castle is a supreme example of a concentric castle with sophisticated water defenses. Built in the 13th century by Gilbert de Clare to secure control of the area, its most striking feature is the extensive lake defenses – a system of artificial lakes and moats that surround the castle.
The castle is famous for its leaning southeast tower, which out-leans Pisa's famous tower, damaged during the Civil War sieges. Inside, visitors can explore the impressive Great Hall, towers, and exhibits about medieval warfare and castle life.
Raglan Castle
Unlike the earlier military fortresses, Raglan Castle was built in the 15th and early 16th centuries as a statement of wealth and status, blending military features with luxurious living spaces. The most striking feature is the Great Tower (Yellow Tower of Gwent), a six-sided fortress within a fortress, surrounded by its own moat.
Raglan represents the transition from castle to palace, with large windows, ornate fireplaces, and comfortable apartments. Despite this focus on luxury, it proved its defensive capabilities during the Civil War, holding out against Parliamentary forces for thirteen weeks before finally surrendering in 1646.
Natural Wonders of Wales
Beyond its magnificent castles, Wales boasts breathtaking natural landscapes that offer endless opportunities for exploration and adventure.
Snowdonia National Park
Dominated by Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), the highest mountain in Wales at 1,085 meters, Snowdonia National Park encompasses 823 square miles of diverse landscapes, including rugged mountains, pristine lakes, ancient woodlands, and river valleys. The park offers over 1,497 miles of public footpaths, catering to walkers of all abilities.
For those who prefer not to hike to the summit, the Snowdon Mountain Railway provides a scenic journey up the mountain from Llanberis. Beyond Snowdon itself, the park includes many other impressive peaks, such as Tryfan, Glyder Fawr, and the Carneddau range.
The park is also home to picturesque villages like Betws-y-Coed and Beddgelert, historic sites including slate mines at Blaenau Ffestiniog, and narrow-gauge heritage railways that showcase the region's industrial heritage.
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
Britain's only coastal national park, the Pembrokeshire Coast features 186 miles of spectacular shoreline, including pristine beaches, dramatic cliffs, and hidden coves. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path follows this stunning coastline, offering walkers ever-changing views and the chance to spot seabirds, seals, and even dolphins and porpoises.
Highlights include the picturesque harbor town of Tenby with its pastel-colored houses, the lily ponds at Bosherston, the Green Bridge of Wales rock arch, and St. David's – Britain's smallest city, centered around its magnificent cathedral. The islands offshore, including Skomer, Skokholm, and Ramsey, are important wildlife havens, with Skomer being particularly famous for its puffin colony.
Brecon Beacons National Park
The Brecon Beacons offer a contrasting landscape of rolling hills, moorland plateaus, waterfalls, and deep valleys. The park's central feature is the Brecon Beacons range itself, including its highest peak, Pen y Fan (886 meters), which provides panoramic views across south and mid-Wales.
The park is home to spectacular waterfalls, particularly in the "Waterfall Country" area near Ystradfellte, where walks lead to falls such as Sgwd yr Eira, behind which visitors can walk. The park's dark skies (it was designated an International Dark Sky Reserve in 2013) make it an excellent location for stargazing.
Other attractions include the charming market town of Brecon, the ruins of Carreg Cennen Castle dramatically perched on a limestone crag, and the National Showcaves Centre at Dan-yr-Ogof, featuring spectacular cave systems and dinosaur exhibits.
Welsh Culture and Heritage
Wales has a distinct cultural identity rooted in its Celtic origins, with a language, literary traditions, music, and customs that have survived despite centuries of English influence.
The Welsh Language
Welsh (Cymraeg) is one of Europe's oldest living languages, with a literary tradition dating back to the 6th century. Today, approximately 750,000 people speak Welsh – around 28% of the population – and bilingual signs are common throughout the country.
Visitors often enjoy learning a few Welsh phrases, such as "Bore da" (Good morning), "Diolch" (Thank you), and "Iechyd da" (Cheers/Good health). Many place names reflect natural features or historical connections – for example, "Aberystwyth" means "mouth of the River Ystwyth," and "Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch" famously translates to "St Mary's Church in the hollow of the white hazel near the rapid whirlpool and the Church of St Tysilio near the red cave."
Music and Literature
Music plays a central role in Welsh culture, from the tradition of male voice choirs to the annual National Eisteddfod, a festival celebrating Welsh language and culture that includes competitions in poetry, music, and performance. Visitors may have the opportunity to attend an eisteddfod or choir performance during their travels.
Wales has produced many notable writers in both Welsh and English, including the poet Dylan Thomas, whose Boathouse in Laugharne is open to visitors. The country's rich oral tradition of myth and legend includes the Mabinogion, a collection of medieval Welsh tales that influenced later Arthurian literature.
Welsh Food and Drink
Traditional Welsh cuisine is hearty and often reflects the country's agricultural heritage. Specialties include cawl (a lamb and vegetable stew), Welsh rarebit (cheese sauce on toast), laverbread (made from seaweed), bara brith (speckled bread with dried fruit), and Welsh cakes (small, flat sweet cakes cooked on a griddle).
Wales also produces excellent food products, including salt marsh lamb, Caerphilly cheese, and award-winning varieties of gin and whisky. In recent years, Welsh vineyards have gained recognition for their quality wines, particularly sparkling varieties.
Exploring Welsh Towns and Cities
From vibrant cities to charming villages, Welsh settlements offer a blend of history, culture, and warm hospitality.
Cardiff
Wales's capital and largest city, Cardiff combines historic landmarks with modern development, particularly around Cardiff Bay. The imposing Cardiff Castle in the city center features elements from Roman times through to elaborate Victorian Gothic revival interiors commissioned by the wealthy Bute family.
Other attractions include the National Museum Cardiff, with its impressive art and natural history collections, the Principality Stadium (formerly Millennium Stadium), and St Fagans National Museum of History, an open-air museum showcasing Welsh life through the centuries with reconstructed buildings from different periods.
Conwy
Beyond its magnificent castle, the walled town of Conwy offers visitors much to explore. The town walls, Elizabethan merchant's house Plas Mawr, Britain's smallest house on the quayside, and the elegant suspension bridge designed by Thomas Telford all contribute to its charm. The town serves as an excellent base for exploring the northern coast and Snowdonia.
Portmeirion
Perhaps Wales's most unusual settlement, Portmeirion is a fantastical Italianate village created by architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975. Its colorful buildings, ornamental gardens, and Mediterranean atmosphere make it seem transported from the Italian Riviera to the North Wales coast. The village gained fame as the filming location for the 1960s TV series "The Prisoner."
Practical Tips for Visiting Wales
Getting Around
While major cities and towns are accessible by public transportation, a car offers the most flexibility for exploring rural areas and reaching remote castles and natural attractions. Wales has scenic driving routes, including the North Wales Way, the Cambrian Way, and the Coastal Way, which showcase the country's diverse landscapes.
For those using public transportation, trains connect major towns and cities, and the TrawsCymru bus network provides longer-distance services between regions. For a unique travel experience, Wales offers several heritage railways, including the Ffestiniog Railway and Welsh Highland Railway.
When to Visit
Wales can be visited year-round, though the most popular season is summer (June to August), when weather is generally milder and days are longer. Spring (April to May) offers blooming landscapes and fewer crowds, while autumn (September to October) brings beautiful foliage colors, particularly in the national parks.
Winter visits (November to February) can be rewarding for those seeking peaceful experiences, though some attractions may have reduced hours or be closed, and mountain areas can experience snow and difficult conditions.
Weather Preparedness
Wales has a typically British maritime climate, which means changeable weather conditions. Rain is possible throughout the year, with western and upland areas receiving the highest rainfall. Visitors should pack waterproof clothing, layers for changing temperatures, and good walking shoes or boots, particularly if planning to explore national parks or castle grounds.
Conclusion
Wales offers travelers a compelling combination of dramatic castles, breathtaking landscapes, and rich cultural traditions. Whether you're exploring mighty medieval fortresses, hiking mountain trails, relaxing on pristine beaches, or engaging with the distinctive Welsh culture, this small but proud country provides experiences that resonate long after your visit.
The red dragon on the Welsh flag (Y Ddraig Goch) symbolizes the fiery spirit and determination of a nation that has maintained its identity despite centuries of challenges. As you discover Wales, you'll come to understand why the Welsh are so passionate about their homeland – a magical place where history, nature, and legend intertwine to create an unforgettable destination.