10 of the best places to stay in South Wales

For the ultimate staycation, a holiday in South Wales is a must. Its diverse landscape offers a rich tapestry of experiences. From dramatic coastlines and charming seaside villages like Mumbles to the rolling hills and awe-inspiring Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park; it’s a playground for all ages.

Bringing the kids along? You couldn't find a more ideal place for a family-friendly break and with most of our holiday homes welcoming dogs too, no one need be left behind. Or perhaps it’s just the two of you? We’ve got that covered too – for couples, companions and friends, our collection of petite retreats offers a range of amenities including hot tubs and properties with outdoor baths.

So, whether you’re craving the buzz of city life in Cardiff or Swansea, or on the hunt for a tranquil escape in the heart of the countryside, South Wales has something for everyone. To help you discover a little more about these unmissable locations, we’ve put together our pick of the ten best places to stay in South Wales.

Skip to:

1. Gower
2. Mumbles
3. Porthcawl
4. Swansea
5. Cardiff
6. Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)
7. Abergavenny
8. Vale of Glamorgan
9. Monmouthshire
10. Chepstow

1. Gower

For spectacular scenery and an abundance of outdoor activities to enjoy, Gower is a fantastic holiday destination for all ages. A national landscape; it offers stunning beaches, dramatic cliffs and charming villages. The Gower is a haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, even on a rainy day you’ll find the weather won’t dampen your spirits, there’s always something to do along its 19-mile stretch of coastline.

Rhossili Bay is one such beach that sits along the vast expanse of the Gower Peninsula and is often cited as one of the best beaches in the world, with its dramatic cliffs and picturesque views. The area is also a walker’s paradise with numerous pathways and trails to undertake, including the famous Gower Way, which was marked out to celebrate the Millennium.

2. Mumbles

Located along a scenic sweep of Swansea Bay and ending in a lofty headland, the Mumbles is a lovely location for a Welsh cottage holiday and has plenty to offer visitors with its stunning beaches, cliffs and rolling hills which beg to be explored. Whether you’re a couple planning an adventurous escape to the coast or a family with a dog in tow, you’ll find plenty of attractions to occupy you all.

The childhood home of actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, the area is also known for the 'Mumbles Mile'. Once lined with lively watering holes, the stretch now offers welcoming inns and trendy gin bars; a lovely place to enjoy a sundowner before heading to one of the villages' fantastic coastal restaurants for dinner.

3. Porthcawl

Set to the west of Cardiff, Porthcawl is a charming seaside town, traditionally where city folk would travel for a weekend to escape the hustle and bustle. Nowadays it’s a destination for the masses, with visitors flocking to the area to enjoy the sheltered bays, bucket-and-spade beaches – and to embark on other outdoor adventures like surfing, cycling and playing a round of golf.

With its traditional seaside atmosphere, Porthcawl is a fantastic base for a cross-generational holiday; bring the grandparents, bring the cousins, bring the dog too – there’s an activity to suit everyone. On the Esplanade you’ll find a melting pot of shops, cafés and restaurants, with big brand names sitting alongside independent boutiques and welcoming eateries. This café culture also extends to the ancient, bonded warehouse, the Jennings Building, now a hive of activity during peak season. 

4. Swansea

The perfect mix of city and coast, Swansea serves as an excellent base for a self-catered stay. Offering access to a vibrant city centre, Swansea also sits in close proximity to a beautiful coastline, the Gower Peninsula and an abundance of spectacular beaches such as Rhossili Bay, Three Cliffs Bay and Langland Bay.

A fantastic location for families, there are plenty of activities within the city centre to keep everyone entertained; the LC Waterpark is ideal for a rainy-day activity, as well as the plethora of shops and cafés to suit everyone’s tastes. For couples, a trip to the Botanical Gardens in Singleton Park is a lovely way to spend a morning, before travelling out to the coast for a ramble along the Gower Coast Path.

5. Cardiff

The capital of Wales is one of the finest cities in Europe, offering a brilliant blend of history, culture and a vibrant nightlife, as well as a lively atmosphere. Head to Cardiff on match day to get the full international rugby experience or catch a gig at one of the capital’s many music venues to make it a visit to remember. The city centre has evolved many times in recent years and is brimming with independent boutiques and high-end shopping arcades as well as being home to big-name brands – and you’re never far from a welcoming café, bistro or bar.

Within a stone's throw of Cardiff City Centre, you’ll also discover pretty towns, villages and green spaces, with parklands such as Roath Park and its large, Victorian man-made lake; a fantastic place to spend the afternoon, where you can feed the ducks, hire a pedal boat or just grab a coffee and head off on a walk with your canine companion. Back in town, you’ll find Bute Park and its delightful tree-lined sculpture trail. 

6. Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)

Spectacularly beautiful, with its wooded valleys, majestic mountains, ethereal waterfalls and dark skies, it’s no wonder this vast expanse of the beautiful Welsh landscape draws in visitors from across the world. Add to this the lively market towns and thrill-inducing activity centres and you have the ideal holiday destination.

There’s so much to explore whether on foot, on wheels or by gliding through the water with a paddle in your hand – you’ll discover umpteen ways to enjoy the incredible scenery. Bookworms might want to spend an afternoon scouring the many second-hand bookshops in Hay-on-Wye whilst the market town of Brecon offers an appealing mix of history and café culture.

7. Abergavenny

Often dubbed the 'Gateway to the Brecon Beacons', if you choose to use this delightful market town as a base for your holiday, you’ll not only be within easy reach of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park for hiking, cycling and wildlife watching, but you’ll find a plethora of other brilliant attractions nearby. 

The area boasts a packed yearly events calendar, so there’s always something enjoyable to attend, including the much-lauded Abergavenny Food Festival, the Abergavenny Arts Festival and a number of county shows. The Abergavenny Indoor Market also draws in large crowds with stalls offering locally grown produce, handmade cakes, arts and crafts, and antiques.

8. Vale of Glamorgan

A country of contrasts, the Vale of Glamorgan offers plenty of opportunities for holiday adventures. Inland, you'll find rolling hills, lush green valleys and pretty villages like Cowbridge, whilst the Glamorgan Heritage Coast is celebrated for its natural beauty and offers plenty of walking routes with spectacular scenery.

Barry Island should be featured on everyone’s holiday bucket list, for this traditional resort town – made famous by the hit TV series Gavin and Stacey – is now somewhat of a mecca for fans and features an abundance of seaside activities to experience. Nearby, you can also enjoy the more sedate pace of Porthkerry Country Park with its vast woodlands and pretty pebble beach.

9. Monmouthshire

A sprawling county boasting lush, green countryside, Monmouthshire has plenty to offer its visitors. With an abundance of nature reserves, historic houses and nine castles within its boundaries, as well as a few vineyards and its Dark Sky Reserve status, you’ll certainly find an activity to enthral. It’s a naturalist's idea of paradise. 

The area is also widely acknowledged as the 'food capital of Wales', hosting the Abergavenny Food Festival annually, but also growing, producing and selling some of the country’s finest produce. There are plenty of restaurants, cafés and food vans throughout the country that offer locally grown and sourced ingredients.

10. Chepstow

Situated at the meeting point of the River Wye and the River Severn, the historic town of Chepstow is a great base for exploring the surrounding Welsh countryside. Also known as the 'Gateway to Wales', it’s set at the southern end of the Wye Valley in a designated national landscape, boasting awe-inspiring scenery.

The town itself is a great place to explore; wander through the charming, cobbled streets and enjoy a cream tea in one of the welcoming cafés or browse the array of boutiques featuring unique arts and crafts. It is the kind of location that demands a slower pace.

Map of the best places to stay in South Wales

Here is the map of the best places to stay in South Wales.

South Wales holiday cottages

Welsh cottage holidays are a popular option throughout South Wales, offering visitors a unique and homely place to stay. Ranging from traditional stone cottages in Monmouthshire, perfect for a romantic retreat, to sprawling seaside houses in the Gower, great for a multi-generation stay. Many of our South Wales cottages are also dog-friendly, so you can bring the whole family along too.