6 Must-visit Places In Wales You've Probably Never Heard Of

updated 1/10/2019

For a small country, Wales offers incredible diversity – so much so that it's one of our top travel destinations for 2018. Even better, many of Wales' (beautiful) landscapes and experiences remain surprisingly undiscovered. From pristine white-sand beaches and rolling, quintessentially Welsh valleys to tucked-away villages, here are six places you really should visit – but which you’ve probably never heard of...

1. The Tywi Valley, south Wales

In the southwest of the country, the Tywi Valley is home to some of Wales’ most magical scenery – indeed, it’s not hard to see why the legend of Merlin remains so prevalent in the area. The lush green hills are punctuated with ruined castles, the standout of which is romantic Carreg Cennan.

Thought to have been constructed on the site of a fortress that was built by one of King Arthur’s knights, the castle commands a striking position 300ft above the Cennen River, with views over towards the Black Mountain.

A much more modern attraction can be found in the National Botanic Garden of Wales, the centrepiece of which is Norman Foster’s striking glasshouse, which transports you into a much more Mediterranean climate than you could ever hope to find in the country.

The real joy here is, of course, taking your time, following the curve of the green hills and discovering the quiet villages that sit among them.

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2. Strumble Head, Pembrokeshire

Winding country lanes lead to Strumble Head on the beautiful north Pembrokeshire coast, which is arguably the best site in Wales for sea-bird spotting.

This peaceful spot – though expect to be buffeted by the wind a little – is a rewarding place for watching gannets, kittiwakes, guillemots and fulmars as they swoop and dive. If you’re lucky, you might also catch a glimpse of porpoises out on the water.

The best way to reach the headland is on an invigorating walk along the Coast Path, from which you can enjoy some astounding cliff-top views – plus, you’ll also be able to discover the lovely little beaches of Aber Mawr and Aber Bach.

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3. Ruthin, Denbighshire

Sitting in the fertile Vale of Clwyd, the attractive little hilltop town of Ruthin stands out in the area for its particularly fine food, and makes a great base from which to explore the gentle hills that surround.

The market town is especially notable for its clutch of appealing half-timbered buildings, centred around St Peter’s Square, of which the higgledy-piggledy Nantclwyd y Dre, which dates partly from 1435, is especially worth seeking out.

On the southern edge of town, the imposing red-sandstone castle makes a nice spot for a drink among rather grand surroundings, or for a wander among the resident peacocks.

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4. Rhoscolyn, Anglesey

The island of Anglesey, joined to the mainland by bridges near Bangor, offers a surprising plethora of lovely sights. One of the nicest, though strictly speaking on another island entirely (Holy Island), is the tiny seaside village of Rhoscolyn.

The sandy beaches here are exquisite and make this the ideal spot for a few days’ chilling out; if you’re after more active pursuits, it's is also a great place for kayakers.

Best of all, there’s an excellent pub here – the White Eagle – which boasts a huge deck that’s perfect for soaking up the views of the coast, ideally over a pint or two of cask ale or a plate of locally harvested oysters.

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5. Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, Glyn Ceiriog Valley

There’s not much to Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog (or Llanarmon DC as it’s commonly known) – but that’s part of its charm. Sitting on the edge of the quiet Glyn Ceiriog Valley, this is a place to come to get away from it all.

The blissfully quiet valley was long a vital route into both Snowdonia and the heart of the country, and today it still makes a great choice for a stop as part of a wider exploration of the country.

For such a small place, there’s not one but two impressive inns here, which – combined with some lovely walks on the doorstep, through the valleys and onto the moors – make Llanarmon DC the ideal choice for a relaxing countryside break.

© meirion matthias/Shutterstock

6. Porthmelgan, Pembrokeshire

Accessible only on foot, Porthmelgan is a tiny and spectacularly beautiful beach – the kind you usually only dream of stumbling across in the UK.

Just a fifteen-minute walk along the coast from popular Whitesands Bay, known for its surfing, Porthmelgan makes a much quieter and less crowded choice than its neighbour. The sheltered cove is great for paddling and rockpooling – though strong currents unfortunately mean that swimming can be a bit dangerous here – and on summer days the sands are something of a suntrap.

When you’ve had enough of sunbathing, you can rejoin the wonderful Pembrokeshire Coast Path to soak up yet more fabulous views over the cliffs and sea.