Destination awards and accolades won by Wales

Explore the landscapes that have earned global recognition.

• Best beaches: Castle Beach, Tenby was named The Sunday Times Best Beach in the UK in 2019.
  Rhossili Bay Beach has been voted among top beaches multiple times, with Lonely Planet naming it as one of the world’s best beaches.
  Over 20 of Wales' beach are Blue Flag beaches, recognised for cleanliness, safety, and water quality.
• National Parks: Wales' three National Parks are all celebrated for their natural beauty and outdoor opportunities. In the North Eryri (Snowdonia), Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) in Mid Wales and Pembrokeshire Coast in West Wales.
• Dark Skies: Wales has the highest percentage of land protected by Dark Skies status in the world, making it ideal for stargazing. Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park was the first area to be given International Dark Sky Reserve status in Wales (and only the fifth in the world) in 2013. Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park was granted International Dark Sky Reserve status in 2015.

Taste the flavours that have put Wales on the culinary map.

• Restaurants:
  • Two Michelin-starred, five AA rosettes Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms was named as a World Class Restaurant in The Good Food Guide Awards 2024, AA Restaurant with Rooms of the Year (Wales) in 2023 and National Restaurant of the Year at the Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards in both 2023 and 2022.
  • The Angel Hotel, Abergavenny was named by The Times as 'Best Foodie Hotel' in the UK for 2025.
  • Michelin star Home at Penarth, Sosban and the Old Butchers, Anglesey, and Michelin Green Star Annwn, Narberth, are listed as Exceptional Restaurants in The Good Food Guide 2024.

• Producers: From artisan cheeses to decadent chocolates, Welsh producers are earning top honours at the Great Taste Awards - the world’s leading food and drink accreditation scheme.
  In 2023 and 2024 alone, more than 300 Welsh products received awards. Among these were multiple 3-star accolades - the highest possible rating - reflecting Wales’ rich culinary heritage and its commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation.

• Wine and spirits: Award-winning vineyards and distilleries in Wales include Penderyn Whisky and Llanerch Vineyard.
  • Penderyn is a pioneer of Welsh whisky, reviving the craft after a century-long absence, with over 140 international gold and double gold awards, Tours and tastings are avaialble at both the Penderyn Swansea Copperworks Distillery in West Wales and Penderyn Llandudno Lloyd Street Distillery in North Wales.
  • Llanerch Vineyard, in the Vale of Glamorgan provide guided wine tastings and vineyard tours led by passionate experts and the opportunity to stay in one of the UK's first vineyard hotels, which has 2 AA rosettes, and was named Best Hotel in Wales by the AA in 2024.

Step into a land rich in history and cultural treasures.

• World Heritage Sites: Wales boasts four UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the castles of King Edward and the slate landscape of Northwest Wales, each recognised for their outstanding universal value and powerful storytelling of Welsh history.
• Hay Festival: Held each spring in the charming border town of Hay-on-Wye, this internationally acclaimed literary festival draws global authors and thinkers, earning a reputation as one of the world’s leading cultural events.
• St Fagans National Museum of History: Located near Cardiff, this open-air museum has received several prestigious awards for its educational and cultural impact including being named UK Museum of the Year in 2019 by the Art Fund. It's one of Europe’s foremost open-air museums and Wales’ most visited heritage attraction. It showcases Welsh life through reconstructed historic buildings, from farmhouses to chapels, and even a pub. The immersive approach allows visitors to experience Welsh history from Celtic times to the present day.

Enjoy unforgettable moments in award-winning places to stay.

Wales is home to several award-winning romantic retreats and spa hotels, including the award-winning St Brides Spa Hotel in West Wales, Global award winner and AA rated 5 star luxury hotel voco® St David’s Cardiff, The Grove of Narberth, winners of the UK’s Best Small Hotel by TripAdvisor in the Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Hotels 2023, and the 5 star Plas Dinas Country House in North Wales, winner of best hotel in the 2025 National Tourism Award for Wales.

Experience thrilling outdoor adventure.

• Wales has been named a top destination for outdoor adventure activities including mountain biking, at bike parks such as BikePark Wales in South Wales and Antur Stiniog in North Wales.
• Named Wales' Best Attraction at the National Tourism Awards for Wales in 2018, Zipworld has gained significant acclaim for its innovative attractions in Wales, including Velocity at Penrhyn Quarry, known as the fastest seated zip line in the world and the longest in Europe.
• The Wales Way, is a trio of scenic touring routes that showcase the country’s diverse beauty and were recommended by National Geographic in 2020 as being amongst the best trips in the world to take. The Cambrian Way runs north–south through the heart of Wales, connecting Cardiff to Llandudno via two National Parks. The Coastal Way hugs the western shoreline around Cardigan Bay, passing through charming villages and surf-friendly beaches. The North Wales Way follows an ancient trading route from Queensferry to Holyhead, dotted with castles, market towns, and sweeping sea views.