Ten days: all Wales tour

Dragon Tours include sights from many different phases of Welsh history and industry in their ten-day road trip, such as prehistoric sites in the Preseli Hills, Roman Caerleon, Medieval Tintern and Hay-on-Wye. You’ll also see the castles, mountains and villages of Eryri (Snowdonia) and North Wales. A six-day version is possible.

Overlooking a ruined abbey with autumn leaves and mist.
Looking down to castle and coast beyond.
Castle next to the sea.

Tintern Abbey, South Wales, Harlech Castle and Conwy Castle, North Wales

Five days: variety in North Wales

With Celticos, you can choose from tours lasting between one and 12 days to discover as much of Wales as your time allows. The most outstanding experience on offer is the five-day North Wales experience which takes you from the coast of Anglesey to the mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia), the Llŷn Peninsula, and from the great castles like UNESCO World Heritage Site Conwy Castle to the Italianate village of Portmeirion, and on to Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, the bridge in the air, another World Heritage Site. Their experienced local guides ensure that you discover hidden gems, meet local people at work and play, and learn about the unique culture of this historic region.

A narrow gravelled road with views over a rugged coastline.
village with colourful buildings and people walking.

Llŷn Peninsula and Portmeirion Village, North Wales

Three days: North Wales experience

South Wales Personal Tours drive you north from Cardiff via the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)  to Eryri (Snowdonia) for a heritage-focused, small-group tour. The middle day of the three is absolutely packed. You’ll take a trip on the Snowdon Mountain Railway, visit Caernarfon Castle and cross the Menai Strait to Anglesey to see Llanfair PG and Bryn Celli Ddu Burial Chamber. Then you’ll finish off in the traditional seaside resort of Llandudno, ready for a scenic journey back through Mid Wales on the third day.

Close view of the entrance Bryn Celli Ddu.

Bryn Celli Ddu Burial Chamber, Anglesey, North Wales

Two days: West Wales experience

In this overnight tour, South Wales Personal Tours seeks out some of the quirkier places of interest in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, such as the Dylan Thomas Boathouse in Laugharne, St Govan’s Chapel and St Non’s Well, Petrolheads can worship the hallowed ground at Pendine Sands, site of several successful attempts to break the world land speed record in the 1920s, and on the second day, you’ll have a chance to take a short walk on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.

Shrine at St Non's Chapel with daffodils.
A long, sandy beach.

St Non's Chapel and Well, and Pendine Sands, Pembrokeshire, West Wales

One day: South Wales in a day

If you only have one day for a road trip through the countryside around Cardiff, Roam Wales will make sure you make the best of it. You could focus on Swansea’s Maritime Quarter and the Gower Peninsula, or explore South Wales’ industrial heritage and present day food and drink culture at Big Pit, Rhymney Brewery and Abergavenny. Another tour shows you a trio of castles – Cardiff, Castell Coch and Caerphilly – then whisks you into the rolling hills of Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park.

An ornate ceiling and fixture depicting a golden statue in a castle.
outdoor seating and people with castle buildings in background.

Cardiff Castle, Cardiff, South Wales

One day: Cardiff food tour

Sample food from all around the world with Loving Welsh Food on a City of Arcades Tasting Tour. The public tour takes place on alternate Fridays or Saturdays, or there's a Welsh Food Tour on Saturdays. Private tours include Cardiff Lunch & Landmarks, where you sample traditional and modern Welsh cuisine, take a water bus journey and admire Cardiff's beautiful architecture and landmark buildings.

A group of people sitting outside an Italian restaurant raising a glass at the camera.

Cosmopolitan Cardiff Food Tour, Loving Welsh Food, South Wales

Half a day and one day: walking tours

Enjoy a walking tour around Cardiff city and the Bay with accredited guides. Cardiff Tours run 'A Walking Tour of Cardiff Bay'. This tour provides a fascinating insight into the history of Cardiff Docks, when it was called Tiger Bay, with its leading role in the coal and iron industries, through to the modern city of today. 

There is also 'A Walking Tour of Cardiff City’, which explores the nooks and crannies of Cardiff city centre, including the many arcades and alleyways. Discover the history of the city and learn some secrets too.

Fogo's Free Tours, which operate on a 'pay as you feel' basis, regularly take place in Cardiff city centre, Cardiff Bay and Swansea. As well as showcasing the history, architecture and characters of the cities, tour options include 'Dark Cardiff' and 'Doctor Who' filming locations. 

One day: Motorbike and sidecar tour

Discover Wales with the UK’s only licenced motorcycle and sidecar tour. This unique tour offers a view of the scenic landscapes of North and Mid Wales. Mid Wales Tours, run by a former police officer, has both four and eight hour tours.

Two gentlemen standing my a motorcycle and sidecar with hillside views beyond.
People in a motorcycle and sidecar with views of the coast beyond.
People in a motorcycle and sidecar with views of the mountains and valley beyond.

Mid Wales Tours, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Mid Wales

North Wales Private Tours from a single day through to six very different touring days

Boutique Tours of North Wales is a leading private tour company who specialise in a very personalised and flexible custom designed private touring service for international visitors. Based in the North of Wales, Boutique Tours feature flexible touring options from a single day tour, with their unique North Wales in a Nutshell Tour, to multi touring days.

They have six very different touring days that covers the whole of the Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park region, along with three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in North Wales featuring the gateway to Wales, with the scenic and historic Borderlands of North East Wales, the Llŷn Peninsula, the Isle of Anglesey and the stunning and scenic Conwy Valley areas. With flexible tour durations between two and six days, you can make the most of your visit with Boutique Tours custom designed tailor-made tour options helping you to capture the very best destination experience of the North Wales region.

Shân's Wales Tours

Shân's Wales Tours provide guided tours from the award winning Twr y Felin, Wales’ first contemporary art hotel, and also Roch Castle and Penrhiw Priory. Shân Eastwood has been been a guide for over eight years and offers exclusive tours of Wales, including St Davids, elsewhere in Pembrokeshire as well as across Wales. She offers a bespoke service and tailors the tours to specific interests. Guests travel in a seven seater leather seated minibus that has a glass roof. 

Wales Best Guides

Find a guide to suit your tour on the Wales Best Guides website. Many of the guides have the prestigious blue badge guide qualification and all go through extensive training. Tours can be tailored to suit different timescales and budgets and can be offered in many languages.

A group of people standing on a mountain on a tour of the valleys.

WOTGA guides (Wales Official Tourist Guides Association), Bwlch Mountain, Rhondda Cynon Taff

The Wales Way

The Wales Way is our family of touring routes that lead you to discover Wales on a self-guided tour. The three main routes take you along the wild shores and seaside towns of our Coastal Way, through The Cambrian Way snaking through the heart of Wales and The North Wales Way coastline. Here are a couple of short road trip ideas to inspire you!

Saints and sea views is a two day trip between St Davids and Aberystwyth, exploring historical sites, hidden beaches and coastal castles. If you have more time, a five day trip along The Cambrian Way takes you from our vibrant capital city Cardiff to the Victorian resort town of Llandudno. On the way you’ll discover our industrial heritage, beautiful countryside and outdoor activities, boutique craft centres and stunning gardens.

The North Wales Way takes you across the top of Wales. This four day itinerary takes you from the foodie heaven of Mold through Victorian seaside resorts to mighty castles on the coast, via spectacular scenery. The tour finishes on the beautiful island of Anglesey.

Stained glass window in St Davids Cathedral.
ancient bridge and greenery.
Aerial view of a pier and coastline from out at sea.

Stained glass window in St Davids Cathedral, Pembrokeshire, Devil's Bridge near Aberystwyth in Mid Wales and Llandudno in North Wales

Related stories