Visiting Wales

Visit Wales is encouraging visitors to explore what makes Wales so unique, and by discovering things that you will not find anywhere else in the world.

Wales currently attracts and caters for around 10 million visitors a year, including 1 million international visitors.  Wales is already considered to be the UK's leading adventure destination, as it is a natural-born playground with mountains and forests that crisscross with walking and cycling trails. There are 641 ancient castles to explore, as well as 7 national museums - all of which are free to visit, and of course of own language, Welsh, to get your tongue tied up in.

Why the Year of Discovery?

Wales is a country like no other. It is built on a rich history of culture, heritage and legend, shaped by unbridled waters and enriched by the creativity and passion of its characterful people.  With endless layers of identity, there is no end of things to uncover here.  

Culture - Wales thrives on culture, past and present. 
Routes - With three major roads, it is easier than ever to travel the length and breadth of the country
Isles - There are 50 islands that lie in Welsh waters, some in clusters and some standing solo.  
Passion - The people will grip you with their passion for sport, language and traditions.
Wilderness - Alongside the 3 million people, you can see dolphins, whales, seals, deer, puffins and of course sheep.
Taste - The seasons, geography and produce delicious homegrown ingredients.  From Welsh cakes to rarebits, to local brews.

Did you know?

• There are more castles per square mile in Wales than anywhere else on Earth
• Cardiff claims to have more castles than any other city in the world. Three still stand inside the city itself – Cardiff Castle, Castell Coch and St Fagans Castle – and a further 23 in the surrounding Glamorgan County.
• The first million pound deal in the world was done in Cardiff Bay, at the Coal Exchange in 1904
• The Vikings sold Welsh people as slaves during the 10th Century
• People in Haverfordwest were the last people to suffer from the plague in 1652.
• The first railway line in Wales went from Llanelli to Pontarddulais; it opened in 1839.
• Cardiff is the capital city and is the 11th largest city in the UK.  It became the capital of Wales in 1955 and is Europe’s smallest capital cities.
• Cardiff was the first Fair Trade capital in the world.
• Henry Morgan, better known as Captain Morgan, was born in Llanrumney in 1635. Yes! In Cardiff, not the Caribbean.
• Singers Shirley Bassey and Charlotte Church, comedian Griff Rhys-Jones, and footballer Ryan Giggs were all born in Cardiff. As well as world-famous children’s writer Roald Dahl.

Be sure to check out #FindYourEpic or #GwaldGwald on your social media for some incredible pictures of delicious food and drink, an outstanding natural landscape, and our unique culture.