So you’re pushed for time, popping around London’s best attractions but all the time it nags at you that there’s so much more to see. If you decide not to take on the 8 or 9 hour drive to Cornwall in the South West, this quick but complete Wales itinerary over 3 days would be my best recommendation to you – as a tea-loving local.

Here you’ll find all you need to know and exactly what to see in wales in 3 days. Castles, coast and countryside are the order of the day. This setup aims to dip into as many highlights as possible but also not exhaust you, as there’ll be plenty of miles to rack up. Pack plenty of sweets for in the car, this is a self-drive itinerary!

In fact, you can drive the entire circumference of Wales using this route – a nice bucketlist achievement!

Wales tours – 3 days of roadtripping

I’d recommend staying your first night close to Caernarfon and the start of the beautiful Isle of Anglesey, which gives you the option of exploring the isle, if you’d like to add that on to my tour of the mainland. Think rural beauty and stunning beaches when it comes to Anglesey – definitely not big cities.

What to see in wales in 3 days

Day 1 – visiting Caernarfon Castle and Portmeirion

Caernarfon Castle

(sat-nav use 53.139232, -4.276908)

Your first task is the drive to the border. As you’re likely near London, I like to do the furthest leg on the first day, all the way up to the north coast of Wales near Liverpool. That way, it’s down hill with the wind behind you all the way from the south of Wales when you’re tired and want to head home.

So, first drive to Wrexham, and once you notice the signs have doubled in length with an added language, spend the night in a hotel. Then it’s over to this fabulous castle for your first proper day, after brekkie at the hotel. Side note, you should learn a few words (or more) in Welsh. It’s an intensely beautiful language and one tap on Google will teach you the basics.

Less well known than nearby Conwy Castle, Caerarfon castle has the myths and mysteries that will keep everyone enthralled. It belonged to Edward the Confessor in the 1200s who used ancient Welsh folk tales about the castle to help get the local Welsh on his side – like the English tyrant he was!

Parking is by the harbour just in front, £5 for the day and the castle costs £9.50 per adult. Last entry in winter is 3.30 pm. You’ll need a couple of hours here.

Portmeirion

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Get back on the road for 40 mins to an hour and you’ve reached the lovely tourist village of Portmeirion inside pretty Snowdonia National Park. It’s the sort of place that really deserves to be on a postcard.

There’s free parking just outside, but they do charge for entry to the village. You’ll need to rustle up £12 per adult for the day to enter. It’s handy to know that as you approach you’ll lose all mobile signal, so you’re better off with a trusty sat-nav than Google Maps.

Inside, wander around the art deco buildings and make for Caffi Glas where the Italian food is tasty and less pricey than other spots. Immediately outside the cafe is where the free local forest train stops, so jump aboard after lunch and you’ll be chugged around for 20 glorious minutes.

Day 2 – visiting St Davids and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

St Davids

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A long but pretty drive of 3.5 hours will take you to the St Davids peninsula. It’s hard not to feel curious about the smallest city in Wales – and St Davids certainly doesn’t disappoint. Glide in and drive towards its famous cathedral, then a little beyond and south as if going towards the sea. Here you’ll find free on street parking a short walk from the centre.

The cathedral isn’t exactly run of the mill. It’s surrounded by stone city walls and even comes with its own twin – the ruins of an even older monastery right beside it. It looks best in the glow of the afternoon sun and you can walk and roam happily over its acres of green.

Or, to see the inside, there are guided tours arranged on Mondays and Fridays in August or at other times by request to info@stdavidscathedral.org.uk. These cost just £5.

After that there’s two options, famous Whitesands Beach or tea and Welsh scones at one of the many cafes just up the hill from the cathedral. For a full meal, Cwtch (meaning ‘cuddle’ in Welsh) at 22 the High Street, is a great choice.

[bctt tweet=”3 days to see some of the most iconic spots in #Wales – go on then! ” username=”live10countries”]

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

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Do fill up your water bottle before you leave, because now you’re off for another 40 minutes or so to see the wild beauty of the coastline. Driving the Welsh Coast is a reward in itself, really. The half moon coastline below St Davids is just lovely. As you curve along the main road, you’ll see an inviting stretch of the curve and space to park. Take in the sunset from here and relax.

Or, if you want to stretch your legs, there’s an enticing hideaway to be found in the cliff’s edge. Drive towards Bosherston and set your sat-nav for 51.598802, -4.936842 to find St Govan’s Chapel. It’s a secretive and exquisite nook buried down more than 50 steps down the cliff. Access is not always possible so do check in advance here.

Feeling tired? A hotel in Tenby or Saundersfoot will be perfect, or even Carmarthen, to give you a head start on your final day.

St Govan’s Chapel via CC-BY-2.0 because by this point in our trip, the weather had become briefly quite British.

Day 3 – visiting Dylan Thomas’ Boathouse, Tintern Abbey, (optional: Cardiff)

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Even if you aren’t a big fan of this classic Welsh poet, his boathouse still holds plenty to draw you in. It’s the perfect rural escape, set beside a placid estuary in Laugharne. It costs only £4.30 per adult and is just as sweet and twee as you’d hope for inside. The last entry is 3 pm and it only opens March – Oct.

Allow time for Welsh rarebit and other light bites in the team room to set you up for the day.

Such a lovely place, however, needs to counter balance that with tricky parking. You’ll need to drive through a network of narrow streets to reach it. At the corner of Victoria Street and Market Lane you’ll find a small walled space where a few cars can park, but it’s a fair walk from the house. Don’t be lazy – stop here and go on foot, though, as further on the road is a dead end and there is no way to turn around.

Don’t bring an SUV, basically.

En route to your next stop, you’ll pass right alongside Cardiff. Opinions differ a lot here, and locals will tell you not to go to the Welsh capital. But, on the other hand, we’re all curious and it’s a lovely city with lots of to do on a rainy day!

If you do want to stop, allow at least three hours and bear in mind your next stop closes at 6 pm. You’re best off heading to Cardiff Bay where you get not only lovely scenery, but plenty of nerdy exhibits around the cult British TV show, Dr Who which is filmed in the area.

Don’t like Dr Who? Exterminate! Sorry, I’ll see myself out.

Tintern Abbey

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Drive around two hours east and then just peel off the main road and take a quick trip deep into pretty countryside to find this attraction.

Parking is right outside for £3 and you’ll be refunded the price if you give into the temptation of a full meal in the inn and tea room opposite with its pretty outdoor patio. The abbey itself is £6.90 per adult.

This one is really breathtaking, and – unexpectedly – its ruined state only adds to its haunting beauty. Not one for a soggy afternoon though, as it’s completely open air and set on soft green grass. Best saved for those scorching summer days – you can eat an ice cream as you wander around.

Attractions to add for 4 days in Wales

Got an extra day? Lucky you!

Combine this itinerary with a trip through more of the Snowdonia National Park – which you’ll pass as you scoot around the northern border.

You don’t need to be climbing Snowdonia itself to enjoy day four in Wales (although that could be fun!), how about a leisurely glide on the mountain railway or a session at Surf Snowdonia.

Touring Wales by car is also really fun, so if you have more time, just divert down a country lane, turn into a welcoming looking pub and take in the views.

Hope you enjoy this Welsh itinerary! If you try it, or if you have any questions, do drop me a line below. And, if you find yourself with more time (you lucky thing, you) time your visit to take in the Hay on Wye literary fest at the end of May, or to dig deeper in the stunning Snowdonia National Park. What about heading south west to Devon?

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Danni Lawson

A small town girl on a mission to live in 10 different countries before she pops her clogs, Danni began travelling with a job in Peru at the age of 18. Now an expert in living and working abroad, she shares all the tips and tricks you need to get started.

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