Vibrant towns and cities
Wherever you’re based in Wales, you’ll never be short of things to see and do. Each of our towns and cities has its own distinct character – from friendly Bangor, hugged between mountains and sea, to the characterful seaside city of Swansea.
Our capital city, Cardiff, is a compact, vibrant and multicultural city. It’s a major destination for shopping, eating, entertainment, nightlife and sports, with venues that regularly host international sporting events and concerts from chart-topping artists.
A unique culture
In Wales, we take pride in a culture that’s quite distinct from elsewhere in the British Isles. You’ll be able to explore our traditions, language and heritage – including our famous castles, of which there are more than 600.
Culture is a shared experience in Wales, and everyone is welcome. It’s something you’ll see at a performance of the Welsh National Opera, during the pre-match build-up for a Six Nations rugby game at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, or at one of our vibrant music and arts festivals.
The Welsh language is part of everyday life. It’s spoken by more than half a million people, taught in schools and celebrated at festivals. You’ll see it in place names and on street signs, and hear it on television and radio channels. It has a thriving music scene of its own, and Welsh-language films and TV programmes are making a mark far beyond our borders.
Strength in diversity
Wales is a diverse and cosmopolitan place. We’re a country with a strong international outlook, thanks to long-standing educational, business and cultural links with nations and regions all over the world. There are established expat communities in Wales from many countries, with the Indian, Irish and Chinese making up the largest groups.
Our most famous LGBT+ celebration is Pride Cymru, centred on ‘The Big Weekend’ in Cardiff. It’s a gaudy, heady mix of music and street parades, with the rainbow flag flying proud from the Castle and all over the capital.
The greatest outdoors
If you’re living in Wales, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in the splendour and diversity of our landscape – around a quarter of which lies within a National Park or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
We’re best known for our mountains. Our highest mountain, Snowdon in North Wales, is one of the most visited peaks in the British Isles. It’s also among the most accessible, thanks to the famous cog railway that has been whisking travellers up to the summit since 1896. In the South, the Brecon Beacons National Park is a dream for hardcore hikers and casual strollers alike.
Wales is a land of lakes. Some are natural, some man-made, and many are stunningly beautiful. Around 15% of Wales is forested, and our population of woodland creatures is increasingly joined by a growing number of visiting mountain bikers, taking advantage of some of the best trails on the planet.
Out on the edge of Wales you’ll discover an awe-inspiring coastline, all traced by the 870-mile (1,400km) Wales Coast Path. There are magnificent, sandy beaches, islands where your only companions will be seals and seabirds, and places to try out some more energetic pursuits – how about surfing, sailing, wild swimming, or the new adrenaline sport of coasteering?
From the tip of Snowdon to the Atlantic waves that break on the Gower Peninsula, Wales is a nation where you’re never far from nature.