Places to stay in Wales

Glider sailing over a beach with blue sea and green cliffs

Welcome to Wales

Rugged coastlines and mountainous national parks, Wales has got it all.

Packed full with Celtic culture, great nightlife and stunning scenery, a Welsh holiday has everything. Choose from the Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park with lakes, glacial landforms and hiking trails in the north, vast countryside, and beautiful beaches in the south. 

YHA hostels in Wales

Exterior of YHA Borth

YHA Borth

  • Meeting room(s)

  • Free parking on premises

  • Cycle hire

YHA Gower exterior

YHA Gower

  • WiFi

  • Self-catering kitchen

  • Sole use available

YHA Pwll Deri exterior

YHA Pwll Deri

  • Self-catering kitchen

  • Free parking on premises

  • Cycle store

YHA Rowen with view over countryside

YHA Rowen

  • Free parking on premises

  • 24-hour access after check-in

  • Self-catering kitchen

YHA St Davids exterior

YHA St Davids

  • Free parking on premises

  • Self-catering kitchen

  • Cycle store

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Adults (18 and over)
Under 18s

Guests under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 years or over to stay at YHA.

Booking for more than 15 people?

Groups of more than 15 people are only able to book YHA Exclusive Hire properties through this website.

Alternatively, let YHA take care of your stay through our serviced group stay package.

Find out more

Things to do in Wales

Five free things to do in Wales

Big Pit, Blaenavon

This is one of Britain’s leading mining museums. Take the famous underground tour and see a section of the original workings.

National Wool Museum, Dre-fach, Felindre

Enjoy a fascinating tour of this old mill and discover the process from fleece to fabric, see historic machinery in action and view the textile gallery.

Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire Heritage Coast

This remote stretch of soft, golden sand can only be reached via a cliff-top path and steep decent through woodlands and dunes owned by the National Trust.

Ellin's Tower RSPB Seabird Centre, Goferydd, Holyhead, Isle of Anglesey

See thousands of breeding seabirds including peregrine falcons and chough. Displays, information and wonderful views.

Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, Gwynedd

Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) is the highest mountain in Wales. Choose your route to the summit, pack a picnic and, weather-allowing, enjoy a day of spectacular scenery.

Wales is a country of extremes

There are so many ways Wales will enchant you. From castles to coalmines, Wales is steeped in history, while the Arthurian legend also has strong links to its stunning landscape. Today’s Wales is just as fascinating. It has three National Parks, over 600 castles and more than 40 Blue Flag beaches.

The craggy Pembrokeshire coastline is home to the exhilarating activity of coasteering, and there are many opportunities for abseiling, climbing, surfing, diving, fishing and golf.

Cycling in Snowdonia

Beddgelert Bikes

Bike hire for all ages so you can have a memorable day out in Eryri (Snowdonia). Set off to explore Beddgelert Forest and get away from it all. Visit the website

Blue Lagoon

Blue Lagoon

This sub tropical water park has a monster wave pool, rapid rides, rivers and flumes plus lots of special events throughout the year.

Brecon Cathedral

Brecon Cathedral

Because of its location it's thought that the Norman Priory might have been built on the site of an older, possibly Celtic, church.

Cardigan town

Cardigan town

Discover a vibrant culture, ideally located to explore the fabulous land and seascapes of the Teifi Valley and Cardigan Bay. Visit the Visit Cardigan website

Thatched huts at Castell Henllys

Castell Henllys Iron Age Village

A unique Iron Age hill fort recreated with replica Iron Age roundhouses. Travel back in time over 2,000 years to experience life in the Iron Age. You can walk in the footsteps of the Demetae tribe...

Church Doors Beach

Church Doors Cove & Beach

A small rocky beach, where sand is exposed at low tide. There's a large natural arch and caves along the steep cliffs. Visit Pembrokeshire website for more information.

Three Cliffs Bay, jagged and dramatic, Gower

Climbing in Gower

Climb and scramble to your hearts content and enjoy the spectacular views from this beautiful part of the country. Check out the UK Climbing website for routes

climbing

Climbing in Port Eynon

There's lots of fantastic coastal climbs to choose from and there's something suitable for every climber. Castle Rock off Fall Bay is very popular and boasts some amazing crags. The hostel can...

climbing

Climbing in St Davids

The South Face of St David's Head offers a short 50ft climb and includes routes ideal for first time leaders. Belay setup is plentiful. Step-Up (VS 4c) and Overhanging Buttress (HVS 5a) are two lovely...

Rock pool with starfish in pool

Coastal Foraging with Black Rock Outdoor Company

This highly recommended company offers tailor-made experiences, including bushcraft & survival, foraging, and guided rockpool safaris. Dan Moar created Black Rock Outdoor Company after practicing and...

Lone figure walks along a beautiful woodland track though Coed-y-Brenin

Coed-y-Brenin

Coed-y-Brenin is a mountain biking mecca set amongst mountains and forests of southern Eryri (Snowdonia). There are also fantastic walks, a visitor centre, a high ropes course, and opportunities to go...

Craig y Nos

Craig y Nos Country Park

Craig y Nos is over 40 acres of parkland with riverside walks through woodland and meadows. The park is also used as a base to study the flora and fauna of the area.

View of a vineyard at sunset

Cwm Deri Vineyard and Estate

Stroll through a vineyard surrounded by the stunning beauty of the Pembrokeshire National Park - a unique attraction which isn't often seen in the UK climate.

Cwm Idwal Nature reserve

Cwm Idwal Nature reserve

Discover a landscape that was sculptured by ice thousands of years ago. Cwm Idwal has the glacial lake of Llyn Idwal at its centre, is encircled by some of Wales' most impressive mountains and is home...

Cycling

Cycling in St Davids

Get out on your bike and explore some amazing hidden coves, or cycle across to Solva or even Newgale for a pub lunch and cool drink in the sun. The hostel has a good size cycle store with floor...

Bushcraft

Dryad Bushcraft

Dryad Bushcraft is dedicated to providing the highest standard of Wilderness Bushcraft training. As well as teaching traditional skills and crafts we also have our finger on the pulse with regards to...

Dylan Thomas Centre from the Sail (Millennium) Bridge

Dylan Thomas Centre

Houses a permanent exhibition on Dylan Thomas and his life, as well as a shop stuffed with books, posters and memorabilia. The Centre is right next to the pedestrian Sail (Millennium) Bridge and the...

Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways

Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways

Travel on the glorious line from Caernarfon through Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog – some 40 miles of narrow-gauge steam! These are 2 separate railways which meet at the central station of Portmadog...

Zoo

Folly Farm

Folly Farm is so much more than just a farm. There's also a zoo, a vintage funfair and a whole host of indoor and outdoor adventure play for you to enjoy.

Archery

Heatherton World of Activities

Whether you want a relaxing afternoon, a sports-filled activity fun day out, or an adrenalin-fuelled, extreme adventure day, Heatherton has it all!

Two robots dancing

Machination Visitor Centre

The only permanent exhibition of contemporary Automata in the UK. The interactive models move with a variety of fascinating mechanisms.

Group of penguins at a wildlife park

Manor House Wildlife Park

Here you'll find 52 acres of parkland to wander around and meet the wildlife. If you've only got a couple of hours make a beeline for the walk-throughs.

Manorbier Castle

Manorbier Castle

In a splendid setting overlooking a beautiful unspoilt beach, families will love to explore Manorbier Castle. Visit the Castle website

Mountain Biker on a track on the tops

Mountain biking around Kings, Dolgellau

Mountain biking enthusiasts will have heard all about Coed-y-Brenin. Approx 15 minutes from the hostel and run by the Forestry Commission, it's the mountain bike mecca of Wales. Bike hire is available...

Rollercoaster at a theme park

Oakwood Theme Park

If you're looking for an adrenaline-fuelled day out then Oakwood Theme Park is perfect for you. Climb aboard the Treetops Coaster or try Speed - hold tight and get ready for 2,000ft of fast, furious...

View some of our popular Wales blog posts

Brecon Beacons view

Big climbs and vast views: walking in the Brecon Beacons

For big climbs, vast views and unspoilt wilderness, try this two-day hostel-to-hostel walk in the Brecon Beacons. Nothing quite prepares you for the drama of the Brecon Beacons; not the photographs...

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Guest Writer

25th Oct 2024 · 8 min read

Snowdon lone tree at Llyn Padarn

The YHA guide to Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park

Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, covering 823 square miles of north Wales, is one of the UK’s most thrilling destinations. It encompasses nine mountain ranges and a whole world of long-distance...

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The Journey Team

15th Oct 2023 · 9 min read