Wales: From the mountains of Snowdonia to the Pembrokeshire coast

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This trip is planned for 24 Sept – 05 Oct 2027.

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Day 1 · Fri 24/09 5:36 hr

Journey from Cologne to the Channel coast

Leg to the English Channel

The first day of your trip is deliberately kept short, so you start the crossing well rested.

Long leg — build in some breaks.

Start

Cologne

This is where your trip begins. You head west towards the English Channel, splitting the long drive to Wales into two stages.

447 km · 5:35 hr
Stay

Calais

Calais is the classic overnight stop before crossing the Channel. After around four hours on the road, you'll spend a quiet night here before taking the Eurotunnel the next morning, nice and relaxed.

75–110 € / night

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 2 · Sat 25/09 5:30 hr

Through the Eurotunnel to Wales

Channel crossing and drive to North Wales

The drive from Folkestone is long; plan in breaks at motorway services.

In Great Britain you drive on the left; take it easy for the first few kilometres.

Long leg — build in some breaks.

1
Tunnel

Eurotunnel Le Shuttle (Calais - Folkestone)

The fastest and weather-independent way to reach Great Britain: in around 35 minutes you drive through the Channel Tunnel by car. No loading or unloading required, you simply stay in your car.

90–220 € in total
Website

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

465 km · 5:30 hr
Stay

Holiday cottage in Conwy

Your first base for the week in Snowdonia. The small town of Conwy is surrounded by a fully intact town wall right on the water and makes an ideal starting point for castles and mountains.

120–170 € / night

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 3 · Sun 26/09 12 min

Conwy Castle and the town walls

Castles and history

Your first day after the long journey involves no driving at all, everything is right on your doorstep.

2
Sight

Conwy Castle

One of the best-preserved medieval castles in Europe, built by Edward I in the late 13th century. From the accessible towers you have wide views over the River Conwy and the mountains beyond.

12–16 € / person child-friendly
Website

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

· 12 min
3
Town

Conwy town walls and harbour

The fully intact town walls can be walked along for long stretches. Down at the harbour you'll find one of the smallest houses in Britain and some good fish and chip shops for a relaxed afternoon.

0 € child-friendly
Website
Day 4 · Mon 27/09 6 hr

Climbing Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa)

Nature and walking

Checking the weather in the morning is essential; it can be considerably colder and windier at the top.

Start early to beat the crowds and the often worse afternoon weather.

Long leg — build in some breaks.

4
Nature

Pen-y-Pass

Starting point for the popular paths up the highest mountain in Wales and England. From the Pen-y-Pass car park, the scenic Pyg Track leads up to the summit.

0 €
Website
5 km · 6 hr
5
Nature

Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) summit

At 1,085 metres, the highest point in Wales. The Pyg Track or Miners Track offer scenic routes to the top; if you'd rather not walk, you can take the Snowdon Mountain Railway from Llanberis. At the summit, wide views await over Snowdonia all the way to the coast.

0 €
Website
Day 5 · Tue 28/09 12 min

Aberglaslyn Pass and Portmeirion

Nature and an Italian village in Wales

A quieter day with a short walk and plenty of time for strolling around.

6
Nature

Aberglaslyn Pass

One of the most beautiful gorges in Wales, where the River Glaslyn rushes between wooded rocks. The Fisherman's Path runs alongside the water and makes for a short, rewarding walk starting from Beddgelert.

0 € child-friendly
Website
12 km · 9 min
7
Sight

Portmeirion

A playful Italian-style village, built by Clough Williams-Ellis, with pastel-coloured houses, little towers and subtropical gardens above the bay. Known from the cult series The Prisoner and a highlight for a relaxed afternoon.

18–24 € / person child-friendly
Website

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 6 · Wed 29/09 6 min

Caernarfon Castle and the Llŷn Peninsula

Castles and coast

Combines castle and coast in one relaxed day.

8
Sight

Caernarfon Castle

The mightiest of the Welsh castles built by Edward I, with polygonal towers modelled on Constantinople. This is where the Prince of Wales was invested; the wall walks and towers let you explore the site extensively.

12–16 € / person child-friendly
Website

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

11 km · 8 min
9
Nature

Dinas Dinlle Beach

A long shingle and sand beach west of Caernarfon with views of the mountains and the Llŷn Peninsula. A peaceful spot for a stroll and a first taste of the Welsh coast.

0 € child-friendly
Website
Day 7 · Thu 30/09 2:12 hr

Moving south to Pembrokeshire

Change of base and arrival on the coast

Driving day with a stopover, staying under the 4-hour driving limit.

10
Nature

Devil's Bridge Falls

A good halfway stopover: three bridges stacked on top of each other over a deep, wooded gorge with roaring waterfalls. A short circular path with steps leads to the finest viewpoints.

6–9 € / person child-friendly
Website
139 km · 2:10 hr
Stay

Holiday cottage near St Davids

Your second base for the week in Pembrokeshire. St Davids is the smallest city in Great Britain and a perfect starting point for coastal walks and beach days.

130–180 € / night

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 8 · Fri 01/10

St Davids and the cathedral

History and coast

A relaxed arrival day in the south, with culture in the morning and the beach in the afternoon.

11
Sight

St Davids Cathedral

The impressive cathedral sits in a sheltered dip in the land and has been a pilgrimage destination since the Middle Ages. Next door lie the ruins of the Bishop's Palace, which you're free to explore.

0–6 € / person child-friendly
Website
3 km · 2 min
12
Nature

Whitesands Bay

One of the finest beaches in Pembrokeshire, a wide golden arc below the mountain of Carn Llidi. Popular for bathing, swimming and a coastal walk with views towards Ramsey Island.

0 € child-friendly
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Day 9 · Sat 02/10 18 min

Pembrokeshire Coast Path

Coastal walking

Choose the length of your coastal walk freely, depending on mood and weather; the path is undulating and full of views.

13
Nature

Pembrokeshire Coast Path near St Davids Head

The long-distance coastal path is one of the most spectacular in Britain. The stretch from Whitesands Bay around St Davids Head passes cliffs, hidden coves and prehistoric stone settings, with constant views out over the open sea.

0 €
Website
12 km · 20 min
14
Food

Porthgain

A tiny former harbour village with characterful ruins from the old quarrying days. The Sloop Inn and the famous fish shack The Shed make a good way to round off the walk.

15–30 € / person child-friendly
Website
Day 10 · Sun 03/10 12 min

Tenby and Barafundle Bay

Beaches and coastal villages

Explore Tenby in the morning, then relax on Barafundle Bay beach in the afternoon.

15
Town

Tenby

A picturesque coastal town with pastel-coloured houses overlooking the harbour, surrounded by medieval town walls. The golden beaches and the boat trip to the monastic island of Caldey Island make Tenby a highlight of the south.

0 € child-friendly
Website
18 km · 14 min
16
Nature

Barafundle Bay

Often praised as the most beautiful beach in Wales, this sandy bay can only be reached on foot via a short cliff path from Stackpole Quay. Fine sand, clear water and no road right by the beach.

0 € child-friendly
Website
Day 11 · Mon 04/10 1:48 hr

Return towards the English Channel

Long leg back

The longest driving day of the trip; the stopover in Lille shortens the final leg considerably.

Book the Eurotunnel for the return journey at a flexible time, in case the drive from Wales takes longer than expected.

17
Tunnel

Eurotunnel Le Shuttle (Folkestone - Calais)

The return journey through the Channel Tunnel brings you back onto the continent in around 35 minutes. You stay in your car the whole time, no need to get out.

90–220 € in total
Website

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

143 km · 1:45 hr
Stay

Guesthouse in Lille

After the long drive from Wales and the Channel crossing, you'll spend the night in Lille. The lively old town, with its Flemish charm, is perfect for a relaxed dinner before heading to Cologne on the final day.

85–130 € / night

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 12 · Tue 05/10 3:18 hr

Back to Cologne

Journey home

A short final driving day, and you'll be home by early afternoon.

346 km · 3:15 hr
18
Stop

Cologne

After a short final leg, you arrive back in Cologne. This brings your round trip through Wales to an end.

0 €
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This trip is planned for 24 Sept – 05 Oct 2027.

Copy it and move it to your own dates.

Free account, no credit card. Copying, moving and adjusting are included.