7-Day Relaxed Wales Road Trip from Cardiff to Merthyr Tydfil

Your slow-paced and relaxed road trip through Wales begins when you reach Cardiff, where you’ll stay for a total of 4 nights.

Cardiff is an outstanding hub for culture, comfort, and exploration. The neighborhood offers travelers plenty of experiences to look forward to, including the magnificent SWALEC Stadium. Around 6,286 visitors have rated this fascinating sports venue and travel destination an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

When you're done sightseeing for the day, you'll check in at one of the best hotels or places to stay in the neighborhood. Take your pick and make it your home during your leisurely tour of the neighborhood.

Exploring the food culture in Cardiff offers you an exciting chance to connect with locals and experience diversity along your relaxed road trip. When you’re ready to eat, we recommend you visit one of the best dining spots in the neighborhood.

An excellent example is Cafe Citta. This restaurant offers a menu of comforting meals and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 504 customers.

Bill's Cardiff Central Restaurant serves great food and is a favorite among hungry travelers and locals. This popular restaurant in Cardiff has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 2,663 reviews.

Pasture Restaurant Cardiff is another one of the city’s best restaurants. With an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 697 customers, Pasture Restaurant Cardiff is sure to provide you with an unforgettable dining experience.

If you’re curious about what Cardiff looks like at night, a trip to some of the best bars near your accommodation is what you need next. Experience the local nightlife at The Dead Canary, our top recommendation in the city. Customers have rated this bar an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars in 700 reviews.

The Alchemist Cardiff offers a variety of refreshing drinks and is one of the best places to relax in Cardiff. This well-known city bar is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,213 customers.

Locals like unwinding at Old Arcade. This bar has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,079 customers and is a perfect place for socializing.

Free your mind of worries and enjoy your first taste of relaxation in Wales! Expect more to come as you continue this laid-back and relaxed road trip in Wales!

On day 2 of your relaxed road trip across Wales, you'll explore the best attractions in Cardiff at your own pace and immerse in the city's unique local culture. Today's laid-back tour features some of the best restaurants and bars in Cardiff, where you can sample some delicious local food.

The accommodation you’ll be staying at for another 3 nights will be conveniently located close to several attractions, like the famous Roath Park. This incredible park has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 5,598 travelers.

Make the most of your slow-paced travel adventure in Wales by seeing another popular site in Cardiff, the wonderful Roath Pleasure Gardens. This park is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 5,598 travelers.

You can then move on to the incredible Roath Recreation Ground. This park has received an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,636 visitors.

Another stop you might want to add to your self-drive itinerary is the remarkable National Museum Cardiff. This museum building is sought after by many travelers from around the world, or more than 373,191 people annually. The popular attraction has received 4.6 out of 5 stars from 8,751 visitors.

If you want to discover more, consider stopping by the famous Cardiff Castle. This amazing site is a wonderful castle with more than 19,028 wanderlust-filled travelers rating it an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

Get a dose of thrill, excitement, and inspiration on day 2 of your unhurried and relaxed road trip in Wales. Check out the tours and tickets you can add to your Cardiff itinerary and feel all the emotions in this wonderful city. Add a highly recommended tour to your vacation package now and make this refreshing new day of your self-drive through Wales extra special!

After a long day exploring the popular attractions in the city, it’s time to sample the different kinds of mouthwatering foods served at the best restaurants in Cardiff. One of our top recommendations includes a selection of delicious meals on its menu, Pettigrew Tea Rooms - Bute Park. This place is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 759 customers.

You may also try the variety of dishes served at Bar 44 Cardiff, which is an excellent choice if you want a nice place to eat near your accommodation. Bar 44 Cardiff is rated 4.5 stars out of 5 by 733 customers.

You can also eat at the highly recommended Elevens Bar And Grill. This amazing restaurant has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 787 food lovers.

After finishing your meal, it’s time to experience the amazing nightlife in Cardiff and unwind at the coolest bars in the city. Drink the night away and celebrate this day of your relaxed road trip at the popular Pasture Restaurant Cardiff. This vibrant bar is rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by 697 customers.

If you want to try a different bar, check out the popular Kongs Cardiff. Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars by 915 customers, this bar is a great place to try some excellent liquor.

Another recommendation you shouldn’t miss is The Botanist Bar & Restaurant Cardiff. Drink up and relax in this amazing bar that serves different kinds of alcoholic beverages and cocktail drinks. The Botanist Bar & Restaurant Cardiff has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 774 bar goers.

Enjoy the rest of day 2 of your relaxed road trip across Wales, and prepare for another day of unhurried adventure!

Fortunately, your accommodation, where you’ll be staying for 2 nights more is conveniently located near several of the neighborhood’s best attractions.

One of the best stops on your hassle-free journey is the popular St Fagans National Museum of History, one of the top attractions in the neighborhood. In fact, the incredible St Fagans National Museum of History has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 10,708 visitors.

Explore more of the neighborhood’s wonders, create memorable experiences, and join laid-back to challenging activities.

When it’s time to eat, the neighborhood has a variety of restaurants and cuisines to suit your palate and complement your relaxed road trip experience. Or, check out our top recommendations below and treat yourself to a nice meal.

Mowgli Street Food is one of the top restaurants in the neighborhood.

If you’re looking for another option near your accommodation, The Clink Restaurant Cardiff is also one of the best restaurants you can try in the neighborhood. The Clink Restaurant Cardiff proved an excellent choice for around 366 visitors, who gave the restaurant an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

This bar enjoys an average rating of 4.3 over 5 stars given by 787 customers.

Another drinking place in the neighborhood we recommend you try out is Lab 22. Check out its selection of liquors, and learn why it has been rated 4.7 over 5 stars by 493 customers.

If you prefer another place to unwind, Future Inn Cardiff Bay may be a more excellent choice for you. This bar offers a variety of drinks you can choose from. Around 1,751 customers have rated it an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars.

Day 4 of your easy and relaxed road trip through Wales gives you the opportunity to travel leisurely and experience two places in one day. By the end of the day, you’ll drive in the direction of the city of Merthyr Tydfil, where you’ll stay at a top-rated hotel of your choice for 2 nights.

When you’re ready to head to your first attraction of the day, the wonderful Cosmeston Lakes Country Park & Medieval Village is waiting for you. This park has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 2,637 visitors.

There are many top-rated experiences you can include in your travel plan to add flavor to your relaxed road trip in Wales. Browse all of your options and reserve your slot before our favorites get fully booked.

Turn on some soothing tunes in the car because it’s now time to drive to the city of Merthyr Tydfil. In Merthyr Tydfil, you can choose among the best hotels and places to rest and recharge to complement your relaxed road trip experience in Wales.

After a long day of driving and exploring along your relaxed road trip route, sitting down for a well-cooked restaurant meal in St. Nicholas is an excellent idea.

Take a stroll around the area, head back to your accommodation for the night, or continue your evening at one of the best-rated bars in the city.

This is the perfect place to enjoy a couple of drinks if you want to continue your celebrations.

This popular bar will bring up your mood and give you a good ending to your night.

Raise your glass in celebration and anticipation of your memorable and relaxing road trip adventure through Wales!

Day 5 of your unhurried and relaxed road trip through Wales serves as your introduction to Abercanaid. This is your chance to experience the very best of the city and appreciate Wales and its distinct culture and people.

Upon arriving in Abercanaid, you can check in at the accommodation of your choice for a quick break.

With an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 44 guests, 1 Bed Apart is the best luxury apartment option we recommend while in the city.

The 3-star Premier Inn Merthyr Tydfil offers comfort at an affordable price, perfect for practical travelers.

These recommendations are among the most popular places to stay in Abercanaid. If any of these options are not available during your stay in the city, we’ll provide you with the best alternatives. Our flexible booking system will automatically offer you a selection of accommodations that fit your budget and needs.

You'll enjoy easy access to the most remarkable sights in Abercanaid, allowing you to explore the city at a relaxed pace. For example, you can take in the unique atmosphere of the city from the outstanding BikePark Wales. This cafe and attraction is one of the top travel destinations in Abercanaid. The fascinating BikePark Wales has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 2,688 travelers.

A trip to this wonderful site will inspire you.

Every year, travelers gather around this fascinating sightseeing spot to appreciate its unique features.

Tours often allow you to see beyond what books and social media feature about Abercanaid, its culture, and people. So for a more meaningful travel experience in the city, we recommend you join one of the most popular tours available on this day of your relaxed road trip across Wales.

Mealtimes are the perfect opportunities to immerse yourself in the local culture of Wales. After a day of appreciating the best places to visit in Abercanaid, explore the city like a local by trying out the best restaurants in the area.

A visit to a top-rated local bar is one of the most refreshing ways to cap off a beautiful night in Abercanaid.

Sleep comfortably and prepare for another day of your laid-back adventure in Wales!

Day 6 of your easy and relaxed road trip through Wales gives you the opportunity to travel leisurely and experience two places in one day. You will start your day by exploring some of the best sights in the city of Caerphilly. By the end of the day, you’ll drive in the direction of the city of Cardiff, where you’ll stay at a top-rated hotel of your choice for 1 night.

When you’re ready to head to your first attraction of the day, the wonderful Morgan Jones Park is waiting for you. This park has been rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 973 visitors.

The next stop on your road trip vacation is Caerphilly Castle. This unique castle is a highly recommended place to visit, rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 7,237 visitors.

Make the most of your relaxed road trip vacation by joining activities and tours that let you discover what else Caerphilly has in store for you. There are many top-rated experiences you can include in your travel plan to add flavor to your relaxed road trip in Wales. Browse all of your options and reserve your slot before our favorites get fully booked.

Turn on some soothing tunes in the car because it’s now time to drive to the city of Cardiff. In Cardiff, you can choose among the best hotels and places to rest and recharge to complement your relaxed road trip experience in Wales.

After a long day of driving and exploring along your relaxed road trip route, sitting down for a well-cooked restaurant meal in Ystrad Mynach is an excellent idea.

A popular restaurant we recommend you try is Manor Parc Hotel, one of the best restaurants in Ystrad Mynach. With a lovely menu and an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 718 customers, you can’t go wrong with choosing Manor Parc Hotel.

Locals also recommend Norwegian Church Arts Centre as one of the top restaurants in the area. So if you’re feeling hungry, don’t forget to check out the menu at Norwegian Church Arts Centre as well. This local-favorite restaurant is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 800 customers.

Take a stroll around the area, head back to your accommodation for the night, or continue your evening at one of the best-rated bars in the city.

If you would like to celebrate your vacation with a drink, we recommend going to a place like The Borough Arms. The Borough Arms is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 802 customers and is one of the best bars you can visit tonight.

Another lively bar worth checking out tonight is Laguna Kitchen & Bar Cardiff. This is the perfect place to enjoy a couple of drinks if you want to continue your celebrations. The average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 348 customers gives you an idea of what to expect from this bar.

Alternatively, head to Pennyroyal. This popular bar will bring up your mood and give you a good ending to your night. Pennyroyal is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 151 customers.

Raise your glass in celebration and anticipation of your memorable and relaxing road trip adventure through Wales!

Day 7 of your relaxed road trip in Wales is your departure day. If you have a flight to catch, you’ll drop off your rental car well in advance before your departure. Choose a late flight to enjoy a stress-free last day in Cardiff.

Depending on when you need to leave, you might be able to fit in some sightseeing or shopping. Embrace the beauty of Cardiff once more and find some souvenirs to help you remember your time in the city. To end your relaxing road trip in Wales on top, we recommend visiting some of the following attractions.

Bute Park is an extraordinary attraction that is perfect for your last day in Cardiff. This top sight is a popular park, rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 6,423 visitors.

Unwind and look back at the past 7 days of your relaxed road trip over a bite to eat. This is your chance to enjoy one last traditional meal in Cardiff or just grab something light to keep you going.

Give yourself enough time to wave goodbye to Cardiff and begin your journey home. The unforgettable experiences you’ve collected along your 7-day relaxed road trip in Wales is a story you will tell for the rest of your life.