Barry Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

A row of colorful beach huts with stone walls in the background.
A bridge with balustrades overlooking a waterfront during sunset.
A rocky shoreline with a beach and a distant view of a town.
A sandy beach with rocky outcrops and a row of houses on a cliff.
A sandy beach with gentle waves, a rocky breakwater, and a clear blue sky.

Barryis the largest town in Wales.It is packed full of maritime and industrial history, but most visitors know itbest for the seaside resort of BarryIsland that sits at its southern tip. Barry is far from beingall beach, beach, beach, but, if its sand, fun and amusements you seek, it canprovide it by the bucketful!

Barryis located just 5 miles west of Cardiff Airport in the Vale of Glamorgan. Youcan almost smell the fresh sea air as your plane touches down into the airport,and it won’t be long before you are feeling the sand between your toes.

For Those Whodo Like to be Beside the Seaside

Blessed with beautifully spacious sandy beaches atWhitmore Bay, Jackson Bay and the Old Harbour, Barry also boasts a delightfullylong pebbled beach that stretches all the way from Knap Point to the mostsouthern point of mainland Wales.This stretch of the coast has a phenomenal tidal range of 15 metres, whichmakes for plenty of room to enjoy the sand.

The young, and the young at heart, will love Barry Island. It’s theperfect place to take in the sun, build a sandcastle, fly a kite, treatyourself to ice-creams, gorge yourself on candy floss and enjoy the promenade,adventure golf courses, amusements, shops and funfair rides.

The south-facing beach of Whitmore Bay ranks as one ofthe finest in Wales,with its sweeping crescent of perfectly golden sand. What’s more it is easilyaccessible to wheelchair users and protected from the roads by a widepromenade, so children can play quite safely here.

Barry Island:Home to Gavin & Stacey

Fans of the hit BBC TV show Gavin & Stacey candiscover ‘what’s occurring’ (and seewhere it occurred) on tours around the town. You can take in all the famouslocations, from Gavin’s home in TrinityStreet to the ‘slots’ arcade where Nessa worked, and relive all your favouritemoments.

Barry Beyondthe Beach

For sporting fans there are three fantastic eighteenhole golf courses nearby and many live football and rugby matches just a shorttrip away in Cardiff.

Nature lovers will enjoy the Welsh Hawking Centre,where there are more than 200 birds of prey, or taking a walk throughPorthkerry Country Park, which offers the tranquillity of 220 acres of woodlandand meadows. Sheltered in in a valley that gradually winds its way down to asecluded pebble beach flanked by spectacular cliffs, the park offers a realchance to get away from it all.

Enjoy Barry

With its industrial and maritime heritage, stunningbeaches, scenic walks, bustling seaside and sporting facilities Barry offers a lot ofsomething for everyone. Fancy a trip?

Where to stay in Barry

Find the best Barry areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Barry
Learn more about Barry

Saint Athan

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Watch House Beach to Limpert Bay – discover Saint Athan, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Rhoose

Rhoose is noteworthy for its bars, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Watch House Beach and Porthkerry Country Park.

Llancarfan

Llancarfan might not have many top sights, but Barry Island Beach and Barry Island Pleasure Park are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

The Knap

The Knap might not have many top sights, but Barry Island Beach and Barry Island Pleasure Park are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Porthkerry

Visitors to Porthkerry enjoy its restaurants, and if you want to do some exploring, Porthkerry Country Park is worth a stop.

Celtic International Hotel Cardiff Airport

Celtic International Hotel Cardiff Airport

3 out of 5
Port Road Barry Wales
The price is £65 per night from 14 Sept to 15 Sept
£65
14 Sept - 15 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Barry. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.2/10 Very good! (839 reviews)
"The bar seating area could be bigger, the hotel is clean and tidy but a bit dated, overall good value for money and great staff"

Reviewed on 10 Sept 2026

Celtic International Hotel Cardiff Airport
The Mount Rooms

The Mount Rooms

4 out of 5
Porthkerry Road Barry Wales
The price is £49 per night from 15 Sept to 16 Sept
£49
15 Sept - 16 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Barry. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
The Mount Rooms
The Angel Hotel

The Angel Hotel

3 out of 5
Castle Street Cardiff Wales
The price is £56 per night from 27 Sept to 28 Sept
£56
27 Sept - 28 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Cardiff. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
The Angel Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Perfect 4-bedroom villa with hot tub in lovely Barry for a relaxing stay

Perfect 4-bedroom villa with hot tub in lovely Barry for a relaxing stay

Barry Wales
Stay at this villa in Barry. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities and a hot tub. Popular attractions Barry Island Beach and Cardiff Bay are located nearby.
10/10 Exceptional! (4 reviews)
"Very clean and well equipped property. Very comfy and some of us used the hot tub, which worked well. Great communication via the App. I would definitely use this house again. Thanks."

Reviewed on 8 Jun 2026

Perfect 4-bedroom villa with hot tub in lovely Barry for a relaxing stay
Goodstay Apartments by Urban Space

Goodstay Apartments by Urban Space

4 out of 5
Hood Road Barry Wales
Stay at this apartment in Barry. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and furnished patios. Popular attractions Barry Island Beach and Cardiff Bay are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (35 reviews)
"This was our second time of staying here and again was not disappointed it was clean and tidy and had everything we needed. The only issue was the mattress we feel a new one would be beneficial due to wear"

Reviewed on 5 Sept 2026

Goodstay Apartments by Urban Space
 Park Lane Aparthotel

Park Lane Aparthotel

4 out of 5
23-24 Park Place Cardiff Wales
Stay at this apartment in Cardiff. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, meeting facilities and housekeeping. Popular attractions Cardiff Castle and Principality Stadium are located ...
Park Lane Aparthotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Stay near popular Barry attractions

Things to do

Cities near Barry

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