Barry

Travel 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.

Rhoose

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

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.

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.

East Aberthaw

Though East Aberthaw may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Watch House Beach and Barry Island Beach.

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.

Celtic International Hotel Cardiff Airport

Celtic International Hotel Cardiff Airport

3 out of 5
Port Road Barry Wales
The price is RM279 per night from 12 Nov to 13 Nov
RM279
RM334 total
12 Nov - 13 Nov
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 ...
Celtic International Hotel Cardiff Airport
The Mount Rooms

The Mount Rooms

4 out of 5
Porthkerry Road Barry Wales
The price is RM178 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
RM178
RM213 total
26 Oct - 27 Oct
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 ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Reasonably priced hotel Lots of restaurants, reasonably priced, nearby Chloe the receptionist was very helpful"

Reviewed on 21 Oct 2026

The Mount Rooms
Holiday Inn Express Cardiff Airport by IHG

Holiday Inn Express Cardiff Airport by IHG

3 out of 5
Port Road Barry Wales
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Barry. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Porthkerry Country Park and Penmark ...
Holiday Inn Express Cardiff Airport by IHG
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.
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 Cardiff Bay and Goodsheds are located ...
Goodstay Apartments by Urban Space
The Spires Serviced Apartments Cardiff

The Spires Serviced Apartments Cardiff

3 out of 5
10 Cathedral Rd Cardiff Wales
Stay at this apartment in Cardiff. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (334 reviews)
"The bed was two single beds we didn’t know everytime we moved the bed it will separate, the car parking was shocking too not enough room to park the car nor reverse out, and checking out was early too"

Reviewed on 22 Oct 2026

The Spires Serviced Apartments Cardiff
 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 Utilita Arena Cardiff are located ...
7.4/10 Good! (90 reviews)
"Extremely noisy at night as it is near the University Halls of Residence. Shouting and screaming outside the window until gone 4 am. The property should advise bringing, or provide, earplugs. There were items left in the fridge from a previous occupant and the shower was not adequately cleaned. The ..."

Reviewed on 18 Oct 2026

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