If your idea of a perfect city break involves birdsong rather than honking traffic, St Davids will steal your heart. Tucked into the picturesque landscape of Pembrokeshire – just a mile from the Celtic sea - this is officially the smallest city in the United Kingdom. With a population of 1,600, it covers a quarter of a square mile – the size of 84 football pitches and slightly larger than the famously tiny Vatican City. St Davids feels more like a charming village than a metropolis, and that’s exactly the appeal.

Its city status isn’t about size but significance. The 12th-century cathedral here has drawn pilgrims for centuries. In the Middle Ages, it was said that two pilgrimages here equalled one to Rome, and three equalled a journey to Jerusalem. Though St Davids briefly lost official recognition in 1886, Queen Elizabeth II restored its city status in 1995.

St Davids is a place that surprises first-timers. Expect peaceful streets, independent shops, small galleries, and cafés where local produce takes centre stage – and a main tourist area you can comfortably wander around in just half a day. It’s the kind of place where you can explore every corner without feeling rushed. You are looking at about four hours to wander the core sights on foot.

The cathedral is the showstopper: a breathtaking 12th-century masterpiece with a 35-metre tall central tower that is built in a hollow to deter Viking raiders, and far grander than you’d ever expect. Nearby, the dramatic ruins of the 14th Century Bishop’s Palace hint at the city’s medieval importance.

 For those who want more, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path lies just minutes away, part of a 186-mile trail with dramatic sea cliffs, golden beaches, and wildlife from basking grey seals to rare seabirds. The glorious coastal routes can take between several hours to a full day to explore, depending on your chosen stretch.

Getting here is straightforward via Haverfordwest, about 16 miles away with rail links to Swansea, Cardiff, and beyond, plus buses on to St Davids. Small in scale, big on soul — this is a city break that lingers.