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Why we love North Wales

The north of Wales is packed with castles and they provide just some of its stunning backdrop. The rest comes from its coastlines, valleys, hills and towns. From the impressive vistas of Portmeirion, a mini replica of the Italian Riviera, to the island of Anglesey with 125 miles of coastline, to an amble along Wales’ longest pier in the Victorian resort of Llandudno. Whether it’s photographing Britain’s longest place name or its smallest house, paddle-boarding under dark skies or taking on the world’s fastest zipline, the north of Wales gives you a generous slice of it all. Try sleeping on a cliff’s edge, visiting anything from prisons to galleries, feasting on fresh lobster to locally foraged seaweed, or partying the night away, and all in easy reach of Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park.

Things to do in North Wales

For beautiful beaches and charming seaside villages, look to the Llŷn Peninsula on the North Wales coast.

Explore the Llŷn Peninsula

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North Wales

Aerial view of the Llŷn Peninsula, Wales
Llŷn Peninsula, North Wales

In questo lato felicemente stravagante del Galles, in una penisola privata, troverai una piccola fetta della riviera italiana.

Scopri di più su Portmeirion

VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

Revellers at a forest gig at music festival
Portmeirion

Standing tall for more than 700 years, this Medieval fortress overlooks the pretty town of Conwy – both a joy to explore.

Book tickets to Conway Castle

VisitBritain/David Angel

North Wales

A castle lit up at night in winter snow near harbour
Conwy Castle, Conwy

From the top of Holyhead Mountain, you can see the entire Anglesey coastline – and even as far as Ireland.

Plan your Holyhead Mountain hike
Awaiting image
Holyhead Mountain, Anglesey

Since 1809, this tiny white lighthouse has saved thousands of lives. Discover its stories in the museum, and enjoy epic views from the top.

Visit South Stack Lighthouse

Visit Wales

South Stack Lighthouse, Anglesey
South Stack Lighthouse, Anglesey

Look out for remarkable wildlife sightings – including puffins, peregrines and a 200-strong grey seal colony.

Visit Bardsey Island

VisitWales

A seal in the water off the coast of Bardsey Island, found in Snowdonia/Eryri National Park
Bardsey Island

With its line up of rock, pop and dance, this music festival in Wrexham is a true crowd-pleaser.

Get tickets for Rock the Park

Getty Images

A crowd celebrating a performance at a music venue
Rock the Park

this is no ordinary watersports trip: the Pontcysyllte is one of the tallest navigable aqueducts in the world.

Go Aqueduct Canoeing in Llangollen

Bearded Men Adventures

A group paddling kayaks across a viaduct with scenic views of Snowdonia/Eryri National Park
Aqueduct Canoeing in Llangollen

Known as the ‘Iron Ring’, these mighty Welsh castles date back to the 13th century.

Tour Beaumaris, Caernarfon, Conwy and Harlech Castles

rickmatthewsuk

A group of people posing by the water near Beaumaris Castle in Wales
Beaumaris, Caernarfon, Conwy and Harlech Castles

Part festival, part competition, this is a great way to experience Wales’s rich national heritage.

Book Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod

A group of performers on stage as part of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod
Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod

For beautiful beaches and charming seaside villages, look to the Llŷn Peninsula on the North Wales coast.

Explore the Llŷn Peninsula

Crown Copyright

North Wales

Aerial view of the Llŷn Peninsula, Wales
Llŷn Peninsula, North Wales

In questo lato felicemente stravagante del Galles, in una penisola privata, troverai una piccola fetta della riviera italiana.

Scopri di più su Portmeirion

VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

Revellers at a forest gig at music festival
Portmeirion

Standing tall for more than 700 years, this Medieval fortress overlooks the pretty town of Conwy – both a joy to explore.

Book tickets to Conway Castle

VisitBritain/David Angel

North Wales

A castle lit up at night in winter snow near harbour
Conwy Castle, Conwy

From the top of Holyhead Mountain, you can see the entire Anglesey coastline – and even as far as Ireland.

Plan your Holyhead Mountain hike
Awaiting image
Holyhead Mountain, Anglesey

Since 1809, this tiny white lighthouse has saved thousands of lives. Discover its stories in the museum, and enjoy epic views from the top.

Visit South Stack Lighthouse

Visit Wales

South Stack Lighthouse, Anglesey
South Stack Lighthouse, Anglesey

Look out for remarkable wildlife sightings – including puffins, peregrines and a 200-strong grey seal colony.

Visit Bardsey Island

VisitWales

A seal in the water off the coast of Bardsey Island, found in Snowdonia/Eryri National Park
Bardsey Island

With its line up of rock, pop and dance, this music festival in Wrexham is a true crowd-pleaser.

Get tickets for Rock the Park

Getty Images

A crowd celebrating a performance at a music venue
Rock the Park

this is no ordinary watersports trip: the Pontcysyllte is one of the tallest navigable aqueducts in the world.

Go Aqueduct Canoeing in Llangollen

Bearded Men Adventures

A group paddling kayaks across a viaduct with scenic views of Snowdonia/Eryri National Park
Aqueduct Canoeing in Llangollen

Known as the ‘Iron Ring’, these mighty Welsh castles date back to the 13th century.

Tour Beaumaris, Caernarfon, Conwy and Harlech Castles

rickmatthewsuk

A group of people posing by the water near Beaumaris Castle in Wales
Beaumaris, Caernarfon, Conwy and Harlech Castles

Part festival, part competition, this is a great way to experience Wales’s rich national heritage.

Book Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod

A group of performers on stage as part of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod
Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod

Places to stay in North Wales

Conwy

Conwy makes for a good base, and is central to the north Wales area. It also offers easy access to Snowdonia. And for such a small place it offers a lot to see, from the castle to the estuary, cottages with slate roofs, long beach walks nearby, town walls and buzzing cafes, and pubs and restaurants .

Anglesey

This island offers everything from a on-cliff camping experience through to stays at country houses with spas or even a chateau. Take in its lighthouses, to its beaches and coastal paths, or look to food festivals and the chance to cross the Menai Suspension Bridge. Check out Beaumaris for its shops and cafes, pitch up a picnic at Penmon or enjoy a B&B in Benlech Bay.

Llandudno

A dream-worthy place to stay. Running along the fringes of the Creuddyn Penisula, this Victorian seaside destination is bursting with historic tales, outstanding nature and Wales’ longest pier. Check out Great Orme, the area’s mini-mountain and journey 207 metres high to the summit on a ride on Britain’s lengthiest cable car. 

Explore nearby

From The Beatles to Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Liverpool is a UNESCO City of Music with seriously cool credentials.

Oh Me Oh My

Liverpool

Rooftop of Oh me oh my restaurant in Liverpool

Full of adventure from its sky-scraping peaks to plunging glacial valleys - it’s bursting with bombastic scenery.

VisitBritain/Daniel Struthers

A man jumping across a stream whilst hiking

World-class football and a music scene that brought Oasis to centre stage – there’s lots to love about Manchester.

VisitBritain/Manchester Craft Beer Festival

DJ playing to groups of people at Manchester Craft Beer Festival, in Depot Mayfield, Manchester

A route to adventure, culture and wildlife hugging the shorelines of Wales.

VisitBritain/Royce Mackin

Lighthouse on a prominent rocky outcrop

Getting to North Wales

The closest international airport to North Wales is Liverpool John Lennon Airport, around 75 miles (121 km) from spots such as Conwy and Llandudno. Direct train services from London Euston to Holyhead, the largest town on the Isle of Anglesey, take fewer than four hours.

Getting around

By bus

Fflecsi Bus operate across North Wales and can be booked by app. Dee Valley Picturesque Bus service is a circular route and runs every Saturday until 30 October, the route links Llangollen and the surrounding villages to popular local attractions.

The Snowdon Sherpa is a unique bus service that travels around the foot of Snowdon, the service is fully accessible.

By train

A scenic and eco-friendly way to travel around North Wales is by train. The North Wales Coast Railway hugs the coastline, and stops off at places such as Prestatyn, Rhyl, Colwyn Bay, Llandudno, Conwy, Bangor and Holyhead.

The Conwy Valley line runs from Llandudno through Snowdonia to Blaenau Ffestiniog.

By foot

A lot of North Wales is calling out to walkers, amblers and hikers. Check out the North Wales section of the Welsh coastal path.

Want to know more?

Check out Visit Wales for top insider tips and travel inspiration.