Bala Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Photo by Joan Berry
Photo by Linda Chambers
Photo by Linda Chambers
Photo by Linda Chambers
Photo by Linda Chambers
Bala is a tiny markettown in Gwynedd,Wales.The town lies at the northern end of the famous BalaLake, the largest lake in Wales, and is part of theWelsh Lake District in Snowdonia.

Sport in Bala

No self-respecting Welsh town would be without a rugbyteam, and Bala’s is BalaRFC, a member of the Welsh Rugby Union and a feeder club for theLlanelli Scarlets, who play at theMaes Gwyniad ground. The town also has a footballteam, Bala Town FC, who play in the Welsh PremierLeague at the Maes Tegid Stadium.

Shopping in Bala

The main street in Balais Y Stryd Fawr, or the High Street, which is where most of the shops are, andwhere the markets were originally held. Almost all of the shops in the town areindependent traders, selling everything from fresh meat and local produce toclothes, hardware, electrical goods, fishing supplies, cards and gifts,confectionery, arts and crafts, and more.

Food and Drink in Bala

For such a small town,Bala offers plenty of choice when it comes to placesto eat and drink. From upmarket restaurants to traditional inns and lakesidecafes, you are sure to find something to excite your taste buds, whether youwant to try traditional Welsh dishes, fish and chips, or contemporary cuisinemade from fresh local produce.

Things to See and Do In and Around Bala

There are plenty of leisure activities available inBala and its surroundings. The area isparticularly good for walking, with many trails at levels of difficulty to suiteveryone from the most casual walker to the most experienced. Other availableactivities include white-water rafting, kayaking, sailing, fishing, cycling,mountain biking, golf, bowling, go-karting, and off-road driving. The RiverTryweryn is world famous for white-water rafting andBala is home to the National WhiteWater Centre.

There are many nature reserves and woodlands aroundBala. Bala Lake is aRamsar wetlands site of international importance, Penllyn Woods is an area ofwoodland and moorland around Bala, and AberhirnantForest and Penaran Forest can be found to the east and west ofBala respectively. The Migneint-Arenig-DdualltSpecial Area of Conservation is an area of mountains and moorland to the westand north-west of Bala, while theBerwyn Mountains, which lie to the east andnorth-east of Bala, include both aNational Nature Reserve and a Site of SpecialScientific Interest. Lastly, the Cors y Sarnau NatureReserve, to the north-east of Bala,is an important wetlands habitat.

The Bala Lake Railway isa narrow gauge steam railway that offers a nine-mile return journey alongsideBala Lake through the beautiful scenery ofSnowdonia National Park.

Tomen y Bala is an 11thCentury Norman earthworks mound or motte, while a similar mound at Pen-y-Bontis the remains of a 13th century motte and bailey castle. Castell Carndochan isa ruined Welsh medieval castle sitting on a rocky crag that can only be visitedby a strenuous walk.

White Lion Royal Hotel
White Lion Royal Hotel
3.5 out of 5
High Street, Bala, Bala, Wales
The price is £73 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
£73
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star beach hotel in Bala. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (304 reviews)
"Great stay"

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

White Lion Royal Hotel
Plas Coch Hotel
Plas Coch Hotel
3 out of 5
52-52 HIGH STREET, Bala, Wales
The price is £60 per night from 9 Jul to 10 Jul
£60
9 Jul - 10 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Bala. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
7.8/10 Good! (107 reviews)
"Friendly helpful management and staff. Facilities clean and tidy. Everything I needed and nothing unnecessary. Great value."

Reviewed on 27 Jun 2025

Plas Coch Hotel
Pale Hall Hotel
Pale Hall Hotel
5 out of 5
Pale Hall Estate, Llandderfel, Bala, Wales
The price is £325 per night from 8 Jul to 9 Jul
£325
8 Jul - 9 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Bala. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (134 reviews)
"Nice Staff, Great Location, Lovely Restaurant with atmospheric violin accompaniment."

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

Pale Hall 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.
The Fanny Talbot
The Fanny Talbot
3 out of 5
High Street, Barmouth, Wales
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Barmouth. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and housekeeping. Popular attractions Barmouth Beach and Ty Crwyn are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (37 reviews)
"Nice and clean with ample car parking and good shower, a great location too positioned close to the beach and restaurants. My only feedback is the room felt abit dark as it lacked sunlight but other than this it was a great stay."

Reviewed on 1 Jul 2025

The Fanny Talbot
SNOWDONIA LOG CABIN RETREAT 4 BERTH FAMILY/PET FRIENDLY. STUNNING MOUNTAIN VIEWS
SNOWDONIA LOG CABIN RETREAT 4 BERTH FAMILY/PET FRIENDLY. STUNNING MOUNTAIN VIEWS
Trawsfynydd, Wales
Stay at this cabin in Blaenau Ffestiniog. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities and balconies. Popular attractions Eryri National Park and Llyn Gelli-Gain are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (139 reviews)
Snowdonia walk
"We only stopped in it for 2 nights because we was going to climb snowdonia the next day, yes we did it, but we was more than happy with it, it was lovely and clean through out, the host liz downs was easy and polite to chat with to, we woul use it again,"

Reviewed on 19 Jun 2025

SNOWDONIA LOG CABIN RETREAT 4 BERTH FAMILY/PET FRIENDLY. STUNNING MOUNTAIN VIEWS
Romantic and cosy cottage,  countryside views, near to the beach and mountains
Romantic and cosy cottage, countryside views, near to the beach and mountains
Harlech
Stay at this cottage in Harlech. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities and patios. Our guests praise the property condition in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
10/10 Exceptional! (158 reviews)
Excellent stay in a beautiful cottage
"Beautiful little property located a short distance from the beach. The cottage is well presented with all the amenities you would need. We enjoyed our stay at the cottage and would 100% stay again. Highly recommended you would not be disappointed with your stay here"

Reviewed on 29 May 2025

Romantic and cosy cottage, countryside views, near to the beach and mountains
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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Bala

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
7
5 - Excellent 33%
4 - Good
13
4 - Good 62%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 5%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Quite a lot open even though it was winter. River and lake lovely.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

If you want a relaxing romantic stay away with fabulous food, service and a relaxing gorgeous house and grounds you MUST visit!!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Pretty place a little noisy at night with the late night revelers

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

lovely little town with Spectacular surroundings 

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Nice places to eat especially Bala Spice and the Italian Bistro.

1/5 - Terrible

Verified traveller

seams to the place to get drunk and let of steam

Cities near Bala