Bangor Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Bangor featuring a beach, a river or creek and a bridge
Bangor which includes religious elements, a church or cathedral and heritage elements
Bangor which includes a sandy beach and sailing
Bangor showing a beach and sailing
Bangor featuring a church or cathedral and heritage elements
Situated on the north coast of Wales alongthe Menai Straits, Bangor is blessed with awonderful setting. With views of the Isleof Anglesey and the Menai Suspension Bridge in one direction, and Snowdonia’stowering peaks in the other, this friendly coastal city packs a powerful scenicpunch.

The largest city in the Welsh county of Gwynedd,Bangor also ranks as one of Britain’s smallestcities, making it ideal for exploring by foot.

A walk is all that’s needed to take in Bangor’shighlights, from Bangor Cathedral to its charming,Victorian-era Garth Pier, and a traditional centre of pedestrianised streets,pastel-painted townhouses and Victorian villas. Add to these the pull of nearbySnowdoniaNational Park and the energy of students at BangorUniversity — another of the city’s claims to fame — and Bangorhas something for everyone.

Best of Bangor

Whether you’re here torelax or explore, Bangor will oblige. Stroll along the photogenic pier — the second longest in Wales — and take your time to soaking up Bangor’sstunning views over Anglesey. The great Edwardian buildings of BangorUniversity are admirable and you can drop into GwyneddMuseum and Art Gallery to uncover Bangor’spast. Then, if you swap your sightseeing for shopping, there are plenty of quirkyindependent shops in Bangor centre to potteraround in and the longest high street in Wales to explore.

Afterwards, perhaps youcould get all cosy in the welcoming pubs and cafes, enjoy fresh local producein the restaurants and bistros, and sample Bangor’slively evening scene, with its regular live music, folk music and classical concerts.

History of Bangor

Bangor’sorigins lie in the early 6th century, when Saint Deiniol founded amonastery on the city’s present-day site. It’s believed the name Bangor,an ancient Welsh word meaning ‘wall’, may have originated from the wattle-styleenclosure that ringed the monastery.

However,It wasn’t until the 17th century that Bangorbegan to take on the trappings of today’s city, with the arrival of local slatemining and shipbuilding industries and in the 19th century, theadvent of the railway and pleasure steamers from Liverpool.

Outdoor Attractions in and Around Bangor

Bangorhas plenty to attract activity lovers. Golfers will be eager to play the city’sSt.Deiniol Golf Club, with its lovely 18-hole course designed byfive-time Open champion James Braid.

Seafarers will love boat trips on the Menai Strait,and walkers and outdoor fans will adore nearby Snowdonia NationalPark with its hiking trails, outdoor activities, waterfalls suchas the magical Aber Falls, and the famous Snowdonia Mountain Railway.

Alternatively, there is the opportunity to roam the naturereserves around Bangor’s River Ogwen and MenaiStrait shores, relax on the nearby sandy beaches, or stride out on the dramaticNorth Wales Path that traces the coast between Bangorand Prestatyn.

The Management Centre
The Management Centre
4 out of 5
College Road, Bangor, Wales
The price is £156 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
£156
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly guesthouse in Bangor. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (815 reviews)
"We paid for the best room but found it disappointing in that there were no shampoo/body lotion/shower caps in the bathroom. The single beds were very narrow. Signs to the reception/bar and dining area were not there and the place was like a rabbit warren tracking them down. However, on the plus side, ..."

Reviewed on 1 Jul 2025

The Management Centre
Traxx Hotel
Traxx Hotel
2.5 out of 5
10 Station Road, Gwynedd, Bangor, Wales
Stay at this B&B in Bangor. Enjoy free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Zip World Penrhyn Quarry and Bangor Cathedral are located ...
6.6/10 (51 reviews)
"Perfectly nice place to stay. Staff was friendly. Breakfast was really good."

Reviewed on 6 Jun 2025

Traxx Hotel
Nomi Rooms and Restaurant
Nomi Rooms and Restaurant
3 out of 5
2 Upper Garth Rd, Bangor, Wales
The price is £136 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
£136
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star golf hotel in Bangor. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (58 reviews)
"I did ask the fan twice she said she’ll bring it never got it I didn’t sleep the room I saw on the website"

Reviewed on 26 Jun 2025

Nomi Rooms and Restaurant
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.
Beachmount Holiday Apartments
Beachmount Holiday Apartments
3 out of 5
67 Colwyn Avenue, Rhos-On-Sea, Colwyn Bay, Wales
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Colwyn Bay. Enjoy free parking, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Venue Cymru and Conwy Castle are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (57 reviews)
"The property is looked after very well. Nicely decorated and well equipped. The location is great to be a base for exploring around beautiful north Wales. Shops, restaurants and beaches are all less than 3 mins walk."

Reviewed on 28 May 2025

Beachmount Holiday Apartments
Seaside Cottage, Dogs Welcome - good walks, by beach & Snowdonia National Park
Seaside Cottage, Dogs Welcome - good walks, by beach & Snowdonia National Park
Llanfairfechan, WLS
Stay at this cottage in Llanfairfechan. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and an in-room coffee maker. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (152 reviews)
"The cottage is small but has everything you need, it is very clean and well stocked with all that is needed, Sue is extremely helpful and lives next to the property so is always on hand, the area is beautiful 1to 2 minute walk to the prom, the village has pubs and shops and takeaways if needed and ..."

Reviewed on 13 Jun 2025

Seaside Cottage, Dogs Welcome - good walks, by beach & Snowdonia National Park
Static caravan on the Isle of Anglesey, Nr Rhosneigr
Static caravan on the Isle of Anglesey, Nr Rhosneigr
Holyhead, Anglesey
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and an in-room coffee maker. Popular attractions Barclodiad y Gawres Burial Chamber and Rhosneigr Beach are located nearby.
9.8/10 Exceptional! (47 reviews)
Total unwind
"What an amazing caravan , it’s so lovely we had to return . Everything you could need and spotlessly clean . Most of all in such a beautiful spot in a field by yourselves with just the sheep and big horse little horse"

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

Static caravan on the Isle of Anglesey, Nr Rhosneigr
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 Bangor

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
13
5 - Excellent 31%
4 - Good
20
4 - Good 48%
3 - Okay
7
3 - Okay 17%
2 - Disappointing
2
2 - Disappointing 5%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

It's easy to get parked and the locals are friendly

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller

Bit of a dump reslly would avoid in future

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

The Victoria peer provides for a nice walk - about 1.5 mile from the centre of town and the Italian restaurant there provides nice food.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

The Baptist Church was friendly

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

It’s just ok, didn’t really get a chance to see more , if there’s is more ??

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