North Wales Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Llandudno which includes a square or plaza and a small town or village
Betws-Y-Coed showing forest scenes, a house and a river or creek
Beaumaris Castle showing heritage elements, a river or creek and heritage architecture
Beaumaris Castle
Wrexham featuring street scenes

Epic in scale, jaw-dropping in its beauty and steeped in history, North Wales will awaken your senses and provide you with a whole host of unforgettable memories. Whether it’s because of world-famous Snowdonia, its coastal splendour or rich culture, the region is one of Britain’s most popular tourist destinations.

Shielded by the biggest mountains outside Scotland, North Wales is proud and protective of its heritage and its language – more than 60% of its inhabitants speak the native mother tongue, the highest proportion in the country. To the delight of the hundreds of thousands of visitors who flock to the area every year, there is a tangible Welsh feeling wherever you go.

Snowdonia - the Heart of North Wales

Stretching 50 miles north to south and 35 miles east to west, Snowdonia became Wales’ first national park in 1951. Mount Snowdon itself is the focal point, with 350,000 people either walking, climbing or taking the mountain-side train the 1,085 metres to its summit each year.

The park itself, 75% of which is used for raising sheep and cattle, is full of rivers and coastal areas and is home to the biggest natural lake in Wales. Like the country’s other national parks it is very much lived in, with BalaOpens in a new window, DolgellauOpens in a new window, HarlechOpens in a new window and Betws-Y-Coed the main populated areas.

The little stone village of Betws-y-Coed has a fabulous Alpine feel and is the perfect base for exploring Snowdonia, while the charming market town of Dolgellau has the highest concentration of listed buildings in Wales. Bala is famous for its water sports and Harlech its spectacularly intimidating grey-stoned castle.

There is an incredible amount to see and do in Snowdonia so you need to spend your time there wisely. As well as Harlech CastleOpens in a new window, must-see sights and attractions include the Gwydr Forest, the National Slate MuseumOpens in a new window in the cheery town of LlanberisOpens in a new window and the Llechwedd Slate Caverns, where you can descend into the depths of a Victorian mine.

Out and About

To the west of Snowdonia lies the former slate port of PorthmadogOpens in a new window, which enjoys some of the finest views in north Wales. It is also home to the quirky but fabulous Italianate folly of PortmeirionOpens in a new window and two famous narrow-gauge steam railways.

The Ffestiniog Railway is the finest line in Wales, winding its way up 650ft over 13 stunning miles from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog. The Welsh Highland Railway connects Porthmadog with Caernarfon, a full round trip giving you five unforgettable hours on the train.

Set at the southern entrance to the Menai Strait, CaernarfonOpens in a new window is renowned for its incredible castle, the most impressive link in the chain of 13th Century fortresses across North Wales. When you are done there take your pick from the island of AngleseyOpens in a new window and its handsome town of BeaumarisOpens in a new window, cosmopolitan BangorOpens in a new window, ConwyOpens in a new window and the Victorian seaside resort of Llandudno.

North Wales is home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Pontcysyllte Aquaduct and Canal and, collectively, the “Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd”. These include those at Caernarfon, Beaumaris, Conwy and Harlech.

The Seafront Hotel by Compass Hospitality

The Seafront Hotel by Compass Hospitality

3 out of 5
The Promenade, Llandudno, Wales
The price is £58 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
£58
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Llandudno. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour front desk and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
6.8/10 (735 reviews)
"The room and hall ways need painting and modernising. No plug sockets by the bed for your chargers. Comfy bed and good shower"

Reviewed on 29 Jul 2025

The Seafront Hotel by Compass Hospitality
The Marine Hotel

The Marine Hotel

3.5 out of 5
The Promenade, Llandudno, Wales
The price is £68 per night from 28 Aug to 29 Aug
£68
28 Aug - 29 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Llandudno. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,272 reviews)
"No"

Reviewed on 29 Jul 2025

The Marine Hotel
St George's Hotel

St George's Hotel

4 out of 5
The Promenade, Llandudno, Wales
The price is £134 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
£134
25 Aug - 26 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Llandudno. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,009 reviews)
"Great hotel in a lovely location. The hotel staff are polite, courteous and friendly. Rooms are comfy but you need an upgrade for a view. Breakfast was excellent and a warm welcome from the staff. Parking is a bit limited and with narrow bays door knocks may be an issue but overall this is a great ..."

Reviewed on 26 Jul 2025

St George's 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.
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! (60 reviews)
"Clean, quite and close to amenities."

Reviewed on 25 Jul 2025

Beachmount Holiday Apartments
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! (49 reviews)
"The caravan was lovely and the setting (if you love peace and quiet) was absolutely perfect!"

Reviewed on 14 Jul 2025

Static caravan on the Isle of Anglesey, Nr Rhosneigr
House within Conwy Castle Walls

House within Conwy Castle Walls

Conwy, WLS
Stay at this holiday home in Conwy. Enjoy laundry facilities, patios and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Conwy Castle and Venue Cymru are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (78 reviews)
"The highlight of our stays, Isallt, was our home away from home. Clean, plenty of supplies - bedding, pillows, toilet paper, and the nice touch of milk, coffee and cookies upon our arrival. A fully stocked kitchen of China, cutlery, pots, etc. staying here may it easy to visit Conwy knowing we had ..."

Reviewed on 15 Jul 2025

House within Conwy Castle Walls
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.

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