North Wales

Travel Guide

Llandudno featuring a small town or village and a square or plaza
Betws-Y-Coed which includes a river or creek, forests and a house
Beaumaris Castle showing heritage elements, building ruins and tranquil scenes
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 P3,507 per night from Sep 7 to Sep 8
P3,507
P4,208 total
Sep 7 - Sep 8
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 (744 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 Jul 29, 2025

The Seafront Hotel by Compass Hospitality
The Marine Hotel

The Marine Hotel

3.5 out of 5
The Promenade, Llandudno, Wales
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P4,468 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
P4,468
P5,361 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Llandudno. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,301 reviews)
"Staff were very pleasant and helpful"

Reviewed on Aug 17, 2025

The Marine Hotel
Celtic Royal Hotel & Spa

Celtic Royal Hotel & Spa

3 out of 5
Bangor Street, Gwynedd, Caernarfon, Wales
The price is P7,543 per night from Aug 26 to Aug 27
P7,543
P9,051 total
Aug 26 - Aug 27
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Caernarfon. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
"Nice hotel, food ok, spa was nice pool a bit cool. I had a "suprior" which nice but very noisy in the mornings, as it was at the front and had delivery trucks and refuge collections."

Reviewed on Aug 14, 2025

Celtic Royal Hotel & Spa
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 Conwy Castle and The Holy Well and Chapel ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (61 reviews)
"Was abit noisy from the people upstairs but only in the day time which wasn’t that much of an issue but overall was an excellent stay."

Reviewed on Aug 15, 2025

Beachmount Holiday Apartments
Conwy Valley Cottages

Conwy Valley Cottages

4 out of 5
Tan y Bryn, Hen Efail, Tyn y Groes, Conwy, Wales
Stay at this 4-star golf cottage in Conwy. Enjoy free parking, WiFi (surcharge), and a garden. Popular attractions Conwy Castle and Conwy Water Gardens are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (8 reviews)
First Class
"Every single thing was simply first class, the surroundings were beautiful, peaceful and with the company of friendly peacocks, what more could you ask for? Neil was also welcoming and very friendly."

Reviewed on Jul 18, 2025

Conwy Valley Cottages
3 Bedroom, pet Free, Static Caravan in Prestatyn

3 Bedroom, pet Free, Static Caravan in Prestatyn

3 out of 5
Rhyl
Stay at this 3-star chalet in Rhyl. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Rhyl Golf Club and Prestatyn Beach are located nearby.
3 Bedroom, pet Free, Static Caravan in Prestatyn
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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