North Wales is an absolute gem of a area to go to when exploring Wales. It’s acquired a bit of one thing for everybody. From stunning seashores, beautiful mountain peaks, quaint villages and a tremendous nationwide park. Better of all, so lots of the greatest locations in North Wales to go to are dotted all throughout the area.
Now, for me, I at all times love visiting North Wales by automotive. It’s the right vacation spot for a street journey within the UK, and the panorama truthfully lends itself to street journey. Now, North Wales does have good rail hyperlinks from Holyhead and alongside the north shoreline, however the different traces are fairly sparse, with a practice each few hours. For that reason, we’d advocate a automotive, however it isn’t important.
So, to make your journey round North Wales good and straightforward, I’m sharing my prime locations you can not miss while you’re right here. As a Welshman, I’m so happy with our nation and I actually hope you find it irresistible too!
Have the very best time in Wales.
1.)Llynnau Mymbr
Llynnau Mymbr (Google Maps pin) is definitely two lakes within the Snowdonia space of North Wales, and it’s completely stunning to go to. Simply shy of the village of Capel Curig, it’s straightforward to get to by automotive (alongside the A4086 street).
Now, what I really like most about Llynnau Mymbr is that it’s tremendous straightforward to go to as you drive additional west by Snowdonia in direction of Porthmadog. The entire area right here is beautiful.
Additionally, I’m undecided should you’re pondering of tenting or staying in inns throughout your journey to North Wales, however there may be additionally the Garth Farm Campsite that’s proper on the shores of Llynnau Mymbr (the lakes).
Read more: Best places across Wales to visit
2.) Eryri Nationwide Park (Snowdonia)
Eryri Nationwide Park is often often known as Snowdonia – or at the least that was its title. It’s nonetheless utilized by many, so don’t fear should you do name it Snowdonia, and locals understand it as each names. It’s an enormous nationwide park in Wales and the most effective locations in North Wales to go to should you love the good outside. It’s completely beautiful and encompasses an enormous space of North Wales, and is nicely value spending a little bit of time in throughout your journey.
As soon as right here, you need to make it to the highest of Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon). It’s the tallest mountain in all of England and Wales and is completely colossal. Now, there are a couple of methods to get to the highest of Yr Wyddfa, relying in your time, flexibility and accessibility because of native climate.
If you happen to fancy a hike, take the Llanberis Path. The trailhead begins in Llanberis and makes its method to the summit of Yr Wyddfa. Now, the hike itself is fairly gruelling (being about 10 miles or so in size). It’s not one should you’re not used to mountain climbing or longer durations of train. Now, the hike will take round 6-8 hours, so plan accordingly and take sufficient water, snacks and waterproof layers on your hike.
If you wish to make issues simpler, you’ll be able to then take the practice again down (or up if you’d like) and simply hike a method. The hike down is at all times simpler as you don’t have the steep ascents, which makes it much less strenuous however nonetheless as lengthy.
Alternatively, you’ll be able to e book tickets to succeed in the summit on the Snowdon Mountain Railway. Be sure to e book these prematurely at peak occasions as tickets can promote out quick.
One other nice mountain climbing route is the Miners’ Track, which can take you to the summit of Yr Wyddfa. It’s a strenuous route and ideal for many who desire a difficult hike.
Now, at all times hearken to native recommendation earlier than setting out and don’t be part of the route should you’re not a extremely skilled hiker. The route does get rocky nearer the top, and it may be robust, however the views round Yr Wyddfa are value it.
Read more: Best things to do in Tenby
3.) Portmeirion
Not too removed from the city of Porthmadog, the coastal Italian city of Portmeirion (Google Maps pin) is as charming as you’ll be able to anticipate. It’s unimaginable and the most effective locations in North Wales to go to for an extended afternoon (and even an in a single day keep).
Now, there’s a small entry price to enter this beautiful little city, however it’s so value paying the payment to discover.
As soon as right here, you’ll really feel such as you’re truly in Italy. It’s that quaint! Now, I received’t delve an excessive amount of into the historical past of the city, however it was constructed by Clough Williams-Ellis within the twentieth Century. What it lacks in age, it makes up for with attraction!
As you wander round, you’ll see the Pantheon and the Spherical Home, that are so quaint. Plus, you should purchase some Portmeirion pottery, native gelato and seize a chunk to eat on the little foodie spots too. Visits take round 3-4 hours, and it’s completely idyllic.
Read more: Best things to do in Aberystwyth
4.) Aberdyfi (Aberdovey)
Aberdyfi (or Anglicised as Aberdovey) is a picture-perfect city, on the banks of the Dyfi Estuary and overlooking Cardigan Bay. It’s an amazing little city to cease in as you drive the coastal street from Machynlleth (the traditional capital of Wales) to Tywyn.
When you’ve arrived in Aberdyfi (Google Maps pin), be certain to park up on the public automotive park (with a small payment) and wander the city by foot. It’s solely small and also you’ll have walked the entire size of Aberdyfi in lower than quarter-hour.
Be sure to pack a swimsuit if the solar is out! There’s a wonderful sandy seashore that you simply don’t need to miss within the city. Oh, and I at all times love stopping off on the Dovey Inn for a chunk to eat. Their home made pies are so tasty.
Read more: Best hikes in Wales to visit
5.) Aberdaron
Proper on the sting of the Llŷn Peninsula area of North Wales, Aberdaron is a superb place to cease as you drive round. Once more, Aberdaron (Google Maps pin) is just a small place, however what it lacks in measurement, it makes up for with quaintness.
Right here, you may have a bit of espresso store and an ice-cream store and a small resort – however aside from that, it’s very a lot small homes. The large draw for Aberdaron is its beautiful sandy seashore. You see, Aberdaron is correct on the shoreline.
Additionally, a few 10-minute drive away is the small city of Abersoch. That is one other gem of a seaside to go to, with a couple of extra facilities, and the seashore is gorgeous. Each of those are nice to go to on a sunny day in Wales (which occurs greater than you suppose, I promise)!
Read more: Best hikes in Wales to visit
6.) Tal Y Llyn
If you happen to’re driving north (or south) between the cities of Machynlleth and Dolgellau, then be certain to take a bit of detour to Tal-y-llyn (Google Maps pin). Now, the factor I really like most about Tal-y-llyn is, in fact, the lake and the little city which you’ll be able to cease off at for lunch.
Truthfully, should you love the Lake District in England, you’ll love Tal-y-llyn. It’s a lot much less crowded – only a few folks go to who aren’t from the native space, and it’s one thing of a ‘hidden’ gem. Nicely, I say that loosely, you’ll be able to’t actually conceal a lake!
Additionally, don’t neglect to e book your tickets on the steam-engined Tal-y-llyn Railway. It’s a tiny little practice that has heaps of attraction and is nicely value hopping on for a experience by this beautiful space of North Wales.
Read more: Best places across Wales to visit
7.) Twr Mawr Lighthouse
Nestled on the western shoreline of the island of Anglesey, Twr Mawr Lighthouse (Google Maps pin) is on the tiny island of Llanddwyn.
The island is beautiful, and it’s the most effective locations in North Wales to go to should you love exploring the nation’s shoreline. Now, Llanddwyn is a tidal island, so at all times be cautious in case you are heading over from the close by seashore. I personally wouldn’t threat the stroll in case you have inclement climate.
While right here, be certain to spend a while on Llanddwyn Beach (a sandy paradise) and Penrhos Beach. Each are sandy, huge and completely unspoilt. Although, don’t anticipate any large-scale facilities, this space is as pure because it comes.
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8.) South Stack Lighthouse
South Stack Lighthouse (Google Maps pin) is likely one of the greatest locations in North Wales to see the sundown. Westerley dealing with, on the island of Holyhead, it’s truthfully beautiful and the entire quantity of trails, walkways and views throughout the Irish Sea can’t be missed.
It’s straightforward to drive close to South Stack Lighthouse and stroll from this car parking area. Simply you should definitely arrive a bit of early earlier than sundown, as everybody else has the identical thought and the automotive park can refill. Endurance is essential in relation to discovering a parking area right here.
Don’t neglect, you may as well stroll the close by trails to Elin’s Tower. It’s simply off the parking space and one other stunner of a spot to go to as you enterprise by North Wales.
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9.) Porth Swtan/Church Bay
One other of Holyhead’s iconic spots to go to, Porth Swtan (Google Maps pin), is correct on the shoreline and completely straightforward to go to by automotive. Now, it’s a lot smaller than a number of the larger seashores on Anglesey, however it’s no much less stunning.
Better of all, you’ll be able to spend a day right here and cease off on the Lobster Pot for lunch. They grill some tasty scallops, that are freshly caught every day,
Read more: Best beaches in Wales to visit
11.) Ceunant Mawr Waterfall, Llanberis
If you happen to’re staying in Llanberis (earlier than a hike to the highest of Mount Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa)), then be certain to cease off at Ceunant Mawr Waterfall (Google Maps pin).
It’s a brief stroll from Llanberis city centre (which is tiny, by the way in which) and you may simply spend about quarter-hour getting right here. It’s an easy hike (in actual fact, it’s extra of a stroll) and completely value together with should you’re staying in a single day within the space.
Read more: Best things to do in South Wales
12.) Llandudno
Proper on the north shoreline of Wales, Llandudno is a big city in Wales that’s been standard since. The Victorian occasions. At the moment, the city straddles a spit of land, which implies it has seashores on each aspect of the city itself. This makes it an amazing seaside city to go to in Wales.
Be sure to spend a while strolling down Llandudno’s Promenade, go to Dylan’s Llandudno for some native seafood (their fish pie was so tasty. and wander the cobbled streets.
Afterwards, head up the Great Orme Tramway. It’s the nation’s solely pulley system tram that takes you thru the city in direction of the hills above. It’s so distinctive and completely value reserving should you’re staying in a single day or spending an extended day in Llandudno.
Read more: Best places in West Wales to visit
13.) Llyn Idwal
The factor that makes Llyn Idwal (Google Maps pin) so particular is the glacial valley that it’s shaped in. You see, the final Ice Age carved out enormous swaths of the panorama right here, and it’s left some unimaginable locations to see and discover at the moment.
The entire space is beautiful to go to, and while the roads is perhaps small (I don’t even suppose they’re ‘b’ roads), it’s value parking up and rambling this wonderful space.
Plus, it’s not too removed from close by Llanberis, so you’ll be able to simply cease round this space should you’re already within the space.
Read more: Best places in West Wales to visit
14.) Llyn Ogwen
Llyn Ogwen (Google Maps pin) is one other certainly one of North Wales’ stunning lakes to go to whenever you’re already in Eryri Nationwide Park (Snowdonia).
It’s located simply off the A5 street, which makes it very easy to see while exploring on a roadtrip to North Wales. Right here, you’ll see views over Tryfan Mountain, and it’s truthfully stunning to see. Visits could be so long as you need (clearly) , however should you’re going for a ramble across the space, give your self an hour to comfortably take within the views.
Read more: Best places in West Wales to visit
15.) Conwy
Just a bit shy of the seaside city of Llandudno, Conwy is likely one of the greatest locations in North Wales to go to should you’re driving the northern coastal route.
It is perhaps small, however the city centre is beautiful to see. As soon as right here, be certain to search out the smallest home within the UK, which is situated within the centre of city. Additionally, don’t neglect to make a pitstop at Conwy Castle, the place you’ll be able to wander round. The ruins are unimaginable to see, and you may simply spend 90 minutes studying all about its historical past and the broader fortification of Conwy in centuries passed by.
Read more: Best beaches in Wales to visit
16.) Llydan Seaside
If you happen to love beaches in Wales, then it’s essential go to Llydan Seaside (Google Maps pin). It’s nestled on the west shoreline of Anglesey, which has so many unimaginable seashores, and is beautiful to go to within the afternoon.
You see, you’ll be able to cease off on the seashore within the late afternoon for a dip (be careful for riptides) after which head on over to The Oystercatcher for an early dinner. The views from listed below are nice, and so they make the most effective fish and chips on the island.
Read more: Best beaches in Wales to visit
17.) Cricieth Fortress
Not too removed from the city of Porthmadog, Criceth Castle is nicely value visiting should you’re already visiting close by Portmeirion and need to discover a number of the amazing castles in Wales.
There’s a small entry payment to get contained in the grounds, however it’s so value it should you love historical past. Additionally, don’t neglect to cease off at Dylan’s Criccieth for a chunk to eat. As I discussed earlier than, they’ve a number of the greatest seafood within the area. Nicely, in my view at the least.
Read more: Best beaches in Wales to visit
18.) Harlech Fortress
Wales has incredible castles, and you may’t not go to them when exploring the very best locations in North Wales. They’re a lot part of the historical past of Wales, and they’re a number of the best-preserved ruins in all of Nice Britain.
Harlech Castle is one such spot! With a small entry payment, you’ll be capable of discover the grounds, turrets and study extra about life inside a medieval citadel. In the summertime, in addition they have Ardudwy Knights who battle at sure occasions of the week. It’s so unimaginable and visits take round 90 minutes.
Read more: Best places to visit across Wales
19.) Caernarfon Fortress
Sure, sure! One other citadel… however you’ll be able to’t miss this one both! Caernarfon Castle is a gem to go to in North Wales and completely straightforward to incorporate in your itinerary to Wales as you enterprise in direction of Anglesey or observe the shoreline additional west.
Once more, a small entry payment is paid, however it’s so value it. The citadel ruins are immense, and so they’ve been round for nearly 1,000 years. Visits will take round 45 minutes, and it’s so value it. Plus, you’ll be able to simply stroll round Caernarfon while you’re there. It’s solely small and there are heaps of cafes to cease off for a tea and Welsh truffles!
Read more: Best castles in Wales to visit
20.) Talacre Seaside
Not too removed from the border of England (about 15 miles), Talacre Seaside (Google Maps pin) is beautiful to go to for a stroll.
Right here, you’ll be able to wander the shores of Talacre Seaside and be part of the Dee Coastal Path that runs by the realm. It’s beautiful, and the sand dunes are stunning too.
Read more: Best places to visit across Wales
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