10 Incredible Places to Visit in North Wales

Last updated on August 5th, 2026 at 10:27 am

From rugged mountains and hidden waterfalls to colourful villages, sandy beaches and adrenaline-fuelled adventures, North Wales is one of my favourite places in the UK. Whether you’re looking for an active weekend away, a scenic road trip or somewhere to simply slow down and enjoy the outdoors, there’s something here for everyone.

The best part? It’s only a couple of hours from where I live, making it the perfect weekend escape. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve visited over the years, and every trip uncovers somewhere new to explore.

So, if you’re planning a trip, here are some of my favourite places to visit in North Wales.

PS. Fancy exploring North Wales with like-minded people?

If you’d rather spend your time enjoying the mountains, villages and beaches instead of planning the itinerary, I’m running a small-group North Wales Adventure Weekender in August 2026. Expect scenic hikes, paddleboarding, wild swimming, cosy pubs and a brilliant group of friendly people. You can find out more here.

Please Note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which will earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate sales help with the running costs of this site, so thank you for your support!

10 Incredible Places to Visit in North Wales

Map of North Wales

Here’s a visual guide to some of the places I mention below! The area is relatively small, so if you have your own transport, you can easily base yourself in one location and take day trips.  

Caernarfon

Caernarfon is a lively market town overlooking the Menai Strait towards Anglesey and one of the best places to base yourself when exploring North Wales. With plenty of restaurants, pubs and history on your doorstep, it has a lovely atmosphere both during the day and in the evening.

The town’s biggest attraction is, of course, Caernarfon Castle. Built by Edward I in the 13th century, it’s one of the most impressive castles in Wales. Inside is a maze of towers, staircases and ancient walls just waiting to be explored. We spent ages wandering around imagining what life must have been like hundreds of years ago.

Conwy

If you love history, you’ll love Conwy. This beautiful walled town is home to another spectacular medieval castle, charming streets and one of the prettiest harbours in North Wales.

Alongside exploring Conwy Castle, you can visit Plas Mawr, stroll around the marina, walk up Conwy Mountain or spend a few hours wandering around nearby Bodnant Garden.

There are also loads of fantastic places to eat, making Conwy one of my favourite towns for a long lunch after a morning of sightseeing.

Llandudno

I absolutely love the British seaside, and Llandudno is everything a traditional seaside town should be.

Walking along the promenade always reminds me of childhood holidays – fish and chips, ice cream and trying not to lose your chips to the seagulls!

While you’re here, take the Great Orme Tramway or cable car to the top, enjoy the views, wander along the Victorian pier and don’t leave without grabbing chips from Fish Tram Chips.

Read my full Llandudno travel guide here.

Betws-y-Coed

Often called the gateway to Eryri (Snowdonia National Park), Betws-y-Coed is one of the prettiest villages in North Wales and a brilliant base for exploring the surrounding mountains.

The village itself is full of independent shops, cosy cafés and lovely places to stay. Nearby you’ll find Swallow Falls and one of my favourite hidden gems in North Wales – the Fairy Glen.

The walk down is a little steep and slippery in places, but once you reach the river, it feels like you’ve stepped into a fairy tale. Moss-covered rocks, rushing water and twisted trees make it feel like the setting of a Disney film. It’s one of those places you almost don’t want to tell anyone about… but it’s too beautiful not to share.

Beddgelert

If I had to choose my favourite village in North Wales, Beddgelert would be right up there.

Nestled in the heart of Eryri, this picture-perfect village is surrounded by mountains, rivers and woodland, making it the perfect place for a wander before or after a day exploring the national park.

Take a stroll along the river, visit Gelert’s Grave and stop for an ice cream or a drink in one of the village cafés. There are some lovely riverside walks too, and it’s a fantastic place to simply slow down and soak up the scenery.

Portmeirion

You could be forgiven for thinking you’ve somehow wandered into Italy rather than North Wales.

I’ve been to Portmeirion a few times and I discover something new every time.

The village is unlike anywhere else in the UK. Designed in an Italian style, it’s full of colourful buildings, hidden gardens, fountains and little corners just waiting to be photographed.

What I love most is how perfectly it blends into the surrounding woodland and coastline. It somehow feels both completely surreal and perfectly at home in the Welsh landscape.

Eryri (Snowdonia National Park)

No visit to North Wales is complete without exploring Eryri (Snowdonia National Park).

Whether you’re climbing Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), riding the Snowdon Mountain Railway, paddleboarding on Llyn Padarn, walking around Llyn Idwal, chasing waterfalls, going wild swimming or flying through the air at Zip World, there’s enough here to keep you busy for weeks.

It’s one of the most beautiful national parks in the UK and somewhere I return to again and again.

I’ve written a full guide to the best things to do in Snowdonia (Eryri), including hikes, lakes, villages, viewpoints and hidden gems, if you’re planning to spend a few days exploring.

Criccieth

I visited Criccieth for a weekend break for my anniversary. It may not be as famous as some of North Wales’ other coastal towns, but that’s all part of its charm and why we chose to base ourselves there.

Visit the castle, enjoy a stroll along the beach and treat yourself to lunch overlooking the sea at Tonnau Restaurant at The Caerwylan Hotel.

If you’re after something a little more casual, Castle Fish & Chips is legendary and almost always has a queue stretching out of the door.

Abersoch & Llanbedrog

If you’re dreaming of beach days, watersports and colourful beach huts, head to Abersoch and neighbouring Llanbedrog on the Llŷn Peninsula.

Abersoch has a lovely holiday atmosphere, with independent shops, cafés, surf shops and plenty of places to eat and drink. I love grabbing a drink at Zinc Café Bar & Grill before wandering down to the beach.

Just a few minutes away, Llanbedrog Beach is one of my favourites. The colourful beach huts are absolutely gorgeous (possibly my favourite in Wales!) and the views back across Cardigan Bay towards Eryri are stunning.

One day, I’m determined to own a little beach hut somewhere…

Anglesey

Although technically an island, Anglesey is only a short drive across the Menai Bridge and makes a brilliant addition to any North Wales itinerary.

I’ll be honest, I haven’t explored as much of Anglesey as I’d like (yet!), but it’s firmly on my list. Friends rave about its beautiful beaches, coastal walks and relaxed atmosphere, and everywhere I look I seem to discover another stunning place to add to my ever-growing North Wales bucket list.

From the sweeping sands of Newborough Beach and magical Llanddwyn Island to colourful Beaumaris and the dramatic cliffs of South Stack, there are so many places still waiting for me to explore.

I’m sure I’ll be back to update this section after a few more adventures!

Inspired to visit North Wales? If you’d rather explore with a small group of fellow adventure lovers, I’d love for you to join my North Wales Weekender.

I hope you have an amazing trip and this gives you some ideas of great things to do in Northern Wales!

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Other UK posts you might enjoy…

• The Ultimate Guide to Llandudno, North Wales: Best Things to Do, See & Eat
• 25 Amazing Things to Do in Snowdonia (Eryri)
• The Food Lover’s Guide to North Wales
• 24 Beautiful Places to Visit in the Lake District
• Hiking Gatesgarth to Fleetwith Pike & Wild Swimming in Warnscale Beck
• Wild Camping in the Lake District – A Beginner’s Guide
• Glamping in the Lake District – 18 Amazing Places to Stay
• Scotland’s North Coast 500 Route, Map & 1-Week Itinerary
• 30 Things To Know Before You Drive Scotland’s NC500
• Island Hopping the Outer Hebrides in Scotland: Itinerary & Things To Do
• 15 Places You Have to Visit in North Devon, England
• Croyde Bay Guide: Where to Stay, Where to Eat & Things to Do

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Please Note: Thank you to the team at Visit Wales for hosting me on my trip to Conwy & Zip World. All opinions are my own.