At a glance
23 in-depth North Wales guides covering itineraries, the castles, beaches, walks, waterfalls, wild swimming, heritage railways, food, wildlife and seasonal advice — everything you need to plan and make the most of a visit.
Guides to plan your North Wales trip
These guides go deeper than the attraction listings — practical, honest advice on when to come, what to prioritise, and how to get the best from each part of the region. Start with an itinerary or the best-time-to-visit guide, then explore the themes that matter most to you.
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When to go
Best Time to Visit North Wales
A month-by-month guide to North Wales weather, crowds and seasonal highlights — when to come for walking, beaches or quiet castles.
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Itinerary
North Wales 7-Day Itinerary
A complete seven-day holiday plan linking Snowdon, the castles, Anglesey's beaches, the Llŷn Peninsula and the heritage railways.
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Budget
Free Things to Do in North Wales
Over 60 attractions with no admission charge — from the National Slate Museum and Conwy's town walls to wild beaches and mountain paths.
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Castles
North Wales Castles Guide
The four UNESCO Iron Ring castles and the best of the rest — Conwy, Caernarfon, Harlech and Beaumaris, plus Chirk, Rhuddlan and Dolwyddelan.
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Walking
Snowdon Routes Guide
All six paths to the summit of Snowdon compared — distance, difficulty and what to expect, from the Llanberis Path to the Watkin.
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Conwy
Conwy Visitor Guide
Everything to see in Conwy — the UNESCO castle, the free town walls circuit, Plas Mawr, Aberconwy House and where to eat in the walled town.
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Anglesey
Anglesey Visitor Guide
The best of Anglesey — Blue Flag beaches, the coastal path, Beaumaris Castle, South Stack lighthouse and Newborough's forest and dunes.
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Llŷn
Llŷn Peninsula Guide
Beaches, villages and coastal walks on the remote, Welsh-speaking Llŷn — Porth Dinllaen, Aberdaron, Whistling Sands and the pilgrim route to Bardsey.
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Beaches
North Wales Beaches Guide
The best beaches in North Wales — family sands, dog-friendly bays and wild coves across Anglesey, the Llŷn and the Cardigan Bay coast.
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Waterfalls
North Wales Waterfalls Guide
The finest waterfalls in North Wales — Swallow Falls, Pistyll Rhaeadr, Aber Falls and more, with walking distances and access notes.
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Lakes
Snowdonia Lakes Guide
The most beautiful lakes in Snowdonia — Llyn Padarn, Llyn Tegid, Llyn Gwynant, Glaslyn and more, with walks and swimming access.
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Swimming
North Wales Wild Swimming
The best lakes, river pools and coastal spots for open-water swimming — with honest safety advice and access information.
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Days out
Portmeirion Visitor Guide
Planning a visit to Portmeirion — tickets, the best time to go, how to get there and what to see in Clough Williams-Ellis's Italianate village.
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Gardens
Bodnant Garden Guide
When to visit Bodnant Garden — the famous laburnum arch, what's in bloom each season, tickets, parking and the best of the grounds.
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Adventure
Zip World Guide
Every Zip World venue compared — Velocity 2, Titan, Fforest and the Slate Caverns — with prices, age limits and booking advice.
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Railways
Ffestiniog Railway Guide
Planning a journey on the Ffestiniog Railway — the route, tickets, stations and combining it with the Welsh Highland Railway.
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Cycling
North Wales Mountain Biking
The best mountain biking in North Wales — Coed y Brenin, Penmachno, Gwydyr Forest and trails for every ability.
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Stargazing
North Wales Dark Sky Stargazing
Stargazing in the Snowdonia Dark Sky Reserve — the best viewpoints, what to look for, and practical advice for a clear night.
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Food & drink
North Wales Food & Drink Guide
The best Welsh food and drink — Welsh lamb, Anglesey sea salt, local seafood, craft beer and where to find them across North Wales.
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Heritage
North Wales Slate Heritage
The UNESCO slate landscape that built the region — the quarries of Snowdonia, the National Slate Museum, Llechwedd and the slate towns.
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History
North Wales Prehistory Guide
North Wales before history — Neolithic burial chambers, Bryn Celli Ddu, the Great Orme's Bronze Age mines and Anglesey's Druids.
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Wildlife
North Wales Wildlife Guide
What to see and where — red kites, choughs, puffins, red squirrels and ospreys across Snowdonia, Anglesey and the coast.
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Winter
North Wales in Winter
North Wales in winter — snow-capped Snowdon, castles in low light, year-round heritage railways and the best off-season days out.
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Frequently asked questions
Start with how long you have. Our 7-day itinerary covers the whole region; for shorter breaks the ready-made 2, 3 and 5-day itineraries in the planning section work well. Then read the best-time-to-visit guide to choose your month, and dip into the regional and activity guides below for the areas that interest you most.
Late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September) offer the best balance of weather, daylight and smaller crowds. July and August are warmest and busiest. Winter brings snow to Snowdon, dramatic light on the castles and year-round heritage railways. See the month-by-month best-time-to-visit guide for the detail.
It can be very affordable. Over 60 attractions — including the National Slate Museum, Conwy's town walls and most beaches and mountains — are completely free. Our free-things-to-do guide lists them, and the planning section has full budget breakdowns for trips of every length.
The essentials are the UNESCO Iron Ring castles (Conwy, Caernarfon, Harlech and Beaumaris), Snowdon by the Mountain Railway or on foot, Portmeirion, the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland railways, and the beaches of Anglesey and the Llŷn Peninsula. The guides below cover each in depth.
Exceptionally. The Snowdon Mountain Railway carries children to the summit without walking, Zip World and Bounce Below offer indoor and outdoor adventure, and the beaches and heritage railways suit all ages. Many of the best family attractions are free.