North Wales is an absolute gem of a area to go to when exploring Wales. It’s bought slightly one thing for everybody. From lovely seashores, beautiful mountain peaks, quaint villages and an incredible 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 all the time love visiting North Wales by automotive. It’s the proper vacation spot for a highway journey within the UK, and the panorama actually lends itself to highway journey. Now, North Wales does have good rail hyperlinks from Holyhead and alongside the north shoreline, however the different strains are fairly sparse, with a practice each few hours. For that reason, we’d suggest a automotive, however it isn’t important.
So, to make your journey round North Wales good and simple, I’m sharing my prime locations you can’t miss while you’re right here. As a Welshman, I’m so happy with our nation and I actually hope you adore it too!
Have one of the 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 lovely to go to. Simply shy of the village of Capel Curig, it’s simple to get to by automotive (alongside the A4086 highway).
Now, what I like most about Llynnau Mymbr is that it’s tremendous simple to go to as you drive additional west by Snowdonia in the direction of Porthmadog. The entire area right here is beautiful.
Additionally, I’m undecided when you’re considering of tenting or staying in lodges throughout your journey to North Wales, however there’s additionally the Garth Farm Campsite that’s proper on the shores of Llynnau Mymbr (the lakes).
Learn extra: Finest locations throughout Wales to go to
2.) Eryri Nationwide Park (Snowdonia)
Eryri Nationwide Park is usually often called Snowdonia – or at the least that was its identify. It’s nonetheless utilized by many, so don’t fear when you do name it Snowdonia, and locals understand it as each names. It’s an enormous nationwide park in Wales and probably the greatest locations in North Wales to go to when you love the good outdoor. 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, it’s important 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 just a few methods to get to the highest of Yr Wyddfa, relying in your time, flexibility and accessibility attributable to native climate.
When you fancy a hike, take the Llanberis Path. The trailhead begins in Llanberis and makes its approach 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 when you’re not used to mountain climbing or longer intervals 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 possibly can then take the practice again down (or up if you would like) and simply hike a method. The hike down is all the time simpler as you don’t have the steep ascents, which makes it much less strenuous however nonetheless as lengthy.
Alternatively, you possibly can e-book tickets to achieve the summit on the Snowdon Mountain Railway. Make sure that to e-book these prematurely at peak instances as tickets can promote out quick.
One other nice mountain climbing route is the Miners’ Monitor, which is able to take you to the summit of Yr Wyddfa. It’s a strenuous route and excellent for many who desire a difficult hike.
Now, all the time hearken to native recommendation earlier than setting out and don’t be a part of the route when you’re not a extremely skilled hiker. The route does get rocky nearer the tip, and it may be robust, however the views round Yr Wyddfa are value it.
Learn extra: Finest issues 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 possibly can count on. It’s unbelievable and probably the greatest locations in North Wales to go to for a protracted 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 price 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 buy 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.
Learn extra: Finest issues 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 awesome little city to cease in as you drive the coastal highway from Machynlleth (the traditional capital of Wales) to Tywyn.
When you’ve arrived in Aberdyfi (Google Maps pin), make sure that to park up on the public automotive park (with a small price) 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.
Make sure that to pack a swimsuit if the solar is out! There’s a wonderful sandy seaside that you just don’t need to miss within the city. Oh, and I all the time love stopping off on the Dovey Inn for a chunk to eat. Their selfmade pies are so tasty.
Learn extra: Finest hikes in Wales to go to
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 simply a small place, however what it lacks in measurement, it makes up for with quaintness.
Right here, you have got slightly espresso store and an ice-cream store and a small lodge – however other than that, it’s very a lot small homes. The massive draw for Aberdaron is its beautiful sandy seaside. You see, Aberdaron is true 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 just a few extra facilities, and the seaside is gorgeous. Each of those are nice to go to on a sunny day in Wales (which occurs greater than you suppose, I promise)!
Learn extra: Finest hikes in Wales to go to
6.) Tal Y Llyn
When you’re driving north (or south) between the cities of Machynlleth and Dolgellau, then make sure that to take slightly detour to Tal-y-llyn (Google Maps pin). Now, the factor I 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.
Actually, when you love the Lake District in England, you’ll love Tal-y-llyn. It’s a lot much less crowded – only a few individuals go to who aren’t from the native space, and it’s one thing of a ‘hidden’ gem. Properly, I say that loosely, you possibly can’t actually disguise 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.
Learn extra: Finest locations throughout Wales to go to
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 probably the greatest locations in North Wales to go to when you love exploring the nation’s shoreline. Now, Llanddwyn is a tidal island, so all the time be cautious if you’re heading over from the close by seaside. I personally wouldn’t threat the stroll when you have inclement climate.
While right here, make sure that to spend a while on Llanddwyn Seashore (a sandy paradise) and Penrhos Seashore. Each are sandy, massive and completely unspoilt. Although, don’t count on 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 without doubt one of the greatest locations in North Wales to see the sundown. Westerley dealing with, on the island of Holyhead, it’s actually beautiful and the entire quantity of trails, walkways and views throughout the Irish Sea can’t be missed.
It’s simple to drive close to South Stack Lighthouse and stroll from this automotive parking space. Simply remember to arrive slightly early earlier than sundown, as everybody else has the identical concept and the automotive park can refill. Endurance is essential relating 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 true on the shoreline and completely simple to go to by automotive. Now, it’s a lot smaller than among the greater seashores on Anglesey, however it’s no much less lovely.
Better of all, you possibly can 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,
Learn extra: Finest seashores in Wales to go to
11.) Ceunant Mawr Waterfall, Llanberis
When you’re staying in Llanberis (earlier than a hike to the highest of Mount Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa)), then make sure that to cease off at Ceunant Mawr Waterfall (Google Maps pin).
It’s a brief stroll from Llanberis city centre (which is tiny, by the best way) and you may simply spend about quarter-hour getting right here. It’s a very simple hike (actually, it’s extra of a stroll) and completely value together with when you’re staying in a single day within the space.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in South Wales
12.) Llandudno
Proper on the north shoreline of Wales, Llandudno is a big city in Wales that’s been fashionable since. The Victorian instances. 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 awesome seaside city to go to in Wales.
Make sure that 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 Nice Orme Tramway. It’s the nation’s solely pulley system tram that takes you thru the city in the direction of the hills above. It’s so distinctive and completely value reserving when you’re staying in a single day or spending an extended day in Llandudno.
Learn extra: Finest locations in West Wales to go to
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 large swaths of the panorama right here, and it’s left some unbelievable locations to see and discover immediately.
The entire space is beautiful to go to, and while the roads may be 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 possibly can simply cease round this space when you’re already within the space.
Learn extra: Finest locations in West Wales to go to
14.) Llyn Ogwen
Llyn Ogwen (Google Maps pin) is one other one in every of North Wales’ lovely lakes to go to while you’re already in Eryri Nationwide Park (Snowdonia).
It’s located simply off the A5 highway, 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 actually lovely to see. Visits will be so long as you need (clearly) , however when you’re going for a ramble across the space, give your self an hour to comfortably take within the views.
Learn extra: Finest locations in West Wales to go to
15.) Conwy
Just a bit shy of the seaside city of Llandudno, Conwy is without doubt one of the greatest locations in North Wales to go to when you’re driving the northern coastal route.
It may be small, however the city centre is attractive to see. As soon as right here, make sure that to seek out the smallest home within the UK, which is positioned within the centre of city. Additionally, don’t neglect to make a pitstop at Conwy Fortress, the place you possibly can wander round. The ruins are unbelievable 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.
Learn extra: Finest seashores in Wales to go to
16.) Llydan Seashore
When you love seashores in Wales, then you have to go to Llydan Seashore (Google Maps pin). It’s nestled on the west shoreline of Anglesey, which has so many unbelievable seashores, and is beautiful to go to within the afternoon.
You see, you possibly can cease off on the seaside 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 probably the greatest fish and chips on the island.
Learn extra: Finest seashores in Wales to go to
17.) Cricieth Fortress
Not too removed from the city of Porthmadog, Criceth Fortress is nicely value visiting when you’re already visiting close by Portmeirion and need to discover among the wonderful castles in Wales.
There’s a small entry price to get contained in the grounds, however it’s so value it when 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 among the greatest seafood within the area. Properly, for my part at the least.
Learn extra: Finest seashores in Wales to go to
18.) Harlech Fortress
Wales has unbelievable castles, and you may’t not go to them when exploring one of the best locations in North Wales. They’re a lot part of the historical past of Wales, and they’re among the best-preserved ruins in all of Nice Britain.
Harlech Fortress is one such spot! With a small entry price, you’ll be capable to discover the grounds, turrets and be taught extra about life inside a medieval fortress. In the summertime, in addition they have Ardudwy Knights who battle at sure instances of the week. It’s so unbelievable and visits take round 90 minutes.
Learn extra: Finest locations to go to throughout Wales
19.) Caernarfon Fortress
Sure, sure! One other fortress… however you possibly can’t miss this one both! Caernarfon Fortress is a gem to go to in North Wales and completely simple to incorporate in your itinerary to Wales as you enterprise in the direction of Anglesey or observe the shoreline additional west.
Once more, a small entry price is paid, however it’s so value it. The fortress 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 possibly can 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!
Learn extra: Finest castles in Wales to go to
20.) Talacre Seashore
Not too removed from the border of England (about 15 miles), Talacre Seashore (Google Maps pin) is beautiful to go to for a stroll.
Right here, you possibly can wander the shores of Talacre Seashore and be a part of the Dee Coastal Path that runs by the world. It’s beautiful, and the sand dunes are lovely too.
Learn extra: Finest locations to go to throughout Wales
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