Wales Guidebook

Where To Stay in Anglesey? [7 BEST Places to Base Yourself]

KW
Kieren Windsor

Kieren is the founder of Wales Guidebook. A Welshman born and bred, he has lived and travelled across Wales and now his full-time passion is sharing his favourite experiences and travel tips.

Menai-Bridge

Anglesey (or Ynys Môn in Welsh) is Wales' largest island just off the north coast and is one of my favourite places to stay in Wales.

You'll rarely have to drive for more than one hour when getting between places in Anglesey so it makes sense to pick one area to base yourself on the island and make day trips to different areas.

So, where exactly should you stay in Anglesey? In this guide, I'll recommend my top areas to base yourself in Anglesey.

Map of Where to Stay in Anglesey

This map shows my recommended places to stay in Anglesey. Keep reading below to find some specific hotels and guest houses in each place.


1. Beaumaris

Beaumaris Castle Guide (4)
Beaumaris Things to do (5)
© Wales Guidebook

Best For: Lots of things to do, variety of hotels and attractions, easy to access

Beaumaris is a town on the south east coast of Anglesey, with just under 2,000 residents (source: Wikipedia). It packs a historical punch as the site was originally a viking settlement.

The main reason that I love Beaumaris is due to all of the things to do there, including the old gaol and courthouse which have been converted into museums, Beaumaris Castle which is known as the greatest catsle never built, and it's the launching point for sea adventures such as RIB rides down the Menai Strait and for visiting Puffin Island.

As well as plenty of things to do in Beaumaris, there are also several great independent cafes, pubs, and restaurants which is why it's one of my top areas to stay. All though there are several good hotels in Beaumrias (as I'll share below), the downside is that there aren't so many holiday cottages or campsites in this area.

Even though it's on the south side of the island, it's not far from the main road running down the centre of the island so you can still reach places like South Stack Lighthouse in less than an hour.

Highlights: Beaumaris Castle, Beaumaris Gaol, Pier, Beaumaris Courthouse tour

Where To Stay in Beaumaris

The Bulkeley Hotel Beaumaris

The Bulkeley Hotel (££) - Beaumaris's iconic hotel in a grand Georgian building that has been welcoming guests since 1832. Some rooms have a sea view, plus there's a terrace overlooking the Menai Strait. It's a 3-star hotel so reasonably affordable too.

Bulls-Head-Inn

The Bulls Head Inn (£££) - A 4-star hotel within walking distance of Beaumaris Castle and waterfront. The building is full of character but the rooms are modern and cosy.


2. Llangefni 

The Dingle, Llangefni, Anglesey
© Wales Guidebook
Oriel mon 1
© Wales Guidebook

Best For: Minimising travel time, large range of hotels, camping, and holiday homes.

When I talk about Llangefni, I'm referring to the market town itself and the area around it which sits at the heart of Anglesey, slap bang in the middle of the island. This makes it an ideal place to stay if you want to minimise your travel time each day.

Llangefni is where I generally stay in Anglesey and it never takes more than 20 minutes to reach the key attractions on the island.

The town itself is home to the Dingle Nature Reserve, a forested area with some nice walking paths and a good place to spot red squirrels in Anglesey. When it's raining, you can also check out Oriel Mon, the island's museum and art gallery (both shown above.

The only downside to Llangefi is that there isn't a huge amount of choice when it comes to mid-range hotels so you'll either need to splash out or settle for a budget place.

That being said, there are plenty of campsites around the centre of the island so I usually take advantage of this since I tend to visit during summer.

Highlights: The Dingle Nature Reserve, Oriel Ynys Mon, Lon Las Cefni

Where To Stay in Llangefni

Tre-Ysgawen-Hall-Spa

Tre-Ysgawen Hall & Spa (£££) Just outside of Llangefni, this four-star hotel is set among meadows and countryside, with a luxury spa and swimming pool for relaxing, plus n award-winning onsite restaurant.

The-Bull-Hotel-Llangefni-1

The Bull Hotel (£) - Located on the main street in Llangefni, The Bull Hotel is perfectly placed for accessing shops and places to eat. Although it doesn't have award-winning facilities, it's affordable and has a character that will make your stay pleasant.

Brynteg 3_edited

Brynteg Glamping (££) - Technically this is over in Benllech, but I featured it as one of my top glamping spots in Wales so has to mention it here! At Brynteg, you'll find domes, pods, and chalets with stunning views and complete with their own hot tubs.


3. Trearddur Bay

Treaddur-Bay
© Sebastien-Coell / Canva

Best For: Alternative to Holyhead on Holy Island, exploring the main attractions at the north of the island

Although Holyhead is the largest town in Anglesey, I wouldn't recommend staying there because it's not very beautiful.

Instead, I recommend opting for Trearddur Bay, a small village on the west coast of Holy Island. This is still only a 5-minute drive from Holyhead where you'll have access to many supermarkets and familiar shop/restaurant chains if that's the type of thing you'd like.

The area is known as Holy Island because of the various religious stones and history within the small island. Holy Island is connected to Anglesey by two road links, and contains a number of towns and villages itself. Trearddur is a seaside spot which is a great quiet place to stay, and enjoy the beauty of Holy Island.

Highlights: Trearddur Bay Beach, South Stack Lighthouse, Breakwater Country Park

Where To Stay in Trearddur Bay

Trearddur Bay Hotel 1

Trearddur Bay Hotel - This four-star accommodation is one of my favourite hotels by the sea, with balconies that look out across the coast, plus an indoor swimming pool, and an onsite restaurant.


4. Amlwch

Mynydd Parys Top
© Wales Guidebook
Porth Wen brickworks 1
© Wales Guidebook

Best For: Walking and haking routes, exploring the copper kingdom, budget-friendly accommodation

Amlwch is the third largest town in Anglesey based on population (source: Wikipedia), situated in the north of Anglesey. In my opinion, this area has some of the best stretches of Anglesey's coastline and some of my favourite walking routes.

It's also a great part of Anglesey to stay in if you're on a budget since your money goes a lot further. Below, I have shared some of my favourite accommodation in Amlwch and you'll see that you get a lot more bang for your buck.

The downside is that it's about as far north as you can get so it may be a little out of the way if you want to visit some of the other attractions around the island. There are still some restaurants up this way, but you might want to branch out and visit other areas for more options.

Highlights: Our Lady Star of the Sea and St Winefride Church, Amlwch Copper Kingdom, Coastal Path

Where To Stay in Amlwch

Lastra-Farm-Hotel-1

Lastra Farm Hotel (££) - Despite its name, this family-owned property couldn't be further from a farm. The four-star hotel is set in a stunning rural location with bright and modern rooms and an onsite restaurant serving up local cuisine.

Trecastell-Hotel-Amlwch

Trecastell Hotel (££) - An adult-only three-star hotel which offers sea views, a hearty breakfast, and a good location to base yourself.


5. Newborough

Twr Mawr Llanddwyn (7)
© Wales Guidebook
Newborough Forest, Anglesey
© Wales Guidebook

Best For: Exploring the south of Anglesey, best for holiday homes

Newborough is a village in the southwest of Anglesey which received its name when locals were moved from Beaumaris to the 'new borough' to make space for the construction of Beaumaris Castle.

The south westerly area of Anglesey is great for those wanting to stay in holiday homes as you'll be spoilt for choice. However, if you're loking for a guest house or hotel, there are few options around here.

This area is home to many great attractions including Ynys Llanddwyn (home to the famous Twr Mawr Lighthouse and St Dwynwen’s Church), the National Trust property Plas Newydd, and many ancient burial sites.

Highlights: Newborough Beach, Ynys Llanddwyn, Plas Newydd, St Cwyfan's Church


6. Menai Bridge

Menai Bridge Circular v2 (6)
© Wales Guidebook
Menai Bridge Circular Anglesey (8)
© Wales Guidebook

Best For: Well located for visiting Anglesey and North Wales, best restaurants, selection of good hotels to choose from.

Home to the World’s first iron suspension bridge when it was built in 1826, Menai Bridge is more than just a bridge, however - it is also a town with a population of just under 5,000 people.

Thanks to its location, you can enjoy views of the Menai Straits, alongside attractions like the Heritage Centre, and Plas Cadnant Gardens. It's typically the first place you'll reach when you visit Anglesey so it's a great place for those on a short trip to stay to minimise their driving time across the island.

You can also visit many places on the mainland from here too, including Caernarfon (just 15 minutes away by car) and Conwy (just 25 minutes away). Although both of these places to really deserve more than just a day trip.

Highlights: Menai Suspension Bridge, Plas Cadnant Gardens, Menai Heritage Museum

Where To Stay in Menai Bridge

château Rhianfa 1_edited

Château Rhianfa (£££) - This five-star property is one of the few castles in Wales you can stay in. Looking like something from a fairytale, Château Rhianfa is a grade-II Victorian villa, complete with panoramic views, a tennis court, and even a wine cellar.

Trecastell-Hotel-Amlwch

Anglesey Arms Hotel (£) - This 200-year old property is full of charm and has fantastic views from the pub terrace where you can enjoy homecooked meals. The ensuite rooms are basic but clean, cosy, and overall great value for money.


What is the Main Town of Anglesey?

Llangefni is the county town, and centre of local government and administration in Anglesey, however, Holyhead is the largest town.

Published: 11 November 2022 · Last updated: 2 October 2023