North Wales is a breathtaking part of the country where you'll find charming towns and ancient castles nestled between the rugged mountains that make up Eyri National Park (Snowdonia). Whether you're a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or looking for a slice of adventure, North Wales is a great place to explore.
I've spent considerable time in the region, both visiting and living there, and in this guide, I'm going to uncover the very best things to do in North Wales to help you plan your next adventure.
Map of Things To Do in North Wales
Here's an interactive map with all of my favourite activities. Keep reading for more information about them below.
1. Explore the castle and town walls in Conwy
Visiting the town of Conwy sits right at the top of this list, not just as a great activity in North Wales, but as one of the best things to do in Wales as a whole. It's an enchanting town with an old-worldly feel that's dominated by its medieval castle and town walls.
Although a ruin, Conwy Castle gives you a feel for what it would have been like in medieval times. It was built by King Edward I as part of his 'Ring of Iron' during his conquest of Wales. Today, it's part of a UNESCO Heritage Site along with other historic castles in the region.
My second favourite thing to do in Conwy is strolling the town walls which are some of the best preserved medieval town walls in the country. You can walk around the top of them totally free giving you a birds-eye view of the town.
Conwy is also home to a cute attraction called the smallest house in Great Britain (shown in my photos above) and Plas Mawr which is a grand Elizabethan townhouse set up exactly as it would have been back in the 16th century.
2. Scale a mountain at Eryri National Park (Snowdonia)
No matter who you ask, one of the top things to do when visiting Wales is to visit Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) and go hiking in the mountains.
Whether you're an experienced hiker or just looking for a scenic walk, there are plenty of trails to suit all abilities. It's home to all 15 of the Welsh 3000s, these are the mountain peaks over 3,000 feet (914m) for serious hikers as well as many smaller mountains and hiking routes.
Of course, the most famous mountain to hike in Eryri (Snowdonia) is Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) which is the tallest mountain in Wales and England. There are several routes to the top with some more challenging than others, but most tourists take the Llanberis Path which is also where you'll find the option of travelling right to the top by steam train.
Some of my other favourite walks in Eryri include Cadair Idris, which is a perfect mountain hike for casual walkers, and Cwm Idwal, which is a scenic and very easy walk within the Glyderau mountain range.
3. Walk or kayak across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is a feat of engineering that carries the Llangollen Canal across the valley of the River Dee. The aqueduct is over 300m (1000ft) long and has a height of 38m (126ft), making it the longest aqueduct in Britain and one of the tallest canal aqueducts in the world
There is parking near the aqueduct and you can walk across the path that runs over it for free. There's also a visitor centre you can stop by to learn more about the aqueduct's history. However, it's best experienced from the waterway itself. The most exciting way is to kayak across the top. You can do this on a group tour with Bearded Men Adventures.
Alternatively, you can take a canal boat across. There are public boats running from the nearby village called Trevor. A return journey takes 45 minutes and costs £10 with Anglo Welsh (between April and September only).
If you fancy trying your hand as captain yourself, head to Chirk where there are several companies offering self-drive canal boat trips such as Black Prince and Crest Narrowboats.
4. Visit the charming market town of Llangollen
Not far from Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is Llangollen, one of my favourite market towns to visit in Wales.
The town itself has a charming and authentic feel with lots of cute shops and cafes overlooking the river. There's a peaceful and scenic canal walk down to the weir at the end where you'll find the Chain Bridge Hotel which serves up good pub food and drinks.
There are plenty of things to see in Llangollen itself, including Plas Newydd, a magnificent 14th-century manor that once served as the residence for the Llangollen Ladies, and Castell Dinas Bran, the atmospheric ruins of a medieval castle perched on the hill overlooking the town.
For water enthusiasts, the River Dee runs through the town and makes an excellent spot for watersports including tubing, river bugging, and white-water rafting.
5. Ride the Ffestiniog Railway
The Ffestiniog Railway is a 13.5-mile (22km) long heritage railway that runs through Snowdonia National Park from the harbour town of Porthmadog to the village of Blaenau Ffestiniog. It holds the record as the world’s oldest narrow-gauge railway.
The railway first opened in 1836 to transport slate from the quarries in Blaenau Ffestiniog and quickly became known as the 'little train that could' due to its ability to haul heavy loads up steep inclines.
Nowadays, the railway is a popular tourist attraction with visitors coming from all over the world to ride on one of its vintage steam trains. There are various different services to choose from. I recommend the Woodland Wanderer which is a 1960's style service that runs from Porthmadog to Tan-Y-Bwlch and back, with an hour break to visit a lake and tea room. These services run every day, often several times per day.
If you want to see more of the countryside, there is an additional section of railway that continues on past the foot of Snowdon, all the way to Caernarfon known as the Welsh Highland Railway, a journey along the entire track can take up to 7 hours. See all of the services here.
6. Spot rare seabirds on Puffin Island
Puffin Island is a small island off the coast of Anglesey which is home to a variety of seabirds, including Atlantic puffins (which the island is named after). Breeding season is between late April and early August, so this is the best time to visit if you want to see puffins as well as other marine birds such as common guillemots, razorbills, and kittiwakes.
It's not possible to set foot on the island itself, but you can visit on a Puffin Island cruise. I visited Puffin Island with Seacoast Safaris from Beaumaris. The tour lasted around 80 minutes and included a dedicated guide who told us exactly what to look for and answered all of our questions about the island.
Find out more in my dedicated guide to visiting Puffin Island.
7. Explore the Finest Gardens in Wales at Bodnant
Bodnant Gardens is a National Trust property in the Conwy Valley and one of the most beautiful gardens in Wales. The garden was created over two centuries by five successive generations of the same family and today, it covers 80 acres with a variety of different gardens to explore including a Japanese garden, herbaceous borders, and even a Laburnum arch which is covered in golden flowers in May
There are several trails to follow as you make your way around the garden including a family trail and a plant hunter trail for those hoping to explore Bodnant's famous collection of plants. Expect the best rose gardens you've laid eyes upon, lily pools and lots of herbs.
8. Visit Portmeirion, an Italian-style village in North Wales
Portmeirion is a village located in North Wales that is famed for being built in an Italian style. It was designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis who wamnted to show that a beautiful landscape could be developed without running the surrounding scenery.
Today, Portmeirion is a popular tourist destination, with around 170,000 visitors each year. As well as the beautiful architecture around the town, there are restaurants, cafes, shops, and even a spa so you can easily spend the day there.
One of the best ways to explore the village is with a guided tour which is included in the entry fee so be sure to take advantage of this.
If you want even more of Portmeirion, it is possible to stay there with two four-star hotels and self-catered accommodation, although as you'd expect, it's very pricey and I think one day is plenty of time to spend there.
9. Visit the beaches and cliffs of the Llyn Peninsular
The Llyn Peninsula is the arm at the top of Wales and home to some of the country's most beautiful beaches along with picturesque villages and towns that are worth exploring.
To make the most of your time on the peninsula, be sure to visit Abersoch – a popular spot for watersports lovers – and the stunning medieval castle in the town of Criccieth. If you're into surfing, Porth Neigwl, also known as Hell's Mouth, is the best spot for it in North Wales.
But if you're looking for a place to relax and enjoy some food and drink, the Tŷ Coch Inn on Porthdinllaen beach was voted the third-best beach bar in the world
10. Play golf 500ft below the ground at Llechwedd Slate Caverns
Llechwedd Slate Caverns is a disused slate quarry which has been turned into a tourist attraction in Blaenau Ffestiniog.
The Deep Mine tour takes you 150m (500ft) underground on Europe's steepest cable railway to see the original caverns and learn about the history of the quarry. The cavern is fitted with special lighting effects for an immersive experience and you'll also see how it's now used to make cheese
But if learning about the history wasn't enough for you, it's also possible to have a game of underground golf or enjoy the gigantic net trampolines at Bounce Below. Given that everything is underground, this makes a great activity for a rainy day in North Wales.
11. Visit the imposing Harlech Castle
Another must-visit Castle in North Wales is Harlech Castle. Unlike the other castles in this list, Harlech is unique because it's found in a tiny village rather than a large walled town. The castle stands mightily on top of a rocky outcrop, overlooking Harlech Beach with views right out to sea.
While visiting the castle, you can climb to the top of one of the towers, walk along the walls, and explore the gatehouse. There is also an informational video to teach you about the castle and a shop and restaurant with castle views.
Other great things to do in Harlech and the surrounding area include driving down the world's steepest street, touring an old mine at Llanfair Slate Caverns, and the woodland walks at Rhaeadr Nantcol Waterfalls.
12. Walk the Wales Coastal Path
Wales is home to some of the most beautiful coastlines in Britain with dramatic cliffs and breathtaking views (in my 100% unbiased view as a Welshman).
Back in 2012, the Wales Coastal Path was officially opened, one of the only paths in the world that allows you to walk around the entire coast of a nation.
With around 870 miles (1400km) of coastline, the coastal path is one of the biggest and best things to do in Wales, although it would take at least seven weeks to walk the entire route so maybe pick one part to begin. A few suggestions are:
- Holywell to Flint - This 8-mile (13 km) route includes a castle and a dragon. It was featured on the BBC Weather Man Walking show - full details here.
ㅤ - Porthmadog to Black Rock Sands - One of many great walks along the Llyn Peninsular, this 5-mile (8.5km) route has views of the Dwyryd Estuary and ends at Morfa Bychan, also known as Black Rock Sands Beach - full details here.
ㅤ - Holyhead Mountain - Another roughly 5-mile (8.5km) circular walk at the northernmost point of Wales. Starting and ending near South Stack Lighthouse - full details here.
13. Zip down the world's fastest zip line at Zipworld
Zipworld Penrhyn in North Wales is one of the most popular adventure activities in the region, and for good reason – it boasts the fastest zip line in the world; Velocity 2.
The Velocity 2 zip line can reach speeds of up to 100mph (160km/h). And, unlike most other zip lines, you can go down in the Superman position making it an adrenaline-pumping experience with panoramic views of Snowdonia.
If you're looking for an adrenaline-fuelled day out, Zipworld is the perfect place and should definitely be on your list of things to do in North Wales.
14. Walk to Aber Falls
My favourite waterfall to visit in North Wales is Aber Falls where water plunges 36m (120ft) over the cliffs. It takes around 1hr15 round trip from the car park but the walk through the stunning green fields only makes the journey even more rewarding.
Not far from the waterfall is Aber Falls Distillery where they run tours to see how their award-winning whiskey is made and they have a visitor centre and bar where you can sample their drinks or get a full meal. It's worth combining the two into a day trip.
Aber Falls isn't the tallest waterfall, that title is held by Pistyll Rhayadr which, with a total height of 73m (240ft) across three drops, is the tallest in Wales.
I can also recommend visiting Pistyll Rhayadr as one of the top things to do in North Wales. It's very easy to reach with a car park right near the base or you can take a hike through nearby forests to reach the top. It's also featured as one of the Seven Wonders of Wales.
15. Visit Anglesey’s iconic lighthouses
No visit to North Wales is complete without taking a trip to Anglesey. One of my favourite things to do here is visit some of the lighthouses which all have their own unique history and character.
The most famous of these is South Stack lighthouse which was built in 1809 to protect ships from the dangerous rocks below. it's still a functioning lighthouse, although it's automated and unmanned. You can also visit it and take a tour up the lighthouse tower to see how it works and enjoy panoramic sea views. Keep in mind that there are 400-steps each way just to reach the lighthouse entrance.
Another one of Anglesey's lighthouses worth visiting is Twr Mawr which translates as 'Great Tower'. It was built in 1873 and still acts as an operational lighthouse although it's now automated.
The Lighthouse sits on a small island called Ynys Llanddwyn which has a place in Welsh folktales as the home of St Dwynwen, the patron saint of lovers. Find out more about visiting Twr Mawr lighthouse here.
16. See the Red Squirrels at Plas Newydd
Plas Newydd is a country house on the Isle of Anglesey that's famed for its red squirrels, the only native population of squirrels in the UK
The Plas Newydd estate has been managed by the National Trust since 1976 and is open to the public all year round. As well as being able to spot red squirrels, there are also beautiful gardens to explore, along with the house itself which is open for guided tours.
See my full guide for more information on the best things to do in Anglesey.
17. Take a kayak or SUP on Llyn Padarn in Llanberis
Llyn Padarn is a large lake found in Snowdonia National Park, and it's one of the most beautiful places in North Wales. You might recognise it as this is where you'll find the famous lonely tree.
The lake has beautiful surroundings, with mountains and forests in all directions. It's one of the best spots in Wales for kayaking and paddleboarding. Both of which are available for self-hire from Snowdonia Watersports Centre starting at £25 for 2 hours. They also have giant paddleboards that can hold six people!
If you'd prefer an experienced local guide out on the water with you, Paradise Adventures offer a 2 hour guided kayak tour where they take you around the lake showing you the best spots and stopping off at some of the lake's attractions such as the slate museum and Dolbadarn Castle. All equipment is included plus the guide for £45 per person.
Next to the lake is Padarn Country Park where you'll find walking trails, museums, monuments, and a cycling track. It's also a great place for a picnic or a BBQ in the summer months. The park is owned by the local council so there is no entrance fee, although you will need to pay for parking if travelling by car.
18. Explore the Royal town of Caernarfon
Caernarfon is one of my favourite towns in North Wales. At the heart of the town is the historic Caernarfon Castle, another of Edward I's castles in North Wales. It is the place where his son, Edward of Caernarfon (later Edward II) was born and more recently where Prince Charles (now King Charles III) was invested as the Prince of Wales.
As well as visiting the castle, the second highlight of my time here was simply enjoying the view of the sun setting from the Anglesey Arms, a pub in the old port customs house which is right next to Caernarfon Castle.
See my full guide of things to do in Caernarfon which includes the town's other activities such as riding the highland railway and taking a boat cruise down the Menai Strait.
19. Reach the summit of Llandudno’s Great Orme
Llandudno is one of North Wales’ most iconic seaside towns, known for its Victorian pier which is the longest in Wales, full of amusement rides (including a Ferris wheel) and arcades.
The town is a hotspot for families in North Wales with a huge range of activities ranging from the Chocolate Experience to the longest toboggan run in Wales.
The highlight of visiting Llandudno is ascending the Great Orme, a limestone headland just north of the town which is more than 200m high at its peak. Don’t worry, you don’t need to walk up, there’s both a cable car and a tramway.
At the top, you won’t just enjoy the sweeping views across the coast, you’ll also find the Great Orme Summit Complex which has shops, restaurants, mini-golf, and more. The image above shows the Llandudno Pier with the Great Orme in the background.
20. Ride the people-powered roller coaster at Greenwood Family Park
If you’re looking for something to do in North Wales with families, then you’ll want to check out Greenwood Family Park, a huge forest adventure park near Bangor.
The park is huge so you can easily spend an entire day here without running out of things to do. Expect roller coasters, mazes, water rides, and Wales’ longest sledge run.
Aside from the rides, there are theatres where you can catch a magic show, workshops to learn circus skills, and more. For younger children, there are soft play areas and animal petting.
I also love that the park does its part to be eco-friendly, leading the way with tech such as solar-powered water rides and the world’s only roller coaster powered by people.
21. Find Gelert’s Grave in Beddgelert
Beddgelert is one of North Wales’ cutest villages, full of stone buildings surrounded by the beautiful landscapes of Eryri (Snowdonia).
The English translation of Beddgelert is ‘Gelert’s Grave’ which refers to the village’s number one attraction – the grave of Gelert the Faithful Hound. You can visit Beddgelert and hunt out his grave to find out why it’s so famous (you can also read this guide for the full story).
Gelert’s grave isn’t the only thing to do in Beddgelert, there are also several walking trails for all abilities, some of which run alongside the scenic river. The legendary Dinas Emrys Trail is also nearby.
I recommend allowing at least half a day to explore the village or a full day if you plan to attempt one of the longer walks.
Notable Mentions
I've also put together a range of articles about other North Wales destinations worth visiting:
- Wrexham - Wales' newest city has hit headlines due to the Hollywood takeover of its local football team. It's also home to an enormous cathedral, a great museum about the city (free to visit), and a brand new arts centre. Find all of these and more in my guide to the best things to do in Wrexham.
ㅤ - Welsh Mountain Zoo - If you’re into animals, North Wales is home to the Welsh Mountain Zoo which is Wales’ largest zoo. It’s home to 80 species including tigers, lions, bears and alligators. The Welsh Mountain Zoo is just outside of Colwyn Bay.
ㅤ - Rhyl – Rhyl is a quintessential Welsh seaside resort which is loved by families. Some of the top things to do here include visiting the Rhyl Botanic Gardens, the miniature railways, and the SeaQuarium which is home to some of the most dangerous fish in the world including piranhas,
Published: 29 June 2022 · Last updated: 30 August 2023