Nestled on the coast of North Wales is the charming medieval town of Conwy. With incredible architecture, lots of things to do and a unique charm, it's one of my favourite places to visit in Wales.
With its town walls still largely intact and a huge castle that dominates the town centre, it's easy to imagine what life was like here back in the Middle Ages.
You can see Conwy's highlights in a (jam-packed) day. But if you want to spend a bit more time here, there are plenty of things to keep you busy from nature reserves to art galleries.
In this guide, I'll share my favourite things to do in Conwy and the surrounding area.
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Things To Do in Conwy
1. Visit Conwy Castle
Of course, at the top of the list has to be the iconic Conwy Castle. Built by King Edward I in the 13th century as part of his 'Iron Ring of Castle', this imposing fortress is a testament to the town's history and now has UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
The castle is very much a ruin, but it's still worth visiting. I spent around 45 minutes at the castle which included climbing one of the towers and exploring all of the areas.
The castle is managed by CADW so it’s free to enter if you have a CADW membership or half-price with an English Heritage membership.
Conwy Castle
Inside the castle, you can walk along the castle walls, explore the castle's many chambers and dungeons, and climb to the top of its towers where you can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding countryside and the Conwy estuary.
2. Walk across the Thomas Telford Suspension Bridge
You'll notice that there are currently three bridges crossing the River Conwy, but the most historic one is the middle bridge known as the Thomas Telford Suspension Bridge.
Up until the mid-nineteenth century, a ferry would have operated here, but Thomas Telford was recruited to build a bridge similar to his one crossing the Menai Strait. The river was too wide to build a bridge with technology then so a large embankment was built across most of the length which is called the Conwy Cob.
Although the bridge was built many centuries later than the castle, Telford designed the towers to blend in nicely so many people think the bridge was part of the castle's design.
It's not part of the castle at all. The bridge is free to walk across and under the care of the National Trust whereas the castle is a paid visitor attraction.
The bridge would have originally been operated on a toll basis, you can see the old toll house on the opposite side and National Trust have put up a replica price list so you can see how much it would have been.
3. Wander along the town walls
Walking along Conwy Town Walls is one of my favourite things to do in North Wales, and that’s no understatement.
It’s one of the few medieval walled towns in Wales where the walls are still mostly intact. You can walk all the way along them and get incredible views of the town and surrounding area.
The walls are 1.3 km (0.8 miles) from start to finish so it only takes around 20 minutes. With a total of 21 towers, there are multiple places where you can join or leave the walls along the route.
There is one section you cannot walk across so you’ll have to divert through the town and rejoin near the railway station. You can find my recommended town wall route map here.
It’s free to walk along the walls although keep in mind that some of the towers are closed in the evenings so it’s best done in the day.
4. Visit the finest surviving Elizabethan townhouse in Britain, Plas Mawr
Plas Mawr is a restored Elizabethan townhouse that’s considered one of the finest examples of its kind in Britain. You can visit the house to get a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the wealthy merchants who once lived here.
The house belonged to Robert Wynn in the 16th century who had earned his fortune in the service of Tudor diplomats and decided to spend it on building a grand home as a celebration of his life and wealth. You’ll notice his initials all over the building, inside and out. Nothing like modesty!
The furniture is not original but has been recreated in the style that it would have been back when Robert Wynn lived here.
Upon entering, I chose the option of taking an audio tour rather than using a map to navigate around. It doesn't cost anything extra so I suggest you do too. On the tour, you’ll hear from some of the characters who would have lived here during its prime.
Similar to Conwy Castle, this is another CADW attraction so it’s free for members.
5. Go inside the smallest house in Great Britain
Located on Conwy's Quay Street, this tiny red house is only 183cm (72”) wide and 310cm (122”) tall, making it the smallest house in Great Britain, an accolade confirmed by the Guinness Book of Records. Even little old me could touch both walls at the same time as you can see in the photo above.
Of all the people to have lived here, the last resident was a 6ft3” fisherman who couldn’t even stand up in his own house.
But since 1900, the house has been deemed too small to live in by the local council, so instead, its owners have turned it into a tourist attraction.
For a mere £1.50, you can take a look inside for yourself. There are only two rooms inside; one room downstairs that’s a living room and another upstairs which is the bedroom. It only took me 5 minutes to see the whole thing, including time taking photos.
6. Explore Bodnant Gardens
Bodnant Gardens is an impressive 80-acre garden and woodland site with a collection of plants and flowers from around the world.
Although they have done a great job of ensuring this is a year-round attraction with plants for both summer and winter, the best time of year to visit is towards the end of May when the famous Laburnum Arch blooms for a few weeks with beautiful yellow flowers.
You may recognise the arch as it famously appeared as the filming location for The Secret Garden.
I was visiting during early spring so didn’t manage to see the arch, but was impressed by the enormous carpet of daffodils they had planted. There are multiple walking trails you can take as well as craft shops with locally made products and several cafes.
Bodnant Gardens is part of the National Trust so as a member, I was able to enter for free. However, if you’re not a member, I think the price is quite steep for what you get, especially if you’re paying for a whole family.
7. Pick up some local goodies at Bodnant Food Centre
No visit to Conwy would be complete without a visit to the Bodnant Food Centre.
Here, you can buy locally sourced and produced Welsh foods, including meats, cheeses, baked goods, and fresh produce.
They had all my favourite Welsh brands including Dylan’s sauces, Calon Lan Preserves, and Snowdonia Cheese. I can also recommend their Welsh Cakes which are freshly baked.
They also have two onsite restaurants; The Furnance which is open daily serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, and The Hayloft Bar & Grill which is slightly fancier with the comfort of a log burner and homemade meals using locally sourced produce.
Bodnant Food Centre is very close to Bodnant Gardens so I recommend stopping off here to grab some picnic items and enjoy them in the gardens.
8. Enjoy otters and pancakes at Conwy Water Gardens
Seeing otters and eating pancakes might not seem like two complimentary activities, but that’s exactly what’s on offer at Conwy Water Gardens and the Dutch Pancake House.
At the water garden is a small family-friendly nature trail around a lake and some ponds. You can spot fish, ducks, and otters (although I didn't spot any of the latter).
The trail is only half a kilometre (0.3 miles) so it won’t take long to walk around. It took me less than 30 minutes with time to stop and take photos of the animals enroute.
Next to the gardens is the Dutch Pancake House, a unique restaurant that specialises in Dutch-style pancakes with over 60 different menu choices.
I have a major sweet tooth so the banana and maple syrup pancake was my choice. But they also have savoury options with toppings including bacon, cheese, and ham. Check their Facebook page for latest menu and updates.
9. Visit the Royal Cambrian Academy of Art
If you're an art lover, head to the Royal Cambrian Academy of Art which showcases the work of contemporary artists from Wales and beyond.
You'll find a diverse range of artwork including paintings, sculptures, prints, and photography.
The Academy's galleries feature changing exhibitions so there's always something new to see. Don't forget to stop by the Academy's shop, where you can purchase unique works of art to take home.
They also run life drawing classes if that is something that interests you. Bear in mind that the gallery is closed on Sundays and Mondays and can be closed for an etire week when they change exhibitions.
10. See Llandudno and Conwy onboard the City Sightseeing bus
The City Sightseeing open-top bus takes you around the most important landmarks in Conwy as well as neighbouring Degany and Llandudno. It's a quick way to see everything in the town and the onboard audio guide will give you more information than if you visited by yourself.
You can purchase a hop-on hop-off ticket that's valid for 24 hours. There are two routes, but only the Red Route includes Conwy.
This is a great way to combine a day trip to Llandudno where you can visit the longest pier in Wales and head to the summit of the Great Orme headland.
The total journey is 45 minutes round trip, but you’ll want to make the most of your 24-hour ticket by getting off at each stop and exploring.
The two stops for the City Sightseeing bus in Conwy are near Conwy Castle and at the Smallest House in Great Britain. You can see a full route map and book your tickets over on the City Sightseeing website here.
11. Spot wildlife at RSPB Conwy
RSPB Conwy is a small nature reserve on the estuary of the River Conwy with a variety of habitats, including wetlands, reedbeds, and grasslands. You can visit and take a walk on the nature trails and boardwalks that wind through the reserve.
The views are great but the best part is that the reserve is home to a large population of wading birds, ducks, and geese, making it an excellent spot for birdwatching.
There are many hides along the way so that you can get up close to see the birds for yourself. The trails are very family-friendly and perfectly suitable for prams. I took the medium-length trail which took around 25 minutes all the way around. The shorter trail takes just 10 minutes whereas the longer trail can take up to 90 minutes depending upon how many stops you make.
It’s open year-round and is free to enter. Guided walks and birdwatching tours are available for visitors who want to learn more about the reserve's flora and fauna. The reserve has a visitor centre that provides information about the reserve and the wildlife that can be found there as well as a cafe with some of the friendliest staff I encountered in Conwy.
They also run regular events here at different times of the year such as Easter and Christmas, check the events page for more details.
12. Find your family coat of arms at The Knight Shop
At first glance, The Knight Shop in Conwy looks like your run-of-the-mill souvenir shop, but I really love the knight theme throughout with swords, armour, and all sorts of medieval memorabilia. These aren't the usual cheap plastic gifts but high-quality products that are sure to last.
The highlight is the coat of arms and surname service where they will find your family coat of arms on their system and provide you with a detailed history of your surname in Britain. For a fee, you can have the document printed onto a scroll or even framed for a little extra. The Knight Shop is opposite the castle near Conwy Quay.
13. Visit the waterfall and distillery at Aber Falls
If you fancy a bit of a day trip from Conwy, one of my favourite Welsh waterfalls is just a 20-minute drive away. The waterfall is one of the tallest in Wales that you can visit with the water plunging more than 36m (120ft) over the cliffs. What makes it even better is the beautiful woodland and countryside walk to reach it.
The signage says to allow 1hr30 to 2hrs for the walk, but it took me around 1hr15 with lots of time to stop and take photos. It would be possible to paddle in the river near the base of the waterfall but unfortunately, it was too cold on the day I visited.
Whilst you're in the area, I would also recommend a visit Aber Falls Distillery known for its award-winning Welsh whiskey and gin. They have a visitor centre and offer distillery tours (every hour, on the hour, between 10am-4pm). You can book ahead or you may be able to just turn up during low season.
14. Sample Conwy Mussels
One of the most famous dishes in Conwy is the locally sourced and harvested Conwy mussels. These mussels are renowned for their flavour and are a must-try for any seafood lover visiting the area. The mussels are typically served in a variety of dishes, from classic moules marinières to innovative fusion recipes.
The mussels are harvested in the Conwy estuary, where they thrive in the nutrient-rich waters. They are hand-picked by local fishermen, ensuring that only the best quality mussels make it to your plate. The Conwy mussels are famous for their plumpness, sweetness, and delicate texture, making them a popular choice for both locals and visitors alike.
Conwy Mussels Co is located on the quayside, but they only offer raw produce and don’t cook them for you. I’m no fan of seafood so this isn’t something I did myself but I’m reliably informed from TripAdvisor that the following restaurants are highly rated for their mussels:
- Paysanne - At the top of the list is a French restaurant (of course) just over in Deganwy. Check their menu on their website as they don’t always have mussels.
ㅤ - Johnny Doughs - Yes, Conwy’s renowned pizza restaurant makes a pizza with mussels.
ㅤ - The Jackdaw - This Michelin-star restaurant has a tasting menu featuring mussels, although it’s not possible to have them on their own.
15. Hop onboard the Conwy Sightseeing Cruise
Experience Conwy from a different perspective by taking a public trip with Conwy Sightseeing Cruises, a small, family-run business that has been operating the Queen Victoria and Princess Christine passenger boat on the River Conwy for three generations.
Trips typically last between 30-60 minutes depending upon whether you’re going upstream, downstream, or both. You can find full details and contact them to book via their website.
The boats are well-maintained and equipped with modern amenities including toilets. Hot and cold drinks are available on all cruises, and you’ll have a handy guide to explain exactly what you’re looking at along the journey.
The cruises are reasonably priced and suitable for dogs and those with pushchairs. As well as the public trip, they sometimes run bird wildlife excursions or you can hire out the full boat for a private trip.
16. Walk up to the ruins of Deganwy Castle
The imposing castle in the middle of Conwy wasn’t the first to be built in the area. Before King Edward I built this one, there was a fortress known as Deganwy Castle, just across the River Conwy.
This was a motte and bailey castle most of which has now gone, but you can still walk up the mound where the keep sat which will offer you stunning 360-degree views of the surrounding countryside and out across Conwy Bay.
The ruins are free to visit. You can take the train or sightseeing bus from Conwy to Deganwy or you can drive across and park at the free Platt Fields Car Park. from here, it’s about 1km (0.6 miles) to the castle. You should allow around 50-60 minutes to walk to the castle from the car park and back again.
17. Catch a sunset at Conwy Morfa beach
Conwy Morfa is the closest beach to the town of Conwy, located less than 10 minutes away by car. The beach is quite a hidden gem since many tourists don’t know about it and tend to visit the beaches of Llandudno instead. But I was very surprised at how nice it was.
Conwy Morfa is a long sandy beach, backed by dunes and with a free car park right next to it. As you look out across the sea, you can see Anglesey and Puffin Island in the background.
One of the best times to visit Morfa Conwy beach is at sunset when the sky is painted with a stunning array of colours as you can see from my photo above. Even during summer, it can get pretty chilly here due to the coastal winds so take a blanket and some tea (or a beer) and enjoy the beautiful view.
Published: 8 April 2023 · Last updated: 17 January 2024