Are you planning a holiday in Eryri | Snowdonia and North Wales and looking for the best places to stay and visit? In 2024 our beautiful region will again be high on the list of destinations for holidays, weekend...
Are you planning a holiday in Eryri | Snowdonia and North Wales and looking for the best places to stay and visit?
In 2024 our beautiful region will again be high on the list of destinations for holidays, weekend short breaks and staycations!
Llyn Geirionydd near Trefriw is one of many spectacular lakes in Eryri | Snowdonia!
The stunning landscape and diverse scenery, and the amazing variety of activities, draw people to North Wales from all over the UK, Europe and increasingly the rest of the world.
As for locations for your holiday we have it all - pretty mountain villages and quiet rural idylls, cute seaside towns, bustling coastal resorts, and the up-and-coming city of Wrexham with it’s newly famous football club!
Visit “The Smallest House in Great Britain” in Conwy during your holiday in North Wales!
Great transport links means North Wales is easily accessible from the rest of the UK and Europe so it really is perfect for your getaway.
Once here excellent road, rail and bus links - along with roads perfect for cycling - make it easy to get around and explore, even if you are travelling and exploring without a car.
We look at the following locations in Eryri | Snowdonia and North Wales in more detail :
Trefriw, Llanrwst & Betws-y-Coed in the Conwy Valley
Conwy
Llandudno
Anglesey
Dolgellau, Machynlleth & Southern Eryri | Snowdonia
Llanberis
Abersoch & The Llyn Peninsula
Llangollen
Click here for a larger version of this map
There is a wide variety of unique accommodation to choose from in all of these locations, including Crafnant House - our boutique B&B near Betws-y-Coed.
So if you are planning your holiday and are looking for :
idyllic campsites for families
romantic luxury hotels for couples
boutique B&Bs
traditional guest houses
funky, cool hostels
cosy self-catering holiday cottages and Airbnbs
pubs and inns with rooms
quirky glamping sites and pods
… there is a fantastic choice of places to stay to suit all budgets!
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Planning your North Wales holiday?
Book our boutique B&B in Eryri | Snowdonia here!
Booking direct with us saves you money -
You always get a lower rate than anywhere else !
The Best Places To Stay In Eryri | Snowdonia and North Wales!
Here then are our recommendations for the best locations to stay in - including of course our own village, Trefriw - if you are planning a trip to this part of Wales.
Maybe combine a few different places to get the best holiday possible.
See our suggested itinerary for your perfect North Wales holiday at the end, along with our tips about when to visit!
1. The Conwy Valley
The picturesque Conwy Valley is packed with beautiful scenery, pretty towns and villages and exciting activities, and is right in the heart of North Wales!
When choosing where to stay Llanrwst, Trefriw and Betws-y-Coed are three fantastic locations to base yourself in.
They are in close proximity to each other and offer a great central base for your holiday.
Eryri | Snowdonia National Park is on the doorstep, whilst beaches on the North Wales coast, and attractions such as Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) itself, Go Below and Zip World are just a short distance away!
Llanrwst and Betws-y-Coed both have train stations so the area is a great place to stay if you are visiting Eryri | Snowdonia without a car - and Trefriw is a short 20-25 minute walk from the station at Llanrwst!
Once here bus services will take you to other popular locations such as Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and Conwy / Llandudno on the coast.
Llanrwst
This handsome, historic market town has a famous arched stone bridge over the River Conwy, next to which is the historic and photogenic Tu Hwnt Ir Bont Tearooms.
The famous Tu Hwnt Ir Bont Tearooms next to the river in Llanrwst
Nearby Gwydir Castle is an atmospheric Tudor manor house, whilst Gwydir Forest has the Gwydir Mawr & Bach mountain bike trails, walking routes, lakes and waterfalls to explore.
Just south of Llanrwst is the Zip World Fforest base where action-packed adventure activities are perfect for families and will get the adrenaline racing!
Trefriw
We are of course biased (!), but our own village - Trefriw (pronounced Trev-roo) - is a fantastic place to stay!
Why?
Well firstly it is perfectly located right in the middle of North Wales so nowhere else is too far to visit.
Yet Trefriw is a pretty, peaceful and traditional Welsh village with two pubs, a village butchers, cafe and post office, all set away from the hustle and bustle.
Shhh… don’t tell anyone!!!
Famous for a working woollen mill and spa waters, even in the summer it doesn’t get too busy so you can escape the crowds and have a quiet, relaxing holiday should you wish to.
Surrounding it are forests, rivers, waterfalls, and lakes for fishing and wild swimming, and great walks or bike rides from our door into Eryri | Snowdonia National Park are guaranteed!
Ask where to find the best ‘secret’ waterfalls when you stay with us!
A choice of pubs and restaurants in Trefriw - such as The Old Ship Inn right next door to our B&B - also mean you don’t have to drive anywhere to get good food and drinks in the evening.
Llanrwst is a pleasant 25 minute walk away whilst Betws-y-Coed is 5 miles away from Trefriw.
Betws-y-Coed
Betws-y-Coed is a picturesque, alpine-style village in a beautiful location surrounded by magical forests and stunning mountains, and is often regarded to be the gateway to Eryri | Snowdonia.
For these reasons it is understandably a very popular destination for many people visiting the region!
Llyn Geirionydd is a spectacular lake - ideal for wild swimming - easily accessible from both Trefriw and Betws-y-Coed
It can get extremely busy in the summer but if you take one of the many trails starting in the village you can soon escape the crowds and surround yourself with nature.
Accommodation, cafes, restaurants and shops - including many outdoor clothing stores! - can be found in Betws-y-Coed whilst other villages and towns are just a short drive away.
Our accommodation suggestions in and around the Conwy Valley:
Crafnant House is our boutique B&B in the quiet village of Trefriw
Read more about Crafnant House ?
Ty Cornel is a lovely B&B set within a village Post Office
Cwmlanerch is a campsite and caravan park with a glamping tent - in a fab location near Betws-y-Coed
The Rocks is a funky, stylish family-friendly hostel just outside Betws-y-Coed in Capel Curig
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Stylish bedrooms and delicious breakfasts at Crafnant House
2. Conwy
Conwy is a historic, medieval walled town dominated by one of the most famous and impressive castles in Wales - Conwy Castle.
You can also walk along the ancient town walls, enjoy an ice cream on the picturesque quayside and visit the nearby sandy beach at Morfa.
There are plenty of independent and unique shops for some great shopping, and a variety of excellent cafes are places to eat and enjoy great Welsh food and produce!
Evenings are a lovely time for couples to have a walk around the quieter, atmospheric streets and enjoy the many bars and restaurants.
We love BANK and the Albion Ale House for a great pint of real ale or craft beer.
Whilst The Jackdaw is a fantastic new restaurant just perfect for couples wanting a romantic meal or celebrating a special occasion!
The magnificent castle in the medieval town of Conwy, North Wales
If you enjoy playing golf then have a round at Conwy Golf Club - it is considered to be one of the finest links courses in Wales!
You can easily spend a few days exploring the town as there is lots to do.
As Conwy is right on both the A55 expressway and North Wales main rail line you can easily get to other places easily too, so it really is in a great location for your holiday!
Our accommodation suggestions in Conwy:
Cool and funky Number 18 is a boutique bed and breakfast with amazing decor!
Find out more about Number 18 ?
Bryn Guest House is a relaxed guest house next to the town walls in Conwy
Find out more about Bryn Guest House ?
3. Llandudno
This seaside resort is Wales’ biggest and to many people the best!
Developed by the Victorians as a purpose built resort, Llandudno is still a charming place to visit and stay in, offering the visitor a myriad of attractions making it perfect for families and kids.
Two beaches and the long pier are popular places to spend your time, and the long, sweeping promenade - dominated by hotels and bed and breakfasts - is perfect for a gentle walk and taking in the sea views.
The stunning Victorian pier in Llandudno, North Wales
The Great Orme is a rocky headland with walking trails, a cable car and Victorian tramway, and once you are at the top there are fantastic views of both the Irish Sea and the mountains of Eryri | Snowdonia.
A wide variety of shops, cafes and restaurants add to the bustling atmosphere, whilst excellent transport links mean you can enjoy day trips to other parts of North Wales.
Our accommodation suggestion in Llandudno:
There are LOTS of places to stay but it is best to book direct!
The Visit Conwy website is the best for searching local accommodation options including B&Bs, guest houses and hotels
Go to the Visit Conwy website ?
4. Anglesey
The quiet and peaceful Isle of Anglesey is a wonderful place to base yourself for part of your North Wales holiday.
Maybe combine a stay on the island with somewhere else like the Conwy Valley - a perfect holiday combination!
It is Wales’ largest island and is a popular destination with stunning sandy beaches, ancient sites to explore and picturesque villages and towns to visit.
We love the following locations on Anglesey and each of them are well worth a visit even if you stay elsewhere.
Beaumaris
Beaumaris is an attractive Georgian town on the east side of the island, offering the superb combination of a waterfront location with fantastic views of the mountains of Eryri | Snowdonia.
Independent shops, cafes and restaurants fill the old streets, and the castle and gaol are atmospheric places to visit.
The photogenic lighthouse at Penmon Point near Beaumaris, and Puffin Island
You can also take a boat trip to nearby Puffin Island from Beaumaris, whilst those wanting to enjoy outdoor adventure activities might want to try a cool ‘rib ride’ or stand up paddle boarding on the Menai Straits!
Rhosneigr
The village of Rhosneigr lies on the west coast of Anglesey.
Two large, broad sandy beaches - Traeth Crigyll and Traeth Llydan - are popular places for walks and enjoying the sea.
Given the fantastic location it is a popular centre for all watersports, whilst new cafes and restaurants mean you can always find some great food and drinks during your visit.
Menai Bridge
The small town of Menai Bridge is the gateway to Anglesey and is chiefly famous for Thomas Telford’s Menai Suspension bridge which crosses the Menai Straits linking Anglesey to the mainland.
The spectacular Menai Suspension Bridge which links Anglesey to the rest of North Wales.
The compact town centre has a variety of independent shops whilst the growing food scene means some superb cafes and restaurants are available so you can try the delicious food that North Wales is increasingly famous for.
Our accommodation suggestions on Anglesey:
Self-catering holiday cottages in Beaumaris are perfect for families, available through Menai Holidays
Visit the Menai Holidays website ?
Sandy Mount House is a chic, stylish restaurant with rooms in the heart of the village of Rhosneigr
Find out more about Sandy Mount House ?
5. Dolgellau, Machynlleth & Southern Eryri | Snowdonia
The two charming market towns of Dolgellau and Machynlleth lie towards the southern end of Eryri | Snowdonia National Park.
Both are fantastic bases for those wanting to explore the many outdoor activities in this area.
Whilst nearby the coastline betw