10 of the best places to stay in North Wales

With outstanding mountain scenery, beaches to rival the South West and World Heritage Sites spilling culture into your lap, North Wales as your holiday destination is a decision you won’t regret.

Visit Colwyn Bay, with its coastline that is longer than the scalloped beach at Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro. Or head for the protection of the historic town of Conwy, a walled town with a castle located between the mountains and the Irish Sea. And we haven’t even mentioned Snowdonia/Eryri National Park yet…

Wherever you decide to go and whether you’re with your family, your special someone or a group of friends, we have the right accommodation for you.

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The Llyn Peninsula: best place to stay for beaches

There’s 250 miles of immaculate coastline along North Wales’ perimeter so, unsurprisingly, you’ll find some of the country’s best beaches in this region.  And with the sea on three of its sides, it’s the Llyn Peninsula that takes the grand prize for the best area to stay in North Wales if you’re looking for sandy beaches, hidden coves and mesmerising seascapes.

You can follow the Wales Coast Path around the peninsula, finding remote beaches or resorts with pubs and restaurants. Fear not, though: they all showcase unforgettable scenes, be it views across Cardigan Bay and out to the Irish Sea or visions of Snowdonia/Eryri National Park. Just as Cornwall is renowned as the beach capital of the UK, so too, the ‘Land's End of Wales’ is recognised for its beachy bounty.

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Anglesey: best place to stay for romance

The Isle of Anglesey is off Wales’ north-west coast and is the perfect destination for a getaway with your loved one. Not only is it the home of Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of love, it also offers often deserted beaches, such as Newborough Beach with its soft sand, making the island one of the best places to stay in North Wales if you’re a couple.

The island is home to some beautiful, rugged coastline and untouched countryside, perfect for a romantic afternoon saunter. And once you’ve built up an appetite, is there anything more amorous than sharing a plate of oysters with the one you love? Head to the Anglesey Oyster Festival if visiting in October or, if you’re holidaying during another part of the year, the Menai Bridge farmers’ market offers sumptuous seafood year round. Click here for more great food festivals in Wales.

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Llandudno: best place to stay for a seaside resort

Perhaps you live inland and want to get away to the coast for a quintessential seaside holiday, or maybe you remember having these types of holidays when you were a child and you want to replicate that for your own kids. Whatever the reason, Llandudno has everything you need for that classic seaside holiday.

Known as the ‘Queen of the Welsh resorts’, Llandudno is Wales’ largest resort and has been entertaining families since the 1800s. With miniature golf, Punch and Judy shows and an award-winning pier that features an old-fashioned penny arcade, funfair rides and a cafe and bar, every member of the family will find something to pique their interest.

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Betws-y-Coed: best place to stay for a quintessential village feel

Known as the gateway to Snowdonia National Park, this classic Welsh village lies in an idyllic valley by the River Conwy and is surrounded by the Gwydyr Forest, making it a great North Wales place to stay if you love picturesque village holidays.

The streets of Betws-y-Coed are filled with independent shops and there’s history in abundance with one of Wales’ oldest churches, St Michael’s, well worth a visit. Yet despite this sleepy feel, there is still plenty to keep you awake, with the incredible views at Swallow Falls waterfall and the excitement-inducing activities of Zip World all available to the more active guest.

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Barmouth: best place to stay for breathtaking views

A coastal town with a mountainous backdrop…that’s the dream destination, isn’t it? That’s exactly what you get when you visit Barmouth, a seaside oasis sitting on the estuary of the River Mawddach. Said estuary provides impressive views of the mountains and the sea out to Cardigan Bay, and if you stay put until sunset, well, you won’t be disappointed.

Visit the harbour and watch the cyclists and walkers embark upon the Mawddach Trail. Try it yourself and head over the iconic wooden rail and footbridge, before having your view filled with beautiful tree-lined scenery and the ever-present humbling mountains. You can walk to Dolgellau or you can stop at the halfway point and return to Barmouth, all the while taking in the sea vistas as you approach the coast. Once back there, enjoy the sandy beach where sunbathers, surfers and other water sports enthusiasts show their appreciation for the natural wonders this town offers.

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Conwy: best place to stay for heritage

With the mountains of Mynydd y Dref to the west, Carneddau to the south and the Irish Sea to the north, it’s easy to see why Conwy was chosen as a defensive position in Wales by Edward I. Conwy Castle with its town wall has even been given World Heritage Site status for its historical importance.

The castle, built in 1283, boasts mesmeric views of the sea and countryside from atop any of its eight towers, and you’ll be able to see the town and quay from here too. The working harbour can provide you with a decent helping of fish and chips or an ice cream, before you set off in search of the smallest house in Britain, Quay House. Other attractions include the National Trust’s Bodnant Garden or the impressive Conwy Mountain.

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Aberdovey: best place to stay for dramatic scenery

With the majestic peaks of Snowdonia/Eryri behind it and the azure waters of Cardigan Bay in front, it’s little wonder Aberdovey, or Aberdyfi in Welsh, has been chosen as a destination for spectacular scenery. This tranquil village draws visitors from far and wide, from those who want to bob on the water and try a water sport to those who wish to explore the Dyfi Nature Reserve and all the wildlife it holds in store.

Being within the national park itself, you’ll find that this truly is one of the best places to stay in North Wales. The beach is sandy, the Cambrian Mountains give it an extra dimension and the village is friendly, very pretty and full of family-friendly activities throughout the year.

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Snowdonia/Eryri: best place to stay for national park escapades

Snowdonia is a region that often finds itself on people’s travel bucket lists; not just UK bucket lists, but global ones. We can see why this would be, with its looming mountains - including its namesake, Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa - alongside its rugged coastline and mysterious ancient forests offering days’ worth of exploring and excitement…well, maybe a couple of weeks’ worth, considering Snowdonia covers 823 square miles.

So, if you’re still questioning where to stay in North Wales, Snowdonia has to enter your thoughts, with destinations such as Caernarfon, Dolgellau, Portmeirion and Fairbourne offering up the best in military castles, wild landscapes, architecture and slate quarry lakes respectively. We've chosen 10 of our favourite towns and villages to whet your appetite for a stay in this most spectacular of national parks. 

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Bala: best place to stay for water sports and adrenaline activities

Bala easily could have been our choice for spectacular scenery, what with the soaring mountains and undulating green hills surrounding the pristine lake, Llyn Tegid. But said lake, although beautiful just on its own, is also a hotspot for water-based activities. Take on white-water rafting, or for the fainter of heart, perhaps a little canoeing or sailing.

If you still need to feel the buzz of adrenaline, try some canyoning, where you’ll abseil down waterfalls and plunge into deep pools, or zip lining down the fastest zip line in the world. At the end of fun-filled days, lay back and gaze at the stars in this part of the International Dark Sky Reserve.

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Colwyn Bay: best place to stay for families

Another fabulous town on a coast that seems to keep on giving. Not only does it boast a fabulous, recently renovated beach where aqua adventure awaits, it also borders Pwllycrochan Woods, an ancient section of forest the kids will love to explore. Other daytime adventures await at Eirias Park, a 50-acre parkland with a boating lake, playground and leisure centre.

Colwyn Bay regularly wins awards at Wales in Bloom, so as you walk around the centre of this heritage town, or if you take a trip to Bodnant Garden, ensure you take in the sights and smells of the wonderful flora around you. Arguably, the biggest draw for families visiting the town is the Welsh Mountain Zoo, which is perched majestically on the hillside.

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Choose your perfect cottage in North Wales

Whether you’re a couple in love, a group of thrill-seeking friends or a family looking for that perfect seaside holiday vibe, you’ll find what you’re after with our cottages in North Wales.

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