I’ve been lucky enough to call North Wales my home for over 30 years. During that time I’ve seen the area change as it became an adventure hub and visitors could see what a gorgeous, exciting and interesting place this is.
It’s taken some time but here is my ultimate list of 100 things to do in North Wales! Most of these are tried and tested and I’m planning to revisit everywhere over the next year or so to create detailed blog postas for each thing on the list!
To make it easier to navigate, I’ve roughly grouped these things to do in North Wales into 7 areas. Nowhere is more than a couple of hours drive away but this makes it easier to cluster things to do together to create day itineraries.
1. Snowdonia (Eryri)
- Key Areas: Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), Llanberis, Betws-y-Coed, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Beddgelert
- Features: Snowdonia National Park is the largest and most famous part of North Wales, known for its mountains, lakes, and outdoor activities. It includes Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales. Climbing Snowdon is one of the most popular things to do in North Wales and it’s definitely something to tick off your bucket list.
2. Anglesey (Ynys Môn)
- Key Areas: Holyhead, Beaumaris, Menai Bridge, Newborough, Rhosneigr
- Features: Anglesey is an island off the northwestern coast of Wales. It’s known for its beaches, coastal paths, ancient ruins, and the Menai Strait, which separates it from the mainland.
3. The Ll?n Peninsula (Pen Ll?n)
- Key Areas: Pwllheli, Abersoch, Nefyn, Aberdaron
- Features: The Llyn Peninsula has a special place in my heart because I have a static caravan here and spend most of the summer in Abersoch. It’s a rural and rugged coastal region that people often compare to Cornwall 50 years ago. It’s known for its beautiful beaches, charming villages, and as a popular holiday destination, especially for water sports like sailing and surfing.
4. The North Wales Coast
- Key Areas: Llandudno, Colwyn Bay, Rhyl, Prestatyn
- Features: A stretch of coastline along the Irish Sea that includes popular seaside resorts and holiday towns. Llandudno is famous for its Victorian charm, while Rhyl and Prestatyn are known for their family-friendly beaches. Some of these areas like Rhyl and Prestatyn are a bit run-down but for anyone, like me, who lives in the Wrexham area, they’re great for a day out to blow away the cobwebs at the beach.
5. The Conwy Valley
- Key Areas: Conwy, Trefriw, Dolgarrog, Llanrwst
- Features: A scenic river valley leading into Snowdonia, featuring Conwy Castle and the medieval town walls, picturesque countryside, and cultural landmarks.
6. The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley
- Key Areas: Llangollen, Mold, Ruthin, Denbigh
- Features: A designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), this area is known for its rolling hills and historic towns. Llangollen is famous for its bustling town, international music festival and the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, while Ruthin and Denbigh are notable for their castles and mediaeval history.
7. Northeast Wales
- Key Areas: Wrexham, Flint, Holywell
- Features: This region is more industrial and urban compared to the rest of North Wales, with Wrexham as the largest town in North Wales. This is where I live and, while it’s a gorgeous place to live, I wouldn’t call it a visitor attraction unless you’re visiting for Wrexham Football Club. I get shouted at for saying this but, honestly, there are much nicer places to visit!
Here it is…100 things to do in North Wales
- Climb Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) – Yr Wyddfa is the highest peak in Wales and climbing the mountain is undoubtedly the most famous thing to do! I like to go up the Pyg Track and down the Miner’s Path. They’re simple paths to follow but it is a strenuous hike so I recommend starting early to give yourself plenty of time. I’ve got a blog post with some tips to climb Yr Wyddfa here.
- Zip World – There are lots of ZipWorld locations and activities around North Wales. You can fly on the world’s fastest zip line at Penrhyn Quarry, enjoy indoor adventures in Conwy (great for rainy days with kids!) and enjoy the tree top adventures in Betws-y-Coed. They also have Bounce Below with underground caves with trampolines which is another good one for rainy days!
- Explore the Ogwen Valley – fantastic for hiking and rock climbing. Lake Ogwen Circular Walk is a nice one for the whole family.
- Coed y Brenin – This is a popular place for mountain biking and there are different hiking trails through beautiful forest landscapes. There’s a nice cafe here and a play area for kids too.
- Go Ape at Coed y Brenin – GoApe is a fun treetop adventure for the whole family.
- Kayak or paddleboard on Llyn Padarn – This is a stunning lake near Llanberis. It’s also famous for the ‘lonely tree’ if photography is your thing. It’s popular for kayaking, paddleboarding and wild swimming.
- Dolbadarn Castle – a striking tower set against the mountains of Snowdonia. This overlooks Llyn Padarn so it’s nice to combine a hike and swim.
- Wild swimming in Cwm Idwal – enjoy a hike and a swim in the glacial lake in Snowdonia National Park.
- Betws-y-Coed – My favourite village in Snowdonia. Walk along the river, dine at one of the pubs or restaurants and enjoy some outdoorsy shopping. Here’s a little tip - don’t miss the bakery inside the Spar!
- Conwy Falls – A beautiful 50-foot waterfall near Betws-y-Coed, surrounded by lush greenery. You’ll probably park at the Conwy Falls Cafe which is a great spot for lunch.
- Fairy Glen - Just down from Conwy Falls is Fairy Glen, a magical walk leading to a stunning glen. This is a really pretty spot. If you don’t want to walk from Conwy Falls you can park in a car park nearby but you do need to pay with coins.
- Swallow Falls (Rhaeadr Ewynnol) – Near Betws-y-Coed, this is a roaring waterfall on the River Llugwy. You currently need to pay about £2 to enter.
- Beddgelert - my second favourite village in Snowdonia! Walk to the grave of the loyal dog, Gelert (it’ll make sense when you get there) and possibly carry on your walk along the river and to the mountains. A small but pretty village with some nice places to eat.
- Visit The Ugly House - This is a cute little tearoom outside Betws-y-Coed. Unlike the name suggests, it’s actually a lovely, wonky stone building. Have a cup of tea and a traditional slice of Bara Brith or a Welsh Cake.
- Hike the Glyderau Range – rugged peaks with amazing views.
- Fishing, kayaking or paddleboarding at Bala Lake (Llyn Tegid) – Kayaks and paddleboards can be hired here. It’s a family-friendly place with a nice cafe and some easy walks nearby.
- Caernarfon Castle – a World Heritage site and one of the most famous castles in Wales. There’s lots to see in this royal town so stay a while and have a walk around.
- Harlech Castle – perched dramatically on a rock above the sea. Visit the castle and then head into Harlech to explore the pretty town.
- Aber Falls – a gorgeous waterfall with a lovely walk to reach it. Combine your walk with a visit to Aber Falls Gin Distillery for lunch. I’ve got a blog post about Aber Falls walk here.
- Pistyll Rhaeadr Waterfall – visit one of the tallest waterfalls in Wales. It’s a surprisingly easy walk to reach the top of Pistyll Rhaeadr and there’s a nice cafe at the bottom.
- Llanberis Slate Museum – learn about the history of slate mining in North Wales.
- Dinas Dinlle Beach – a long, pebble beach near Caernarfon.
- Snowdon Mountain Railway – This is a great option for anyone who isn’t up to the full hike as you can take the train up to the summit of Yr Wyddfa. It isn’t always running so it’s always worth checking and pre-booking your tickets.
- Bodnant Garden – This is my favourite National Trust site in North Wales. Bodnant Garden is famous for its stunning flowers and landscaped grounds and it’s a lovely place for a stroll on a sunny day.
- GreenWood Forest Park – My kids love Greenwood Forest Park. If you’re looking for a family-friendly theme park on a budget then this is the one! It’s brilliant for under 10’s and you get your money back if you visit when it rains!
- Gypsy Wood Park – This is a magical day out for younger children. There are animals and lots of activities for little ones.
- Ffestiniog Railway – a narrow-gauge steam railway through stunning scenery. This is another family-friendly one that everyone will love!
- Welsh Highland Railway – This railway links Caernarfon and Porthmadog. It passes through Snowdonia so the scenery is gorgeous.
- Portmeirion Village – This is one of my favourite and unexpected things to do in North Wales! Portmeirion is a quirky, Italianate-style village with incredible gardens. There are cafes and restaurants and shops here so it really is like wandering around an Italian village.
- King Arthur’s Labyrinth - This is one for families who love history. It’s a family fun day out to learn about the history of King Arthur.
- Dolgoch Falls – This is a series of picturesque waterfalls located near Tywyn in southern Snowdonia with woodland walks.
- Rhaeadr Ddu (Black Falls) – Found in Coed y Brenin forest, this striking waterfall requires a scenic hike through the forest.
- Walk across the Menai Suspension Bridge – The Menai Bridge is an iconic symbol of Anglesey. You can walk across it to admire both the engineering and the views.
- Paddleboarding on Conwy Estuary – This is a popular place to paddleboard and there are a few companies offering lessons and board hire.
- Horse riding on the beach in Anglesey – If horses are your thing then this is the place to ride!
- Coasteering in Holyhead – If you’re looking for adventurous things to do in North Wales then try coasteering in Holyhead to combine rock climbing, cliff jumping, and swimming.
- Beaumaris Castle – The village of Beaumaris is beautiful so it’s worth a wander around and a trip to the mediaeval fortress.
- Bryn Celli Ddu – explore this prehistoric burial chamber in Anglesey.
- Porth Dafarch Beach – this is a small cove on Anglesey which is great for swimming and sunbathing.
- Rhosneigr Beach – This popular beach is a great spot for watersports such as windsurfing and kitesurfing, as well as walking, swimming and sunbathing.
- Explore the Porth Wen Brickworks – an atmospheric industrial ruin you can hike to. I’ve got a reel on Instagram about this beautiful walk.
- Benllech Beach – an award-winning sandy beach you can’t miss on Anglesey.
- Newborough Beach + Llanddwyn Island – This is my favourite place to visit in Anglesey. It’s a beautiful beach with views of Snowdonia and the Llyn Peninsula. You can walk through the forest to the beach and over to Llanddwyn Island when the tide is low.
- South Stack Lighthouse - Visit this iconic lighthouse at sunset for the most amazing views.
- Discover Llanfairpwllgwyngyll - Visit the village with the world’s longest place name, "Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch," and take a photo with the famous railway sign.
- Plas Newydd House and Gardens – a grand house with impressive gardens on Anglesey.
- Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens – a peaceful retreat on Anglesey with beautiful scenery.
- Pili Palas Nature World – a tropical butterfly palace on Anglesey that’s great for young children.
- Anglesey Sea Zoo – discover local marine life and conservation efforts.
- Anglesey County Show –This takes place in August and has agricultural displays, food and entertainment for all ages.
- Take a boat ride along the Menai Strait - This isn’t something I’ve had the chance to do yet but rib boat rides look like a lot of fun!
- Criccieth Castle – explore the ruins and enjoy spectacular views over Cardigan Bay. There are lots of nice walks around Criccieth and it’s always nice to end in Criccieth for fish and chips and/or cake and coffee!
- Llanbedrog Beach – This is a beautiful, sheltered beach with picturesque beach huts.
- Hike up to the Tin Man - From Llanbedrog Beach you can hike up to the Tin Man, a metal sculpture overlooking the bay below. If you’d like to go further then you can hike all along the headland.
- Visit Plas Glyn y Weddw - This stunning Gothic mansion houses an art gallery and has beautiful gardens and woodland walks with views over Llanbedrog beach.
- Aberdaron Beach – located in a quaint fishing village, ideal for peaceful walks followed by a pub lunch.
- Porthdinllaen Beach + the Ty Coch Inn – a tranquil and scenic beach on the Ll?n Peninsula. The Ty Coch Inn is a famous pub on the beach. I’ve got a reel about visiting here.
- Abersoch - An upmarket village with great restaurants and cafes, known for Abersoch Beach with its colourful beach huts.
- Trefor Beach - This is a lovely sheltered bay and if you walk along the coast there’s a nice cafe there too.
- Porth Iago - A real hidden gem on the Llyn Peninsula! You can camp here too. It’s quite difficult to find so I suggest reading my blog post about finding Porth Iago.
- Whistling Sands - This beautiful National Trust beach is a must-visit on the Llyn Peninsula. The beach gets its name from the ultra fine sand that squeaks and whistles beneath your feet.
- Go surfing at Hell’s Mouth - This long, wild beach is great for surfing, bodyboarding or generally blowing away the cobwebs on a blustery day.
- Explore the Great Orme by foot or cable car – A must-do when you’re in Llandudno for panoramic views from the summit.
- Penmaenmawr Beach – walk along this peaceful sandy beach. There’s a kid’s splash pool and playground next to a cafe so it’s a good place to stop along the A55 if you’re heading to the Llyn Peninsula.
- Penrhyn Castle – a neo-Norman mansion with stunning interiors and gardens.
- St. Tudno’s Church – a peaceful, ancient church on the Great Orme.
- Llandudno Promenade – You have to take a leisurely walk along this Victorian-era seafront to buy donuts and admire the views.
- Great Orme Tramway – ride to the top of the Great Orme for amazing views of Llandudno.
- Colwyn Bay Beach – a popular spot for families with easy access and lovely views.
- Llandudno Museum & Gallery – learn about the history of this Victorian seaside town.
- Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza – a yearly festival with vintage vehicles and performances.
- Watch a performance at Venue Cymru – a cultural hotspot in Llandudno.
- Welsh Mountain Zoo – in Colwyn Bay, home to a wide range of animals and fun exhibits.
- Explore Gwydir Forest Park – a great location for hiking and picnicking.
- Conwy Castle – another World Heritage site, with impressive medieval architecture.
- Plas Mawr – a well-preserved Elizabethan townhouse in Conwy.
- RSPB Conwy Nature Reserve – a great spot for birdwatching and tranquil walks.
- Conwy Feast – an annual food festival showcasing local produce.
- Gwydir Castle Gardens – explore these historically significant gardens near Llanrwst.
- Denbigh Castle – mediaeval ruins with rich history to uncover.
- Rug Chapel – a beautifully preserved 17th-century chapel near Corwen.
- Rhug Estate - This organic farm shop is a popular place to stop when driving through. The farm shop is amazing and there is a drive-thru but it’s a good place to stretch your legs.
- Marble Church, Bodelwyddan– famous for its architecture and surrounding war graves.
- Moel Arthur Hill Fort – hike up to this Iron Age fort for stunning views.
- Explore the Llangollen Canal – known for its aqueducts and beautiful waterside walks. You can paddleboard along the canal too.
- Llangollen Railway – a scenic steam train ride through the Dee Valley.
- Llangollen Fringe Festival – a celebration of arts, comedy, and music.
- Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod – experience the vibrant Welsh culture.
- Pontcysyllte Aqueduct – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an impressive canal aqueduct that you can walk across or take a canal boat across.
- Rhaeadr Dyserth – Located in the village of Dyserth, this 70-foot waterfall is easily accessible and surrounded by charming paths.
- Barmouth Beach – popular family-friendly beach with golden sands.
- Shell Island – known for its rich marine life and amazing beach views.
- Black Rock Sands – drive onto the beach and enjoy its vast sandy expanse.
- Watch a Wrexham match - Tickets can be hard to come by now that Wrexham AFC is owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny but if you can get a ticket at the famous Racecourse ground, which is the world’s oldest international football stadium still in use, then it’s a fun day out.
- Visit Nant Mill, Plas Power Woodland and Bersham Waterfall - This is a popular spot for cold dipping too. I've got a blog post about visiting Bersham Waterfall here.
- Visit Erddig Hall - An 18th century National Trust country house. They often have events going on, especially around the children’s school holidays. My favourite is the autumn Apple Festival.
- Chirk Castle - Another National Trust Property with great events, especially around Easter and Christmas.
- Ty Mawr Country Park - A lovely place for a walk and a picnic with great views across to the aqueduct.
- Visit St Giles Church - One of the Seven Wonders of Wales, St Giles' Church is a magnificent mediaeval church in the heart of Wrexham.
- Alyn Waters Country Park - This large country park is a great place for riverside walks, picnics, bike rides and play parks.