North Wales: An 8-Day Tour Through Snowdonia
Castles, coastlines and Snowdonia in one carefully paced North Wales itinerary — designed for travellers who want history, scenery and character without doing all the planning themselves.
- Four UNESCO World Heritage castles in one week: Caernarfon, Conwy, Beaumaris and Harlech
- The full Snowdonia experience, including Yr Wyddfa and the Snowdon Mountain Railway
- Seafront Llandudno, walled Conwy and a country-house hotel in Snowdonia
- Anglesey standing stones, Beaumaris Castle and coastal scenery
- Portmeirion, Bodnant Garden, the Great Orme Tramway and the National Slate Museum
Your Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrive in Manchester, Transfer to Llandudno
You’ll be met at Manchester or Liverpool airport (depending on your flights) and driven 90 minutes to Llandudno, a beautifully preserved Victorian seaside resort. Built in the 1850s, it retains its elegant promenade, historic pier, and the cable car to Great Orme.
Check into your seafront hotel, settle in, and walk the promenade as the sun goes over the Irish Sea.
Llandudno, Great Orme & Bodnant Garden
Spend the morning exploring walkable Llandudno before riding the historic Great Orme Tramway to the summit for panoramic views over Liverpool Bay and Snowdonia.
At the summit, visit the Bronze Age copper mine and see the famous Kashmiri goats. In the afternoon, explore the magnificent Bodnant Garden before returning to Llandudno for dinner.
Conwy Castle, Town Walls & the Conwy Valley
Drive 20 minutes to Conwy, home to one of Britain’s most spectacular castles. Built by Edward I in the 1280s, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is remarkably intact, with medieval town walls offering superb views over the harbour.
Spend the morning exploring Conwy Castle and its walls, then continue through the scenic Conwy Valley with stops in Trefriw and Betws-y-Coed before arriving at your country-house hotel in Snowdonia.
Snowdonia & the Summit of Yr Wyddfa
Ride the historic Snowdon Mountain Railway from Llanberis to the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), Wales’ highest peak, enjoying spectacular views as you climb through some of Britain’s most dramatic scenery.
We’ll secure your Snowdon Mountain Railway tickets in advance. In the afternoon, visit the National Slate Museum in Llanberis, a fascinating introduction to the UNESCO-listed slate landscape that helped roof the British Empire.
Caernarfon Castle & Royal Town
Drive to Caernarfon, where Edward I’s magnificent castle dominates the Menai Strait. This UNESCO World Heritage Site stands at the heart of one of Wales’ strongest Welsh-speaking communities, where the language is heard throughout the town.
Spend the morning exploring Caernarfon Castle before lunch by the harbour. In the afternoon, cross the Menai Strait via Telford’s elegant suspension bridge to the Isle of Anglesey.
The Isle of Anglesey
Spend the day exploring the Isle of Anglesey, an island rich in history and coastal scenery. Begin at Beaumaris Castle, the finest example of Edward I’s UNESCO-listed Welsh fortresses and a masterpiece of medieval military architecture.
Continue to Llanfairpwll for a photo at the famous long-name station before visiting South Stack Lighthouse for spectacular coastal views. End the day at Newborough Forest and the tidal island of Llanddwyn, one of Wales’ most beautiful coastal landscapes.
Portmeirion & Harlech Castle
Cross back to the mainland and drive south to Portmeirion, the whimsical Italian-inspired village created by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis. Set on a Welsh estuary, it’s famed for its colourful architecture, beautiful gardens, and as the filming location for The Prisoner.
Allow time to explore Portmeirion before continuing to Harlech Castle, spectacularly perched above Cardigan Bay with Snowdonia as its backdrop. Afterwards, drive north for your final overnight in Chester or Llandudno.
Last day of your trip
Transfer to Manchester or Liverpool Airport for your return flight home.
The Route
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