As well as the mountains we have sand, sea, beaches and bays as well as rocky peaks, hills and forests. We’re home to 200 miles of coast and more than 45 beaches, as well as one of the most spectacular stretches of the pioneering Wales Coast Path, a world’s first.
As well as the mountains we have sand, sea, beaches and bays as well as rocky peaks, hills and forests. We’re home to 200 miles of coast and more than 45 beaches, as well as one of the most spectacular stretches of the pioneering Wales Coast Path, a world’s first.
Given the prominence of our mountains, it’s not surprising that our coastline can sometimes fly under the radar. But take the time to investigate and you’ll discover beguiling places like the Llŷn Peninsula’s squeaky clean Porth Oer, also known as Whistling Sands. It’s a geological oddity where the beach audibly squeaks beneath your feet, a phenomenon that occurs in only a handful of places worldwide.
Shell Island near Harlech is famous for … guess what? For a sense of the Sahara go to endless Black Rock Sands near Porthmadog, Barmouth or Dinas Dinlle near Caernarfon. And if small and seductive resorts are your coastal cup of tea, you’ll love places like Aberdyfi and Abersoch.
Here’s a quick run-down, from north to south, of some of our coastal highlights:
Penmaenmawr
Long, sandy beach with sailing club and attractive promenade.
Llanfairfechan
Fun, family-friendly seaside village with large sandy beach. The nearby Traeth Lafan Nature Reserve is a great place for birdwatching.
Dinas Dinlle, near Caernarfon
Enormous beach with widescreen views to match. Great for walkers, windsurfers and power kiters.
Nefyn
Two miles of sweeping sands, scooped out of the coastline in perfect crescents. The impossibly pretty National Trust village of Porthdinllaen is perfect too.
Porth Oer, near Aberdaron
A true one-of-a-kind, with ‘Whistling Sands’ that really do squeak underfoot.
Aberdaron
Broad sandy beach on Llŷn’s ‘land’s end’, sheltered between two spectacular headlands
Abersoch
One of our most popular resorts. A big hit with families, watersports enthusiasts, shoppers and people watchers.
Pwllheli South Beach (Marian-y-De)
A three-mile curve of sand and shingle, backed by rolling dunes.
Morfa Bychan (Black Rock Sands)
This big beach’s golden sands, rock pools and dunes make it a popular spot for families.
Harlech
Untouched sandy beach, backed by dunes and theatrically overlooked by Harlech Castle.
Shell Island, Llanbedr
Sand, dunes and, of course, shells.
Barmouth/Abermaw
Bustling resort town that boasts a huge sandy beach, plus views over the mountains and Mawddach Estuary.
Tywyn
Popular surfing beach with almost five miles of sand, and also a good place to spot dolphins and porpoises.
Aberdyfi
Dramatically located at the mouth of the Dyfi Estuary, this big sandy beach is great for windsurfing and wildlife spotting.
Conwy Marina and Quay is a great place to sit and watch the world go by, whether it’s with fish and chips from the wrapper, or a drink outside the Liverpool Arms. Take a look around the muscle museum, smallest house, RNLI boathouse, or simply take in the stunning views.
Next door to Ogwen Bank Holiday Park is one of the biggest attractions in the Uk, Zip World is located in the world’s largest slate quarry, Penrhyn Quarry which is now home to the fastest zip line in the world, Velocity 2, where you can fly 500m above the bright blue quarry lake. If you are looking to experience the zip wire, then why not make a long weekend of it by renting one of our weekend pods with hot tubs overlooking the stunning Ogwen River.
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HOME TO OUR WORLD-FIRST SURF LAGOON.
It’s a splendid sight to behold: guaranteed waves set against a backdrop of mountains and forests, right in the heart of beautiful North Wales. Our man-made inland waves roll in beginner, intermediate and advanced zones.
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Just down the road from Ogwen Park is the historic and iconic Conwy Castle. Climb to the top of one of Conwy Castle's eight towers to get a stunning view of Conwy, explore the inner and outer wards with their many rooms and explore the castle walls with their 21 towers that completely enclose Conwy town. Conwy is a delightful town, stepped in history with strong independent shops, great food, and a lively atmosphere.
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Venue Cymru is a theatre, conference centre and arena in Llandudno, Conwy county borough, North Wales. Formerly known as the Aberconwy Centre and the North Wales Theatre and Conference Centre, is now a large arts, conference and events venue. Venue Cymru has a theatre, conference centre, and arena.
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There's more to MOSTYN than its reputation as the foremost contemporary gallery and visual arts centre in Wales.
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Squeeze in and see what it would be like to live in Britain's smallest house.
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Constituted in 1881 by Queen Victoria the Royal Cambrian Academy in Conwy is a centre for artistic excellence in Wales, it aims to exhibit work by members of the Academy, to promote up and coming artists of quality, to mount historical exhibitions and offer a lively venue for education.
Conwy RSPB reserve is a nature reserve of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds situated on the east side of the Conwy estuary in Conwy county borough, North Wales. It covers 47 hectares and protects a variety of habitats including grassland, scrubland, reedbeds, salt marsh and mudflats.
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With expansive lawns and intimate corners, grand ponds and impressive terraces, a steep wooded valley and stream, as well as remarkable plant collections from all over the world, Bodnant Garden is one of Wales’ best gardens and a great place to relax and unwind
The Welsh Mountain Zoo is also known as the National Zoo of Wales, the oldest and most established Zoo in Wales having been born as a small family run business in 1963.
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Llandudno is shopping offers the perfect blend of modern malls and speciality shopping
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Beaumaris is a captivating seaside town, with its mix of medieval, Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian architecture.
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Based in Llandudno is the other North Wales coffee shop to be honoured with a place in the latest Indy Coffee Guide.
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Osborne House in Llandudno is a boutique hotel, all lavish drapes and flouncy frills, has a lively bar for drinks with a sense of timeless elegance.
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The Bull is located on the south east coast of Anglesey in the heart of the pretty town of Beaumaris. A seaside town rich in history, Beaumaris is a place to relax and indulge in the breathtaking views over the Menai Strait and Snowdonia mountain range.
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Aber Falls Distillery have a premium range of small batch, handcrafted gins and liqueurs. Our Visitor Centre is open for tours of the distillery and your chance to experience the skill and passion that goes into Aber Falls spirits.
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First established in 2012, the brewery has grown, although it is still considered a micro-brewery.
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Gwinllan Conwy was founded by wine enthusiasts Colin and Charlotte Bennett. They work together with Vineyard Manager Sarah Stewart, also assisted by their girls Tillie and Hattie at harvest time. Gwinllan Conwy invite you to join them for a unique vineyard experience, in a beautiful part of North Wales.
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The chef Bryn Williams is chiefly known - outside Wales, at least - for cooking the Queen’s 80th birthday dinner, and as chef-proprietor of the much-lauded Odette's in London
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Halen Môn is now one of the world's top salts, and its behind-the-scenes story is well told at their visitor centre.
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A new indoor climbing facility serving the North Wales area, we offer a welcoming space for both the local community and visiting holidaymakers. The Boathouse Climbing Centre is located in the Old Lifeboat Station in Llandudno
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Gear up for a gravity-fuelled adventure with Quarry Karts! Take on the UK’s ONLY mountain cart experience as you fly down the Penrhyn Quarry mountains, alongside the world’s fastest zip line!
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