Betws-y-Coed!
Unpronounceable but beautiful, like many other places in Wales. This charming village, located at the centre of Snowdonia in Wales, is truly the gateway to Snowdonia and surrounds.
From this perfect base you are just short drives away from waterfalls, castles and lovely landscapes.
Here’s a map for four good road trips.
Day Trip number 1
Let us begin with the three superb waterfalls and forest walks just minutes from Betsw-y-Coed.
SWALLOW FALLS
Just 3 miles from Betws-y-Coed village are the Swallow falls, also known as Rhaeadr Ewynnol (no, we never even tried to pronounce it). Here the river Llungwy cascades 42 meters down a narrow chasm – a craggy limestone gorge. This stunning waterfall has a background of trees – birch, conifer and beech – which gives the cascade a swallow wing-like look, quite dramatic in a forest setting.
No strenuous walking or hiking required. The falls can be viewed from a higher location above the river. However, there are steps leading to a platform closer to the river edge for a better view.
It’s a lovely place to visit in Snowdonia all year round as River Llugwy is a natural body of water and flows all year. A convenient car park in the hotel just across the road makes it easy to spend as long as you like taking in the beauty of this waterfall.
PONT-Y-PAIR BRIDGE, FALLS AND FOREST WALK
Another beautiful spot lies just minutes away from Betws-y-Coed village, ideal for clicking photos and giving your legs a workout.
The famous Cauldron bridge is worth walking over. As you walk over it, you can see quaint Victorian buildings on the river bank and the bubbling waterfall well framed with branches of the Gwydir forest trees.
There is a convenient car park just next to it from where you can take the various forest walks listed there on the signboard. We found ‘the Coed Tan Dinas walk’ short and pleasant. There are longer and more strenuous walks up to 10 kms for seasoned walkers. Be careful of slippery paths with leaves drenched with dew and rain.
CONWY FALLS AND CAFÉ
Conwy Falls is another beautiful, natural waterfall running through the Conwy Falls Forest Park. The main waterfall on River Conwy cascades down about 50 feet (15 m). The waterfall is split into two by a limestone gorge.
The forest park here has many viewpoints and pathways to take up hikes with views. We found that the viewing the falls is a bit of a challenge due to thick forest vegetation and a lot of uneven steps.
The Conwy café here is popular and interesting. There are outdoor and indoor seating areas and the menu has a wide choice, spanning coffees to soups, salads to burgers, and the inevitable fish and chips. The path to the forest walk is located at the back of the café. There is adequate parking in front of the café.
Day Trip number 2
Within an hour’s drive southwards from Betws-y-Coed are Portmeirion and Harlech castle.
Portmeirion – the Italian-style tourist village
This colorful tourist village created by the famous Welsh architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis is a must-see! The underlying idea was to bring Mediterranean to Wales. Sir Clough developed this concept over 50 years starting in 1925.
But why would there be an artificial village in a beautiful country full of natural scenic beauty? – we wondered.
We were truly surprised to see a full car park and loads of people there, evidence that many people like the idea.
Portmeirion is advertised as a resort-style place where you stay in nice rooms and enjoy top-end services. It has a classy hotel and good restaurants. The village itself is also open to daytime visitors like us.
The architecture looks eclectic and colorful with gold metallic finishes. It is a mix of the Middle East (reminded me of Dubai) and Europe. You will find a potpourri of arches, slopes, statues, a huge chess board, plus outdoor cafes, heated pool, kids play areas. Overall, it looks like a mix of make-believe buildings created for a play setting.
We walked around, and took some pictures. The location next to River Dwyryd is lovely.
Harlech Castle
The spectacular location of Harlech castle, perched on top of a rocky crag and towering over the scenic Tremadog Bay and countryside, makes it one of the most formidable and impressive castles in Wales. It was built by Edward I in the 13th century during his invasion of Wales. It is one of the Iron ring castles along with Caernarfon, Conwy, and Beaumaris.
You can climb to the top of the towers and walk the same ancient walls and paths that the 13th century soldiers walked on. The panoramic views out to the coast on one side and Snowdonia mountains on the other side are simply stunning.
Day Trip number 3
Drive westwards from Betws-y-Coed for about 40 minutes and you will reach the beautiful Llanberis lake and Caernarfon castle.
CAERNARFON CASTLE
Located in the picturesque town of Caernarfon on the Menai Strait is another 13th century castle built by Edward I of England. There are polygonal towers instead of round ones and two huge gatehouses. The Museum of Royal Welsh Fusiliers inside the castle has a good exhibition of guns, uniforms and medals.
It is also the place where Price Charles was crowned as Prince of Wales in 1969.
The castle is now in ruins but is a good place to walk around the corridors and rooms.
Llanberis Lake and surrounds
Amazing views, beautiful scenery and peaceful walks.
Many hikers start their hike up the Snowdonia mountains from Llanberis village in northwest Wales. Walking and exploring the Llanberis lake and surrounding lakeside village is truly relaxing and peaceful. The scenery around the stunning lake, the woods, snow-clad peaks of Snowdonia is perfect for some great photo ops.
The walks are as far as 6 miles. Parts of the walk are uphill and downhill. Benches are provided to rest and picnic. As this route is circular, there are parking slots on side roads around the lake.
If you like old trains, try out the Snowdon mountain railway and Llanberis lake railway which gives you scenic views up Snowdon or around the lake.
Day trip no. 4
Drive towards north and northeast from Betws-y-Coed for about an hour and you will reach the famous Conwy castle and St. Winefried’s Well.
CONWY CASTLE
Conwy is yet another castle built by Edward 1 as part of the Iron Ring of Castles.
This castle is a UNESCO Heritage Site and is considered as one of the finest examples of 13th century military architecture in Europe.
Soaring curtain walls and eight huge round towers gives this castle a truly daunting appearance. It is protected on two sides by the Conwy and Gyffin Rivers.
The view from the top is the best part of visiting this castle. You will see three bridges – a road bridge, a rail bridge and the Conwy suspension bridge – plus a panoramic view of the distant mountains.
ST WINEFRIED’S WELL
This famous well located in the town of Holywell in North Wales is one of the Seven Wonders of Wales. It is a Grade 1 listed building and is claimed to be the oldest visited pilgrimage site in Great Britain.
The water is said to have healing properties, leading to miraculous cures from a severed head to infertility, and hence this place is known as ‘the Lourdes of Wales’ – based on the French town with similar beliefs.
There is a visitor centre and an exhibition that explains the history of the site. The venue itself was beautiful and calming. We received a very friendly welcome and took our time walking around the buildings and the well.
If you are looking for a restful holiday seeing beautiful places, make Betws-y-Coed your base and explore the scenic region of Snowdonia in Wales.
How lovely we were just in North Wales last weekend! Betsw-y-Coed is so well located to enjoy the immense natural beauty of this region, and as you’ve shown it’s not far from there to a range of great sights such Portmeirion and some of Wales’ amazing castles. Rivers, waterfalls, mountains and valleys are glorious, the Pont-y-Pair walk looks like a good way to enjoy some of those views.
Any one of these road trips would suit me! It makes a good case for spending several days in Wales exploring from the home base at Betws-y-Coed. I especially love the look of Harlech castle – it’s something right out of a fairy tale! I’m also drawn to the healing waters of St. Winifred’s Well. We’re planning a trip to the UK sometime in the next 18 months, so this road trip itinerary will come in handy! I think we’ll have to plan more than a pass-thru, for sure.
Looks like a lovely area! Portmeirion seems like a beautiful village. Great post 🙂
Wow – Snowdonia Wales is beautiful. I’d love to visit the castles! Conway Castle looks incredible. We enjoy seeing World Heritage Sites. Thanks for sharing.
I need to explore more this part of Wales! I have been to Conwy but that little colourful village look stunning! Thanks for this nice suggestions!
This seems like an ideal way to holiday in Wales, in nature’s lap. Our travel plans in Europe would theme around castles for my kids, so this post would be really helpful. The castles look sturdy and strong even today! St. Winifred’s Well has a mysterious aura around it. Hopefully I can visit soon some day.
Your post reminded me just how much I love this part of Wales from its waterfalls to its castles. Portmeirion is one of my favourite places to visit, so unique and so beautiful. I feel after reading your post it is time for me to re-visit these delights.
We were in Wales briefly in 2015. Saw the Caernarfon Castle ruins. Had no idea there were beautiful falls around and even lovelier castles.
What a lovely part of the world! We went to Conwy Castle the other month but it was closed due to high winds – will definitely need to go back. Thanks for sharing these other spots!
There are many natural beauties to see at Betws-y-Coed! I’d like to go for a walk across the Cauldron Bridge. I was also blown away by the architectural styles of Portmeirion and Caernarfon Castle. Snowdonia, in Wales, is an ideal location for vacations!
So gorgeous! I definitely want to stay in Portmeirion if I somehow go in my lifetime. It looks so luxurious!
So green…….and so unpronounceable. Love the castle. It all looks really interesting!!
We are heading back to snowdonia to take part in some activities that were called off due to weather last summer. I haven’t been to conwy castle yet or Caernarfon and i’ve been debating on adding those to my trip. We did manage to see Llanberis castle and there are some waterfalls there too.
This is a place that I have never heard of before. It looks just so beautiful there! We are big on castles so we would have to visit all of them along the way in Wales. Many of them are so big though that it takes a whole day to explore them. I hope to visit Wales someday soon.
I’ve never been to Wales. Llanberis Lake looks beautiful. Seems like the perfect place for a weekend getaway!
What a beautiful place! Betws-y-Coed is the perfect base to explore this part of Wales. Thanks so much for the tips!
Fabulous post! I love that you have included so much more than just Snowdon! My favourite thing about snowdonia is the fabulous cozy pubs. The castles and waterfalls all look incredible. Great photos. 🙂
Looks like a wonderful place, I would like to see the castles and capture the beauty of the waterfalls. Great article, well done!
Seriously, I need to visit Wales asap! I absolutely love all the places I’ve visited in Great Britain so far, and I can’t wait to explore more whenever I get the chance . I’ve been recommended Snowdonia before, but never this place – so thanks for the great ideas and information.
Snowdonia, Wales looks breathtaking. I can’t express my feelings for your pictures as there are appeared as fairytale stories to me. All castles and water falls looked so perfect, so mesmerizing. I wish to visit one day these places, roam around like a princess and chase all the castles especially CAERNARFON and CONWY castles.
I would love to go to Wales, your photos are so beautiful!
Your post brought back memories of an extended trip to Wales a few years ago. I visited most of the places mentioned in your post. After our visit to Portmeirion I bought the “Prisoner Nr 1” series, that was filmed in the artificial village. It is a bit old fashioned but great fun to watch, I think.
Hahaha – who would have guessed that the hardest part of a trip could be the names of places!?! But since you can enjoy those beautiful landscapes without calling them, it shows that you had a wonderful time. I haven’t been to Wales yet, but I’m definitely interested in going. Therefore, I’m bookmarking this informative post for further reference.
On the travel wish list! Would love to visit Wales. And the charming village of Betws-y-Coed sounds like a great base to explore. So many amazing outdoor spots to explore. Portmeirion is indeed a colourful town to wander in. And the castles in the area such a contrast.
Snowdonia looks beautiful, I haven’t heard about this place before. But I’d love to go now! Thanks for sharing
Betws-y-Coed looks and sounds like the perfect base camp to explore the scenic region of Snowdonia in Wales. Greatly appreciate this guide and the sample itineraries. So beautiful!
Castles are always a must in the UK and here I loved the architecture of Harlech and Caernarfon! Well done putting together this list! It’s a perfect inspiration to visit Wales!
Wow, I’ve never heard of this place but it sure looks interesting! Thank you so much for writing such a helpful travel guide! 🙂
This was like the most perfect trip back in time for me and I loved reading it! This part of North Wales is so beautiful – you’ve reminded me that I really need to go back and visit it again, after many years!
Betws-y-Coed – what an interesting name and sounds like quite a charming place too! So many beautiful places to visit around – thanks a lot for sharing 🙂