Renowned for its stunning landscapes, breath-taking coastline, and rich history, it’s not hard to find things to do in North Wales.
Whether you fancy delving into history, hiking up towering mountains, spotting the local wildlife, or trying out new watersports. There are plenty of North Wales attractions with something for everyone.
Continue reading to discover the top things to do in North Wales…
Things to Do in North Wales
Home to a diverse range of landscapes, including the iconic Snowdonia National Park, North Wales is an adventurer’s paradise.
North Wales is always a good idea whatever time of year! Visit in Spring to see the region burst into colour, Summer to relax on world-class beaches, Autumn to enjoy hikes through golden forests, or Winter, to see beautiful landscapes decorated in frost and snow. It’s simply enchanting!
You’ll always find plenty of things to see and do, whether you’re looking for things to do for families in North Wales, things to do for couples, things to do with dogs, or things to do when it’s raining. North Wales caters to all!
Jump to your favourite attraction with our handy links below:
1. Snowdonia National Park
First up on our guide on things to do in North Wales is the world-famous Eryri National Park, also known as Snowdonia. Arguably, one of the most popular North Wales attractions, there are plenty of activities to get involved with in Wales’s largest National Park.
There are many ways to explore the park, whether that’s on a two-footed adventure, your bike, or on horseback. You’ll find plenty of scenic walks in Snowdonia to choose from, all of which offer exceptional views from a different perspective.
If you’re craving adventure, you can climb dramatic rock faces, embark on a Snowdon Safari, or take on the imposing Yr Wyddfa. Standing at a great 1,085 metres, the hike up Snowdon is challenging, but extremely rewarding with exceptional views across Llyn Llydaw.
For those who don’t fancy the climb, there is the Snowdon Mountain Railway which leads you up to the summit from Llanberis.
Swap the land for Snowdon’s vast lakes and wonderful waterfalls and try your hand at canoeing, kayaking, canyoning, surfing, white water rafting, and wild swimming. After all that adventure, why not enjoy a well-deserved pint at the cosy pub of Cwellyn Arms in Rhyd-Ddu?
For more things to do in the park, check out our guide to Snowdon’s mighty mountains and our blog on things to do in Snowdonia in winter.
2. Llyn Peninsula
For those craving the sights and sounds of the coast, the glorious Llyn Peninsula AONB is the place to be! Boasting 100 miles of stunning coastline, home to sandy beaches, sweeping bays, picturesque harbour towns, and wildlife rich cliffs.
As well as a rich history, pilgrims used to wander along the peninsula in order to reach Bardsey Island, which is considered a sacred place.
Follow in the footsteps of the pilgrims on the ultimate coastal walk and join onto the renowned Wales Coast Path. Stretching for 870-miles, this famous trail offers the very best of the Llyn Peninsula’s exceptional coastline.
If you don’t fancy the hike, you’ll find plenty of other things to do along the peninsula. Unwind with your favourite book or enjoy watersports in Abersoch, test out your swing at Nefyn & District Golf Club in Nefyn, visit the castles of Pwllheli and Criccieth, or go wildlife watching at South Stack.
Travelling with your pooch? Check out our guide to the best dog-friendly cafes on the Llyn Peninsula.
3. Conwy Castle
Taking centre stage in the historic town of Conwy is the magnificent Conwy Castle. It is renowned for being one of North Wales’s most intact castles and boasts UNESCO World Heritage status.
Seven hundred years ago, the castle was built by King Edward I in his bid to conquer North Wales.
His other castles include the grand castles of Harlech, Caernarfon, and Beaumaris. Conwy Castle was built over four years and sits adjacent to the Conwy Suspension Bridge so as to control access to the sea and monitor trade routes.
Journey back through time as you explore the wonders of the Great Hall, hidden passageways, and private medieval chambers.
Don’t forget to explore the towers, where you can enjoy spectacular views out over the town and out towards the dramatic mountains of Snowdonia.
After visiting the castle, make the most of your time in Conwy by wandering along the historic town walls, where the breath-taking views continue. Find out more things you can do in Conwy with our handy guide.
4. Welsh Mountain Zoo
If you’re looking for things to do in North Wales with families, look no further than the popular Welsh Mountain Zoo. Located in Colwyn Bay, the zoo is set within 37 acres of parkland and looks out over the coastline and the Carneddau Mountains.
Welsh Mountain Zoo is home to over eighty different species. Including Snow Leopards, Red Pandas, Sumatran Tiger, Eurasian Brown Bear, American Alligator, and Californian Sea Lions.
The little ones will love visiting the Children’s Farm, where they can get up close to sweet rabbits, ducks, chickens, and guinea pigs.
Stop to refuel at the Penguin Cafe which offers panoramic views overlooking the penguins and chimpanzees. You can also enjoy a bite to eat at the Safari Restaurant or on the go from the sweet shop and Penguin Kiosk.
Be sure to check out the daily talks and feeding sessions, where you can learn more about your favourite animals and how they behave.
5. National Trust Bodnant Garden
Offering a perfect day out amongst nature for all is the world-famous Bodnant Garden. The garden is ideally located within the Snowdonia National Park and offers stunning views of the Carneddau Mountains.
The gardens span eighty acres and features grand terraces, enchanting woodlands, and neat lawns.
Take in the vibrant colours in the Formal Garden, where you can walk through the much-photographed Laburnum Arch. Or take in the historic garden architecture of The Pin Mill on the Old Terrace and The Poem in The Glades.
Enjoy a cup of coffee and a slice of cake at the Pavilion and Magnolia tea rooms, where you can sit indoors or dine alfresco. The gardens also enjoy a play area in the car park, complete with a den building area and a willow maze for the little ones to enjoy.
Whether you’re taking in the views of Waterfall Bridge, strolling through the wildflower meadows, or exploring the Winter and Round Gardens, Bodnant Gardens should definitely be on your list of places to visit in North Wales.
6. Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
For something a little different when looking for things to do in North Wales, check out the awe-inspiring Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.
The aqueduct was built in 1805 by Thomas Telford in order to connect Shropshire and North West England. It enjoys the surroundings of the pretty Dee Valley and is located near the town of Llangollen.
Years later, the aqueduct and canal gained UNESCO World Heritage status. The structure proudly offers visitors a scenic boat trip, with the option to have one pulled by a horse, for 11 miles.
There is a pathway along the canal for those who would prefer to walk or cycle. Along the way, you will be treated to some fabulous sites, including Plas Newydd, Horseshoe Falls, Chirk Castle, and Valle Crucis Abbey. It’s no surprise it made our guide to the best free things to do in North Wales!
7. Portmerion Village
Step into North Wales’s very own version of Italy with a visit to the pretty village of Portmeirion. Located on the edges of the Snowdonia National Park, the village is popular for its striking architecture, built and designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis over forty-eight years.
If certain points in Portmeirion look familiar, you would be right as it was the setting for the 1960’s TV series ‘The Prisoner’. The village pays homage to its TV fame with an annual Prisoner Convention and The Prisoner Shop.
The village will have you feeling like you are walking through the Mediterranean, with its colour washed buildings, award-winning restaurants, and charming shops.
Let your stresses melt away with a visit to The Mermaid Spa. Offering a range of indulgent treatments sure to leave you feeling pampered!
Or explore the vibrant sub-tropical gardens, spanning for 70-acres, they provide the most fabulous backdrop for the village. Budding historians will not want to miss the fascinating Amis Reunis, a former Porthmadog trading ketch converted by Clough himself.
8. Zip World
For a day of thrills and adventure with the whole family, look no further than Zip World. Set across three scenic locations in North Wales, Zip World offers twenty-nine adrenaline-packed activities and adventures.
Head to Betwys-y-Coed, where you will find the popular Zip World Fforest. Here you can zoom through the forest on the Fforest Coaster, the UK’s only alpine coaster and explore the treetops on a Zip Safari 60ft above the ground.
If you’re feeling brave, you can drop 100ft through a trap door on Plummet, the world’s first tandem drop experience. Or enjoy superb views as you swing 80ft in the air aboard the Skyride.
Swap the forest for the mystical underground mines at Zip World Llechwedd in Blaenau Ffestiniog. Enjoy deep mine tours, a game of underground golf, exploring the caverns, or the slides and trampolines of Bounce Below.
The thrillseekers amongst you won’t want to miss out on the famous Titan, a four-person zip line where you will soar across the stunning Llechwedd Quarry.
Discover further adventures at the Penrhyn Quarry site, home to the high-speed Aero Explorer, Velocity, Quarry Karts, and the Quarry Flyer. Or if you’re struggling to decide which site to visit first, browse our ultimate guide to Zip World for further inspiration.
9. The Great Orme
One of the most popular Llandudno attractions, the Great Orme is renowned for its breath-taking views, excellent wildlife watching opportunities, and outdoor activities.
There are a variety of footpaths to follow in the pursuit of reaching the headlands 679ft summit. At the top you will be rewarded with awe-inspiring views of Snowdonia, Anglesey, and on a clear day, further afield to the Isle of Man, the Lake District, and Blackpool.
Explore the park further, where you can visit the fascinating Bronze Age copper mines, the 6th-century St. Tudno’s Church, and an Iron Age Fort. Refuel at the Summit Complex with a hot chocolate and a bite to eat in the cafe or a crisp pint in the bar, before enjoying a game of mini golf.
If you came for the views but don’t fancy the hike, the Great Orme Tramway is open from late March to late October and offers scenic rides up to just below the summit.
Alternatively, feel like you’re on an alpine adventure with a ride in one of the summit’s cable cars, offering superb, panoramic views. You can enjoy a ride aboard the cable cars from April-October.
Browse our blog on walks in North Wales to find your next hiking adventure!
10. GreenWood Family Park
When looking for things to do in North Wales for families, the GreenWood Family Park should be at the top of your list! This award-winning attraction offers the perfect day out for all the family near the Snowdonia National Park.
Set on the outskirts of Y Felinheli, the park offers action and adventure at every turn. The park is home to a variety of fantastic rides, including the Green Dragon Roller Coaster, Solar Splash, MoonKarts, and the Enchanted River Ride.
Children can also enjoy the delights of the Great Green Run, the longest sledge run in North Wales, the Giant Jumper, Little Green Run, Tunnel Warren, Mini Tractors and Diggers.
There’s also a great selection of family activities, including Cwtch Corner, where you can pet sweet farm animals, The Giant Quest, the BareFoot Trail, Dragon Maze, archery, The WildWeb, Den Building, and Forest Theatre.
For the best views in the park, head to the Snowdon View Point, where you can enjoy the fantastic scenery of Wales’s largest mountain range. If you’ve built up an appetite after all those rides, head to the Woodbarn Cafe which serves tasty lunches and has a soft play area for the kids.
If you’re looking for more things to do with the little ones, check out our guide on things to do with kids in North Wales.
11. The Smallest House In Great Britain
Next up, we have one of our favourite Conwy attractions, the quirky Smallest House in Great Britain. Standing at just 122 inches high and 72 inches wide, the house has become one of the popular places to visit in North Wales.
The house stands out with its bold red pain at the end of a terrace of houses along the town’s quayside. The last person to live in the house was a local 6’3ft fisherman called Robert Jones, before being deemed too small for inhabitants and becoming the attraction it is today.
It’s status as the smallest house was confirmed by the Guinness Book of World Records in the 1920’s and still remains in the Jones family to this day.
12. Parys Mountain
One of the more unusual things to do in North Wales is the unique attraction of Parys Mountain. Located to the south of Amlwch on Anglesey, the Parys Mountain was formerly the largest copper mine in the 18th century.
Owned by Thomas Williams, the mine quickly became one of the main distributors for copper, with shipments sent out worldwide. Over time it became known as the ‘Copper Kingdom’,
Today, you can follow a variety of footpaths through the stunning landscape, decorated in hues of reds, oranges, pinks, greens, and browns. Including the popular 2.3-mile Copper Mine Heritage Trail.
Or why not venture down to the harbour where you can immerse yourself in mine life at the award-winning Copper Kingdom Centre? This superb attraction is a must when searching for things to do in Anglesey.
13. Seacoast Safari
For a truly unique experience in North Wales, why not book a Seacoast Safari? The trips set sail from the historic town of Beaumaris and offer relaxing cruises where you can spot the resident wildlife.
The cruises are ideal for the whole family, including your four-legged friend! Enjoy a cruise to the wildlife rich Puffin Island, where along the way you can take in the beautiful scenery and views of Penmon Lighthouse.
Lucky visitors to the island have spotted the likes of Puffins, Razorbills, Gannets, and Auks. As well as a glimpse of the resident colony of grey seals.
Or why not enjoy spectacular scenery and architecture with a cruise along the Menai Strait? During the cruise, you will pass under landmark bridges, take in views of Plas Newydd, and pass through The Swellies.
The Swellies are home to the shipwreck of the HMS Conwy, as well as the islands of Tysilio and Ynys Gored Goch, where you’ll spot a variety of birdlife. Including herons, oystercatchers, and shelduck.
A Seacoast Safari is the perfect way to see North Wales from a different perspective.
Make your North Wales getaway one to remember with a stay in one of these North Wales cottages, offering the perfect base for your adventure. If you’re looking for the best places to visit in North Wales, check out our blog on the must-visit towns in North Wales.
Or enjoy a foodie tour of this fabulous region with our guide to the best restaurants in North Wales.
