Conwy is one of the best-preserved walled towns in Europe. Edward I built its castle and walls in just a few years from 1283, and together with Caernarfon, Harlech and Beaumaris they form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inside the walls are narrow streets, the Elizabethan townhouse Plas Mawr and, on the quay, the smallest house in Great Britain.
Llandudno, across the estuary, is the grandest of the Welsh seaside resorts: a sweeping promenade of cream-painted hotels, a Victorian pier, and the limestone headland of the Great Orme with its tramway, cable car and prehistoric copper mines. Together they make the most practical base for day trips into Snowdonia and Anglesey.
Highlights
- Conwy Castle: climb the towers for views over the estuary.
- The town walls: walk a long stretch of the medieval circuit.
- The Great Orme: tramway, summit views, wild goats and Bronze Age mines.
- Llandudno Pier and promenade: classic British seaside.
- Bodnant Garden: one of Britain’s great gardens, in the Conwy Valley.
- Day tours: the main departure point for Snowdonia trips.
Quick facts
| Where | North Wales coast, at the mouth of the River Conwy |
|---|---|
| UNESCO | Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd |
| From Manchester | About 1 h 30 by car or 2 h by train |
| Ideal stay | 2 days, plus day trips |
| Best for | Castles, seaside, base for touring |
| Getting around | On foot, local buses and trains |
How long to stay & where to base yourself
Spend two days here and add day trips. Llandudno has far more hotels and restaurants and is where most tours depart; Conwy is smaller and atmospheric within its walls. They are about 15 minutes apart by bus.
