Full of towering mountains, incredible views, picturesque little villages, tons of sheep, and breathtaking scenery, North Wales is nothing short of spectacular. Here’s the ultimate guide on how to have the best days out in North Wales, UK.

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If you’re planning a day out or a visit to North Wales, you’re in for a treat! Whenever I tell others that one of my favorite countries is Wales, their first response is something along the lines of…
“Wales… France? Germany? Where is that city located?”
Because this tiny little gem of a country isn’t on a radar of most people.
And what a disappointment that is, because wow, oh wow, Wales — specifically North Wales — has so much to offer in terms of great attractions, beautiful sites to see, awesome things to do, and incredibly cute villages.
So, with that said, what are the best things to do here?
While hiking is a big thing due to Snowdonia being a beautiful, mountainous national park, there are more activities and cool sites to see than just tacking on the miles!
THE BEST DAYS OUT IN NORTH WALES, UK
A gorgeous part of the country, you’ll find this region has stunning castles, beautiful islands, coasts that’ll take your breath away, lovely locals to befriend, and lots and lots of pints to try! Here are the best things to do in North Wales to keep you on your toes.
Have an Anglesey Adventure


One of the most beautiful areas in the country, heading to Anglesey is no doubt a favorite amongst locals for an amazing day out in North Wales!
A small island just off the northwest coast, Anglesey features a gorgeous castle, mind-blowing ocean views, coastlines that’ll have you breathless, and fantastic beach hikes that anybody can do!
It’s one of my favorite places to visit in Wales and you’ll no doubt love it, too!
Visit a Few Adorable Villages

North Wales is packed with these adorable, tiny villages that are untouched by tourists!
Think wee little windy roads that only one car can fit through, picturesque tiny homes that’ll have you saying “awe!”, and pocket-size local shops selling unique trinkets you’ll fall in love with!
Even cooler, the deeper into Wales you go, you’ll find that a lot of locals speak fluent Welsh — which is likely the most interesting language you’ll hear!
Want to stay in one of the most adorable Welsh villages and in a castle? Book a room at Ruthin Castle Hotel!
Explore the Many Castles

Wales is sometimes called the “land of castles” and rightfully so! With over 100 standing castles today (initially, Wales had over 600!), there’s a lot to explore.
This is hands down one of the best things to do with kids in North Wales! I mean, hello, kids love castles! (Okay, okay, so do adults… meaning me.)
A few of the best castles to visit in North Wales include:
- Caernarfon Castle
- Conwy Castle
- Gwrych Castle
- Penrhyn Castle
- Harlech Castle
- Denbigh Castle
- Ewloe Castle (Take a look at the Ewloe Castle Ruins Here)
Psst, if you want to explore Wales from Cardiff, here’s a blog post on doing a day trip from there!
Wander About the Pubs

For a long, long time pubs were the lifeblood of Wales… okay, that’s not true but it might as well be!
Pubs are abundant in North Wales and you’ll find them packed with interesting locals, as well as a few scallawags here and there!
Plus, they have some damn good beer in Wales, so — if you’re of legal drinking age — definitely throw down a few pints (it is the local culture anyhow!).
Unfortunately, the pub lifestyle is dying off a little — it’s our job as travelers to keep ’em alive! So, as a responsible adult, I recommend you go out and try as many pints and local pubs as you can. 😉
Hit Up Some Coastal Routes


One of my favorite North Wales activities is hiking (even though I’m not very good at it! I should actually just call it walking…), and the best place to do it is the coast!
Coastal routes in this part the country are absolutely stunning and 100% worth your time!
You have your pick of the bunch… like a beach walk? They’re abundant in North Wales. Or do you fancy a walk/hike filled with jagged cliff sides and elevated ocean views? There’s plenty of those, too.
Here’s an article on short coastal walks throughout Wales. Or check out this Moel Morfydd hike in the Clwydian Hills!
Visit Mars (aka Parys Mountain)

Ready to take a short trip to Mars? Head over to Parys Mountain, one of the most underrated places to visit in North Wales.
Virtually unknown by travelers, Parys Mountain is an old copper mining site just south of Amlwch that has been left to the dust and has essentially transformed into something that looks straight out of an alien movie!
You can read more about Parys Mountain here.
Would you rather have someone else do all the planning? Head out on this North Wales Day Trip from Chester, England!
Chase Some Waterfalls

One of my personal favorite things to do in North Wales is chase some cool waterfalls! There are so many in this region of the UK and you won’t get tired of discovering where they’re all hiding.
A few awesome spots to see some falling water:
- Brecon Beacons National Park (LOADS of waterfalls here! *Pictured above*) — Technically not in North Wales but still worth a visit!
- Snowdonia National Park (Watkins Path is gorgeous! *Pictured below under hiking*)
- Pistyll Rhaeadr
- Rhaeadr Dyserth Waterfall
Walk Along One of the Many Public Footpaths

All throughout Wales and the UK, there are these things called public footpaths. Essentially, they’re public paths that anyone and everyone can walk about — even if it’s on someone’s private land.
While it might feel a little weird walking through someone’s backyard or field (I sure felt weird at first), it’s totally normal here! And plus, a lot of these public footpaths are in the middle of nowhere Welsh countryside.
Also, keep in mind it’s perfectly legal! And you might even stumble across some farm animals — as many footpaths go through farmland! It’s awesome.
Visit this site, which has hundreds of walks throughout North Wales (including maps!).
Get Your Hike On


Wales is hands down one of the best countries to hike in! Not only are there spectacular hiking trails and routes, it’s one of the lesser visited countries in the world — which means you see less people. Score!
Although Snowdonia is the hiking capital in North Wales, there are loads of other great hiking spots dotted around the region. (But granted, hiking up Snowdon is one of the best free things to do in North Wales!)
Here’s an article on the best hiking routes up Snowden and if you want to try something else, here’s a guide on alternative hiking routes beyond Snowdon.
Psst, interested in staying right next to Snowdon so you can get an early morning start on your hikes to beat the crowds? Click here to view all the best hotels in Snowdonia!
Hit Up a Museum
This is one of the best alternative things to do in North Wales when it rains (which does, sadly, happen often!). There are some especially great museums that will keep you (and your kids, if you have some) totally occupied.
Here are some cool museums in North Wales you might like:
- National Slate Museum in Llanberis
- Holyhead Maritime Museum
- Home Front Museum in Llandudno
- RNLI Moelfre Lifeboat Station in Moelfre
- Tacla Taid – Anglesey Transport and Agriculture Museum and cafe in Newborough
Go on a Beach Walk

If you’re wondering what to do in North Wales and aren’t into hiking or visiting one of the many castles, go on a beach walk! (Hand-holding not required 😉).
Even though Wales isn’t known as one of the best places for luxurious beaches, it has some pretty darn good ones that’ll blow you away.
Some of my favorites include:
- Black Rock Sands near Morfa Bychan
- Morfa Nefyn Beach (Don’t forget to stop at the Ty Coch Inn, which is a super cool pub!)
- Newborough Beach (really cool cottages and lighthouse at this beach!)
- West Shore Beach nean Llandudno
- Traeth Llydan on Anglesey
Grab a Ride on the Snowdon Railway

If you’re with someone who isn’t a fan of hiking (or you aren’t yourself), yet you still want to experience Snowdon and see the incredible views, grab a ride on the Snowdon Mountain Railway!
A super cool North Wales attraction, it’s been running since 1896 and chugs along all the way to the top of the highest mountain in Wales! (Aka Snowdon.)
What to know:
- Price: £30-39 for an adult
- Service times: Diesel departures leave Llanberis every day (weather permitting) from mid-March until the last weekend in October every 30 minutes from 9am
Find out more about the Snowdon Mountain Railway here.
Visit an Aqueduct


One of the coolest places to go in North Wales, aqueducts are dotted all over the UK but there’s a pretty spectacular one in this region.
It’s called the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.
An 18-arched stone and cast iron bridge, it was built in 1805 in conjunction with the Pontcysyllte Canal to help carry canal boats (barges) over this region of Wales.
And holy moly, it’s freakin’ spectacular. As an American, I’ve never seen anything like this — architectural-wise or even bridge-wise! It’s even a dedicated UNESCO World Heritage Site! Definitely a must visit in North Wales.
With these fun things to do, you can have the best day out in North Wales! As one of my favorite places in the world, I’m always looking to help others discover the magic that it has to offer.
Are you planning a day out in North Wales? Or have you ever visited this region of the world? Tell me about it in the comments!
Sophie xx
Not sure what to check out next? Readers love these posts:
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- 10 best places to visit in Wales, UK (#7 is a must!)
- Abandoned castle hunting: Ewloe Castle ruins in North Wales
- 10 outstanding places to visit in England that you must add to your UK bucket list
- 15 crazy awesome places to visit in Scotland
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