Some posts on this website comprise affiliate hyperlinks. Should you e book or purchase one thing by these hyperlinks, I earn a small fee (at no further price to you). Check out my privateness coverage for extra info.
A implausible information to one of the best issues to do in Caernarfon and close by – by an area author who grew up there!
Caernarfon is without doubt one of the greatest cities to go to in North Wales – with heaps of pleasant impartial cafes and retailers, iconic Welsh pubs, and an epic historic fortress at its centre.
Having grown up within the space, I do know the city because the charming coronary heart of Welsh tradition in North Wales, in addition to a gateway to a few of Eryri’s (Snowdonia’s) greatest sights.
Caernarfon is a quaint city with loads of issues to do. It’s additionally a fantastic place to listen to the Welsh language being passionately spoken on the streets!
Caernarfon’s simple enchantment to guests lies in its spectacular fortress grounds. However for a real native’s expertise, you will discover many of the city’s attraction tucked away in its slim cobbled streets. Guests right here can relish the style of some unbelievable native meals, browse distinctive impartial retailers and luxuriate in a little bit of the encircling countryside.
Caernarfon sits on the Menai Straight throughout from Anglesey. In style locations like Llanberis, Portmeirion, and Beddgelert are all inside a brief driving distance. There’s a lot to do in this stunning coastal city that makes for an unbelievable Welsh getaway.
Finest Issues to do in Caernarfon
1. Go to Caernarfon Citadel
Visiting the mighty Caernarfon Citadel is without doubt one of the high issues to do in North Wales. It’s recognised as the most effective castles in Wales, and stays one of the crucial full and strong-standing castles within the entirety of the UK.
This spectacular fortress-palace was constructed by Edward I within the thirteenth century. It’s an impressive mixture of elaborate towers and chateau partitions that stretch out throughout elements of the city.
Guests can spend a couple of hours right here exploring the fortress partitions, towers, museum, and courtyard, taking within the wealthy tapestry of Caernarfon’s previous. Remember to climb up the fortress towers for some nice views of the Menai over to Anglesey!
2. Get pleasure from a Ramble with the Y Foryd Stroll
There are various nice walks within the Caernarfon space, providing beautiful coastal views with breathtaking mountain landscapes within the close to distance. Over the well-known pedestrianised swing bridge close to the harbour, you’ll discover the most effective gems in Caernarfon – Y Foryd.
This can be a great coastal pathway from the Citadel to a park on the opposite aspect of the harbour. There’s additionally a fantastic photograph spot alongside the way in which, of the Citadel towering over the water.
Observe the Foryd path alongside the coast for a relaxed stroll passing farmland, fields, a golf course and a few unbelievable mountain surroundings. Many individuals additionally pair this stroll with a go to to Fron Goch, a captivating backyard centre simply outdoors the city with a pleasant cafe.
3. Seize a Chew To Eat
You’re not wanting scrumptious, impartial meals venues in Caernarfon. In town sq., you’ll discover a fantastic number of locations to eat. Caffi Maes is a well-liked alternative, serving well-priced cafe meals with one of the best view of the fortress on the town!
Alongside the fortress partitions, you’ll discover gems like Osteria, a tiny Tuscan restaurant that has a number of the greatest Italian meals in North Wales. Over on Palas Road, the well-known Dutch pancakes cafe Scoops will fulfill a candy tooth with unbelievable treats and limitless flavours of ice cream.
Most cafes and eating places within the coronary heart of the city have out of doors seating so – if the climate permits – will transport you to the likes of the South of France (accompanied by the notorious clatter of Caernarfon’s seagulls)!
4. Journey the Welsh Highlands Railway
Catch the well-known Welsh Highlands Railway steam prepare from the newly renovated Caernarfon Railway Station. The road runs from Caernarfon alongside the bottom of Snowdon, by quaint Beddgelert and on to Porthmadog. This can be a must-do exercise in North Wales.
The Railway is an unbelievable approach of seeing the sights of Eryri (Snowdonia) in all their glory. You’ll go historical oak forests, majestic castles, towering mountains, and free-flowing rivers – making for an unforgettable scenic journey.
5. Cease At An Iconic Welsh Pub
Drink like an area among the many slim streets of Caernarfon. Right here, you’ll discover a number of the greatest pubs and bars in Wales! The Black Boy is a North Wales staple – one of many oldest pubs in Wales that now additionally serves as a restaurant and B&B.
This is without doubt one of the most recognised pubs in Wales, with a wealthy historical past courting again to the sixteenth century. The restaurant is extraordinarily well-liked with guests in excessive season, however you’ll discover locals nestled within the cosy pub year-round.
Your go to isn’t full with out a cease at Bar Bach. Alleged it’s the smallest bar in Wales, brimming with native gins, beers and ales. The Anglesey Arms is one other favorite on a summer season day. Locals and guests collect on the harbour partitions outdoors the pub within the sunshine to drink while having fun with dwell music. Caernarfon is residence to a fantastic number of famend pubs that make for a superb pub crawl!
6. Bike the Lon Eifion Biking Route
Do you know you’ll be able to cycle alongside the Welsh Highland Railway tracks? The great Lon Eifion biking route presents a scenic bike-only journey from Caernarfon in direction of Bryncir close to Penygroes.
The route begins close to Caernarfon Citadel and continues for as much as 10 miles on a sign-posted path. Remember to discover different biking routes that additionally start from right here! Bicycle rent is on the market from a number of websites in Caernarfon too!
7. Discover Doc Victoria
Make your approach alongside the fortress partitions to Doc Victoria. That is a surprising harbourfront institution with luxurious residence complexes, trendy workplace areas, resorts, and famend eating places.
It’s a fantastic place to stroll alongside the waterfront and admire the assorted boats within the marina. Right here you’ll additionally discover the Galeri arts centre, an area tradition and leisure hub consisting of a cinema, artwork exhibitions, theatre reveals and a contemporary cafe-bar.
Native’s Tip: Don’t miss a go to to Fu’s, an unbelievable Chinese language restaurant looking over the marina!
8. Browse the Indie Outlets on Palace Road
Vibrant Palace Road is a well-known purchasing road in North Wales, with some aesthetically pleasing shopfronts and European alfresco-style cafe eating on the road throughout the summer season. Right here, you’ll discover some unbelievable impartial jewelry retailers, bakeries, bookshops, clothes boutiques, and way more. It’s a favorite with each locals and guests, and has been awarded with excellence by numerous excessive road awards.
9. Hit the Waterfront at Cei Llechi
Cei Llechi (Slate Quay) is a brand new growth in Caernarfon’s harbourfront the place derelict buildings have been reworked into charming workspaces and shops for native artisan and craft producers, in addition to a restaurant and ice cream parlour.
The regeneration of the realm celebrates the vital historical past of Caernarfon’s delivery trade, the place cargoes of slate and extra have been transported to worldwide locations. The realm is a good place to soak within the solar on a summer season’s day. You may also discover distributors right here with provides to go crabbing off the sides of the harbour! Remember to go to the unbelievable La Marina – a sister restaurant to Felinheli’s iconic venue of the identical identify – which serves scrumptious Mediterranean meals.
10. Get pleasure from these Household Actions in Caernarfon
Caernarfon is a good vacation spot for those who’re travelling with youngsters. Why not spend the day on the famend Beacon Climbing Centre, the place you’ll discover climbing classes, loopy climbs, and bouldering, in addition to an enormous number of different actions for the entire household!
Households additionally journey to Caernarfon for its Enjoyable Centre – a youngsters’s indoor play space with slides, ball pits, laser quest and extra! Solely a brief drive outdoors of Caernarfon, you’ll discover different family-friendly sights reminiscent of Gypsy Wooden Household Park and Greenwood Forest Park!
11. Don’t Miss Caernarfon Meals Pageant
Don’t miss the Caernarfon Meals Pageant, an annual celebration of Wales’ greatest native meals that fills the streets surrounding the fortress. The competition is without doubt one of the greatest within the nation, with scrumptious food and drinks stalls, dwell cooking demonstrations, dwell Welsh music and extra, making for a enjoyable time out for all of the household!
Subsequent dates: thirteenth Could 2023
12. Strive Certainly one of These Superior Day Journeys from Caernarfon
There are various well-liked sights and day journey locations inside a brief driving distance of Caernarfon. The picturesque village of Llanberis, the gateway to Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) is barely ten minutes away, so Caernarfon is a good base for exploring many of the Nationwide Park.
Or take a brief, scenic drive over to Beddgelert, one of the crucial engaging villages in your entire nation. Different factors of curiosity – together with ZipWorld, Anglesey, Portmeirion, and extra – are all beneath a 30-minute drive.
Caernarfon is conveniently located close to the new North Wales bypass, so travelling within the space has by no means been simpler!
Extra in and Round Caernarfon
19 of the Finest Locations to Go to in North Wales
A Native’s Information to the Finest Issues to do in Llanberis
In regards to the Writer
This information to one of the best issues to do in Caernarfon was written by native journey author Megan Tomas.
I’m a journey author and content material creator from a small village outdoors Caernarfon in North Wales. After graduating with a journalism diploma from Cardiff College, I labored for 4 years as a digital producer at a Welsh manufacturing firm. Final yr I left my 9-5 to pursue freelancing writing full-time, and am now slow-travelling the world (at the moment in Bali) as a digital nomad.
