Itinerary Planner

72 hours in North Wales

Conwy County is a truly beautiful part of the world providing spectacular scenery and a plethora of things to do to suit all ages. To make the most out of your holiday in North Wales, here is a 72 hour itinerary highlighting the best places to go to see the heritage and natural beauty of the area.

Day 1

Start your day in Llandudno and take the Marine Drive circular tour of the Great Orme – a 207m headland that soars over the town. Offering stunning panoramic views, Marine Drive is one of the longest toll roads in Britain at over 5 miles long. If you’d prefer to let someone else do the driving, why not book onto one of the Great Orme Marine Drive tours and listen to one of their knowledgeable tour guides talk about the area.

After your tour on Marine Drive, head to Llandudno’s West Shore and admire the 2019 Blue Flag award winning beach before continuing your journey onto Conwy town. As you approach the town, you can marvel at the magnificent 13^th century Conwy Castle, built by King Edward 1^st – this took him just over four years to build! Grab a spot of lunch at one of the town’s cafes or coffee shops before buying your tickets to take a closer look inside the castle.

After your castle tour, head to Conwy Quay where you will find the Smallest House in Great Britain. This house is just 72 inches wide by 122 inches high and was once occupied by a local fisherman. Nestled amongst a terrace of houses on Conwy's quayside, you really can't miss the smallest house and you'd be crazy not to pop in for a look on your way past.

In the evening, head to Llandudno’s very own theatre, Venue Cymru, and enjoy a pre-theatre dining experience at the theatre’s Y Review restaurant. Overlooking the stunning North Shore, Y Review Restaurant provides its visitors with a panoramic view of Llandudno Bay whilst they enjoy quality local produce and traditional Welsh dishes. After dinner, head to the auditorium to enjoy an evening of theatre, music, comedy or dance.

Suggested overnight stay: Llandudno. Check out our range of accommodation.

Day 2

After breakfast, head towards Conwy but turn immediately left after the castle and pass through the narrow arch onto the B5106, Llanrwst road. You will soon reach Dolgarrog – home to Adventure Parc Snowdonia.

Adventure Parc Snowdonia boasts the world’s first inland surfing lagoon which generates a perfect wave every 90 seconds. Book a surf lesson with one of their skilled instructors. Alternatively, check out their Adrenaline Indoors facility featuring aerial assault courses, climbing walls, extreme slides and artificial caving.

Head 20 minutes further down the road, turn left toward the market town of Llanrwst, and just before crossing the little bridge over the Conwy river, turn left into the car park of the lovely little famous tea rooms known as “Tu Hwnt-I’r-Bont” which translates as “beyond the bridge”. Mind your head and indulge in some lovely homemade scones or traditional Bara-Brith. The scones are made using a secret family recipe that has been passed down to generations throughout the years!

After lunch, re-join the main road (A470) and head toward Betws-Y-Coed, also known as the “Gateway to Snowdonia”. Before reaching Betws-Y-Coed, turn right and cross the Waterloo Bridge and stay on the A5. Make sure to look out for the Swallow Falls waterfalls. The falls is an area of outstanding natural beauty where the river Llugwy flows through a narrow chasm creating a spectacular waterfall amongst a backdrop of beech, conifer and birch trees. Park in the lay by, and enjoy the dramatic views from several vantage points.  

A couple of miles further along the A5, look out for the “Ugly House” – a far from ugly stone built quaint cottage now housing local information and a tea room. Legend has it that this house was built in one day and one night by two brothers to shelter from a severe storm.

Continue along the A5, looking out for the Tyn-Y-Coed Hotel on the right. Opposite this, at the roadside, is a replica of the horse drawn stagecoaches that trundled passengers from Holyhead to London in the early 19^th century along this very road – an arduous journey of over three days. Enjoy an evening meal in the hotel and then venture into Betws-Y-Coed to explore some of the local pubs.

Day 3

Head a few miles down the road and at Capel Curig take the left hand turn, onto the A4086, and pass the first of several lakes or “Llyns” -  Llynnau Mymbyr. You will now ascend and descend, the spectacular Pen Y Pass and Nant Peris Valleys, with great views of Wales’ highest mountain – Snowdon.

After approx. 20 minutes you will arrive at the village of Llanberis. Here is the base of mount Snowdon, with its spectacular rack and pinion railway which will take you to the summit – almost 1000 metres - in just about an hour. Also highly recommended is the dramatic “Electric Mountain” underground power station tour, or the National slate museum of Wales, the steam railway ride alongside Lake Padarn, or just enjoy a simple picnic at the lakeside.

Re-join the main road (A4086) west to Caernarfon town, into the main square, and then pass the impressive Caernarfon Castle and quayside. At Griffiths Crossing roundabout, take a slight left turn toward the picturesque village and old port of Felinheli – perhaps stopping for a cuppa. Pass through the village and re-join the main road again.

At the next major road junction look for the signs to A55 North Wales expressway east toward Holyhead and the Isle of Anglesey. Go over the “Britannia Bridge” before heading towards Menai Bridge. Pull over at the lay by on the right hand side carriageway - “The Menai Bridge Viewpoint”. Take a few minutes to enjoy spectacular views of the Snowdonia mountain range and the iconic Telford Menai Bridge overlooking the Menai straits, once described by Lord Nelson as one of the most treacherous stretches of water in the world!

Cross this beautiful suspension bridge toward Bangor - look out for the signs to Conwy / Chester A55 North Wales expressway, and join that dual carriage way to return towards Llandudno. Take the Llandudno exit from the A55 and then turn right at the roundabout and head towards the beautiful rural village of Tal-y-Cafn. Stop at the famous Bodnant Garden and enjoy a bite to eat and a walk around the world famous garden before starting your journey home.