Here is our guide to the many things to do in Caernarfon, the famous Royal Town in North Wales with its landmark Castle.
Caernarfon is best-known for its formidable Castle, but is also a fine medieval walled town with more ancient corners to uncover.
We show you what to do in Caernarfon, before showing you things to do around Caernarfon, where the peaks of Snowdonia and the sublime beaches of Anglesey and the Llŷn Peninsula beckon. Enjoy.
Why Visit Caernarfon
Caernarfon Castle is one of the great medieval castles of the world, part of the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Wales and possibly the most famous of all landmarks in Wales.
The Royal Town of Caernarfon is also one of the most impressive towns in Wales, and its superb town walls are also part of the World Heritage Site.
The town is a great base for exploring North Wales, with the mountains of Snowdonia, the beaches of the Llŷn Peninsula and the Isle of Anglesey all just a short distance away.
There are also several great places to stay in Caernarfon, including some of the best hotels in North Wales.
Caernarfon History
Caernarfon means ‘fort in Arfon’, an ancient name for this area of North Wales.
The Romans founded the fort of Segontium on a hill above the town, having defeated the local Ordovices. The fort was garrisoned until the late 4th century AD.
William the Conqueror ordered the construction of a motte and bailey castle on the riverside site of the present castle, but he was unable to establish a foothold in North Wales, and it was eventually slighted.
Edward I then decided to build a much larger castle on the site in 1283, augmented by town walls with towers and gates. It was attacked by the Welsh a decade later and subsequently rebuilt.
The Castle gradually fell into disrepair, but withstood two sieges during the Civil War of the 1640s.
In the 20th century Caernarfon Castle was the venue for the Investiture of two Princes of Wales – Prince Edward, the future King Edward VIII in 1911, and Prince Charles, the present King Charles III, in 1969.
Things To Do In Caernarfon
Caernarfon Castle – Castell Caernarfon
Caernarfon Castle is probably the best-known of the many Castles in North Wales, and I have to say that it’s the most imposing of all Welsh castles.
This mighty fortress, partly inspired by the Theodosian Walls in Constantinople (if you’re ever in Istanbul, free up a few hours to walk along them), sits at an important strategic site where the River Seiont meets the southern end of the Menai Strait.
It is part of the Iron Ring of castles built by English King Edward I to subjugate the Welsh, and was begun in 1283. It served as Edward’s headquarters for governing North Wales though, surprisingly, parts of the interior are believed to have never been completed.
After Welsh forces captured the Castle in 1295, it had to be reinforced, seriously depleting Edward’s finances.
Visiting Caernarfon is one of the best things to do in Wales – the only castle I’ve ever visited that is as imposing is Malbork Castle in Poland. The wall walks and tower climbs inside the Castle are amazing, and the Museum of the Royal Welch Fusiliers – which is included in the admission price – is one of the best military museums in the UK.
Caernarfon Town Walls
Most visitors obviously come to see the Castle, but the 734-metre circuit of town walls is also hugely impressive.
Part of the walk is along the seafront, then turning inland along Cei Bank and Lon Crwyn. They were built at the same time as the Castle, and suffered significant damage during the Welsh rebellion of 1294.
Cross the River Seiont at Pont yr Aber
Pont yr Aber – the estuary footbridge – crosses the Afon Seiont just before it meets the sea. The main reason to cross is to walk along the road to the left to capture the classic view of Caernarfon Castle with the boats in the river in the foreground.
There is also a pleasant walk along the foreshore with views across to the south-west corner of Anglesey and back to the Castle.
See The Statue of David Lloyd George
David Lloyd George is the only Welsh person ever to become Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and was MP for Caernarfon and the surrounding area for 55 years.
He served as Prime Minister from 1916 to 1922, having a particularly eventful premiership that included the second half of the First World War, eventual victory, the Treaty of Versailles, the Great Influenza epidemic and the partitioning of Ireland and formation of the Irish Free State.
A statue of him stands on Market Square, next to the southern end of the Castle. There is another famous statue of him in Parliament Square in Westminster, London.
Visit Roman Segontium
Caernarfon was home to an important fortress over a thousand years before Edward I began work on Caernarfon Castle. The base at Segontium, on a hill in the outskirts of Caernarfon, was established in 77 or 78 AD by Julius Agricola, who had recently defeated and subjugated the Ordovices tribe of North Wales.
The fort was linked by road to Chester (Deva Victrix), just over the border in England, to which it was subject. The site consists of foundations of the various barrack buildings and bath house, and the small exhibition gives further information to fill in some of the gaps.
Dinner Or A Drink At The Black Boy Inn
I’ve eaten at the Black Boy Inn many times while visiting or working in Caernarfon. If you want somewhere old and atmospheric, look no further – the building dates from 1522, and the restaurant and bar have wooden-beamed ceilings and fine old stone walls. The food was always excellent, and I tended to order the lamb shank whenever I was in town.
Explore Caernarfon Market and Town Centre
The walled part of Caernarfon town centre has a few interesting corners, but outside of that, there’s not a great deal to detain you in the centre. The brightly-painted buildings give the streets a pleasant feel, but there’s nothing out of the ordinary to seek out.
Y Maes – Castle Square – hosts a market on Saturdays (and Mondays in summer) and if you’re in town this is worth a quick look, with some great food stalls.
Things To Do Near Caernarfon
Visit Gorgeous Beddgelert
Beddgelert is the most beautiful village in Snowdonia. It’s at the confluence of the Glaslyn and Colwyn rivers, surrounded by steep mountains and full of centuries-old stone cottages.
Its name means ‘Gelert’s Grave’, named after the grave of a dog beneath a tree to the south of the village. According to the legend Welsh Prince Llywelyn Fawr returned home too find his baby son missing and blood on the floor. He killed his dog, only to find his son safe and well shortly afterwards – the blood was that of a wolf which Gelert had fought off.
Beddgelert has several inns and hotels where you can stop by for a meal. We’ve stayed at the Tanronnen Inn a few metres from the bridge – the rooms are full of character and the food is excellent. I’ve eaten an the Saracen’s Head a couple of times, and have it on excellent authority that it’s also a great place to stay.
You can catch the Welsh Highland railway the 12 miles (19 km) to Beddgelert from Caernarfon, drive up or catch the bus. One of the best things to do in Beddgelert is to walk down the Aberglaslyn Gorge to the bridge and back – a wonderful spot.
Explore Llanberis and Dolbadarn Castle
Llanberis is the nearest Snowdonia village to Caernarfon, a few miles inland from the Royal Town, and it’s the gateway to Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa in Welsh) at 1,085 metres (3,560 feet) above sea level.
There are six paths up the mountain, and the Llanberis Path begins in the village. It follows the track of the Snowdon Mountain Railway for much of the route up, and this narrow gauge railway is very popular. The views from the top are breathtaking, but be aware that there’ll be plenty of people up there sharing the moment with you. Overtourism has reached the highest peak in Wales, with queues photographed at the summit last summer.
Llanberis is worthy of a few hours of your time too. Dolbadarn Castle, overlooking Llyn Padarn lake, was a castle of the Welsh princes, and occupies an amazing spot between the two lakes at the foot of the Llanberis Pass.
The National Slate Museum is also close by, as is the Llanberis Lake Railway, a lovely leisurely jaunt along the shore of Llyn Padarn.
Climb A Mountain In Snowdonia
Snowdon probably attracts 80% of visitors who climb a mountain, leaving the others largely empty. If you’re visiting in the warmer months, I suggest considering one of the many other mountains in the vicinity.
One option is the Cwm Idwal hike up through the Devils Kitchen to the summits of Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach, a spectacular landscape of ice-shattered rocks with great views of Snowdon.
Another of the best Snowdonia walks near Caernarfon is the superb Nantlle Ridge walk, a few miles west of Snowdon.
Take A Snowdonia Road Trip
If you’re driving, most of the Snowdonia National Park is within easy reach. One option is following a circuit around the Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) massif, which you could do in a few hours, allowing for stops en route.
From Caernarfon, you can follow the A4085 down the west side of Snowdon, passing Llyn Cwellyn and eventually reaching Beddgelert, turning there towards Nantgwynant and, eventually, the Llanberis Pass.
Alternatively you could head to Llanberis as described in the section above, continuing up the A4086 Llanberis Pass and then turning left towards Capel Curig, continuing towards Betws-y-Coed or turning left onto the A5 which passes through the breathtaking Ogwen Valley.
Our Snowdonia road trip article shows you several options, whether it’s a few hours’ drive or a full driving tour of the Snowdonia National Park.
Discover the Slate Landscape of North West Wales – the UK’s Newest World Heritage Site
Caernarfon is very close to the newest UNESCO World Heritage Site in the UK, the amazing Welsh Slate Landscape which is mostly concentrated around the mountains of Snowdonia.
It’s within a short bus ride or drive of several key sites – the National Slate Museum in Llanberis, Moel Tryfan Slate Quarry and the nearby Nantlle Valley, including the Dorothea Quarry.
Enjoy A Trip On The Welsh Highland Railway
Caernarfon is the northern terminus of the Welsh Highland Railway, one of the best narrow gauge railways in Wales. It runs from a station within sight of the Castle down the west side of Snowdon to Beddgelert and on to Porthmadog, an amazing scenic route.
Unlike its counterpart (and now owner) the Ffestiniog Railway, the WHR was opened after the decline in the Welsh slate industry began – so it was always beset with financial difficulties. After years of section-by-section restoration the 24-mile (40 km) Caernarfon to Porthmadog route was finally opened.
The landscape along the route is astonishingly beautiful, particularly along Llyn Cwellyn lake and the Aberglaslyn Gorge south of Beddgelert. Tickets are available through the WHR and Ffestiniog Railway website.
Discover Stunning Dinas Dinlle Beach
I adore Dinas Dinlle beach, the nearest beach to Caernarfon and one of the best beaches in North Wales. It’s a breathtaking sight, a wide stretch of sand at low tide with the dramatic backdrop of the jagged peaks of Yr Eifl a few miles to the south.
It’s mostly pebbly at high tide, but very different once the tide goes out. It’s a great beach for kids, and there’s also very good fish and chips and ice cream. It’s got everything you need for a great day out at the beach, as well as the bonus of those mountains for the wistful romantics among you.
See also: Llŷn Peninsula Beaches – The Stunning Coast Of North West Wales
Join The North Wales Pilgrims Way At Clynnog Fawr
During the Middle Ages, the north coast of the Llŷn Peninsula was the main route of one of the most important pilgrimages in Wales – the remote journey to Bardsey Island, Ynys Enlli, the Isle of 20,000 Saints.
The churches in these parts are remarkable, especially when the local communities they served would have been relatively poor. Pilgrim revenue meant some of the churches built along the way are among the finest in Wales, and the most notable of these is the church of St Beuno in Clynnog Fawr, ten miles south of Caernarfon.
Clynnog Fawr was the site of a monastery as early as the 7th century AD, and it grew in importance as more and more pilgrims visited, stopping at St Beuno’s Well, which was reputed to have curative properties. The present church was built in the Perpendicular (late British Gothic) style in the 15th and 16th centuries.
The interior is whitewashed and as there is hardly any stained glass, flooded with light. Look out for the 10th century sundial in the churchyard and a large, ancient-looking wooden box used to collect pilgrims’ donations in the Middle Ages. Also look for some beautifully carved wooden pews and other furnishings.
Climb To Tre’r Ceiri, the Mountaintop Iron Age Fortress Overlooking Caernarfon Bay
Tre’r Ceiri, the Town of Giants, is one of the most amazing places in Wales. It’s an Iron Age hillfort, built around 200 BC, but inhabited for centuries into the Roman er, on one of the three peaks of the Yr Eifl massif.
This remote, inaccessible place was a fortress village with the substantial remains of over 100 huts, which would have had turf roofs. It’s a steep climb of 30 minutes or more from the tiny parking area (enough for 4 or 5 cars) on the B4417 Llanaelhaearn to Nefyn road, but once you reach the entrance to the village, continue to the highest part.
It is worth the stiff climb for the views from the summit area, which extend up Caernarfon Bay to Anglesey, across to Snowdonia, and the hills of the Llŷn Peninsula. If you love the outdoors, it should be on your Wales bucket list.
Discover An Ancient Welsh Llan At Llanfaglan Church
The word ‘llan’ trips up many a visitor to Wales, tongue-tied by the double-l, which is known to phoneticians as the voiceless alveolar lateral fricative. It’s a soft, breathy sound, but once you’re accustomed to hearing it fairly easy to replicate.
Llan is the word where visitors are most likely to encounter the ll. Llan roughly translates as a settlement with a church, often surrounded by a wall. Llanfaglan – the church of St Baglan – is just two miles away from Caernarfon, surrounded by farm fields and wind-bent trees, and one of the best examples of a llan in Wales, and it’s also one of the most remarkable time capsules you’ll ever come across.
The church, which dates from the 13th century, is no longer in use – it’s kept intact thanks to the Friends of Friendless Churches. There’s an early inscribed Celtic Christian stone (5th or 6th century AD) inside, but the most amazing sight is the Georgian box pews, which would have been reserved for wealthier worshippers.
The church isn’t usually left open, but click on the link in the paragraph above for information on how to gain access.
Visit One Of The Best Beach Bars In The World At Porth Dinllaen
The tiny harbour hamlet of Porth Dinllaen is one of the most beautiful villages in North Wales, in an idyllic location with views up the coast to the peaks of Yr Eifl.
It has a small beach, just a few metres below the famous Ty Coch Inn, a great pub and one of the best places you’ll ever find to enjoy a pint in your life.
Porth Dinllaen (sometimes written as Porthdinllaen) is on the sheltered side of a dramatic peninsula on the north coast of the Llŷn Peninsula, and you can only access via a footpath (around half a mile, 800 metres) across Nefyn and District Golf Club.
Cross the Menai Strait to Anglesey
There are enough things to do in Anglesey to keep you returning for several years, even more, so we’ll keep this as brief as possible.
It starts with the picturesque Menai Suspension Bridge, built by Thomas Telford in 1826, set in the shadow of the mountains of Snowdonia. You could turn right towards Beaumaris Castle, an unfinished medieval masterpiece, or turn right and head towards gorgeous Newborough Beach and Llanddwyn Island, one of the most beautiful islands in Europe, named after the Welsh patron saint of lover, Santes Dwynwen.
There are also many more Anglesey beaches to explore, as well as some superb coastal Anglesey walks, with plenty of dramatic cliff scenery to enjoy. If you’re after more of an adrenaline rush you can also go coasteering around Rhoscolyn, a few miles south of Holyhead.
Enjoy A Boat Ride Along The Menai Strait
The Menai Strait, the body of water separating Anglesey from mainland North Wales, is a stunning sight, but it can be very dangerous with its hidden rocks, sandbanks and whirlpools. Ideal, then, for a high-speed blast through its most treacherous section, the Swellies, between the Menai and Britannia Bridges.
Rib Ride tours depart from Menai Bridge, racing through the Swellies, with longer trips along the Menai Strait to Beaumaris or even further to Puffin Island where cormorants, kittiwakes and puffins nest and seals bask on the rocks close to the shore.
Visit Conwy
Caernarfon is one of four Castles and two walled towns in the Castles of Edward I in Gwynedd UNESCO World Heritage Site. The others are Harlech, Beaumaris (on Anglesey), and Conwy, less than an hour away by car.
There are enough things to do in Conwy to make a very full day trip. Conwy is one of the most beautiful castles in Europe, and it also has an amazingly preserved set of town walls, the superb 16th century Plas Mawr townhouse and little quirks including the Smallest House in Great Britain. It’s my personal favourite town in Wales.
Learn A Few Words Of Welsh At Nant Gwrtheyrn
Remote Nant Gwrtheyrn is a former quarrying village on the north Llŷn Peninsula coast, tucked below the sheer cliffs where Yr Eifl meets the sea.
It has been the National Welsh Language and Heritage Centre for many years, and people from all over the country stay there on courses learning Welsh as a second language.
You don’t have to join a course to visit – you can just come down for a coffee at Caffi Meinir. It’s also the ideal place to find out more about the Welsh language – it’s more widely spoken than English as a first language on the Llŷn Peninsula, and a few words or phrases are warmly welcomed.
How To Get To Caernarfon
Caernarfon is relatively easy to reach, with good road and bus connections. Unfortunately Caernarfon is not on the British national rail network, but frequent trains stop at nearby Bangor, from where regular buses run to Caernarfon.
The Bangor to Caernarfon bus – 5C – takes 29 minutes. The service begins at stop B on Garth Road, opposite the Menai Shopping Centre, and calls at stop H, which is just outside Bangor train station (it’s just to the left of the entrance).
If you’re driving, Caernarfon is just off the main A487 road, and only 5 miles (8 km) from the A55 North Wales Expressway which runs across the North Wales coast and on to Holyhead ferry port on Anglesey.
David Angel is a Welsh, photographer, writer and historian who has been travelling and photographing Europe for over 30 years. His work is regularly featured in worldwide media including the BBC, Condé Nast Traveller, the Guardian, the Times and the Sunday Times.
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