Whilst not heavily populated the county of Gwynedd has much to offer visitors within its towns. Caernarfon is the county
capital, and one of Gwynedd's largest towns, has its medieval castle and Roman fort or Porthmadog is a wonderful coastal town with its large port once used to
ship welsh slate across the world. Whatever you are looking for one of the towns of Gwynedd will offer it.
Below are brief summaries of each of Gwynedd's major towns, follow the links for more information on each town including places to stay and local attractions
not to be missed!
The county capital of Gwynedd is home to Caernarfon Castle, one of Wales most famous landmarks, and scene of the coronation of Prince Charles II. The town is located beside the Menai Straits looking across to the Isle of Anglesey and the Irish Sea beyond.
More information on Caernarfon.
Bangor is well known for its University which dominates the skyline of the town. It is also home of the longest pedestrianised high street in Wales. A large retail park is located on the outskirts of the Bangor and its pier is the second longest in Wales.
More information on Bangor.
Is a large coastal town that is located close to the Lleyn Peninsula. The town once served as the major port for the export of Welsh Slate from the mines of Snowdonia but today has settled into a tourism hotspot.
More information on Porthmadog.
Harlech is located in southern Gwynedd and sits on the coast overlooking the Irish Sea. The town has many tourism facilities and is of course home to Harlech Castle.
Dolgellau sits at Gwynedd's southern point before the mountains of Snowdonia give way to Mid Wales. The town holds a popular Welsh music festival each July.
Bala is located inland high in the Welsh hills and is a popular venue for watersports such as sailing and white water rafting. Thew town has two popular lakes that eventually feed the River Dee as it flows towards Llangollen.
Abersoch is located on the southern shore of the Lleyn Peninsula and with it's close neighbours of Pwllheli and Criccieth serves as a tourism hotspot and venue for watersports.
Barmouth is located at the southern tip of Gwynedd and sits on the northern banks of Cardigan Bay. This picturesque harbour town established itself as a favourite holiday destination in Victorian times and continues to this day. The Fairbourne and Barmouth Railway operates steam engines from the town.
Criccieth is located on the southern shore of the Lleyn Peninsula and is a popular holiday destination.
The town of Llanberis sits at the foot of Mount Snowdon, Britain's second tallest mountain, beside Lake Padarn. The town is very popular because of its proximity to Snowdon and as a base to explore the Snowdonia heartlands. The Snowdon Mountain Railway takes visitors from the town centre to the summit of the mountain on a journey offering spectacular views of the town and lake below. Llanberis is also home to Electric Mountain, a vast underground power station that visitors can tour.
Legends say that the town of Beddgelert is named after the dog of a Welsh Prince that would not leave its master's side. Whatever the legends say Beddgelert is an ideal venue lying just to the south of Mount Snowdon for exploring the southern slopes.
More information on Beddgelert.
Bethesda was once a large mining community in northern Gwynedd that shipped Welsh Slate to Port Dinorwic on the Menai Straits. Today the town has given way to its larger neighbours in Caernarfon and Bangor.
Pwhelli is the third major tourist destination on the southern shores of the Lleyn Peninsula and helps to serve the regions toruism industry.
Blaenau Ffestiniog is located a few miles inland from the coastal town of Porthmadog and once served as a major mining community for Welsh Slate. As the demands for the slate declined so did the local population until Blaenau rebuilt itself as a tourist destination. The Llechwedd Slate Caverns are one of Gwynedd's top attractions highlighting what life was once like for the miners and the Blaenau Ffestiniog Railway, which once served as the main transportation route for slate from the town has reinvented itself as another major tourist attraction within the area.