Conwy Castle and walls
Fortress and near-complete medieval town circuit
Walk the walls as well as the castle to see the defensive plan.
North Wales castles & Conwy, United Kingdom
Ideal: 2–3 daysBest: Apr–OctPrice: Expensive
In 60 seconds
North Wales castles & Conwy in 60 seconds
Conwy, Caernarfon, Beaumaris and Harlech form the four components of a UNESCO World Heritage property, but they are not interchangeable castles. Conwy's town walls frame a compact harbour; Caernarfon is monumental and urban; Harlech rises above dunes; Beaumaris has a strikingly regular plan. Base yourself in one place and choose two or three thoughtfully rather than racing across the north in a day. The castles also reflect a history of conquest that deserves honest context.
Best for
- UNESCO
- Castles
- Wales
Known for
- Conwy Castle and walls
- Caernarfon Castle
- Harlech Castle
Skip if
You want an isolated wilderness trip without towns or historic sites.
Your match
Choose a few travel interests and we will show how well North Wales castles & Conwy fits them. Choose interests
See
Must experience
The things that would make the trip incomplete without them.
Caernarfon Castle
Massive fortress beside the Menai Strait
Its scale is best understood from the waterfront and inner courts.
Harlech Castle
Hilltop fortress above the coastal plain
The approach reveals its former relationship to the sea.
Beyond the obvious
Hidden gems
Less obvious, rarely queued for, and usually the part people remember.
Beaumaris Castle
Unfinished concentric castle on Anglesey
Look for the precision of the design rather than a completed skyline.
Conwy quayside
Small harbour below the walled town
Stay for the estuary light after the fortifications close.