Caernarfon in Wales is a royal town located between the Snowdonia mountains and the coast of the Menai Strait leading to Anglesey Island. Its primary attraction is Caernarfon Castle, where the coronation of the Princes of Wales has taken place for over 700 years.
In this article, I will show you what to do in Caernarfon in Wales and provide many travel tips on where to stay, where to eat, and the main tourist spots.
8 Top things to do in Caernarfon in Wales: travel itinerary
How to get there
A tour of northern Wales must include the town of Caernarfon and its famous castle. It can easily be visited in the afternoon. In one day, you can explore Conwy, Llanfair and Caernarfon.
Remember that the best way to explore Wales is by driving! I believe the most straightforward way would be to rent a car in Liverpool or Manchester or head up from the capital Cardiff towards Caernarfon, driving along the entire coastline of the country. Get a quote with RentCars. We parked the car near Victoria Dock (next to the city wall); there’s a small parking lot there.
Hotels in Caernarfon
It’s worth considering staying in a hotel here before continuing your journey to other Welsh cities since this is one of the larger ones in the region. Check out my suggestions:
- Totters Hostel ⭐ 9,4: Well-organized hostel with great prices.
- Ty Glyndwr Bunkhouse ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8,4: Comfortable rooms at a fair price and breakfast.
- Anglesey Arms ⭐⭐⭐7,2 : A hotel above the pub next to the castle, overlooking the river—impossible to find a better location!
What to do in Caernarfon: Top Attractions
As said before, I recommend that you spend a day in the city, it looks amazing during sunset. Just remember that in some parts of the year, the shops will close sooner than expected.
1 – Caernarfon Castle
Caernarfon Castle is known as one of the great constructions of the Middle Ages and is located on the banks of the River Seiont. Conceived by Edward I, the castle took 47 years to build and cost 25,000 pounds at the time. The castle was destined for grandeur, as it was an imperial ambition to represent the King of Wales.
Its design is unique due to its polygonal towers, eagle statues, and colorful masonry, reminiscent of Roman architecture, yet it doesn’t lose its enormous walls that could withstand any attack.
Edward I brought his queen, Eleanor, to give birth to their son, Edward of Caernarfon, in 1284. He was introduced to the nobility in 1301 as the “Prince born in the Principality of Wales who did not speak a single word of English.” Edward II is considered the first Prince of Wales. Thus, the 700-year tradition emerged, in which every monarch’s firstborn is crowned there, just as it was with Prince Charles in 1969.
The entrance to the castle costs £12.50 and can be purchased in advance through the official website. The ticket includes a visit to the castle and to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers Museum, an exhibition about the 300-year-old Welsh regiment that depicts the life of soldiers and their families.
Another castle to visit is Conwy (next to Snowdonia as well) and Caerphilly Castle in the south of Wales.
2 – Watch Tower
Crossing the bridge just in front of the castle towards the hill, you’ll come across a park where many locals have picnics near the playground, exercise, and skateboard. If you climb the hill, you’ll have a great view of the town, allowing you to spot the Snowdonia mountains and take a look at the tower, which is a new construction unfortunately vandalized.
3 – Caernarfon Waterfront
I highly recommend a walk along the Menai River’s shore and beside the walls, especially on a sunny day. It was one of the most enjoyable walks I’ve ever taken and a must on what to do in Caernarfon. If you wish, you can take boat trips on the river. The boats depart from the dock next to the castle on the Seiont River.
4 – Castle Square
Just behind the castle, on the opposite side of the river, there’s a small square with several restaurants, beautiful old buildings, and the Presbyterian Church built in Gothic style in 1882. During this time, the church conducted sermons in English for the various immigrants who arrived during the Industrial Revolution, who didn’t speak Welsh.
In front of the church stands a War Memorial with the names of the men from the region who fought in the First and Second World Wars. The existence of these monuments is very common in various cities in the UK and usually includes citizens from smaller towns. You’ll see poppy wreaths in memory of the soldiers. These red flowers symbolize the sacrifice made by the soldiers due to the poem “In Flanders Fields” written by the Canadian John McCrae. Poppies are associated with war because they are flowers that grew on the battlefields alongside the soldiers’ bodies since the Napoleonic wars, where hardly anything else grew.
In this square, you will find an ice cream parlor. Try the strawberry and pistachio flavors; they’re really good! We also had some fried fish at the restaurant next door. Don’t miss this, one of the best things to do in Caernarfon!
5 – City Center
Take a lovely stroll along the narrow streets of the city. You’ll find remnants of the Medieval Era among the 20th-century buildings. You’ll encounter many restaurants and cafes on Bangor and Palace St. Some restaurant recommendations: Osteria (Italian), Ouzo & Olive (Greek), Wal Restaurant (British, the walls are the castle walls), and Anglesey Arms (British, on the riverbanks).
6 – Segontium Roman Fort
A bit further from the center are the ruins of the westernmost legionary fort of the Roman Empire, founded in 77 AD when General Gnaeus Julius Agricola completed the Roman conquest of Wales by capturing Anglesey Island.
The fort was designed to accommodate 1000 infantry soldiers and remained an active garrison until 394 AD, as evidenced by coins found at the site. The name Caernarfon refers to this fort, as its name means “fort in front of Anglesey.”
7 – Dinas Dinlle
This is one of the region’s most famous pebble and sand beaches, great for a sunny day outing. If you’re brave, you can dare to venture into the chilly waters of the Irish Sea. Dolphin and porpoise sightings are common, but the real highlight is the view of the beach, as you can see the sculpted Llŷn Peninsula and an Iron Age fort on the other side. It’s located to the south of the city, a 20-minute drive away.
This is a great thing to do in Caernarfon during the Summer.
8 – Children’s Attractions
Surprisingly, Caernarfon has many attractions for children! Check them out:
- Anglesey Sea Zoo: Aquariums with various marine species, located on the other side of the Menai River.
- GreenWood Family Park: A giant park in the middle of the forest with slides, mazes, roller coasters, and even a train!
- GypsyWood: A park with a playground, bouncy castles, and plenty of space for picnics.
- Redline Indoor Karting: Four-wheeled driving for children over 8 years old.
I hope you liked these tips on what to do in Caernarfon!