Exploring the Best of Llandudno in North Wales
Llandudno is a charming seaside resort in North Wales, famous for its stunning coastline, elegant pier, and clean beaches. The town is situated on the peninsula of Creuddyn that extends into the Irish Sea. This area of the North Wales coast has an abundance of seaside towns, but Llandudno easily stands out amongst the most beautiful Welsh resorts.
View of the beach and waterfront of Llandudno in North Wales
It has some of the best atmosphere of any British coastal town, and it's jam-packed with amazing things to do. Join us as we explore this gem along the North Wales coast, helping you discover all the great sights of Llanduno.
Attractions and Activities in Llandudno
Llandudno Pier
Llandudno Pier is a Grade II listed pier that stretches 700 meters (2,295 ft) into the Irish Sea. Built in 1877, this gigantic Victorian pier currently holds the title of being the longest pier in Wales. Llandudno Pier is so well-regarded that it even won the National Piers Society's Pier of the Year award in 2005.
View of the famous Llandudno Pier
This Victorian Pier is a popular spot for families, locals, and visitors, with a range of restaurants, food stands, shops, and cafes. There are two amusement arcades on the pier, and it even has a bar at the end of the pier making it a great place to unwind.
The variety of shops, restaurants, cafes, and arcades at Llandudno Pier is great, but possibly the best reason to visit is to enjoy the incredible sea views. Views of Llandudno Beach and waterfront architecture are breathtaking, and you will likely not find better views in any of the Welsh resorts.
Llandudno Boat Trips
Setting sail on a boat trip is an excellent way to enjoy the seaside atmosphere of Llandudno. Two boats that frequently set sail are the Sea Jay and Seaborne. They will take you on a maritime adventure past the lighthouse, caves, sea coves, and pier of Llandudno.
View of Llandudno beach and promenade
It's a unique experience for anyone looking to enjoy the waterfront from an ocean perspective, and the tickets are also reasonably priced. These boats depart from the jetty on Llandudno Promenade and take around 25 minutes to complete the journey.
North Shore Beach Promenade
The North Shore Beach Promenade offers all the amenities of a typical British seaside holiday but with beautiful Victorian and Edwardian architecture. You’ll find plenty of shops, cafes, ice cream stands, and funfair rides along the North Shore Beach Promenade. This makes it a perfect place for a picnic with the family or a leisurely stroll by the ocean.
North Shore Beach Promenade in Llandudno
This North Shore beach is the liveliest part of the beach, as it is located amongst a variety of shops and restaurants, and the Llandudno Pier is also within a short walk of the promenade. Weekend crowds are to be expected, as this is a popular location on Llandudno Beach. In contrast, the West Shore beach is quieter, making it more ideal for activities like football, cricket, or kite flying.
The North Shore Beach Promenade is a wonderful area to spend an afternoon with its scenic coastline views and excellent selection of restaurants and stores. Since Llandudno Pier is also close by, visiting both places in one afternoon is very convenient.
Explore the Town Centre Shops
Visit the Victoria Centre, a shopping mall in the heart of Llandudno with plenty of shops. This shopping mall houses a great variety of stores ranging from big high street names like boots and waterstones to small independent shops run by local Welsh business owners.
The Victoria Centre provides a wide range of options to meet the needs of most shoppers. However, Mostyn Street, located just outside the Victoria Centre, offers even more shops. This is a popular shopping street that has even more shops, restaurants, and bars.
One of the best parts about the town centre is its close proximity to the North Shore Beach Promenade and the Llandudno Pier, two of Llandudno's best sights, which also include a great variety of shops. So if you don't find enough variety in the mall or at Mostyn Street, you can continue your explorations on the promenade and the pier.
The Victorian Extravaganza
Discovering the town’s Victorian architecture and elegance, preserved in its many buildings and landmarks like Llandudno Pier, is very exciting. However, if browsing the landmarks and buildings is not enough, then attending the Victorian Extravaganza event will surely satisfy the most seasoned history buffs.
Steamscenes, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
The Victorian Extravaganza is a cultural event that takes place every May during Bank Holiday. It celebrates Victorian history and culture in a public festival. There is a street fair and parade that can be located within the town centre, so if you're interested in the Victorian Era, then be sure not to miss this event.
Oriel Mostyn Gallery
The Oriel Mostyn Gallery is one of Llandudno's best art galleries. It exhibits local artists and features many contemporary art exhibitions. It is located within the town centre area, and the admission is free. The convenient location and free entry make this an easy place to recommend, especially for art lovers, as it is highly regarded as being one of the best art galleries in North Wales.
Experience the Nature of Llandudno
Llandudno has a variety of incredible nature sights, and nature lovers will not find a shortage of things to do in the area. Let's explore a few of the best nature attractions Llandudno has to offer.
Happy Valley
Explore the scenic beauty of Happy Valley, a former quarry turned into gardens and a popular spot for outdoor activities. The Happy Valley area provides breathtaking views of Llandudno and the Irish Sea. Nature walks in this area are great, and the Happy Valley Botanical Gardens are a tranquil location where the nature and views of Llandudno can be easily enjoyed.
An old colorized photograph of Happy Valley in Llandudno
If you want to explore the area on foot, there are also some lovely nature trails to choose from. Some of these can be done easily within a short amount of time, while others may require a few hours. Those short on time but would still like to experience the beautiful Happy Valley nature should check out the next section.
Happy Valley Cable Car
Reach the peak of the Great Orme mountain and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views on a relaxing cable car journey. The Happy Valley Cable Car is the longest cable car system in Britain, and it is well equipped to transport visitors to the peak of the Great Orme mountain.
This cable car journey is a magical experience that takes approximately 9 minutes to reach the peak, and the rides are known for being calm and not bumpy. However, on windy days, the cable cars will often be closed as they are not able to function well in windy weather.
There are no cashpoints at the cable car entrance, and as of September 2024, the cable car only accepts cash payments. More information about ride times and tickets is available through their website. Overall, the Happy Valley Cable Car transports you across beautiful hilly landscapes of Happy Valley and right up to the Great Orme summit while enjoying a fun cable car journey.
The Great Orme Country Park
Explore the Great Orme Country Park and Nature Reserve, with its picturesque views and walking trails. The Great Orme rises 207 meters (679 feet) from the sea and is 2 miles long and 1 mile wide. Much of the headland has been classified as a Special Area of Conservation, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and a Heritage Coast due to the significant geology, wildlife, archaeology, and landscape.
Take a ride on the historic Great Orme Tramway, one of the oldest street tramways in the world. This historic tramway will take you on a journey through the beautiful park and provide you with incredible scenic views of the area.
Llywelyn2000, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
For visitors looking to drive themselves through the Great Orme Country Park, the scenic Marine Drive is a five-mile private road that hugs the edge of the mountain. This is a toll road with many stops along the way, designed so visitors can stop off at the scenic viewpoints and enjoy the beauty of Llandudno and the Irish Sea. It's a very unique way to explore the Great Orme Country Park and surrounding nature.
Visiting the summit of Great Orme can be done with the Happy Valley Cable Car, as mentioned previously. This is the most popular way to enjoy the stunning views and a nature reserve with wild Kashmir goats. The abundance of wildlife makes the Great Orme Country Park a favorite amongst birdwatchers visiting Wales.
There are so many ways to enjoy this area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) that it would be a shame to miss it. I believe exploring one of the options mentioned above would make a great addition to your travels in Llandudno.
Things to do near Llandudno
The area nearby Llandudno has a great variety of things to do. There are castles, national parks, and great beaches within a short drive or bus ride. Let's check out some of the things to do near Llandudno.
Conwy Castle
Conwy Castle is one of the most iconic medieval castles in North Wales. It is without a doubt the best historical landmark near Llandudno. Edward I had it constructed between 1283 and 1287 upon his conquest of Wales.
Conwy Castle in North Wales
There is plenty to explore inside and outside of Conwy Castle. It is also known as the Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd, this is because the area outside of the castle has fortified town walls, which can also be explored. History buffs will love the castle and the surrounding area as there is so much unique medieval architecture there.
For those looking for things to do near Llandudno, Conwy Castle should be at the top of their list. The castle is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is considered by many to be a must-see in North Wales.
Hotels in Llandudno
The Welsh Resorts usually have a great variety of hotels and B&Bs, and Llandudno is no different. Llandudno has some of the best accommodation available in any of the Welsh seaside towns. Some of the best hotels Llandudno has to offer are:
Llandudno Bay Hotel
The Broadway Hotel
Imperial Hotel
St George's Hotel
The Llandudno Bay hotel is one of the most popular out of these luxury hotels, but they are all excellent options. Travelers on a budget also have the option of a ton of B&Bs and smaller Llandudno hotels. Keep in mind that Llandudno is still home to smaller Victorian buildings, and the hotels are quite small in this town.
This means they can get fully booked quickly, especially during the summer. If you are visiting during the summer months, it would be a good idea to book hotels in advance.
Plan Your Trip to Llandudno
Getting to Llandudno
Taking a train to Llandudno Junction and then a short taxi ride or bus to the town centre is a popular way of reaching Llandudno. Alternatively, there are coaches and buses that will also take you to Llandudno, depending on which city or town you are traveling from.
Seaside view from Llandudno promenade
Driving to Llandudno via the A55 and A470 roads is possible too if you are traveling by car. Using Google Maps is probably the easiest option in this scenario, as it has more live updates on which roads are the fastest.
My Overall Thoughts on Llandudno
Llandudno is among the best Welsh resorts; it is frequently visited by many tourists, and some even return year after year. This is with good reason, as Llandudno has an abundance of natural beauty, from clean beaches to picturesque hillsides.
It's a town that offers a bit of everything, including some great leisure activities for families. Llandudno is a unique and incredible destination, and in my opinion, it is one of the best places to visit in North Wales.
What is special about Llandudno?
Llandudno in North Wales is special for its natural beauty, Victorian Pier, and clean beach.
Is Llandudno nice for a holiday?
Visiting Llandudno, United Kingdom, as a holiday is nice, as there are a variety of nature activities along with clean beaches and historic architecture.
What region is Llandudno in?
Wales is the region of Llandudno, United Kingdom.
What does Llandudno mean in Welsh?
The meaning of Llandudno is the "Church of Saint Tudno."