10 Most Picturesque Villages in North Wales

Llanbedrog is a quaint village with a picturesque coastline, an abundance of wildlife and endless family activities. Located on the Llyn Peninsula, Llanbedrog is a popular beach destination for quiet days of sun and surf, especially for families with young children. Car parks offer adventure packs with activities like leaf trails, bug hunting and beach games, perfect for a family day out. Llanbedrog has plenty of wildlife as well, including coastal birds, brown hares and puffins that routinely nest in the area.

Aberdaron is a charming fishing village that offers fascinating historic sites and beautiful nature areas to explore. Landmarks like St Hywyn’s Church and Hywyn are lovely examples of historic architecture on the Llyn Peninsula, and you can explore the grounds to take in the views of the coast. If you want outdoor fun, travel to Bardsey Island to hike on scenic trails and see local wildlife. The beaches in Aberdaron are pristine as well, so you can relax on the sand of Traeth Aberdaron and catch some sun.

Aberffraw is a charming village with beautiful beaches, wildlife and historic attractions on Anglesey for a relaxing seaside holiday. You can spend your days on one of the many pristine beaches, including Newborough Beach and Traeth Mawr. You’ll also like the Aberffraw Dunes, a dune habitat that’s home to an abundance of wildlife like lapwing, skylark and crowfoot. Aberffraw has several historic sites as well, such as the 12th-century St Beuno’s Church and Barclodiad y Gawres, a Neolithic burial chamber. You can see all that and more with a walk on the Anglesey Coastal Path.

The village of Hawarden offers peace and quiet, as well as many opportunities for sightseeing and adventure, including historic sites, artwork, shopping and nature. You’ll find many heritage landmarks, such as St Deiniol’s Church, a former tomb that’s home to a modern arts and crafts gallery, and Hawarden Castle, the former estate of the prime minister. You could also visit Hawarden Estate Farm Shop to find unique gifts and local goods. To see the landmarks and spectacular views of the sea, take a walk on the Wales Coast Path.

Morfa Nefyn is a charming coastal fishing village with long, sandy beaches and seaside amenities to enjoy a relaxing retreat. Located close to Porthdinllaen on the Llyn Peninsula, the village is known for its pristine, sheltered beaches with clean sand and calm waters for swimming and sunbathing. Within the village, you can explore local shops, restaurants and pubs, such as the historic Ty Coch. You’ll also like visiting the Lleyn Historical and Maritime Museum in St Mary’s Church to learn more about the village’s once-booming seafaring past.

Porthdinllaen is a coastal village on a promontory with majestic views, long, sandy beaches and sheltered waters with a calm atmosphere and gentle surf, perfect for children to swim safely. Here, you can see vibrant marine life in the rock pools when the tide goes out. Curving along the beach, the village has many seaside amenities like shops and restaurants to ensure you have everything you need for your beach day. After the sun goes down, visit a pub or restaurant to take in the spectacular sunset views over the water.

Moelfre is a beautiful harbour village with beaches, historic attractions and smaller settlements for a rich and fascinating holiday. You’ll have numerous beaches to choose from, including the scenic Lligwy Beach and Red Wharf Bay, for a beach day with the family. You can find plenty of historic landmarks as well, such as the Iron Age ruins of Din Lligwy, Capel Lligwy and the Lligwy Cromlech, a monument and tomb. If you’re looking for adventure, you can explore the estuary at Bae Dulas or venture away from the beach for thrilling water sports like windsurfing and paddle boarding.

St George is an ancient parish and village with a mix of charming, small-town attractions and urbanite pleasures. One of the biggest attractions in St George is Kinmel Hall, a Victorian estate with period architecture and furnishings. You’ll also like Gwrych Castle and Gardens, a dramatic Georgian castle that offers tours of the interior and grounds. Other highlights of St George include Tir Prince Market, Marine Lake and Rhuddlan Local Nature Reserve, a vast reserve with ponds, walking paths and an abundance of wildlife.

Tremadog is a quaint village filled with outdoor activities, including rock climbing among the crags near the village and walks on the coast to take in the views. Another highlight of the village is the Peniel chapel, a Calvinist Methodist chapel from 1810 that features ornate columns and a temple based on St Paul’s chapel in Covent Garden in London. Tremadog serves as a great base camp to explore Porthmadog, which is home to attractions like Snowdonia National Park and the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway.

Llanfrothen is a sleepy community that serves as an ideal base camp to explore Blaenau Ffestiniog and Porthmadog. In Llanfrothen, you can see the ruins of Parc, a 17th-century garden terrace built of stone, or admire the medieval stone architecture of the St Brothen's Church. Venturing farther out, you can visit Blaenau Ffestiniog for experiences like tours of the quarry in Llechwedd or heritage train rides on the Ffestiniog Railway. Blaenau Ffestiniog has many peaks and valleys for climbing and hiking as well. You’ll find plenty of fun in Porthmadog, such as exploring Snowdonia National Park, exploring the 13th-century Conwy Castle or learning about the area’s nautical heritage in the Maritime Museum.