A perfect 5-day itinerary in Snowdonia

In this post, we’re sharing our 5-day Snowdonia itinerary, now known by its Welsh name Eryri National Park

This day-by-day travel guide is packed with the very best attractions in Snowdonia, helping you plan an unforgettable trip to one of the most scenic regions in North Wales.

With dramatic mountain ranges, crystal-clear lakes, charming villages, and a fascinating cultural heritage, Snowdonia National Park (Eryri) is a dream destination for families, couples, and outdoor lovers alike.  From iconic hikes and historic castles to coastal escapes and underground adventures, there’s no shortage of amazing things to do in Snowdonia.  the biggest problem is choosing where to begin!

During our recent North Wales trip, we spent 2 nights in a treehouse near Machynlleth, before continuing on for five unforgettable days exploriong Eryri National Park.  Our Snowdonia itinerary includes a mix of family-friendly activities, scenic hikes, historic landmarks, and some of the best villages to visit in Snowdonia.  We explored Portmeirion, wandered through picturesque mountain villages, explored castles, and even ventured deep underground in a slate mine.  We also included day trips to Anglesey and Holy Island.

Although we didn’t climb Mount Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) this time due to medical reasons, it’s easy to adapt this itinerary to include it.  You could swap one of the days for a Snowdon summit hike or take the Snowdon Mountain Railway instead.

So, if you’re planning a family-friendly 5-day Snowdonia itinerary filled with nature, culture, scenic walks, and unforgettable views, read on to see how we explored the very best of Eryri National Park.

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Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) covers 823 square miles, making it the largest national park in Wales.  Located in the north of the country, it’s home to nine mountain ranges and Wales’ highest peak, Mount Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa).

Eryri is one of the UK’s top destinations for outdoor adventure, with countless walks in Snowdonia, historic landmarks and breathtaking landscapes.  It’s equally appealing for hikers, families, and those who want to connect with nature.

To experience the best attractions in Snowdonia without rushing, we recommend spending 5 to 7 days in the Eryri National Park.  This gives you enough time to enjoy mountain walks, explore some of Snowdonia’s best villages and take a day trip to the coast.

We went at the start of June and had a good mixture of rain and sunshine.  It was pleasant temperature for hiking, but on other days it was sunny enough to hit the beach.

Snowdonia is the wettest area in Wales, with over 3000 mm of rain a year.  You should expect some rain whatever the season and pack a waterproof. It is worth investing in a good quality jacket, such as this North Face waterproof which I took.

If you are going to climb Mount Snowdon, you might want to invest in some good waterproof trekking trousers too.  It can get extremely cold at the top, so wear lots of layers.

Summer (June to September) is probably the best time to go, but obviously you’ll get more crowds then.

There’s a wide range of accommodation options in Snowdonia to suit all budgets, from campsites and B&Bs to self-catering cottages and boutique hotels.  We stayed in Betwys Garmon, on the A45 between Waunfawr and Rhyd-Ddu .  Although this tiny hamlet doesn’t have many facilities in the village, it proved to be a great central base for exploring Snowdonia.

Other excellent places to stay include Beddgelert and Betwys y Coed, both of which are consistently ranked among the best villages to visit in Snowdonia thanks to their beautiful settings and visitor-friendly facilities.  You can find a good choice of self-catering cottages and guest houses on Booking.com.

Snowdonia is in the northwest of Wales but is fairly easy to get to from the rest of the UK.  We arrived from the South, via the M4.  However, we left on a more direct route towards Liverpool on the A55/M56.  We then returned towards London on the M6/M40 via Birmingham.  The journey to Surrey took about 5.5 hours.

If you are coming by train, head for the station at Betws-y-Coed.

The easiest way to get around Snowdonia is by car.  There is a bus service, but you will have the restrictions of timetables.  Plus, the buses only go to the major destinations.

Hopefully we have helped with some basic information for your trip planning.  Below is our day-by-day 5-day Snowdonia itinerary, designed to visit a range of attractions in Snowdonia.

We began our Snowdonia itinerary with a visit to Portmeirion, one of the most unique attractions in Snowdonia.  Located in Gwynedd, on the edge of Eryri National Park, this Italiante village is unlike anywhere else in Wales.  For us, it was an ideal stop on our journey from Machynlleth.

With its colourful buildings, sunken piazza, giant chess set, and ornate architecture, Portmeirion looks like something out of a fairy tale.  It is about as un-Welsh as you can get!  It was designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975.  The Welsh architect was keen to prove you can develop a naturally beautiful location, without spoiling it.

Later, in the 1960s, Portmeirion became the filming location for the cult TV series, The Prisoner.  Today, it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in North Wales.

You have to pay an admission charge, which isn’t that cheap, but it is one of the most unique places in Wales.

To get the most of your visit to Portmeirion, make time for the two walks.  The coastal walk at Portmeirion leads past the hotel to a viewpoint overlooking a wide sandy estuary.  The tide was out when we were there, and the views were breathtaking.

The second of the two walks follow through the exotic woodlands at Portmeirion.  Here you’ll find an enormous collection of tropical trees, flowers, and a Japanese garden.  Plus you’ll find some more unusual features, such as the pet cemetery and the ghost garden.

After your walks head back to village for some real Italian ice-cream in the gelateria and a quick browse round the gift shop, where you’ll see the famous Portmeirion pottery.

In the afternoon, we headed to the historic town of Caernarfon, home to one of best-preserved- medieval castles in Wales.

Caernarfon Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the top historical attractions in Snowdonia .  It was once a royal residence and was the site for the investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales.

King Edward I built the imposing Caernarfon Castle in 1283 and today it still dominates the town.  After exploring the castle, enjoy wandering the waterfront and cobbled streets.

Caernarfon is compact and easy to explore, making it an ideal addition to your Snowdonia itinerary.  It’s also a good place to stock up on groceries if you are self-catering.

Day two focuses on exploring the idyllic village of Beddgelert, in the heart of Eryri National Park.  The day includes hiking, folklore, pubs, and a dragon or two!

The day starts at the National Trust car park at Crafwlyn, on the outskirts of Beddgelert.  From here you have a choice of two family-friendly trails.  The trails lead to ancient woodland, a waterfall, and the remains of an ancient tower.  According to legend, the summit of the Dinas Emrys walk is the original home of the Welsh red dragon.

If you plan to do a lot of walking in Snowdonia, it is advisable to take an Ordnance Survey map.

Beddgelert is often considered one of the best villages to visit in Snowdonia, and it’s easy to see why.  It’s chocolate-box pretty and one of the most charming destinations in Snowdonia.

One of the must-do attractions in Beddgelert is a short walk to Gelert’s Grave and the nearby bronze statue.  Here you can find out all about the story of the Welsh legend, a dog called Gelert.

Beddgelert is a traditional Welsh mountain village with stone buildings, a woodcraft shop, an ice-cream parlour, and several pubs.  One of the other tourist attractions here is the Sygun Copper Mine, where you can do a self-guided tour of the historic copper mines.

Click here for more details on things to do in Beddgelert.

One of the most unique attractions in Snowdonia is the Go Below Underground Adventure.  This immersive experience takes you deep into abandoned slate mines and is a fantastic option for adventurous families visiting Eryri National Park.  The 5-hour experience takes you on a series of mini adventures, with activities including boating, zip-lining, climbing, and abseiling, deep below the mountains.

It is suitable for children over 10 years old, but there is a 7-hour extreme version for adults.  For more details you can see the Go Below website.

The meet point for the Go Below adventure is at the café in Conwy Falls Forest Park, so the next stop is a visit to the waterfall.  A circular woodland walk leads from the car park to the River Conwy, where you’ll see the spectacular Conwy Falls.

Conwy Falls runs through a natural gorge and plunges over the boulders into a deep pool.   You can watch the waterfall from a viewpoint.  It is possible to climb down, but it’s quite precarious and a steep climb up. If you go in August, you may see salmon, travelling upstream to lay their eggs.

Whilst there, you should stop for a break at the Conwy Falls Café.  The café was designed by Clough Williams-Ellis, the mastermind behind Portmeirion and has the same style architecture. More importantly, it also serves a delightful selection of homemade cake!

Often referred to as the “Gateway to Snowdonia”,  the picturesque town of Betwys-y-Coed is another contender for the title of best village to visit in Snowdonia.  It’s a lively hub for walkers, with easy access to Swallow Falls, Fairy Glen, and numerous scenic trails.

There are plenty of outdoor equipment shops and places to eat.

On day 4 of our Snowdonia itinerary we take a day trip to Anglesey and Holy Island, on the northwestern coast of Wales.  With an area of 261 square miles, Anglesey is the largest island in England and Wales.

Anglesey is separated from mainland Wales by the Menai Strait.  It’s easy to get there from Snowdonia by using the A5 road link over the Menai Suspension Bridge.  Built by Thomas Telford in 1826 this is the first modern suspension bridge in the world.

One of the best things to do in Anglesey is visit the South Stack Lighthouse on Holy Island.

You can park at the RSPB car park and walk to Ellin’s Tower, now home to the RSPB Visitor Centre.  This area is a nature reserve and important breeding ground for many seabirds, including guillemots, razorbills, choughs, and kittiwake.

The Visitors Centre provides binoculars, so visitors can observe the seabirds nesting on the South Stack cliffs. If you’re lucky you can spot puffins, seals, or porpoises.

From the RSPB Visitor Centre, it is a 10 minute-walk to the lighthouse.  Built in 1809, South Stack Lighthouse stands on its own little island.  There are 400 steps to get to it, but once there you can climb to the top of the lighthouse.  South Stack is one of the must-see attractions in Anglesey and definitely worth a visit.

There’s plenty of choice for things to do with kids in Anglesey, including some fantastic beaches.

Trearddur Bay Beach is one of the best beaches near Snowdonia.  It has a long wide stretch of sand, so is very popular with families.  As well as paddling, you’ll find activities such as kayaking and supping.

The tide goes out a long way, leaving rock pools at each side.  You’ll find a couple of cafés at Trearddur Bay beach and public toilets.

On the final day in Snowdonia, head to the village of Llanberis.  Nestled at the foot of Mount Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), Llanberis is one of the most popular villages in Eryri National Park.

It is a key base for climbing Mount Snowdon, as the Llanberis route is one of the easiest in terms of gradient.  Even if you don’t plan to hike, Llanberis is worth visiting for its lakeside setting and is also the departure point of the Snowdonia Mountain Railway.

Remember to book in advance, as the train is very popular.

Padarn Country Park offers one of the most accessible and scenic walks in Snowdonia, circling Llyn Padarn with views of the surrounding mountains.  The walk around Llanberis Lake is about 5 miles (8km) and takes just over 2 hours.  The route is flat, apart from the start, where the path heads up past the Quarry Hospital and through the woods.

One of the best attractions at the Padarn Country Park is the National Slate Museum.  The slate landscape of Northwest Wales is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the museum gives a fantastic insight into Wales’s mining heritage.

You could easily spend all day at Padarn Country Park as there’s plenty to do.  If you don’t fancy hiking, you could enjoy some watersports on the lake.  It is a popular location for watersports, including kayaking, supping, and diving.

If you enjoy history, there’s also a 13^th century castle at Padarn Country Park.  Welsh Prince Llewelyn the Great built Dolbadarn Castle to defend the ancient kingdom of Gwynedd.  Only the round tower remains, but you can climb up the spiral case for fantastic views over Llanberis Lake.

Admission to Dolbadarn Castle is free.

If you want more information for your trip to Snowdonia, the Rough Guide Staycations Snowdonia has ideas for other Snowdonia attractions and walks.

Here is a map of the places we visited on our 5-day itinerary in Eryri National Park (Snowdonia).  You can use this to plan your own itinerary.

To save the map to Google Maps on your phone or computer, click on the star next to the title. Once you do this, you’ll be able to find the map in your “saved maps” list on your phone.

To see a list of all the items on the map, click the box with arrow on the left. To enlarge the map, click the box on the right.

We hope this helps you plan your own Snowdonia itinerary?  We would love to hear your questions or comments below.

If you’d like to explore the rest of Wales, you may also like:

• 12 reasons why you need to visit Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
• 15 very best things to do near Cardigan, West Wales
• 12 best things to do in the Gower Peninsula

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