North Wales was recently named by Lonely Planet as being one of the best places to visit in the whole world. The publication came to this conclusion on account of the eclectic range of visitor attractions in the region which seems to have something to offer everyone.

Irrespective of whether you want a day at the beach, a country walk, a tour around a museum or an adrenaline filled ride through a quarry at almost 100mph, North Wales is sure to have an attraction that is right for you.

To help you decide what to do during your next time in the region, we thought we’d put together a list of the top 10 places to visit in North Wales. Let’s start off with our number one top tip:

1. Snowdonia National Park

Snowdonia National Park is naturally famous for being home to the largest mountain in the UK outside of Scotland. This is a haven for hikers and nature lovers, with there being six scenic walking routes to choose from which lead to the peak of Mount Snowdon. 

The easiest and most popular of these walking routes is the Llanberis path. Being a nine mile journey (there and back), it certainly isn’t the shortest route up Snowdon but it is the route with the smallest incline. This makes it a good choice for families with young children or those who aren’t accustomed to walking large distances.

You are welcome to take your dog with you on these six Snowdon walking routes, but we would advise keeping them on a lead at all times given the large number of sheep who inhabit the region.

2. Conwy Castle & Town

A visit to Conwy Castle is a must for history buffs, with this 13th century fortress having been classed by UNESCO as being “one of the finest examples of late 13th century and early 14th century military architecture in Europe".  Alongside taking in the history of the castle, you can also head to the top of its front towers and admire unrivalled views overlooking the surrounding town and estuary.

Conwy town itself is also worth a visit, with its charming cobbled streets and wide selection of local business traders selling everything from holiday souvenirs, to antiques and designer clothing. Whilst you are visiting you may want to walk along the town's ancient walls and pay a visit to the “smallest house in Great Britain” which is to be found at the town harbour. 

3. Llanberis & Penrhyn Quarry ZipWorld

The slate production industry once dominated the North Wales region during the 19th century and you can learn all about it when you pay a visit to the National Slate Museum in Llanberis. You will get an idea of the true scale of the industry when you see the slate mountains which overlook the museum  which is itself housed inside the original Victorian slate workshops. 

You will have the opportunity to tour the facilities and see the original giant water wheel in action. There are also houses located on-site which provide tourists with an insight into the home lives of the 3,000 employees whose working lives revolved around this industry in its prime.

While you are in the region, you may want to take the 10 mile drive from the museum to the ever popular ZipWorld site in Penrhyn Quarry for an ever so slightly different experience. Here you will of course have the opportunity to ride the world’s fastest zip line where you will reach speeds of up to 100mph. Pre-booking is strongly recommended if you don’t want to miss out on the biggest thrill ride that the area has to offer.

4. Portmeirion

The village of Portmeirion was designed by the renowned architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis during the 1920s, with Williams-Ellis basing his design on that of a quintessential Italian style village. This will become very much apparent from the moment you arrive, with its lush gardens, vibrant colours and eye-catching Italianate architecture.

Pottery enthusiasts may associate the name with the famous tableware brand, and you would be right into assuming that there is a connection. The designer label was launched in the 1960s by William-Ellis’s daughter Susan, who was clearly a chip off the old block. You will be able to browse through a collection of Portmeirion homeware in the Portmeirion store which is located in the centre of the nearby town of Porthmadog.

5. Anglesey

The small island of Anglesey is located off the North West coast of North Wales and pretty much has everything that makes North Wales great in one small region. You can explore beautiful countryside, enjoy glorious coastal walking routes and meander around breathtaking seaside resorts which are perfect for a traditional family day out at the seaside.

One of the most popular seaside resorts on Anglesey is Trearddur Bay which offers soft sands, clean waters and a plethora of on-site facilities. Adrenaline junkies meanwhile may well prefer to pay a visit to the Rhosneigr beach which is a perfect for windsurfing enthusiasts with its choice of seaside training centres and equipment hire facilities. 

6. Abersoch

If it is watersports that you are after, then there is nowhere better in North Wales than Abersoch. The seaside village is indistinguishable linked with the industry, with countless watersports enthusiasts flooding to the region throughout the year to take advantage of the flat and clean waters, exposed beaches and local business community which includes countless watersports instructions, equipment hire stores and clothing accessory providers. Brands such as Animal, Crew Clothing and the White Stuff, who are all heavily linked to the watersports industry, each have their own shopping outlets in the thriving Abersoch high street. 

Abersoch is located just a short drive away from Gimblet Rock Holiday Park, making our resort one of the best places to stay if you are looking for luxury holiday accommodation near Abersoch. 

7. Welsh Highlands Railway

Another gorgeous coastal town in the region is Porthmadog which serves as the terminus for the popular Ffestiniog & Welsh Highlands Railway. This is a heritage steam railway attraction where tourists can enjoy an epic ride aboard a historic locomotive while taking in breathtaking scenery. 

There are various different rides to choose from at Porthmadog station, with everything from a short 3 hour trip to Blaenau Ffestiniog and back through to a full day out in North Wales where you will ride to Caernarfon and enjoy a 1 hour 45 minute stop over at this historic town before making your return journey. 

8. Llandudno

With its Victorian promenade, stunning beaches and vibrant pier, Llandudno is rightly known as the “Queen of Welsh Resorts”. It is your quintessential seaside town and perfect for a family day out at the seaside.

However, it is about far more than just its seafront attractions. Llandudno is also home to the UKs only remaining cable operated tramway. This takes tourists all the way to the top of the gorgeous Great Orme where you can admire unforgettable views looking over the wider North Wales region and coastline. 

Llandudno has something for everyone, with it also being home to a thriving shopping district made up of unique local stores and popular high street brands such as Next, Marks & Spencer and TK Maxx.

9. Welsh Mountain Zoo

Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay is arguably the best zoo in North Wales. Covering an area of 37 acres, the zoo is home to roughly 80 different species of animals including tigers, chimpanzees, lemurs, bears, sea lions, penguins and much more. 

There is now even a children’s farm section where the youngest members of your family can get up close with the likes of rabbits, chickens, ducks and guinea pigs. 

Guests can enjoy a daily schedule of talks and demonstrations which includes the daily Penguin Parade which is a must see for all lovers of cute animals. Other shows include the sea lion feeding sessions and slightly more scientific daily species talks which are given by one of the trainer Welsh Mountain Zoo keepers. 

10. Bodnant Gardens

While you are in Colwyn Bay, you may also wish to pay a visit to the Bodnant Gardens. Owned by the National Trust, this is grade one listed historic garden which spans over 80 acres. Filled with woodland, meadows, riverside gardens and formal gardens.

For over 150 years, plant life has been brought back to the gardens from far and wide creating a remarkable collection of rare and beautiful exhibits. The gardens offer colour at all times of the year, with their winter garden trail offering sweet aromas and a cacophony of colour. 

Most of the walks around the gardens are dog friendly, so feel free to take your four legged friend with you so long as they are kept on a lead.