If you are looking for one of the most scenic road trips in the UK, visit North Wales. This part of the country is known as the Kingdom of Gwynedd with many beautiful North Wales castles. There are several mountains to climb and great valleys to explore. Not to mention that North Wales has also one of the best waterfalls in Wales and charming towns to visit on your North Wales Road Trip.
You will enjoy your road trip along the Welsh coast with many incredible views. The North Wales Expressway (A55) is a great way to start exploring some of the best spots in this beautiful country. It will take you to Conwy Castle, Anglesey Island, and many other amazing places.
Due to its great connection to Manchester or Liverpool exploring North Wales by car is very popular. It takes less than a 1-hour drive from those two cities to the border between Wales and England. If you want to escape from busy life and spend some quality time surrounded by beautiful nature, look no further than North Wales.
This region includes six local authorities such as Wrexham, Flintshire, Denbighshire, Conwy, Gwynedd, and the Isle of Anglesey. The number of Welsh speakers is higher in this area than in South Wales. Rich in tradition and unique culture, North Wales is a perfect destination for an amazing road trip.
7 Day North Wales Road Trip Itinerary
With a plethora of attractions in North Wales, it might be difficult to plan a perfect road trip itinerary. That’s why I want to share with you the top places to visit in this part of the country during a 7 days road trip.
Day 1 – Wrexham
If you want to tick off at least one of the Seven Wonders of Wales, visit Wrexham. St Giles’ Church is a beautiful 16th-century building that really stands out. This 41m tall medieval architectural masterpiece looks really beautiful inside and outside.
As you enter the church, you will notice stunning arcades above your head. The interior of St Giles’ Church has really interesting decorations. You can see some old paintings at the end of the nave or the face of the devil on the inside of the roof.
Apart from St Giles’ Church, Wrexham has also some other amazing places to visit. Just a 10 minute drive from the city center, you can see a small, but very beautiful waterfall. In Plas Power Woods you will find a hidden waterfall which is the best to visit in spring or summer.
Another attraction near Wrexham is Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. It takes only 15 minutes to get there and it is an amazing place to see. If you want to take a picture of the highest canal aqueduct in the world, look no further than North Wales.
You can stand 38m above the River Dee or watch narrowboats crossing the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. This UNESCO World Heritage Site with the longest aqueduct in the UK is one of the top attractions to visit during a road trip in North Wales.
Day 2 – Wrexham to Llandudno (1-hour drive)
Along the North Wales coast, you will find plenty of sandy beaches such as Rhyl Beach or Colwyn Bay Beach. However, one of the most beautiful towns with sandy beaches in North Wales is Llandudno.
This popular holiday destination has beautiful hotels with views of Llandudno Bay and Great Orme Country Park. You can go to Llandudno Pier and take some amazing photos or relax at North Shore Beach. Llandudno Pier is the longest in Wales with great bars, cafes, and amusement arcades. It is a perfect place to visit with kids.
The best views in this area offer the Marine Drive that starts near Llandudno Pier. Driving around the Great Orme takes only 25 minutes and it is one of the most scenic routes in the UK. You can also drive up to the Great Orme Summit Pay & Display Car Park to admire beautiful views from the top.
If you are looking for a beachfront hotel in Llandudno which is also pet friendly, stay in Belmont Llandudno. The hotel has great facilities and you also can hire a bike there if you want to drive a car around the town.
Day 3 – Llandudno to Conwy (10 minutes drive)
When driving the North Wales Expressway (A55), you will see plenty of amazing castles. Some of the best are Rhuddlan Castle, Gwrych Castle, or Conwy Castle. With such a plethora of choices, it is hard to choose where to stop. If you want to see not only one of the best medieval castles but also explore the beautiful town, visit Conwy.
This historical location will offer you incredible views of River Conwy and Snowdonia National Park. You will also find there the smallest house in the UK that is one of the top attractions in Conwy. However, nothing will be more impressive than a visit to the 13th-century fortress – Conwy Castle.
When you enter this medieval masterpiece, you will understand why Edward I spent so much money on it. This massive structure with tall towers stands out in North Wales. You can admire beautiful views of the town from the castle or explore Conwy Town Walls. Conwy is a beautiful place to visit, so make sure to spend a nice day.
Day 4 – Conwy to Aber Falls (40 minutes drive)
During your road trip, you should not miss visiting one of the best waterfalls in Wales. Aber Falls is just next to the North Wales Expressway (A55). You can park at Aber Falls Car Park and it takes only 30 minutes to walk to the waterfall.
This short hike is easy and offers incredible views. Between March and May, you can also admire bluebells in Coedydd Aber National Nature Reserve. A 40m high waterfall is a great stop if you want to explore one of the most magical places in North Wales.
Between Conwy and Aber Falls there is also a historical landmark – Druids Circle. It will require a bit of hiking to get there, however, if you are lucky you can also see some ponies there. If you want to combine a bit of history with great views of the Welsh coast, spend some time in this beautiful scenery.
Day 5 – Aber Falls to Snowdon (1-hour drive)
When visiting North Wales, Snowdonia National Park is a must-see attraction. Snowdon – the highest mountain in Wales with a height of 1085m offers incredible views. You can admire a few lakes from the summit such as Llyn Glaslyn or Llyn Llydaw.
One of the easiest paths to Snowdon is Llanberis Path. There is plenty of parking nearby and also Llanberis Station that can take you to the top of the mountain. If you are looking for a bit more difficult route, park at Pen y Pass Warden Centre. You can choose between Pyg Track or Miner’s Track to climb the mountain.
The most challenging path is Crib Goch, which is only recommended during nice weather. In summer it is also worth considering Watkin Path, which is a very picturesque route with views of waterfalls. You should allow for at least 6 hours to spend in this beautiful part of Wales.
Day 6 – Snowdon to Traeth Llanddwyn in Anglesey Island (1-hour 10minutes drive)
You could spend a whole week just driving along the coast of the largest island in Wales. There are many beautiful beaches and places to explore in Anglesey. However, the most popular is Traeth Llanddwyn which offers amazing views of the smaller tidal island Ynys Llanddwyn and Snowdonia National Park.
The long golden sandy beach is a perfect place to visit with families. However, make sure to arrive there early as the road to the beach can be very busy, especially in peak season. From Traeth Llanddwyn beach you can walk to Ynys Llanddwyn island which has two beautiful lighthouses and lovely places to relax. You can stay nearby at Awelfryn Campsite which is less than 20 minutes drive from this beautiful location.
Day 7 – Traeth Llanddwyn in Anglesey Island to South Stack in Holy Island (50 minutes drive)
If you want to see more lighthouses, make sure to drive to South Stack. Goleudy Ynys Lawd is an amazing historic building set on tall cliffs. This lighthouse offers breathtaking views and it is one of the best places to visit in North Wales.
There are 400 steps that lead to Goleudy Ynys Lawd so this place looks really impressive. It is just a stone’s throw away from the South Stack Car Park which makes it a perfect stop during a road trip.
This whole area is really beautiful with incredible rock formations and views of the sea. In Elin’s Tower, you can also observe rare species of birds. Holy Island is definitely a breathtaking place to visit in North Wales.
This 7 days road trip itinerary will take you to some of the most beautiful places in North Wales. During one week, you will drive 169 miles (111km) from Wrexham to Holy Island. If you would like to add some additional attractions, my recommendations are Beaumaris Castle, Penmon Point, Llangollen, and Betws-y-Coed.
Guest post by Paulina, author of ukeveryday.com. Her blog was shortlisted as one of the Top 70 UK Travel Blogs to follow. She loves exploring hidden places in England, Wales, and Scotland. Follow them in Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest.