The historic and medieval walled town of Conwy - just 10 miles north of Crafnant House, our B&B in Eryri | Snowdonia - is full of great attractions and is the perfect day out during your holiday in North Wales.
There are so many fun things to do in the town! You can walk along the town walls, explore the ancient castle and Elizabethan buildings and see the smallest house in Great Britain.
Or maybe stroll along the beach and around the marina, then buy unique souvenirs and gifts in the independent shops.
When it comes to great places to eat there are also lots of lovely cafes, pubs and restaurants serving local food and drinks!
Conwy is compact and you can easily walk between all the sights!
So here is our visitors guide to Conwy - we recommend a visit to the town to everybody staying at our B&B as it is unmissable, even on a rainy day!
Visiting Conwy and North Wales for your holiday?
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Our visitors guide to the best things to do in Conwy!
How to get to Conwy
To visit Conwy by car turn off the A55 expressway at junctions 17 or 18 and follow the signs to the town.
There is a large pay and display car park on the southern side of the town - it is near the castle, just off the B5106 road that runs south towards Trefriw and Betws-y-Coed.
Alternatively mainline trains stop at Conwy station or nearby Llandudno Junction (a short walk away), and there are regular buses that arrive from places such as Bangor and Llandudno.
Conwy is also on both North Wales cycle route 5 and the Wales coast path if you want to arrive by bike or on foot!
The best places to visit in Conwy
Conwy is full of fascinating, historic sights and buildings which are all worth a visit, and many of them are great for families to enjoy!
Conwy Castle
Built between 1283 and 1287 by King Edward I, Conwy Castle is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site which also includes three other castles in North Wales - those at Caernarfon, Harlech and Beaumaris.
On your visit learn about the history of the castle which contains the most intact set of medieval royal apartments in Wales.
Thanks to the restored spiral staircases in its great towers you can also walk a complete circuit around the battlements - children love this part!
The castle is part of CADW so if you are visiting other castles and historic sites in Wales during your hoilday it is worth considering a 3 or 7 day ‘Explorer Pass’!
The magnificent castle in Conwy!
Conwy town walls
Stretching almost uninterrupted around Conwy’s heart, the town walls run for nearly a mile, with 21 towers and three original gateways scattered along their length.
You can access them at various points and take a walk along the top of the walls for FREE as they loop around Conwy’s cramped medieval streets.
You will enjoy stunning views of the towering castle, the estuary and the hills and mountains of Eryri | Snowdonia in the distance.
Aberconwy House
This impressive building is a 14th century merchant’s house and the only one its type to have survived the town’s turbulent history since then.
Conwy quay
You cannot miss the picturesque quayside in Conwy which runs from the castle and then along the River Conwy.
Fishing boats still unload their catches their at high tide, including famous Conwy mussels which you can also buy on the quay!
Grab an ice cream from Parisellas, or have a pint at the Liverpool Arms, visit the smallest house in Great Britain, visit the lifeboat station, or just sit and people watch whilst enjoying the sights and smells.
You can also catch a boat for a sightseeing cruise along the River Conwy and out into the estuary for views of the Great Orme and Anglesey - fantastic on a sunny day!
Sightseeing Cruises Conwy run boats from February to October, tides permitting.
The smallest house in Great Britain!
The smallest house in Great Britain can be found on the quayside. You cannot miss it as it is painted bright red and usually has a queue outside!
It’s something of a ‘tourist trap’ but is very quirky and well worth a quick look - it won’t take you very long!
The smallest house in Great Britain on the quayside in Conwy
Plas Mawr
This is one of the finest Elizabethan town houses still intact in the UK today - it has served several purposes since it was built including a courthouse, school and art gallery.
Thomas Telford’s suspension bridge
This 19th century suspension bridge was once the gateway to Conwy (the modern road now runs parallel to it).
The bridge is open to visitors every day of the year, whatever the weather, and is free to walk across.
The magnificent suspension bridge in Conwy
Discover the nature reserves and beaches around Conwy
RSPB wetland nature reserve
This nature reserve is run by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
Located on the east bank of the Conwy river estuary, it was created from material dug out during construction of the A55 road tunnel which runs underneath the town.
It is now home to a wide variety of birds and wildlife - including Carneddau mountain ponies who graze the southern part of the reserve.
Conwy mountain nature reserve
From the north end of Conwy quay, follow signs for the North Wales path to enter the Conwy mountain nature reserve for a great mountain walk.
After the upwards climb you will be rewarded with panoramic views of Anglesey in the west, the Conwy Valley and Eryri | Snowdonia in the south, and east towards the Clwydian mountains - and even as far as Liverpool bay on a clear day.
Sychnant Pass and Conwy Mountain
Conwy Morfa beach
Conwy Morfa (which means ‘shore’ in Welsh) is a large sandy bay, which at low tide forms part of the sandy beaches and mussel banks of Conwy Bay.
In good weather you will enjoy stunning views across the bay towards Llandudno and Deganwy in the east, and Puffin Island and Anglesey to the west.
The beach is great for fishing and bird watching and there is also a marina with a good pub, The Mulberry.
If you fancy a round of golf then Conwy Golf Club is one of the best links courses in Wales.
Be sure to check the tide times before you set out as the beach is inaccessible at high tide!
The best places to eat out in Conwy!
Whether you want fish and chips and ice cream on the quayside, dinner in an award-winning restaurant or cosy pub, a light lunch or simply coffee and cake, Conwy offers great places to eat and drink for all tastes!
Here are some of our favourites places to eat in Conwy:
Signatures restaurant
Located at Aberconwy Resort & Spa next to Conwy Morfa beach, this restaurant has won numerous awards in recognition of the creative food served.
Offering professional and friendly service, the contemporary surroundings include a theatre-style kitchen.
It allows you to watch the chef and his team prepare freshly made ‘modern British’ dishes from a regularly changing menu.
Upstairs at Anna’s
This beautifully decorated and furnished restaurant is situated on the first floor of a Grade II listed building dating from the 1800’s.
With a full height open stairwell with an ornate chandelier and plush carpets throughout, Upstairs at Anna’s offers a real touch of class and elegance.
Telfords Bistro
This new seafood focussed bistro and bar opened in 2023 and offers creative small plates and creative fish dishes.
Johnny Dough’s at the Bridge
It’s the classic story, we’ve all heard it a million times before… a 38 year old geologist from Llandudno is working for a Canadian mining company in Ethiopia when he suddenly thinks… pizza!
Fast-forward several years and Johnny Dough’s now offers freshly-made wood-fired pizzas using quality ingredients in the heart of Conwy.
Add to the great pizzas an excellent range of drinks from local breweries and distilleries and what’s not to love?!
There are also other branches in nearby Llandudno, Colwyn Bay, Penmaenmawr and Rhos-on-Sea.
The Albion Ale House
Run by a co-operative of four local North Wales breweries, the Albion pub sells a wide range of frequently changing local ales and spirits plus nibbles and pork pies from the butchers Edwards of Conwy.
The building itself is one of the finest examples of a 1920s public house in Britain and the lounge and snug still retain the original fixed seating with push bells used to summon bartenders.
It has real character and the beer is great - we love it!
Bryn our retriever in the Albion Ale House in Conwy!
The Bank of Conwy
Housed in a former bank building, this bar serves a good choice of local and international beers and tasty, interesting food. Have a look at the old vault downstairs!
They often have live music and events in the evenings - check out their website for details.
Parisella’s Ice Cream
This is the place to try ice cream in Conwy - it is made in the town and comes in a dazzling array of flavours!
The main parlour is on the High Street, and there is another smaller kiosk on the quayside too.
L’s Coffee & Bookshop
L’s is a justifiably popular cosy and friendly cafe serving delicious cakes and coffee plus a great choice of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free lunches!
A small outside rear courtyard is open during the summer. It can get very busy but is a great place to eat with super friendly service!
Delicious food at L’s Coffee & Bookshop
The Cheese Room Deli
Delicatessen with an excellent cafe upstairs - The Castle Cafe - whose outdoor terrace has views of the town walls and Conwy Castle.
A good range of options for alternative diets - especially ‘free from’ gluten-free cakes!
FIsherman’s chip shop & FIVE coffee shop
These two places, run by the same family, are right next door to each other near the harbour.
Choose from excellent fish and chips at one, and equally excellent coffee, salads and wraps at the other.
You can then sit on the quayside and eat your food, although watch out for seagulls!
CANTÎN
This friendly, modern cafe is in a great location at the new Conwy Culture Centre just outside the town walls.
The outdoor, covered terrace is a quiet place to sit and enjoy tasty food, especially when the rest of the town is busy!
Enjoy shopping in Conwy!
Conwy has a wealth of independent retailers which are just perfect for picking up the perfect gift or souvenir of your visit to North Wales!
These are some of our favourite shops in Conwy which are well worth a visit:
The Potters’ Gallery
Situated at the bottom end of the High Street, The Potters’ Gallery specialises exclusively in contemporary ceramics and pottery.
All the pieces are individually designed and hand made by artist potters who have studios in North Wales.
Most of the unique breakfast milk jugs and our sheep toast racks at Crafnant House are made by artists exhibiting here!
Conwy Art & Soap Bar
On the High Street by the Castle Hotel, stop here to buy cards, artwork, hand made soap, knitted baby items and soft furnishings produced by local craftspeople.
Dylan’s Baked Goods & General Stores
This is the second ‘general store’ from the North Wales restaurant chain Dylan’s.
You will find a large selection of freshly baked cakes, pies, pasties & pastries, fresh meals, essentials & local Welsh produce, and in 2023 a new restaurant opened above!
Baravelli’s
Award-winning artisan chocolate made on site in the heart on Conwy - perfect as a treat for yourself, or the special chocoholic in your life!
The shop is located on Bangor Road, at the top of Lancaster Square.
Siop Wyn
The perfect place on the High Street to pick up handmade jewellery, Welsh and English cards, homeware and unique gifts.
Looking for a place to stay in North Wales?
Crafnant House is our B&B in the village of Trefriw, Eryri | Snowdonia.
Our Victorian home has five guest bedrooms decorated in a boutique, modern style, and a delicious breakfast is served each morning in our dining room.
We look forward to welcoming you to North Wales soon!
Are you planning you holiday in North Wales in 2024 and thinking about climbing Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)?
At 3560 ft (1,085 m) high it is a justifiably popular outdoor activity and can be both a real adventure and an exhilarating day out with breathtaking views, especially if you get a ‘cloud-free’ summit!
We get lots of guests staying at our accommodation - Crafnant House, our B&B in the village of Trefriw - who come to climb ‘Yr Wyddfa’ (the Welsh name for it) - the highest mountain in Wales and England.
As experienced walkers we’ve hopefully included everything you need to know about the the different paths up and down and our honest opinions on the best and most scenic routes!