where to stay in snowdonia ( best areas & hotels )

Which is the best area to stay in Snowdonia?

By Rebecca Crowe. May 04, 2023

As one of the UK’s biggest and best national parks, Snowdonia (known in Welsh as Eryri) is a paradise for adventurers, wanderers, and nature lovers. Located in North Wales, you can benefit from world-class hikes, including Wales’s’ highest peak, Mount Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), stunning beaches, and valleys that you can spend days exploring.

When you’re looking for a base in Snowdonia, there are a ton of options open to you. If you want the amenities of a small city, Bangor is perched on the edge of the national park. Looking for thrills and spills? The adventure hub and quaint village of Bethesda is going to be right up your alley.

For those of you looking for long, beautiful hikes, staying in the walking villages of Betws-y-coed and Llanberis is going to be a perfect option. If you want to combine coastal activities with all the fun of the national park, Porthmadog makes a great base. Finally, for southern Snowdonia travellers, there’s no better place to stay than the town of Dolgellau. Filled with lakes, mountain biking trails, and interesting day hikes, this area is often less busy than the valleys and trails in the north of Snowdonia.If you are interested in where to stay in Snowdonia, you can also be interested in where to stay in the Lake District.

Best areas to stay in Snowdonia

Llanberis

If you’re looking to stay in the heart of Snowdonia, Llanberis is one of the best places to stay. Located at the base of Mount Snowdon, it’s the perfect starting point for many iconic hikes in the national park.

This beautiful and quaint village is also home to the Snowdon Mountain Railway, so if you’re wanting a more leisurely journey up to the peak of Mount Snowdon, this is a convenient place to be. It’s also home to dozens of shops, restaurants, pubs, and cafes to enjoy on your rest days.

Being so close to the major trails is a huge advantage, but it does mean that Llanberis is often very busy and a lot more expensive than other areas around Snowdonia. If you’ve got a healthy budget and want to be in the heart of the action, this is the area for you.

Accommodation in Llanberis

Bethesda

The Snowdonia area has grown as an adventure hub in recent years, due in large part to the attractions in Bethesda. In this small village, you’ll find the popular ZipWorld complex, with the fastest zipline in the world. You’ll also find forest rollercoasters, trampoline parks in caves, and much more!

In addition to all of this, you’re within the beautiful Ogwen Valley region of Snowdonia, known for it’s spectacular mountain passes and outdoor climbing areas. This area is ideal if you’re looking for adventure and want to increase your adrenaline a bit more than usual!

That being said, Bethesda is pretty small and parking is definitely at a premium. Especially in the peak summer season, there have been a lot of issues with a lack of parking spaces, so make sure your chosen hotel has a decent car park!

Accommodation in Bethesda

Betws y Coed

This picturesque village, within the dense Gwydyr Forest and in the north of the national park, is a magnet for outdoor sports enthusiasts. I

t’s surrounded by miles of excellent hiking and mountain bike routes and in striking distance to the fastest zip line in the world at the nearby Penrhyn Slate Quarry, which is also Europe’s longest. Nearby you have the Llyn Elsi reservoir, which is popular with walkers and anglers throughout the year, and the village has a local golf course, set among the Alpine’esque forest. The River Conway and the Afon Llugwy river run through the village and there are a number of beautiful waterfalls in the surrounding area. Well served with award winning local restaurants, pubs and cafes and on a main railway line.

A good place to stay without a car due to its rail links and close proximity to some of the region’s premier attractions, yet still a lovely peaceful setting to return to.

Accommodation in Betws y Coed

Bangor

If you’re looking to stay in an area with more going on, opt to stay in the university city of Bangor. Despite being called a city, Bangor feels like a small town, especially in the summer when the population halves when the students go back home.

Bangor has plenty of hotels and B&Bs to stay in, including some more budget options, and parking is plentiful here - something that’s a huge issue in other parts of Snowdonia. You can also benefit from over 100 pubs, restaurants, and bars spread across the city for that post-hike beer and hearty meal.

The trouble that you may find in Bangor is that, unless you’re visiting during school holidays, the city is predominantly made up of students who can be very noisy. If you’re looking for a calm getaway, surrounded by nature, a stay in Bangor is probably not for you.

Accommodation in Bangor

Porthmadog

Want to combine a beach holiday and a mountain escape? Head over to the village of Porthmadog on the western coast of Wales. Few people realise that Snowdonia extends out to the beaches of the west, so by staying in Porthmadog, you get the best of both worlds.

In addition to access to amazing beaches, the southern part of the Ogwen Valley, and the gateway to the stunning Llyn Peninsula, Porthmadog is also where the famous Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway runs. You can jump on board this iconic steam train that runs between Porthmadog and Caernarfon, taking in beautiful Snowdonia scenery along the way.

As Porthmadog is a small village, there aren’t a ton of amenities on your doorstep. There are a few restaurants and cafes on the main street, but you might have to go further afield to Criccieth or Harlech for more variety.

Accommodation in Porthmadog

Dolgellau

If you’re thinking of basing yourself in the southern part of Snowdonia, we’d recommend staying in the outdoorsy town of Dolgellau. Located in the shadow of the mighty Cadar Idris mountain, you can find amazing hikes, beautiful lakes, and expansive forests that are perfect for mountain biking through.

As many travellers tend to stick to northern Snowdonia to hike the titular Mount Snowdon, Dolgellau feels a lot quieter and more laid back. It’s also an area that’s rich in amenities, with plenty of pubs, shops, and restaurants to visit, as well as reasonably priced accommodations.

The main downside for Dolgellau is that it’s quite a far drive if you want to visit the Snowdon region of the national park, or popular sites like Llyn Padarn. That being said, there are plenty of worthy alternatives right on your doorstep, so if you’re looking for routes off-the-beaten path, stay in Dolgellau.

Accommodation in Dolgellau