Castles

Wales is often referred to the land of the castle and for good reason. From early earthwork castles to the castles of the Welsh Princes you’re sure to come across one or two on your visit.

North Wales is famous for its dramatic mountains, wild coastline and golden sandy beaches, but it is also the home of some of the most breathtaking castles in the country

It is little wonder that it has been known as the “castle capital of the world”, as there was once approximately 600 castles in Wales. Today, over 100 castles remain standing, either in ruins or restored to their natural beauty.

Many of them weren’t actually built by the Welsh but can be traced back to Edward I’s conquest of Wales in the 13th century.

Here are a few of our favorites.

Caernarfon Castle - 13 miles/20km from Beddgelert - A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous Castle in Wales, Caernarfon Castle is considered as one of the greatest buildings of the middle ages and a definite must see. The castle and town were established by Edward I after his invasion and acted as the administrative center of North Wales, and as a result the defenses were built on a grand scale. Click here to find out more about visiting and admissions Caernarfon Castle | Cadw (gov.wales).

Harlech Castle - 13.5 miles/21.7km from Beddgelert - Built high on a rocky knoll close to the Irish sea and overlooking the sandy dunes of Harlech beach, it would be difficult to imagine a better vantage point than the one of this coastal fortress. Another of Edward I’s castles and a UNESCO world heritage site, this small but impressive castle is definitely worth a visit. For more information go to Harlech Castle (Cadw) | VisitWales.

Conwy Castle - 36 miles/59km from Beddgelert - A little further afield but highly recommended is a visit Conwy Castle as it is exquisitely preserved and considered as one of the most magnificent medieval fortresses in Europe alongside Caernarfon Castle. Thanks to restored spiral staircases in it’s great towers you can walk a complete circuit around the battlements of the Castle. Visit Conwy Castle | Cadw (gov.wales) for more information about visiting.


Criccieth Castle - 11 miles/17km from Beddgelert - Dating back to the 1230s, Criccieth Castle is a great example of a fortress built by the Welsh princes. It is located on a rocky headland overlooking Tremadog Bay and dominates the skyline over the town. Like many of the castles in Wales it is steeped in history, you can discover more about it’s dramatic past by visiting Criccieth Castle | Cadw (gov.wales).

Dolbadarn Castle - 14.2 miles/23km from Beddgelert - Occupying a lofty, lonely spot overlooking the waters of Llyn Padarn, Dolbadarn Castle was once a vital link in the defenses of the ancient kingdom of Gwynedd. Most likely constructed by Llywelyn the Great in the late 12th or early 13th century, it stood watch over the strategic route inland from Caernarfon to the upper Conwy Valley. Visit the Cadw website for more information about Dolbadarn Castle | Cadw (gov.wales).