Wandering the narrow, cobbled streets of the small medieval town, you’ll be amazed at the number of things to do in Conwy. From historic buildings to harbour activities, you’ll also find fine dining restaurants, gorgeous coffee shops and whole lot more.
It’s easy to see how tourists fall in love with the charm of this attractive medieval harbour town. Nestled into the mouth of the Conwy Estuary, the narrow streets of Conwy are wonderful to explore, all within the shadow of the magnificent castle that sits proudly on a rocky outcrop. For a small town, there is a lot to see and herein lies the benefit of having local guide to inform you of the best things to do in Conwy.
Having grown up in a village a few miles away, Conwy was my local town. As a child, I didn’t really appreciate the historic buildings and we would tend to avoid the town during peak-season, but as I grew older, I regained an appreciation of the beauty of the town and enjoyed exploring the streets, the attractions and the hospitality venues.
Nowadays, having relocated back to North Wales after a couple of decades away, I love living in this tourist area. I appreciate the beauty that surrounds us, the charm that draws so many people in. I often visit Conwy now and it’s a staple destination when friends come to visit. Why not show off the local heritage in all its glory – most people don’t have a castle on their doorstep, after all.
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THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN CONWY
Whether visiting Conwy for a day trip or a longer period, there are plenty of things to keep visitors occupied. With origins dating back to the 1200’s, much of the town’s historic heritage has been retained. From attractions, scenic views, walks and the best places to hang out, here are my favourite things to do in Conwy.
VISIT CONWY CASTLE
A magnificent fortress built in the 13th century, CONWY CASTLE and the town walls were created by the order of King Edward I. Designed by the architect Master James of St George, the castle and town walls were designed as one project between 1283 and 1287. As Edward I attempted to take control of the whole of the United Kingdom, there was resistance by the local North Wales population and battle commenced. Outnumbered, the locals were driven back into the mountains of Snowdonia, but persisted in their attempts, nonetheless. As a result of this, Edward decided to build several castles in North Wales that would act as an iron ring, one of these being Conwy Castle.
Over the centuries, the castle was used during many wars, notably in the English Civil War in the 1600’s. During this period, much of the castle was damaged, abandoned and left derelict. The castle ruins were restored during the 1800’s – this was also the time that road and railway bridges were built across the Conwy Estuary which circumnavigate the castle. Conwy Castle is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area.
Conwy Castle, as a tourist attraction, is now operated by CADW and is open to visitors throughout the year. Thanks to the preservation of the castle, most areas are accessible to the public including some of the castle’s eight towers. Accessed by spiral staircases, the towers provide fantastic views over the town, the harbour and the Carneddau mountains and the Eryri National Park (Snowdonia).
TAKE A STROLL ACROSS CONWY SUSPENSION BRIDGE
Standing above the East Barbican of Conwy Castle, the views out across the estuary provide a fantastic overview of the three bridges that cross into Conwy. To the left, the modern road bridge opened in 1956. To the right, the tubular railway bridge was opened in 1849 by railway engineer Robert Stephenson as part of the Chester to Holyhead railway line.
The central, and most impressive (visually) is Thomas Telford’s CONWY SUSPENSION BRIDGE which opened in 1826. Managed by the NATIONAL TRUST, pedestrians can visit and walk across Conwy Suspension Bridge free of charge. As well as being able to get up close and admire this engineering marvel and the impressive gate house, the bridge with the castle backdrop is an incredible photo opportunity.
WALK THE MEDIEVAL TOWN WALLS
Conwy’s medieval town walls were formed to create a fortified settlement alongside the castle. The town became an English settlement where the local Welsh residents were not allowed to enter during the early years. With twenty-one towers and three original gatehouses, the walls are around 1.3km in total length and are largely undamaged to this day.
Skip forward a few hundred years, and the walls are now listed as part of the UNESCO World Heritage site, and accessible to the public. With six access points from ground level, but it’s worth checking which are open, as essential maintenance occasionally takes place in some sections. The best place to start the walk is at the Northernmost part of the town at Berry Street where a set of steps leads on to the elevated pathway. From here you can head downhill for views across the harbour, before heading uphill towards the highest point.
The pathway leads uphill crossing many of the towers, before arriving at the highest point of the route – The Watchtower. A spiral staircase leads to the top of the watchtower which provides uninterrupted views inland across the mountains of Eryri and out to sea towards Ynys Môn (Anglesey) and Llandudno.
EXPLORE THE HARBOUR AND CONWY QUAY
The harbour and quay are one of the most picturesque parts of Conwy. Walking down the High Street and through the Lower Gate of the walls, the harbour opens to both sides. Fishing boats are moored along the edge of the harbour and on the small shingle beach. Families will be often found crabbing from the jetty or harbour walls. Lobster and mussel pots line up the along the harbour, and the seagulls are out in force trying to second guess the most unsuspecting human whose chips or ice cream they can steal.
VISIT THE SMALLEST HOUSE IN GREAT BRITAIN
A popular attraction on the harbour is THE SMALLEST HOUSE IN GREAT BRITAIN. Nestled into the end of a small terrace, the tiny structure has only one room downstairs, and one upstairs. Ironically, the last resident was a 6ft 3in fisherman until the council declared that the property was not fit for human habitation in 1900. There are long queues during peak season for people wanting to take a look inside, but it’s quite the unique attraction, and the queue moves quickly.
Another popular spot on the quay is the Conwy Mussels Company. Renowned as the best mussels in the UK, Conwy Mussels are a delicacy that are worth buying fresh at the harbour during the winter months, from September to April.
TAKE A BOAT TRIP FROM CONWY QUAY
There are several boat trips that launch from Conwy Quay, the newest and most exciting of these being AQUATOUR CONWY. These fabulous RIB adventures offer several different voyages heading out towards Puffin Island or the Great Orme. With wildlife experts on board, the aim is to provide an exciting and thrilling experience, as well as being able to learn about and experience some of North Wales’s sea life highlights.
Depending on the time of year, there may be an abundance of seabird colonies including puffins in spring and early summer. There are also regular seal encounters and 2026 has been an incredible summer for dolphin sightings on the North Wales coast.
WANDER THE NARROW STREETS OF CONWY
One of the best things to in Conwy is to just experience it. The footprint of the town within the medieval walls in small, but every corner offers a glimpse of the beautiful architecture, the imposing castle or the town walls. From Lancaster Square at the top of High Street, to the grounds of St. Mary’s Church in the centre of the town, there’s no shortage of scenery to be found on these narrow streets.
VISIT PLAS MAWR AND ABERCONWY HOUSE
Two historical buildings in the heart of Conwy that shouldn’t be missed are Plas Mawr and Aberconwy House. PLAS MAWR on the High Street, operated by CADW, is a fantastic example of a restored Elizabethan Townhouse. Open from March to October, this property is surprisingly large with 17 impressive rooms and a courtyard to explore.
Further downhill, ABERCONWY HOUSE on Castle Street, a National Trust property, is a medieval merchant’s house dating back to the 15th century and features furnished rooms and audio-visual presentation of the history. Now home to a second-hand bookshop, there is no fee to enter.
THINGS TO DO IN CONWY – THE BEST FOOD AND DRINK
From the traditional fish and chip shops, ice cream parlours, high-end fine dining establishments, tea rooms and coffee shops, Conwy’s food and drink scene offers a huge variety for all tastes. That’s before we mention the large number of pubs and bars in this small footprint. A night out in Conwy during holiday season can be quite a full-on experience, so be sure to research beforehand and book ahead where possible.
CONWY’S BEST RESTAURANTS
Conwy ever changing dining landscape now offers a wide variety of options to suit all budgets and tastes. Take a look at some of my current favourites.
ALFREDO’S RESTAURANT | Alfredo’s is a staple in the Conwy dining scene, having served up fantastic Italian fare to locals and visitors for decades. Having recently seen a restaurant redecoration, the space is stylish and bright.
THE ERSKINE ARMS | A great gastropub in the centre of Conwy, The Erskine Arms is a popular spot for dining and drinking, offering a varied menu and local ales.
DYLAN’S CONWY | Building up a small portfolio of restaurants across North Wales, Dylan’s Conwy is located on High Street, with a lovely dining space and an outdoor terrace with castle views. The expansive menu is packed full of local produce including great seafood dishes. There’s also a general store selling a plethora of Welsh produce including gifts, food and drink.
THE JACKDAW | This incredible fine-dining restaurant in the heart of the town is operated by renowned chef Nick Rudge, offering an incredible tasting menu of creative dishes packed full of flavour, using only the best Welsh produce. Food can be paired with fabulous local wines and beers.
THE HIDDEN CHAPEL | A beautiful venue tucked away into a secret corner of Conwy, The Hidden Chapel is another restaurant offering a high-end dining experience in the stunning surroundings of a converted chapel. A fabulous a la carte menu offers a range of dishes, and meals are often accompanied by live music.
THE BEST DRINKING SPOTS IN CONWY
In much the same way as the dining scene has evolved, the same can be said for the drinking establishments of Conwy. There’s never been a shortage of pubs in the town, but over the past few years there have been some changes with new openings reflecting new drinking habits. If I’m visiting Conwy for a night out, there are always a few staple places to stop along the way.
BANK OF CONWY | A great refurbishment of an old bank building, Bank of Conwy retains much of the old bank décor including a downstairs vault room. With local and international beers, wines and cocktails, it can get quite lively.
VINOMONDO | Located on the High Street, Vinomondo combines a wine and beer shop to the front with a bar serving great wines, local beers and cocktails. There’s a comfortable space upstairs to catch up with friends, and the rear garden has a number of undercover seating areas.
TAPPS CONWY | Another small local chain of craft beer bars in the area, Tapps Conwy is tucked down an alleyway with a small outdoor courtyard and an indoor space within a converted industrial building. With a great range of cask and keg beers, there are often local food pop-ups on rotation including the fabulous RUDOLF’S PIZZA.
LIVERPOOL ARMS | One of Conwy’s long-standing pubs, The Liverpool Arms is located on the Quay. This tiny traditional pub might not have a lot of space inside, but there’s a large seating area outside with views across the harbour and estuary.
ALBION ALE HOUSE | The best place to finish the night, The Albion Ale House on Upper Gate St is a traditional pub with a bar and lounge area, roaring log fire and much of the original features. It’s now run by a combination of four local breweries to bring the best local ales with a huge range on draft.
CUTE COFFEE SHOPS AND TRADITIONAL TEA ROOMS
In a refreshing break from the repetitive chains that fill the nation’s high streets towns, you won’t find a chain coffee shop on the streets of Conwy. Independent coffee shops and tea rooms rule the roost here. Conwy’s streets are packed full of cafes, but here are my top tips.
PEN-Y-BRYN TEA ROOMS | For a traditional tearoom experience, this is the place to go in Conwy. With all day breakfasts, lunches and afternoon teas, this spot features a number of small seating areas across several floors.
NONNO’S COFFEE | One of the best independent coffee shop openings in North Wales for a long time, Nonno’s is a fabulous experience. Serving fantastic locally roasted coffee alongside some amazing lunch sandwiches and cakes, the décor is quirky and retro and the service is great. With additional outdoor seating areas, this is a popular spot with queues out the door on some days, and for very good reason.
TRANCIO | Another relatively new opening to Conwy, although having been well established in Llandudno for a while, Trancio is a lovely daytime spot for coffee and home baked pastries, focaccia sandwiches or a Roman Pizza slice. Evenings, Trancio transforms into a licensed pizza restaurant.
L’S COFFEE AND BOOK SHOP | This cosy coffee shop is very community focused and usually very busy. A family run space with a great food menu as well as barista style coffee and great cakes, there’s a patio out the back for those sunny days, along with weekly quizzes and events.
THINGS TO DO IN CONWY OUTSIDE OF THE TOWN WALLS
Conwy is a great base for some short walks, heading to beautiful beaches and nature reserves. For great views of Conwy Castle and harbour, as well as further out to sea, a walk across the bridge is a must. From the centre of the bridge, the views north out to sea and to Llandudno’s Great Orme headland are spectacular, especially at sunset. It’s also a fantastic spot to get some shots of Conwy Castle.
A short walk across the cob (the strip of land that crosses the estuary) leads to a pathway along the estuary and onto the RSPB CONWY NATURE RESERVE. The reserve was created in the early 1990’s using material removed by the construction of the adjacent Conwy Tunnel which runs under the estuary. There’s a circular route, some of it across boardwalks including bird hides overlooking two lagoons. The circular path extends around the estuary providing excellent views of the nearby mountain ranges.
Heading out of Conwy from the other direction, there are walking trails to Mynydd y Dref, or Conwy Mountain, once again providing incredible coastal views of North Wales. A short walk of twenty minutes or so leads to Conwy Marina, where THE MULBERRY pub is a great stop for a drink or some food. Beyond the Marina, Conwy Morfa beach is an incredible spot for a coastal walk with a wide expanse of sandy beach overlooking Llandudno and Deganwy.
PLACES TO STAY IN CONWY
Being a small town, the options of accommodation are generally limited to small B&B’s and self-catering cottages, alongside a couple of hotels and some unique accommodation options.
NUMBER 18 | For something a little quirky, Number 18 is a small Boutique B&B with four guest rooms. Located opposite Conwy Castle, the rooms are all individually and thematically decorated unlike anything else you are likely to see in the area.
THE CASTLE HOTEL | For something a little more luxurious, The Castle Hotel on the High Street is a historic hotel in the heart of the town. Dating back centuries, this old coaching inn is set in a stunning building with 29 lavishly decorated bedrooms. There’s a restaurant and coffee house on site, as well as a public bar – it’s perfect for exploring the town.
GETTING TO CONWY
Conwy can be easily reached by road or railway. Travelling into North Wales along the A55 Expressway, exit at Junction 18 and follow the A547 towards Conwy. Trains to and within North Wales are operated by TRANSPORT FOR WALES and AVANTI WEST COAST, with some direct trains to Conwy, or with a connection at Llandudno Junction. Buses in the local area are operated by ARRIVA. The TRAVELINE CYMRU website is a great source for public transport links in the area.
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Looking to extend your North Wales stay? Click the image below for a detailed guide to North Wales, and some of my personal highlights.
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We spent a couple hours in Conwy once on our way to Snowden. Saw the castle, walked through the streets and got fish and chips and sat at the quay to eat them, and we did watch the seagulls closely, haha. Charming place, glad we got to see it.
Also, found a shop there which sold Snowden Lager which is one of my favourite beers I’ve tasted. Can’t find it down south.
Sounds like you had a great time. Snowdon Lager is good – there are a lot of local breweries popping up with excellent beers.