Looking out to sea, seagulls travelling above on a gentle summer breeze, I gaze out to the horizon and breathe in the salty sea air. To the left, a large headland acts as a backdrop to a pier jutting out into the Irish Sea. To the right, another smaller headland shelters the long cove. The sounds are of waves crashing onto the pebbled beach, of children laughing while playing on the beach and the distant tones of amusement arcade machines. Those are the sounds of a typical seaside resort in the UK. Llandudno, known as the jewel in the crown of Victorian seaside resorts, is the largest in Wales and still draws in large numbers of visitors. But, despite a hint of faded seaside glamour, there’s plenty to do here for people, young and old. This article takes a look at the best things to do in Llandudno.
With an endless stretch of large hotels along the Victorian Promenade, it’s clear to see that Llandudno is still a popular holiday destination. The town was developed as a seaside resort from the mid 1800’s with much of the architecture dating back to this time. In the years since, Llandudno doesn’t seem to have lost too much of its charm. Sure, the Pier doesn’t have as many attractions as it used to have in the 1980’s when my parents would regularly take me there and the Grand Hotel on the Pier doesn’t exactly live up to its name anymore, but the town is evolving. Boutique hotels and B&Bs offer a revitalised charm alongside the high end hotels of the promenade, welcoming a new generation of visitor to holiday in the town.
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THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN LLANDUDNO
From stunning outdoor spaces to family friendly attractions and fabulous entertainment, there are plenty of things to do in Llandudno to keep visitors of all ages occupied for a few days. Throw in some great speciality coffee shops and restaurants to suit all tastes, drinking and dining options are plentiful. There’s a large focus on the outdoors to guarantee an enjoyable stay. Many of the attractions in Llandudno focus on the surrounding landscape and natural beauty of the area.
THINGS TO DO AROUND THE GREAT ORME
A large limestone headland stretching out to sea, the Great Orme is the focal point of the town. At two miles long, a mile wide and with a 207 metre elevation at the summit, there is plenty to explore. Roads run around the perimeter and up to the summit, which includes a complex with shops, cafe, bar and a visitor centre.
With a number of things to do in Llandudno focused around the Great Orme, there are several ways to get to the summit including walking. It’s a simple walk whichever route you choose, but some will find some of the hills strenuous. The views are breath-taking though, making it a worthwhile effort. The summit of the Great Orme provides a 360 degree panorama of the surrounding area. From the isle of Anglesey to the mountains of Snowdonia, on a clear day you can see for miles.
HAPPY VALLEY VIEWS | You don’t need to travel to the summit to enjoy awesome views. Happy Valley, an area on the edge of the Great Orme next to the pier, is a beautiful place to stroll, relax and gaze out to sea. Towards the bottom end of Happy Valley, a large open green space offers views across the bay, along with a bandstand, a number of Alice in Wonderland sculptures (there is a link to the town) and a cafe. Further back on the hillside, a beautifully landscaped garden has been created full of rockeries, pathways and wonderful planting. Some of the pathways are steep, but in spring and summer there is some fabulous colour.
LLANDUDNO SNOWSPORTS CENTRE | The steep road from Happy Valley leads to a Llandudno attraction which opened in 1997 – the Llandudno Snowsports Centre. A ski slope on the edge of the mountain was a pretty big deal for the town, and with a toboggan run snaking alongside the artificial slope, it attracted a lot of visitors. The ski slope has recently been resurfaced along with a revamp of the adjacent Alpine Bar and Kitchen. The outdoor deck is the perfect place to sit during the warmer months, admiring the views.
HEAD TO THE SUMMIT ON THE LLANDUDNO CABLE CAR | One of the classic things to do in Llandudno is to take a ride on the Cable Car. What could be more fun that taking a ride on a swinging basket dangling on a wire, high above the ground. The cable car has been in operation since 1969, and transports guests from the Happy Valley station to the summit of the headland on a nine minute journey, offering breath taking views. The cable car, unsurprisingly, only operates on calm days but is a lovely and peaceful way to reach the summit. I’m not a huge fan of cable cars but they provide a unique viewpoint of the surrounding landscapes, so for the purposes of travel photography I felt I had no choice but to partake. I’m glad I did. The views were fabulous.
RIDE THE GREAT ORME TRAMWAY | If you prefer your feet closer to the ground, another transport option to reach the summit is the Great Orme Tramway. One of the most popular things to do in Llandudno, the tramway has been operating to the public since 1902. The Great Orme Tramway trundles the one mile journey from the town of Llandudno to the summit of the Great Orme, with one change at the Halfway Station. The Halfway Station houses the main engine house where the winchmen control the motors for the both the upper and lower funicular systems. As with the Cable Car, the Tramway which snakes it way down the side of the headland, provides riders with a great views of the town and North Wales coastline.
LOOK OUT FOR THE FAMOUS LLANDUDNO GOATS | Whenever you visit the Great Orme, or the town of Llandudno, keep an eye out for the famous goats. The Kashmiri Goats that normally reside on the Great Orme became world famous during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020. When walking around the headland, you’ll often see a herd of goats somewhere. Even looking up from the town, they can often be seen clinging precariously to the steep rocky cliffs. However, in March 2020, with the town deserted, the goats headed onto the streets to graze freely on the tasty shrubs and hedges around town. It’s not the first time for them to visit – you’ll often hear stories of disgruntled residents having woken up to find the pesky goats munching on their flowers in the garden.
THINGS TO DO IN LLANDUDNO AT THE BEACH
Llandudno’s crowning glory is the coastline and the fact that is has not one, but two, large beaches. The town’s location on a flat peninsula means that the town is almost surrounded by the sea. The two beaches – North Shore and West Shore have completely different characteristics and are definitely two of the biggest attractions in Llandudno.
WEST SHORE BEACH | The beautiful sandy beach of the West Shore is wild and wonderful, and on a calm sunny day, my favourite beach in the area. With a large expanse of sand that stretches far out to sea when the tide’s out, it’s a gorgeous beach to visit. It’s away from the town centre, so not as busy as the North Shore beach, but there is a regular ‘land train’ that runs from one beach to the other during the holiday season.
Flanked by sand dunes, West Shore beach offers dramatic views of the North Wales coastline across the bay. Views of the headlands of Conwy Mountain are present, and you can see the island of Anglesey in the distance. It’s quite the scenic spot. There’s a Beach Cafe to one end for refreshments, with a paddling pool and play area on the promenade, and a pub across the road. Other than that, it’s just sand and beautiful views.
Given it’s west facing direction, a great time to head across to West Shore beach is during sunset. The beach area can provide some absolutely spectacular and atmospheric sunsets.
TALK A WALK FROM LLANDUDNO TO CONWY ON THE WALES COAST PATH
NORTH SHORE BEACH AND PROMENADE | Llandudno’s North Shore promenade is the most iconic image of Llandudno you are likely to see. Spanning two miles along the gently curved coast, the Promenade begins at the Great Orme and stretches to the Little Orme. The promenade is mostly lined with four storey Victorian era buildings housing the majority of the towns’ hotels and guesthouses.
To the end nearest the pier there is a section of sandy beach, but for the most part the North Shore beach is a fairly steep shingle shelf. To the other end, there is a padding pool and a cafe, as well as the RNLI Lifeboat Station. It’s lovely to stroll along promenade taking in the views. In the summer months, you may catch the Llandudno Town Band playing on the bandstand, or a Punch & Judy show near the pier.
LLANDUDNO PIER | No trip to a British Victorian seaside resort is complete without a visit to the pier. Llandudno Pier, the longest in Wales at 700m in length is a great example of a cast iron pier from this era. Opened in 1878, the pier features all the usual seaside staples you would expect. An amusement arcade, kiosks selling ice cream, fish and chips and donuts, a small funfair and a number of kiosks selling tourist gifts. There is also a Ferris Wheel located near the pier entrance providing great views. Once you’re past the busy stretch of retail and the Grand Hotel, the open boardwalk of the pier opens up ahead stretching out into the sea.
I have vivid memories of spending time on the pier as a child, so it’s always nice to take a walk on a sunny day and peer down through the gaps in the board walk, watching the waves crashing on the rocks below. Towards the end of the pier, there are more facilities including another amusement arcade, a cafe and a bar with outdoor seating. Wandering down Llandudno pier provides a real sense of nostalgia.
INDOOR ATTRACTIONS IN LLANDUNO
We could pretend the weather is always great in Wales, but on those very occasional wet weather days, there are a number of indoor attractions to keep visitors amused. Here we take a look at some things to do in Llandudno on rainy days.
GREAT ORME COPPER MINES | Located near the halfway station of the Great Orme Tramway, the Great Orme Bronze Age Copper Mines is a fabulous attraction to visit for all the family. A self-guided tour around and into the mines, offers guests to see and learn about the old mine with a 200 metre underground section to explore.
PENDERYN DISTILLERY | One of the newer things to do in Llandudno, Penderyn Distillery Llandudno opened its door to the public in 2021. Located in a stunning building of a former school, the site offer guided tours and tasting sessions as well as Masterclass for whisky enthusiasts.
LLANDUDNO MUSEUM & GALLERY | A wonderful find, a short walk from the town centre, the Llandudno Museum and Gallery is home to a unique collection of pieces and artifacts tracing the history of the town. From geology to social history, military and art, it’s wonderful to step back in time and learn about Llandudno’s heritage.
BOATHOUSE CLIMBING CENTRE | Keen to get a bit of indoor exercise during your visit to Llandudno, the Boathouse Climbing Centre is the place to have a go at rock climbing on their indoor climbing wall. Located in a former RNLI Boathouse, there are a number of different facilities to try out.
JOHNNY THROWS | New to Llandudno for 2023, Johnny Throws is an indoor axe throwing facility operated by the founder of local pizza restaurants Johnny Doughs. A great activity for families, groups and parties, there is a licensed bar and lounge, with pizza on the menu. Great fun and one of the best new things to do in Llandudno.
THINGS TO DO IN LLANDUDNO – EATING AND DRINKING
THE BEST SPECIALITY COFFEE IN LLANDUDNO
After spending some time exploring all the best things do in Llandudno, it’s always useful to know where to stop for great coffee and cake. Being a tourist resort, Llandudno is not short on cafes and tea rooms, however more recently the resort has seen a wave of new and independent speciality coffee shops open their doors to customers.
PROVIDERO COFFEEHOUSE | My go-to coffee shop in Llandudno, and has been for a number of years. Serving ethically sourced coffee from local roastery Heartland Coffee Roasters, Providero Coffeehouse also have a wide range of loose leafed teas and a food menu consisting of great cakes and healthy vegan and vegetarian meals. It’s a beautiful airy space with lots of natural light and a cool and contemporary vibe. The space has recently extended next door to Prov Stretcher (formerly a Poundstretcher store), with further seating space and a studio space on the first floor offering a range of classes.
BOTANICAL BABE | Starting life as houseplant shop on Llandudno’s Mostyn Street, Botanical Babe has evolved into a wonderful combination of speciality coffee shop and plant shop. Browse the beautiful houseplants on display, before settling down with a great coffee amongst the lush greenery.
DUDLEY & GEORGE’S | Another relatively new opening, Dudley & George’s wonderfully combines a general store for dogs and humans, alongside a coffee shop serving hot and cold drinks and tasty lunch options. With some great doggy products on offer, as well as homeware and food items from local producers, there’s also a dog grooming service incorporated.
HEARTLAND COFFEE ROASTERS | Getting right into the heart of the action, why not visit the Heartland roastery a short walk from the town centre. As well as producing a wide range of coffee, each with unique flavours, Heartland have incorporated a coffee shop within the roastery, where you can grab coffee while having a front seat view of the coffee production process. It certainly beats a generic cafe on any high street, that’s for sure.
MY FAVOURITE RESTAURANTS AND BARS IN LLANDUDNO
The options for eating and drinking in Llandudno are vast. With dining options to suit everyone, and with a town of very few chain restaurants, there are number of independent restaurants to try out. For authentic Italian dishes, try LA TAVERNA, ROMEO’S or CARLO’S. All fantastic family run restaurants in lovely settings with great food and service. To try out some great seafood while on the coast, head to THE SEAHORSE RESTAURANT which is a beautiful bistro style restaurant on two levels, with a cosy atmosphere. THE COTTAGE LOAF has a great Gastro-Pub menu in a traditional stone building – make sure you book in advance as it’s always busy. For traditional fish and chips, try TRIBELLS or FISH TRAM CHIPS located next to the tram station (great pun).
In terms of bars and pubs, Llandudno has a variety of options to suit everyone. Traditional pubs are still aplenty, but there’s also been an introduction of gastro-pubs, wine bars and craft beer pubs which have opened in the town over recent years. For drinks and dining overlooking the sea and promenade, head to DYLAN’S RESTAURANT. Spread across two levels of the beautiful old Washington Hotel building, there’s a bar and restaurant downstairs, with a cocktail bar upstairs and a large dining room with a grand arched ceiling. There’s also an outdoor terrace for summer drinks. At the opposite end of town, the KINGS HEAD pub located on the edge of the Great Orme, has a large beer garden and a wide range of beers on tap. Craft Beer lovers should head to TAPPS MICROPUB on Madoc Street for an ever changing range of craft beers including many from local breweries.
Speaking of craft beer, if you’re a fan as I am, it’s worth taking a trip to visit WILD HORSE BREWING COMPANY. The brewery, located on an industrial estate, is about 5-10 minutes walking distance from the railway station, and have opened a large taproom in the adjacent unit in 2024. Opening Thursday to Sunday, they have local food vendors on rotation offering fabulous street food. A huge local success story, Wild Horse’s popularity has grown hugely over the years and their beers are stocked in many local establishments.
PLACES TO STAY IN LLANDUDNO
With about a mile and a half of hotels along the promenade, there options for accommodation are endless and to suit all budgets. But where to start? Whether you’re looking for luxury accommodation experience, a room with a view, or a boutique experience with a personal touch, here are a few of my recommendation of places to stay while enjoying the best things to do in Llandudno.
LUXURY HOTELS | If you fancy splashing out during your stay in Llandudno there are a number of great spots on the promenade including ST GEORGE’S HOTEL and the IMPERIAL HOTEL offer luxurious and opulent rooms while the OSBOURNE HOUSE HOTEL has six fabulous suites available to guests.
BOUTIQUE B&B’S | For properties with a more personal touch, there are a wide range of boutique B&B’s and guest houses in the town which provide a fabulous experience to guests. For a seafront stay, PEBBLE HOUSE, a family run B&B on the promenade offers nine contemporary rooms, many with a sea view. For something closer to the town centre, CHRISTLETON HOUSE is a popular boutique B&B located on the outskirts of the town, a stones throw from some of the best cafes, bars and restaurants. With five individually styled rooms, booking early is advisable, but you’ll be guaranteed a great stay.
GETTING TO LLANDUDNO
Llandudno can be easily reached by road or railway. Travelling into North Wales along the A55 Expressway, exit at Junction 19 and follow the A470 towards Llandudno. Trains to and within North Wales are operated by TRANSPORT FOR WALES and AVANTI WEST COAST, with some direct trains to Llandudno, 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.
BOOK TRAIN TICKETS ON THE TRAINLINE WEBSITE
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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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What a fabulous place and so many photogenic views. Love the tram too! And I always love a good brewery tour. I need to get myself over there!!
I’ve had many lovely trips to Llandudno over the years! I’ll never forget eating Welsh rarebit and drinking tea in that little cafe that overlooks the beach (Eden Tea Rooms) – wonder if they’re still there!
[…] into the town, Llandudno’s cast iron Victorian Pier is the longest in Wales at 700m. Walking down it’s wooden boardwalk is like taking a step back in […]