This national park is massive (like, have-you-seen-the-size-of-your-student-loan massive) and there’s no way to conquer this whole place in a weekend. But if you’re simply in need of a place to hide out for a few days, Snowdonia is just about perfect.
It’s pretty easy to get lost amongst the towering summits and rolling valleys of this beautiful spot. There is loads to do and even more to see so if you are only staying for a weekend getaway, you better have a plan of action at the ready.
Check out our schedule below then pick out your favourite options and start planning your own Welsh break.
Day 1 – Arrive and chill
Chances are you’ll arrive late one Friday night and be ready to collapse into a cosy bed to rest up for tomorrow’s holiday activities. But if you happen to arrive with a little time to spare, don’t waste a moment of your holiday to Wales!
Relax…
Forget exploring Snowdonia. It’s your first night after a long journey so pick out a cottage where you can stay and make the most of your time away from home.
A hot tub cottage or one of our retreats with spa facilities are super-luxe options as you can expect a celeb-worthy pamper weekend from the moment you step through the door.
…or get active!
If you’ve got fresh-air FOMO, blow away the cobwebs over at Coed Y Brenin forest with a ride along one of the mountain bike trails found there. You can hire bikes at Beics Brenin and the routes vary from advanced, treacherous mountain trails to flatter terrain great for a quiet forested cycle ride.
Dine out
Eat out at Y Stablau in Betws-y-Coed
Whether you’ve spent your afternoon unwinding in a bubbling hot tub or racing around the trails at Coed Y Brenin, all that travelling will have you hangry.
Head into Betws-y-Coed for a range of pubs and restaurants to choose from. A top option for the classic burgers and chips would be Y Stablau in the heart of the village, a traditional pub with regular events – you might even be lucky enough to catch a band playing after your meal.
Day 2 – Time for adventure
You have a whole day to do whatever you like – don’t waste a second of it. Take the challenge and hit Snowdon, Lakeside Café and Adventure Parc Snowdonia all in the space of one day.
Wake up and climb the mountain…
If you’re thinking of conquering Snowdon, today’s the day to do it! Check ahead to make sure the weather’s kind then expect to spend 5-7 hours scaling that beast.
Then, head straight out to dinner for a well-deserved feast when you’re done before collapsing onto the sofas in one of our cosy Snowdonia holiday cottages.
Hit the hay
…or hop on the tram instead
If you’re not feeling the hike this time, get the same Instagrammable views and epic atmosphere with a ride up to the summit on the Snowdon Mountain Railway. After all, it would wrong not to visit Snowdon! This way, you can conquer the mountain in a morning and leave the rest of your day free to explore more of this national park.
Refuel with a hearty brunch
The view from Lakeside Cafe
Known for their all-day breakfasts, Lakeside Café is a top place to stop by for views, fresh air and hearty food; you can even buy a sausage for your doggo if you’re travelling with your four-pawed best pal. Try one of their classic breakfasts which include ‘the boss’ and ‘the bad boy’ and wash it all down with an influencer-worthy smoothie – just what you’ll need after a morning spent at the top of a mountain!
This café is also located between a lake (obvs) and a waterfall, so if you have the time and energy, you could take a stroll over to see Cwmorthin Waterfall or along the shores of Tanygrisiau Reservoir.
Work off that breakfast
Surfing at Adventure Parc Snowdonia
Still have energy to burn? Take your pick of awesome adventure parks here in this rugged part of Wales. We have two options for you and your fellow adrenalin-junkies: Adventure Parc Snowdonia or Zip World Bounce Below.
Adventure Parc Snowdonia is just the place for any water sports lovers and should be on the bucket list of any surfers travelling with you as they have the world’s first inland surf lagoon.
If you prefer to keep your feet on dry land (or beneath it), head down the caves into Zip World Bounce Below for their huge underground net adventure. Bounce on trampolines through the caves for this wonderfully unique experience - a zip line also awaits above ground if you’ve got a head for heights!
Collapse and dine in
After all that, it’s time to refuel with a well-deserved dinner. Instead of venturing out to some fancy restaurant, why not hide out with an evening cookout at your cottage?
Fire up the BBQ or build your own campfire at the end of the garden and spend the evening stargazing while you eat in this Dark Skies destination.
Day 3 – Last bits before it’s goodbye!
Everyone’s getting ready to get on the road but there’s still plenty of time for one last activity before you go. A hearty breakfast and a seaside stroll may be just what you need before jumping back in the car for the drive home.
Start the day right
With one of the reviews labelling it as ‘Quite possibly the best full 'Welsh' breakfast I have ever had,’ Cafe Gwynant in Nant Gwynant offers up a massive breakfast with everything from Anglesey Choice bacon to hash browns - they have a hearty veggie breakfast available too!
Heading home
If possible, plan a quick trip up to the coast and visit Portmeirion before you take off back to the real world. This coastal destination is about as far from reality as you can get: it’s a colourful Italian village sat on the rugged slopes of North Wales, designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis in the mid-20th century and open for you to explore – you don’t need to book a climate-busting short-haul flight to feel some Italian vibes.
When you’ve finished a circuit of the pretty town, checked out the shops and gardens, and played a round of giant chess, Porthmadog is a village less than 3 miles across the river with a high street lined with pubs and restaurants where you can grab lunch before the journey home.
Got any time left?
If you’ve completed everything on our list and still have time to fill, head out and discover the natural landscape. After all, you are in walking country so pull on your walking boots and discover the far-reaching views and secret places scattered across Snowdonia National Park.
A few top walks in this part of the world include waterfall walks, mountain rambles and even coastal footpaths. Follow the Wales Coast Path, the Snowdonia Slate Trail or pick one of the Llŷn Digital Trails to explore.
Where to stay for a romantic weekend retreat:
Sleeps 2 and 1 dog
A boutique-style getaway for two, set amid scenic North Wales countryside. Enjoy the tranquil natural surroundings through epic floor-to-ceiling windows while lounging on the sofa.
Take advantage of the bike and canoe store and bring our own equipment for an outdoorsy getaway or wander the beautiful 3 acres of land with your dog by your side - just keep an eye on Fido when around the pretty on-site natural pond.
Where to stay for a few days getaway with a group of mates:
Sleeps 14 and 1 dog
A big, beautiful property complete with hot tub (yas please!) and a whole host of awesome extra features including wood burners, roll-top baths and even a bar, it’s ideal for a group getaway with mates or all the family.
There’s plenty of stylish décor inside, acres of land to explore and the beach is just 7 miles away so when you aren’t adventuring your way around Snowdonia, you can spend your days down by the seaside.
Where to stay for a family weekend away:
2.jpg)
Sleeps 4
This wonderful family escape can be found in heart of Conwy with plenty of amenities nearby so you can grab all the essentials for a cooked breakfast from the butcher and grocer in town or visit the pubs, restaurants, galleries and harbourfront.
Inside, a wood burner warms this elegant cottage which is complete with a chic stone and cream colour palette creating a relaxing space for your family getaway. Cook in the kitchen or unwind on the sofas after busy days out and about exploring Snowdonia National Park.
See the best bits of Snowdonia with this itinerary of top places to go and things to see while on holiday in the North of Wales.
Check out our full collection of sleek and stylish accommodation throughout Snowdonia National Park and seek out a unique holiday retreat for your next trip.
Start exploring…
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.