If you’re searching for hotels in Llandudno and planning a short break that mixes Victorian seaside with mountain scenery, this itinerary will help you get the most from it. Two days cover the best of the town, and if you can stretch to a third, Eryri (Snowdonia) is right on the doorstep.
Llandudno sits between two limestone headlands, the Great Orme and the Little Orme, and has been a holiday resort since the 19th century. The long curve of the promenade, the pier and the Orme give it a character all of its own, and it rewards taking things slowly.
Day one: the seafront and the Great Orme
Morning: check in and walk the promenade
Drop your bags and head for the sea. The promenade runs for around two miles along the North Shore, lined with Victorian hotels and with the Great Orme rising at one end. Grab a coffee and take your time.
In summer, look out for the traditional Punch and Judy show on the promenade near the pier, which has entertained Llandudno’s visitors for generations.
Midday: the pier
Llandudno Pier is the longest pier in Wales. Walk past the stalls and arcades to the far end for views back across the bay to the town and the Little Orme, then treat yourself to fish and chips or doughnuts on the way back.
Afternoon: up the Great Orme
No visit is complete without heading up the Great Orme. You can walk up if you’re feeling energetic, but the Great Orme Tramway, opened in 1902, is the classic way to the top. It’s a cable-hauled tramway that climbs the hillside in two stages, with views over the town as you go. The Llandudno Cable Car is an alternative from Happy Valley, usually running from Easter to the end of October and closing in high winds.
At the top, look out for the Great Orme’s herd of wild Kashmiri goats and for seabirds along the cliffs. On a clear day, you can see across to Anglesey and inland to the mountains of Eryri, which is a good way to plan your third day. There’s a café at the summit complex for tea and cake before you head back down.
Evening: dinner by the sea
Llandudno has a broad mix of restaurants, from family-run fish restaurants to modern dining rooms. Look for Welsh lamb on the menu, and mussels from nearby Conwy when in season. Afterwards, take a slow walk along the promenade as the light fades over the bay.
Day two: history, gardens and Conwy
Morning: the Great Orme Bronze Age Mines
After breakfast, step back around 4,000 years at the Great Orme Mines, one of the largest Bronze Age copper mines known anywhere. You can walk through tunnels dug by hand with stone and bone tools and see how prehistoric miners worked the copper ore. Check opening days before you go, as the mines are seasonal.
Late morning: Happy Valley and the coast
Walk down to Happy Valley Gardens on the lower slopes of the Orme, with paths, lawns and viewpoints over the pier and bay. If you fancy a longer walk, the Marine Drive around the Great Orme makes a fine circuit on foot, with cliffs on one side and sea on the other.
Lunch: picnic or café
If the weather is kind, a picnic in the gardens or on the beach is hard to beat. Otherwise, find an independent café for Welsh cakes, bara brith (a spiced fruit loaf) or a bowl of cawl, the traditional Welsh stew.
Afternoon: Conwy
Conwy is just across the estuary, a short drive, bus or train ride away. Walk the town walls, visit Conwy Castle, one of Edward I’s great 13th-century fortresses, and finish on the quay. Our guide to historic Eryri puts the castles in context. Back in Llandudno, the main shopping streets are good for gifts and local crafts.
Evening: one last sunset
Find a bench on the promenade and watch the sun go down. In winter, keep an eye out for starling murmurations swirling around the pier at dusk, one of the best free shows on the coast.
Bonus day three: a day trip into Eryri
With an extra day, head into the mountains. You don’t need a car.
Morning: down the Conwy Valley
Take the Conwy Valley line from Llandudno or Llandudno Junction to Betws-y-Coed. The line follows the river south into the hills, and the journey is part of the pleasure. Trains are limited, so check the Transport for Wales timetable the night before. Betws-y-Coed is a lovely village of stone bridges, riverside paths and forest walks, and a good place for coffee and a stroll. Our easy family walks in Eryri has more gentle routes.
Afternoon: into the mountains
From Betws-y-Coed, the Sherpa’r Wyddfa bus heads towards Pen-y-Pass and Llanberis, with views of the Llanberis Pass on the way. In Llanberis, you can ride the Snowdon Mountain Railway towards the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), which is best booked well ahead (see our practical guide to riding the railway), or walk around Llyn Padarn. Check bus times for your return journey before you set off.
If you’re driving
Drivers could instead head to the Ogwen Valley for the short circuit around Cwm Idwal, one of the most dramatic easy walks in Wales. Car parks in popular spots fill early in summer, so start early.
Whatever you choose, check the mountain forecast before going high, wear proper footwear and take warm layers, as conditions change quickly. In an emergency, call 999, ask for the Police, then Mountain Rescue.
Where to stay
When choosing from the many hotels in Llandudno, think about what suits you. Seafront hotels give you sea views and an easy walk to the pier, while guesthouses on the streets behind the promenade are often quieter. If you’re adding an Eryri day, staying within walking distance of the station makes an early train easy. For mountain bases, see our guide to where to stay in Eryri.
Frequently asked questions
Is two days enough in Llandudno?
Two days covers the main sights, including the promenade, pier, Great Orme and Conwy. A third day lets you add a trip into Eryri.
Can you see Eryri from Llandudno?
Yes. On a clear day, the mountains are visible from the Great Orme and from the West Shore.
How do I get from Llandudno to Betws-y-Coed without a car?
Take the Conwy Valley line from Llandudno or Llandudno Junction. Services are limited, so check times before you travel.
