Not everyone wants to stay in a mountain village. Plenty of visitors to Eryri (Snowdonia) choose the coast instead, with a seafront room, a promenade for evening strolls and more choice of places to eat, then head inland for the day. Llandudno is one of the best places to do that. The trick is choosing where you stay with the mountains in mind, as well as the sea.
If you’re comparing hotels in Llandudno, here’s how the town works as a base for Eryri, and what to think about before you book.
Why stay on the coast?
Llandudno sits just outside the National Park, which is part of its appeal. You get a proper town with a pier, a long Victorian promenade and plenty of restaurants, and the mountains are a short drive or train ride away. On a wet or misty day in the hills, the coast is often brighter, and there’s plenty to do in town: the Great Orme, the pier and the shops are all within walking distance of the seafront. If you’d rather stay inland on a wet day, see our pick of rainy day attractions in Eryri.
It also suits mixed groups. If some of you want to walk up Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and others would rather have a gentle day by the sea, a coastal base keeps everyone happy. Combine a mountain day with a seaside hotel break and you get the best of both.
How far is Eryri from Llandudno?
Distances are short, though mountain roads and summer traffic mean you should allow extra time. As a rough guide by car in normal conditions:
- Conwy and the edge of the National Park: around 15 to 20 minutes
- Betws-y-Coed: around 30 minutes down the Conwy Valley
- Ogwen Valley and Cwm Idwal: roughly 35 to 45 minutes via the A55 and Bethesda
- Llanberis: roughly 45 minutes via the A55
- Beddgelert: roughly an hour
Times vary with the season and the time of day, so check a route planner on the morning you travel.
Getting to the mountains by train and bus
You don’t need a car. The Conwy Valley line runs from Llandudno and Llandudno Junction down the valley to Llanrwst, Betws-y-Coed, Dolwyddelan and Blaenau Ffestiniog. It’s one of the most scenic short railway journeys in Wales, following the river into the mountains, with the full run taking a little over an hour. Some services start from Llandudno itself and others from Llandudno Junction. There are only a handful of trains a day, fewer on Sundays, so check the Transport for Wales timetable before you go.
From Betws-y-Coed, the Sherpa’r Wyddfa bus network links with Pen-y-Pass and Llanberis, the main starting points for Yr Wyddfa, and on to Beddgelert and Caernarfon. Services and timetables change through the year, so check the Sherpa’r Wyddfa website for current times.
This matters because parking at Pen-y-Pass, at the top of the Llanberis Pass, has to be pre-booked through the National Park’s system for most of the year. Our piece on how Eryri has changed since 2013 covers the shift in parking and buses. If you can’t get a space, the bus is the easiest way in. Our parking and transport guide has the details.
Where in Llandudno to stay
The central promenade
Staying on or near the central promenade puts you within walking distance of the pier, the shops and the restaurants, and a short walk or taxi from the railway station. For a mountain trip, that’s useful: you can catch an early train down the Conwy Valley without moving the car, and walk to dinner when you get back.
Near the station
If you plan to use the train most days, a hotel within a few minutes’ walk of Llandudno station saves time first thing in the morning, when the first train of the day really matters.
West Shore and the quieter streets
The West Shore and the streets behind the promenade are quieter and often better for parking. They suit drivers who want a peaceful evening after a long day in the hills. Wherever you stay, it’s worth asking whether the hotel has its own car park, as on-street parking near the seafront can be busy in summer.
A sample mountain day from Llandudno
Catch an early Conwy Valley train to Betws-y-Coed and spend the morning on the riverside and forest paths around the village. After lunch, take the bus towards Pen-y-Pass for views of the Llanberis Pass, or simply stay in the valley and walk to a waterfall (our easy family walks in Eryri include some good options). Be back in Llandudno by early evening for a walk along the prom and dinner by the sea.
If you’d rather drive, an early start to the Ogwen Valley for the short circuit around Cwm Idwal makes a superb half day, leaving the afternoon free for the Great Orme. For more ideas, see our guide for first-time visitors to Eryri.
Safety in the mountains
A coastal base can make the mountains feel close, but conditions on the high tops can be very different from the seafront. Check a mountain forecast such as the Met Office mountain forecast or MWIS before you set off, take proper clothing and footwear, and know your route. In an emergency, call 999, ask for the Police, then Mountain Rescue.
Choosing the right base
Every visitor has different priorities. If you want sea views and a walkable town with the mountains as a day out, Llandudno is hard to beat. If your trip is mostly about high mountain walking, it’s worth comparing other bases in our guide to where to stay in Eryri. Croeso i Eryri (welcome to Eryri), wherever you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Is Llandudno in Eryri National Park?
No. Llandudno is on the coast just outside the National Park, but the park boundary is only a short drive away and the mountains are visible from the Great Orme on a clear day.
Can I get from Llandudno to Yr Wyddfa without a car?
Yes. Take the Conwy Valley line to Betws-y-Coed, then the Sherpa’r Wyddfa bus towards Pen-y-Pass. Check both timetables in advance, as services are limited.
How long is the drive from Llandudno to Llanberis?
Roughly 45 minutes in normal traffic via the A55, longer on busy summer days.
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