One of the most common questions visitors ask is: where should we stay? The answer depends entirely on what sort of experience you want. Do you want Snowdon on your doorstep, a quiet lakeside retreat, a luxury escape, a family holiday base, or a walkers' hostel? The beauty of Eryri is that all of these options exist. Choosing the right base can completely transform your visit.
Choosing Your Area
Before choosing accommodation, choose your area. Eryri divides roughly into several zones, each with a different character.
Snowdon Heartland — Llanberis, Beddgelert, and Rhyd Ddu. Best for: Snowdon walking, mountain railways, lakes, and direct access to the most dramatic scenery. This is the right zone if climbing Yr Wyddfa is your primary goal. Llanberis is the most practical base — large enough to have shops, restaurants, and reliable accommodation options, small enough to feel like a proper mountain village.
Betws-y-Coed and the Conwy Valley — Best for: first-time visitors, families, central location, and good road connections. Betws-y-Coed has more accommodation options than any other Eryri village and excellent rail connections via the Conwy Valley Line from Llandudno Junction. It is not the closest base to Snowdon but it is well-placed for exploring the national park generally.
Ogwen Valley — Best for: serious walkers, climbers, and scramblers. Accommodation options are limited (mainly hostels and a few campsites), which keeps it off the mainstream visitor radar. Capel Curig and the Ogwen area suit those whose primary aim is the Glyderau or Carneddau.
Southern Eryri — Dolgellau, Bala, and the Mawddach Estuary area. Best for: Cadair Idris, quieter landscapes, Welsh culture, and a less touristy version of Eryri. This area is often overlooked by visitors focused on Snowdon and is all the better for it.
Coast and Castles — Harlech, Criccieth, Barmouth. Best for: beaches, the great Edwardian castles, and a combination of coast and mountain. Harlech in particular is exceptional — a small town with a vast castle, views across to the Rhinogydd, and good beach access.
Types of Accommodation
Hotels
Hotels in Eryri range from comfortable country house properties to modest roadside establishments. The Royal Victoria Hotel in Llanberis and the Royal Oak Hotel in Betws-y-Coed are well-established options with good facilities. For something more distinctive, the area around Dolgellau and the Mawddach Estuary has some excellent country hotels and converted historic buildings. Book well ahead for summer weekends — popular properties fill months in advance.
Self-Catering Cottages
The most flexible option for families and groups. Eryri has an exceptional stock of stone cottages, farmhouses, and converted farm buildings, many in spectacular settings. A week in a self-catering cottage with a mountain view is what many repeat visitors come back for. Book through Sykes Cottages, Airbnb, or local agencies; inspect photos carefully for practicalities like parking and proximity to roads.
Hostels
Snowdon Ranger Youth Hostel and Idwal Cottage YHA are among the best-placed mountain hostels in Wales — well-run, practical, and popular with walkers. Pen-y-Pass Youth Hostel sits at the top of the Llanberis Pass and is perfectly positioned for the main Snowdon routes. Book ahead, particularly for weekends and school holidays.
Campsites
Camping in Eryri can be exceptional. The campsite at Nantgwynant at the foot of the Watkin Path has one of the finest positions in the national park. Sites around Beddgelert are popular with families. The Ogwen valley has informal camping near the lake. Wild camping is tolerated on the open hillside (above the wall line) in the spirit of Leave No Trace principles, but is not officially permitted within the national park. Fires are not permitted.
Glamping and Luxury
Glamping has grown significantly in Eryri over the past decade. Bell tents, shepherd's huts, and yurts in scenic settings provide a middle ground between camping and hotel. Luxury accommodation options are relatively limited compared to some national parks but improving — several country house hotels and converted historic buildings offer genuine quality.
Best Bases by Activity
For Snowdon walking: Llanberis (most practical). For the Horseshoe / Pyg Track / Miners' Track: Pen-y-Pass area or Llanberis with Sherpa bus. For Glyderau and Tryfan: Capel Curig or Ogwen area. For Cadair Idris: Dolgellau. For photography: Beddgelert or Nantgwynant (superb reflections). For heritage railways: Porthmadog (Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland), Llanberis (Snowdon Railway). For families: Betws-y-Coed or Beddgelert. For solitude: Southern Eryri, Rhinogydd area, or any location away from the Snowdon circuit.
Booking Advice
July and August are the busiest months and popular accommodation books up months in advance. September, October, and May offer good walking conditions with significantly less competition for beds and often lower prices. Winter accommodation is rarely a problem to book, but check that your chosen accommodation is open — some seasonal properties close from November to March.
Independently written — Snowdon.com