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Top 5 Best Things to do in Caernarfon Wales
If you’ve booked a holiday to North Wales and are looking for exciting places to visit for a day out, then Caernarfon should be high on your list of potential places to explore. Sitting on the banks of the River Seiont and close to the Menai Strait, this historic coastal town combines fascinating history with spectacular scenery and plenty of family-friendly attractions.
For guests staying at a Pario Holiday Park, Caernarfon is also within easy driving reach of several of our North Wales resorts, making it a convenient destination for a memorable day out. Whether you are interested in history, beautiful landscapes, traditional railways or simply want something to keep the children entertained, there are plenty of great things to do in Caernarfon for people of all ages and interests.
Based on our first hand experiences, we’ve put together a list of the top 5 best things to do in Caernarfon in case you find the time to explore the town on your next visit to North Wales.
1. Visit Caernarfon Castle
It would be almost impossible to compile a list of the best things to do in Caernarfon without putting Caernarfon Castle at the very top. Dominating the town skyline beside, this enormous medieval fortress is one of the most recognisable historic attractions in North Wales being a recognised World Heritage Site and adorning the front of countless North Wales postcards over the years.
The castle was constructed on the orders of King Edward I following his campaign to conquer Wales, with construction beginning in 1283. The King and his military architect, Master James of St George, created the castle, town walls and quay as part of a huge project intended to establish English control over the region. The castle’s unusual polygonal towers, imposing curtain walls and distinctive masonry were designed to make a powerful statement of intent as well as to provide formidable defences.
There is plenty to discover once you step inside. You can explore the towers, walk along sections of the battlements and take in the views across Caernarfon and the surrounding landscape. One of the most impressive features is the Eagle Tower, with its three enormous turrets and exceptionally thick walls. The castle is also home to the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum, where you can explore exhibitions telling the story of more than 300 years of the regiment’s history.
For families, this is unquestionably one of the best things to do in Caernarfon. Children will get inspired by this striking medieval fortress and learn plenty about kings, castles, battles and life in medieval Wales. Plenty of the lessons will no doubt be of interest to adults too, as will the incredible views that the castle provides.
2. Ride the Welsh Highland Railway
For a very different way to experience the surrounding landscape, head to Caernarfon station and climb aboard the Welsh Highland Railway.
This one will no doubt be considered the best thing to do in Caernarfon by any railway enthusiasts, with historic steam locomotives pulling comfortable heritage carriages through some of the most spectacular scenery in North Wales. The retro carriages provide levels of comfort which put modern day trains to shame, with the entire aesthetic of the era being preserved so as to offer a realistic impression of what rail journeys were like at the time.
From Caernarfon, journeys can take you towards Beddgelert and Porthmadog, with the opportunity to travel through countryside, woodland and mountain scenery. Services such as the Snowdonia Star provide a full-day return journey between Caernarfon and Porthmadog, while shorter experiences are available for those who don’t want to spend an entire day on the train. The heritage railway also provides services between Caernarfon and Beddgelert, allowing passengers to spend time exploring the village before returning by train. Depending on the journey you choose, your trip can last several hours, so this is an attraction to plan into your day rather than simply dropping in as part of a wider visit to Caernarfon.
It is also one of the best things to do in Caernarfon in the rain. While North Wales weather can be unpredictable, you can settle into a warm carriage and watch the landscape pass by through the windows. For families, it provides an opportunity to enjoy the scenery without worrying about everyone getting soaked.
3. Take a Boat Trip
Caernarfon looks impressive from land, but seeing the town from the water provides an entirely different perspective. Menai Strait Cruises offers boat trips from Caernarfon harbour, allowing tourists to see some of the area’s most recognisable sights while enjoying the surrounding coastal scenery.
With shorter cruises of around 45 minutes available alongside longer 2 hour experiences you’ll be able to choose a trip based on the time you have available. The longer trip is particularly appealing if you want to make the cruise a major part of your day out in Caernarfon, while a shorter journeys can easily be fitted around other activities.
From the water, passengers can enjoy views of Caernarfon Castle while taking in the wider scenery towards the Snowdonia mountain range, Anglesey and Llanddwyn Island. It is a fantastic opportunity to appreciate just how picturesque the town’s skyline really is.
Menai Strait Cruises is also a family-run business with a history stretching back to the 1940s, and the company’s current generation continues a long family connection with the water. The cruises are dog friendly too, which means that the four legged members of the family don’t need to miss out.
A boat trip is perhaps particularly well suited to those searching for things to do in Caernarfon for adults, especially if you are looking for a more relaxed way to spend an afternoon. Families may find it difficult to entertain younger children on the trip, particularly if you opt for the 2 hour experience.
4. Walk the Town Walls
If you are searching for things to do in Caernarfon for free, don’t overlook the town’s historic walls.
Caernarfon’s medieval town walls were constructed as part of the same enormous defensive project that brought Caernarfon Castle to life. Work began in 1283 and the circuit was largely complete by around 1292. Today, the walls survive remarkably well, with eight towers and two gateways forming an almost complete defensive circuit around the perimeter of the town.
Walking the walls gives you the chance to appreciate Caernarfon from a different angle while following a piece of medieval history. Rather than simply admiring the castle from the ground, you can understand how the castle and fortified town worked together as part of a defensive unit.
This is a great option for those on a budget looking for things to do in Caernarfon for free, with the walls being open to all tourists. We would advise though that some sections of the wall do have uneven surfaces, so sensible footwear is a wise precaution.
5. Have Fun at The Fun Centre
Sometimes children simply want to run around and have some fun, and that’s where aptly named Fun Centre comes in.
Described as the biggest indoor play area in North Wales, The Fun Centre in Caernarfon offers a huge 14,000-square-foot space packed with activities. Its main play area includes giant 25-foot-high drop slides, ball pools, tumble towers, spinning steps and a dark maze, alongside plenty of other features to keep energetic children occupied.
For parents searching for things to do in Caernarfon with kids, The Fun Centre is a God send that will help them keep the little ones entertained in any weather. If rain has put paid to plans for a boat trip or walk along the town walls, you can instead head indoors and let the children burn off some energy. This is unquestionably one of the best things to do in Caernarfon in the rain, particularly for families holidaying with younger children who may not appreciate spending hours exploring historic monuments.
Enjoy the best of Caernarfon With Pario Holiday Parks
From exploring one of Wales’ most spectacular medieval castles to travelling through the mountains by steam train, sailing along the Menai Strait or simply letting the children loose in a giant indoor play centre, there are plenty of things to do in Caernarfon during a North Wales holiday.
Staying at a Pario Holiday Park gives you the perfect platform from which to explore Caernarfon and the wider North Wales region, safe in the knowledge that you’ll have a comfortable base to return to at the end of each day. Whether you are booking a family holiday, a romantic break or a seaside holiday getaway, Pario has a North Wales holiday park that will be perfect for your next UK break.