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The Ultimate Anglesey Road Trip
With more than 125 miles of coastline, beautiful beaches, charming seaside towns, dramatic cliffs and an incredible collection of attractions, Anglesey is an island that was made for exploring.
While you could spend several weeks discovering every corner of the island on foot, an Anglesey road trip is a fantastic way to experience many of its highlights in a single day, with the freedom to stop wherever takes your fancy.
The ultimate Anglesey road trip described here covers approximately 105 miles in a circular loop, taking in much of the island’s coastline and passing some of its most popular visitor attractions. From the Menai Strait and historic Beaumaris castle, to the wild scenery of South Stack and the golden sands of Newborough, this is an Anglesey road trip route that is packed with great reasons to pull over, stretch your legs and explore.
How long does it take to drive around Anglesey?
If you were to drive the entire 105 mile circular route without stopping, you could potentially complete it in a little over three hours, depending on traffic and the roads you choose to take. However, that really isn’t the point of an Anglesey road trip.
Once you factor in stops at beaches, viewpoints, tourist attractions, historic towns and time of breakfast, lunch and dinner, you should allow a full day at the very least. Families may find that spreading the route across two days is potentially more enjoyable, particularly if you want to spend time exploring famous attractions such as Beaumaris Castle, South Stack Lighthouse, Newborough beach and Parys Mountain rather than simply photographing them from afar.
The route also includes smaller roads and coastal detours, where journeys can take longer than the distance might suggest. During busy periods, make sure you allow extra time for traffic and parking and check individual attractions before travelling as opening days and times are subject to change depending upon the weather and time of year.
Start at Menai Bridge
A great starting point for the best Anglesey road trip is Menai Bridge, where you can cross onto the island with the Menai Strait and mountains of mainland North Wales providing an impressive introduction to the journey.
From Menai Bridge, head east towards Beaumaris. This historic seaside town is one of Anglesey’s essential stops, with its colourful streets, welcoming cafes, seafront views and impressive castle. Beaumaris Castle is one of King Edward I’s greatest accomplishments and is a recognised World Heritage Site.
After exploring the town, continue towards Penmon and Penmon Point. Here, the landscape becomes increasingly coastal, with views towards Puffin Island and the mountains across the water. Penmon is also home to an ancient priory that you may want to explore, while the nearby Trwyn Du Lighthouse makes a particularly striking landmark that is popular with photographers.
The East Coast
Continue northwards, joining the A5025 and making your way towards Benllech. The resort is home to one of Anglesey’s most popular sandy beaches, making it an excellent place for a short walk.
Once you are back in your car, continue around the island’s north eastern side towards Amlwch. If time allows, make a detour to Parys Mountain, an extraordinary landscape created by centuries of copper mining. The unusual, colourful terrain feels remarkably different from the beaches and farmland encountered elsewhere on the island with its red hues which would look more appropriate on Mars than planet Earth!
Amlwch itself provides an opportunity to learn about Anglesey’s industrial heritage. The Copper Kingdom Heritage Centre tells the story of the town’s copper-mining past and the local people who worked around its harbour.
The North Coast
From Amlwch, continue along the A5025 towards Cemaes Bay. This section of the Anglesey road trip provides plenty of opportunities to leave the main road and discover quieter stretches of coastline.
Cemaes is the most northerly village in Wales and is surrounded by attractive coastal scenery. Nearby Cemlyn Bay is another worthwhile detour, particularly for anyone interested in wildlife. Its shingle ridge creates a lagoon that provides an important habitat for seabirds, including a significant number of Sandwich terns.
The North coast is also where the island’s rugged character becomes particularly apparent, with rocky headlands, secluded coves and wide views to be enjoyed looking out across the Irish Sea.
Holyhead & South Stack
Continue west along the A5025 before heading towards Holyhead and across to Holy Island. This is arguably the most spectacular part of the entire Anglesey road trip. The highlight is South Stack, located around three miles west of Holyhead. The RSPB reserve sits above spectacular sea cliffs overlooking South Stack Lighthouse and the Irish Sea. During spring and summer, the cliffs become home to large numbers of nesting seabirds such as razorbills and guillemots, while puffins may also be spotted.
Ellin’s Tower provides an excellent viewpoint over the cliffs and lighthouse, while the surrounding reserve offers walking trails and opportunities to enjoy the scenery at a slower pace. This might be a section of the Anglesey road trip that you want to return to at a later date when you have more time.
It may also be worth returning to Holyhead during a later trip too. The town has links stretching back to Roman and medieval times and provides access to attractions including Breakwater Country Park and the Holyhead Maritime Museum. You also have the option of catching the ferry here over to Ireland, a trip which takes approximately 3 and a half hours one way.
Trearddur Bay & The West Coast
Leave Holyhead and head south towards Trearddur Bay, a destination which is generally considered to be the best seaside resort on Anglesey. Its sheltered sandy beach is ideal for families, while the surrounding coastline provides opportunities for coastal walks and spectacular sea views. There are also plenty of facilities nearby including the famous Sea Shanty Cafe which has been serving the area with incredible food, drinks and ice cream for over 60 years. This is a great place to stop for lunch and an afternoon stroll.
From Trearddur Bay, continue south and then east, following the A4080 towards Rhosneigr. This popular coastal village is surrounded by broad sandy beaches and is particularly famous for being a watersports hotspot. You might catch a glimpse of some adrenaline junkies practicing their craft, but taking on the tides yourself may not be such a great idea after dining at the Sea Shanty Cafe.
Newborough & Llanddwyn Island
The next major stop is Newborough, where you can experience some of the most beautiful scenery on the entire island. Newborough Warren combines extensive dunes, woodland and sandy coastline, with views towards the mountains of mainland North Wales.
If conditions and time allow, we’d recommend walking towards Llanddwyn Island, a tidal island at the western end of Newborough Beach. The island is associated with Saint Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers and is one of Anglesey’s most atmospheric destinations.
This is an ideal place to slow down after the longer driving sections of the route. The beach and surrounding landscape provide a chance to stretch your legs, take photographs and enjoy the coastal scenery. It’s also the perfect place to stop if you are enjoying a romantic break in North Wales, providing you with the chance to pay homage to the Welsh version of St. Valentine before taking on the final section of your Anglesey road trip.
Plas Newydd & The Return to the Mainland
From Newborough, head back towards the Menai Strait and consider stopping at Plas Newydd House and Garden. Set within an impressive parkland estate, it offers another opportunity to combine fascinating history, lush gardens and spectacular views across the water.
Finally, continue towards Menai Bridge and back across to the mainland to complete your 105 mile circular Anglesey road trip. We’re confident you’ll find plenty of destinations along the way that you’ll be planning to return to at a later date.
Make your Anglesey road trip part of a North Wales holiday
An Anglesey road trip is one of the best ways to appreciate just how much there is to see and do in this corner of North Wales. In roughly 105 miles, you can experience historic castles, traditional seaside resorts, beautiful beaches, dramatic cliffs, wildlife-rich nature reserves and some of Wales’ most fascinating historic attractions and stories.
Rather than trying to squeeze everything into a single day, why not make Anglesey part of a longer North Wales holiday? Book a stay at a Pario Holiday Park and you’ll have an excellent base from which to explore Anglesey as well as the many other attractions, beaches and outdoor adventures that are to be found in this incredible part of the world.