Porthmadog campsites

From steam trains to llamas, this town's got something that not many can boast and is an ideal base for exploring all of Snowdonia.

Whilst in Porthmadog take the opportunity to stroll around its harbour with its gently bobbing boats. Also located within the harbour is the Porthmadog Maritime Museum which provides informative insight into the area's maritime history.

Located just 3 miles from Porthmadog you’ll find Portmeirion, a village located on a private peninsula overlooking Cardigan Bay on the coast of Snowdonia, surrounded by woodlands and sandy beaches. The grounds are open daily until 19:30, so there is plenty of time to explore the village, gardens and woods. Free, guided tours of the village are available daily.

Morfa Bychan, known locally as Black Rock Sands, is a sandy beach that stretches for about two miles and is backed by a dune system which has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. There are plenty of rockpools to explore here as well as some interesting caverns. 

Keen for more history, spectacularly sited Harlech Castle seems to grow naturally from the rock on which it is perched. Like an all-seeing sentinel, it gazes out across land and sea, keeping a watchful eye over Snowdonia.  Outside there’s a 200-foot-long stairway which still leads from the castle down to the cliff base.

Harlech Beach provides four miles of golden sand and provide a truly superb spot for walking, beach combing, kite surfing and bathing. On the northern side of the beach is the Morfa Harlech Nature Reserve, a haven for rare plant species and birdlife while on the southern end lies the cape of Shell Island where more than 200 different types of shell have been found. Leatherback turtles are occasionally seen offshore hunting the jellyfish which are abundant in the bay, so do be careful of those when swimming.

Keen to sightsee in style? Then hop on board a steam train at Porthmadog and discover the excellent Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways. 

The Ffestiniog Railway runs from Porthmadog on the coast to Blaenau Ffestiniog in the hills, passing through the spectacular scenery of the Snowdonia National Park. The railway is just under 14 miles long and the journey takes around 1 hour and 10 minutes each way.

The Welsh Highland Railway is Snowdonia's newest railway. Trains start a spectacular 25-mile scenic journey from beneath the castle walls at Caernarfon.

Visitors who are looking to do something a little different should not miss Black Rock Llamas which provides fantastic llama trekking.

Porthmadog Golf Club is the place to attempt a hole-in-one with family and friends, offering 18 holes.

If caves are your thing then Llanfair Slate Caverns is just for you. The entry to this old but significant and famous slate mine is through the majestic main tunnel, under the spooky twin arches of the crypt, and into the lofty cathedral cavern. As you emerge from the caverns, you face the breathtaking view of Cardigan Bay.

Cardigan Bay offers abundant wildlife, varied landscape, rugged coastline, sandy beaches, a long history and characteristic market towns.

Alternatively, enjoy learning about the brewing process at The Purple Moose Brewery, a '40-Barrel' micro-brewery based in Porthmadog. Here you can take a tour where you will be guided through the whole brewing process by one of their brewers.