Caernarfon & Conwy tour: Castles & Great Orme tram

Walk Conwy's cobbled streets and ride the Great Orme tramway, built in 1902

A semi-private tour from Holyhead port visits Caernarfon, a medieval coastal village with views across the Menai Strait, then Conwy, where you walk past the 16th-century Plas Mawr and along preserved town walls. The tour ends with a ride on the Great Orme cable tramway, a historic limestone headland attraction that opened over a century ago. A professional guide leads the route, timed to fit cruise schedules.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Albion Ale House30m
2. Great Orme Mines50m

Visit Caernarfon, Conwy, and Great Orme

• Explore Caernarfon medieval city
• Walk along Caernarfon promenade
• Visit Plas Mawr house in Conwy
• Admire Conwy ancient walls
• Taste local beer at Albion Ale House
• Ride historic tram up Great Orme

The experience

Caernarfon sits on Wales's coast as a large medieval city packed with history and culture. The elegant promenade runs along a busy port with views across the Menai Strait, the channel separating Anglesey from mainland Wales. You'll spend time here taking in the architecture and waterfront before moving on to the next stop.

Conwy is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the region. You'll see Plas Mawr, a magnificent 16th-century house that stands as the finest of its era, viewed from outside. The town's ancient walls enclose narrow cobbled streets full of historic detail, and your guide will point out the nooks and crannies as you walk. If you're interested, there's a chance to taste a local beer at the Albion Ale House, a traditional pub along the route.

The final stop is the Great Orme, a spectacular limestone headland reached by cable-hauled tramway. Opened in 1902, this historic tram climbs the headland with original cars that have run the same route for over a century. The tour is timed to work with cruise ship schedules, and the operator waits 10–15 minutes as a courtesy if you're running slightly behind.

What’s included

• Professional tour guide in English.
• port pickup timed to your cruise schedule.
• semi-private group tour.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 5 Apr 2027

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (3 and older) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 19

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Top Private Tours UK

Is this one for you?Book this if you're docked at Holyhead and need a tour that syncs with your ship's schedule. The guide picks you up from port and adjusts the route timing to match your departure.

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Top questions

What is Plas Mawr in Conwy?

Plas Mawr is a 16th-century house in Conwy and the finest standing house of its era. You'll see it from outside as part of the walking route through the medieval town.

How does the Great Orme tramway work?

The Great Orme tramway is a cable-hauled system opened in 1902 that climbs the limestone headland using historical cars. It's one of the oldest and most historic trams in Wales.

Will the tour wait if my ship is running late?

Yes. The operator waits 10–15 minutes as a courtesy to accommodate cruise schedules, so minor delays won't affect your pickup.

What can I do in Conwy besides walking the walls?

You can walk the narrow cobbled streets enclosed by the ancient town walls and visit the Albion Ale House if you'd like to taste a local beer during the tour.