Portmeirion, Conwy & Snowdonia: Castles, Villages & Day Trip

Summary

Castles, wild goats and Portmeirion’s playful colors on a winding Welsh day trip

You’ll wander castle towns like Conwy, squeeze into Britain’s tiniest house, explore Portmeirion’s surreal colors with your local guide, and wind through Snowdonia’s wild valleys by minibus. Expect laughter over Welsh words you can’t pronounce, fresh mountain air, and moments that linger long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely stepped off the minibus at Conwy when a local waved us over to try pronouncing “Llanfairpwllgwyngyll”—I gave it a go and immediately got a grin (and some gentle teasing). Our guide, Gareth, just shook his head and told us we’d get extra points if we could remember it by the end of the day. The castle walls here really do loom over everything, thick stone catching that early Welsh light. I kept running my hands along the rough surface—cold and a bit damp from last night’s rain. There was this smell of seaweed drifting up from the estuary below, mixing with someone’s bacon bap from a nearby café.

Driving along Great Orme’s edge felt like being in some old storybook—wild goats actually blocked our way for a few minutes (they’re famous here apparently) and Gareth pointed out limestone caves where Bronze Age miners once worked. I didn’t expect to see dolphins out at sea, but there they were—just quick flashes in the water. We stopped at Britain’s smallest house (seriously, you can touch both walls if you stretch), and I ducked inside for a minute. It smelled faintly of woodsmoke and old stories. There was laughter from our group as someone nearly got stuck coming back out.

I think Portmeirion surprised me most. The place is like a handful of gelato-colored dreams dropped into the woods above the water—arches, domes, all these odd corners. We wandered past gardens where the air felt heavy with flowers I couldn’t name. Lunch was just tea and scones for me (the jam was tart enough to make me wince), but others went for proper meals in one of those little cafés tucked under painted balconies. The whole village had this playful energy; even the locals seemed to slow down just to enjoy it.

The drive through Snowdonia after that was quieter—everyone sort of settled into their own thoughts as we passed lakes reflecting those big clouds and tiny stone villages hidden in folds of green hills. At one point we stopped at Swallow Falls; the sound was huge, almost drowning out our chatter. I leaned on the railing for ages just watching water crash over rocks—I still think about that moment sometimes when things get too loud back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore castles, village, and Snowdonia

• Meet at Llandudno Railway Station
• Drive around Great Orme's one-way road
• Visit Conwy Castle and suspension bridge
• See Great Britain's smallest house
• Walk around Caernarfon Castle and town
• Tour Portmeirion Italian style village
• Drive through Snowdonia National Park
• Stop at Snowdon viewpoint for photos
• Visit the Ugly House by the river
• Discover Swallow Falls waterfall
• Stop at Tu-Hwnt-I'r Bont iconic bridge

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Llandudno to Portmeirion?

The tour departs at 8:30am from Llandudno Railway Station and lasts a full day with several stops before returning in the evening.

Is entry to Conwy Castle included in this tour?

Main castle entry is not included; there is an additional fee if you wish to enter inside.

Does this tour include pickup?

No hotel pickup is offered; meeting point is at Llandudno Railway Station main entrance on Augusta Street.

Are meals or lunch included on this tour?

No meals are included; there are cafés and tea rooms available during your stop in Portmeirion where you can purchase food.

Is this tour suitable for children or infants?

Yes, infants and small children can join but infant seats must be brought by guests themselves; prams should be small and foldable due to limited space.

What attractions are visited during this day trip?

You’ll visit Great Orme Mines area, Conwy Castle town, Caernarfon Castle exterior, Portmeirion village, Snowdonia scenic viewpoints including Swallow Falls and Tu-Hwnt-I'r Bont bridge.

How many people are on each tour?

The tour uses a 16-seat minibus so groups are small for a more personal experience.

What’s included

Your day includes transport by comfortable 16-seat minibus with an expert local guide who shares stories along every stop—from castle towns to colorful villages—with company insurance provided so you can relax into every laugh or quiet view without worry.