North Wales Itinerary

Three nights means two days there. Covering all three locations by public transport will trying - by car would be much easier.

Conwy to Caernarfon is about a 45 minute drive. By train and bus is likely to take around 1.5 hours door to door, via Bangor.

What do you want to see on Anglesey? The coastal path is good walking. Beaumaris is the most touristy part, as the castle is popular. You could get there by bus from Caernarfon, taking 1/1.5 hours. Getting back to Conwy is by bus and train via Bangor again.

Do you want to walk up Snowdon? The mountain train goes from Llanberis, which is a 2 hour journey from Conwy by train and bus, again via Bangor, about 3 times the length of a car journey.

A car would make far more sense.

maybe you only want to go as far into Anglesey to get pic with the sign at Llanfair PG (Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch)?

Thanks!

I definitely need the photo by the sign. And I love to walk, so I'm interested in walking and hiking trails.
My travel partner isn't crazy about hiking Mt. Snowdon.

I'm wondering whether to stay the whole time in Conwy, as a base (we're in Wales for six days total) or how it would be most logical to stay in different places (maybe three in Conwy, a couple in Caernarfon, and one somewhere else).

I agree it would be easier with a car, but alas, I truly hate driving on the left-hand side of the street. I did it in Ireland, and swore that would be the last time. Yup, I'm a wimp.

I appreciate the suggestions!

It’s a shame about the driving. On Anglesey there are a number of Neolithic standing stones and burial chamber sites along with South Stack lighthouse and bird observation area, Beaumaris castle, Llanfair….gogogoch, and Llynon windmill. Most of the places are probably not serviced by public transportation. We enjoyed walking around Llandudno and looking for the Alice in Wonderland wooden sculptures. Pontcysylite Aqueduct was very interesting and we would have liked more time to walk around the trails in that area. We also enjoyed short stops at Dyfi furnace, Cymer Abbey ruin, and Pont Minllyn pack horse bridge. Again, I have no idea about public transportation, but for most sights having a rental car in Wales would be optimal.

Both times we visited Caernarfon we stayed at Victoria House B&B. The hosts and stay were outstanding.

Where else are you planning to stop in North Wales?

What sort of things are you wanting to do in North Wales?

Catch the Great Orme Tramway from Llandudno (there is a regular bus service between the two) which takes you to the top of the Great Orme where there is some very easy walking with superb views.

http://www.greatormetramway.co.uk/

If you are into history, the Great Orme Copper Mines are well worth visiting too.

https://www.greatormemines.info/

Conwy also has a ruined castle which is equally as good as Caernarfon.

https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/conwy-castle

and lots more pictuures here:

http://www.castlewales.com/conwy.html

Conwy is also a walled town - again like Caernarfon, but you can actually walk along a stretch of the walls in Conwy.
I'd be inclined to do this rather than trying to get to Caernarfon.

http://www.castlewales.com/conwy09.jpg

Plas Mawr, an Elizabethan Town House in the centre of Conwy is also worrth visiting.

https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/plas-mawr

https://www.conwy.com/place/plas-mawr/

Catch the Conwy Valley line train to Blaenau Ffestiniog - this is a lovely trip through Snowdonia.

http://www.conwyvalleyrailway.co.uk/

Anglesey is going to be difficult by public transport.

Snowdon - You may still get snow on the top oi Snowdon in April and I certainly wouldn't recommend walking it at that time of year unless you are experienced hill walkers with the proper gear. The Snowdon Mountain Railway may not be running to the top themn either.

Bodnant Garden, a National Trust site, is lovely. I was able to get there by public transportation, but I probably spent some extra time hanging out at bus stops in the process.

I visited Conwy and Bangor and Caernarfon in October and they're beautiful but a word of warning re: buses. Don't count on the buses. I waited over an hour outside Penrhyn Castle, while five scheduled buses did not appear. When I finally gave up and hailed a cab, the cab driver laughed out loud at the idea of the bus schedule being observed: "The bus schedule! A fantasy the breadth and depth of Tolkien!" There have been severe cuts to transit budgets as well as a labor shortage. We did catch the bus from Bangor to Caernarfon, but with significant delays and buses extremely overcrowded when they did arrive.

Thank you all!
I appreciate all your suggestions.

You can go through scenic areas on these 2 narrow gauge steam railways:>https://www.festrail.co.uk
From Conwy - go 1 mile east to Llandudno Junction and catch a ‘normal’ train to Blaenau Ffestiniog. Then Ffestiniog Railway down to Porthmadog - where I suggest you stay 2 nights. Use 1 day to visit nearby Portmeirion. On leaving Porthmadog - use the Welsh Highland Railway to Carnarfon (stay). From Porthmadog - the Cambrian Coast ‘normal’ railway is also very scenic but you cannot open the train windows to take photos.

Re last post by James
I think you can still get through tickets to Porthmadog from Llandudno Junction which are cheaper then buying them separately