Gwynedd’s county town, home to one of Wales’s most famous castles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mighty Caernarfon Castle commands the lion’s share of attention, but the town’s narrow streets and stylishly redeveloped waterfront also merit a visit. The castle, built in the 13th century by Edward I as a royal palace and military fortress, was at the core of a medieval walled town.
The Romans left their mark too – 1000 years earlier they constructed their fort of Segontium on the hill above (its foundations still exist). The story of the town is told in an exhibition at Oriel Pendeitsh, part of the Ein Treftadaeth – Our Heritage project (there’s also a Princes of Gwynedd information hub). Other attractions include Welsh Highland Railway (which runs for 25 miles to Porthmadog), Hwylfan Fun Centre, Redline Indoor Karting, scenic Lôn Eifion recreational cycle route and RIB rides along Menai Strait.