Snowdonia - best area to base ourselves?

[Geminijust]

Thinking of booking a cottage in Snowdonia this summer. Would also like to visit Angelsey and Portmerion. Can anyone suggest the best area to base ourselves for all the attractions (2 adults 2 teens). Seen a few places in the Barmouth area but wondered if a bit far out, or is it all pretty compact?

Thanks in advance.

Benllech on Anglesey is a lovely base for Snowdonia it has a great beach, you can get on the Coastal path and it has a pub, chippies ect. From here you can easily visit all of Anglesey and cross back over to visit the rest of Snowdonia.

We have stayed in Pen Machno (a bit far out) and Capel Curig previously which was perfect for us for days out.

We stayed just outside Barmouth a couple of years ago. It was a great base for Snowdonia. We loved it- went to Harlech, Portmeirion, Betws-y-Coed, Black rock sands all over.

We stayed in a converted chapel Airbnb in Llanberis last summer....visited Anglesey, Blackrock sands, Porthmadog, Betws y coed and Portmerion as well as climbing Snowdon

It all depends on what you want to see and do, we feel one of the big benefits of North Wales is its compact but each area is different
Conwy is a great base but it all depends on which bit of Snowdonia you are going to see?
Llandudno is not much further and is a bigger town so moor choice.
www.donthibernate.co.uk/conwy/
www.donthibernate.co.uk/route-2-m56-m62-to-llandudno-the-most-scenic-route/

Aber falls is excellent
www.donthibernate.co.uk/waterfalls-of-north-wales/

Anglesey and Portmerion are opposite areas but do able.
Personally I would stay just outside of the National park as its usually cheaper and the mountains are considerably wetter.
The Llyn Peninsular is nice too and usually has a lot less rainfall than the National park
www.visitwales.com/destinations/north-wales/snowdonia/hidden-beauty-exploring-llyn-peninsula-aonb

You'll have more choice in Llandudno of places to stay (though not necessarily cottages) than anywhere else in the area I think.

Barmouth is not too far though.

Thank you for the replies. Will look into all of these. Good to hear it's quite compact so hopefully we won't go too far wrong!

Some of the Hidden Gems
Fairy Glen its in the links on my other post
Conwy Falls Cafe just up the road from Fairy Glen.
Angel Bay near Llandudno to see the seals, its a nice short walk too
www.donthibernate.co.uk/route-1-llandudno-from-m62-m56/
This Cafe is nearby and excellent
www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g3686311-d3487798-Reviews-The_Beach_Cafe_Bar-Penrhyn_Bay_Llandudno_Conwy_County_North_Wales_Wales.html
When you are in The Llandudno area two good eating places you wouldn't stumble across
This is just off the A55 at St.Asaph
www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g663600-d19859961-Reviews-The_Flowerpot_Cafe-St_Asaph_Denbighshire_North_Wales_Wales.html

High end chippy but not cheap, but worth it.
enochs.co.uk
This is just the tip of the Iceberg, do some research and plan you will have a great time.
If a Caravan Park is your thing there are plenty slightly north Towny, Rhyl, Prestatyn, something for everyone really some are high end some are very much Fish Chips and Bingo, but having said all this drive inland for a mile or two and its like a different world, very tranquil.
Remember if you stay around Llandudno you are only an hour from Chester or 80 mins from Liverpool with worth a visit.
www.donthibernate.co.uk/liverpool/

Anything specific the teens want to do?

Caernarfon/Llanberis/Llanrug/Waunfawr/Bethesda/Porthmadog/Pontllyfni

All great bases and plenty of Air bnb

Capel Garmon is a tiny village but gorgeous and friendly - easily accessible to Betws y Coed, Ffestiniog and the Zip World activties as well as other places.

Just thought I'd update. We've finally booked somewhere in Y Felinheli near Caernarfon, a village overlooking the Menai Bridge so looks to have best of both worlds. Missed out on a place near Benllech as suggested by another poster but happy with what we've found as seems to be a good location.

Thank you for the help.

Thanks for the update where did you go?

@Funf nor been yet, it's this summer!

Oh, I wrongly assumed it was this weekend. Lets hope you get some great weather its nice there today

Oh nice pub called Y Garddfon right on the straits. Great for an evening pint and the food is great, plus there’s an oriental restaurant couple of minutes walk from the pub.

but in Caernarfon you have a Wetherspoons, plus a Table Table and the lovely Black Boy inn. That’s worth a visit