Wales for beginners

[Suffolker]

Looking for holiday ideas for next summer and thinking of visiting Wales. I’ve not been since I was very young so don’t know it at all. I fancy seaside and DD loves the mountains, so I was thinking perhaps north Wales as a good combination of both. Any ideas for good locations?
I’d rather not be too remote but equally not anywhere too hectic in high summer. Some of the coastal cottages I’ve seen look amazing but are too expensive for our budget (upwards of £2500 for a week!). I’ve found one I like just outside Barmouth, which has mixed reviews on here. I can cope with a certain degree of seaside naff (having grown up in a faded seaside resort) but would like an area that’s attractive and interesting to visit. Would welcome any views (and yes, I know it will rain!).

Would second the recommendations for Llandudno and Conwy, both of which are lovely and have loads to do. However, go a little bit further down the coast to lesser known places like Llanfairfechan and Penmaenmawr and you might get more of a bargain. Going inland will also get you more possibilities though you're likely to need a car, whereas any of the above can also be reached by train. Also look a bit further down the Llyn to somewhere like Nefyn or Pwllheli. Avoid Abersoch like the plague.

I second Nefyn - gorgeous. Love the Llyn

Harlech beach is epic too - as is Red Whatf bay and
Llanddwyn beach - but it has sadly become very busy over the years.

I think you’re going to struggle even at £1800.

If you have never been to Wales I would start in the North as its compact loads to see and do for all budgets, a short drive and it's totally different.
I would base yourself around Conwy Llandudno, Any place on The Llyn Peninsular or Aberystwyth / Borth area
These three if you want sea and mountains and will let you explore locally.
I think the Llyn Peninsular statistically has less rain as it falls in Snowdonia first?
If its Inland Llangollen / Shropshire boarders.
Let me know once you have a location and I will tell you of a few places, but here a start.

Conwy Llandudno
Towyn for a dose of Fish, Chips and Bingo.
Conwy a walled medieval town
Morfa Beach deserted even on a busy day as its slightly out of the way with no shops but its great.
Llandudno A Nice Victorian town
Angel Bay to see the seals
Rhos on Sea Small but perfectly formed mini sea side village with no tat etc
Aberfalls a spectacular walk to a waterfall, its the nearest I have seen to Norway without leaving the UK.
Dyserth falls small water fall and nice short woodland walk

Llyn Peninsular
Criccieth, like stepping back in time in a good way
Llanbedrog
Hells mouth Desolate beach good for surfing.Aberystwyth / Borth area
Abersoch Posh place
Portmerion
Harlech
Carnaerfon
Snowdonia

Aberystwyth / Borth
New Quay
Aberaeron
Barmouth
Aberporth One of our favourites
If you like the TV crime series Hinterland many of the locations are nice to see Devils bridge etc.

Any questions of hidden gems just ask.

Put in where you want to stay area wise on Airbnb put in the dates and get some quotes would be my advice. This summer there were some great last minute deals. But you might have to take two bed and a sofa bed in the lounge at £1500.

"Aberdovey sea view apartment - Apartments for Rent in Gwynedd, Wales, United Kingdom - Airbnb" https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/501937978228252630?adults=2&check_in=2026-07-25&check_out=2026-08-01&children=2&search_mode=regular_search&source_impression_id=p3_1756723765_P3d9zGjVeBtxJ3Ep&previous_page_section_name=1000&federated_search_id=42a467e3-eee3-4ace-b75f-c97468821726

£1230 end of July

Wow thanks so much for all these suggestions. I think I need to get a map out and take a look at all of these places. I just find all the cottage websites so overwhelming for choice, so at least if I can narrow it down to 3 or 4 locations that’s a good start. I had dreams of a gorgeous sea view but I think looking further inland might be a good shout. We will have a car but I also like the idea of using the coastal train (I love a train trip!).

This would be ideal if only it had parking! (I know I’m expecting a lot)

I have found this one that I think would suit us, provided we can climb up to it!
www.dyfi-cottages.co.uk/cottage/86187-llethr-wen

And this one, but no one seems very enthusiastic about Barmouth 😬
origin-property-detail-mfe.age.awaze.com/cottages/caefadog-fach-opc

Sorry that link doesn’t seem to work
www.cottages.com/cottages/caefadog-fach-opc

But wouldn't you drive up to it?

I live in the north (Eryri) & would say the following:
If you want mountains & beaches, then Llandudno/Conwy/Penmaenmawr and even Caernarfon are perfect bases. Both Conwy and Caernarfon have parts of their medieval walls still standing (3/4 in Conwy, a bit less in C’fon).

Cars: parking in the mountains is absolutely atrocious. Most of the ones for Yr Wyddfa have to be booked in advance or you’ll need to either use one of the park & ride schemes or get a bus up to your chosen start point.
Someone mentioned Aber Falls: yes, gorgeous, lovely walk - but it’s a tiny village with a narrow single track road and hardly any parking at the top so consider parking down in the village and walking up.

Beaches: Llanddwyn is gorgeous but again parking issues mean that the beach & village have had road blocks - they even had to shut down the entire place a couple of times. There are lots of equally gorgeous beaches with better access (Aberffraw, Trearddur etc).

Llŷn: stunningly gorgeous places to stay. You can even stay in a replica roundhouse in Rhoshirwaun.

Beaumaris is also a good base although can and does get totally packed.

Its high up...a good 20minute steep walk to the village. Fab views!

Watch out for electric showers as opposed to power ones! We've stayed in the Tabernacl and that was a negative

Benllech, Anglesey is lovely.

We've had a few holidays at Away Resort Barmouth Bay holiday park. There are lodges that have three bedrooms two bathrooms, and you have pool and immediate beach access. Kids always love it.

Our favourite part of Wales is the Gower. Conwy is also worth a visit for somewhere that is easy to get to.

I'm from the south and would recommend either the Vale of Glamorgan between Barry and Bridgend or the Gower.

Have you thought of the Caernarfon area? Castle, beaches, close to Llanberis, anglesey, pwllheli, etc