With its sparkling glacial lakes, soaring peaks and dramatic countryside, Snowdonia National Park (also called Eryri National Park in Welsh) is one of those places you can’t quite believe is real. Whether you like to get active or prefer to take it easy, it should be on every nature lover’s bucket list. Wondering where to stay in Snowdonia? Keep reading for our top eight picks that provide the perfect base for exploring the park – all put together by our trusty team of travel experts here at Plum Guide.

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Sitting in the shadow of Cadair Idris, Dolgellau is a historic town once at the heart of Wales’ wool industry. A glimpse of its past can be seen from its 200 listed buildings – that’s more than anywhere else in Wales. Its handsome town centre and spectacular scenery make it one of the best bases when it comes to finding somewhere to stay in Snowdonia.

Dolgellau is well-known for its annual Sesiwn Fawr festival each July. Attracting some of the biggest names in the Welsh music industry, the streets of Dolgellau transform into a lively celebration of music, literature, comedy and children’s entertainment. There’s plenty to do when it’s not festival season, too. Sample local cuisine in the array of pubs, cafes and restaurants, or stretch your legs in nature. Aside from exploring Snowdonia’s mountains, be sure to visit local beauty spots like the Precipice Walk and the Mawddach Trail. Keen hikers can take one of the paths leading up to Penygader, the highest peak on Cadair Idris. As you can imagine, the views from up here are unrivalled.

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Positioned along the River Colwyn and surrounded by stone houses and rugged mountains, Beddgelert is like something out of a storybook. This idyllic village makes a great place to stay in Snowdonia if you’re seeking easy access to some of the area’s most beautiful locations – you’ll find Snowdon to the north, the Aberglaslyn Pass Gorge to the south and the Nant Gwynant Valley to the east.

In addition to the many walking routes, there are also plenty of opportunities to get out and about on your bike. The nearby Beddgelert Forest is ideal for cycling, with many routes like the Lôn Gwyrfai trail for mountain bikes. Alternatively, enjoy the views from aboard a vintage train. Beddgelert Railway Station is part of the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highlands Railway. Many of their services start from the village, such as the popular Gelert Explorer.

When you’re not busy with exciting days out, the village is made for pottering about. Indulge in hearty meals in the selection of local pubs, or enjoy a picnic by the river. Don’t forget to pop into Beddgelert Woodcraft where you can find unique hand-carved gifts to take home with you.

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Also known as Aberdovey, this charming seaside village is the perfect coastal getaway. It sits on the wonderful Dyfi Estuary, boasting remarkable views across Cardigan Bay. Take a stroll along the promenade, a great spot for crabbing and fishing, admiring the multicoloured houses looking over Aberdyfi Beach. This stretch of golden sands is our favourite spot for sandcastles, picnics and sunbathing – it’s also dog-friendly, so your four-legged friend can join in on the fun.

When you’re not hanging out on the beach, lace up your walking boots and explore Aberdyfi’s lush surroundings. There are many trails to take, and a couple of our favourites include the Dolgoch Falls Walk to admire the enchanting waterfalls and the Rhydyronen Loop in Pendre, which leads you through the stunning valley of Nant Braich-y-rhiw. Wildlife-watching more your cup of tea? There’s plenty of opportunity for that, too, at places like the Cors Dyfi Wildlife Centre, RSPB Ynys-hir Nature Reserve, and the Ynyslas Sand Dunes and Dyfi National Nature Reserve.

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Carved out from the mountain itself, the towering slate slopes surrounding the town of Blaenau Ffestiniog indicate its heyday during the Industrial Revolution. Once the ‘slate capital of the world’, today the town is more of a tourist destination offering a range of thrilling activities. Don your hard hat and head underground to discover Llechwedd Deep Mine. Learn about the harsh lives of the men who worked down here and catch a glimpse of where the Llechwedd Cheese is matured. For more subterranean adventures, head to Bounce Below, a disused mine which has been transformed into a huge trampoline park.

Prefer to stay above ground? There’s loads of fun waiting in the sunshine. Zipline above the caves at Zip World, or climb aboard the Ffestiniog Railway for a vintage train ride through some of Wales’ best scenery. You can even spend a day by the sea at Llandudno, nicknamed the ‘Queen of Welsh Resorts’. Simply hop on the Conwy Line, which takes you all the way to this lovely seaside town.

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The attractive coastal town of Harlech lies right on the edge of Snowdonia National Park. It’s a place of timeless beauty, where huge expanses of sand dunes meet expansive open farmland. Its crowning glory is the 13th-century Harlech Castle, perched on a hill with views across Bae Ceredigion and the Snowdonia mountains. It makes for a fantastic day out, with an audio-visual tour, a visitor centre and a gift shop with a great selection of Welsh books and arts and crafts.

Harlech Beach is an excellent place for kids to run around or for adults to enjoy a relaxing walk. Just a stone’s throw from the beach is the renowned Royal St David’s Golf Course, one of the very best 18-hole courses in the country. If you fancy a little exercise, the town once held a Guinness World Record for the world’s steepest street. With a gradient of 37.45%, Ffordd Pen Llech offers a thigh-burning workout.

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Set on the shores of the glittering Llyn Padarn with the majestic Mount Snowdon towering above the village, Llanberis is the best place if you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Snowdonia with epic views. Hankering to climb Snowdon (called Yr Wyddfa in Welsh)? The Llanberis Path begins in the village – this is one of the easiest and most popular tracks to the summit. Alternatively, head to Llanberis Station to hop aboard the Snowdon Mountain Railway for breathtaking views on your way to the top.

Make the most of your lakeside location by getting out on the water. It’s a haven for watersports lovers, where you can explore by kayaking, sailing and rowing. If the water’s a little too chilly for your liking, how about pony trekking or stepping back in time at Dolbadarn Castle? Llanberis has something for everyone, so you’ll never run out of things to do.

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The historic market town of Bala is one of our favourite destinations in Snowdonia. Situated on the shores of Llyn Tegid, Wales’ largest natural lake, this town is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts. As you can imagine, there are endless opportunities for watersports, be it sailing and windsurfing or canoeing and kayaking. For something a little more high adrenaline, the National White Water Rafting Centre is based in Bala – this is the place to be if you’re brave enough to navigate the fast-flowing waters of the Afon Tryweryn.

Prefer to stay on dry land? The Bala Lake Railway offers a 14-kilometre round trip aboard Alice the Little Welsh Engine, winding alongside the lake for magnificent views of the verdant pastures, woodlands and distant mountains. Bala is also a good place to stay for walkers and cyclists, with numerous heritage and town trails, as well as waymarked bike routes.

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Known as the gateway to Snowdonia, Betws-y-Coed is one of the most picturesque destinations in the national park. The babbling river, romantic bridge, postcard-perfect houses and surrounding forest have been inspiring artists and poets for centuries, making it one of the most popular places if you're wondering where to stay in Snowdonia, especially if you’re after some creative inspiration.

The Gwydyr Forest is ideal for walking, cycling and mountain biking, while subterranean adventures await at Go Below Underground Adventure. There are also plenty of high-adrenaline activities for the whole family to enjoy, from swinging through the trees to a toboggan run at Zip World Fforest. If all these exciting adventures have worn you out, slow the pace down with a stroll through town. You’ll find loads of things to keep you entertained, from trendy eateries to independent shops, galleries and boutiques selling everything from outdoor gear to arts and crafts.

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