10 Best Things to Do in Llandudno

North Shore Beach is one of the best beaches in Llandudno to enjoy summertime activities such as sunbathing, windsurfing, and parasailing. Also called Llandudno Beach, the sheltered beach has a beautiful Victorian-style pier and a promenade that spans from the foot of Great Orme to Little Orme. The eastern end of the promenade is popular amongst families as it has a playground, paddling pool, restaurants, cafes, and concession stands. Shopping malls such as Victoria Centre and Marks & Spencer are within a 5-minute walk of North Shore Beach promenade. Choose a hotel situated along the promenade of North Shore Beach to have everything within reach.

The Great Orme tramway has been carting passengers to and from Llandudno since the 1900s, making it one of the oldest street tramways in the world. The route consists of 3 stops, namely Victoria Station in the town centre, Halfway Station (where you need to disembark and switch trams), and the Great Orme Summit Station. Along the way, you’ll pass through the picturesque Great Orme Country Park and Nature Reserve. Return tickets cost around £8.10 for adults and £5.60 for children between 3 and 16 years old. 

Llandudno’s Great Orme Mines are regarded as the largest prehistoric copper mines in the world. These narrow tunnels date back to the Bronze Age and features a 145-metre-deep Victorian mine shaft. If you’re not claustrophobic, we highly recommend exploring these passageways, many of which seem to be built by young children. The Mine Visitor Centre is where you can see a model of a Bronze Age village and an extensive collection of authentic artefacts and mining tools. The Great Orme Mines are within a 5-minute walk of the Tramway’s Halfway Station. 

The Llandudno Cable Car carries passengers from the Happy Valley Botanical Gardens towards the Great Orme Summit Complex, offering panoramic views of the Iris Sea throughout the 20-minute journey. Established in 1969, it’s one of the longest cable car systems in Great Britain, with the highest peak at 80 feet above sea level. The Great Orme Complex features a restaurant, bar, and souvenir shops, as well as family-friendly facilities such as an adventure playground and a golf centre. 

JNL Llandudno Ski and Snowboard Centre is where you can enjoy slope-based activities throughout the year. Its most popular feature is the Cresta Toboggan ride, which is the longest of its kind in Wales. The ride spans 750m in length and offers beautiful views of Llandudno Bay. Other facilities here include snowboarding, skiing, and snow tubing, as well as a miniature golf course. Set along Wyddfyd Road, JNL Llandudno Ski and Snowboard Centre is 0.5 miles east of Great Orme Tramway’s Halfway Station. Lessons are available from £10 upwards.

Conwy Castle is one of Llandudno’s most impressive medieval castles. Built between 1277 and 1307, it features 2 barbicans and 8 high towers overlooking the Welsh countryside. During your visit, you can explore the bow-shaped great hall, royal chambers, kitchen and chapel to get a sense of life back in medieval times. Tickets cost around £9.50 for adults and £5.70 for children. Located on Rose Hill Street, 20-minute drive from Llandudno’s North Shore promenade. Accommodation wise, you can choose from the hotels available in Conwy.

Happy Valley features many landscaped gardens and hills with views of Llandudno’s most popular attractions. One of the town’s oldest public parks, its distinctive landmark is a drinking fountain with a bust of Queen Victoria dating back to 1887. On sunny days, many locals enjoy activities such as hiking, jogging, and picnicking at the Botanical Gardens of Happy Valley Park. You can also tee off at the onsite miniature golf course or enjoy live performances at the open-air theatre. 

Llandudno Pier is a Victorian-era harbour that’s popular for its extensive range of restaurants, food stands, and bars, as well as family-friendly activities all year long. With a length spanning 2,295 feet over the Irish Sea, it’s one of the longest piers in UK. You can find 2 arcades at Llandudno Pier, one of which is located at the promenade area and the other close to the pier head.

Venue Cymru is where you can enjoy a variety of live performances in Llandudno. It can accommodate over 1,500 people at a time, making it one of the town’s largest theatre and conference centre. Located on the promenade, it has 2 restaurants with views of Llandudno Bay. There’s also an onsite cinema where you can watch the latest Hollywood films, as well as an arena hosting touring musicals, theatre, and workshops throughout the year. Venue Cymru caters to those with disabilities with services such as assistance dogs, audio-described performances, and dementia-friendly screenings.

With this in mind, if you're travelling with a furry friend, there's pet-friendly accommodation options in Llandudno, too.