Hotels in Caernarfon

Where to base yourself in Caernarfon largely comes down to whether you want the town on your doorstep or the mountains. Staying inside or just outside the walls means the castle, quay, pubs and restaurants are all a short walk away, which suits couples and anyone without a car who wants to explore on foot and treat Eryri as day trips rather than a base. It's the most atmospheric option, in converted Georgian townhouses and small independent hotels, but also the busiest and priciest in peak season, and parking can mean a walk from your car to your door.

Along the Menai Strait, in Y Felinheli or towards Menai Bridge, you trade a few minutes' extra drive into Caernarfon for water views, easier parking and a quieter evening, which tends to suit couples and older travellers with a car who still want easy reach of the town and Bangor.

Push inland towards Llanberis, Waunfawr or the villages along the Welsh Highland Railway line and you're in walking country proper, with more self-catering cottages, farmhouse B&Bs and family-friendly options, generally better value than the coast but meaning a short drive back into Caernarfon for a proper night out.

Prices swing hard with the season: expect £90-£140 a night for a decent B&B or small hotel double in July and August, dropping by a third or more outside school holidays. Dogs are welcomed at a good number of the area's B&Bs and cottages given how popular Eryri is with walkers, but it's always worth checking before booking. Book three to four months ahead for summer weekends, especially anything clashing with a major castle event; outside peak season, a few weeks' notice is usually plenty, and winter midweek stays can often be arranged at short notice.