Harlech is a small hilltop town in Snowdonia, with a castle on a rock above the dunes and the sea. Holiday accommodation in Harlech puts a castle, a beach and big views close together. Edward I’s castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the town gave its name to the song “Men of Harlech”. Below the castle is Ffordd Pen Llech, a famously steep street.
11 places to stay · showing 1–10
Harlech, Snowdonia
A four-star Edwardian country guest house near Harlech, set in an acre of grounds with Snowdon and castle views, en-suite rooms and a full breakfast.
Harlech, Snowdonia
A historic restaurant with rooms beneath Harlech Castle, with stylish en-suite bedrooms, free parking and an acclaimed restaurant.
Harlech, Snowdonia
A 5-star, family-run caravan and campsite in beautiful woodland near Harlech, with touring pitches and a games room.
Harlech, Snowdonia
A family-run caravan park in an unrivalled location in Harlech — ideal for the golf, Portmeirion and the beach.
Harlech, Snowdonia
A picturesque stone cottage beneath Harlech Castle, sleeping 4 with off-road parking, close to the beach and a pub. Dog-friendly, in Snowdonia. Book online.
Harlech, Snowdonia
A Grade II listed semi-detached cottage near Harlech on a working sheep farm, down a private lane, sleeping 3. Dog-friendly.
Harlech, Snowdonia
Luxury self-catering cottage in Harlech with a private hot tub, sleeping 8 — a short walk from the beach and castle, with Eryri (Snowdonia) on the…
Harlech, Snowdonia
A superb secluded dog-friendly country cottage near Harlech in Snowdonia, sleeping 6 — peaceful and private.
Harlech, Snowdonia
A superb detached house in Harlech, sleeping 8 with open-plan living, large gardens and sea and castle views. Dog-friendly, beaches nearby. Book online.
Harlech, Snowdonia
A 4-star, family-run lodge at Talsarnau, between Harlech and Portmeirion — comfortable and convenient.
Harlech Castle was built to be supplied from the sea. When Edward I’s masons put it up in the 1280s, the shoreline reached almost to the base of the crag. A fortified stairway ran down from the castle to a gate on the shore. The sea has since gone; the dunes below the town are what filled the gap.
For most of the seven hundred years since, the way into the castle was round the side. Cadw, the Welsh heritage service, has put a bridge across the front now: forty-seven metres of steel, made to look as if it floats. The castle’s builder was Master James of St George, a master mason from Savoy, behind Edward’s castles in Gwynedd. Harlech is one of four castles that UNESCO inscribed together on its World Heritage list in 1986.
The castle opens all year, with longer hours in July and August and shorter ones through the winter. Cadw members and under-fives go in free. Royal St David’s, the championship links between town and sea, still takes visitors daily. A winter round is £80, a summer one £145.
Ffordd Pen Llech, the lane below the castle, is worth the walk for the story alone. Guinness briefly called it the steepest street on earth, then changed how it measured and gave the title back to Baldwin Street in New Zealand nine months later. Climb it and you will not argue with the first verdict.
Inland, the Rhinogydd, a range of rugged mountains, rise behind the town, and the Roman Steps up Cwm Bychan are the best-known way into them. They are medieval packhorse steps, despite the name. Above the paved section the going turns rough and trackless, so most walkers stop at the top and come back down.
There are eleven places to stay in Harlech, from £25 a night. Harlech accommodation clusters around the castle and spreads down towards the dunes, with the Rhinogydd behind and Tremadog Bay in front. Compare the coast at Barmouth and Aberdyfi, or head inland to Dolgellau for Cadair Idris.
See all: Snowdonia accommodation
Browse Snowdonia by type: B&Bs & Guest Houses · Hotels & Inns · Cottages & Self-Catering · Lodges & Cabins · Caravan & Camping
Nearby towns: Betws-y-Coed · Aberdyfi · Bala · Barmouth · Beddgelert · Caernarfon · Dolgellau · Llanberis · Llanrwst · Machynlleth · Tywyn
Nearby areas: North Wales Coast · Anglesey · Llŷn Peninsula · Mid Wales & Powys
Last-minute deals: Last Minute Holidays in Wales
We use cookies. Essential cookies make this site work; we'd also like to use analytics cookies to understand how the site is used — but only with your permission. See our Privacy Notice.