An Exciting Guide to the Best Things to do in Anglesey
Anglesey is an island off the coast of Wales known for its incredible beaches, gorgeous scenery, and adventures. With a wealth of things to do in Anglesey, it’s the perfect destination for fun-seekers of all ages. It has been an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty since 1966.
It is the largest and most westerly island of the family of the14 historic counties known as the ‘Principality of Wales and is named Ynys Môn in Welsh.’ Approximately 140 miles from England and 25 miles from Ireland, Anglesey is home to one of Europe’s most spectacular landscapes, making it an alluring tourist destination for visitors from all over the world.
Whether you want to discover a rich historical past or surround yourself with nature and wildlife, Anglesey offers a fascinating diversity of culture, adventure, and fun. From South Stack Lighthouse to the dizzyingly deep chasm of the Bwa Gwyn sea arch, there are plenty of places for you to explore.
Whatever your stay on Anglesey island, it will probably never exceptionally be enough because whatever time of year you visit the island, there is always so much to see and do. You can’t go wrong on Anglesey. It is reason enough to come to North Wales alone.
We have visited a few times over the years, and the place is beautiful. The scenery is breathtaking, you could be anywhere in the world, but it doesn’t feel like it. There’s no wonder the island, with only a population of 70,000, gets over 1.6m visitors every year. What’s more, Anglesey is full of independent places to eat and drink, which will make your trip even more special.
How to get to Anglesey
Anglesey is easily accessed from the A55 expressway, which is well connected to the North West of England. The closest city is Bangor, which is very close to the island. You can reach Anglesey via the Menai Suspension Bridge and the Britannia Bridge. We crossed both, and we can confirm the Menai Suspension Bridge is much more impressive – as the other is quite underwhelming.
You can also reach Anglesey by train as it has several stations. There is even one to Holy Island. Alternatively, you can get the X5 bus service from Bangor. The issue with public transport is that you won’t be able to see the best places in Anglesey easily without a car. Therefore, a car is recommended for ease.
How long should I spend on Anglesey?
How long you spend will depend on how much time you have available. You could see and do a lot at a weekend if that’s all you have, but many people dedicate a week to fully exploring the island. There are many things to do in Anglesey after all, and if you want time to relax on the beaches, you will need longer. The good idea is to pick and choose what activities or places you fancy and then narrow it down from there. It certainly is possible to see a lot in a small amount of time with the correct planning. We understand that not everyone has the luxury of time.
When is the best time to visit Anglesey?
There are several events in Anglesey throughout the year. From food to music to shows. One of the best times to visit is October for the Oyster and Shellfish Festival. It is good to know that the summer months will be the busiest, but there will also be more happening at this time too. We visited in spring and summer, and both were beautiful times to visit!
If you visit on the third Saturday of the month, you can go to Anglesey Farmers’ Market – which is extremely popular and sells local produce.
Please be aware that car parking charges for the main attractions depend on what time in the year you visit and car parks can become busy, especially in the summer.
17 Best Things to do in Anglesey
Anglesey Coastal Path
A beautiful coastal path through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path offers spectacular scenery and a variety of wildlife habitats. It is a superb way to explore this beautiful part of Wales.
The coastal path offers fantastic views, lots of wildlife, and a complete contrast to the more-crowded mountains and lakes of Snowdonia. I’ve visited Anglesey several times, but you can’t beat spending time on a walking path that allows you to get close-up to nature wherever you are, and it’s possible even within easy reach of your car.
If you are interested, you can find out more from the Friends of the Isle of Anglesey Coast Path site, as they have created a detailed guide and a breakdown of the route.
You could check out Porth Wen Brickworks or Pentraeth Forest near Red Wharf Bay for shorter Anglesey walks.
Good to know: If you walk the whole path, it takes roughly 12 days to complete and is 130 miles (200km). Alternatively, you can walk sections of the path like we did or cycle them!
Sea Arches at Bwa Gwyn
One of the top things to do in Anglesey is to visit Bwa Gwyn (white arch) and Bwa Du (black arch) on the Rhoscolyn coast. These Arches are two of three connecting caves in the area. Follow in the footsteps of thousands of visitors who have walked along these famous cliffs. It is not hard to see why they are so popular.
South Stack Lighthouse
There are several lighthouses in Anglesey, but South Stack Lighthouse is one of the best. South Stack is a scenic headland some three miles northwest of Holyhead in Wales. It rises to 216 feet (66 m) and marks the western limit of the 250 ft (76 m) depth contour on the approach to Holyhead’s port.
The South Stack Lighthouse was built in 1809 and has become famous as the backdrop for the TV program “Heartbeat,” filmed there between 1994-and 98. The lighthouse building was constructed of and faced with stone from Anglesey, while much of its ironwork came from Bacton in Norfolk.
There is also a visitor centre and toilets here – which were getting refurbished in 2022 when we were the last visiting.
Visiting Tips: if you go down the 400 steps and over a bridge, you might be able to see puffins and porpoises. This is the place to be if you want to bird-watch on Anglesey. You can tour the engine room and climb the stairs for amazing views!
You can find out more about how to visit South Stack lighthouse over on Wales Guidebook.
Penmon Point
A toll road can only access Penmon Point, but it is one of the best things to do in Anglesey. You can see the wonderful Trwyn Du Lighthouse built in 1838. It has black and white stripes and is 29m tall. Nearby, the Pilot House Cafe is very popular if you fancy a snack or food. They have a lovely garden with beautiful views.
Menai Suspension Bridge
The Menai Suspension Bridge, designed by Thomas Telford, is a suspension bridge spanning the Menai Straits between the island of Anglesey and the mainland of Wales. It was completed in 1826 and is one of the oldest bridges. We would recommend driving over this bridge – it is beautiful. It is hard to imagine, but the farmers would once have to get their cattle to swim across the Menai Strait before the bridge was built.
If you want to take a picture, there is a spot on the A5 road with mountains as a backdrop!
Beaumaris Castle and Beaumaris Town
History, architecture, and beauty all in one. The castle has an impressive moat and was a vital part of the 13th century’s ‘iron ring’ of castles designed to prevent Wales from breaking away from English rule and establishing self-government. Now that’s pretty impressive if you ask us, especially as the castle was never actually finished. It should have been bigger.
Beaumaris Castle is a well-maintained castle that has been functioning as a tourist attraction since the 19th century. It was not built to house residents or protect them from enemy attacks. The dominating nature of the castle allowed Edward I to circumvent his promise to the Welsh never to build another ‘iron ring’ of fortresses. It stands out as one of the perfect castles ever constructed by medieval hands.
You can get a ticket for £7.50 (adult) and £5.20 (children).
While in Beaumaris, you can also visit the Beaumaris Pier, Church of St Mary and St Nicholas, Victorian terraces, and a 17th-century courthouse. Many people use this town as a base to discover the rest of the island, and it is full of lovely pubs, great restaurants, and shops to browse.
Water Adventures
A great place to discover Anglesey is from the water. Undeniably, trying one of the comprehensive activities on offer is one of the best things to do in Anglesey. You can go on adventure boat tours, RIB rides, windsurfing, coasteering, scuba diving, and kayaking. Whatever you fancy, you will be able to take to the water on the island.
If you’re not feeling adventurous but still fancy getting on the water, you can go on the Puffin Island Pleasure Cruise, which has beautiful views of Snowdonia, and you can see several seabirds!
Pili Palas Nature Reserve
One of the best things to do in Anglesey with kids is to visit Pil Palas. You will be able to see birds, lizards, snakes, and more. As well as see waterfalls, lots of different plants, and butterflies flying about. This is a popular Anglesey attraction for when the weather is wrong because it does not impact your visit.
Parys Mountain
Going back 1800 million years, visiting Parys Mountain is one of the best things to do in Anglesey, especially if the sun is out or if you visit in the heather season in August. It is one of the oldest copper mining sites in the UK, and copper mining was one of the most sought-after metals – think about our copper coins.
Even the Romans extracted copper here, and in 2015 it got World Heritage status. You will be able to have exceptional views of Amlwch from this spot too, and there are many different walks you can do around the mountain.
If you’re into cycling, you can visit Parys Mountain on the 36-mile Copper Trail ride.
Elianus Point Lighthouse
Head to Elianus Point Lighthouse, that dates back to 1834 for beautiful views and a chance to see an abundance of wildlife, such as dolphins, birds of prey, porpoise, and seals from the cliffs. It is a short walk from the car park along public footpaths. It is a great spot to watch the sunset or stay the night as they are self-catering cottages here and a small beach to relax on too.
Plas Newydd Nature Reserve
Owned by the National Trust, the Plas Newydd is a country house with beautiful grounds. You can visit the gardens and woodlands and see the spectacular scenery of Snowdonia while you’re there. There are beautiful paintings by Rex Whistler too. If you’re not a National Trust member, you can grab a ticket for £10 (adult) and £5 (children).
Red Wharf Bay
Red Wharf Bay is a beautiful stop on the east coast because it is a nature reserve where you can spot some fascinating wildlife. The Boat House bar overlooks the bay and is extremely popular. This is an excellent spot for a walk, drink, or local seafood. We spent some time just walking along the sand. It is very relaxing.
Holyhead Mountain
Holyhead Mountain (Mynydd Twr in Welsh) is the highest spot on the island. Therefore, visiting is one of the best things to do in Anglesey, and it’s not too harsh of a climb. You will be able to see a Roman watchtower and the remains of an Iron Age hillfort.
From the top, you might be able to see Ireland, which is pretty cool. It would be best if you combined your climb with South Stack Lighthouse, as it is nearby.
Lyndon Mill
Visiting a windmill might not have been high on your list of things to do in Anglesey, but it is slightly different if you’re looking for something unique next time you visit. It dates back to 1770 and is still a working windmill, which you can go on a tour of. You can also visit the shop to buy gin, chocolate, and monuts while you’re there!
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch
You will likely visit this town first because it is not too far from the bridge. Commonly shorted Llanfairpwll, this town has the longest place name in Britain with 63 letters. It is also said to be the longest place name in Europe (but feel free to challenge us on this), with a place in New Zealand taking the top spot. Interestingly, it can be translated to English as ‘The Church of St Mary in the hollow of the white hazel near the rapid whirlpool and the church of St Tysillo near a red cave.’
The name was made this long to attract people to visit the town, and it works! We were sold anyway, as we found it extremely funny and like nothing we had ever seen before.
While you’re there, you can visit the train station and a shop full of all the souvenirs you could ever want. Or you can attempt to say the name as we did. However, we were pretty sure we weren’t even close.
Anglesey Beaches
Amazingly, there are six Blue Flag beaches on the island because of their facilities, cleanliness, and water quality. These are the beaches to prioritise when you visit the island. Undeniably, the beaches are so beautiful that discovering them is one of the best things in Anglesey.
- Benllech
- Church Bay
- Llanddwyn Beach
- Llanddona
- Trearddur Bay
- Porth Dafarch
It would help if you also visited Lligwy Beach, on the North East Coast, which is one of the best beaches on Anglesey, a sheltered beach. There is shallow water and lots of families visit.
Lllanddwyn Island
On the southern coast, Llanddwyn Island is one of the best places to visit in Anglesey. It was once the home of the Welsh patron saint of lovers – Santes Dwynwen, in the 5th century, and you can see their remains and the well when you visit. The legend is that if you see fish, a husband is faithful, so have a look if you’re with your partner.
The island is cut off around high tide, so check the tide times before you go, and you can access it from Newborough Beach. After, you can see red squirrels if you head to Newborough Forest!
The Copper Kingdom
If you want to learn about the importance of Copper to the Isle of Anglesey, you should visit the Copper Kingdom. Here you can discover what it must have been like and how they worked in dangerous conditions on the island. In the 18th century, many people came to work here during the Welsh Copper Rush.
There you have it, our list of the best things to do in Anglesey. It is a popular destination for tourists who want a taste of Britain’s beauty without paying top prices. The weather might not always be great, but there are plenty of things to do in Anglesey that make any holiday memorable. The best part about visiting? You’ll never run out of great things to do, despite being quite a small island. Where will you headfirst? Happy exploring!
If you’re exploring more of North Wales, you can read our other guides for inspiration, and please let us know what you get up to or if you have any questions!
A Guide to The Aber Falls Walk
Photo Credits: averagelives.com