This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Caernarfon.
Caernarfon is a picturesque, little harbor town on the northwest coast of Wales. The streets and buildings are clean and well taken care of, and the locals are quite friendly and generally proud of their part of the world. The castle is probably the most notable attraction in the local vicinity. It is amazingly well preserved, and magnificently looks over the rest of the town. The admission fee is very inexpensive and well worth the visit.
For hikers who are interested in exploring the magic of Snowdonia National Park, Caernarfon is one of the few places to actually get (reasonably priced) groceries, especially if you are staying in hostels in Caernarfon or even further inland.
There are a few pubs in Caernarfon. The Albert Inn is old fashioned and quiet, a great place to go if you want to escape from the sometimes-rowdy nightlife in town during the weekend nights. The Crown Inn has great food and a friendly atmosphere. If partying is your scene, the K2 club is quite popular on Friday and Saturday nights.
It is not too difficult to reach Caernarfon by car. National Express services Caernarfon once daily, and there are plenty of local buses. The closest train station is in Bangor, which is about eight miles away from the city. Buses do run from Bangor to Caernarfon, however.
Caernarfon is a great place to use as a base to explore Snowdonia, and connected well enough with the rest of Wales in terms of transportation to make it a worthwhile stop. Be sure to check where your Caernarfon hostel is ahead of time, since it may be a short ways out of the main town.
Written by local enthusiast for Caernarfon hostels
Emily Schreiber
