Porthmadog

Porthmadog Europe > Britain and Ireland > United Kingdom > Wales > North Wales > Gwynedd > Porthmadog Porthmadog , formerly Portmadoc , is a small coastal town in Gwynedd with a population of 4,000. It has a picturesque harbour. 19th-century wharves survive, but the harbour is used by leisure yachts. Understand William Madocks built a sea wall in the early 1800s that reclaimed the region for agricultural land. The town grew during the 19th century and by 1861 had a population of 3,000. The town became significant as a port, but that part of the local economy declined with World War I . Visitor information Porthmadog Visitor Information Get in By train 🌍 Porthmadog station is on the Cambrian Coast Line which runs from Machynlleth to Pwllheli . Trains run from Birmingham New Street. From Aberystwyth , transfer at either Dovey Junction or Machynlleth. Do note that Dovey Junction is very remote and there are no facilities available. The town is also served by the narrow gauge Ffestiniog Railway from Blaneau Ffestiniog and the Welsh Highland Railway from Caernarfon . One-way tickets can be purchased on the day itself with seating in the unreserved carriage. By bus Porthmadog is served by Sherpa'r Wyddfa's Line S4 from Pen-y-Pass, TrawCymru's T22 from Blaenau Ffestiniog and Caenarfon, and the T2 from Aberystwyth and Caenarfon. Tickets can be bought on the bus itself, or through the TrawsCymru app for the T2 and T22 only. The 1bws ticket is accepted and costs for £7 per adult (2025), which grants unlimited travel on buses in North Wales for a day. By car On the A487, the Fishguard to Bangor trunk road. The A498 runs north from Porthmadog to Beddgelert , giving access to Snowdonia. The A497 runs west through the southern Llŷn Peninsula to Criccieth and Pwllheli . Get around Do 🌍 Ffestiniog Railway , Harbour Station, LL49 9NF , ☏ +44 1766 516024 , [email protected] . The Ffestiniog runs through several miles of attractive terrain to Blaenau Ffestiniog . From Blaenau you can either proceed north on the standard gauge Conwy Valley Line to the coast at Llandudno or you can return to Porthmadog. A round trip (Porthmadog - Blaenau - Porthmadog) will take approximately 4 hours (more if you break the journey along the route) and it is therefore an excellent way of occupying a day. 🌍 Welsh Highland Railway , Harbour Station, LL49 9NF , ☏ +44 1766 516024 , [email protected] . It runs trains from Porthmadog via Beddgelert to Caernarfon through picturesque scenery of Snowdonia. 🌍 Welsh Highland Heritage Railway , Tremadog Road, LL49 4DY , ☏ +44 1766 513402 , [email protected] . Wales Coast Path Buy Cob Records , 1-3 Britannia Terrace . Shop specialising in bargain second-hand records, tapes, CDs, videos and DVDs. Good Welsh-language sections. Eat The town has a Chinese restaurant, an Indian restaurant, a bistro, and various pubs serving food, including one at the station of the Ffestiniog Railway situated at the end of the Cob. The village of Tremadog is about a fifteen minute walk and enjoys four food pubs on its square. There are also numerous take-aways, including Chinese and an award-winning Fish & Chip shop. 🌍 The Ship , 14 Lombard St , ☏ +44 1766 512990 . ( updated Nov 2016 ) Drink 🌍 Spooners Grill, Cafe and Bar , Harbour Station, 113 Britannia Terrace ( On the platform of the Ffestiniog Railway ), ☏ +44 1766 516032 . A great place for a drink or food before or after your journey on the Ffestiniog Railway or Welsh Highland Railway. 🌍 Purple Moose Brewery , Madoc Street , ☏ +44 1766 515571 . ( updated Nov 2016 ) Sleep The town has a good selection of Bed and Breakfast guest houses and makes a good base for exploring North-West Wales. 🌍 Royal Sportsman Hotel , 131 High St. , ☏ +44 1766 512015 . ( updated Nov 2016 ) 🌍 Tudor Lodge , Tudor Lodge Tan yr Onnen Penamser Road Porthmadog Gwynedd LL49 9NY Wales United Kingdom , ☏ +44 1766 515530 . Check-in: 2PM , check-out: 10:30AM . Single from £76, Double from £140 . ( updated Jul 2025 ) 🌍 Premier Inn , 118 Britannia Terrace . Check-in: 3PM . ( updated Jul 2025 ) Go next Portmeirion , 1½ miles south of Porthmadog, was created by the architect Clough Williams-Ellis from 1925 to 1976. The location of the cult 1960s TV series The Prisoner , "I am not a number. I am a free man". The Lleyn Peninsula is an easy drive. Snowdonia National Park stretches both North and South from here. Criccieth Harlech This article is issued from Wikivoyage . The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.

By Plane

The nearest major international airports serve Wales [Cymru GB-CYM] with connections from across the UK, Europe, and beyond. Regional airports in the area provide additional domestic and European services. Airport buses and taxis connect to the town centre.

By Train

The local railway station is served by regular services on the British rail network. Train services connect to major cities across Wales [Cymru GB-CYM] and the wider UK. National Rail Enquiries provides schedule and fare information. Advance booking typically offers better rates.

By Car / Road

Porthmadog is accessible by road via the UK's motorway and A-road network. Major routes connect the town to nearby cities and regions. Bus services provide affordable connections. Parking is generally available in designated areas in and around the town centre.

Porthmadog is compact and easily explored on foot. The town centre, with its shops, restaurants, and historical buildings, is pedestrian-friendly. For exploring the surrounding countryside and nearby attractions, a car is recommended. Local bus services operate within the town and to neighbouring communities. Taxis are available for shorter journeys.

• The historic town or city centre with its traditional architecture

• Local landmarks, churches, and heritage buildings

• Scenic viewpoints and natural attractions in the surrounding area

• Nearby parks, gardens, and outdoor spaces

• Walking tours exploring the town's heritage and architecture

• Outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and watersports in the surrounding area

• Visiting local museums, galleries, and cultural centres

• Exploring nearby countryside, coastline, or parks

• Sampling local food and drink at pubs, restaurants, and cafes

Dining options in Porthmadog range from traditional gastropubs and cafés to fine-dining restaurants. Local specialities include fresh seafood, locally sourced meat and game, and seasonal produce. Many establishments pride themselves on using local ingredients and supporting regional producers.

Typical British pub fare (fish and chips, Sunday roasts, pies) is widely available, alongside international cuisines reflecting the area's diversity. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are increasingly common.

Traditional pubs serving local ales are found throughout the town. Craft beer has a growing presence, with local microbreweries supplying both pubs and bottle shops. Tea rooms and cafés offer a quintessentially British experience. The area is well-served by coffee shops and independent roasters.

Budget

• Budget hotels and hostel accommodation available, with dorm beds from £20/night.

Mid-range

• Bed & breakfasts and guesthouses offer doubles from £70–120 per night.
• Chain hotels (Premier Inn, Travelodge, Holiday Inn) provide consistent quality.

Upscale

• Boutique hotels, country house hotels, and historic inns offer doubles from £150.

Local shops offer a range of goods from well-known brands to local crafts and speciality foods. Markets and independent retailers provide character and authentic finds. Typical opening hours are Monday–Saturday 09:00–17:30, with some stores open on Sundays. Many towns have a weekly market day.

From Porthmadog, travellers can easily continue exploring other destinations within Wales [Cymru GB-CYM] and the wider United Kingdom. The well-connected transport network makes it straightforward to reach neighbouring towns, cities, and attractions.