Caernarfon

Medieval walls stretch for three-quarters of a mile around this fortress town, making it Europe's finest example of late 13th-century military architecture. Edward I's imposing castle dominates the skyline, its polygonal towers and curtain walls as formidable today as they were 700 years ago.

Snowdonia's peaks loom on every horizon here. Tryfan's distinctive rocky outline catches the eye to the northeast, while the twin summits of Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach form the backbone of the range. Serious walkers use Caernarfon as their launching pad for tackling Cnicht - the 'Welsh Matterhorn' - though its pyramid profile looks rather more modest from street level.

The town itself operates at a gentler pace than the tourist honeypots further inland. Castle Street buzzes with independent shops and proper Welsh-speaking locals, while the harbourfront offers decent fish and chips with views across the Menai Strait to Anglesey. Tuesday and Saturday markets bring real character to the town square.

Beyond the obvious castle visit, the Roman Marching Camp provides evidence of much earlier military occupation, though you'll need local knowledge to find the earthwork remains. More dramatic are the viewpoints at Twll Du and Clogwyn y Fulfran, both accessible by car and offering spectacular vistas across the national park.

Getting here means the A487 from either direction - it's 26 miles southwest of Bangor and connects easily to the A55 coastal route. The nearest railway station sits right in the town centre, with direct services to Shrewsbury and Birmingham.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense for exploring both coast and mountains. Llanberis lies just 7 miles southeast, putting you within striking distance of Snowdon's tourist railway, while the camping options around Beddgelert offer access to the quieter southern valleys of the national park.