If you stumbled across the village of Portmeirion on the North Wales coast, you might think you’d taken a wrong turn and somehow ended up on the Italian Riviera. While it’s not the Mediterranean, the stylish sunsoaked seafront villages of the European coast were almost certainly part of its inspiration.
Construction of this unique village ran from 1925 to 1975, overseen by architect Clough Williams-Ellis who wanted to capture the atmosphere of the Med. Its colourful Baroque style has drawn in droves of visitors over the years, and even seen it used as a filming location for shows including cult favourite The Prisoner.
Nowadays, Portmeirion is home to the 4-star Portmeirion Hotel and a number of self-catering cottages.However, you can buy a ticket to visit for the day and simply wander around enjoying the quaint atmosphere and flower-filled gardens. From the end of March until November, tickets are £20 for adults, but if you visit in the winter it’s only £10 to enter.
Surrounding Portmeirion is The Gwyllt, which means wild wood in Welsh, and this dense forest has trails through the towering trees and secret gardens to be found in clearings. Some of the trails lead to sandy coves along the estuary, taking you on walks along the water.
The Japanese Garden is also lovely to explore in the spring. Set around a serene lake, you can see waterlilies floating on the water and take photos in the traditional pagodas.
On the banks of the estuary is Amis Reunis, or ‘Friends Reunited’, a stone ship which incorporates the remains of a wrecked houseboat. It sits on a sandy cove where you’ll often see people enjoying the sunshine
Portmeirion has a small selection of shops selling pottery, locally-made jam, and souvenirs such as merchandise from The Prisoner for fans of the show. There’s also a selection of places to eat including the restored 19th-century Castell Deudraeth, which overlooks the Meirionnydd mountains.
The Town Hall, one of the village’s most iconic buildings thanks to its ornate design, also has a 1950s-style café and bar. And during the summer months, you can enjoy the full Mediterranean experience with an alfresco coffee from Caffi Glas, sipping on an espresso while looking out over the central piazza.
2026 is a particularly good year to visit Portmeirion as it celebrates its centenary with a series of four one-day festivals taking place over the summer. Taking place during July and August, the festivals will celebrate the 100-year anniversary of Portmeirion opening its doors to the public, and will take place in the fields around Castell Deudraeth. Acts such as Squeeze and Sir Bryn Terfel have been confirmed, and the festival will take place within a unique woodland setting.
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