20 Best Things to Do in Anglesey: Beaches, Castles & Hidden Gems (2025)
Anglesey (Ynys Môn in Welsh) is Wales’s largest island and one of the most rewarding destinations in Britain for a short break or family holiday. Connected to the mainland by two bridges across the Menai Strait, Anglesey offers a remarkable concentration of outstanding beaches, medieval castles, coastal walking, wildlife, and Welsh cultural heritage within a compact and easily navigable island. The coastline is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the island has more listed prehistoric monuments per square kilometre than almost anywhere else in Wales.
This guide covers 20 of the best things to do in Anglesey, organised by category, with opening hours, admission prices, practical tips, and information on getting to each attraction.
Anglesey at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Location | Isle of Anglesey, North-West Wales |
| How to get there | A55 from Chester/North Wales across the Britannia Bridge; or Menai Bridge on the A5 |
| Size | Wales’s largest island; fifth largest island in Britain |
| Coastline | Designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) |
| Famous for | Beaches, Beaumaris Castle, Ynys Llanddwyn, South Stack, puffins, coastal walks |
| Best time to visit | May–September for weather; spring for puffins at South Stack (April–July) |
| Main town | Llangefni (administrative centre); Holyhead (ferry port); Beaumaris (historic town) |
Best Beaches on Anglesey
1. Ynys Llanddwyn — Best Beach in Anglesey
Location: Accessible from Newborough Beach car park, Newborough Forest | Parking: £5 per day (Natural Resources Wales car park) | Postcode: LL61 6SG | Grid Ref: SH 402 635
Ynys Llanddwyn is a tidal island off the south-west coast of Anglesey, accessible on foot across the sand from Newborough Beach. It is consistently rated one of the most beautiful places in Wales and offers a combination of sweeping sandy beach, Celtic crosses, a lighthouse, ruined cottages, and views that extend across Cardigan Bay to the Llŷn Peninsula and Snowdonia.
The island is named after Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers (the Welsh equivalent of Valentine’s Day is celebrated on 25 January, St Dwynwen’s Day), and the ruins of a small Celtic church dedicated to her remain on the island. The cottages on the island were originally built for the pilots who guided ships through the Menai Strait.
Getting there: From the car park, the island is approximately 1.5 miles away, accessible either across the beach or through Newborough Forest (both routes take approximately 30 minutes on foot). The island is tidal — check tide times before visiting, as the causeway can be covered at high tide. The car park has toilets and shower facilities. Ice cream and hot dog vans operate seasonally.
- Best time to visit: Late afternoon for sunset views across Cardigan Bay
- Tide warning: Check tide times before crossing to the island
2. Newborough Beach — Award-Winning Sandy Beach
Location: Newborough Forest, off the A4080 | Parking: From the Newborough Forest car park (£5/day) | Postcode: LL61 6SG
Newborough Beach (Traeth Newborough) is the vast sandy beach that leads to Ynys Llanddwyn. It extends for several miles in a broad arc of golden sand, backed by Newborough Forest — a planted conifer forest that adds an unusual woodland character to the approach. The beach is popular with kite surfers due to consistent Atlantic winds and is excellent for families with children, with shallow water and extensive sand. At sunset, the beach looking towards Ynys Llanddwyn and the mountains of Snowdonia is one of Wales’s finest views.
3. Rhosneigr — Best Village Beach
Location: Rhosneigr village, south-west Anglesey | Open: 24 hours | Parking: Village car parks
Rhosneigr is a small village on the south-west coast of Anglesey with two beaches — the main village beach and the larger Broad Beach to the south — that are among the best in North Wales for water sports. The village has a concentration of surf and watersports hire businesses, a good café scene, and a relaxed character. Rhosneigr is popular with kitesurfers and windsurfers as well as families with young children.
4. Red Wharf Bay — Dramatic Tidal Bay
Location: Red Wharf Bay, north-east Anglesey | Open: 24 hours
Red Wharf Bay (Traeth Coch) is a wide, shallow tidal bay on the north-east coast of Anglesey that exposes vast areas of sand at low tide, making it exceptional for rockpooling and crabbing with children. At low water the bay extends for approximately three miles of sand. The Ship Inn pub is perched above the beach and is one of the best-positioned pubs in North Wales for a post-beach drink.
5. Lligwy Beach — Secluded Cove
Location: Near Moelfre, north-east Anglesey | Open: 24 hours | Parking: Small car park near the beach
Lligwy Beach is a relatively secluded sandy beach in a sheltered bay on the north-east coast. It is less frequently visited than the island’s more famous beaches, which means more space and a quieter atmosphere. The approach from the car park is a short walk across fields. Nearby Moelfre village has a lifeboat station museum and a statue commemorating the rescue efforts of RNLI coxswain Richard Evans.
Historic Attractions
6. Beaumaris Castle — Best Castle in Anglesey
Location: Castle Street, Beaumaris | Open: Daily (seasonal hours: typically 10am–5pm; reduced hours in winter) | Admission: ~£9 adults, ~£6 children (Cadw site)
Beaumaris Castle is one of the most technically perfect medieval castles in Britain — a concentric fortress begun by Edward I in 1295 as the final and most ambitious of his Welsh castle-building programme. Although never fully completed (the inner towers were built lower than planned due to funding running out), the symmetrical design with its moat, two concentric rings of walls, and sophisticated gate design is considered a masterpiece of medieval military architecture. Beaumaris Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The surrounding town of Beaumaris is also worth exploring — the former county town of Anglesey has a well-preserved Victorian seaside character, a pier, an excellent range of independent shops and cafés, and the Beaumaris Gaol (a disused Victorian prison now a heritage museum with guided tours, approximately £6 adults). The Happy Valley Pavilion beside the castle grounds serves tea, coffee, and traditional Welsh cakes.
7. Beaumaris Gaol — Victorian Prison Museum
Location: Steeple Lane, Beaumaris | Open: Summer season only (check current hours) | Admission: ~£6 adults
Beaumaris Gaol is a remarkably well-preserved Victorian prison built in 1829, providing a vivid insight into 19th-century prison life. The cells, treadmill, condemned cell, and execution site are all preserved and accessible on self-guided and guided tours. One of the most genuinely atmospheric heritage sites in North Wales.
8. Bryn Celli Ddu — Prehistoric Passage Tomb
Location: Near Llanddaniel Fab, south-east Anglesey | Open: Daily, 10am–4pm | Admission: Free (Cadw site)
Bryn Celli Ddu (the ‘Mound in the Dark Grove’) is one of the finest Neolithic passage tombs in Wales, dating from approximately 3000 BCE. The burial chamber is entered through a low stone passage and is one of very few prehistoric monuments in Wales aligned so that sunlight penetrates the chamber at the summer solstice. The site is managed by Cadw and is free to visit. A replica of the decorated standing stone found at the site is displayed inside the monument (the original is in the National Museum Cardiff).
9. Anglesey Sea Zoo
Location: Brynsiencyn, south Anglesey | Open: Daily (seasonal hours; check before visiting) | Admission: ~£14 adults, ~£11 children
Anglesey Sea Zoo is Wales’s largest marine aquarium, focused on native species from the waters around Anglesey and the Irish Sea. The collection includes seahorses, lobsters, ray and skate, conger eels, and a reef tunnel. A family-friendly attraction particularly suited to younger children with an interest in marine life. Located near Brynsiencyn on the A4080, approximately 10 minutes from Menai Bridge.
Coastal Walks and Viewpoints
10. South Stack Lighthouse — Anglesey’s Most Dramatic Viewpoint
Location: South Stack, Holy Island (western end of Anglesey) | Open: Lighthouse tours in season; cliffs and RSPB reserve open daily | Admission: RSPB car park; lighthouse tower ~£5 adults
South Stack Lighthouse stands on a small island off the far north-west tip of Holy Island, connected to the mainland by a bridge over a dramatic cleft in the cliffs. The approach involves descending approximately 400 steps from the clifftop — worth every one of them for the views of the lighthouse, the sea stacks, and the extraordinary cliff scenery.
The cliffs at South Stack are one of the best puffin-watching locations in Wales. Puffins are present from April to mid-July; the RSPB maintains a site here and provides telescopes for viewing at peak season. Razorbills, guillemots, and choughs are also commonly seen. The Ellin’s Tower visitor centre at the cliff top (RSPB) provides interpretation and telescope access and is free to enter.
- Best time for puffins: April to mid-July
- The 400 steps down: steep; not suitable for those with limited mobility or young children in pushchairs
11. The Anglesey Coastal Path
Total length: 217 km (135 miles) | All sections freely accessible
The Anglesey Coastal Path (Llwybr Arfordir Môn) is a 217-kilometre waymarked walking route that circumnavigates the entire coastline of the island. It passes through all of Anglesey’s major coastal landscapes — the sandy bays of the south-west, the dramatic cliff scenery of the north and west, the sheltered estuaries of the east, and the views towards Snowdonia throughout. The path can be walked in sections of any length; local stretches around South Stack, Ynys Llanddwyn, and the north coast near Cemaes Bay are among the most rewarding short sections.
12. Church Island (Ynys Tysilio), Menai Bridge
Location: Near the Menai Bridge, accessible from the A5 | Open: Daily | Parking: £1 per hour (signposted for St Tysilio’s Church) | Walk: ~300 metres each way
Church Island is a small tidal island in the Menai Strait accessible via a causeway from the A5 near Menai Bridge town. The island holds St Tysilio’s Church, a simple medieval church still used for services today. The main draw is the extraordinary location — the church on its island with the Menai Strait surrounding it, views of the Britannia Bridge, and the Snowdonia mountains visible across the water. The walk down to the island and back takes approximately 20 minutes and involves a steep return climb. One of Anglesey’s most peaceful and photogenic spots.
Villages and Culture
13. Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch — The Longest Name
Location: Off the A5, approximately 4.5 miles from the Britannia Bridge | Free car park | Open: 24 hours
Llanfairpwll (the abbreviated everyday name) is famous for having the longest place name in Europe and the second longest in the world, created in the 19th century as a publicity stunt to attract tourists arriving by train. The full name translates as ‘The church of St Mary in the hollow of white hazel trees near the rapid whirlpool by St Tysilio’s church and the red cave.’
The railway station displays the full name prominently on its platform sign and is the most-photographed railway station sign in Britain. There is a tourist information centre, a Melin Llynon gift shop (the only remaining working windmill in Wales is nearby), and a free car park. Easy to visit as a quick stop when crossing from the A5.
14. Holyhead — Ferry Port and Coastline
Location: Holy Island, connected to Anglesey by the A55 | Open: 24 hours
Holyhead is Anglesey’s largest town and the main ferry terminal for Irish Sea crossings to Dublin and Dún Laoghaire. Beyond its role as a transport hub, Holyhead has St Cybi’s Church (a 6th-century foundation within Roman fort walls — one of the most historically significant churches in Wales), a maritime museum, and access to the Holyhead Mountain coastal walks with views across to Ireland on clear days. Holyhead Mountain (216 metres) provides Anglesey’s best elevated viewpoint of the surrounding sea.
15. Menai Strait and the Bridges
Location: Between Anglesey and mainland Wales | Viewable from multiple points | Free
The Menai Strait — the narrow channel separating Anglesey from mainland Wales — is one of the most scenically distinctive features of North Wales. Two celebrated bridges cross it: the Menai Suspension Bridge (1826, designed by Thomas Telford — the world’s first major iron suspension bridge) and the Britannia Bridge (originally a railway bridge, now also carrying road traffic). Views of both bridges from the Anglesey shore, particularly at Church Island, are spectacular.
Wildlife and Nature
16. Red Kites and RSPB Conwy
Location: Throughout Anglesey and north Wales | Free to observe
Red kites have recovered strongly across Wales and are regularly seen over Anglesey’s farmland and woodland. The broad wings and distinctive forked tail make them unmistakable in flight. No dedicated feeding station exists on Anglesey itself, but the birds are sufficiently common that extended stays on the island almost invariably produce sightings.
17. Moelfre Seal Colony
Location: Moelfre, north-east Anglesey | Open: 24 hours | Free
Moelfre is a small fishing village on the north-east coast with a lifeboat station, a small beach, and one of the best accessible grey seal watching sites on the island. Seals are commonly seen on and around the rocky outcrops near the village, particularly in autumn and early winter during the pupping season. The Moelfre RNLI lifeboat museum commemorates Richard Evans, twice winner of the RNLI Gold Medal for gallantry.
Family Attractions
18. Newborough Forest Walks
Location: Newborough Forest, south-west Anglesey | Open: Daily | Admission: Parking charge (included with Newborough Beach car park ticket)
Newborough Forest is a large planted conifer forest managed by Natural Resources Wales, adjacent to Newborough Beach and the approach to Ynys Llanddwyn. The forest has several waymarked walking trails, cycling paths, and picnic areas. The woodland walk through the forest to Ynys Llanddwyn is one of the most pleasant approaches to the island, particularly in fine weather when sunlight filters through the trees.
19. Wylfa Nuclear Power Station Viewpoint
Location: Near Cemaes Bay, north Anglesey | Free
The former Wylfa Nuclear Power Station on the north coast of Anglesey is a striking industrial landmark on an otherwise rural coastline. The station was decommissioned in 2015; a new nuclear plant (Wylfa Newydd) has been proposed but remained unconfirmed as of 2025. The headland near Wylfa has good coastal walk access and views of the north Anglesey coast.
20. Cemaes Bay — Anglesey’s Most Northerly Village
Location: Cemaes Bay, north Anglesey | Open: 24 hours | Free
Cemaes Bay is Anglesey’s most northerly village and one of its most attractive — a small harbour with a sheltered sandy beach, traditional pub, and a compact village centre. The surrounding coastal walk (part of the Anglesey Coastal Path) offers excellent cliff scenery. Cemaes Bay is less visited than the island’s southern beaches, giving it a genuinely local character.
Practical Tips for Visiting Anglesey
- Getting there: From Chester and North-East England, take the A55 west across the Britannia Bridge onto the island. From South Wales and the Midlands, the A5 through Snowdonia is the more scenic approach, crossing via the Menai Suspension Bridge into Menai Bridge town.
- How long do you need? A weekend covers the main highlights. A week gives you enough time for Ynys Llanddwyn, Beaumaris, South Stack, the beaches, and relaxed exploration. Anglesey is an excellent base for day trips into Snowdonia National Park (the Britannia Bridge is 10 minutes from Caernarfon and 30 minutes from Betws-y-Coed).
- Tide awareness: Both Ynys Llanddwyn and Church Island involve causeways. Check tide times before visiting either — the Visit Anglesey website and local apps provide current tide information.
- AONB coastline: Anglesey’s coastal path is one of Wales’s finest walking routes. Even short sections near South Stack, Rhosneigr, and Newborough are exceptional.
- Welsh language: Anglesey is one of the most Welsh-speaking areas of Wales. Many signs are bilingual; the island’s cultural identity is strongly Welsh. Basic courtesy Welsh (bore da for good morning, diolch for thank you) is appreciated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Anglesey famous for?
Anglesey is famous for its outstanding beaches (particularly Newborough Beach and Ynys Llanddwyn), Beaumaris Castle (a UNESCO World Heritage medieval fortress), South Stack Lighthouse and its puffin colony, the place with the longest name in Europe (Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch), and its designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty coastline. Anglesey was also the home of Prince William and Kate Middleton during their early marriage, when William was based at RAF Valley as a Search and Rescue pilot.
Is Anglesey worth visiting?
Yes — Anglesey is one of the most rewarding destinations in Wales and is consistently underrated by visitors who default to Pembrokeshire or Snowdonia. The combination of outstanding beaches, medieval history, coastal walking, and accessible wildlife (puffins at South Stack, seals at Moelfre, dolphins in the surrounding sea) makes it an excellent choice for a family holiday or short break.
When is the best time to visit Anglesey?
May to September provides the best weather for beaches and outdoor activities. April to mid-July is the best time for puffins at South Stack. The island is considerably quieter outside the school holiday periods in June and September. Winter visits are possible but the shorter days, colder temperatures, and reduced opening hours at some attractions limit what can be done.
Final Thoughts
Anglesey rewards visitors who take the time to explore beyond the most obvious attractions. Ynys Llanddwyn is genuinely special — the combination of tidal island, Neolithic heritage, Welsh patron saint, lighthouse, and mountain views that few other locations in Britain can match. Beaumaris Castle is one of the finest medieval fortresses in Europe. South Stack on a clear day with puffins on the cliffs below is one of the best wildlife experiences in Wales. The island has enough to justify multiple visits, and most people who go once find reasons to return.