Separated from the mainland by the Menai Strait, Anglesey is an island of contrasts — dramatic sea cliffs on the west coast, sandy bays in the south, and a flat interior hiding Bronze Age burial chambers and standing stones.
The birthplace of Welsh royalty and the last stronghold of the druids, Anglesey wears its history lightly. You can walk ancient headlands in the morning, eat freshly caught lobster at lunch, and watch the sun sink into the Irish Sea from a clifftop in the evening. It's an island that rewards those who take their time.
Not to miss
- 01Walk the Anglesey Coastal Path — all 125 miles of it
- 02Watch puffins at South Stack RSPB reserve
- 03Visit Beaumaris Castle — the most technically perfect castle in Wales
- 04Swim at Rhosneigr or Llanddwyn Island at low tide
Best for
Coastal walks, wildlife, beaches
The Coast
Anglesey's western coast is raw and elemental — sea stacks, blowholes, and cliffs that drop sheer into the Irish Sea. South Stack Lighthouse perches at the very edge of the island, accessible via a steep iron staircase and worth every step. In summer, the cliffs below are alive with guillemots, razorbills, and the unmistakable clown faces of Atlantic puffins.
Ancient History
Long before the Romans arrived, Anglesey was the spiritual heartland of the Celtic world — the last stronghold of the druids. Bryn Celli Ddu, a Neolithic passage tomb aligned with the midsummer sunrise, is one of the finest prehistoric monuments in Wales. Barclodiad y Gawres, a chambered cairn overlooking the sea, is another. The island is an open-air museum of the ancient world.
Beaumaris
The last and largest of Edward I's Iron Ring of castles, Beaumaris was never finished — yet it remains the most technically perfect concentric castle ever built. The town around it is equally charming: Georgian townhouses, independent shops, and a waterfront that looks across the Menai Strait to the mountains of Snowdonia. It's one of those places that rewards a slow afternoon.
Food & Drink
Anglesey has a quietly excellent food scene. The island produces some of Wales's finest sea salt (Halen Mon), and you'll find it in kitchens across the island. Lobster, crab, and mussels come straight off the boats at Beaumaris and Moelfre. The White Eagle at Rhoscolyn and the Oyster Catcher at Rhosneigr are both worth the detour.
Plan your visit
Getting there
A55 expressway from Chester; Bangor rail station on the mainland, then taxi or bus across the Menai Bridge
Best time to visit
May to September for coast and wildlife; October to April for dramatic skies and empty beaches
How long to spend
At least 2 to 3 nights to do it justice; a week if you're walking the coastal path
Base yourself in
Beaumaris for history, Rhosneigr for surf and beaches, Holyhead for the ferry and South Stack