Castell Conwy

Castell Conwy

Castell Conwy
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Thanks to restored spiral staircases in its great towers you can walk a complete circuit around the battlements of CastellConwy, a magnificent medieval fortress that still towers over the town after 700 years. Built in the late 13th century and reputed to be haunted by a past resident, this picturesque castle was built for King Edward I and is a perfect example of the "concentric castle" design. In the distance rise the craggy mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia) and spread out below you are the harbour and narrow streets of Conwy – still protected by an unbroken 1,400-yard (1.3km) ring of town walls. The displayed opening times are our general pattern. Please check the Cadw website for unexpected closures, opening times, events, and site facilities.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Top ways to experience Castell Conwy

The area

Address
Reach out directly

See what travelers are saying

  • Jenn Cara
    Birkenhead, United Kingdom96 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A fun day out.
    Wow. This castle is amazing. From the moment you come over the bridge and see it it is really quite an impressive structure. There are lots of little rooms and places to explore. You need to be quite fit to climb all the towers though! The views from the top is really lovely. Really fun day out.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 26, 2024
  • Piccler
    103 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stunning Castle, very walkable
    Conway Castle was stunning to say the least. If you are anywhere near Conway this is going to be a must see. It's very walkable and you can get into all of the towers, which provide a stunning view of the town and waterfront. Nearby is Britain's tiniest house and lovely restaurants and pubs. Highly recommend.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written March 14, 2024
  • MarpleTraveller
    Marple, United Kingdom1,481 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great Views
    Very impressive Castle on the side of the estuary. This is a great castle to explore. There are stairs to the upper walls and towers which give great views over the surrounding area. It’s not a good place for those with limited mobility as the entrance is steep with steps and the surfaces of the floor can be uneven.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 22, 2024
  • Martin Mackenzie
    London, United Kingdom48 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A well kept Castle
    So surprising actually how well kept this castle is. The spiral staircases give you access all round the castle and the views from the top of the towers are fantastic. A lovely castle to walk around and gather some historic information along the way. The staff were all very friendly and helpful. I would say that you only need to spend approx 1-2 hours here for your visit and there is plenty of parking available.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written April 1, 2024
  • Travellergirl204
    Manchester, United Kingdom197 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fab visit
    We visited mid week and it was fairly quiet. Easy enough to get to. There is a short stay car park infront of the entrance and long stay just up the road. Cost us £11 ish each and kiddo was free as under 5. We bought a sword from the shop before we went up to slay the dragons. We had the pram to stash all the crabbing stuff in and carried this up a really small set of steps and left this outside the main entrance to the castle. It was perfectly fine where it was I just took valuables with us. Inside was not what I expected. It’s really well kept and absolutely tons to see. A bit gutted I didn’t get a proper look round as we had a sword fight and then the kid was bored. We climbed up one of the towers and it was incredible to see the view. There’s an incredible model of the kings head in a room too. I was amazed by how big it was and I think with a little less sugar that our son would have really enjoyed this too. He was slightly put off by the staircases as they are narrow on one side but he managed them just fine so would deffo recommend this place. I don’t know if they have events on in there at times but it’s a great visit if you like history or if you have a toddler with a great imagination. There’s loads around to do and wander. We’ve been to a pub for lunch, the bakery for cake, crabbing in the harbour and met some men catching welks for Korea?! Lovely place and the weather held up for us.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written April 4, 2024
  • Liz P
    119 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful castle with stunning views
    Easy to park just outside the castle. Price was about £12 per adult. Castle was lovely to walk around... the views from the top were beautiful. Lots of information to read around the site. Their is also a castle walk way which takes you around the town and brings you out next to the harbour and you can walk past and visit 'The smallest house in Britain'.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 13, 2024
  • amanda5805
    Duncan, Canada7,560 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A Timeless Wonder of History with an Incredible View!
    Conwy Castle totally blew us away! Out of all the castles we saw on our 28-day UK and Ireland trip, this one was hands down our favourite. First off, Conwy Castle was built back in the 13th century old. It's like stepping into a history book! This place has seen it all, from medieval knights to epic battles. The castle is huge and impressive, sitting right on the edge of the water. It was built by King Edward I to show off his power and control over the Welsh people. The walls are massive and still standing strong after all these years. When you walk through the castle, you can almost feel the history surrounding you. You can explore the towers and imagine what life was like for the people who lived here centuries ago. There are even little nooks and crannies to discover, like secret passageways and hidden rooms. But the best part? The views! From the top of the castle, you can see for miles around, with breathtaking scenery in every direction. It's like something out of a fairy tale.
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 14, 2024
  • Steviefull
    Kidderminster, United Kingdom2,089 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    An Excellent Castle Lacking in Some Information
    On our short family trip to Wales we carried on along the coast to visit Conwy Castle which dominates the town of Conwy. For the 6 of us (a family ticket and a senior) the price was just under £50.00 which I guess wasn't too bad for the approximate 60-90 minutes we spent in there. The castle is in pretty good repair considering the site dates back nearly 800 years , I just felt it was missing that little bit extra with information on exactly what we were looking at and some historical significance and interactive exhibits but saying that an enjoyable time was still had by all.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written April 18, 2024
  • Martin B
    Liverpool, United Kingdom295 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Conwy Revisited
    My second trip to Conwy Castle (North Wales), on Saturday 20th April. It was a beautiful sunny day there. I spent about 2 hours at the castle, exploring the ruins, and walking up the various towers. There are stunning views of the harbour, the town and surrounding countryside. Not as busy as I thought it would be, given the lovely weather, as I was able to enjoy walking round the site without a large amount of people. Very good gift shop there. with reasonably priced items for sale, staff very helpful. Very good toilet facilities there as well, very clean. Not sure of the admission price, as I am a member of English Heritage, so I gain free entry. There is a very nice cafe right by the entrance to the castle, managed to have a coffee and a sandwich there, and not too expensive. Good venue for anyone with an interest in history and families with children. After leaving the castle, I spent the next couple of hours at the harbour, enjoying the view and ambient atmosphere of the place. Next time, I plan to spend a few days there, so I can have a proper look around the town, as I am sure there are more things to learn and enjoy about Conwy.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written April 21, 2024
  • RHtravels
    Rocky Hill, Connecticut860 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    FUN for all
    What a wonderful castle to explore. You go at your own pace and explore the areas that speak to you and your imagination. You can buy a guide, use a tour book, google the history, or just wander and enjoy- either way, you are sure to have a good day here. We had no trouble parking in the lot near the castle (Vicarage?) and kept the car there while we walked the town walls after visiting the castle. Fun day in Conwy.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written April 30, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles3,871 reviews
Excellent
2,419
Very good
1,142
Average
231
Poor
50
Terrible
29

These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.

Morgan P
Washington DC, DC178 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Friends
The castle was so cool! I really enjoyed exploring it and appreciated the various plaques describing what each room or area used to be. If you’re planning on visiting several locations, I’d recommend the explorer’s pass so you can save money and see more of Wales.
Written June 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brahma762
640 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Couples
It is very difficult to write a review for a castle that goes back about 700 years

It was raining the day we went to Conwy and the first thing that struck us was how “in your face” the structure is. The fortifications begin along the road leading to the town and the castle towers above the present Conwy.

You could take a train to Conwy from Llandudno Junction, drive or take the bus from Llandudno. The train takes you under 10 minutes. There’s a large parking place and reaching Conwy from Llandudno by bus takes about 25 minutes.

To enter the castle there is a ticket of £11.70 (July 2023) and you can wander about all the battlements - literally. If you have a weak bladder, it is advisable to visit the toilets in the Visitor Center; before you enter the castle.

Once inside, you can get confused (at the best of times) because there are no signs showing you the way out, or which direction you should head. That said, it’s easy to follow the crowds and you’re all right. Climbing up into the towers can be tricky as the the steps are narrow and worn out. Worse, light in the narrow winding staircases, is at a premium and on full cloudy days, this problem becomes compounded. I used the light on the phone! That said, there is a stout rope that you can hold on to but the stairs are strictly a one way affair. Be careful.

The views from the battlements and towers are out of this world. The vistas open up - the mountains of Snowdonia are clearly visible. But it has to be a clear day - with a steady drizzle and low visibility, all we could see were the three bridges and just about the town of Conwy. Pity.

If it’s history and castles that you are after, then this rather well preserved castle in Wales will be a perfect place to visit.
Written July 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ChrisLuzern
Zurich, Switzerland644 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2024 • Friends
Castle in the style of others such as Caernaforn, guarded the river. Like most of James of Saint George's other castles, a castle town was also built, which was also walled. Only English people were allowed to live there, Welsh people were only allowed to go to the market and were allowed to pay admission, sales taxes and other fees. So you can see that these English castles were there to practically exterminate the Welsh and cut them off from everything. It is worrying that England still oppresses this region today.
Google
Written June 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ceri R
Bwlch, UK3 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
We paid £30 entry for a family of four (one of those was a small free person). We did the ups and downs of the tower stairs cases, and hung on tightly around the walls looking down over Conwy. A lovely view even on a rainy day.

Sadly, unless you buy the guide book, there is little to no information around the castle to guide you or inform you. Which is a shame, when you've already paid so much, you would expect some basic information on signage. Edward 1 built it and spent a miserable Christmas there. That's about your lot.

The "health and safety" of fencing and railings can only be described as inconsistent. Some of the railing is meshed and you couldn't fall through, others are not meshed and a fairly sizeable child could go through easily. Obviously an ancient monument shouldn't be subject to extensive rails which would spoil it entirely but I couldn't quite work out what deserved meshing and what didn't.

All in all it felt a bit stressful rather than exhilarating with small people so I sadly wouldn't recommend it.
Written August 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Stewart C
Chatham, UK1,105 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
We visited Conwy Castle on a midweek morning in August. We drove here and there is a good amount of (pay & display) parking nearby. The castle is operated by CADW and is free to members, note that English Heritage members also gain free entry if they have renewed their membership in the previous year.
This was our third castle visit on our trip to Snowdonia and Conwy does not disappoint. On the day of our visit there were performers entertaining the families here which was an additional bonus. The castle is quite imposing with its many towers giving it an almost ‘fairytale’ appearance. From the top of these towers, fine views of the surrounding countryside, the pretty waterfront area and the town can be had and also the road, pedestrian and rail bridges crossing the river.
On the day of our visit, the castle was very busy and ascending and descending each tower via the spiral staircases required either waiting for others coming in the opposite direction or at times passing them on the stairs.
The castle is a ruin with its rooms open to the elements now and some imagination is required if you are to picture it when in use, though there are information boards around the castle showing how it may have looked. Old fireplaces and floorboard joist holes giving tantalising glimpses how it may have been as a working building.
Certainly, worth a visit, if only for the views it affords from the high towers.
Written September 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

simonhN2088YK
Kingswinford, UK100 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Couples
People should be warned in advance if you don't like heights, save your money. Obviously, it's a medieval castle, so uneven paths, steps, etc, are normal.
But apart from the wall walk which is very high with a small rail (not suitable for small children) there are basically walls to look at inside, which are the same as you can look at outside for free. No rooms, no recreations, nothing to do whatsoever. If you don't like heights, your £24 for two people will last 10 minutes
Written November 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

catliz
West Country56 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2024 • Couples
Arrived on a very wet day, which we don’t mind as it was nice and quiet! Lovely shop, staff and ticket box area, but no offer of a guidebook though, and then off you go into the castle. Other half loved climbing the towers and seeing the view (not for the faint hearted) , whilst I stayed on the ground floor and explored those areas. As per other reviews, this castle needs bringing to life somehow. The boards gave you a little insight into some areas but there could be so much more done. Perhaps employ some costumed performers, or an audio guide (like Plas Mawr) which makes the customers feel more connected to what they are viewing. Don’t get me wrong, the castle is stunning, but I would have liked to have known more about Edward I, his life, his staff and their stories whilst walking around.
Written September 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TravelingSoccerLoon
Saint Paul, MN7,746 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2022
A visit to Conwy castle is a must if touring in North Wales. Built by Edward I in the 13th Century, it has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and for obvious reason. It is imposing yet beautiful. The castle is well preserved, and you are able to climb up all of the towers using the original spiral stone stairways. I found the King's Tower in the eastern portion of the castle near the water to provide the most spectacular views including of the surrounding beautiful Welsh countryside and of River Conwy and Conwy Bay. Entrance tickets can be booked in advance. No tours or audio guides but a guidebook can be purchased separately from the admission price. There is also signage throughout the grounds and towers explaining the history and architecture of the castle. Allow 60-90 minutes to explore. If visiting with a car, arrive early and park in the Morfa Bach Car Park which is a short walk away (coins only, no credit cards). Make sure you walk the city walls before or after visiting the castle and explore the quaint town of Conwy which has much character and has many shops, pubs and restaurants. We visited both Conwy and Caernarvon this trip and Conwy provided a much more enjoyable experience between the two,
Written February 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CuteKitten
Stourport on Severn, UK384 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Friends
It was nice to explore and see the castle. There was still a fair amount standing so you can walk up to the top of the turrets. A map is provided so you know a bit of what to look at and what it was used for. We found it very interesting seeing where the fireplaces used to be and seeing the amazing views from the top.

The only downside to this was the entry price seemed a bit steep. It was around £12 for an adult or around £8 for a student. They do also offer a blue light discount which is 10% off but only for one ticket.

Staff were friendly and helpful. There is a cute gift shop at the end and it took us around an hour and a half to look around but you could spend longer or shorter if you wanted to.
Written August 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

chicf1
Cradley Heath, UK70 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2023 • Couples
We recently visited Conwy Castle on a sunny Sunday morning and decided to visit the very grand look castle sitting by the harbour. In hindsight I think the admission prices are a little too steep for what you get especially if you were visiting as a family. Nevertheless, it was a nice way to spend a couple of hours.

The main draw of Conwy castle are the gorgeous views at the top of the towers. Peaceful hills and rolling countryside, beautiful harbour and sea, nice view of the entire town of Conwy below, you get a bit of everything up there making for some excellent photo opportunities. You do however have to work for those views as they require walking up many narrow and steep spiral stone staircases. Those with mobility issues will find it impossible and if you're not particularly fit it'll be a struggle.

The castle is mostly ruins, a couple of towers are no longer accessible due to crumbled stair cases and there was only one actual room (with floor and ceiling) and that was bare - no period furniture in there. There are information boards dotted around with information about what the various towers used to be and some illustrations of the rooms would've looked like as well as some general history of the castle however they did seem more aimed at younger audiences or people with just no British history knowledge.

There is, of course, a rather large gift shop selling various castle related merchandise as well as the usual Wales fridge magnets and boxes of fudge and this was all priced as you would expect in a tourist attraction gift shop. The toilets are very nice though, big and clean!

All in all our visit to Conwy Castle was enjoyed but definitely be prepared for some exercise if visiting and comfortable shoes are a must!
Written September 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Showing results 1-10 of 3,604
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

Castell Conwy - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)

All Conwy HotelsConwy Hotel DealsLast Minute Hotels in Conwy
All things to do in Conwy
Spas & Wellness in ConwyAmusement Parks in ConwyBoat Tours & Water Sports in Conwy
RestaurantsFlightsVacation RentalsTravel StoriesCruisesRental Cars