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Major city · United Kingdom

South StackYnys Lawd

Go for one afternoon, not a base: 3 miles west of Holyhead, 2–3 h for the lighthouse steps, cliffs and RSPB centre.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

South Stack is a headland and a small island at the western tip of Holy Island, joined to Anglesey by road and to the mainland by a bridge. There is one lighthouse, one RSPB cliff reserve and a café; everything else is walking. Most visitors come for half a day from Holyhead and stay in Holyhead, Trearddur Bay or further east on Anglesey.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
GBP
Best months
Apr–Jul for seabirds; May–Sep for walking weather
avoid Nov–Feb (short days, wind and rain, lighthouse access closed)
Airports
LPL · MAN · DUB
Nights
0–1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
  • Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
  • Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
  • United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
  • United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
  • United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for South Stack999 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance, coastguard999
  • Police non-urgent101
  • NHS non-urgent (England and Wales)111
  • Maritime and Coastguard Agency999 and ask for the coastguard

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about South Stack, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeCoffee and cake at the cliff café£4–8 (≈ US$6–11)
  • Sit-down mealPub main course in Holyhead£12–18 (≈ US$16–25)
  • Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi Holyhead to South Stack£10–15 (≈ US$14–20)
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week£8–15 (≈ US$11–20)
  • Budget bedHostel bed, a night, per person£25 (≈ US$35)
  • Mid-range bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room£110 (≈ US$150)
  • High-end bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room£200 (≈ US$300)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget £35 (≈ US$50) · Mid £65 (≈ US$90) · High £130 (≈ US$180)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

South Stack Lighthouse (1809)RSPB South Stack Cliffs reserve and Ellin's TowerSeabird colonies: puffins, razorbills, guillemots, choughsAnglesey Coastal Path clifftop walking
Airports
LPL Liverpool John Lennon (About 2 h 30 min by car via the A55; nearest large airport with wide route choice) · MAN Manchester (About 2 h 45 min by car via the A55) · DUB Dublin (Ferry from Dublin Port to Holyhead, then about 10 min by car; useful if you cross from Ireland)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    8°C (46°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    8°C (46°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    9°C (48°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    11°C (52°F)

  5. May

    Best

    14°C (57°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    17°C (63°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    18°C (64°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    18°C (64°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    17°C (63°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    14°C (57°F)

  11. Nov

    Avoid

    11°C (52°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    9°C (48°F)

Best: Apr–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (18°C (64°F)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F) low), wettest Jan (15 rain days), driest May (10). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

South Stack: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

8°C (46°F)

3°C (37°F)

15 rd

Feb

8°C (46°F)

3°C (37°F)

12 rd

Mar

9°C (48°F)

4°C (39°F)

13 rd

Apr

11°C (52°F)

5°C (41°F)

11 rd

May

14°C (57°F)

8°C (46°F)

10 rd

Jun

17°C (63°F)

10°C (50°F)

10 rd

Jul

18°C (64°F)

12°C (54°F)

10 rd

Aug

18°C (64°F)

12°C (54°F)

12 rd

Sep

17°C (63°F)

11°C (52°F)

12 rd

Oct

14°C (57°F)

9°C (48°F)

15 rd

Nov

11°C (52°F)

6°C (43°F)

15 rd

Dec

9°C (48°F)

4°C (39°F)

15 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

A car is the practical way in: narrow country lanes lead to the cliff car park above the reserve. On foot, South Stack sits on the Anglesey Coastal Path, so you can walk in from Holyhead or along the cliffs. Buses from Holyhead run a few times a day on some timetables; confirm the current service before relying on it. Once there, everything is on foot, with steep steps down to the bridge and the island.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Holyhead

go

Door to door: About 15 min

Car or bus, about 10 min

Town for food, shops and the Dublin ferry; South Stack is its western edge.

Angleseygo

Door to door: Varies; 30 min to Menai Bridge

Car via the A55 and A5

Use South Stack as one stop on a wider island loop.

Menai Bridge

go

Door to door: About 35 min

Car via the A55

Strait views and food; pairs well with a return via Llanfairpwllgwyngyll.

Beaumarisgo

Door to door: About 45 min

Car via the A55 and A545

Castle and waterfront; a full day if you add the pier and courthouse.

Llanfairpwllgwyngyllcaution

Door to door: About 30 min

Car via the A55

A short photo stop, not a day out.

Benllech

go

Door to door: About 40 min

Car via the A5025

Sandy beach for a second, calmer afternoon.

Rhosneigr

go

Door to door: About 35 min

Car via the A4080

Windsurfing and long beach walks.

Llangefni

skip

Door to door: About 30 min

Car via the A55 and A5114

Market town and services; nothing you need on a short trip.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Holyhead

Nearest town, about 3 miles east; ferries to Dublin, most beds and food, buses to the headland.

Trearddur Bay

Beach village about 4 miles south-east; better for a summer night, still a short drive to the cliffs.

Rhoscolyn and the west coast of Holy Island

Quiet lanes and coastal walking; a car is needed for everything.

Further east on Anglesey (Menai Bridge, Llangefni, Benllech)

Cheaper and more choice, but 30–50 min each way to South Stack.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
£35–55 (≈ US$50–75) excl. bed
Mid
£60–95 (≈ US$80–130) excl. bed
High
£120 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Guesthouse or hotel double room1 × 1 night × £110£110
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £65£130
Lighthouse island ticket, adult2 × £5 · check£10
Lighthouse island ticket, child2 × £3 · check£5
Café coffee and cake2 × £8£16
eSIM, about a week of data2 × £10£20
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge£29
Trip total≈ £160 per person per day, bed included£320≈ US$450

2026 estimate in pounds; car hire and ferry fares excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Lighthouse island ticket£5 (≈ US$7) adult / £2.50 (≈ US$4) child (check)
Coffee and cake at the cliff café£4–8 (≈ US$6–11)
Pub main course in Holyhead£12–18 (≈ US$16–25)
Car park at the reservecheck
Taxi Holyhead to South Stack£10–15 (≈ US$14–20)
eSIM or data SIM, about a week£8–15 (≈ US$11–20)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Low crime, high exposure: the real risks are cliff edges, steep wet steps, wind and fast weather changes. Tell someone your route if you walk the coast path and carry a charged phone.
  • The steps down to the lighthouse bridge are steep and exposed; the climb back is the hard part.
  • Lighthouse island access is by paid ticket and is seasonal: check opening before you plan the trip around it.
  • Cliff edges are unfenced in places and the wind is strong; keep children and dogs back from the edge.
  • Mobile signal is patchy on the headland.
  • The café serves sweet food only; bring your own lunch if you want a savoury meal.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance, coastguard
999
Police non-urgent
101
NHS non-urgent (England and Wales)
111
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
999 and ask for the coastguard

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

South StackYnys Lawd

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

I'r cyfeiriad hwn, os gwelwch yn ddaTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance, coastguard999
  • Police non-urgent101
  • NHS non-urgent111

Embassy

No embassies on Anglesey; the nearest are in London. US and most Commonwealth citizens can use consular services in Cardiff or Manchester (check).

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Lighthouse island ticket: £5 (≈ US$7) adult / £2.50 (≈ US$4) child (check)
  • Taxi Holyhead → South Stack: £10–15 (≈ US$14–20), about 10 min
  • Bus Holyhead → South Stack: a few services a day on some timetables; confirm locally (check)

Say or show

  • Helo — Hello (HEH-lo)
  • Diolch — Thank you (DEE-olch)
  • Os gwelwch yn dda — Please (os GWEL-ookh un thah)
  • Ble mae'r toiled? — Where is the toilet? (bleh myr TOY-led)
  • Faint yw e? — How much is it? (fynt yoo eh)
  • Hwyl fawr — Goodbye (hoo-il vowr)

Welsh is spoken widely on Anglesey; English works everywhere.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for South Stack. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Apr–Jul for seabirds; May–Sep for walking weather · avoid Nov–Feb (short days, wind and rain, lighthouse access closed) · month by month →
  2. 3 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 8 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for LPL and MAN: last train and bus options to Holyhead, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Walking clusters with rescue anchors: South Stack car park, Ellin's Tower, the lighthouse steps, Holyhead Mountain hut circles.
  3. Place pages with verified cutoffs (lighthouse island, RSPB visitor centre, Ellin's Tower) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Weather and tide fixtures so the cliff and ferry gates can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to United Kingdom

Sources