Major city · United Kingdom
CricciethCricieth
Stay 1 night, or 2 if you want a full beach day: castle and ice cream in half a day, Snowdonia and the Llŷn coast as day trips.
Criccieth is a small seaside town on the south coast of the Llŷn peninsula in Gwynedd, with a 13th-century castle on its headland and a sheltered beach either side. It works as a quiet one- or two-night base on the Cambrian Coast line, between Porthmadog and Pwllheli, with Snowdonia and the Lloyd George museum within easy reach. Most visitors come for the castle, the beach and the ice cream, not for nightlife.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (many places shut, wet and windy)
- Airports
- MAN · LPL
- Nights
- 1–2
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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Criccieth999 ▾
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 Criccieth, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyA quiet, low-crime seaside town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 or 112 police, fire, ambulance · 111 NHS non-urgent · 101 police non-urgent (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMAN Manchester (About 2 h 30 min by car; rail via Shrewsbury and Machynlleth takes 5 h+).
- Getting aroundThe town is small enough to walk: station to castle is about 10 min, castle to beach 2 min.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea in a café£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- BeerPint in a pub£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
- Museum or sight ticketCastle entry, adultabout £6 (≈ US$8)
- Budget bedHostel or bunkhouse bed, a night, per person£25 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedGuest-house double room, a night, per room£110 (≈ US$150)
- High-end bedGuest-house double room, a night, per room£180 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £75 (≈ US$100) · 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.
- Airports
- MAN Manchester (About 2 h 30 min by car; rail via Shrewsbury and Machynlleth takes 5 h+) · LPL Liverpool John Lennon (About 2 h 30 min by car; rail connections are slow)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jun
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jul
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Aug
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Sep
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Nov (17 rain days), driest May (11). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Criccieth: 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)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
16 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
13 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
14 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
May
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Jun
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
11 rd
Jul
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Aug
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
12 rd
Sep
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
13 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
16 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
17 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
17 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
The town is small enough to walk: station to castle is about 10 min, castle to beach 2 min. Buses 3 (Pwllheli–Porthmadog) and 1 (Bangor–Caernarfon–Porthmadog) serve the town; a car helps for the Llŷn coast and Snowdonia.
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: About 20 min
Cambrian Coast line train, about 10 min, or bus 3
Harbour, Welsh Highland Railway and the Ffestiniog line inland.
Door to door: About 50 min
Cambrian Coast line train south, about 30 min, then a steep walk up to the castle
Castle and long beach; the climb from the station is short but sharp.
Door to door: About 1 h 30 min
Cambrian Coast line train, about 1 h 15 min
The rail viaduct over the Mawddach estuary is the reason to go by train.
Door to door: About 1 h 30 min
Bus 1 via Porthmadog, about 1 h 15 min
Castle and walled town; a full day if you add the Menai coast.
Door to door: About 2 h
Cambrian Coast line train, about 1 h 45 min
Doable as a day out but long; better as an overnight on the same line.
Door to door: About 1 h 45 min
Cambrian Coast line train, about 1 h 30 min
Worth it only if you want the Talyllyn Railway as well.
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.
Castle Street and the seafront
Walk to the castle, beach and both ice cream and chip shops; the tightest cluster of guest houses.
Caernarfon Road (B4411)
Guest houses on the hill above town, 10–15 min walk down to the front.
Porthmadog Road
Quieter edge of town on the A497, with parking and easy exit by car.
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
- Budget
- £45–70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- £70–110 (≈ US$95–150) excl. bed
- High
- £110 (≈ US$150)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guest-house double room1 × 1 night × £110 | £110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £75 | £150 |
| Cambrian Coast line day return to Harlech2 × £8 | £16 |
| Criccieth Castle entry, adult2 × £6 | £12 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £8 | £16 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £30 |
| Trip total≈ £167 per person per day, bed included | £334≈ US$450 |
2026 estimate in pounds; travel to Criccieth excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea in a café | £3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Fish and chips | £10–15 (≈ US$14–20) |
| Ice cream cone | £3–5 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Pint in a pub | £4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Guest-house double room, per night | £70–180 (≈ US$95–250) |
| Castle entry, adult | about £6 (≈ US$8) |
| Train Criccieth → Porthmadog | £3–5 (≈ US$4–7) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Castle opening days are seasonal and limited outside summer: check Cadw before you travel.
- Many cafés, guest houses and the museum close or run short hours from November to March.
- The beach shelves gently but there is no lifeguard cover: check local signage before swimming.
- Mobile signal is patchy on parts of the Llŷn coast; download offline maps.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 999 or 112
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
- Police non-urgent
- 101
Pocket card
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CricciethCricieth
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
I'r cyfeiriad hwn, os gwelwch yn ddaTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance999 or 112
- NHS non-urgent111
- Police non-urgent101
Embassy
No embassies in Criccieth; the nearest US consulate is in Edinburgh and most other countries have embassies in London (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Train Criccieth → Porthmadog: about £3–5 (≈ US$4–7), 10 min
- Train Criccieth → Harlech: about £6–8 (≈ US$8–11) return, 30 min
- Bus 3 Criccieth → Porthmadog: about £3 (≈ US$4), 20 min
Say or show
- Helo — Hello (HEH-lo)
- Diolch — Thank you (DEE-olch)
- Os gwelwch yn dda — Please (os GWEL-ookh un thah)
- Hwyl fawr — Goodbye (hoo-il vowr)
- Traeth — Beach (trathe)
- Castell — Castle (KAS-teth)
Welsh is widely spoken and on all signs; English is universal.
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 Criccieth. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (many places shut, wet and windy) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for MAN and LPL: last Cambrian Coast departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: station and Castle Street, the castle headland, the west beach, Caernarfon Road.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Criccieth Castle, Lloyd George Museum) and eat pages with last orders.
- Seasonal closure fixtures for November–March so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialCriccieth town website
- officialCadw — Criccieth Castle
- officialTransport for Wales — Cambrian Coast line
- officialArriva Bus Wales
- secondaryWikivoyage: Criccieth, revision 4936356 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Criccieth
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