Betws-y-Coed, an alpine-style village in Conwy County Borough, North Wales, is frequently compared to Switzerland for its grey stone cottages, ancient bridges, and woodland setting. Located by Eryri National Park and encircled by Gwydyr Forest Park, the village offers scenes often described as fairy-tale like.
A Village of Stone Cottages and Ancient Bridges
The village, whose name translates to 'prayer-house in the woods', features grey stone cottages with green roof edges and ancient stone bridges crossing the meandering rivers. One of the most picture-worthy spots is the 15th-century Pont-y-Pair Bridge, which spans the River Llugwy in the heart of the village, framed by woodland.
Among the traditional cottages, visitors will find a handful of shops, including outdoor clothing at Cunninghams and the gift shop Anna Davies. There are also cosy cafés, traditional pubs, a bakery, and a number of B&Bs and guesthouses for those looking to extend their stay.
Gateway to Eryri National Park
Thanks to its location, Betws-y-Coed serves as a major gateway to Eryri National Park, offering ramblers a retreat after exploring the mountain ranges. It is also a base for exploring the surrounding Gwydyr Forest Park, with walking trails and lakes, as well as an adrenaline adventure at Zip World Betws-y-Coed.
One traveller expressed on social media: "Betws-y-Coed is Switzerland in North Wales. My soul is soaked in its beauty." Another hailed it as "the most beautiful village in Wales".
Swallow Falls, the Highest Waterfall in Wales
Just two miles from the village is Swallow Falls, described as the highest continuous waterfall in Wales, with water cascading 42 meters through a wooded glen. It is one of the most popular attractions in Eryri National Park.
"Beautiful, stunning waterfall," one traveller expressed on TripAdvisor. Another noted: "Only £2 entry, and the most beautiful waterfall. Easy steps to get to the bottom, but it can be viewed with no further steps after entry. Longer walks available, but we stayed close to the falls. Would highly recommend." A third added: "Don't miss these falls, which are two to three miles out of town. A £2 entrance fee obviously to maintain railings and walkways, but worth it for the views."
