Portmeirion, the Italianate village on the Welsh coast named one of the places you 'must visit' in 2026 by Time Out, will host a Christmas market for one weekend only in December.
From December 4-6, the festive event will feature artisan stalls showcasing the best Welsh produce along with a full line-up of entertainment for the whole family, according to the tourist site's website.
A Village Built for Tourists
Portmeirion is not like other villages in Wales. No one lives there, as it was designed for tourists who pay an entrance fee to wander through its colourful Italianate buildings. The village was born out of the long-held ambition of its founder, architect Clough Williams-Ellis, whose creative vision for an Italianate-style private peninsula village created a charming tourist destination with a Mediterranean feel.
Williams-Ellis acquired the wilderness site in 1925 and dedicated his life to developing the run-down peninsula into a popular coastal attraction. He drew heavily on the coloured façades of Portofino, creating dream-like pastel-coloured buildings, ornamental gardens, and piazzas with fountains and a giant chess set.
What to See and Do
The 130-acre site sits on the coast amid woodlands and manicured gardens. Alongside its unique architectural heritage, the private ticketed site features two hotels, self-catering cottages, a spa, gift shops, cafes, restaurants, and an Italian-style gelateria. Portmeirion also has a range of bespoke shops, including the world's only Prisoner TV Show Shop, where visitors can buy memorabilia from the show, including maps, badges, Village Foods tins, and figures.
Other shops include a bookstore with Welsh language and tourism books, The Ship Shop with gifts and local products, and Pot Jam, which sells Welsh produce and Portmeirion's own wine and champagne.
Staying Overnight
Visitors can stay overnight during the festive season and enjoy fewer crowds as day-trippers head home. By night, Portmeirion empties, leaving only overnight guests who stay in one of the quirky 'village rooms' or in one of two luxury four-star hotels – Castell Deudraeth and Hotel Portmeirion.
Hotel Portmeirion, converted from an old Victorian villa and opened by Williams-Ellis in 1926, is a Grade II-listed building famous for being where English playwright Noel Coward wrote Blithe Spirit in 1941. Castell Deudraeth is a four-star Victorian castellated mansion built by David Williams with 11 modern rooms.
Dining options include cafes, a 1950s-style bar, and an Italian gelateria, with opening days and hours depending on the season. Overnight guests can also have dinner at one of the village's two full-service restaurants, with Castell Deudraeth offering an à la carte menu featuring dishes such as ChalkStream trout en croute, Welsh lamb rump, and Thai steamed mussels.
