There are places in Wales that quietly become favourites the moment you arrive. Betws-y-Coed is one of them.

Tucked deep within the forests of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, the village feels different to most UK destinations. Alpine-like scenery, rushing rivers and dense woodland give it a sense of scale and atmosphere that’s hard to replicate anywhere else in the country. It’s long been known as the gateway to Snowdonia, and once you arrive it’s easy to see why so many travellers use it as their base.

For anyone wondering where the nicest place to visit in Wales is, Betws-y-Coed usually ends up high on the list.

Betws-y-Coed: A Village Made for Exploring

Betws-y-Coed is the kind of place where you can spend the morning hiking mountain trails, the afternoon browsing independent shops and galleries, and the evening settling into a pub with a fire and a proper Welsh meal.

The village sits at the meeting point of several rivers and is surrounded by the vast Gwydyr Forest, meaning walking routes begin almost immediately from the centre of the village. Nearby highlights include Swallow Falls, Fairy Glen Gorge, and countless forest trails that weave through towering pines and moss-covered rock.

For those looking for adventure, this part of North Wales has become one of the UK’s most exciting outdoor playgrounds. Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) is within easy reach, while adrenaline-seekers can head to Zip World, home to the fastest zip wire in the world.

Yet the village itself keeps a slower rhythm. Cafés, bakeries and independent shops line the streets, and there’s a strong sense that this is somewhere people come to properly unwind.

Which makes it an ideal setting for a Wales getaway.

Romantic Accommodation in Wales: Why Porth Eryri Glamping Stands Out

Five miles outside Betws-y-Coed, tucked into woodland on a working farm, sits Porth Eryri Glamping.

The name translates roughly to Gateway to Snowdonia, and the location lives up to it. Set across three quiet woodland acres at the edge of the national park, the site feels secluded without ever being remote.

Owners Gethin and Teleri have created four handcrafted cabins here, each named after the surrounding mountains. Built in Wales using sustainable materials, they’re positioned carefully amongst the trees so every stay feels private.

For couples searching for romantic accommodation in Wales, the cabins Y Foel Las and Garn Prys deliver exactly the kind of atmosphere people imagine when planning a Welsh escape. Think A-frame architecture, mezzanine bedrooms accessed via spiral staircases, log burners for evenings in and large windows looking out to forest and sky.

Families are equally well catered for. Moel Siabod and Tryfan sleep up to six guests, combining that same handcrafted feel with extra space and clever layouts.

Across all cabins the approach is consistent: thoughtful design, proper kitchens, rainfall showers and spaces that encourage you to slow down rather than rush out the door.

But the real highlight waits outside.

Stargazing, Hot Tubs and Woodland Silence

Each cabin has its own private deck with a wood-fired hot tub, positioned perfectly for evenings spent under dark Welsh skies.

This part of Snowdonia is recognised as a protected dark sky area, meaning clear nights reveal stars you rarely see elsewhere in the UK. It’s the sort of setting where conversations slow down, phones stay inside and time passes without much notice.

Fire pits, pizza ovens and barbecue setups make evenings easy, while the surrounding woodland gives children space to roam freely during the day.

Above the treeline, red kites and ospreys occasionally circle overhead, reminders that you’re firmly in wild Welsh territory.

The Perfect Base for Exploring Snowdonia

Location is where Porth Eryri Glamping really earns its reputation as one of the best places to stay in Wales.

Betws-y-Coed village sits ten minutes away, providing restaurants, outdoor shops and cafés whenever you want them. Snowdon’s Pen-y-Pass car park is around thirty minutes away for those tackling Wales’ most famous mountain.

Adventure attractions including all four Zip World sites are also within easy reach.

And when the mountains call for a break, the coastline is surprisingly close too. Beaches at Barmouth, Llandudno and Colwyn Bay all make easy day trips.

It’s a location that allows you to experience a huge part of North Wales without ever feeling rushed.

A Wales Holiday Destination That Lives Up to the Hype

Some destinations build expectations they can’t quite meet.

Betws-y-Coed isn’t one of them.

Between the forests, rivers, mountain views and quiet villages scattered across the region, this corner of North Wales captures everything people imagine when planning a Welsh escape.

And when you combine that setting with somewhere like Porth Eryri Glamping, you have the kind of stay people end up recommending to friends before they’ve even left.

The sort of place where a quick weekend trip quietly turns into planning the next one before you’ve even driven home.

View their listing on Hidden UK Gems here, view the rest of our 'Stays' in the UK here and our previous blogs are here