10 Castles in Wales Worth the Detour

Wales has more castles per square mile than anywhere else in the world — well over 400 of them, ranging from vast Edwardian fortresses to crumbling ruins on quiet hilltops. Picking just ten is nearly impossible, but here are ten that show off the very best of what Welsh castles have to offer, from UNESCO-listed giants to smaller sites worth a detour.

1. Caernarfon Castle, Gwynedd

Built from 1283 by Edward I, Caernarfon is instantly recognisable by its polygonal towers and banded stonework — a design said to echo the walls of Constantinople. It's part of the same UNESCO World Heritage Site as Conwy and Beaumaris, and was the site of the investiture of the Prince of Wales in 1969.

2. Conwy Castle, Conwy

Perched above the harbour with Snowdonia as a backdrop, Conwy is considered by many to be Edward I's finest castle. It contains the most complete set of medieval royal apartments anywhere in Wales or England, and its eight towers offer sweeping views over the walled town below.

3. Caerphilly Castle, South Wales

The largest castle in Wales — and the second largest in Britain — Caerphilly is famous for its dramatic water defences and a leaning tower that out-tilts even Pisa's. Look out for the Dragons' Lair exhibit, a hit with younger visitors.

4. Pembroke Castle, Pembrokeshire

One of the oldest and best-preserved Norman castles in Wales, Pembroke was the birthplace of Henry VII. Beneath the castle lies a huge natural cavern, and above ground you'll find towers, battle re-enactments and falconry displays through the season.

5. Harlech Castle, Gwynedd

Sitting on a rocky outcrop with panoramic views over the Irish Sea and Snowdonia National Park, Harlech was built between 1283 and 1289 using a "walls within walls" concentric design. It's one of the four Edwardian castles that make up the North Wales UNESCO listing.

6. Raglan Castle, Monmouthshire

One of the last medieval castles built in Wales, Raglan was designed to impress rather than defend — a statement of wealth from its 15th-century builders. Explore the Great Tower, the wine cellars and a courtyard that still hints at its former luxury.

7. Beaumaris Castle, Anglesey

Never fully completed, Beaumaris is nonetheless considered one of the most technically perfect examples of medieval military architecture in Britain. Cross the water-filled moat and explore its concentric rings of defence on the shores of the Menai Strait.

8. Cardiff Castle, Cardiff

Built on the site of a Roman fort in the city centre, Cardiff Castle blends Norman keep, Victorian Gothic mansion and wartime air-raid shelters into one site. It's an easy add-on to any city break, with landscaped grounds right in the heart of Cardiff.

9. Criccieth Castle, Gwynedd

Standing on a headland between two beaches with views across Cardigan Bay, Criccieth began as a native Welsh stronghold before being expanded by Edward I — a rare site where you can see both building traditions side by side.

10. Castell y Bere, Gwynedd

Tucked away in the Dysynni Valley in southern Snowdonia, Castell y Bere was built by Llywelyn the Great and represents native Welsh castle design rather than the more familiar English-built fortresses. Quieter and wilder than the big-name sites, it's a rewarding stop for anyone chasing a more peaceful ruin.