What to see in Portmeirion, the curious Italian town in North Wales

It will seem like it to you, but you are not in Italy.

Perhaps the most curious place you will find during your North Wales route it will be Portmeirion, a curious town with undoubted Italian style architecture that will lead you to believe that you are in the Mediterranean and not in the north west coast of wales.

Designed by Welsh architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975, you can consider it either genius or the madness of an eccentric character.

But the truth is that during your visit you will enjoy beautiful corners typical of a colorful Mediterranean town, which, according to the designer himself, is not the famous italian town of portofino.

Now Portmeirion It is more than a town; In reality, it is a large hotel establishment that has also become a tourist attraction To see it you have to pay an entrance fee.

How to visit and what to see in Portmeirion

Tras get to Portmeirion, located in a wooded area on the banks of the estuary of the Dwyrid River, and go through the ticket office, you will enter a true all-pedestrian town where each building may remind you of one you have seen in Mediterranean towns.

On the one hand you will see houses with facades decorated with striking and sometimes warm colors.

And next to them, some monuments that were brought from other places to be placed in an exercise of bricolage.

Portmeirion It is a great fantasy, so you will not be surprised to know that several films have been inspired by this location.

I don't know if this is the case Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Tim Burton, but during my visit it gave me the sensation of finding myself inside its sets.

In fact, Portmeirion It was the venue for a very popular television series from the 60s, The prisoner, which is a milestone in the short history of this town.

In its hospitality aspect, if you wish, you can give yourself the pleasure of staying not only in the Portmeirion main hotel, but in any of the houses that extend between large garden areas, all full of flowers.

En Portmeirion You will find restaurants, cafes and even shops, giving you the full feeling of living in a quiet Italian town.

Schedules and ticket prices to visit Portmeirion

For tourists, Portmeirion visiting hours They are every day of the week, from 9,30:17,30 a.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.

The ticket prices to visit Portmeirion They are, generally, 17 pounds; children ages 5 to 15, £10; seniors+60 and students, £13,50; and children under 5 years old, free tickets.

For the visit it is recommended online advance purchase of tickets, for which you will have to select one of the three time slots available for entry.

Photos of Portmeirion in Wales

To satisfy your curiosity, here are more photos of Portmeirion North Wales.

Map: where it is and how to get to Portmeirion

The people of Portmeirion you find it west of snowdonia national park, on the coast, at north wales, and you can reach it by taking a car route through said natural enclave.