Porthmadog sits on the edge of the Glaslyn estuary in Gwynedd, Wales, framed by the sands of Traeth Mawr and the hills of Snowdonia National Park. The town grew up around a purpose-built harbour and the great embankment known as The Cob, created in the early 19th century by William Madocks to reclaim land and improve access to the sea, and later became a vital outlet for the North Wales slate trade.
Today Porthmadog is a lively gateway for tourists and walkers, with heritage lines like the Ffestiniog Railway and the Welsh Highland Railway linking to slate towns such as Blaenau Ffestiniog, while its maritime heritage, sailing, boat trips and strong Welsh-language culture underpin a local economy focused on tourism, small-scale industry and community life. Historic streets, seasonal events and easy access to dramatic coastal and mountain scenery make it a popular base for exploring the region.
Postcode districts covering Porthmadog
Most populated places nearby
- Bangor 20.4 miles32.8 km
Neighbouring places
- Gorllewin Porthmadog Ward 0.3 miles0.5 km
- Porthmadog Built-up area 0.9 miles1.5 km
- Morfa Bychan Built-up area 1 mile1.6 km
- Tremadog Built-up area 1 mile1.7 km
- Dwyrain Porthmadog Ward 1 mile1.7 km
- Dolbenmaen Parish 3.1 miles5 km
- Criccieth Built-up area 3.1 miles5.1 km
- Penrhyndeudraeth Built-up area 3.3 miles5.3 km
- Talsarnau Parish 4.4 miles7 km
- Llanfrothen Parish 4.6 miles7.5 km
- Harlech a Llanbedr Ward 4.9 miles7.9 km
- Harlech Built-up area 5.2 miles8.3 km
Example postcodes in Porthmadog
LL49 9RE, LL49 9YH, LL49 9TN, LL49 9NA, LL49 9BA, LL49 9UE, LL49 9DH, LL49 9UH, LL49 9JJ … See all
Transport links
- Liverpool John Lennon Airport 61.1 miles98.3 km
- Manchester Airport 83.4 miles134.2 km
- Porthmadog Railway Station 1 mile1.5 km
- Porthmadog Harbour Railway Station 1.2 miles2 km
Hotels near Porthmadog Ad
- Hotel Portmeirion & Castell Deudraeth 4 2.6 miles4.1 km
- Aberdunant Hall 4 3.1 miles5 km
- Bron Eifion Hotel 4 4 miles6.4 km
- Maes Y Neuadd 4.8 miles7.8 km
- Caerwylan Hotel 4 3.1 miles5 km
- Royal Sportsman Hotel 4 1 mile1.6 km
- Sygun Fawr Country House 6.8 miles10.9 km
- Prince Llewelyn Hotel 6.4 miles10.3 km
- Lion Hotel and Studio Apartments 3 3.3 miles5.2 km
- Saracens Head 6.4 miles10.3 km
Schools in Porthmadog
- Ysgol Eifion Wyn Primary
- Ysgol Eifionydd Secondary
- Ysgol Gynradd Borth-Y-Gest Primary
- Ysgol Y Gorlan Primary
Local points of interest
- Porthmadog Stadium 1.5 miles2.5 km
- Criccieth Beach Beach 3.1 miles4.9 km
- Port Trevor Harbour 12 miles19.3 km
- National Slate Museum Museum 13.6 miles21.9 km
- Dolmelynllyn Estate Estate 14.1 miles22.7 km
- Caernarfon Town FC Stadium 15.2 miles24.4 km
- Llanidan House Estate 17 miles27.3 km
- Gwydyr Forest Forest 17.3 miles27.8 km
- Cadair Idris - Penygadair Mountains 18.7 miles30.1 km
- Carneddau Mountains 18.8 miles30.2 km
- Treborth Estate 19 miles30.5 km
- Plas Newydd Country house 19.3 miles31.1 km