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 miles
Neighbouring places
- Gorllewin Porthmadog Ward 0.3 miles
- Porthmadog Built-up area 0.9 miles
- Morfa Bychan Built-up area 1 mile
- Tremadog Built-up area 1 mile
- Dwyrain Porthmadog Ward 1 mile
- Dolbenmaen Parish 3.1 miles
- Criccieth Built-up area 3.1 miles
- Penrhyndeudraeth Built-up area 3.3 miles
- Talsarnau Parish 4.4 miles
- Llanfrothen Parish 4.6 miles
- Harlech a Llanbedr Ward 4.9 miles
- Harlech Built-up area 5.2 miles
Example postcodes in Porthmadog
LL49 9BU, LL49 9YD, LL49 9NZ, LL49 9PE, LL49 9HU, LL49 9TR, LL49 9HN, LL49 9AN, LL49 9LW … See all
Transport links
- Liverpool John Lennon Airport 61.1 miles
- Manchester Airport 83.4 miles
- Porthmadog Railway Station 1 mile
- Porthmadog Harbour Railway Station 1.2 miles
Hotels in Porthmadog Ad
- The Golden Fleece Inn 4
- Travelodge Porthmadog 3
- Premier Inn Porthmadog 3
- Royal Sportsman Hotel 4
- Queens Rooms
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 miles
- Criccieth Beach Beach 3.1 miles
- Port Trevor Harbour 12 miles
- National Slate Museum Museum 13.6 miles
- Dolmelynllyn Estate Estate 14.1 miles
- Caernarfon Town FC Stadium 15.2 miles
- Llanidan House Estate 17 miles
- Gwydyr Forest Forest 17.3 miles
- Cadair Idris - Penygadair Mountains 18.7 miles
- Carneddau Mountains 18.8 miles
- Treborth Estate 19 miles
- Plas Newydd Country house 19.3 miles