Llandudno in North Wales is known for its Victorian architecture, beautiful beaches and stunning views of the Irish Sea and Great Orme headland. It’s an underrated British summer getaway for sure, though, for me growing up in Manchester, it’s somewhere I visited plenty of times growing up and in the years afterwards too. So you know you’re getting first had experiences and accounts here!
The idyllic seaside town is lined with pastel coloured buildings and a sandy shore, it’s not only scenic but filled with activities to keep you busy too. From quaint Llandudno you can hop aboard a train, explore the sea on a boat trip, wander the pier and view the landscapes from the high-up cable car. Or, if you’re me in 1996 … annoy the heck out of your Granny!
Whilst there’s plenty to see and do in this charming and picturesque town there’s no getting around the fact that UK beach holidays can be expensive. Gone are the days when a family road trip to Wales is a cheap getaway.
Between the resorts and hotels, food and activities, you can eat into a decent chunk of change. The best way to keep costs down is to stay in a hostel in Llandudno. You get a prime location and cool amenities, for a fraction of the price.
Well, you’re in luck because we’ve been there, done that and bought the tacky seaside t-shirt to go along with it! After several trips to Llandudno, braving all the budget haunts the town has to offers, we’re here to show you the best!
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What to Expect from Hostels in Llandudno
Exploring the UK will have you stopping by quaint country towns, hectic cities and occasionally, a small seaside spot. Llandudno is one of those rare seaside towns, with scenic surroundings and that classic British town feel (well, specifically Welsh!) There is a ton of different accommodation options in town. As it is so small, most places to stay are walkable from the town centre.
North Shore Beach is the most popular area, where you’ll find most hostels and hotels clustered close to this beach. There’s also a second beach at West Shore, which is much less visited and offers a quieter stay. It’s here where we’ve stayed the majority of the time once we started visiting again as adults.
Try staying as close to the promenade as possible, especially if you have limited time in Llandudno. You will have the beach, restaurants, cafes and shops all nearby.
To be straight up, there is only one hostel in Llandudno. Although pricier than other hostels in the UK, it is much cheaper than the hotels in town. It’s a family-run place with simple but comfortable rooms and lots of communal space.
I won’t leave you hanging though. I have found plenty of affordable places to stay that aren’t exactly hostels, but in the same price range and have similar amenities. After all, hostels aren’t for everyone. For those who prefer a private room, a guest house or a hotel, you don’t need to be tricked into spending more money.
Airbnb and Booking.com are great places to find cheap and cheerful Llandudno accommodation and they’re our go-to services we use when organising our trips to Wales.
Prices for a hostel or private room in Llandudno start at USD$70. Yeah, the UK is expensive. Stay close to the centre and prepare your own meals, and you can still have a budget holiday!
Sure, it might not be my Granny’s hotpot in a Pontin’s Chalet built in the 1960s… but you might just thank me for that!
Best Hostels in Llandudno
You’ll need to book early to secure your place at this hostel, but it’s well worth the trouble as it’s close to everything!
Best Overall Hostel in Llandudno – Llandudno Hostel
- Close to the beach and town centre
- Five minutes walk to the train station
- Family run
- Family-friendly
Llandudno Hostel may be the only hostel in town, but that doesn’t make it any less fantastic.
It’s super centrally located close to the beach, shopping centre and train station. You can get about town on foot, as well as head further afield on the railway. It’s also conveniently close to Victoria Station. You can hop on the Great Orme Tramway, one of the oldest street tramways in the world, and pass by the Great Orme Country Park and Nature Reserve.
With comfortable beds and homey amenities, Llandudno Hostel has a variety of different types of rooms including a shared dorm or private room. All with a shared bathroom, you will still need to get on board with hostel life even in the private room.
If you have the extra cash, you can fork out for a completely private space with an ensuite bathroom. It’s the little luxuries…
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Different room sizes
- Shared and private bathrooms
- Safe and secure
- Homely
This is the type of hostel that encourages rest and relaxation, all while socialising with fellow travelers. It has common areas where you can get together, and a fridge and microwave for heating up dinners and preparing snacks.
With board games, Wi-Fi, and DVDs, there won’t be a dull moment in the hostel. However, with so much to do in town, I don’t think you will be needing them.
Llandudno Hostel is clean and secure. There are double locks on the front door, and each of the rooms has its own lock. You can feel comfortable and safe, and your belongings will be protected while you are out and about.
The hostel doesn’t serve breakfast, but with so many restaurants and cafes around, you don’t need to worry! It’s one of our favourite places to stay when we head back to Llandudno and we can’t recommend it enough.
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View on Osprey View on REIOther Budget Accommodations in Llandudno
Like I said, there’s only one hostel in Llandudno. Here are some more budget options that promise a comfortable stay without breaking the bank.
Iris Hotel
- Beachfront
- Bar
- Restaurant
- A short walk from the train station
You can’t beat this affordable hotel for location! It’s just a short walk from the beach, and railway station, and just 10 minutes from the famous pier.
The Iris Hotel is family-run and has clean, comfortable rooms with ensuites. With both double and family rooms, it is great for all travelers. Be sure to ask for one of the rooms with a sea view!
The hotel offers an optional (and very good) breakfast. Fuel up before a day of exploring the town and dipping your toes in the freezing water. It also has its own bar and restaurant for evening meals and drinks. Surrounded by restaurants and cafes, I don’t blame you if you never eat-in.
Elsinore Hotel
- Beachfront
- Delicious breakfast
- Double, single, and family rooms
- Views of the promenade
Elsinore Hotel is just one minute stroll from the beach, you can step out the door and feel the cool sea air.
Its a great spot for budget travelers with a bar for late-night drinks, and comfortable rooms with private bathrooms. Little extras like sea views and bathtubs can be requested upon booking, adding a little extra luxury to your cheap stay.
Get out and explore the town, strolling by the promenade, wandering the beach and enjoying the local shops along the pier. Really get immersed in Welsh seaside life with a 99p ice cream cone, and fish and chips.
The Grand Hotel
- Great breakfast
- Bar and restaurant
- Beautiful, traditional decor
- Rooms with sea views
The Grand Hotel is amazingly stately, with its Victorian appearance set against the deep blue sea. The seafront location means incredible views with the waves lulling you to sleep at night.
The Grand Hotel is very reasonably priced, yet has top quality facilities. It has an elegant ballroom with live entertainment, and a games room where you can play pool with friends. There’s also a restaurant that serves an evening buffet and a great breakfast in the morning.
The rooms at the hotel are traditionally decorated, and have private bathrooms and bathtubs, rest your weary legs after a day of strolling the town. Just a short walk from the promenade and beachfront, it’s super convenient.
The New Alexandra Hotel
- Lovely garden
- Sun terrace
- Evening entertainment
- Full breakfast every morning
The New Alexandra Hotel is just 150m from the beach, and less than a kilometer from the pier. Surrounded by shops and restaurants, you can enjoy the best bits of town in a moment’s walk.
With its own bar and restaurant, if you are too tired to explore, you can dig into some local favorites from fresh produce.
The hotel boasts double, twin, and family rooms with private bathrooms, as well as a shared lounge and garden. You can spend some time out on the hotel’s sun terrace when you feel like enjoying the weather but are too lazy to head out.
As if that wasn’t enough, the hotel has evening entertainment and a games room where you can play darts, or watch one of the local sports broadcasts.
FAQ about Hostels in Llandudno
Travel Safety Tips for Llandudno
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Final Thoughts on Hostels in Llandudno
Llandudno is the type of small Welsh town that will remind you of the Victorian days – with women in corsets and parasols, and men in funny hats enjoying the summer. Well, something like that! For me at least it reminds me of sunny summer days crabbing at the beach with my cousins as my Grandma’s hair turns greyer and greyer trying to keep us in line!
This scenic town isn’t the cheapest place you will ever visit. However, for such a memorable place, it’s worth the cash. Be sure to check out the Great Orme Tramway, the Llandudno Pier and the Venue Cymru theatre whilst you’re there, they’re some of our favourite spots from our many visits.
Llandudno Hostel is the perfect combination of a good price, along with a great location and a friendly, communal feel. Book your place early to avoid missing out!
And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!
