Caernarfon Castle is a monumental 13th-century fortress-palace on the banks of the River Seiont in Caernarfon, North Wales. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical tips for planning your visit.
This guide was last updated in September 2026. Unlike some older guides, it reflects that the King’s Gate lift is currently out of service. It also reflects that the on-site café’s hours are changing from 1 September 2026, both confirmed on the official Cadw website.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | 9.30am–5pm (1 Mar–30 Jun & 1 Sep–31 Oct); 9.30am–6pm (1 Jul–31 Aug); 10am–4pm (1 Nov–28 Feb) |
| Ticket prices | Adult £14.90; Senior (65+) £13.40; Junior (5–17) / Student £10.40; Family (2 adults + 3 children) £47.70; members and disabled visitors’ companions free |
| Address | Castell Caernarfon, Castle Ditch, Caernarfon, LL55 2AY |
| Nearest transport | Bus routes 5/5A/5B, 200 yards away; nearest railway station is Bangor, 10 miles away |
| Typical time needed | 1.5 to 2 hours |
Caernarfon Castle opening hours
Caernarfon Castle opens every day of the year, apart from a few dates around Christmas and New Year, with hours that change by season.
- 1 March to 30 June: 9.30am to 5pm
- 1 July to 31 August: 9.30am to 6pm
- 1 September to 31 October: 9.30am to 5pm
- 1 November to 28 February: 10am to 4pm
- Last admission is 30 minutes before closing
- Closed 24, 25 and 26 December, and 1 January
The on-site pop-up refreshment stall currently operates daily, but from 1 September 2026 it moves to Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only. The King’s Gate café remains closed.
Caernarfon Castle ticket prices
Buying tickets online saves 5% compared with paying on arrival at Caernarfon Castle.
| Category | Price |
|---|---|
| Member | Free |
| Adult | £14.90 |
| Senior (65+) | £13.40 |
| Junior (5–17) / Student | £10.40 |
| Family (2 adults + up to 3 children) | £47.70 |
| Family (1 adult + up to 3 children) | £32.80 |
| Disabled visitor and companion | Free |
Children under 5 always enter free, and visitors receiving Universal Credit or other named benefits can book £1 tickets online in advance. Blue Light Card holders and HM Armed Forces personnel and veterans receive 10% off individual admission, though not when booking online. Entry to the on-site Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum is included in the price of your castle ticket.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in September 2026, for the pricing period running from 1 September 2026 to 31 March 2027. Book tickets on the official Cadw site.
Caernarfon Castle is covered by the Cadw Explorer Pass, alongside Conwy Castle, Beaumaris Castle, Harlech Castle, and Denbigh Castle.
How to get to Caernarfon Castle
Caernarfon Castle stands at the heart of the town, beside the harbour and the medieval town walls.
- By road: take the A4085, A487, or B4366 into Caernarfon.
- By rail: the nearest station is Bangor, about 10 miles away, on the Crewe–Bangor/Holyhead line.
- By bus: routes 5, 5A, and 5B (Bangor–Caernarfon) stop around 200 yards from the castle.
- By bike: National Cycle Network Route 8 passes directly through Caernarfon.
- Address: Castell Caernarfon, Castle Ditch, Caernarfon, LL55 2AY.
Parking at Caernarfon Castle
Several car parks serve the town, including a long-stay public car park at the waterfront, adjacent to the castle.
The route from this car park to the visitor centre involves a short, steep climb along a standard town pavement.
How long to spend at Caernarfon Castle
Most visitors spend between one and a half and two hours at Caernarfon Castle, including time in the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum. Allow longer if you plan to explore every tower and exhibit in full.
Accessibility at Caernarfon Castle
Caernarfon Castle rates its terrain as “Level 4 – Strenuous” in its official access guide.
- The King’s Gate normally offers lift access to its upper floors, but this lift is currently out of service, leaving only steep stairs to reach that area.
- Assistance dogs are permitted from April to October; visitors’ own dogs on short leads may access ground floor levels only from 1 November to 27 March.
- A portable induction loop and baby-changing facilities are available on site.
- Historic steps throughout the castle are uneven, and the towers can be steep and windy, so handrails should be used.
- Visitors needing evacuation assistance are advised to contact the castle in advance, since only two people requiring assistance can be accommodated during an emergency.
Inside Caernarfon Castle: what to see
Caernarfon Castle’s polygonal towers and bands of multi-coloured masonry were designed to echo the walls of Constantinople, a deliberate statement of imperial power.
The Eagle Tower, with walls 18 feet thick, was the grandest residence in the royal palace, and takes its name from the eagle statues on its turrets.
On 25 April 1284, Edward of Caernarfon was born in the castle. In 1301 he became the first English Prince of Wales, a title still held by the eldest son of the reigning monarch.
Caernarfon Castle hosted the investitures of the Prince of Wales in 1911 and 1969, the second of which invested the then Prince Charles.
The Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum, housed in two of the castle’s towers, tells the story of over 300 years of the regiment’s service, and is included in your castle admission.
Caernarfon forms part of the Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside Conwy, Beaumaris, and Harlech castles.
Practical visitor tips for Caernarfon Castle
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timing | Arrive at opening to explore the towers before coach groups and cruise excursions arrive. |
| Crowds | Caernarfon is one of the most visited Welsh castles, so expect queues at the King’s Gate in summer. |
| Layout | Historic stairs are steep, narrow, and uneven, so wear sturdy shoes with a good grip. |
| Entry process | Book online in advance for the 5% discount, and keep your ticket for the regimental museum. |
| On-site logistics | Check ahead for café opening days, since on-site refreshment hours are changing from September 2026. |
Frequently asked questions about Caernarfon Castle
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Caernarfon Castle suitable for children? | Yes. Children can explore the towers and museum, though the steep, uneven stairs need supervision. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Caernarfon Castle? | Booking online is not compulsory, but it saves 5% compared with buying on arrival. |
| Is Caernarfon Castle open on Sundays? | Yes. The castle opens daily, except 24, 25 and 26 December and 1 January. |
| Are dogs allowed at Caernarfon Castle? | Only assistance dogs from April to October; leashed dogs may visit ground floor levels from November to March. |
| Is Caernarfon Castle wheelchair accessible? | Partly. The site rates as “Level 4 – Strenuous,” and the King’s Gate lift is currently out of service. |
Things to do near Caernarfon Castle
- Caernarfon Town Walls and Porth Mawr Tower: The medieval walls that once enclosed the town, a few steps from the castle.
- Segontium Roman Fort: The remains of a Roman fort that predates the castle, around half a mile away.
- Castell Bryngwyn Prehistoric Enclosure: A prehistoric hilltop enclosure, around 2.85 miles from the castle.
- Welsh Highland Railway: A heritage steam railway running from Caernarfon through Eryri (Snowdonia) to Porthmadog.
- Menai Suspension Bridge: Thomas Telford’s 19th-century bridge linking the mainland to Anglesey, around 8 miles away.
Alternative attractions to Caernarfon Castle
- Beaumaris Castle: A moated, concentric UNESCO World Heritage castle on Anglesey, around 20 minutes’ drive away.
- Criccieth Castle: A native Welsh castle on a headland on the Llŷn Peninsula, around 25 minutes’ drive away.
- Conwy Castle: A UNESCO World Heritage castle with intact town walls, around 30 minutes’ drive away.
- Harlech Castle: A UNESCO World Heritage castle on a dramatic coastal outcrop, around 40 minutes’ drive away.
- Denbigh Castle: A 13th-century castle with a distinctive triple-towered gatehouse, around 55 minutes’ drive away.
More Welsh castles
Other Welsh castle guides on Planet Whitley include:
- What to expect when visiting Pembroke Castle.
- Plan your visit to Chepstow Castle in Monmouthshire.
- What to expect at Raglan Castle in Monmouthshire.
- What’s worth seeing at Flint Castle in North Wales.
- Why it’s worth taking time to visit Rhuddian Castle in North Wales.
