Porthmadog is a compact coastal town in Gwynedd, northwest Wales, sitting at the mouth of the Afon Glaslyn and alongside the large reclaimed salt marsh of Traeth Mawr. It grew up in the early 19th century after William Madocks built the Cob to create a harbour and reclaim land, and prospered as the slate-exporting port for nearby quarries around Blaenau Ffestiniog.
Today Porthmadog mixes maritime and tourist economies - a busy marina, boat trips and a working quay sit beside cafes and holiday accommodation - and it’s a gateway for walkers and climbers heading into Snowdonia. The preserved narrow‑gauge Ffestiniog Railway remains a cultural and historic draw, the estuary is important for birdlife and conservation, and the town still has a strong Welsh‑speaking community with a lively seasonal atmosphere.
Postcode districts covering Porthmadog
Most populated places nearby
- Bangor 20.5 miles
Neighbouring places
- Dwyrain Porthmadog Ward 0.4 miles
- Gorllewin Porthmadog Ward 1 mile
- Tremadog Built-up area 1.1 miles
- Morfa Bychan Built-up area 1.6 miles
- Penrhyndeudraeth Built-up area 2.4 miles
- Talsarnau Parish 3.5 miles
- Dolbenmaen Parish 3.8 miles
- Llanfrothen Parish 3.9 miles
- Criccieth Built-up area 4 miles
- Harlech a Llanbedr Ward 4.3 miles
- Harlech Built-up area 4.8 miles
- Llanfair Built-up area 5.8 miles
Example postcodes in Porthmadog
LL49 9DH, LL49 9NE, LL49 9DT, LL49 9DP, LL49 9LN, LL49 9BU, LL49 9BE, LL49 9DG, LL49 9BH … See all
Transport links
- Liverpool John Lennon Airport 60.3 miles
- Manchester Airport 82.6 miles
- Porthmadog Harbour Railway Station 0.3 miles
- Porthmadog Railway Station 0.4 miles
Hotels in Porthmadog Ad
Schools in Porthmadog
- Ysgol Eifion Wyn Primary
- Ysgol Eifionydd Secondary
- Ysgol Gynradd Borth-Y-Gest Primary
Local points of interest
- Porthmadog Stadium 0.8 miles
- Criccieth Beach Beach 4 miles
- Port Trevor Harbour 12.8 miles
- Dolmelynllyn Estate Estate 13.4 miles
- National Slate Museum Museum 13.6 miles
- Caernarfon Town FC Stadium 15.5 miles
- Gwydyr Forest Forest 16.7 miles
- Llanidan House Estate 17.2 miles
- Cadair Idris - Penygadair Mountains 18.2 miles
- Carneddau Mountains 18.6 miles
- Treborth Estate 19.1 miles
- Plas Newydd Country house 19.5 miles