Caernarfon

After the excitement of the Menai Straight, sailing into Caernarfon was a breeze. Entering the marina felt like arriving in a medieval storybook — with one of the most impressive castles in Wales towering over the harbour walls, cobbled streets winding through the old town, and colourful quayside buildings lining the basin.

🌊 The Approach

As mentioned in the previous blog, entering Caernarfon requires careful planning, but it’s well worth it.

• The Victoria Dock marina is tidal and sits behind a lock gate (see pic above). Entry is only possible ±3 hours around high water, so make sure to call Caernarfon Harbour Office on VHF Ch.80 or phone ahead for gate times.

• The entrance is narrow and winding, with a drying bar just outside the lock. Depths can drop quickly — approach on a rising tide and follow the channel markers closely.

• Inside, the marina is very sheltered with views of the town walls and easy access to everything Caernarfon has to offer.

Berthing was straightforward - against the visitors pontoon, and we were helped in by the friendly harbour team — all of whom stopped to say hello to Svea.

🏰 Marina & Local Notes

• Victoria Dock has power, water, laundry, and fuel, plus a safe and peaceful setting right inside the town.

• The castle dominates the skyline, and there are small shops, supermarkets, and chandlers all within walking distance.

• If you fancy a break from the boat, Snowdonia National Park is just 20 minutes inland by car or bus — a hiker’s paradise (and full of dog-friendly trails).

🐾 Dog-Friendly Walks

Caernarfon is packed with great dog walks, both urban and wild.

• Aber Foreshore Walk – A beautiful, off-road riverside path that runs west from the marina, perfect for morning strolls. Quiet, flat, and full of smells for Svea to investigate. Views of Anglesey and the Menai Strait along the way.

• Caernarfon Castle Walk – While dogs aren’t allowed inside the castle itself, you can walk all the way around the outside, along the quayside and through the old town. There’s lots of open space and photo ops with the towering walls in the background.

• Lon Eifion Cycle Path – A longer option, this path runs from Caernarfon toward Pwllheli along an old railway line. You can join it just south of town — we walked a few miles and turned back when Svea was done exploring.

🍽️ Pubs and Cafés

Caernarfon has a great selection of dog-welcoming pubs and cafés. We were never short of options.

• The Anglesey Arms – Right on the quayside near the castle, this pub is dog friendly inside and out. Jen sat outside while Svea had a well-earned nap and a bowl of water. Pete could not get to the bar (which is extremely rare) as a wedding party had just arrived for drinks and photos. We therefore moved on to explore the town without trying their ale.

• Palas Caffi – Tucked next to the castle walls, this café has outdoor tables and great cake. Very dog-friendly, with friendly staff who brought out a biscuit for Svea.

• The Black Boy Inn – Historic and atmospheric, this pub has a dog-friendly bar area. The food is excellent (big portions!), and there’s always a buzz.

• Scoops Artisan Ice Cream – You can't visit Caernarfon without stopping for ice cream — and they offer dog-friendly flavours too! Svea devoured her “Pawberry” scoop like it was steak.

• The Palace Vaults - located opposite the castle entrance and is dog friendly with free wifi. Local ale was £8.40 for two pints so very reasonable considering the location.

🐶 Final Thoughts

Caernarfon turned out to be more than just a pretty stop on our passage — it was a highlight. With its epic castle, walkable streets, and generous dog culture, it’s a must-visit for any sailor cruising North Wales. I seem to be writing this type of comment about all of the Welsh marina's visited so far. So many castles and so much to see.

Svea loved this stop from sniffs on the sea wall to sneaking a bite of my scone — and we left feeling like royalty too 🐾