Postcards from Portmeirion, Part I

Portmeirion is one man’s fantasy land, tucked away in North Wales. It looks a bit like a fanciful version of Italy, but it feels like nowhere else on earth.

50 years in the making, Portmeirion today is a “village” comprised of tourist amenities, including a hotel, a spa, some restaurants, and a number of shops. Visitors must pay to enter, and it has the feeling of being a sort of Disneyland for adults.

Understandably, photographers and Instagrammers flock to this place, with its unique, quirky buildings and gorgeously landscaped spaces.

The trails surrounding the village are beautiful in their own right, when a glance out at the tidal stretch of the River Dwyryd reminds you that you are, in fact, in Wales.

Fans of the television show The Prisoner will also find plenty they can sink their teeth into, as Portmeirion served as a source for exterior shots in the series.

It’s easy to spend half a day here, wandering among the ornate buildings and the surrounding woodlands. You can stop for tea or lunch at the cafe or restaurant, or perhaps even treat yourself with an appointment at the Mermaid Spa.

Have you been to Portmeirion before? What did you think? I’d love to hear!

For more on Portmeirion, see my previous post here!