I'll admit, I love quirky and off-beat places, especially if you can stay the night and explore long after the daytrippers have gone. So, imagine my curiosity when I discovered a unique coastal village in Wales with no residents, cars, schools, or banks. I knew I had to visit at once.
Inspired by Portofino's multicoloured façades, Portmeirion is a uniquely constructed tourist village that offers a slice of Italy on the bracing Welsh coast. You can stay overnight in a 'village room' or in one of two luxury 4-star hotels. Alongside its unique architectural heritage, the private, ticketed site features two swanky hotels, self-catering cottages, an indulgent spa, gift shops, cafés, restaurants and an authentic Italian-style gelateria.
Walking into Portmeirion for the first time is undoubtedly an experience. The village rises like a painted mirage, with pastel-coloured buildings and whimsical towers that seem plucked from a fairytale. Here, clusters of lush and green trees frame the view while the estuary beyond glitters under the changing light of the Welsh sky.
From the moment you cross the threshold, it’s clear that this is not just any village—Portmeirion is a visual masterpiece. Portmeirion was born out of the long-held ambition of its founder, architect Clough Williams-Ellis. His creative vision for an Italianate-style, private peninsula village on the Welsh coast resulted in a charming tourist destination with a Mediterranean feel.
While many think of the village as.