Dreamy 'fairytale' UK village with breathtaking views gets mistaken for Italy

People have been wowed by this beautiful village said to be "like walking though a storybook" which is often mistaken for Italy – but it's in the UK. While travelling abroad is amazing, it can be expensive, especially in popular tourists spots in Italy. However, just a train ride away or short flight is the peaceful village of Portmeirion in Gwynedd, north Wales, that looks like Lake Como.

The amazing spot, which has been inundated with five star reviews on Tripadvisor, boasts breathtaking scenery, sub-tropical gardens and adorable cottages as well as plenty of shops, cafes, restaurants – and even an authentic Italian-style gelato shop.

The hidden gem boasts colourful buildings, palm trees, and plenty of outdoor seating and hospitality spots overlooking the beautiful seafront.

Tripadvisor describes the spot as a "dreamlike world, full of surprises" full of rich history. The picturesque location has been used as a backdrop for a number of films and TV shows.

READ MORE: 'We visited one of the UK's dearest market towns and noticed one problem'

A couple, who call themselves Cez and Gaz and love travelling, shared a viral video of the spot and their review on TikTok recently. Cez said: "Would you believe me if I told you this isn't an Italian village but it's actually somewhere in the UK."

She added: "This dreamy village was designed in the 1920s by a Welsh architect to bring a touch of the Mediterranean to Britain and it took nearly 50 years to build. It's tucked away on the coast, it's full of colourful buildings, secret gardens, sandy beaches and even a giant chessboard."

She added: "It honestly feels like walking through a storybook. It's the perfect spot for summer photos, getting your steps in or enjoying some delicious food."

"My mum got married here, it was so special," added one. "How have I never heard of this?" commented one other. "No way, really I can't believe this," added another.

One other said: "I had a mini holiday there last year and I stayed in the castle upon entry." Another shared: "Well worth the entry price. We got there early and it wasn't too busy. If it looks familiar it was the backdrop for the show The Prisoner in the '60s."

You have to pay to visit the village. It is priced at £20 per day for adults, £17.50 for students and visitors over 60. Children between ages five and 15 can visit for £15, while children under five can visit for free. Visitors can also get family tickets. All tickets can be purchased from the Portmeirion website.

How to get there

If you are travelling from England, a train from London will take you a minimum of five hours and 50 minutes. From Manchester it takes around five hours, and generally about four hours and 45 minutes from Birmingham on a train. Many people opt to drive or travel by coach when holidaying to Wales.

If you would prefer to fly, you can catch a plane to Anglesey Airport – 30 miles from Portmeirion. The hub hosts twice daily flights from Cardiff Airport on weekdays.

The nearest major international airports to Portmeirion are Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Manchester Airport, both approximately two hours away by road.

The journey from Manchester airport and Liverpool airport is around 100 miles, and takes about two hours. So if you live down south, it might be a good idea to fly up to northern England first if long car or train journey are not for you.

Do you have a travel-related story? Get in touch at Lucy.Marshall@reachplc.com.