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A beautiful UK village is so colourful that it could actually end up helping to boost visitors' moods, according to experts.

Portmeirion in Wales has long been a firm favourite with tourists who come to explore the Italian-inspired village with its colourful buildings, landscaped gardens and hillside location. The tourist attraction regularly features on rankings of the UK's most beautiful places, with visitors saying it feels like they truly are in Italy, given the inspiration taken from the Amalfi Coast.

Built by Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis from 1925 to 1973, Portmeirion boasts pastel hued buildings, floral arrangements worthy of picture books and fountains that wouldn't be out of place in a storybook palace.

Highlights include the Central Piazza with its fountain pool and Gothic Pavilion, while fans of the TV series the Prisoner may recognise The Round House, which was the fictional home of Number 6.

Other highlights include the historic Hercules Hall, heaps of cafes and shops and, a gelateria serving authentic home-made gelato as well as teas, coffees and snacks.

One happy visitor wrote: "We enjoyed our visit there. Very clean with good and ample toilet facilities. An oddity but why not? The views are spectacular and we enjoyed the woodland walk too. Steep so not so good for the infirm."

Another added: "Such a beautiful unique place. There is an app you can download there which gives you information on the buildings. It's hilly but worth the walk. Well worth a visit."

It's therefore no surprise that experts reckon a visit could literally lift your mood. Karen Haller, who specialises in applied colour psychology, teamed up with travel insurance firm Staysure earlier this year, and suggested that holidaymakers could enhance their wellbeing by spending time in bright, colourful environments.

"There's something about stepping into a place full of colour that instantly lifts you. It changes how you feel, how you move through the space, and even how you connect with others. That's why colour-filled destinations are becoming more popular. We're drawn to them not just because they look good, but because they leave us feeling better. Happier. More open. More alive. It's something I do myself, seeking out places where colour isn't just seen, it's felt. And those are the experiences that stay with you," Karen said.

Portmeirion was one of the destinations which the panel highlighted as being exceptional for colour saturation, vibrancy and diverse hues. The village consists of 96 structures, encompassing cottages, a clock tower, accommodation and a town hall, all of which are decorated in eye-catching colours. Sir Clough acknowledged drawing inspiration for Portmeirion from Portofino, the Italian coastal town.

The village's origins trace back to the Aber Iâ estate, where the deteriorating Castell Deudraeth was documented as far back as 1188. Victorian occupants subsequently introduced exotic flora, and when Sir Clough purchased the property, it had transformed into what he described as a "neglected wilderness".

Managed by a charitable trust, the village welcomes visitors between 9.30am and 5.30pm. The closest train station is Minffordd, just a mile's walk from the village, or approximately 15 minutes on foot. Minffordd Station is conveniently located on the Cambrian line, served by Transport for Wales, connecting Shrewsbury to Pwllheli and Aberystwyth.

Most people opt for a day trip but if you want to extend your stay, Hotel Portmeirion offers up some beautiful rooms as well as a swish restaurant and charming tea room. When we took a look, we could find rooms from £174 a night based on two adults sharing a room for visits in February and March 2026.

You can find out more on portmeirion.wales.

Have you been somewhere you think we should be shouting about? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com