At the mouth of the River Glaslyn are the twin towns of Porthmadog and Tremadog (pop. 3,420), tiny industrial centers which attained international importance for the shipping of slate and today have developed into seaside resorts with excellent facilities for sport. From Ynys Tywyn, near the harbor, there are wide views of the surrounding area
The poet Shelley (1792-1822) lived for some time in Tremadog; Lawrence of Arabia (1888-1935) was born there. The Coed Tremadog woods are designated a nature reserve.