The unitary authority of Gwynedd was created in 1996 and takes its name from the old kingdom, which covered much of north west Wales between the 5th and 13th century, after which the area became one of the historic Welsh counties. The landscape of Gwynedd includes picturesque coastline and the majority of Snowdonia National Park, which attracts millions of visitors each year, who come to enjoy its wide open spaces, mountains and forests. The remains of medieval castles across Gwynedd are reminders of conflicts from centuries past and there has been considerable effort over the years to preserve and promote Welsh culture and the Welsh language, which is widely spoken in the area. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd were constructed between the late 13th and early 14th centuries and include Harlech Castle and the walls of Caernarfon. Though only built during the nineteenth century, Penrhyn Castle was constructed in a neo-Norman style and is managed by the National Trust. Visitors to the country house can walk through the beautiful gardens and parkland, whilst the interior of the house is decorated with fine plasterwork, mock-Norman furniture and has an impressive art collection, including paintings by artists such as Canaletto and Rembrandt.

Located in the city of Bangor, Gwynedd Museum and Art Gallery has exhibits which help visitors to learn about the history of Gwynedd, Welsh culture and how people in the area lived and worked during previous centuries. Collections include artefacts dating back to the Neolithic, Roman and Medieval periods, as well as craft work made during the past few centuries, such as textiles, furniture, ceramics and costumes. Among the artwork on show are paintings of the regions landscape and portraits of local people of note. The gallery also runs a changing programme of exhibitions showcasing contemporary Welsh arts and crafts as well as the work of artists from around the world. Inspired by his visits to Italy and an appreciation of its architecture, the architect Clough Williams-Ellis designed the village of Portmeirion, which was built during the twentieth century. Portmeirion became a popular tourist attraction and has been used in the filming of many movies and television shows, including The Prisoner which was filmed there during the 1960s.