The town was founded by Edward I of England who evicted the residents of Llanfaes to Newborough in order to construct Beaumaris Castle. The town was restarted with only English settlers allowed to live within the town walls. It became the first county town of Anglesey.
Notable buildings in the town include the castle, a courthouse built in 1614 and in use ever since, a sixteenth century church, the town gaol and a museum of childhood. The town is also a port, now mostly used as a yachting marina. The town beach, which is also the site of the Guy Fawkes bonfire in November, was awarded the Blue flag rural beach award in 2005.
The castle, designed by the Savoyard mason Master James of St. George, is the most perfect example of a concentric castle. It is in the care of Cadw, which manages and maintains many other castles in the area.
The Anglesey Coastal Path passes through the town.