When to travel to Wales depends on a few factors – namely your budget, your tolerance for rain, and whether you have an unquenchable desire to try bog snorkeling.
Adventures that suit all types of travelers can be experienced year-round in Wales, but it’s worth timing it right for an experience that best fits your preferences.
Shoulder Season: September to October and April to June
Best Time for Culture Vultures
Savvy travelers choose to visit during the shoulder season. You’ll find fewer crowds and more affordable accommodations (excluding Easter and October school holiday breaks) as well as milder – albeit still unpredictable – weather.
Cultural events abound, from wool- and sheep-based celebrations to one of the UK’s best food festivals.
High Season: July to August
Best Time for Beach Breaks
Wales’s warmest months mean inevitable crowds and increased accommodation prices. However, if you’re determined to bask in blue skies and enjoy ice cream by the sea, it’s all worth it. With hundreds of beaches to select from – including sheltered bays and windswept stretches of golden sand – it’s easier than you might think to find a perfect spot to relax.
Want to celebrate? Pride marches, the National Eisteddfod, and the Green Man Festival (among others) all contribute to a vibrant atmosphere during this season.
Low Season: November to March
Best Time for Pub Crawls
From light drizzle to heavy downpours, a Welsh winter brings plenty of rain. If equipped with proper wet-weather gear and a positive mindset, one can still enjoy the great outdoors. Nevertheless, it’s wise to avoid mountain hikes in snowy conditions unless you’re an experienced winter climber.
No matter what, nothing compares to warming up by an open fire with a pint in a cozy country pub. Crowds – and accommodation prices – are typically at their lowest now, aside from Christmas and New Year.
Monthly Highlights
January
Prepare for cold weather: January is one of Wales’s chilliest months. Days are short, but you can still steal away for a glimpse of snow-capped mountains or bravely embark on a brisk coastal walk.
February
This month tends to be cold and quiet, making it an ideal time to visit Wales’s vibrant towns and cities, where rugby fans create a lively atmosphere in local pubs.
March
March kicks off with a celebration of Wales’s patron saint, St. David. Daffodils – the country’s national flower – blossom in thousands, adding splashes of sunshine yellow to the landscape, even if the weather hasn’t quite warmed up yet.
April
April welcomes outdoor enthusiasts to explore some of Wales’s finest natural attractions, including its stunning waterfalls, which have been rejuvenated by the winter rains. However, be wary of crowds during the Easter break, especially on sunny days.
May
This month offers a plethora of cultural activities, including literature, comedy, and folk music, as the first wave of major festivals attracts visitors from across the UK and beyond.
June
June’s relatively sunny and dry conditions create the perfect opportunity for hiking along the Wales Coast Path or exploring one of the country’s three national parks – without the summer vacation bustle.
July
As summer reaches its peak, Wales’s magnificent beaches and coastal towns are bustling with families, surfers, swimmers, and walkers. This also marks a prominent period for Welsh culture with several major festivals.
August
The height of summer sees families making the most of the pleasant weather, especially during the bank holiday weekend. August in Wales is filled with a variety of music festivals.
September
Although summer is drawing to a close, it still offers occasional sunny days that prolong the warmth well into the month.
October
October is known as one of Wales’s wettest months. Visitors can find joy in music and comedy festivals while runners tackle half and full marathons, rain or shine.
November
With chilly temperatures and ample rain, many seek the warmth of pubs, enjoying a local pint of Welsh ale.
December
Winter festivities begin to peak as shoppers flock to beautifully decorated streets, gearing up for Christmas.
