Holidays in Wales

When to go for the best weather

No matter which part of Wales you’re visiting, the summer months (July and August) have the best weather, when the temperature hovers around the high teens, and there’s the least chance of rain. If you’re down in Pembrokeshire, that window also opens up to include June and September.

When is the cheapest time to visit Wales?

If you’re visiting coastal Wales, April, May and October can sometimes offer up good weather to go with the lower prices, but the chance of a washout is quite high. The same goes for walking in Snowdon and the Brecon Beacons. Cardiff and Swansea are less seasonal, but you’ll find some great prices over the winter months.

When to go for the best of both

June and September are your best bets for a good mix of decent weather and lower prices. Even then, you’ll need to book well in advance, especially if you’re planning to go anywhere coastal. For walking, look at late May, October and early November.

Cardiff should be top of your list for a weekend break in Wales. A great city break for both couples and larger groups, it’s home to a legendary nightlife, Welsh rugby, and some of the county’s best museums and galleries, so you won’t be short of things to do.

For the best of North Wales’ beautiful coastline, spend a few days exploring the pretty towns of Conwy and Llandudno. You can check out the castle and historic centre of Conwy one day, and spend the other sprawled on the beach in Llandudno – it’s perfect if you’re travelling from northern England.

If you’re after a weekend dose of natural Wales, head to the glorious Brecon Beacons National Park, close to the border with England. Dotted among green fields and rolling hills, there are lots of lovely little towns and villages to choose from, including Brecon, Crickhowel and Talgarth.

Want a little bit of it all? Anglesey is a microcosm of north Wales and ideal for a compact weekend break. You’ll find welcoming little villages, miles of undeveloped coastline, endless opportunities for walking, and hidden castles all within 45 minutes’ drive.

Remote Pembrokeshire is a dream destination for a Wales family holiday. Home to some of the country’s best beaches, you’ll find holiday parks and cottages galore along the county’s 299km (186-mile) coastline, as well as pretty towns such as Tenby, St Davids and Fishguard.

The coast of North Wales also has lots going on to keep families busy. Stay in Llandudno or Anglesey for easy access to beaches, Conwy for its mighty walled castle, or Porthmadog if you’d like to be close to central Snowdonia. Meanwhile, where the southern edges of Snowdonia meet the sea, is Barmouth, a classic British seaside town. With sandy beaches all along the coast, and hiking in the mountains, it’s a great spot for kids of all ages.

Adventurous families should consider the Gower Peninsula, just outside Swansea. Here, you can discover a real-life shipwreck at Rhossili Bay, one of Britain’s finest beaches; a smuggler’s cave at Culver Hole; and Mumbles Hill Local Nature Reserve, perfect for wildlife spotting. The Mumbles, Llangennith and the area around Oxwich Bay are popular spots for families.

With plenty of cheap hotels, beaches nearby and lots of free stuff to do, Swansea is a great option for travellers on a budget. The Mumbles, a pretty seaside village, is also worth a visit. Cardiff, too, has a wide range of affordable accommodation strewn about the city centre. The city is very walkable, most of the major museums and galleries are free, and it’s easy to get there by train.

Bangor’s prices are pretty low given its location. Very close to Anglesey, Conwy and Caernarfon, there are lots of options for day trips, while you’re also close Snowdonia for walking. Aberystwyth, another university town down on the central coast, is a similar story.

For an outdoorsy break on the cheap, southern Snowdonia, around Dolgellau, tends to be more affordable than the central part of the park, especially during the off-season. If you have a car, consider staying on the outskirts of the national park for lower prices.

Is Wales expensive to visit?

Overall, Wales isn’t an expensive place to visit for a holiday. There’s great range in both restaurants and accommodation, and a lot of Wales’ best bits are the free-to-explore outdoors.

What do you do if your holiday to Wales is cancelled?

If your holiday to Wales is cancelled, you should contact your travel operator (if you booked through and agent) or your accommodation for further help.

Where can you fly to in Wales?

You can fly directly into Wales through Cardiff Airport. There are also a number of English options close to the Welsh border, including Manchester, Liverpool and Bristol airports.