Wales
Castles, mountains and a long coast path, with signs in Welsh and English.
Wales is a country in the west of Great Britain and part of the United Kingdom, with Cardiff as its capital. Welsh and English are both official, so signs and menus often appear in both. Cardiff, the largest city, has Cardiff Castle in its centre and a redeveloped waterfront at Cardiff Bay. To the north, Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park contains Yr Wyddfa, the highest mountain in Wales at 1,085 meters (3,560 feet). On the north coast, the medieval castles at Caernarfon and Conwy are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in the southwest has cliffs, sandy coves and a coast path of about 186 miles (300 km). Wales suits walkers, castle fans and anyone who wants city time and countryside on one trip. Rural distances are long and roads are slow, so pick one or two bases rather than looping the whole country. Late spring to early autumn is the usual season for walking, but expect rain at any time of year. Five days covers one region; a week or more is needed to see all three.
Five things to know before Wales
- Get a UK ETA before you travel
Visa-exempt visitors, including most US and European citizens, need an ETA before they travel (£20, valid two years or until the passport expires). British and Irish passport holders are exempt. UK ETA explained
- Drive at 20 mph in towns and villages
Since 2023 the default speed limit on most residential and built-up roads in Wales is 20 mph, lower than in England. Watch for the signs.
- Book parking or take the bus for Yr Wyddfa
Parking at Pen-y-Pass must be booked ahead in the busy season. Park-and-ride buses serve the main trailheads, or take the mountain railway. Eryri National Park
- Check tide times on the Pembrokeshire coast
Some beaches and coves are cut off at high tide. Check tide tables before you walk out along the shore. Pembrokeshire Coast
- Book Cardiff rooms early on match days
Rugby internationals and big concerts at the Principality Stadium fill the city center. Check the fixtures before you book. Cardiff
Wales travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
The castle, the bay and match days.
Read the guideEryri National ParkYr Wyddfa, trails, parking and the railway.
Read the guidePembrokeshire CoastThe coast path, beaches and tides.
Read the guideUK ETA explainedWho needs one, the £20 fee and how long it lasts.
Read the guideThe United KingdomEntry, money and power across the four nations.
Read the guideTravel insuranceMedical cover, cancellations and what policies exclude.
Read the guide
Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.
- Bed a night
- £35
- Food
- £25
- Transport
- £5
- Sights
- Free
A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.
- Bed a night
- £75
- Food
- £55
- Transport
- £18
- Sights
- £20
A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.
- Bed a night
- £130
- Food
- £100
- Transport
- £50
- Sights
- £60
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryRain15 rainy daysHigh8°Low3°Wet, coldJanuaryRain
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 108 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, cold
- FebruaryRain14 rainy daysHigh9°Low4°WetFebruaryRain
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 111 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- MarchRain16 rainy daysHigh10°Low5°CoolMarchRain
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 110 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh13°Low6°ShowersAprilPartly cloudy
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 77 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh16°Low9°Long daysMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JuneRain13 rainy daysHigh18°Low12°MildJuneRain
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- JulyRain14 rainy daysHigh20°Low14°WarmestJulyRain
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 85 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warmest
- AugustRain14 rainy daysHigh20°Low14°Busy, warmAugustRain
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Busy, warm
- SeptemberRain14 rainy daysHigh18°Low12°MildSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 117 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- OctoberRain16 rainy daysHigh15°Low10°Wet, windyOctoberRain
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 149 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, windy
- NovemberRain15 rainy daysHigh11°Low7°WetNovemberRain
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 121 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- DecemberRain17 rainy daysHigh9°Low5°Dark, wetDecemberRain
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 151 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dark, wet
Average daily high and low in Cardiff, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Wales
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
9
- Feels like
- 6°
- Humidity
- 70%
- Wind
- 20 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Cardiff
08:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today12°8°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue12°8°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed11°8°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu8°7°6%Thursday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Fri8°6°13%Friday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 13%.
- Sat9°6°14%Saturday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Sun9°6°12%Sunday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 12%.
Updated 05:14 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.7469 GBP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
NovemberSalzburg Christkindlmarkt
NovemberNuremberg Christkindlesmarkt
NovemberStrasbourg Christmas marketFestivals by month
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- AugNational Eisteddfod of WalesAcross Wales
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Wales FAQ
Do I need a UK ETA to visit Wales?
Yes, if you are visa-exempt and not British or Irish. One ETA covers the whole UK, including Wales.
Do people speak Welsh?
Many do, especially in the north and west, and road signs are bilingual. Everyone also speaks English.
How many days do I need in Wales?
A week covers Cardiff, Eryri and Pembrokeshire. With three days, pick Cardiff plus one of the national parks.
Can I climb Yr Wyddfa without a car?
Yes. Buses run to the main trailheads, and the mountain railway climbs from Llanberis in season, weather permitting.
When is the best time to visit Wales?
May, June and September are drier and quieter than school holidays. Pack a rain layer whatever the month.