Weather
Temperatures are steadily rising and days are longer. June is one of the driest, sunniest months in Wales. That said, always prepare for the unexpected, bringing wind- and waterproof clothes for breezy walks in exposed spots along the coast and in the hills. The summer solstice (June 21) brings the longest day of the year: it doesn’t get properly dark until 10 pm.
There’s little regional variation in the average daily temperature, which is around 64°F (18°C), though it can get warmer, with the mercury occasionally reaching 77°C (25°C) in Cardiff in the south and Pembrokeshire on the west coast. Expect things to feel a little cooler as you climb into the high mountain villages of Snowdonia. The sea temperature fluctuates between 55°F (12.5°C) and 58°F (14.5°C), so still a bit chilly but doable for a quick dip without a wetsuit.
Crowds & Costs
The summer season is in full swing in Wales in June, but there are fewer crowds and quieter roads than in July and August when the schools are on vacation, making this a great month to travel. The weather is now dry enough for camping and glamping if that’s your style. Flights and room rates have yet to hit their high season peak: book in advance and there are affordable deals to be had. If you want to stay in one of the coastal hotspots—in Pembrokeshire, say—it’s well worth reserving a room ahead as they can get booked solid at weekends, especially if there's a festival on.
Though peaceful in some ways, June is when Wales gears up for summer: terraces and beer gardens are open, the coast has a great buzz, and there’s a roster of music and food festivals to dip into (some very local and small scale).
Where to Go
In June the whole country is yours for the exploring, as the weather is in your favor. Cities like Cardiff, Swansea, and Aberystwyth have a newfound cool as they get into the summer groove with outdoor dining, parties, festivals, and street food when the sun’s out.
The coast and mountains are equally tempting. Now’s the time to see the beaches, bays, and cliff-backed coves of Gower on the south coast, Pembrokeshire on the west coast, and the Llŷn Peninsula and Isle of Anglesey further north in all their sunny day glory. Bring your own picnic for remote spots. Or take a road trip along winding single-track lanes and over moors brushed with purple heather to Snowdonia, where deep valleys cleave the country’s highest peaks and wild beaches are hammered by the waves of the Irish Sea.
Can't decide between coast and culture? You don’t have to: medieval castles, standing stones, and Iron Age hill forts await on almost every corner in Wales, so grab an Ordnance Survey map and plot your own historic adventure.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
What to Do
In June, you can be as active or as chilled as you choose: whether your idea of fun is spending the day on the beach or in a pub beer garden in a quaint harbor town in Pembrokeshire, whitewater rafting in Snowdonia National Park, or hoofing it up the highest peak of the Brecon Beacons in the golden light of midsummer.
The days are blissfully long, making this the ideal month for longer, higher hikes, camping trips, and water-based activities (Pembrokeshire is a real hotspot for kayaking and coasteering). The 870-mile Wales Coast Path that wraps around the country’s entire seaboard is now awash with wildflowers. And as nature springs back to life, so does the wildlife. Come now for boat trips to spot bottlenose dolphins, porpoises, and Atlantic gray seals off the coast of Ceredigion (Newquay and Poppit Sands are hubs), and over to wild islands off the coast of Pembrokeshire like Skomer, a must for its dramatic sea cliffs and close-up encounters with puffins.
Events in June
How the Light Gets In, Hay-on-Wye. On the first week in June, the riverside town of Hay-on-Wye on the edge of the Brecon Beacons stages a top-class line-up of philosophical debates and talks, music, performance, parties, comedy, and cabaret.
The Big Retreat Festival, Lawrenny. Held on the first weekend in June, this feel-good festival brings a first-class program of bands, yoga, meditation, and music sets to a quiet wooded spot on the estuary in Lawrenny, Pembrokeshire.
Gottwood Festival, Anglesey. Deep in the middle of the woods, Gottwood is an independent and underground electronic music and arts festival held in Anglesey on the Carreglwyd Estate.
Whole Earth Man v Horse, Llanwrtyd Wells. In this mad dash across rugged, mountainous terrain near Llanwrtyd Wells, competitors attempt to run faster than horses. The race happens on the second Saturday in June.
Pembrokeshire Fish Week. Fish and seafood lovers are in their element with tasting menus, barbecues, foraging classes, cookery demos, and workshops at this week-long festival held across Pembrokeshire in late June.
Traveling to Wales in June? Check out these great itineraries
Nature & History in Wales - 7 Days. See Wales' historical and recreational highlights where you'll hike through Brecon Beacons National Park, go coasteering along the Pembrokeshire coast, and explore ancient Roman ruins. End the trip in the north in Snowdonia, where jagged peaks, whitewater rafting, and the iconic Caernarfon Castle await.
Outdoor Adventures & Gourmet Experiences in Wales - 9 Days. Beginning in the picturesque Welsh Borders, you'll sample beer at a historic brewery, visit medieval castles and Snowdonia National Park, and dine on foraged and freshly caught foods before visiting the Pembrokeshire coast and driving through Brecon Beacons National Park.
More Helpful Information
Wales in May
Wales in July
Best Time of Year to Visit Wales
How Many Days to Spend in Wales