Plan Your Visit
Caernarfon Castle opening times
Opening hours change four times a year. Here's the current schedule, sourced from Cadw, plus the days the castle is closed entirely.
| Dates | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| 1 March – 30 June | 9.30am – 5pm |
| 1 July – 31 August | 9.30am – 6pm |
| 1 September – 31 October | 9.30am – 5pm |
| 1 November – 28/29 February | 10am – 4pm |
Last admission is always 30 minutes before closing. The castle is closed on 24, 25 and 26 December and on 1 January. Hours can also change for special events — always check Cadw's live opening times before travelling, particularly around Christmas and New Year.
Best time of day to visit
Arrive at opening if you want the towers and wall walks to yourself for photography — by mid-morning in summer, coach parties and cruise excursions can make the King's Gate and Eagle Tower noticeably busier. Late afternoon in the hour or two before closing is usually the quietest window if you can't make an early start, though you'll be visiting with less time to spare.
Best time of year to visit
July and August have the longest opening hours (9.30am–6pm) but also the biggest crowds and, being North Wales, no guarantee of good weather. Spring (March–June) and early autumn (September–October) offer a reasonable balance of daylight hours and lighter footfall. Winter visits (November–February) mean shorter hours and a higher chance of wet, windy conditions on the exposed wall walks — check our accessibility guide if uneven, weather-affected stone stairs are a concern.
Cadw official opening times for Castell Caernarfon, cadw.gov.wales, last verified 13 September 2026.