cardiff tourist guide

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WELCOME TO CARDIFF

We are looking forward to seeing you in the Welsh capital – spend time exploring our city and immerse yourself in the culture, enjoy the range of entertainment happening or take time to unwind in one of our scenic natural beauty spots.

The city is bustling with exciting new events and attractions suitable for all ages and budgets. Discover everything to see & do , from touring a gothic fantasy castle to zipping around a rafting course at an exhilarating speed at Cardiff International White Water.

Why not make a city break of it and rest your head in one of our incredible spa hotels , or bunk up in a budget-friendly hostel. Feast on delicious dishes in our many independent eateries , or munch on some old favourites at the big name restaurants we all know and love.

Navigate your way around the website and get clued up on all things Cardiff! Don’t forget to follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter to stay in touch.

WHAT'S NEW?

14 Feb 2024

Celebrate This Place Returns to Cardiff in 2024 following a sell-out year in 2023

09 Apr 2024

The Vulcan Hotel to open at St Fagans National Museum of History in May 2024

04 Apr 2024

TASTE OF WALES EVENINGS AT THE WELSH HOUSE, CARDIFF

22 Mar 2024

WORLDWIDE DANCE ICON TIËSTO TO HEADLINE CONCERT AT CARDIFF BAY ON BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND

20 Mar 2024

Live Music to provide City Soundtrack this weekend

09 Apr 2024 The Vulcan Hotel to open at St Fagans National Museum of History in May 2024

04 apr 2024 taste of wales evenings at the welsh house, cardiff, 22 mar 2024 worldwide dance icon tiësto to headline concert at cardiff bay on bank holiday weekend, 20 mar 2024 live music to provide city soundtrack this weekend, more blogs, itineraries, press releases and travel advice., cardiff is the 'best city in the uk' & 'friendliest city in the uk' for 2023/24.

As voted for by Condé Nast Traveller's Readers' Choice Awards.

WHAT'S ON IN CARDIFF?

27 Apr 2024 Rugby | Cardiff v Edinburgh

27 Apr 2024 The Blindboy Live Podcast

27 Apr 2024 Gertrude Lawrence: A Lovely Way To Spend an Evening

27 Apr 2024 Women's Six Nations Rugby | Wales v Italy

27 Apr 2024 Lisvane & Llanishen Reservoirs Pop-Up Food & Drinks Fair

29 Apr - 04 May 2024 Pretty Woman: The Musical

01 May - 19 May 2024 Empereur

02 May 2024 MC Hammersmith

03 May 2024 Send in the Clowns

04 May 2024 BBC NOW | American Explorations

04 May 2024 Queertet | An LGBTQI+ History of Music and Song

05 May 2024 Johannes Radebe: House of JoJo

05 May 2024 Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band

05 May 2024 Paddlefest 2024

07 May - 11 May 2024 The Drifters Girl

09 May 2024 Simply Barbra

10 May - 12 May 2024 Foodies Festival

10 May 2024 Boylesque

10 May - 12 May 2024 Galeón Andalucía in Cardiff

11 May 2024 Eurovision Watch Party | House of Deviant Takeover

11 May 2024 DEPOT | Massive Eurovision Finals Viewing Party

16 May 2024 BBC NOW | A Little Night Music

17 May 2024 The Extras Strike Back | Star Wars Cabaret

18 May 2024 Netball | Cardiff Dragons v Loughborough Lightening

18 May - 01 Jun 2024 Nye

18 May 2024 Anuvab Pal | The Department of Britishness

19 May 2024 Brecon Carreg Cardiff Bay 10K

25 May 2024 Blues and Burlesque

25 May - 26 May 2024 Celebrate This Place

26 May 2024 Madame Chandelier's Opera Party for Kids

28 May 2024 Cricket | England v Pakistan

31 May 2024 Llais y Shinani

01 jun 2024 rugby | cardiff v ospreys.

01 Jun 2024 All Aboard! at Termination Station

06 Jun 2024 BBC NOW | Season Closing Concert

06 Jun 2024 In Bed with Esther Parade

07 Jun 2024 That's Not My Name

08 Jun 2024 Netball | Cardiff Dragons v Leeds Rhinos

08 Jun - 09 Jun 2024 UK's Strongest Man 2024

08 Jun 2024 Fisher

08 Jun 2024 Judy & Liza

11 Jun 2024 P!NK | Summer Carnival Tour

14 Jun 2024 The Smashing Pumpkings & Weezer

14 Jun 2024 How Sweet It Is: The Music of James Taylor

15 Jun - 22 Jun 2024 Opera | Il Trittico

15 Jun 2024 Netball | Cardiff Dragons v Team Bath

16 Jun 2024 Marcel Lucont | Les Enfants Terribles

18 Jun 2024 Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour

18 Jun 2024 Taylor Swift Terrace Party at The Botanist Cardiff

19 Jun 2024 Nothing But Thieves

20 Jun - 27 Jul 2024 Everyman | Cardiff Open Air Theatre

20 Jun 2024 Crowded House

21 Jun 2024 BBC NOW | Gergely Madaras Conducts...

21 Jun - 22 Jun 2024 Cardiff Cabaret Club | Come As You Are!

22 Jun - 23 Jun 2024 Pride Cymru

23 Jun 2024 What's Love Got To Do With It?

24 Jun 2024 Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets

25 Jun 2024 Foo Fighters | Everything or Nothing At All Tour

25 Jun 2024 Foo Fighters Terrace Party at The Botanist Cardiff

25 Jun 2024 Lea Salonga | Stage, Screen & Everything In Between

26 Jun 2024 Paul Heaton

27 Jun - 30 Jun 2024 Madagascar - The Musical

27 Jun 2024 A Terrible Show for Terrible People

29 Jun 2024 Eric Prydz

02 Jul 2024 Avril Lavigne

03 Jul 2024 The National

05 Jul - 07 Jul 2024 Cardiff Food and Drink Festival 2024

05 Jul 2024 Manic Street Preachers & Suede

06 jul 2024 manic street preachers & suede.

07 Jul 2024 JLS

10 Jul 2024 Rick Astley

11 Jul 2024 Dragwyl | Part of Tafwyl Ffrinj

12 Jul 2024 IDLES

13 Jul 2024 Smut Slam: Splish Splash

17 Jul 2024 Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds

18 Jul 2024 Madness

19 Jul 2024 Catfish and the Bottlemen

20 Jul 2024 A Night at the Musicals

20 jul 2024 catfish and the bottlemen.

21 Jul 2024 Miriam Margolyes | Oh Miriam! Live

23 Jul - 27 Jul 2024 The Wizard of Oz

26 Jul 2024 Tom Grennan

27 Jul 2024 DEPOT in the Castle 2024 | Anne-Marie

27 Jul - 08 Sep 2024 Invisible Ocean

28 Jul 2024 The Hundred Cricket | Welsh Fire v Oval Invincibles

29 Jul - 03 Aug 2024 Hairspray

05 Aug 2024 The Hundred Cricket | Welsh Fire v Southern Brave

08 Aug 2024 The Hundred Cricket | Welsh Fire v Northern Superchargers

08 Aug 2024 Re-Take That

09 Aug 2024 Billy Joel

10 Aug 2024 The Hundred Cricket | Welsh Fire v Birmingham Phoenix

10 Aug 2024 Kiri Pritchard McLean | Peacock

11 Aug 2024 Lost in Music | One Night at the Disco

13 Aug - 17 Aug 2024 Heathers The Musical

20 Aug - 24 Aug 2024 Blood Brothers

21 Aug 2024 The Bay Series | McFly

22 Aug 2024 The Bay Series | New Order

24 Aug 2024 The Bay Series | Becky Hill

25 Aug 2024 The Bay Series | Tiësto

27 Aug - 31 Aug 2024 Here You Come Again

01 Sep 2024 CDF 10K

02 Sep - 07 Sep 2024 Grease The Musical

13 sep 2024 cricket | england v australia.

05 Oct - 05 Nov 2024 Principality Cardiff Half Junior

06 Oct 2024 Principality Cardiff Half Marathon

06 Oct 2024 Carrie Hope Fletcher | Love Letters

08 Oct - 13 Oct 2024 Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival

19 Oct 2024 Max Boyce

20 Oct 2024 Dick and Angel: Forever Home

24 Oct - 23 Nov 2024 Wicked

30 Oct - 09 Nov 2024 PONTYPOOL

26 Nov - 25 Jan 2025 Hamilton

18 Feb - 22 Feb 2025 An Inspector Calls

15 Apr - 19 Apr 2025 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

29 Apr - 03 May 2025 Dear Evan Hansen

12 May - 17 May 2025 Only Fools and Horses: The Hit Musical

16 Jun - 28 Jun 2025 & Juliet

10 Feb - 28 Feb 2026 TINA – The Tina Turner Musical

Neighbourhoods.

The city centre is only a very small part of the huge appeal that Cardiff has to offer. It's time to live like one of the locals. Each neighbourhood in the city has its own unique quality.

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Why we love Cardiff

With world-renowned rugby, over 600 castles and a whole host of myths and legends to discover, there’s something to appeal to everyone who visits Wales - and its capital Cardiff is no exception.

Whether it’s white water rafting or an epic music scene you’re after, the city is a quirky, creative hub brimming with things to see and do. Step into 2,000 years of history at Cardiff Castle, or savour local produce at Cardiff Central Market. Get a taste of the action and head out of the city on the Cambrian Way to discover 185 miles of National Parks, fairy-tale castles and snow-capped peaks. With a buzzing arts and foodie scene and independent shops galore, Cardiff is your gateway to all that’s wonderful about Wales.

Masters of speed

Roaring back into Cardiff’s Principality Stadium is the FIM Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain  in 2024. See who’ll be crowned fasted at this British indoor motorsport tournament.

Through Victorian arcades

Flourishing with indie shops, quirky cafes and the world’s oldest record shop, Cardiff Arcades are a must visit. Discover the labyrinth of stores and eateries full of history and top-notch produce.

A paddling adventure

Hit up Cardiff Bay’s water for a paddle-led adventure in the city. Hop aboard a kayak for an exhilarating way to see Cardiff’s iconic sights and the city from an alternative perspective.

Tom Martin/WALES NEWS SERVICE

Tuck into the city’s flavours

From sustainable eateries to unique international flavours, Cardiff’s food scene packs the punch. Explore the city streets for iconic Welsh delights and local’s favourites on a food tour.

Visit Wales Image Centre

Cardiff, Wales

Night at the museum

From audio described tours to digital events and art through the ages, the National Museum Cardiff has something for all. There’s late visits into the evening and a museum sleepover in 2024 with some friendly dinosaurs!

Things to do in Cardiff

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BBC Tours – Central Square, Cardiff

Step into the future of broadcasting at BBC’s newest and most advanced studios.

Cardiff Castle

Though it has 2,000 years of history to discover, Cardiff Castle is also bang up to date – hosting festivals and events galore.

VisitBritain/Alex Major

Cardiff International White Water

Make a splash at this Olympic standard, family-friendly white-water rafting centre in Cardiff Bay.

Wales Millennium Centre

In Cardiff Bay, the Wales Millennium Centre hosts top-class live music and theatre shows from all over the world.

VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

Principality Stadium

Calling all sports lovers! Head to the ‘home of Welsh rugby’ to watch sporting spectacles, live concerts and more.

National Museum Cardiff

You’ll find everything from dinosaur bones to contemporary art at this fantastic free museum.

Cardiff Bay Water Activity Centre

Tranquil Cardiff Bay is yours to explore on sailing boats, canoes, rowing trips and kayaks.

Chapter Arts Centre

There’s always something fresh to discover here, from stand-up comedy to arthouse cinema.

Norwegian Church Arts Centre

An icon of Cardiff Bay, this historic church hosts art exhibitions, live music and stand-up comedy.

Pride Cymru

Supportive, sociable and spirited: that’s the ethos of Cardiff’s LGBTQIA+ festival every August.

Iris Prize Festival

One of the world’s biggest LGBTQIA+ film festivals, this cultural celebration takes place in October.

Iris Awards

Image stage

With a banging playlist, great-value drinks and live DJs, this LGBTQIA+ nightclub is a Cardiff favourite.

Pulse Cardiff

The Golden Cross

A popular hangout for the queer crowd, kick back with karaoke and cabaret at this historic pub with a traditional style.

Getty Images/EyeEm

From folk music to rap, this annual festival at Cardiff Castle celebrates Welsh-language music.

Visit Cardiff

Cardiff Food and Drink Festival

This three-day feast includes farmers’ markets, cooking demos, street food and Welsh delicacies galore.

Cardiff Bay Wetland Reserve

Pause for a moment at this tranquil wildlife sanctuary, a haven for birds and marine life.

Image Cardiff

Bay Island Voyages

Adventure ahoy! Choose from thrilling speedboat trips and intrepid voyages along the Welsh coast.

This vast park once formed the grounds of Cardiff Castle – and now hosts nature walks and seasonal events.

Crown Copyright

Victoria Park

Whether for picnics, long walks or a dip in the water playground, this historic spot is a great summer hangout.

Mark Wilson/Victoria Park

Voco St David’s Cardiff

This iconic hotel in Cardiff Bay offers spa treatments, fine dining and indulgent leisure facilities.

Voco Cardiff

Image hotel

Bute Park Sculpture Trail

How many of these 21 sculptures can you find? Look out for wooden flowers, animals and people…

Bute Park/Chris Wood

Victorian and Edwardian Arcades

These ‘secret’ streets feature unique boutiques, artisan cafés, and even a vintage video game arcade.

The Arcade Vaults

Featuring retro consoles and hundreds of games, this vintage arcade is a trip down memory lane.

St David’s Dewi Sant

Looking for top fashions, beauty and homeware? This city-centre mall is full of Britain’s favourite brands.

Serving natural wines and top-quality ingredients, this is sustainable dining with real style.

Cardiff Bay Walking Tour

Beyond the restaurants and nightlife, explore Cardiff Bay’s colourful history and secret local hotspots.

Image people

Blue Ocean Activities

Gorge scrambling, kayak-surfing, rock climbing and more: which adventure will you choose?

Techniquest

For inquisitive minds of all ages, this science centre is full of mind-boggling films and experiments.

Is it a food market, a nightclub or a theatre? Depot is all of those things – and much more!

Loving Welsh Food Tour

Enjoy Cardiff’s best bites on this walking tour, and learn all about Welsh culture along the way.

Loving Welsh Food

Caerphilly Castle

Step into history at Caerphilly Castle which dates back to the 13th-century.

St Fagans National Museum of History

Discover Wales’s history, culture and wildlife at this interactive museum, set in wild beech woodland.

Spillers Records

The world’s oldest record shop dates back to 1894 – and specialises in jazz, rock and indie vinyl and CDs.

Cardiff Pottery Workshops

Create one-of-a-kind souvenirs at this sociable ceramics studio, with classes and workshops galore.

10'000 Hours / Digital Vision / Getty Images

The Queer Emporium

This shop and café celebrates LGBTQIA+ makers and artists, and serves great coffee and cake.

Alamy Stock Photo

Featured things to do

Step into nature

Embark on an adventure through Cardiff’s green haven, Bute Park. From woodlands, meadows and nature trails, to water taxis and guided walks, there an abundance of ways to explore this urban arboretum.

Climb aboard your own boat

Take to the controls of your own boat for a self-guided adventure across Cardiff Bay, up the River Taff and out into the city centre. Choose between a half an hour journey, or sail for one hour for the full experience.

Dean Woolley

Adrenaline on ice

Watch as the Cardiff Devils take on fierce competitors on the ice. Playing in the UK’s top professional Ice Hockey league, Ice Arena Wales comes alive with fast-paced action.

Festive cheer in the city

From Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland to shopping for that perfect Christmas gift through the historic arcades, discover Cardiff during the winter months for a sprinkling of festive cheer in the city.

Places to stay in Cardiff

Cardiff city centre.

Find easy access to designer shops and traditional markets, diverse cuisine and the Principality Stadium in the mainly pedestrianised city centre.

Cardiff Bay

Home to a gleaming Cardiff International White Water Centre where you can try out lots of water sports, as well as cultural spots like the Wales Millennium Centre.

Out in the city’s leafy suburb discover the Taff Trail on bike or by foot, or get artsy at Kings Road Yard filled with artists, makers, producers and bakers!

Explore nearby

Snowdonia (eryri).

Full of adventure from its sky-scraping peaks to plunging glacial valleys - it’s bursting with bombastic scenery.

VisitBritain/Daniel Struthers

Cool creative Bristol is a must-see for art, culture and action-packed adventure.

VisitBritain/Rod Edwards

Pembrokeshire

For a real adventure, head to Wales’s westernmost tip. A paradise for hikers, swimmers, thrill-seekers and birdwatchers.

National Trust/Greentraveller

Pembrokeshire, Wales

Getting to Cardiff

Located in South Wales, Cardiff is a two-hour journey from London by train. The city is also served by Cardiff Airport , which operates direct and non-direct flights to and from a wide range of destinations.

Getting around

It’s easy to travel around the city hassle free, visit Cardiff bus to plan your journey and get all the latest information on ticket types. Full of pedestrianised areas, walking trails and parks and gardens galore, it’s easy and enjoyable to explore Cardiff by foot. Discover more on travelling around Cardiff and Wales on  traveline.

Download the Cardiff bus app and you can buy and store tickets on your mobile, making travelling around the city by bus even easier.

Plot your route and discover more about the city’s walking trails, including the Wales Coast Path, at  Outdoor Cardiff .

Trains run into Cardiff Central Station from destinations all across Britain. Find information and train times to help plan your journey with Great Western Railway.

Want to know more?

Head to VisitCardiff for insider tips and travel inspiration.

A Complete Cardiff Travel Guide – Discover the Amazing Capital of Wales!

By: Author Sophie Pearce

Posted on Last updated: July 13, 2023

Categories WALES

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for details.

When I crossed over the water from England, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Bright sunshine, blue skies – in Wales?!  

It made a nice change from the grey clouds, wind, and rain that you’re usually greeted with on arrival.  

I remember smiling when I saw the Red Dragon sign and the words ‘Croeso y Cymru’ or Welcome to Wales.

It is always comforting to me as my family is Welsh and since I was a kid, I would shout when I saw the Red Dragon on the signs and we would have competitions to see who would spot it first!

One of the friendliest cities in the world which is over this side of the country is Cardiff.

It has oodles of shops, sightseeing, and character. I love coming here for a shopping trip or a mini city break as there’s just so much to do and take in!

Here’s a quick Cardiff travel guide to make the most of your time in the wonderfully Welsh capital.

How to travel to Cardiff in the UK

Although Wales is attached to England, the south is divided by the River Severn. So, if you’re approaching my car from London, you will need to cross the Severn Bridge!

There are two bridges, the old and the new. The new can be accessed via the M4 and the old can be accessed via the M48 – both, lead to Cardiff.

There are National rail links from London Paddington directly to Cardiff and the National Express coaches will also go here and drop you off in Central. It all depends on your budget.

There is currently NO toll charge for the Wales Bridge!

Wales travel tips – Do they speak a different language in Wales?

There’s not too much difference as you cross over from England, apart from that there’s usually more rain and sheep!

The British pound is still currency here in Wales, so you don’t need to worry about that.

The language however you will notice is slightly different. Although only around 20% of the entire country speaks Cymraeg, you will see it plastered everywhere!

The road signs, attractions, and even shop names have Welsh there.

It does almost look like someone went mad with a keyboard and decided to create a language blind but, it is a beautiful language nonetheless.

Most Cardiff residents are fluent in English and love to chat with you, so you shouldn’t have any issues speaking to people.

The top things to do in Cardiff

There are so many attractions to get stuck into in the Capital of Wales, alongside being able to shop til’ you drop and enjoy a lazy afternoon by the Bay.

You shouldn’t need more than a few days here so it’s perfect for a weekend. Here are some of the highlights;

• Cardiff Castle – a Medieval Castle turned into a Victorian Mansion! It’s the highlight of the city and must visit
• Go shopping on the high street – there are so many little boutiques here, but also the main high street brands
• Cardiff Bay – my favourite stop of all! Here there’s a whole wealth of things to do including the Welsh Parliament Building and Cardiff Opera House.

Where and what to eat in Cardiff

I decided to go authentically Welsh on my trip and ate…Shake Shack. Ha! The meat is technically from Welsh farms but I know I cannot justify it – oops!

I was dying to try one though and wanted to see what all the fuss was all about. It was on another level of awesome.

If you’re looking for some traditional Welsh food to try while you’re here, I would highly recommend trying the national dish Cawl (a broth), Lamb, Rarebit (posh cheese on toast), and Welsh cakes.

My Nan always makes Welsh cakes which I eat fresh from the oven and they’re such a scrummy treat!

But here’s a picture of my Shake Shack, if you’re interested!

What to buy in Cardiff

There’s so much to see and do here in modern Wales but there are a few traditional delights, one being the Welsh love spoon.

Beautifully hand-carved, each spoon has different symbols meaning different things.  

Anchors are for safe travels on long journeys, a horseshoe is for luck, a cross for religion, bells for marriage, a lock for security etc.

They are great for a souvenir or decorating your home.

Day trips from Cardiff

If you are planning on staying a while, there are tonnes of places to visit around Cardiff in South Wales within a short driving distance.

You could go to the Wye Valley and visit Tintern Abbey, walk the famous Transporter bridge in Newport, explore the Brecon Beacons national park,  go to countless Castles and enjoy some amazing walks. Wales is your oyster.

So, that’s my mini Cardiff travel guide

Cardiff is such a lively Capital city with so much to do, you’ll be spoiled for choice.

It’s a city steeped in history and tradition. You’ll see a Welsh flag on every corner, find dragons everywhere on nearly everything and meet the friendly locals. 

I wouldn’t expect the sun to put his hat on though, it’s usually quite wet!

Cardiff is a compact, friendly capital. Discover pop-up dining, intimate gigs and global sporting events. We have national museums, a spectacular castle, and a 76,000 seater stadium right in the heart of the city.

Enjoy a short stay in Cardiff

Explore Cardiff, a lively city with a warm Welsh welcome. Discover its attractions and see why it's the perfect destination for a city break.

• City / Town

What to do in Cardiff

Our guide to exploring Cardiff - eateries, attractions and adventures for everyone!

• Historic buildings
• Shopping centres and malls

A Cardiff fan guide: where to eat, drink and visit

Visiting Cardiff for an event? Make the most of your time in the capital with these recommendations

• Stadium / Arena

Urban adventures in Cardiff

Getting into the nooks and crannies of Cardiff, urban style. Get ready for fun in the capital!

• Wellness activities

Cooking up a storm - Cardiff's indie food scene

Fancy a bite? Here's the lowdown on the coolest cafés and most excellent eateries in Cardiff.

Cardiff Nights: Things to do on an evening out in the Welsh capital

Discover fun activities to do on a night out in Cardiff

Cardiff's top plant-based cafes and restaurants

The ultimate guide to the best vegan and vegetarian food in Cardiff.

Out and about in the Welsh capital

Cardiff's lively LGBT+ scene sits amidst the city's shopping district and historical sites.

Dog in the city: exploring dog friendly Cardiff

Lottie Gross and her dog Arty, explore dog-friendly things to do on a city break in Cardiff.

© Hawlfraint y Goron / Crown Copyright

Following Cardiff's street art trail

Yusuf Ismail and Shawqi Hasson, the artists behind UNIFY, share the locations and inspiration behind the murals.

Cardiff: a city of arts, music and theatre

Find out about Cardiff's must-visit cultural venues, museums and performance spaces

Huw Stephens in the big little city

Find out how a Radio 1 DJ spends a perfect day in Cardiff.

• Personalities

Cardiff as the world's stage

Learn about some of the biggest events held in Wales' capital city.

Must do in Cardiff Bay

A local's guide to all the things to see and do for brilliant day out in Cardiff Bay.

Things to do in Wales for cricket fans

Find out where to watch cricket in Wales and how to get tickets.

Explore Cardiff's suburbs

Explore the cultural, culinary and quintessentially Cardiff with our guide to the city's suburbs.

Sensational shopping in the capital city

Find surprising independent delights nestled amongst your big brand favourites in Cardiff.

• Boutiques and arcades

Capture and share the best bits of Cardiff

Where to find the best places to snap scroll-stopping photos in the capital city

Digital nomads: WFH and laptop working in Cardiff

The best coffee shops and coworking spaces in Cardiff for those bored of working from home or the office.

Cardiff Castle: an all-action attraction!

From the gargoyles on the castle walls to secret tunnels, Cardiff Castle is brought vividly to life.

A Christmassy weekend break in Cardiff

Deaf presenter and content creator Jazzy Whipps enjoys a weekend exploring Cardiff.

• Accommodation

Sea fishing with the family out of Cardiff Bay

Dave Lewis heads out to Cardiff Bay and the Bristol Channel for a family fishing trip.

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Getty Images/Robert Harding World Imagery

The capital of Wales since just 1955, Cardiff has embraced the role with vigour, emerging in the new millennium as one of Britain’s leading urban centres. Spread between an ancient fort and an ultramodern waterfront, compact Cardiff seems to have surprised even itself with how interesting it has become.

Best Things to Do

Leave the planning to a local expert.

Experience the real Cardiff. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Cardiff Castle

There's a medieval keep at its heart, but it's the later additions to Cardiff Castle that really capture the imagination. In Victorian times, extravagant…

National Museum Cardiff

Devoted mainly to natural history and art, this grand neoclassical building is the centrepiece of the seven institutions dotted around the country that…

St Fagans National History Museum

Historic buildings from all over the country have been dismantled and re-erected in the semirural surrounds of St Fagans village, 5 miles west of central…

Flanked by the castle and the River Taff, Bute Park was donated to the city along with the castle in 1947. With Sophia Gardens, Pontcanna Fields and…

Principality Stadium

Also known as Millennium Stadium ('Principality' is the current naming-rights sponsor), this spectacular venue squats like a stranded spaceship on the…

Wales Millennium Centre

The centrepiece and symbol of Cardiff Bay's regeneration is the £106-million Wales Millennium Centre, an architectural masterpiece of stacked Welsh slate…

Castell Coch

Cardiff Castle's fanciful little brother sits perched atop a thickly wooded crag on the northern fringes of Cardiff. It was the summer retreat of the…

Llandaff Cathedral

This venerable cathedral is set in a hollow near the River Taff, on the site of a 6th-century monastery founded by St Teilo. The present building was…

Top picks from our travel experts

The best things to do on your next trip to cardiff.

Long, narrow Roath Park rivals Bute Park as Cardiff's favourite green space. The third marquess of Bute gifted the land to the city in 1887, when the…

Coffee Barker

This cool cafe, a series of rooms at the entrance to one of Cardiff's Victorian arcades, is good for coffee, indulgent pancake stacks, daily soups and…

Nata & Co

This family-run Portuguese bakery is famed for its pastel de nata – rich custard tarts with crisp pastry – but also serves freshly baked rolls, sourdough…

St David's

St David's is central Cardiff's biggest and slickest shopping centre. All the famous chains you could name have a home here, along with a smorgasbord of…

Dead Canary

Inspired by prohibition-era bars, this swanky speakeasy is hidden behind a narrow lane in the city centre. Find the bell with a feather painted nearby (it…

Spillers Records

The world's oldest record shop, founded in 1894 (when it sold wax phonograph cylinders), Spillers stocks a large range of CDs and vinyl, and prides itself…

Morgan Quarter

Cardiff's oldest arcade (1858), the Royal, connects with the Morgan Arcade via a series of covered lanes, forming a ritzy shopping precinct called the…

Designed by Lord Richard Rogers (the architect behind London's Lloyd's building and Millennium Dome and Paris' Pompidou Centre), the home of the National…

Clancy's

What looks like an unassuming wooden stall is actually a treasure trove of vegetarian and vegan takeaway food, dairy-free sweet treats and pretty much…

Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama

All manner of performances are staged in this impressive building's state-of-the-art venues, including theatre from the college's inhouse Richard Burton…

Cardiff Market

While there's been a market here since the 18th century, the current iron-framed covered market dates to 1891. Stalls sell everything from fresh fish to…

Cardiff Bay Barrage

Completed in 1999 at a cost of £220 million, this large dam plugged the gap between Penarth and Porth Teigr, containing the waters flowing out from the…

Clwb Ifor Bach

Named for 12th-century Welsh rebel Ifor Bach, the legendary Clwb ('Club') has broken many a Welsh band since it first opened its doors as a Welsh-language…

Cardiff International White Water

This artificial white-water complex offers adrenaline-fuelled rafting, canoeing, kayaking and river-boarding experiences without having to leave the city…

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• 1.2 History
• 1.3 Profile
• 1.4 When to go
• 2.1.1 Cardiff Airport
• 2.1.2 Further afield
• 2.2 By train
• 2.4 By coach
• 3.1 On foot
• 3.2 By bike
• 3.4 By train
• 3.5 By taxi
• 3.6 By boat
• 4.1 Landmarks
• 4.2 Museums and galleries
• 5.3 Cinemas and theatres
• 5.4 Concerts
• 7.2.1 British
• 7.2.2 Vegetarian & Vegan
• 7.2.3 Steak houses
• 7.2.4 International
• 7.3 Splurge
• 9.1 Camping
• 9.3 Mid-range
• 9.4 Splurge
• 12 Stay safe

Cardiff ( Welsh : Caerdydd ) is the capital and largest city of Wales . It used to be an industrial city, but is now a lively and modern capital city and a tourism hot spot. The city is friendly to pedestrians, and summer is by far the best time to visit, with large festivals, and outdoor dining and drinking.

The city centre has been intensely developed in the 21st century, and is now considered to be one of the top ten shopping destinations in the United Kingdom. Cardiff is a green city, and this is complemented by Bute Park which sits in the heart of the city. It has a reputation as a city of castles , having 5 of them within its surroundings. As of 2023, the city's population stands at roughly 360,000, with 1.1 million living in the metropolitan area.

Understand [ edit ]

Cardiff is on the south coast of the South Wales plain, with a shoreline on the Bristol Channel. It lies at the mouth of three rivers: the Taff, the Ely and the Rhymney, with the Taff flowing through the city centre and all three reaching the sea at Cardiff Bay. Cardiff is quite a flat city, a characteristic that helped it become one of the world's leading ports for the transport of coal from the rugged south Wales Valleys.

Around 12% of the residents of Cardiff speak some Welsh, and all public signs in the city are in both Welsh and English. However, as elsewhere in Wales, English is universally understood.

• Visit Cardiff , Cardiff Castle, Castle St . Mar-Oct: M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa Su 9AM-5PM; Nov-Feb: M-F 10AM-4PM, Sa Su 9AM-4PM . The Visitor Information Point hosts a variety of literature including brochures, flyers and maps. ( updated Jan 2024 )

City [ edit ]

Cardiff's city centre is in the southern portion of the city just north of Cardiff Bay. It is traditionally centred at the castle, bounded to the north by the historic civic centre, large Bute park arboretum and university buildings, by the River Taff to the west, and by the Valleys and National rail lines to the east and south respectively. Growth is pushing the city centre beyond these boundaries, especially in regard to commercial office and residential provision. In particular, the area south of the original city centre towards and including Cardiff Bay has been almost completely redeveloped.

A unique feature of the city is its friendly local population; you can strike up a conversation with almost anyone you meet and speak as if old friends, whether on the bus or in the queue to buy something in a shop. These brief friendly interactions throughout the day make Cardiff an ideal city for lone travellers. The city has a long history of inter-racial marriages and a thriving gay scene making it one of the most welcoming and tolerant cities in the UK.

Cardiff is popular for location filming; Doctor Who has been made here since 2005, and Casualty since 2011. It also has a rich musical history, being the site of many escapades by the famous bands of the Welsh indie music movement such as Catatonia, Super Furry Animals and the Stereophonics. The stunning St. John the Baptist church, gracing the centre of the city, is food for the soul and nearby the Rummer Tavern pub one of the oldest surviving in the city is food for the spirit. Cardiff is the venue of many football and rugby games due to the state-of-the-art stadiums, and Cardiff International Arena's many events such as Comic Con Wales. The Bay area is rich with bars and restaurants and is home to the famous Wales Millennium Centre where one can see anything from comedy to ballet and opera.

Cardiff is a city of life and learning having a huge student population during term time. Many graduates choose to remain due to the friendly and inclusive nature of the city.

It is possible to walk, bike or ride across Cardiff almost entirely via the parks: the Earl of Bute’s lasting legacy to the people of Cardiff. Summer days see the city parks fill with sun-worshippers and snow days see them fill with people playing and snowball fighting with each other!

History [ edit ]

Cardiff's history follows its castle, which has been occupied since the Romans created a fort on the river Taff over 2,000 years ago. The name 'Cardiff' may have come from 'Caer' = fort, on the 'Taff'.) The fort's original walls can still be seen highlighted around the base of Cardiff Castle's walls. In Medieval times the castle grew, and a small town spread from its south gate; the Medieval street pattern can still be seen around High Street. In the 15th century, the town was destroyed by the last great Welsh prince, Owain Glyndwr. Successive owners fortified the castle and the town timidly grew until the Industrial Revolution, when the 2nd Marquess of Bute built the Glamorganshire Canal to transport coal from the Welsh valleys through Cardiff's docks.

Combined with the later arrival of the railways, Cardiff's population exploded and the docks grew to become the largest coal-exporting port in the world. At its peak, the price of the world's coal was determined at Cardiff's Coal Exchange and the first ever £1,000,000 cheque was written here in 1901 (equivalent to £124,000,000 in 2020). Cardiff was the third largest port of the British Empire, resulting in Edward VII granting Cardiff city status in 1905. With the rise of the city's fortunes, the Marquis of Bute transformed Cardiff castle into a fairytale gothic palace. He also donated land to build the civic centre which contains the City Hall, National Museum, university and government buildings, all built in elaborate neo-classical Baroque styles out of white Portland stone.

The Marquis also commissioned the architect William Burges to design many public and residential buildings in a distinctive Gothic style - many are still visible in the city centre and the inner suburbs. Wales did not have a de jure capital until 1955, when Cardiff was chosen as the largest city. However, with the post-War decline of coal, the city's docks became increasingly abandoned, and in the 1990s the city's transformation began with the building of a barrage to stop the world's second-largest tidal range from revealing dirty mud flats, and creating what is today Europe's largest waterfront regeneration project.

The Bay today is a mixture of apartments, sport, leisure and culture and its success has also seen a rejuvenation of the city centre, where large-scale pedestrianisation and the massive St David's redevelopment in 2009 have created a vibrant city, combining the best of the old, sitting close to modern architecture and amenities. As for the Castle, it was handed over to the people of Cardiff and is now a major tourist, corporate and cultural attraction, an indication of where the city's future lies.

Profile [ edit ]

Cardiff has a strong sporting and cultural presence given that it is the capital city, and therefore plays host to most Welsh sporting events, especially since the opening of the Millennium Stadium in the city centre. One of the city's charms is when it plays host to matches, the city centre atmosphere can be extraordinary, being swelled by 75,000 attendees and thousands of revellers.

Cardiff used to be quite a gritty city with the port and industry playing a huge role — Cardiff's ports were once among the most important in the world. Notable milestones were when Cardiff Bay (sometimes called Tiger Bay) was the first area of modern Britain to be thought of as a multicultural area given the huge part immigrants played in the city's ports. The area is still home to one of the oldest and largest expatriate Somali communities in the world. The world's first 'million-pound' deal was also signed at the Bay's own Coal Exchange building.

The city has moved away from its industrial past, however, and has been transformed by developments such as Cardiff Bay, which now hosts famous and striking landmarks such as the National Assembly for Wales and the spectacular Wales Millennium Centre. Massive investments have also been made throughout other parts of the city, such as the opening of the Millennium Stadium and the massive Saint David's shopping centre.

When to go [ edit ]

Cardiff is best to visit during late spring to early autumn as the warm weather adds to the city's pleasures and allows maximum experience of all the sites and areas of the city. Although the city usually benefits from mild weather all year round, like much of Wales it also receives substantial rainfall, especially in winter. Being close to the sea and having a comparatively mild climate compared to other parts of England and Wales it also avoids much of the snowfall seen in other parts of the country in winter.

Get in [ edit ]

By plane [ edit ], cardiff airport [ edit ].

You can get from the airport into Cardiff using public transportː

• Adventure Travel 304 [dead link] bus direct to Cardiff International Sports Village and Cardiff Bay

You can hire a car with Avis , Enterprise and Europcar from Cardiff Airport.

Further afield [ edit ]

Alternative, larger airports lie in England.

Bristol Airport , served by easyJet , Jet2.com , Ryanair, TUI and other airlines, is 20 miles from Cardiff "as the crow flies". You can get from Bristol Airport into Cardiff using public transportː

• National Express 216 coach direct into Cardiff city centre
• Bristol Airport Flyer bus to Bristol Temple Meads railway station, then Great Western Railway (GWR) train into Cardiff Central

London Heathrow Airport is the UK's largest airport, with long-haul flights from destinations in Europe , Africa , Asia , North America and South America . Heathrow is connected with Cardiff by road, along the M4 motorway. You can get from Heathrow into Cardiff using public transportː

• Megabus coach direct into Cardiff city centre
• National Express 201 / 202 coaches direct into Cardiff city centre
• Elizabeth line   ELI   into London Paddington or RA1 RailAir coach to Reading railway station, then Great Western Railway (GWR) train into Cardiff Central

By train [ edit ]

You can get to Cardiff Central on long-distance and local trains.

Trains from London depart from Paddington ( Interchangeː   BAK     CIR     DIS     H&C     ELI   ) and are operated by Great Western Railway (GWR). They run roughly half-hourly and call at Reading , Swindon , Bristol Parkway and Newport . Trains from Bristol depart from both Bristol Parkway and Bristol Temple Meads, also operated by GWR. There are also local GWR routes into Cardiff Central from Portsmouth , Southampton , Salisbury , Bath , Taunton and Weston-Super-Mare . Trains from The Midlands are operated by CrossCountry - from some major cities in England including Nottingham ( Interchangeː   1     2   ), Derby , Birmingham ( Interchangeː   1   ) and Gloucester .

Most trains from elsewhere in Wales are run by Transport for Wales (TfW). This includes long-distance trains from Holyhead , Bangor , Llandudno Junction , Chester , Wrexham General , Cwmbran , Carmarthen , Llanelli , Swansea , Neath , Port Talbot Parkway and Bridgend . Some services from Carmarthen and Swansea are also run by GWR. TfW also runs long-distance trains from Manchester Piccadilly ( Interchangeː   Alt-Pic     Ash-Ecc     Ash-Med     Bur-Pic   ), Chester ( Interchangeː   Wirral   ), Crewe , Shrewsbury and Hereford . There are also local TfW trains from Cardiff's suburbs, as well as surrounding towns including Barry , Caerphilly , Merthyr Tydfil , Penarth and Pontypridd .

You can get to Cardiff Queen Street on local trains run by TfW.

Other stations in Cardiff are served by local routes, includingː

By car [ edit ]

Several major routes connect Cardiff with towns and cities throughout Wales and England.

Other main routes into Cardiff includeː

• A48 from Newport, Cowbridge and Bridgend
• A469 from Caerphilly
• A470 from Brecon , Merthyr Tydfil and Pontypridd
• A4119 from Llantrisant and The Rhondda
• A4160 from Penarth

There are several car parks in Cardiff. Cardiff Council operates several car parks throughout the city and has a list online . Other car park operators include NCP (Dumfries Place, Stadium, Greyfriars, Knox Road etc.), Q-Park (Cardiff Bay) and St David's Dewi Sant (shopping centre) . Major car parks are signposted from some main routes in the city centre and Cardiff Bay.

By coach [ edit ]

Coaches from London are operated by FlixBus, Megabus and National Express. Most services depart from London Victoria Coach Station ( Interchangeː   CIR     DIS     VIC   ). Some depart from London Gatwick and London Heathrow airports, and call at Bristol and Newport. National Express route 216 connects Bristol Airport to Cardiff. Coaches from Swansea are also operated by these operators, stopping to pick up passengers in Port Talbot and Bridgend. National Express operates buses from destinations in West Wales - including routes 507 from Llanelli and 112 and 508 from Haverfordwest , Tenby and Carmarthen.

Coaches from Birmingham include Megabus route M36N and National Express routes 110 , 111 and 112 . Megabus route M36N also connects Newcastle-upon-Tyne , Leeds and Manchester with the Welsh capital.

Bus routes into the capital includeː

• TrawsCymru T4 - from Newtown ( Limited ), Llandrindod Wells ( Limited ), Builth Wells ( Limited ), Brecon ( Limited ), Merthyr Tydfil and Pontypridd
• Cymru Clipper X2 [dead link] - from Porthcawl , Bridgend and Cowbridge
• Stagecoach X3 - from Pontypool and Cwmbran
• Newport Bus X30 - from Newport ( Express )
• Stagecoach X32 - from Maerdy , Porth and Pontypridd ( Express )
• Stagecoach 26 - from Blackwood, Caerphilly and Nantgarw
• Cardiff Bus /Newport Bus 30 - from Newport
• Stagecoach 86X - from Caerphilly
• Cardiff Bus 93, 94, 95 - from Barry, Dinas Powys (93, 95), Sully (94) and Penarth (93, 94)
• Cardiff Bus 96 - from Barry Island, Barry and Wenvoe
• Stagecoach 122 - from Tonypandy and Talbot Green
• Stagecoach 124 - from Maerdy, Porth and Talbot Green
• Stagecoach 132 - from Maerdy, Porth and Pontypridd
• Adventure Travel 304 [dead link] - from Llantwit Major , Cardiff Airport, Barry and Dinas Powys
• Adventure Travel 320 [dead link] - from Talbot Green, Pontyclun and St Fagans

Get around [ edit ]

On foot [ edit ]

Cardiff is a large city with two reasonably compact central areas - the city centre and Cardiff Bay. The walk between Cardiff Central Library in the city centre and the Bay is approximately one mile along flat, roadside pavements. Llandaff Cathedral and Cardiff Metropolitan University are further out - approximately two miles from Cardiff Castle in the centre, and approximately 3.5 miles from the Bay.

Attractions in the city centre are signposted. Some of the main shopping areas, including parts of St Mary's Street, The Hayes and Queen Street are pedestrianised. These wide boulevards have no access to vehicular traffic.

Attractions in Cardiff Bay are also signposted. The Wales Coast Path is also signposted through the Bay. From west to east, the route covers Penarth, the Barrage, the Norwegian Church, The Senedd, the Wales Millennium Centre, Atlantic Wharf, Splott, Tremorfa and the Wentlooge Levels.

By bike [ edit ]

Cardiff is a flat city with network of signposted cycling routes, many "segregated" from other road traffic. There are two formal river "trails" for cyclists through Cardiff.

The Taff Trail is National Cycle Network Route 8, which is kept by Sustrans and follows the River Taffː

• Roald Dahl Plas
• Principality Stadium (opposite bank)
• Bute Park (opposite bank)
• Sophia Gardens
• Cardiff Metropolitan University (opposite bank)
• Llandaff North
• Route continues to Taff's Well, Pontypridd, Merthyr Tydfil, Pontsticill and Brecon. National Cycle Network Rout 8 continues to Builth Wells, Harlech , Caernarfon , Bangor and Holyhead.

The Ely Trail is also kept by Sustrans and follows the River Elyː

• Cardiff International Sports Village
• Sanatorium Park
• St Fagans and the St Fagans National Museum of History

There is plenty of free bike parking throughout the city centre, but you will need your own lock.

Check for cycling restrictions on a select number of paths and subways, including Queen Street, where cycling is prohibited.

Cycling charity PedalPower runs training and confidence building sessions and weekly bike rides, plus bike hire in Pontcanna and Cardiff Bay.

By bus [ edit ]

Cardiff Bus is responsible for the largest bus network in the capital. You can "tap on, tap off" on the bus using a Contactless debit or credit card, Apple Pay or Android Pay. Cardiff Bus promises to "work out the best ticket option for you based on your journeys, so you won't get charged more than the price of a day ticket".

The "Day to Go" fare using an iff top-up card is £4.40 within the Cardiff Fare Zone and £5.80 in the Cardiff and Barry "Plus" zone, as of December 2023. You can apply for an iff card by email or post, add credit online or sign up for a Direct Debit scheme.

Cardiff Bus operates a summer-only open-top bus service between Penarth, Cardiff Bay and Cardiff City Centre.

Cardiff Bus routes to key visitor destinations includeː

• City Circle 1 (clockwise) and 2 (anti-clockwise) - via Cardiff Bay, Grangetown, Canton, Llandaff, University Hospital Wales and Splott
• 4 - City centre to Ninian Park and Leckwith
• Baycar 6 - regular city centre to Cardiff Bay shuttleː Canal Street (city centre) to Millennium Centre (Cardiff Bay)
• 7 - City centre to Grangetown, Cardiff International Sports Village and Penarth
• 8 - City centre to Grangetown and Cardiff Bay
• 9 - University Hospital Wales, Cathays, city centre, Grangetown, Cardiff International Sports Village
• M1 Met Rider - BBC Studios Llandaff, Cardiff Met Llandaff, Cathays, Roath, Cardiff Met Cyncoed ( seasonal route )

Adventure Travel operates a network of Cardiff routes, includingː

• C1 - across the city including (west to east)ː Culverhouse Cross, Ely, Victoria Park, Canton, city centre, Cathays, Llandeyrn and Pontprennau
• 320 [dead link] - City centre to Pontcanna, Fairwater and St Fagans, including the St Fagans National Museum of History ( route continues to Peterston-super-Ely , Pendoylan, Hensol, Pontyclun and Talbot Green )

Other operators include First Cymru and Stagecoach .

Worldwide City Sightseeing runs a Hop On-Hop Off tour in Cardiff.

Several bus operators including Cardiff Bus, Adventure Travel, First Cymru (X2) and Stagecoach accept Network Rider (across South East Wales) tickets . As of December 2023, adult tickets cost £9.

Transport for Wales (TfW) runs local trains in and around Cardiff. They are part of the National Rail network. You can buy tickets at stations or online using the National Rail , Transport for Wales and The Trainline websites. There is a Transport for Wales app .

TfW offers a series of "rovers and rangers" which cover Cardiff. As of December 2023, these includeː

• Explore Wales Pass - Valid for four days within an eight-day period for travel to anywhere in Wales by train. Also accepted on some First Cymru, Cardiff Bus and Stagecoach South Wales bus services. Adult ticketsː £104.
• Explore the Capital - Unlimited same-day off-peak train travel within the Cardiff and Penarth areas. Adult ticketsː £4.80.
• Explore Cardiff and the Valleys - Unlimited same-day travel in Cardiff and the Valleys, including the Barry, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Ebbw Vale , Maesteg , Merthyr Tydfil and Pontypridd areas. Valid all day on weekends, or after 9.30am Monday to Friday. Adult ticketsː £14.
• Valleys Night Rider - Travel after 6.30pm in Cardiff and the Valleys, including the Barry, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Ebbw Vale, Maesteg, Merthyr Tydfil and Pontypridd areas. Adult ticketsː £7.90.

National Railcards are accepted on rail lines in and around Cardiff. This includes the 16-25 Railcard , 26-30 Railcard , the Senior Railcard and the Two Together Railcard .

The Valleys Senior Railcard costs ̩£13 and is valid for one year. Cardholders can get 50 off standard class day return fares between Valley Line stations (including stations in Cardiff).

The Valleys Student Railcard costs £13 and is valid for one year. Cardholders can get 34 per cent off all day tickets and 10 per cent off all season tickets on Valleys and Cardiff routes.

All rail routes in Cardiff pass through Cardiff Central or Cardiff Queen Street stations. Change at Cardiff Central for long-distance trains, including services to London Paddington, Birmingham, Bristol Temple Meads, Bristol Parkway, Manchester Piccadilly, Southampton Central and Swansea.

Rail routes in Cardiff run at least half hourly and includeː

• Cardiff Queen Street to Cardiff Bay shuttle which runs up to five times per hour.
• Cardiff Central to Aberdare/Merthyr Tydfil/Treherbert - Cardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street, Cathays, Llandaf and Radyr. Onwards to Trefforest, Pontypridd and Aberdare or Merthyr Tydfil or Treherbert.
• Cardiff Central to Bridgend - Cardiff Central, Grangetown and Cogan. Onwards to Barry, Llantwit Major and Bridgend, also to Barry Island.
• Cardiff Central to Penarth - Cardiff Central, Grangetown, Dingle Road and Penarth.
• Cardiff Central to Rhymney - Cardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street, Heath High Level, Llanishen, and Lisvane and Thornhill. Onwards to Caerphilly, Ystrad Mynach and Rhymney .
• Radyr to Coryton via Cardiff Central - Radyr, Danescourt, Fairwater, Waun-gron Park, Ninian Park, Cardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street, Heath Low Level, Ty Glas, Birchgrove, Rhiwbina, Whitchurch, Coryton.

By taxi [ edit ]

Cardiff is not short of taxis. They can be flagged down on the street or booked in advance. Uber operates an extensive service in Cardiff, and many other local traditional taxi companies are also available:

• Capital , ☏ +44 29 2077-7777 .  
• Delta , ☏ +44 29 2020-2020 .  
• Celtic , ☏ +44 29 2045-2045 .  
• Dragon Metro , ☏ +44 29 2033-3333 .  

Although a lot of taxis in the city centre are black, they have no set colour. Licensed taxis have a yellow plate on the rear bumper of the vehicle. Uber also operates in the Cardiff area

By boat [ edit ]

Aquabus runs all year 'round with a boat service between Mermaid Quay in Cardiff Bay and Castle Grounds in the city centre. The Aquabus City-Bay link has wheelchair, pushchair and cycle access.

There is a less regular Penarth (Barrage South) to Cardiff Bay service, also operated by Aquabus, and a Bay Cruise offer.

See [ edit ]

Landmarks [ edit ].

Museums and galleries [ edit ]

Do [ edit ]

• Relax in Bute Park or in the grounds of the castle, for a break from the hustle of the city centre.
• Visit Cardiff Bay a truly cosmopolitan experience full of restaurants, bars and cafes. A good place for a 'passeggiata' on a Sunday afternoon. Boat rides in the Bay (permanently water-filled since the barrage was built), a few shops, and a children's playground at the far end (near the historic Norwegian church) along with beautiful views across to Penarth.
• Take a speed boat ride as it makes 360-degree turns in the water at 70 mph.
• Walk along the bay from Mermaid quay to the barrage (near Penarth) to see for yourself how the water comes into the harbour from the sea. It is a 2 km walk with the harbour on one side of the path and the sea on the other. If you don't feel like walking you can hire a bicycle (you will come across the rental company on the way) or take a ride on the road train.

• At near-by Penarth, cruise the Bristol channel during summer months to the likes of North Devon , Gower Peninsula and even occasionally Pembrokeshire on the paddle steamers Balmoral and Waverly. Penarth to Ilfracombe is particularly spectacular, taking in the massive cliffs of North Devon.
• Next to Cardiff Airport, Barry is a port-town, which has a theme park, casino and heritage railway. With the closure of the docks, it has attracted more attention thanks to a beautiful beach and a popular BBC series, called Gavin & Stacey . The amusement park on Barry Island contains several funrides.
• Go on the Taff Trail , some of the sights close to the city centre are breathtaking and the tranquility offers a great contrast to the busy city centre.
• Go to the Brecon Beacons . 40 minutes drive from Cardiff, this Welsh National Park is a scenic retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city, offering activities such as climbing, paragliding, sailing and many more.
• Go for a pint of Cardiff-made Brains beer in one of the city centre pubs on a match day at the Millennium Stadium.
• Canyoning Wales , Cardiff ( Via A470 ), ☏ +44 845 0573588 . 9AM-9PM . Blue Ocean Activities & Adventure offer fantastic trips around Wales, whether up the mountains canyoning or gorge walking. Blue Ocean Adventure offer full safety gear, training and support.  
• Cardiff cycle tour ( https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1415003?units=miles ). A tour route that was used by a now-defunct tour operator who has made their route map available for visitors.  

Sports [ edit ]

• Watch International Rugby at Millennium Stadium, in city centre. Wales play several internationals here each year. The most keenly followed are the Six Nations series against England, Scotland, Ireland, France and Italy in February and March each year: these sell out well in advance.
• Football: Cardiff City ("The Bluebirds") play soccer in the Championship, the game's second tier. Their stadium (capacity 33,300) is a mile west of city centre near Ninian Park railway station.
• Cricket: Glamorgan County Cricket Club play in Division Two of the County Championship. Also here are Welsh Fire ( Tân Cymreig ) men's and women's teams playing in The Hundred short game. The stadium Sophia Gardens also occasionally hosts international matches; it's in the park half a mile north of the castle.
• Ice hockey: Cardiff Devils play in Elite Ice Hockey League, the game's top tier. Their home rink is Ice Arena Wales.
• Horse Riding: Cardiff Riding School, Pontcanna fields, Fields Park Road.
• Rowing and Canoeing: Llandaff rowing club, Bridge road, Llandaff.

Events [ edit ]

• St David's Day Parade [dead link] is on 1 March each year, commemorating the patron saint of Wales.
• Cardiff Children's Literature Festival is held in the grounds of Cardiff Castle each year, with the next on 20-21 April 2024, tbc.
• Cardiff Mela celebrates Asian culture at Roald Dahl Plas, Cardiff Bay. The next is probably 2 June 2024, tbc.
• Cardiff Singer of the World competition is held in St David's Hall in odd-numbered years. The next is probably 7-15 June 2025, tbc.
• Pride Cymru is next held on 23-24 June 2024.
• Tafwyl is a Welsh language and culture festival held in Bute Park, with the next on 15-16 July 2023.
• The Welsh Proms are a series of classical concerts at St David's Hall each July. Fringe events cover genres such as jazz, country and folk.
• Winter Wonderland in Dec-Jan is an outdoor public ice-rink and funfair in front of City Hall.

Cinemas and theatres [ edit ]

Cardiff has some of the best theatre and cinema in Wales and even across the UK, covering huge range including mainstream films, foreign and theatre.

• 51.466909 -3.163577 4 Odeon , Hemingway Rd, Cardiff Bay, CF10 4JY . Mainstream multiplex cinema. ( updated Dec 2017 )
• 51.47704 -3.181615 5 Vue , Stadium Plaza, Wood St, CF10 1LA ( inside Millennium Plaza and next to Millennium Stadium ), ☏ +44 345 308 4620 . ( updated Dec 2017 )
• 51.478858 -3.172927 6 Cineworld , Mary Ann St, CF10 2EN , ☏ +44 871 200 2000 . Mainstream multiplex cinema, across the road from Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. ( updated Dec 2017 )
• 51.4634 -3.1655 7 The Glee Club , Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay , ☏ +44 871 472 0400 , [email protected] . Comedy club serving food and drinks. ( updated Mar 2022 )

Concerts [ edit ]

Cardiff has a great number of show and gig venues throughout the city; check with Shows in Cardiff [dead link] .

More 'sedate' concerts are frequently held at St Davids Hall and The Welsh Millennium Centre .

Smaller gigs can be seen at many venues across the city including Callaghans , Clwb Ifor Bach , Cardiff Students Union , and Buffalo Bar .

Buy [ edit ]

Nicknamed the City of Arcades , Cardiff is great place for shopping in style and the Victorian arcades are worth a visit in themselves. They have lots of little shops, food markets, etc. Up-market home stores include Banana Custard (for kids).

Queen St, St Mary's Street and The Hayes are the major pedestrianised shopping streets which all branch off the castle, so it is easy to walk from shop to shop without fear of traffic. Queen Street has most of the usual lineup of Marks and Spencer, Topshop and River Island. The Hayes has been refurbished along with the massive St David's Shopping Centre that has drawn in a few big names such as Hugo Boss and the biggest John Lewis outside of London. St Marys street, the original shopping street of Cardiff has gradually declined, firstly after Queen Street was pedestrianised when the street saw a shift towards restaurants, bars and clubs, and then during the councils year long trial of closing the street to traffic. St Mary's Street is now pedestrianised for most of its length, with work still ongoing but it's worth a look as most of the city's grandest buildings are along its length with the large and oldest department store in Wales (Howells by House of Frasier), imposing entrance to the Central Market and elaborate entrances to the arcades being particular high points.

• Queen Street , St. Mary's Street and The Hayes are the main shopping streets in Cardiff city centre. Queen Street houses the likes of Marks and Spencer, Boots and many other stores with entrances to the modern St Davids and Queens Arcade shopping centres, which also have entrances on the Hayes. Combine the old St Davids shopping centre, larger modern extension, John Lewis and Queens arcade and they make up one of the largest indoor shopping centres in the UK. St. Marys Street is home to a large 'Howells' or House of Fraser store, numerous arcades that house one-off shops with many of the arcades having entrances on the Hayes.
• There are many tourist-oriented shops in front of the Castle and inside the Arcades so have a look around where you can find many Welsh souvenirs and gifts there.
• Fish from Ashton's stall in the atmospheric indoor market , off the Hayes, Church Street or St Mary St.
• Cheese from Madame Fromage in the Castle Arcade .
• Music from Spillers Records, the oldest record shop in the world, is in the Morgan Arcade . In addition to selling music, it is the city's main location for buying tickets for alternative music concerts. Spillers was founded in 1894 by Henry Spiller at its original location in Queen’s Arcade.

Eat [ edit ]

It can be very difficult to book a table in the better restaurants on a Friday or Saturday evening. As a rule of thumb Mermaid Quay and the city centre are jam packed full with a varied contrast of eateries allowing you to experience many different tastes within a small area.

Vegetarian options are easy to find, and vegan options reasonably so.

In the centre see Cafe Minuet (Marcello's) in Castle Arcade, The Potted Pig [dead link] on High Street. In Riverside try Madhav's for unusual vegetarian Indian food. In the Bay avoid all the chains at Mermaid Quay and look at Mr G's Soul Kitchen for Caribbean. In Canton try La Cuina (Catalan food) on Kings Road. Head to City Road for a massive variety of world cuisines.

Budget [ edit ]

There are lots of small eateries with reasonable, plentiful and quite tasty takes on the Full English breakfast, sandwiches, fish and chips, etc. Also, there is the Brewery Quarter, which contains a few well known and different restaurants. Also there are small cafes in the Indoor Market offering typical cafe food from toast to full roast dinners. prices typically range from 50p to £4. good deal for a quick fix.

• 51.477625 -3.177774 1 The Prince of Wales , 81–83 St Mary Street, CF10 1FA , ☏ +44 29 2064 4449 . A great city centre location offering great food all day at some good prices considering its very central location. This is a typical Wetherspoon pub. However less central Wetherspoons outlets are cheaper. ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 51.48105 -3.1806 2 Blue Bell , 33 High Street, CF10 1PU , ☏ +44 2921 510 043 , [email protected] . Friendly pub with some Welsh dishes on the menu. Good vegetarian and vegan options. £9–15 (March 2022) . ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 51.471327 -3.183879 4 Vegetarian Food Studio , 115-117 Penarth Road, Grangetown , ☏ +44 29 2023 8222 , [email protected] . Indian restaurant with an entirely vegetarian and vegan menu. Bring your own drink. ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 51.479022 -3.177045 5 Crumbs Kitchen , 33 Morgan Arcade . Great range of veggie and vegan food. ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 51.477787 -3.176629 6 Dorothy's Fish Bar , 39-40 Caroline St . Fish&chips ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 51.478564 -3.17685 7 Fresh the Baguette Bar , 32 Royal Arcade . ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 51.481186 -3.17943 8 The New York Deli , 4-6 Duke Street Arcade . ( updated Feb 2023 )
• In the city centre you can also find the chain restaurants Tortilla, Greggs (bakery), Wok to Walk and Franco Manca.
• 51.48179 -3.17797 9 Pillars , 29 Queen Street, Cardiff, CF10 2AH , ☏ +44 2920395074 . 8:30 am - 4 pm . Resteraunt.. Unfussy self-serve eatery offering breakfast, homestyle meals, sandwiches, jacket potatoes & pies. ( updated Apr 2024 )

Mid-range [ edit ]

British [ edit ].

• 51.486358 -3.199936 10 Thomas by Tom Simmons , 3 Pontcanna St ( west of Bute Park ). W-Sa noon-midnight, Su noon-6PM . It's trad Welsh fare opened in 2021. ( updated Feb 2023 )

Vegetarian & Vegan [ edit ]

• 51.4941 -3.164621 11 Anna Loka , 114 Albany Rd, CF24 3RU , ☏ +44 29 2048 9773 , [email protected] . Tu–Th 11AM–3PM and 6PM–9PM, F 10AM–3PM and 6PM–10PM, Sa 10AM–10PM, Su 11AM–3PM . A delicious eatery with creative all-vegan dishes, claiming to be the first vegan restaurant in Cardiff. Try the bubble waffle dessert. £15-25 . ( updated Feb 2023 )

Steak houses [ edit ]

• 51.480851 -3.180053 12 Pasture . M-Th 12-3PM, 5-9:30PM, F Sa noon-11PM, Su noon-7PM . A steak restaurant opened in 2021. ( updated Feb 2023 )

International [ edit ]

• 51.494148 -3.163385 13 Ichiban , 167 Albany Road , ☏ +44 29 2066-8833 . This is a wonderful Japanese restaurant offering excellent value noodle, curry and sushi dishes. A short bus or taxi ride from the city centre, or a 20-30 minute walk. ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 51.492135 -3.171259 14 Tenkaichi , 236 City Rd , ☏ +44 78 3142-1199 . Tenkaichi offers authentic Japanese food with a British flare. It is a great restaurant if you want fresh noodles and sushi. It also provides an extensive wine list. ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 51.494702 -3.17704 15 Mina , 43 Crwys Road , ☏ +44 7763 491937 . Highly-regarded and very good-value Lebanese restaurant in the Cathays area; small, family-run and very friendly. Can get busy, especially at weekends: booking recommended. About 25 minutes' walk from city centre, or take Cardiff Bus number 38 or 39, which stop outside the door. £20-30 . ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 51.478745 -3.175981 16 Giovanni's , 38 The Hayes , ☏ +44 29 20220077 , [email protected] . Very long-established and popular Italian restaurant. Two in the city centre (The Hayes and Park Place) and another in Cardiff Bay. ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 51.480392 -3.179791 17 Chai Street , 15 High Street . Modern, casual Indian restaurant in the city centre specialising in a range of thalis as well as curry bowls and offering a good selection of draught lagers. £15-25 . ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 51.480456 -3.179194 18 Cafe Citta , 4 Church Street , ☏ +44 29 2022 4040 . Cosy authentic Italian restaurant in the heart of the city centre. £30-40 . ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 51.477752 -3.201358 19 Riverside Cantonese , Leckwith Road, Riverside ( next to Ninian Park railway station ), ☏ +44 29 2037 2163 , [email protected] . £20-30 . ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 51.478542 -3.177969 20 Tŷ Madeira , 32 St Mary Street , ☏ +44 29 2022 4477 , [email protected] . Portuguese restaurant offering a variety of meat, fish, and vegetarian dishes, whose authenticity is attested by the conversations in Portuguese you'll hear from nearby tables. Set in an atmosphere reminiscent of a wine cellar, the restaurant is much larger than it looks from the outside, and its long, deep layout might make you half forget you're in Britain and imagine you're somewhere on the Iberian coast. ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 51.480414 -3.179331 21 Santiago's Tapas , 3 Church St , ☏ +44 29 2022 6666 . Good quality Spanish tapas restaurant. £20-30 . ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 51.480518 -3.178621 22 The Real Italian Pizza Company , 22-23 Trinity Street , ☏ +44 29 2023 5963 . Good choice for authentic Italian pizza in the city centre. £20-30 . ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 51.478138 -3.176556 23 Spice Quarter , Unit 8b, 1st Floor, Caroline St, Brewery Quarter , ☏ +44 29 2022 0075 , [email protected] . Upmarket modern Indian restaurant tucked away in the Brewery Quarter. ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 51.481407 -3.198454 24 Bangkok Cafe , 207 Cowbridge Road East, Canton ( in Canton - follow Castle Street across the river then diverge right onto Cowbridge Road East ), ☏ +44 29 2034 0455 . Thai restaurant offering a selection of stir fries, curries and noodle dishes and a reasonable vegan menu. ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 51.493069 -3.177661 25 Zi's Cafe , 96 Woodville Road, Cathays ( in Cathays north of the city centre ), ☏ +44 29 2115 3651 . Excellent quality casual Chinese restaurant offering eat-in as well as takeaway with a good vegetarian selection. Try the sea spiced aubergine. £15-25 . ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 51.478211 -3.177004 26 Mia Porto Due , The Old Brewery Quarter , ☏ +44 29 2022 7147 , [email protected] . Restaurant offering a range of different Portuguese and Italian dishes. Fish and seafood lovers should try the Portuguese seafood stew. ( updated Feb 2023 )

Splurge [ edit ]

• 51.480892 -3.183028 27 Castell Restaurant , The Angel Hotel, Castle St , ☏ +44 29 2064-9200 . Amazing views of the castle grounds, and serves traditional Welsh cuisine. Also caters for private parties. ( updated Jan 2022 )
• 51.460585 -3.167305 28 Tir a Môr , Havannah St , ☏ +44 29 2045-4045 . The luxury restaurant at the St David Hotel and Spa. Amazing views all around Cardiff Bay, and serves a traditional freshly caught seafood. ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 51.484881 -3.175677 29 Park House Restaurant and Wine Bar , 20 Park Place , ☏ +44 29 2022 4343 , [email protected] . Upmarket fine dining restaurant with an extensive wine list. £80-90 . ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 51.47831 -3.175433 30 The Ivy Cardiff , 69/70 St David’s, St Davids Centre , ☏ +44 29 2233 8940 . Cardiff branch of the famous Ivy restaurant of London. ( updated Feb 2023 )

Cafés [ edit ]

• Wally's Delicatessen & Kaffeehaus , 38-46 Royal Arcade , ☏ +44 29 2022 9265 , [email protected] . Delicatessen downstairs and Viennese-style cafe upstairs offering table service breakfasts and lunches with a wide selection of Viennese coffee styles available. Can get busy at weekends. ( updated Feb 2023 )
• Nata & Co , 3 Castle St , ☏ +44 29 2034 2200 . Popular local Portuguese bakery offering a wide selection of traditional Portuguese cakes and pastries and coffee for eating in or takeaway. Has a shop opposite the castle, another at the other end of Queen Street, another on Bute Street in Cardiff Bay and another on Clifton Street in Adamsdown. Try the Pastel de Nata for an authentic Portuguese treat and also order a cappuccino for the correct, smaller original version, not the giant mug of milk you get in most coffee chains!. ( updated Feb 2023 )
• Waterloo Tea , Wyndham Arcade , ☏ +44 29 2037 6249 . Relaxed tearooms with a huge selection of different loose leaf teas. Cafes in Wyndham Arcade in the city centre and several others elsewhere across Cardiff and Penarth. ( updated Feb 2023 )

Drink [ edit ]

Cardiff is one of top nights out in Britain having the most pubs per square foot than anywhere else in the country. It has many late night pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants. In the city centre, St Mary's Street, Greyfriars Road and Mill Lane are especially lively and offer a variety of establishments to suit all tastes. Mermaid Quay is a lively, albeit smaller option to spend a warm summer night.

Cardiff is a place to drink, favoured by stag and hen parties from all over the UK. St Mary St contains many pubs and shops and becomes wild and exciting on Friday and Saturday nights. There are numerous clubs only a block short walk from Central Station that are bumping into the wee hours. An extensive venue and events list, including gigs and live bands can be found at What's on in Cardiff guide.

For a quieter drink, seek out:

• 51.478972 -3.178194 1 Cardiff Cottage , St. Mary's St, CF10 1AA , ☏ +44 29 2033-7195 . (except weekends and matchdays).  
• A Shot in the Dark , 12 City Rd , ☏ +44 29 2047-2300 . Somewhere between a dimly lit bar and a chilled-out café, Has a certain joie de vivre in its unique atmosphere.  
• Fly By Night , 11 High Street . Upmarket wine bar serving a decent selection of wines by the glass or bottle. ( updated Aug 2020 )
• 51.48063 -3.18108 5 Gin and Juice , 6 Castle Arcade, CF10 1BU ( off Castle St ), ☏ +44 29 2022 1556 . Gin bar offering a wide choice for all palates. ( updated Aug 2020 )
• Prego Italian Wine Bar , 23 High Street , ☏ +44 29 2132 1231 , [email protected] . Casual Italian-style cafe-bar offering a range of Sclavia and other wines, lager and coffees as well as a small selection of food such as paninis and pizzas. ( updated Aug 2020 )

Sleep [ edit ]

It can be very difficult to find rooms available or within a sensible price when the Millennium Stadium is hosting events, especially when Wales play in rugby or football, so plan around the dates or plan early as it will be much cheaper.

Camping [ edit ]

• Cardiff Caravan Park , Pontcanna Fields ( on the opposite bank of the Taff from Bute Park ), ☏ +44 29 2039-8362 , fax : +44 29 2039-8362 . Central camp site . Friendly staff. Bike hire on site, also very limited family room, but wide choice of food & drink within walking distance.  
• Wedal Road Youth Hostel , 2 Wedal Road , ☏ +44 845 371-9311 . Roath Park: for £19 (adult without YHA membership), it's the cheapest place to stay and really quite funky (for a Youth Hostel): no curfew, modern, clean, friendly personnel, and a sumptuous breakfast is included; it's about a 20-minute walk from the city centre, or 10 minutes by bus.  
• The River House Backpackers , 59 Fitzhamon Embankment, Riverside ( just opposite Millenium Stadium ), ☏ +44 29 2039-9810 . Excellent boutique hostel. The dorms are neat and simple, bathrooms are nice and always kept clean. There is a common kitchen and eating area, as well as a TV and reading room. Free breakfast and wifi internet is included. The atmosphere is social but not too rowdy. Very hospitable owners and staff. Dorm beds around £18 per night .  
• There are three other hostels in the city including Nos Da , Cardiff Backpackers and Nomad .
• Cardiff Marriott Hotel , Mill Ln ( within a block of the train station, right across from at least ten clubs ), ☏ +44 29 2039-9944 . It has reasonably comfortable rooms (not yet with the Marriott upgraded beds). They have high speed internet connections in the rooms, but the fee is £15/day for the service. The staff is friendly and helpful. Also, they have a small multi-storey car park for the hotels guest.  
• Park Inn Hotel Cardiff , Mary Ann St , ☏ +44 29 2034-1441 . Comfortable hotel in the city centre.  
• Express By Holiday Inn Cardiff Bay , Longuiel Close , ☏ +44 29 2044-9000 . Clean hotel in Cardiff Bay, 15-min walk from the centre.  
• Holiday Inn Cardiff Central , Castle St , ☏ +44 870 400-8140 . Minutes from most attractions in the city centre.  
• Lincoln House Hotel , Cathedral Rd , ☏ +44 29 2039-5558 . Traditional converted townhouse on the outskirts of Cardiff city centre.  
• 51.479878 -3.186062 1 Austins Guesthouse - Cardiff , 11 Coldstream Terrace , ☏ +44 29 2037-7148 , [email protected] . Small friendly B&B in the city centre, 300 yards from the Castle and overlooking the River Taff.  
• The Angel , The Angel Hotel1S2 , ☏ +44 29 2064-9200 . ( updated Jul 2015 )
• 51.55 -3.214 2 New House Country Hotel , Thornhill CF14 9UA , ☏ +44 2920 520280 . Comfy hotel in Georgian manor in hills above Cardiff, dog-friendly. B&B double £130 . ( updated Jun 2020 )
• Hotel Indigo , Dominions Arcade CF10 2AR , ☏ +44 8719 429104 . Stylish city centre hotel, part of IHG group, no dogs. B&B double £140 . ( updated Jun 2020 )
• 51.476114 -3.176685 3 Clayton Hotel Cardiff , St Mary Street, CF10 1GD , ☏ +44 292 066 8866 , [email protected] . Check-in: 3PM , check-out: noon . Quiet hotel with reliable wifi and luggage storage available. Extensive buffet breakfast costs £10 if booked in advance, £13 the morning of. ( updated Mar 2022 )
• Cardiff Hilton , 1 Kingsway , ☏ +44 29 2064-6300 . This is the place for more upmarket stays. Situated right in front of the castle and offers nice views of the civic centre.  
• 51.461663 -3.168237 4 St. David's Hotel and Spa ( The St. David's Hotel & Spa ), Havannah Street , ☏ +44 29 2045-4045 , [email protected] . Check-in: 3PM , check-out: 11AM . A really great stay for those who want that little bit extra. Fronting the bay it offers spectacular scenery and is little more than 5 minutes away from the cosmopolitan bay area. Built and operated by the Rocco Forte Group, it was sold in 2006 to the Principal Hayley Group. Rooms from £99 .  
• Park Inn by Radisson Cardiff City Centre , Mary Ann Street , ☏ +44 2920 341 441 . Convenient and comfortable hotel next to the Motorpoint Arena and St. David's Shopping Complex.  
• Radisson Blu Hote , Meridian Gate, Bute Terrace CF10 2FL , ☏ +44 29 2045-4777 , [email protected] .  
• Gelynis Farm B&B , Morganstown ( 5 miles north of Cardiff center ), ☏ +44 29 2084-4440 , [email protected] . 4-star farm and guest house. £45-75 per room, per night .  

Learn [ edit ]

Cardiff is home to around 30,000 students studying in various colleges and universities across the city.

• Cardiff University . Wales' highest ranked university, and in top 5 in the UK for most research disciplines.  
• Cardiff Metropolitan University .  
• University of South Wales . Wales' second largest university has a large new campus in Cardiff city centre focusing on the media, broadcasting and the creative industries.  
• Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama . Focusing on music and drama.  
• United World College of the Atlantic .  

Connect [ edit ]

As of Aug 2022, Cardiff and its approach roads have 5G from all UK carriers. Wifi is widely available in public places.

Media [ edit ]

• The Western Mail , based in Cardiff, and distributed throughout Wales.
• South Wales Echo is the newspaper from and for Cardiff.
• Capital FM The main local radio station for Cardiff and surrounding areas, providing listeners with up-to-date news, local information, as well as chart and contemporary music. Based in the Red Dragon Centre.
• Nation Radio 106.8 & 107.3 FM . Local Rock radio station, with news and weather a nice refreshing change from the main stream stations.
• Gold . Aims at an older audience than Red Dragon FM and also covers the same area.
• ITV Wales News . Broadcast from Cardiff Bay.
• What's on in Cardiff? . Online blog style magazine focusing on music and current events within the city centre.

Stay safe [ edit ]

Cardiff is quite a safe city, and certainly safer than most other major cities in the UK, with the centre having less overall crime than much smaller cities like Gloucester, Northampton and Derby, and far less than in the centre of London, Birmingham, Liverpool or Leeds. However, Cardiff has a relatively high rate of car theft crime rates. Make sure you remove all valuables from your vehicle, especially from show; and don't park at night in badly-lit streets in inner-city neighbourhoods such as Adamsdown, Splott, Riverside or Butetown. If you do need to leave a car overnight, several of the city-centre car parks offer cheap rates for all-night parking and are completely safe. Cardiff seems not to be plagued with a prominent red light district akin to many of the similarly-sized cities in England. However, areas such as Ocean Way in Adamsdown may be wise to avoid in the nights and early evenings in winter, as the area is known for prostitution. Anyone caught curb crawling is likely to be stopped and questioned by police, although more often than not, you will just be told to move on.

Alcohol-related violence is common in parts of Cardiff, especially on the weekends in the clubs and bars concentrated around St Mary Street and Greyfriars Road, so take extra caution to avoid offending anyone. (Cardiff Bay is usually less raucous at these times and attracts much less trouble.) In addition, as in any city, there are areas to avoid after dark: again, these include Adamsdown, Splott, Butetown, and the southern half of Riverside. Bute Park is largely unlit at night so also best avoided.

Go next [ edit ]

Map of places with Wikivoyage articles nearby

• The Vale of Glamorgan , to the southwest of Cardiff contains the Victorian seaside towns of Penarth and Barry. Cowbridge is a picturesque town to the west. St Donat's Castle is one such attraction, a well-preserved 15th C. fortified house, with additions over the centuries. Fonmon Castle is also impressive, while ruined Ogmore has a lovely setting. Comeston Lakes is another beautiful place, with a well maintained country park.
• The superb Glamorgan Heritage Coast , around 10 mi west of Cardiff, stretching from Llantwit Major to Ogmore-by-Sea, the majestic liassic/carboniferous cliffs provide sparkling views across the Bristol channel, and the small little back roads (particularly the road to ogmore-by-sea) provide some of the most spectacular driving routes in Wales.
• Penarth - A Victorian seaside resort, now a suburb south of Cardiff. Known as "the Garden by the Sea”, it has a beautiful, historic pier. And Cosmeston Medieval Village, a "living history" medieval village in nearby Lavernock.
• The Brecon Beacons and the town of Brecon are to the north.
• Try taking the train to Newport , and then a bus to Caerleon and visiting the Roman amphitheatre there. It is quite well preserved and gives a real feel for how the Romans would have used the space.
• It is possible to visit Hereford as a day trip, using either train or car.
• Chepstow and Tintern , attractive ancient towns with staggering stone ruins on the border with England

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One Day Cardiff Itinerary – Map, Tips & Guide

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What To Do in Cardiff in One Day

Cardiff is one of the UK’s four capital cities and it is a unique blend of  British culture , Welsh attributes and Celtic personality. Cardiff has a subtle charm that you learn through the independent stores, laneways of bars, a medieval castle smack-bang in the centre, a diverse culinary scene and an international stadium boasting world artists and the city’s passion for sport.

In this Cardiff travel guide, you’ll find a complete one day itinerary of all the most important must see Cardiff tourist attractions, with an interactive map, organised to make the best use of your time.

We also share recommendations for central places to stay, ideas about where to eat local food, and tips about how to make the most of your 24 hours in Cardiff.

When to Visit Cardiff

Being a city in the UK, rain is almost guaranteed in the winter so the best time to visit Cardiff would be between April and September for a sunny day out, to enjoy the parks and lakes on offer, and to experience a summer afternoon in a British beer garden. 

If you aren’t particularly bothered by the chance of rain though, October to January is an excellent time to visit Cardiff because you can watch the city transform for Christmas with decorations, markets and a winter wonderland, or experience a unique holiday in the UK called Bonfire Night (or Guy Fawkes night) where the entire country celebrates with firework displays, sparklers, hot dogs and gatherings. 

True Welsh pride is found in three things: the flag, the National Anthem and sport. To enjoy all three, visit between February and March for the Six Nations which is an annual Rugby tournament, and games are always held in Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.

You cannot beat the atmosphere around the city at this time because there is an air of excitement, fun and friendly faces to greet you in every neighbourhood.

Is this your first time visiting the UK? Get all the information you need in our United Kingdom Travel Guide , including what to pack, the best time of year to go, getting there and practical tips to help you have the best trip!

Cardiff Trip Resources

Fly into Cardiff Airport

Drive in from England or hire a car in Wales

Travel Insurance

Medical costs, delays and lost luggage

Getting to Cardiff

If you’re flying in, Cardiff Airport is the main airport in Wales, connecting the capital city to other destinations in Europe and to regional airports in the UK. International travelers will have to plan for at least one layover.

The cheapest way to get from Cardiff airport to the city centre is by train, you will need to take the 905 shuttle bus from the Airport to Rhoose Cardiff International Airport railway station, this takes about 10 minutes and is a nominal cost. Once at the train station, there is a train every hour on weekdays and every two hours on the weekend into the city centre.

You can also book a private transfer from the airport with Klook directly to your accommodation in the city. Klook works with a large range of local operators to bring the the best options and prices for your transfer.

RELATED POST – Wales Road Trip – A Stunning Route & Itinerary

Where to Stay in Cardiff

Luxury: Parador 44 – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Hotel Indigo – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel & Spa – Booking.com | Agoda

Hostel: BunkHouse Hostel – Booking.com | Agoda

What to See & Do in Cardiff

You might ask “is one day enough for Cardiff?” With our one day Cardiff itinerary and city guide you can explore all the unmissable things to do in Cardiff that showcase this distinctive city and region.

Interactive Map of Your Cardiff Itinerary

How to use this map – Use your fingers (or computer mouse) to zoom in and out. Click or touch the icons to get more info about a place, and click the arrow in the box top left to open the index. To add to your own Google Maps account, click the star next to the title of the map.

Visit Cardiff Castle

If there’s a piece of Welsh history to explore in Cardiff in just 24 hours, Cardiff Castle is it. Nestled in the heart of the city centre and surrounded by lush parkland, this 2000 year old castle and fort built by the Romans and home to Norman Lords, now holds guided tours, exhibitions, concerts and even weddings. It was gifted to the city of Cardiff and remains a place of interest in South Wales.

Highlights include the double height ceilings in the castle’s Arab Room, which are decorated with hand-applied gold leaf worth £8 million! There are also fascinating tunnels which were used as air-raid shelters in World War Two to explore, and the medieval keep to climb.

At special times of the year, Cardiff Castle is decorated with something unique for a limited time. Celebrating literature and specifically Roald Dahl, there was once a giant peach, and at Christmas there is always a huge Christmas tree outside the entrance.

In addition, Cardiff Castle plays a large part in city events. It’s the starting line for the annual Cardiff Half Marathon, and the entire street was closed when Wales came third in 2016 Euros football tournament for the team’s homecoming.

One of the top attractions in Cardiff, it’s a great place to visit and even better if there’s something going on in the city, so be sure to check with the  Cardiff Tourist information Centre  before arriving.

Sample a Welsh Cake

You cannot come to Wales and not sample a Welsh cake. But don’t settle for one from a supermarket, you need a home-made Welsh cake like nain (grandmother) used to make!

Welsh cakes are like a flat scone with a unique taste, made from flour, currants, eggs, milk and spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. Sometimes called griddle cakes because of the method of cooking, they can be eaten warm or cold, and are absolutely delicious.

Fabulous Welshcakes  found opposite Cardiff Castle (and a sister branch in Cardiff Bay) is one of the best places to go in Cardiff for traditional Welsh Cakes. They also do a range of Welsh Cake shapes and a new fusion of flavours. Get a batch for the next stop in the city’s main park, and maybe a few to take home.

Stroll Bute Park

Surrounding and adjacent to the castle, you’ll find Cooper’s Field, protected by a wall full of sculpted animals which leads to Bute Park, a gorgeous greenery stroll for your mid-morning visit to Cardiff.

Walk next to the River Taff and discover the wildlife (very rare, but see if you can spot an otter popping its head out of the water) or pull out a blanket to enjoy those Welsh Cakes and grab a cuppa from the park’s cafe.

Explore Cardiff Market

Cardiff Central Market is an indoor market that’s been around since the 16th century and is the beating heart of the city. Wandering through the market just window shopping is an experience in itself.

Add the shouts of the fruit sellers hawking their goods, the beautiful rows of fresh flowers, the smell the strong fishmongers section at one end, and the taste of the fresh breakfast rolls being cooked at the other end, just enhances the experience.

Most importantly, you feel part of the community in this local establishment. The market is also the prime spot for your Cardiff souvenirs with stalls from every local trader you can think of selling local Welsh gifts. 

Shopping in Cardiff is a great idea because you can get anything you want, all within walking distance of one another. Cardiff has plenty of shopping arcades with gems selling vintage music, or bookshops specifically selling Welsh language-only books.

Pretty High Street Arcade, adjoined to Duke Street Arcade, are historic Victorian shopping arcades, with a great selection of independent boutiques and quirky shops to explore.

As well as the usual high street shops you can find in any UK city, Cardiff has a few other shopping places of interest. Check out Womanby Street, which oozes with individuality from its street food to its street art.

National Museum Cardiff

Next to the distinctive Cardiff City Hall, The Cardiff Museum is something free to do in the city, and well worth a visit.

The Art Gallery here holds one of Europe’s finest art collections. With five hundred years of magnificent paintings, drawings, sculpture, silver and ceramics from Wales and across the world, including one of Europe’s best collections of Impressionist art, this is a must visit place on your Cardiff itinerary.

Explore this museum and you’ll be amazed by the history, art and even dinosaur information that you’ll learn about Wales.

Top Tip: Book online here before you go to guarantee entrance, which is, delightfully, free!

Visit Cardiff Bay

Cardiff Bay (known by locals as Cardiff Docks) is one train stop away from Cardiff Central and is the home of Cardiff’s heyday, when the city was one of the largest coal exporting docks in the world. 

In the Cardiff of today, it has transformed with a modern urban area called Mermaid Quay, where you can find indie boutique shops, boat trips, rib rides and stunning modern architecture. Exploring this area is one of the best free things to do in Cardiff.

Head here to catch a West End musical on tour at the Wales Millennium Centre , learn about Welsh history at the Grade I listed  Pierhead Building , splash around at the brilliant Aqua Park Cardiff , or visit the Norwegian Church where Roald Dahl was baptised.

This pretty little Scandinavian style church has created a surprising link between Cardiff and Norway. With stunning views over Cardiff Bay, it was founded by the Norwegian Seamens’ mission, and is now the Norwegian Church Arts Centre .

Tour Senedd Cymru

One of the best things to do at Cardiff Bay is visit the Senedd, the Welsh Government building, designed by architect Richard Rogers. 

Wales has its own devolved legislature and executive, which means the country has its own parliament and government. The Welsh Parliament (known as the Welsh National Assembly until May 2020) makes laws and scrutinises the Welsh Government to make sure they’re doing an effective job of providing services and safeguarding the interests of the people of Wales.

If you’re interested in learning more about how the country of Wales is run, or want to see inside the incredible structure, you can take a tour of this amazing and sustainable building.

Enjoy a Pint

A vital part of visiting the Welsh capital is having a pint in one of the many local pubs. This is a must do in Cardiff even if you only have two hours in the city, because enjoying a drink is part of experiencing Welsh life. If you don’t like beer, you could always sample a Welsh Gin. When you’re in Wales, do as the Welsh do!

Top Tip: Try  Tiny Rebel  for a local craft beer, or  The Pen & Wig  for that beer garden atmosphere in the warmer summer months.

Catch a Game at the Principality Stadium

If you’re lucky enough to be visiting while there is a rugby or football game on, try and land a ticket for the match at the Principality Stadium, formerly known as the Millennium Stadium.

If there are no games on, go on a guided tour around the stadium and learn about the games it has hosted, the arena being used for music concerts, as well as huge boxing matches hosting World Champions.

The beauty of this stadium that is appreciated globally, is the fact that the roof can be open and closed depending on the fickle Welsh weather.

Sample the Local Nightlife

Home to a great collection of eclectic clubs and bars, the Cardiff nightlife scene will leave you spoilt for choice when deciding on the best places to visit.

Whether you like it loud and wild, or you prefer to relax with a cocktail and chat, you’ll find something to suit all tastes. 

Top Tip: The  Dead Canary  serve a fantastic selection of cocktails at their ‘secret’ bar, the entrance of which is disguised as a fire door! This is a great place to meet with friends and they also offer masterclasses, if you have a few hours to spare in the evening, a fantastic way to end your day in Cardiff.

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Where to eat in cardiff.

For a unique lunch or dinner, try  The Clink Cymru  (Cymru means Wales in Welsh and pronounced cuhm-ree). The Clink is located at HMP Cardiff. Yes, you read that correct, this fine dining restaurant is located in the grounds of Cardiff Prison and run by prisoners who are working towards qualifications in catering and cookery.

The leather upholstery and boardroom tables used in the restaurant are made by prisoners at HMP Frankland, and the poetry on display is from former Clink trainees. Clink’s menu uses only local and seasonal Welsh produce, and you can sample the likes of Cawl, a Welsh stew made with Welsh Lamb.  

Now one of the top Cardiff attractions, the project has been such a success in reducing re-offending rates and preparing prisoners for life outside, that three other Clink restaurants have opened at HMP Brixton, HMP High Down and HMP Styal.

Chippy Lane

If you’re planning on partying at night in one of Cardiff’s many cocktail bars, happy hour venues or nightclubs then the only way to end the night is on Caroline Street.

Locally, and fondly, known as Chippy Lane, this is the one place that you will genuinely feel like a local because this is a rite of passage for all Welsh late-night drinkers. Take your pick between many of the kebab houses and chip shops but beware, the later you are there, the worse the drunks will be.

Five Top Cardiff Travel Tips

• If you use public transport, don’t get confused by thinking every taxi, bus and train driver are named ‘Drive’. It is ingrained in the local culture to say ‘thanks, drive’ when exiting a bus, taxi or (sometimes) train. This is a phrase you always hear in South Wales.
• It may be the capital city of Wales and we do have our own language (Welsh) but everyone in Cardiff can speak English so while you don’t need to carry a Welsh phrasebook around, knowing a few basic words is always good when visiting anywhere.
• Although everyone speaks English, never, ever make the mistake of calling locals English, referring to things as English or classing Cardiff as a city in England. It is highly offensive and completely untrue; this is Wales and they are Welsh.
• The cheapest and most convenient bar and restaurants are the Wetherspoons that flood every UK town and are dotted all over Cardiff. If you’re coming to Cardiff for one day, don’t waste your time in these establishments unless you want to experience the run-of-the-mill British pub. There are plenty of local bars and quirky eateries to experience instead. 
• Lastly, it may surprise you that some places (including local buses and some car park payment machines) do not accept cards so ensure you always carry a few pounds spare with you. 

More Than One Day in Cardiff?

If you have another half a day or you’re spending a weekend in Cardiff, add these top local attractions to your itinerary;

St Fagans National Museum of History

St. Fagans National Museum of History is a free open-air museum showcasing the history of Welsh life with traditional cottages, workshops and farms. You’ll also find St Fagan’s Castle in the village of the same name, an Elizabethan manor with beautiful  gardens.

Go Boating!

Rent a boat for the afternoon on Roath Lake and picnic at Roath Park with the produce you bought at Cardiff Market.

Explore the Taff Trail

Hike or cycle the Taff Trail that runs for 55 miles between Cardiff Bay and Brecon for an active few hours enjoying the nature outside the hustling city. A great destination to look out for along the trail is Castell Coch (Cadw) , or the Red castle, a 19th century Gothic Revival castle built above the village of Tongwynlais.

Discover the Cardiff Bay Barrage

Completed in 1999 at a cost of £220 million, this large dam plugs the gap between Penarth, home to one of the top beaches near Cardiff , and Porth Teigr, making Cardiff Bay into a freshwater lake. The Bay Trail, a six mile walking and cycling track spans the barrage, and along the route there’s a skate park and a playground.

You’ll also find a series of display boards telling the story of Captain Robert Scott’s expedition to the Antarctic, which set sail from Cardiff in 1910, before ending in disaster two years later when Scott and his men died, having been beaten to the pole by a Norwegian team led by Roald Amundsen.

Take a Day Trip to the Brecon Beacons

This Brecon Beacons National Park and Wye Valley full day tour is one of the best day trips from Cardiff. The mountains, known in Welsh as Bannau Brycheiniog , and the Wye Valley are an easy drive from the city and are a must visit on any trip to Wales to enjoy the breathtaking scenes of the Welsh Valleys, sample the pure Welsh water and visit the waterfalls and forests the areas are known for.

Written for The Gap Decaders by Shireen of The Happy Days Travel .

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15 Very Best Things to Do in Cardiff (2023)

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: May 1, 2023

Are you planning a trip to Cardiff? In this article, you will discover our selection of the VERY BEST things to do in Cardiff including the main landmarks and best attractions not to miss in Wales’s capital city.

The Welsh capital is the buzzing centre of this Celtic nation. Crammed with cultural hotspots, charming Victorian architecture, a rich history, impressive castles, and modern urban hangouts, Cardiff has a whole heap of things for visitors to do and is a great place to include in your itinerary for south Wales.

If you are visiting Cardiff for the first time it is well worth spending some time discovering what the capital city of Wales has to offer. In this article, we have put together a round-up of some of the VERY BEST things to do in Cardiff to ensure you have a fun day and make the most of your visit to this vibrant city at the heart of Wales.

At the end of the article you will find a map showing the locations of all the Welsh attractions, eateries and places to stay mentioned in this article.

We recommend taking the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus to enjoy the main attractions of Cardiff. Alternatively, a walking tour is a great way to explore the city. This private tour with a local is a great way to learn about the city and Welsh culture (why not meet people not just see places!)

Tip – Many British TV programmes are made in Cardiff. Why not join a themed walking tour and learn more about your favourite TV show? This one is perfect for Dr Who fans and if Gavin and Stacey are more your thing this is the one for you!

Cardiff Castle

Stroll cardiff’s centenary walk, cardiff bay, wales millennium centre, bute park sculpture trail, wander cardiff’s central market, shop in the cardiff’s 6 victorian arcades, national museum of cardiff, st fagans national museum of history, llandaff cathedral, take a themed tour of the city, the cottage, barkers tea room, the naked vegan ltd, the lansdowne pub, castell coch, caerphilly castle, barry island, bannau brycheiniog (formally known as the brecon beacons), where to stay in cardiff, map of things to do and see in cardiff (+ accommodation & eateries), visiting wales, top tourist attractions & best things to do in cardiff.

If you like castles, you’re in luck: Cardiff Castle is one of the most historic in the UK. Sat right in the heart of the city, this castle is a fascinating structure that’ll have you enthralled for hours.

It was first built by the Romans in the 1st century AD, but then the Normans moved in during the 11th century and constructed the still awe-inspiring Norman keep that you see today. If you look carefully at the castle walls you will see traces of the abandoned Roman fort it was built upon.

The Lords of Glamorgan built the House in the 15th century and finally, a grand Victorian Gothic home was added in the 19th century.

The Cardiff Castle Clock Tower which stands at over 100 feet tall and dominates the city skyline was completed in 1873. So for its 2,000 years of history, visiting this castle is easily one of the best things to do in Cardiff.

Good to know – If you dream of spending the night in a fairytale Welsh castle you may be interested to know that you can! Yes there are a number of castles in Wales with accommodation options – you can find out in my guide to Welsh castle hotels.

Where, When and How Much?

• Castle St, CF10 3RB
• Opening hours: Monday – Thursday 10:00 to 16:00 (last entry 15:00), Friday – Sunday from 9:00 to 18:00 (last entry 17:00).
• Admission prices: £12.00: Adult | £10.00: Senior/student (proof of ID) and disabled visitors | £9: Children 5-16 | Free: Children under 5

Rather than spend money on a tour, it’s possible to hop on a very comprehensive self-guided tour of Cardiff, thanks to the city’s Centenary Walk. Established in 2005 to mark 100 years of Cardiff’s city status, it weaves through some of the most magnificent sights the city has to offer.

Kicking off at the Old Library and onto Cardiff Market, you’ll pass by hotspots (41 in total) such as the Millennium Stadium, the City Hall, and St David’s Cathedral.

Eventually, you’ll wind up back in The Hayes, just south of the city centre. This loop is a must-do in Cardiff for hikers and history buffs alike.

Good to know – If you prefer to save your feet there is a hop-on-hop-off bus tour available which offers panoramic views of the city.

• Starts at Old Library, The Hayes, CF10 1BH
• Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Free admission

Cardiff Bay is a redeveloped area located in south Cardiff and is a happening hangout in the city: think walkways, piers, and boardwalks.

You’ll find a ton of bars and restaurants here to while away the hours. It’s particularly nice on a warm, sunny day when it seems like the whole of Cardiff is out here enjoying this revamped dockyard area.

Don’t miss some of Cardiff’s main attractions including the Wales Millennium Centre, the Senedd (which houses the Welsh Government National Assembly for Wales, the Pierhead Building ( a Grade 1 listed building and one of Cardiff’s most familiar landmarks), and the Norwegian Church where Roald Dahl was baptised in 1916.

• Cardiff Bay, CF10 
• Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (times vary for restaurants and bars)

You’ll find the spectacular Wales Millennium Centre located in Roald Dahl Plass (a public square) right in the middle of Cardiff Bay.

This landmark arts centre is built out of Welsh slate and other local materials in a celebration of all things Welsh. Just glimpsing the impressive architecture alone is one of the best things to do in Cardiff.

Opening its doors in 2004, the centre has played host to all sorts of different theatrical performances, from opera to ballet. If you don’t have time to fit in a show, there are on-site restaurants and dining, so you could just grab a coffee and enjoy the atmosphere.

• Bute Pl, CF10 5AL
• Opening hours: typically from Monday – Saturday 10:00 to 18:00
• Admission free (costs of performances vary)

Fancy some art – and a breath of fresh air? Then this place is a must-do when you’re in Cardiff. The sprawling Bute Park is a place to visit in itself. It’s named after the 3rd Marquis of Bute; the Butes were the family that once owned Cardiff Castle.

It’s a popular spot for locals, where on sunny days you can see people laying out on the lawns and picnicking. There are some 21 huge sculptures by various artists scattered throughout the park, from a gigantic stag beetle in Old Man’s Wood to a warthog that locals have affectionately dubbed “Pumba”.

And they’re not just to look at: made of old tree stumps, these sculptures are all about enjoying the natural environment. Feel free to scramble all over them!

• North Rd, CF10 3ER
• Admission free

Hitting up Cardiff’s Victorian-era Central Market is a great way to spend your time in the city. This indoor market has been in operation since the 1700s, but opened in its current form back in 1891. Scarily enough, originally this would have been where the gallows were located.

Today, it’s a thriving farmer’s market and one of the best places to visit in Cardiff for foodies. Spread over two floors, there are fruit and veg shops selling local produce, florists, butchers, and even vegan eateries to try out.

One particularly interesting place is Ashton’s, a fishmonger’s that’s been trading in the same spot since 1866; another long-established stall is the family-run Market Deli, going strong for over a century.

• St Mary St, CF10 1AU. 
• Open daily 8:00 to 15:00

For more Victorian shopping experiences in Cardiff, you should check out the city’s Victorian era arcades. Boasting six Victorian-era arcades, Cardiff’s antique commercial hotspots not only look the part, they also have a range of independent shops to browse.

The biggest of these is Castle Arcade. Right opposite the High Street, this particular arcade was built in 1882 and is split across two floors, with beautiful balconies and ornate interiors.

Elsewhere there’s the well-preserved Morgan Arcade (1896), which is home to Spillers Records , the world’s oldest record shop and a must-visit in Cardiff for music-lovers.

• Various locations in the Castle Quarter
• Times vary, but Castle Arcade is open daily from 8:30 to 18:00

With its 500 years’ worth of paintings, sculptures, drawings, and ceramics, the National Museum Cardiff was established in 1912. It’s one of the best things to do in Cardiff if you want to learn about international art and Welsh history.

You’ll find works from famous artists here, including big-hitters like Van Gogh, Cezanne, Lowry, and Francis Bacon.

There are many interactive exhibits to enjoy including the popular mother and baby woolly mammoths on display in the Evolution of Wales gallery.

It’s easy to spend a whole afternoon just strolling around this vast cultural centre (especially on a rainy day) soaking it all up.

• Cathays Park, CF10 3NP
• Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday 10:00 to 17:00 (closed Mondays)

For more of a definitively Welsh history lesson than that on offer at the National Museum, you should head to St Fagans National Museum of History.

One particularly cool thing about this place is its location in the grounds of St Fagans Castle, where you’ll find over 50 historic buildings relocated and reconstructed here from all over Wales.

There are old shops, a Victorian school, farm buildings – complete with real-life animals -, a medieval church, and craftspeople at work in traditional garb. It’s an open-air museum, essentially, that makes for a decent day out from the city centre.

• St Fagans, CF5 6XB. 
• Opening hours: from 10:00 to 17:00 daily

Llandaff Cathedral is one of 2 cathedrals in Cardiff (St David’s is the Roman Catholic Cathedral). Founded in 107 the cathedral features some of the finest medieval architecture in Wales.

Extended, rebuilt and damaged throughout the ages the Cathedral has had 2 major restorations. One in the late 19th century and another after damage caused by bombing raids during WW2.

• Cathedral Close, High Street, Llandaff, Cardiff
• Usually open daylight hours

Cardiff is a popular location for some of Britain’s best-loved TV shows. If you are a fan of Dr. Who or Gavin and Stacey a themed tour of the city is the perfect option!

• Dr Who Walking Tour of Cardiff – Take a 2.5-hour walking tour of Cardiff, and discover locations in the Welsh capital used in the hit TV series “Doctor Who.” Learn how the city was utilized for intergalactic purposes, and how it was transformed to become New York, Pompeii and more.
• Barry Island Gavin and Stacey Tour – Discover the locations of Gavin and Stacey on this official tour. See Barry Island and visit the home of Stacey. Visit Nessa’s arcade and sit in her chair, then take a walk on Barry seafront.

Where to eat and drink in Cardiff

Exploring all the fun things to do in Cardiff is hungry (and thirsty) work. But don’t worry, there’s no way anyone’s getting hangry here!

There are a ton of different places to eat and drink, from hip bars, cosy coffee shops, and cool cafes to local pubs and fancy restaurants.

Here’s just a selection of what’s on offer.

Despite the name, this is a pub—and a very charming one at that. It’s perfectly situated in the city centre, so after you’ve had a day of discovering Cardiff’s top sights, you can head to this olde worlde pub for a pint of beer (or real ale) and a bite to eat.

The staff are friendly, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the decor is particularly traditional. If you want to really soak up the vibes, head here on rugby days when it gets particularly lively.

Where and When?

• 25 St Mary St, CF10 1AA.
• Every day from 12:00 until midnight.

For a less rowdy experience, with a lot of less alcohol involved, make a beeline to Barkers Tea Room. Situated in Cardiff’s historic Castle Arcade , this traditional tea room is a cute little place to cosy up for a spot of breakfast, a tasty lunch, or even some afternoon tea (recommended).

Think big leather chairs and wooden floors or—on warmer days—sipping a cuppa out in the arcade itself. Fancy, but not overly expensive.

• 8-12 High Street Arcade, CF10 1BB
• Every day from 9:00 to 17:00

Among the buzz of Cardiff Market you’ll find The Naked Vegan. This compact stall sells a wide variety of amazing cakes and donuts—all vegan, obviously, and some even gluten-free. They’re so delicious that, vegan or not, you’re bound to be impressed at their offerings.

The raspberry brownie comes particularly recommended. It’s run by a friendly couple who’ll be more than happy to take you through what’s on offer.

• 132 Central Market, CF10 1AU
• Monday – Friday 9:00 to 11:00 (closed weekends)

The Lansdowne Pub is a more family-friendly option than The Cottage, but not only that—it’s also award-winning; receiving CAMRA’s “Pub of the Year” accolade in 2014 and 2015.

Afternoons here are busy with families with children, while evenings are abuzz with friends catching up over drinks. There’s also a good selection of pub grub on offer for those who are more hungry than thirsty.

• 71 Beda Road, CF5 1LX.
• Monday – Thursday from 12:00 to 23:00; Friday – Saturday 12:00 to 23:30; Sundays 12:00 to 22:30.

Places to visit near Cardiff

Located on the outskirts of Cardiff and arguably one of the most picturesque castles in all of Wales, Castell Coch is a stunning fairytale structure. Meaning “Red Castle”, it’s a 19th-century Gothic Revival style building situated on the site of a Norman castle built in 1081 to protect the town of Cardiff – then newly conquered by the Normans.

Rising out of the tree-lined hills in the village of Tongwynlais, this really is a refreshing spot to enjoy a day away from the city.

It’s easy to see why it was used as a summer retreat for the 3rd Marquis of Bute, and why visiting this mini marvel is one of the best things to do in Cardiff.

• Tongwynlais, CF15 7JS. 
• Opening hours: Monday – Saturday 10:00 to 16:00, and Sunday from 11:00 to 16:00.
• Admission prices: £7.30: Adult | £5.80: Seniors 65 and over | £4.40: Children 5-17 | Free: Children under 5 and disabled visitors

Caerphilly Castle is arguably the granddaddy of all castles in Wales. This truly impressive and spectacular castle will wow you from the moment you set eyes on it, and makes for a must-visit spot in Cardiff.

Constructed by Gilbert de Clare in the 13th century, to consolidate his power in Glamorgan, the medieval castle and towers are surrounded by a large moat and connected via a bridge.

After Windsor Castle, Caerphilly is the second-largest in the whole of the United Kingdom. It boasts concentric walls and soaring Gothic gatehouses, a whole array of stony defences, staircases to tread and windows to peep out of. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back to a different time entirely.

• Castle St, Caerphilly, CF83 1JD
• Opening hours: Monday – Sunday 9:30 to 17:30, with shorter opening hours in the winter months
• Admission prices: £8.90: Adults | £7.10: Seniors 65 and over | £5:30: Children 5-17 | Free: Children under 5 and disabled visitors

Barry Island is a popular destination for locals in the summer months. The seaside resort is located on a peninsula NOT an island as the name suggests.

Barry Island is a fun place to visit for families and an easy day trip from Cardiff. Spend time on the beach, hire a beach hut, and enjoy some tasty fish and chips from Boofy’s!

Where, when and how much?

• Located 7 miles from Cardiff – park at Harbour Road Car Park £4/day. Take the train – 30 minutes from Cardiff Central to Barry Island.
• Visit during the summer months!

If you are planning to spend two or more days based in Cardiff and enjoy the outdoors why not include a visit to the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park in your itinerary?

With stunning lakes, waterfalls, and peaks it is a great destination for hiking, cycling or wildlife watchers. There are also plenty of adrenaline sports on offer too including paragliding, rafting and sailing.

If you are feeling adventurous why not book a guided hike up Pen-y-fan the highest mountain in Bannau Brycheiniog?

• Located 42 miles from Cardiff. There are no direct train connections so I would recommend hiring a car in Cardiff and driving to the area or booking a tour .
• Visit all year round (check the weather forecast before you go)

Plan your visit to Cardiff

In this section, you will find a quick guide to help plan your visit to the capital city of Wales including a map showing all the main sights and attractions in Cardiff.

How to get to Cardiff from London?

Cardiff is located 150 miles from London and takes around 2 ½ hours by car.

Great Western trains depart hourly from London Paddington to Cardiff Central. The journey takes around 2 hours with one change at Bristol Temple Meads.

Check the trainline for prices and train times.

There are a range of accommodation options in Cardiff to suit all travel styles and budgets. These are our top choices:

• Best – Voco St David’s Cardiff is located in Cardiff Bay. Amenities include a spa and visitors are welcomed with Welsh cakes on arrival.
• Mid-range – 4* Hotel Indigo Cardiff offers modern accommodation and a rather splendid Marco Pierre White restaurant!
• Budget – Hotel Number One Hundred is a boutique-style B&B offering superb value for money.

For more places to stay – Wales Accommodation Guide

My Wales Travel Guide is a great place to start when planning your travels to and around Wales.

You may also find the following articles about visiting Wales useful:

• Top 10 places to visit in in Wales
• Best castles in Wales to explore when you visit
• Fairytale Welsh Castles you can stay in

Join my UK and London travel planning group on Facebook for more tips, inspiration, and help from other travelers planning future travel to and around the UK.

A weekend in Cardiff: travel guide, things to do, food and drink

Everything you need to know for a city break in Wales’s lively capital

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1. Why you should visit Cardiff

2. top attractions: things to see and do, 3. hotels and accommodation: where to stay, 4. restaurants, pubs and bars: where to eat and drink, 5. transport: how to get there, 6. what the locals say….

Cardiff is “loud, lively and out for a good time”, said Rob Crossan in The Times . The capital of Wales “doesn’t really do demure” and it’s a city that “isn’t shy about showing visitors its many charms”.

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With its industrial landmarks “stylishly repurposed” and a waterfront that has been regenerated, Cardiff “knows a thing or two about keeping with the Joneses”, said Luke Waterson in The Telegraph . It has “happily adapted” to being a “suave” shopping centre, live music hotspot and craft beer capital. “You never quite know what might come next.”

To see the city at its “most vibrant and euphoric”, then you should visit Cardiff when the Welsh national rugby union team are playing at home at the “mighty” Millennium (Principality) Stadium, said the World Travel Guide . This is the city “at its best”, but Cardiff is no “one trick pony” – it has “earned its growing reputation” as an exciting year-round tourist destination. “This pint-sized capital is finally having its day.”

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Cardiff Castle

Cardiff Castle is the city’s “crowning glory”, said Kayak.com . Located in the centre and with almost 2,000 years of incredible history, Cardiff Castle has “a medieval keep at its heart, but it’s the later additions that really capture the imagination”, said Lonely Planet . Access to the Public Square, café and gift shop is free, though tickets and bookings are required for entry to the castle’s main attractions, such as the Norman Keep, Castle Apartments, Roman remains and Chariot Corner.

Cardiff Bay

Formerly known as Tiger Bay, Cardiff Bay is “often described as one of the most successful redevelopment projects in the UK”, said India Leigh on Culture Trip . Home to a number of attractions and hotels, The Bay has “transformed from the rough red-light district of previous decades into the flourishing and trendy part of Cardiff that it is today”.

Occupying some 2,700 acres of waterfront land, Cardiff Bay is so large that “it could easily take the best part of a day to explore properly”, said Bryan Dearsley on PlanetWare.com . It’s “well worth the expenditure of time and energy” and is home to plenty of fun things to do, “particularly if you’re travelling with kids”.

Boasting shopping, hotels, restaurants and attractions such as the Techniquest – Science Discovery Centre and Y Senedd, home of the National Assembly for Wales, Cardiff Bay is just a short bus or train ride from the city centre, or a decent stroll on foot.

Arts and culture

At Cardiff Bay you will also find Wales Millennium Centre – the national home of Wales’s performing arts. Residents include the BBC National Orchestra and Welsh National Opera. It is one of the UK’s top cultural attractions with more than 1.5 million visitors each year.

Wales is known as the “land of song”, said BBC Travel . And its capital is a great destination to watch concerts and shows. Womanby Street is the “heart of Cardiff’s live music scene”, said WalesOnline .

Retail therapy: shopping and markets

If you want some retail therapy, Cardiff has got “everything you need to dress to impress”, said Nicholas Witts on Culture Trip . And Wales’s capital is “a patchwork of different styles of shops”. With more than 150 shops, restaurants and cafes, St David’s Dewi Sant is Cardiff’s biggest shopping centre. Other major places to shop include Queens Arcade, Cardiff Bay Retail Park, Capital Shopping Park and Capitol Shopping Centre.

You’re bound to be able to find what you’re looking for at one of Cardiff’s many markets, said WalesOnline . From more permanent fixtures to weekly farmers markets, “there’s something to explore nearly every day of the week”. Cardiff Market, a Victorian indoor market, has been “an iconic part of the city since the 1700s” and is one of the city’s most popular attractions.

Cardiff is also known as “ the city of arcades ”. In the heart of the centre, you will find Victorian and Edwardian arcades which are home to independent cafes, bars and shops. Places to visit include Castle Arcade, Royal Arcade and Morgan Arcade.

The great outdoors

With the close proximity of its attractions, station and castle, Cardiff is a great place to explore on foot or by bike. The River Taff also offers a “5,000-step roam” through parks, oak-lined avenues and abundant arboretums, said The Guardian .

St Fagans National Museum of History

Located about 25 minutes outside of the city centre, this open-air museum is Wales’s most popular heritage attraction and free to enter. Here, visitors can explore the story of Wales and walk around more than 40 original buildings from different historical periods. If you fancy exploring a new city post-lockdown “without spending time inside”, then at the “star attraction” St Fagans National History Museum , you can spy “all the sights without once going indoors”, said Luke Waterson in The Telegraph.

Cardiff has a wide range of accommodation and places to stay, which can suit every budget. “Best for location” is The Angel Hotel on Castle Street in the city centre, said Angela Hui in The Independent . Mercure Holland House is “best for spa” while Park Plaza Cardiff is “best for families”.

According to The Telegraph ’s experts, Hotel Indigo Cardiff gets an 8/10 rating. “Welsh culture and quirky symbolism have been bottled up in each of the 122 rooms at Cardiff’s Hotel Indigo, giving the city an injection of modern accommodation with boutique leanings and a headline Marco Pierre White restaurant that has captured the attention of locals.”

If you’re looking for luxurious lodgings, then the New House Country Hotel, about 30 minutes’ drive outside of the centre, is a “delightful” and “historic” property, said LuxuryHotel.guru .

Cardiff has “long been devoid of restaurants with Michelin stars”, said Ellie Donnell on SquareMeal.co.uk . “In fact, it wasn’t until the guide released its updated line-up of restaurants with Michelin stars in 2022 that the Welsh capital finally gained a Michelin-starred restaurant.” In nearby Penarth, approximately four miles south of the city centre, you will find Home by James Sommerin. With “high quality cooking”, it’s “worth a stop”, the guide said . “It’s a small, intimate space providing an immersive yet warm and friendly experience. The impeccable dishes make great use of the produce provided by local suppliers.”

According to Michelin , Thomas on Pontcanna Street and Nook on Cowbridge Road East are both popular restaurants which offer modern British cuisine, while Heathcock on Bridge Street serves up a menu of contemporary British dishes. Other popular places to eat in Cardiff include Heaneys (modern cuisine), Asador 44 (Spanish), La Cuina (Spanish), and Purple Poppadom (Indian).

The Bottle Club ’s poll of the UK’s most mysterious bars named three Cardiff venues among the best, WalesOnline reported. Lab 22 in Caroline Street, Pennyroyal on High Street and The Dead Canary on Barrack Lane were all “deemed worthy of inclusion” based on their secrecy, creativity, cocktail range, affordability and reviews.

For those who prefer their drinks in pint measurements, 14 Cardiff pubs were selected in the Campaign for Real Ale’s Good Beer Guide 2022 . Included on the list were pubs such as The Andrew Buchan, Cathays Beer House, The Central Bar, The Deri Inn, and The Flute & Tankard.

Cardiff Central

By far the best way to travel to Cardiff is by train. Cardiff Central Station is just under two hours direct from London Paddington and the GWR service calls at Reading, Swindon, Bristol Parkway and Newport. Cardiff Central also has trains to Portsmouth and Manchester.

Cardiff Airport

Cardiff Airport is the only international airport in Wales. You can fly directly from Edinburgh in Scotland, Dublin in Ireland and a number of major European cities.

Cardiff has “just about everything you could want from a capital city”, said writer Megan Potterton, who spent three years living and studying there. In her “local’s guide” on the Emily Luxton Travels blog, Potterton gave a “top tip” for visitors going to Cardiff Bay. “If you’re up for a walk, you can stroll around the whole of the bay in just 6 miles! It’s an easy walk and you’ll get to see the Cardiff Bay Wetland Reserve en route.”

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Mike Starling is the digital features editor at The Week, where he writes content and edits the Arts & Life and Sport website sections and the Food & Drink and Travel newsletters. He started his career in 2001 in Gloucestershire as a sports reporter and sub-editor and has held various roles as a writer and editor at news, travel and B2B publications. He has spoken at a number of sports business conferences and also worked as a consultant creating sports travel content for tourism boards. International experience includes spells living and working in Dubai, UAE; Brisbane, Australia; and Beirut, Lebanon. 

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20 Top Tourist Attractions & Places to Visit in Cardiff

Written by Bryan Dearsley and Anietra Hamper Updated Dec 28, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Author Anietra Hamper and photographer Ian Henderson spent time exploring the sights of Cardiff in the summer of 2022 while on assignment for PlanetWare.

The capital of Wales, the beautiful city of Cardiff is the perfect place to begin exploring this amazing country.

An easy drive over the River Severn from the English city of Bristol , Cardiff (Caerdydd) is where you'll find some of the country's top tourist attractions and things to do. This city has long been of historic significance, as evidenced by splendid Cardiff Castle, widely regarded as one of the best-preserved of the dozens of castles in Wales.

From the castle, it's a short and extremely pleasant walk through the city's Victorian-era arcades down to Cardiff Bay, one of the largest port revitalization projects in all of Europe. Here, you can wander through the old warehouses and wharves, and even enjoy a spot of dining or shopping.

Cardiff also makes for a great jumping-off spot to explore other important attractions in Wales . One of the best (and closest) is the magnificent Brecon Beacons, while the spectacular Snowdonia National Park — although a little farther north — is well worth a visit.

For more great ideas on the best places to visit, read our list of the top attractions in Cardiff, Wales.

1. St. Fagans National Museum of History

2. take a tour of cardiff castle, 3. visit cardiff bay, 4. enjoy a game of rugby at principality stadium, 5. learn about welsh history at the national museum cardiff, 6. see a performance at the wales millennium centre, 7. get outdoors in roath park, 8. stroll through the city's victorian arcades, 9. the red castle: castell coch, 10. get hands-on at techniquest, 11. see ancient artifacts at llandaff cathedral, 12. walk the grounds at caerphilly castle, 13. hit the rapids at cardiff international white water, 14. tour cardiff city hall, 15. walk the trails at bute park & arboretum, 16. go underground in a welsh mining experience, 17. get social at mermaid quay, 18. climb aboard for a cardiff boat tour, 19. spend an evening at the new theatre, 20. the museum of cardiff, where to stay in cardiff for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to cardiff, map of attractions & things to do in cardiff, cardiff - climate chart.

One of the most popular places to visit in Cardiff is also where you will be able to fully immerse yourself in Welsh culture, through the living history experiences at the St. Fagans National Museum of History . This open-air attraction offers insight into the traditional skills and crafts that helped shape the country as you interact with costumed interpreters who bring the exhibits to life.

Highlights include the opportunity to explore a variety of original and reproduction buildings, including quaint farmhouses and cottages, well-kept gardens, along with workshops and mills where you can enjoy demonstrations of old machinery.

Good times to visit, if you can, include spring, summer, and at Christmas, with each season marked by a number of special events and festivals.

Location: Cathays Park, Cardiff, Wales

Built atop a nearly 2,000-year-old Roman fortification, Cardiff Castle is one of the most visited tourist attractions in all of Wales. It's also one of the most romantic and best preserved of the country's many historic castles, with some of the oldest sections dating back as far as the 10th century.

One of the most notable features that make it such an attractive place to visit are the State Apartments. Each room is chock-full of fascinating displays and useful information relating to the people that once lived and worked here, as well as key events in the castle's history.

Other highlights include the picturesque chapel and the clock tower, along with the elegant Banqueting Hall , famous for its rich artworks and murals, as well as its impressive centerpiece, the room's large and elaborately decorated fireplace.

If you're pressed for time and want to be sure you're able to see the best parts of this magnificent historic site, consider joining an organized tour.

Address: Castle Street, Cardiff, Wales

There is no doubt that part of your time in Cardiff will be spent at Cardiff Bay — this spectacular waterfront complex is the centerpiece of the city , with shopping, entertainment, food, and sporting events.

It can easily take the better part of a day to explore this 2,700-acre waterfront area, but it is well worth the expenditure of time and energy — not to mention that it will give you a good excuse to enjoy some of the local eateries when you take a rest.

Covering pretty much the entire former dockyards, the Cardiff Bay redevelopment, which is one of the largest in Europe, is home to plenty of fun things to do, particularly if you're traveling with kids.

Take a ride on the Ferris wheel or plan a boat ride from one of the many dockside operators. While there is plenty of modern-day entertainment at Cardiff Bay, it is hard to miss the remnants of its historic importance as one of the largest docks in the world.

Those with kids who enjoy reading books such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Big Friendly Giant should also pop in to the historic Norwegian Church, where the author of these classic tales, Roald Dahl, once worshipped (there's even a public square, Roald Dahl Plass, dedicated to the author's memory). Also notable here is the Senedd, which houses the country's government offices.

For those who enjoy walking, you won't be disappointed. You could spend hours walking the many parks and paths here, some of which lead through the Cardiff Bay Wetlands Reserve with plenty of wildlife-watching opportunities.

The former warehouses and wharves are now home to everything from luxury homes and hotels. In addition to its theaters, it's here you'll find the Wales Millennium Centre performance arts facility (see below for more on this top Cardiff attraction), numerous art studios and galleries, and excellent shopping.

Address: Queen Alexandra House, Cargo Road, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, Wales

If you're interested in sports, try to take in a rugby match at the nearby Principality Stadium at Cardiff Arms Park .

And if that's not possible — the Welsh take their rugby seriously, so matches often sell out (especially international matches) — at least opt for a tour of this state-of-the-art stadium.

Highlights of an informative organized tour include behind-the-scenes peeks into the national rugby team's change rooms and the tunnels that lead to the pitch, as well as the VIP and press facilities. When not hosting rugby games, the venue is often used for major music artists passing through Cardiff while on tour.

Address: Westgate Street, Cardiff, Wales

Those wanting to learn more about the rich history of Wales would do well to visit the National Museum Cardiff .

Housed in the city's architecturally pleasing Civic Center building, this large and fascinating museum features numerous displays depicting the country's history all the way back to the time of dinosaurs. Among its collections relating to archaeology, a standout are the many fascinating displays of Bronze Age weaponry.

Art lovers will want to visit the large art gallery. Notable among its extensive catalogue of important paintings are works by Impressionists including Monet and Picasso. There are also a number of important sculptures by Rodin, some of the later works in a collection that dates all the way back to the 1500s.

Address: Cathays Park, Cardiff, Wales

Those interested in arts and culture would do well to try to grab a performance at the very modern Wales Millennium Centre .

A leader in performances as diverse as classical music and opera, ballet, and modern dance, as well as literary events and musical shows, this sprawling five-acre venue has been dubbed one of the top performing arts centers on the planet. If you are looking for things to do at night in Cardiff, this is the place.

Even if you can't make a show or performance, be sure to visit to explore the grounds — it is, after all, located in Cardiff Bay — as well as the other fun things to do here. Related activities include educational events, lectures, and workshops, as well as dining and shopping experiences. The facility also offers a series of informative guided tours and behind-the-scenes activities.

Address: Bute Place, Cardiff Bay, Wales

One of the most popular outdoor activities in Cardiff is to slip on walking shoes or runners and take a stroll through one of the city's many fine parks.

A favorite among residents and visitors alike, Roath Park was established back in 1894 as one of the city's first public parks and has maintained a unique Victorian feel to this day. Roath Park is designated as a Green Flag park for its excellence in connecting people to outdoor spaces and it is one of the top parks for this designation in the UK.

Roath Park is a big place, so plan to spend a few hours exploring its 130 acres of scenic green space.

Highlights include the pretty Nant Fawr stream, which was dammed during the park's construction to form a lovely 30-acre lake. Circumventing the lake itself is a journey of nearly one and a half miles, with many benches and potential picnic spots along the way.

While it's certainly fun watching families and outdoor enthusiasts out on the water, there are plenty of opportunities for visitors, too. Highlights include fishing and rowing (rowboats can be rented), with the park's iconic lighthouse making a great selfie backdrop.

There's also a surprising number of "wilderness" (of sorts) here, with a conservation area that serves as home to a variety of birds and water fowl, and a charming "Wild Garden" featuring pleasant paths and plenty of shade.

If gardens are your thing, check out the park's Botanic Garden , popular for its collection of shrubs, trees, and displays of flowers. There's even a fun adventure playground for the kids. Sporting activities available include tennis, basketball, and lawn bowls.

Address: Lake Rd West, Cardiff, Wales

A must-experience in central Cardiff are the well-preserved and still bustling Victorian shopping arcades. Cardiff is known as the "City of Arcades" because of the seven Victorian and Edwardian structures in the city center that feature hundreds of local shopping boutiques, restaurants, and cafés. You can plan an entire day just exploring these beautiful and historic shopping arcades.

Dissecting the city, these fascinating, old covered pedestrian thoroughfares were originally built to allow residents and visitors to enjoy shopping indoors without having to concern themselves with the weather or the poor conditions of roads and sidewalks.

A good place to begin is at the oldest, the Royal Arcade , built in 1858. Many of the original shopfronts exist unchanged to this day, though the wares sold may have evolved over the decades. Today, you can find limitless choices of Welsh crafts and woolen goods. Don't forget to enjoy a traditional Welsh cake from one of several bakeries that still make them from generations-old recipes.

Other favorite arcades include the High Street Arcade , built in 1886 and well-known as a place to shop for clothing, and the Castle Arcade , which connects the downtown area to the castle and is well worth visiting for its art galleries, boutiques, and eateries. The Cardiff Market is another landmark shopping area to visit and has been serving up fresh produce from local growers since the 1890s.

Cardiff has several castles to explore, which is no surprise given that Wales has the highest concentration of castles in the UK.

Castell Coch , also known as the Red Castle, is, however, quite different altogether. Only 200 years old, this Cinderella-like castle, with its attractive turrets and towers, looks like it popped right out of a book of fairy-tales. This was indeed the intent of its creator, the third Marquess of Bute.

The attention to detail, both inside and out, is remarkable, and makes the visit well worthwhile. Attractive flourishes include carvings of creatures and religious icons — including some from (you guessed it) famous fairy-tales — as well as accompanying displays that allow guests to enjoy a virtual exploration of the building's unique history.

Address: Tongwynlais, Cardiff, Wales

If you are traveling with kids, then booking a few hours on the itinerary to play at Techniquest is worthwhile. This is also a great rainy-day option during your trip to Cardiff since it is an indoor venue.

Techniquest is the UK's longest established science center, and the first of its kind in the UK to have Governing Member status in the Association of Science and Technology Centres (ASTC).

Techniquest has hundreds of interactive exhibits with educational and hands-on learning that showcase science exploration. Some of the most popular experiences here are the live lab demonstrations and shows.

Be sure to catch a galactic showing at the state-of-the-art planetarium . Round out your visit with a stop in to the gift shop to pick up unique science souvenirs to take home and a bite to eat at the café overlooking Cardiff Bay.

Address: Stuart Street, Cardiff, CF10 5BW

Perhaps the best-known of Cardiff's many pretty churches — and certainly one worth visiting — the attractive Llandaff Cathedral was built in the 1300s on the ruins of the original structure built some 200 years earlier.

It's a delight to tour, rewarding the adventurous traveler with a pleasant look at a landmark that has drawn worshippers from across the country since the times of Bishop Urban, the cathedral's founder.

Exterior highlights include the impressive 15th-century tower, while a tour of the interior — either self-guided or arranged through church staff — will expose you to such features as an exquisite and fully-restored 18th-century Italian temple, notable for its rare religious sculptures and artifacts.

Address: Cathedral Road, Cardiff, Wales

Another castle worth visiting while you are in Cardiff is the stunning Caerphilly Castle, which is an easy 15-minute drive north of the city.

Built in 1628 and the largest castle in the country ever since, it served as part of the network of castles built by the English to keep control over the much-coveted Welsh countryside. Given its size and the scale of its defenses and battlements, it's a lot of fun to explore, and can easily take the best part of a day to see it all.

Of its many notable features, none impress as much as the two huge drawbridges which, along with the deep moat they cross when down, present an imposing portrait of the castle's daunting purpose-to keep out the enemy. An exploration of the interior provides a close-up look at a variety of displays of old weaponry and armor-much of it actually used in war-as well as interesting displays relating to everyday life for those who ruled, and those they ruled over.

Address: Castle Street, Caerphilly, Wales

Fortunately for sports enthusiasts and adventure seekers, there are plenty more fun things to do in Cardiff beyond exploring its rich history. A favorite for those into water sports, Cardiff International White Water offers a wide variety of experiences and programs for professional and amateur adventurers alike.

Part of the larger sports village development in Cardiff Bay, which was constructed for the 2012 Olympics, this unique facility consists of a man-made white water environment whose 250-meter course can be adjusted to suit the experience, whether it's a gentle family rafting trip or a full-on hardcore canoe or kayak heart-stopper.

A good choice for families with younger kids is to start things off with lessons at the Paddle School before heading out for fun on some of the easier obstacles to tackle. Other extreme sports fun here includes surfing, canyoning, and bodyboarding.

Address: Watkiss Way, Cardiff, Wales

Another venue worth popping into if you're nearby — it's located in the city center, so is easy to find — is the old Cardiff City Hall .

A handsome old building that was constructed in 1906, Cardiff City Hall, though largely used for events and functions, is open for the public to visit. And it's around 30 minutes of your time that's well-spent (especially as it's free!).

Notable features you'll see during your visit consist of immaculately restored interiors that date back to Edwardian times, in particular the famous Marble Hall, a large space decorated with a series of impressive marble statues and columns.

Also worth noting is the Assembly Room, once used to hold ceremonies and where local dignitaries would mix with visiting royalty. The old council chambers, too, are worth a peek, as is the facility's art collection.

Bute Park is centrally located in Cardiff behind Cardiff Castle, and is not only a lovely green space for strolling, picnicking, and riding a bike but it's a great thoroughfare to cut through for getting from one section of the city to another.

This park is one of the largest urban parks in the country , and it has a beautiful mix of unique trees, flowers, walking paths, woodlands, sculptures, fitness stations, and play trails for children.

The landscape includes an arboretum that features notable species of trees known as champion trees that are either the widest or tallest of their species within the UK. There are many park benches and shade trees where you can just sit and enjoy the views, or you can walk the paths to find the special treasures that the park holds, like the ancient friary that remains on the property.

Start your visit to Bute Park at the visitor center or by reviewing the park layout signs at the various entrances to orient yourself to the landscape and walkways.

Address: 35 North Road, Cardiff, Wales

While Cardiff is a thriving modern city, its roots in mining are strong, and visitors have a great opportunity to get a hands-on experience of this important piece of Welsh heritage at the Rhondda Heritage Park . The park sits on the site of the former Lewis Merthyr Colliery and contains many of the original mining equipment including the chimney and shafts used when it was in operation in the late 1800s.

Take the Black Gold Underground Experience tour through the actual mines that were used. The tour guides are former miners who share historic details about the importance of mining in the Rhondda Valley and their personal stories about life working in the mines.

After the 90-minute tour, take time to walk through the exhibits in the main building where you can see artifacts and history about the region and the influence that mining had on the community beyond just its economy.

Stop by the Caffe Bracchi for a snack with Italian pastries and foods created from the influence of some of the first migrants to the region.

Address: Lewis Merthyr Colliery, Coed Cae Road, Trehafod, Wales

The social scene in Cardiff happens at Mermaid Quay . This is a gathering spot with dozens of restaurants and cafes, serving fare from around the world in settings that range from chic and casual to upscale dining.

The layout of the area is just as exciting as what's there to enjoy from the food, shopping and entertainment to the spots to relax. The architecture at Mermaid Quay is a combination of decks and balconies to bridges, terraces and towers.

Spend an afternoon or evening exploring Mermaid Quay, which is a great place to go with no agenda attached. There is generally live entertainment happening with options that range from a comedy club and live music to cinema.

Its waterfront setting is peaceful and a nice place to watch the sunset. For an added treat, hop onto the waterbus service that will take you for a ride around Cardiff Bay.

Address: Cardiff Harbor, Cardiff, Wales

A great way to add to your Cardiff experience is by seeing the city from the water. There are several types of boat tours to take whether it is a cruise around Cardiff Bay or a ride on a vintage vessel.

The Princess Katharine is a popular option in Cardiff, a one-hour round trip ride that you can split into two 25-minute one-way rides as you get out to explore at the stop in-between.

These boat trips are a fun way to get out onto the water while learning about the history of Cardiff and the region and seeing points of interest that you might otherwise miss while exploring on your own.

You can find several boat trip operators at the docks along Cardiff Bay with varied departures and trip options to fit your time and interests.

Despite its name, the New Theatre in Cardiff is they city's oldest existing performance theatre. This Edwardian masterpiece is a beautiful venue where you can spend an evening taking in a show. Performances range from musicals and comedy to live music and guest speakers. There is a nice walkable neighborhood around the theatre where you can enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before the show or a coffee afterwards.

The first performance at the New Theatre took the stage in 1906 and it has been a community treasure ever since. The theatre seats 1100 people and has the largest stage in Wales, making for a dynamic visual performance of the many shows that appear here throughout the year. Visit the New Theatre website before your visit to see what's showing .

Address: Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3LN

The excellent Museum of Cardiff (also known as the "Cardiff Story Museum") is another must-see for visitors wanting to learn more about this still-important city's long and rich history. Using informative displays and original artifacts dating from various periods, visitors are led through the centuries, from the city's humble beginnings as a market and agricultural center to its rise as one of the UK's most important (and largest) ports.

In addition to its permanent displays, many interesting temporary exhibits are featured each year, along with fun educational workshops and events. Admission to this attraction is also free.

Address: The Old Library, The Hayes, Cardiff, Wales

Thanks to its many fine attractions and coastal location, Cardiff makes for a wonderful vacation destination. To help ensure you get the best from your time there, we've pulled together the following list of our recommendations of excellent hotels in convenient locations near Cardiff's top attractions.

Luxury Hotels :

• Located on the city's waterfront overlooking Cardiff Bay, voco St. David's Cardiff offers a luxurious stay with superb views through the tall floor-to-ceiling windows in each if its rooms. On-site amenities of note include a wonderful spa with whirlpool tubs and a heated pool.
• Just a short walk away from Cardiff Castle is the elegant Park Plaza Hotel Cardiff , a popular luxury choice for its spacious rooms and suites, a world-class spa, and fine-dining restaurant (be sure to try the afternoon tea).
• Also worth considering in this category is the Hilton Cardiff , close to the castle and the city's top shopping arcades and offering chic rooms, separate bathrooms with walk-in showers, a restaurant, and spa.

Mid-Range Hotels :

• A great choice in the mid-range hotel category is the Premier Inn Cardiff City Centre Hotel . In addition to its great-value rates and comfy beds, the hotel is in a fantastic location just a short stroll from Cardiff Castle.
• Other contenders in this category include the Clayton Hotel Cardiff , popular for its modern décor and amenities including a gym, and the Radisson Blu Hotel, Cardiff , a good choice for its handy proximity to the city's main train station and stylish amenities.

Budget Hotels :

• A great option for those on a tighter budget is the Travelodge Cardiff Atlantic Wharf . In addition to its budget rates and excellent value, as well as comfortable rooms with contemporary décor, the hotel is just steps from the Wales Millennium Centre.
• Also worth considering are Sleeperz Hotel Cardiff , popular for its proximity to the train station and stadium, and Future Inn Cardiff Hotel , a good option for its comfortable, clean rooms and location near the city's top shopping areas.

Hop on the Bus, Gus :

• Thanks to its many great attractions and points of interest, Cardiff is a great place to spend a day or more exploring. One of the best ways to get the most out of your time here is to participate in a City Sightseeing Cardiff Hop-On Hop-Off Tour . With the freedom to get on or off these classic double decker busses whenever and wherever it suits you, you'll find yourself able to get the most out of your time as you explore such popular attractions as the city's famous castle and the Millennium Stadium. Included with your 24-hour ticket is an informative audio commentary to help ensure you get the most from your Cardiff experience.

Dr Who? Dr Who! :

• Thanks to the location here of the BBC studio responsible for the production of the famed British TV series, Cardiff has become something of a pilgrimage destination for fans of Dr Who. A great option for those on a tight schedule who want to cram in as much Dr Who-related fun as they can is the excellent Dr Who TV Locations Tour . This three-hour bus tour takes in the film locations related to the hit series, providing informative commentary and tidbits along the way from experienced guides (who are also fans). Highlights include a stop at Llandaff, the series' fictional village of Leadworth, along with other notable landmarks, including the National Museum of Cardiff and the Millennium Stadium.

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Make a Day of It : Cardiff serves as the perfect jumping-off point for adventures in and around southern Wales. For those seeking fun day trip ideas , look no further than nearby Brecon Beacons National Park, which offers numerous great hiking and biking trails. The city of Swansea is also worth visiting. Popular for its historic market, its parks, and revitalized waterfront, this coastal town is an easy one-hour car or rail journey from Cardiff. Another hour farther west, and you'll find yourself on the beautiful Pembrokeshire coastline , a magnificent area that includes the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and beautiful seaside towns and villages including Tenby, Laugharne, and Carmarthen.

Hills and Valleys : Picture Wales in your mind, and you'll no doubt conjure up images of gorgeous valleys surrounded by rugged mountains. The many beautiful valleys of South Wales are in fact home to no end of fun things to see and do, from visiting historic mines (Rhondda Heritage Park) to beautiful waterfalls (Brecon Beacons National Park). And as it's such a small country, it's relatively easy to explore northern parts of Wales from Cardiff, too. Highlights include some of the country's most beautiful castles (Caernarfon and Conwy), picturesque seaside towns (Llandudno and Porthmadog), and, of course, the must-visit Snowdonia National Park .

England's Glory : Wales is also just a hop, skip, and a jump from some of the top attractions in England . Liverpool is the closest major English city, and is famous the world over as the birthplace of the Beatles, with many points of interest related to the band. Farther south, and you'll find yourself in beautiful Bath , a popular travel destination for its well-preserved Roman baths.

More on Wales

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The inside guide to Cardiff, Wales

From the centre to the suburbs, the Welsh capital is always reinventing itself, whether through its diverse architecture or dynamic dining scene.

It might be Britain’s youngest capital city (having held the title since 1955), but what Cardiff lacks in titular heritage it makes up for with a knack for reinvention. Its once woebegone docks have arguably become Europe’s boldest waterfront development and a showpiece for 21st-century architecture, while edgy restaurants are redefining the city’s dining scene. When you consider the city is also renowned for its elegant Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades, museums, live music and a proud industrial heritage, Cardiff is, perhaps, whatever you wish it to be.

Get your bearings at Cardiff Castle . The fort is Norman at its core, but the flamboyant, 19th-century reconstruction of the castle apartments is its most eye-catching element. Various tours can include behind-the-scenes explorations of seldom-glimpsed, astoundingly decorated rooms, and you can also admire the beautiful building free of charge from the castle courtyard.

The nearby National Museum Cardiff ranks among Britain’s finest neoclassical buildings, and its collections of impressionist and post-impressionist works is world-class. Don’t miss the multimedia Evolution of Wales exhibit, which whisks visitors through 400 million years of geological development with VR-rendered prehistoric beasts.  

Combine historic sightseeing with retail therapy in the city’s seven Victorian- and Edwardian-era Arcades , or the impressive Cardiff Market , flanked by many of the city’s most exciting shops and restaurants. Stop by the delightfully old-fashioned Wally ’ s Delicatessen in Royal Arcade or pick up gluten-free picnic fare from Noglü at Cardiff Market. Alternatively, book a table at The Clink Restaurant , where prisoners serve standout Welsh-European food as part of their cookery training.

Much of Cardiff’s charm and character lies outside the centre. Meander through picturesque Bute Park and along the River Taff to leafy Pontcanna, with its avenues of grand townhouses. An Eden for leisurely lunch-seekers, the area is home to raft of spots to refuel, including chic bistro Milkwood and roastery-cum-workshop Lufkin Coffee Roastery , tucked away in Kings Road Yard .

Multicultural Canton is where you’ll find the self-titled ‘nouvelle Keralan restaurant’ Purple Poppadom and, further afield, Dusty Knuckle , which has transformed a corner of an industrial estate into a creative pizzeria.

Cardiff’s east side also deserves your attention. Over in Roath, the city’s first permanent street food venue, Sticky Fingers Street Food, is ensconced in a red-brick industrial building with an ever-changing array of local culinary names serving casual-but-creative fare under one roof alongside a lively bar.  

But for the best example of the city’s exciting renaissance, look no further than Cardiff Bay, the city’s ultra-modern waterfront. One of the area’s landmark buildings is the Coal Exchange . Once the hub of the world’s coal trade, in October 2020 it began a new life as Cardiff’s largest independent hotel. Nearby, the Wales Millennium Centre is the country’s main performing arts nexus, wrapped in slate mined from the five quarries that spearheaded Wales’ industrial revolution. But most interesting here is Cardiff Bay Barrage, the ingenious dam that transformed the bay from mudflats into sparkling sea.

About five miles outside the city is St Fagans National Museum of History , set over more than 100 acres of parkland, which paints a vivid timeline of the nation’s story through a number of re-erected original buildings from various historical periods.

Published in the May 2021 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK)

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48 Hours in Cardiff – 2 Day itinerary

As the Welsh capital and tenth largest city in the UK, Cardiff has undergone significant regeneration in recent years, progressing from one of the largest ports in the world to an important cultural hub, attracting visitors all year long.

It is now home to a large number of indoor shopping arcades, museums covering the history of the area, a trendy foodie scenery including a brewery said to rival the Guinness Brewery of Ireland, natural beauty spots, and one of the most visited castles in all of the UK.

Within easy reach of London and a local airport with flights landing from across Europe, Cardiff has become the unofficial city of culture for Wales.

This guide is perfect for those who only have 48 Hours in Cardiff – A 2 Day Itinerary. We will show you what to do in Cardiff, where to stay, what to eat and how to get around, whether its a weekend in Cardiff or just a quick trip.

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Table of Contents

Best time of Year to Visit Cardiff

June to September are typically the warmest and driest months to visit, with temperatures during this time reaching the mid-twenties.

November, on average, sees more rain than any other month and is best to be avoided, but for those after a wintry, festive break, Cardiff has seen their Christmas Market grow in popularity over the last few years.

Where to Stay in Cardiff for 48 hours

Whether you are looking for a budget hotel or somewhere more luxurious, a boutique B & B or an apartment, Cardiff is full of unique places to stay in to choose from. 

For first-timers in the city, Cardiff city centre itself is full of wonderful places to stay, like the Clayton Hotel Cardiff , which is within walking distance of all the major attractions, including Cardiff Castle. 

While others looking to spend 48 hours in Cardiff prefer to stay close to the Riverside, which is slightly further away from the bustling nightlife and closer to the weekly Riverside Farmers Market for those visiting at the weekend. 

48 Hours in Cardiff itinerary

If you are wondering how many days in Cardiff are needed, you will find a comprehensive guide highlighting places to visit below.

This guide is split across two days and includes a mixture of cultural locations, museums, and sporting choices that will appeal to everyone.

Day 1 in Cardiff

Start your trip with a good breakfast.

When you land in the city, especially if travelling via train, you will find yourself central to the city. Therefore, head towards the Wyndham Cafeteria in the main shopping area and grab a coffee and a traditional British-cooked breakfast before you start a day of exploring.

Cardiff Castle

Start this two-day Cardiff itinerary by taking a short stroll along St Mary’s Street until you reach the grounds of Cardiff Castle.

This castle is, without a doubt, the most popular attraction not just in Cardiff but across Wales, for a good reason.

For more than 2000 years, Cardiff Castle has been at the heart of the city, having stood the test of time through the Norman Conquest, civil war, and even World War II when it was turned into an air raid shelter.

Today, the castle and its grounds are open for all to explore and even host several festivals and concerts throughout the year.

Enter the castle to learn more about the history of the Bute family, one-time owners of the monument, before you climb the Norman Keep to see the replica trebuchet.

You can also explore the castle apartments, uncover Roman remains and take a look at Chariot Corner.

Finally, make sure you allow time to wander through the military museum and the wartime shelters to get a true sense of how Cardiff Castle has supported the area over time.

Lunch in a Former Gaol

Not far from the castle, Cardiff Market is a Grade II listed, Victorian structure that has been trading as a market since the 1700s.

Before that time, this site was used as the Cardiff gaol, with St. Mary’s St entrance at one time being the location of the gallows where people were hanged for their crimes.

Spread over two floors, you can wander around enjoying the local produce on sale and the remarkable structure that has stood the test of time before heading to one of the many food outlets for a lunch of street food delights.

Choose between Indian at Tukka Tuk , Thai and Asian treats at Delish Cafe , various choices at the Market Deli, pizza from Ffwrnes , or baked goods at The Naked Vegan . 

Explore the City of Arcades

After a hearty lunch, take some time to get lost in the many arcades, home to more than 100 independent shops, and whether you are looking for vintage clothes, homeware, artwork, and several bookshops, there is plenty to explore.

Make sure you pick up some welsh cakes from the Castle Arcade, a local treat that must be tried during your weekend in Cardiff.

Make sure to include a visit to Spillers Records , the oldest record shop in the world, dating back to 1894; there may even be a live music event during your stay if you are lucky.

Museum of Cardiff

When you have had enough retail therapy, head to the Museum of Cardiff in the heart of the city, where, for free, you can find out about Cardiff’s heritage and history through its people’s eyes.

It is here you can uncover information about the earliest recorded times, through to the industrial boom and up to the present day, and it is a great way to end your first day of exploring in the city.

Cocktails at The Alchemist followed by a Portuguese fest

For a bit of drama to your early evening drinks, head to The Alchemist , home of theatrical drinks in an upmarket setting.

The cocktails are designed to dazzle and bewitch with mixologists creating drinks that arrive surrounded by theatrical smoke and served in an array of glasses similar to test tubes and bottles that you could find in a chemistry set.

From here, it is a short walk to Ty Madeira , a family-run Portuguese restaurant offering traditional dishes in a rustic setting.

Mixed with well-known Mediterranean dishes, you can also try Pastel de Bacalhau, a traditional plate of grilled sardines, Caldeirada fish broth, and Tipica. An evening here is the perfect way to relax after a long day on your feet.

Take a Ghost Tour

For those who would prefer an earlier dinner and then something spooky to finish their evening off, consider heading back to Cardiff Castle and hop onto one of their ghost tours .

Visit the castle at night and listen to stories about ghostly phenomena, strange sounds, unusual sightings, and ghastly deaths.

There are also many stories about how the 3rd Marquis of Bute tried to summon the dead with bizarre experiments. Make sure to book in advance though, to avoid disappointment.

Day 2 in Cardiff

If you only have 2 days in Cardiff, day two is likely to include an early start, and you may wish to wear comfortable shoes, as there will be some walking involved, but it is the best way to see the sights of the city.

Breakfast of Champions at Coffee Barker

Walking into Coffee Barker , you could be forgiven for thinking you are in New York, as this cafe is an eclectic mix of New York West Village and a Parisian brasserie. Inside are paintings on the ceiling and typewriters in the toilets.

At the same time, those who prefer coffee shop curbside culture can enjoy breakfast outside any time of year thanks to its central location in the Castle Arcade.

Breakfasts are served from 8:30 each morning, and you can enjoy either a traditional welsh breakfast or something more unique that involves smashed avocados or peanut butter.

Either way, it is the perfect place to fill up for a morning of sightseeing and offers some of the best coffee in the city.

The Principality Stadium

To start the second day of your weekend in Cardiff, head to the Principality Stadium, once known as the Millennium Stadium and home to Welsh Rugby.

It has become one of the main places to visit in Cardiff, Wales, not only for its sporting events but because it has a large retractable roof, making it one of the biggest indoor arenas in the country with a 74,000 seating capacity.

Booking onto a tour here will see you walking around with a professional guide sharing facts about the stadium’s history, including details about rugby games, world-class boxing, and football matches, as well as rock and roll concerts featuring the Rolling Stones and other events that have been held there since it opened in 1999.

Again, booking ahead of time is recommended as they only run a few tours each day and can fill up quickly.

From the stadium, take a walk along the Taff river to Bute Park, a 13-acre green space home to several nature trails and more than 20 sculptures created by artists using dead trees to explore, along with landscaped gardens and wildflower meadows.

It is also home to Blackfriars Friary, an ancient monument dating back to the 13th century. It was occupied for 288 years before Parliament ordered its closure in 1536.

While here, head through The People’s Door and into the Secret Garden, where you can pick up some refreshments to enjoy in the park before the exploration of the city continues.

The National Museum

From Bute Park, head east past the South African War Memorial, which honours the victims of the Second Boer War, and onto the National Museum , home to one-of-a-kind art displays and interactive science exhibitions.

Make sure you visit the Evolution of Wales, which takes you on a 4,600 million year journey from the Big Bang to the age of Dinosaurs and woolly mammoths to the present day, and the Natural Science galleries.

Also, allow time to check out the historic art galleries where you will see works by Botticelli and Rembrandt. The National Museum also has many short-term exhibitions, so it is always worthwhile checking before you visit to see what is on.

Enjoy a Turkish Mezze for Lunch

Before heading to the other side of the city, take some time out and visit Lezzet Turkish Kitchen , a restaurant started by two friends more than 30 years ago.

This location offers a cosy, relaxed atmosphere with traditional Turkish dishes, including mixed grills, lamb koftas, baklava, and Turkish delight.

At lunchtime, you can enjoy either the main menu or a lunchtime special which gives you a choice of some of their best dishes at a budget price.

An afternoon at Cardiff Bay

For the last part of your 48 hours in Cardiff itinerary, it’s time to hop on a bus and head out towards the Wales Millennium Centre near Cardiff Bay. This arts centre hosts a range of productions, operas, and learning experiences.

Even if you decide not to go in, chances are you will recognise the area if you are a fan of Doctor Who or Torchwood, as the Water Tower at the northern end, which stands around 21 metres high and has a constant stream of water running down it, has appeared in both.

This area is also home to the Welsh Parliament Building (the Senedd) and Roald Dahl Plass, a public space named after the Cardiff-born author, and is often home to concerts and events as well as offering areas to eat and drink.

Cardiff Bay is also home to the Techniquest Science Discovery Centre, a space hoping to inspire a passion for the subject and offers a great family afternoon out. You will also find The Welsh Assembly at Pierhead, home to a terracotta building that resembles Big Ben in London, and the Norwegian Church.

You will be able to spot the Norwegian Church as it is unique with its black and white colour and is where Roald Dahl was baptised.

Finally, while in this area, wander down to Mermaid Quay and walk around the Riverside until you come across Ianto’s Jones Shrine.

This was set up in 2009 as a fan memorial to the character of the same name from the show, Torchwood, and includes photos, poems, and stories from fans worldwide, including a plaque dedicated to the fictional character .

Evening Drinks in an Old Chapel

After heading back into the city, your first stop must be Chapel 1877 for pre-dinner drinks. This location stands out both outside and inside.

Outside from a distance, it still looks like an active ornate chapel, while inside, you will find three floors giving the nod to French-Italian gothic design. If you want to end your evening in style, this is the place to start with a Long Island Iced Tea or an Elderflower Bellini.

It is just a short walk from the Old Chapel to The Ivy , a trendy yet refined dining experience offering everything from lobster to shepherd’s pie in a vibrant, art-deco environment.

As this is your final night in the city, there are plenty of other things to do in Cardiff should you wish to carry on.

Whether you want to continue with a few drinks, dance the night away in one of the many nightclubs, or do something completely different, like Tree Top Adventure Golf , Cardiff has what it takes to make it a memorable evening.

Tour ideas to do in Cardiff

During your 48hrs in Cardiff, if you would prefer, there are several different tours you can join, including private tours or one that is customised to your preferences .

There are also several other themed tours relating to Doctor Who for any Whovians, as well as hop-on,hop-off bus tours for those that do not want to walk everywhere. 

For those that would like to see Cardiff Bay from a different perspective, you could take one of the many boat tours on offer, including a speedboat thrill ride that departs daily from Mermaid Quay.

Finally, just 4 miles out of the city, you can also visit St Fagans National Museum of History, either on your own by jumping on the 32A bus or via a private tour .

St Fagans, a magnificent castle, is now known as the people’s museum that tells the story of locals, Welsh history, and their everyday lives. 

We hope that this 48 hours in Cardiff itinerary has given you an idea of things to do in the city. On top of the suggested activities, you could also choose to spend time castle hopping around South Wales or explore the Rhondda Heritage Park, a coal mining museum highlighting the area’s industrial past.

Alternatively, you could take in a rugby game, visit the opera, or go on the Cardiff Bay Trail to learn more about Captain Scott and his fatal journey to the Antarctic. 

Recommended tours in Cardiff

• City Sightseeing Cardiff Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
• Doctor Who Cardiff Walking Tour
• Cardiff City Tour
• The Wandering Bard Tour of South Wales
• Cardiff Like a Local: Customized Private Tour
• Day Tour – Castles, Mountains & More
• The Ghosts of Llandaff: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

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Sam, a seasoned traveler across four continents and 49 countries, is a leading authority in travel planning. Her website, Travelling King, offers tailored itineraries and expert guides for seamless trips. Sam's expertise in luxury travel, fast travel, and destination guides keeps her at the forefront of the travel community.

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Official capital of Wales since only 1955, buoyant CARDIFF (Caerdydd) grew swiftly into its new role. A number of massive developments, not least the shiny Welsh National Assembly and Millennium Centre on the rejuvenated Cardiff Bay waterfront, and a fabulous city-centre sports stadium, give the city the feel of an international capital, if not always with a very Welsh flavour.

Caerphilly: the big cheese

Cardiff bay, cardiff rocks.

Book things to do in Cardiff

Cardiff’s sights are clustered in fairly small, distinct districts. The compact commercial centre is bounded by the River Taff , which flows past the tremendous Millennium Stadium ; in this rugby-mad city, the atmosphere in the pubs and streets when Wales have a home match – particularly against the old enemy, England – is charged with good-natured, beery fervour. Just upstream, the Taff is flanked by the wall of Cardiff’s extraordinary castle , an amalgam of Roman remains, Norman keep and Victorian fantasy. North of the castle is a series of white Edwardian buildings grouped around Cathays Park : the City Hall, Cardiff University and the superb National Museum . A mile south of the centre, Cardiff Bay , once a bustling port, now a classy waterside development, houses the stunning Welsh National Assembly and Millennium buildings, and a stack of bars and restaurants. North of the city, a number of sights warrant a visit: Llandaff Cathedral , with its strange clash of Norman and modern styles; the thirteenth-century fairy-tale castle of Castell Coch , on a hillside in the woods; and the massive Caerphilly Castle . To the west, there’s the hugely popular National History Museum at St Fagans.

Brief history

The second Marquess of Bute built Cardiff’s first dock in 1839, opening others in swift succession. The Butes owned massive swathes of the rapidly industrializing South Wales Valleys and insisted that all coal and iron exports use the family docks in Cardiff, which became one of the world’s busiest ports. The twentieth century saw varying fortunes: the dock trade slumped in the 1930s and the city suffered heavy bombing in World War II, but with the creation of Cardiff as capital in 1955, optimism and confidence in the city blossomed. Many government and media institutions have moved here from London, and the development of the dock areas around the new Assembly building in Cardiff Bay has given a largely positive boost to the cityscape.

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In addition to its castle, Caerphilly is also known for its crumbly white cheese, which has inspired the vibrant Big Cheese Festival , held over three days in late July in the shadow of the castle. It’s a hoot, with concerts, street theatre, historical re-enactments, a funfair, falconry and, naturally, a cheese race.

Cardiff Bay has become one of the world’s biggest regeneration projects, the downbeat dereliction of the old docks having been almost completely transformed into a designer heaven. In years gone by, when the docks were some of the busiest in the world, the area was better known by its evocative name of Tiger Bay , immortalized by local lass Shirley Bassey.

The Bay area now comprises three distinct parts, situated either side of Roald Dahls Plass , the main square named after the Cardiff-born children’s author (1916–90): on the eastern side the civic precincts around the glorious Wales Millennium Centre , to the west the shiny millennium waterfront , including the Mermaid Quay retail and leisure complex, and, set back from the water’s edge, the suburb of Butetown .

Wales Millennium Centre

The mesmerizing Wales Millennium Centre is a vibrant performance space built in 2004 for theatre and music. Likened by critics to a copper-plated armadillo or a great snail, the WMC soars gracefully over the Bay rooftops, its exterior swathed in Welsh building materials, topped with a stainless-steel shell tinted with a bronze oxide to resist salty air.

Guided tours of the building allow complete backstage access, as well as intimate views of the main auditorium, the acoustically sensational Donald Gordon Theatre. The ground floor houses a visitor centre, the main box office, a music shop, souvenir shop, bar and brasserie.

Welsh music has a fantastically strong pedigree, and Cardiff has spawned its fair share of great bands in recent years, not least the wonderful Super Furry Animals, whose lead singer, Gruff Rhys, has also made several Welsh-language albums. Hailing from the nearby mining town of Blackwood, Indie/rock champions the Manic Street Preachers have been making thrilling records for the best part of twenty years, while bands such as Los Campesinos! and Future of the Left have recently taken up the baton.

Great places to catch live music include the Cardiff Arts Institute in Cathays, the venerable Coal Exchange down in Cardiff Bay, and the inimitable Clwb Ifor Bach , which has long been a bastion for Welsh-language bands. Cardiff is also home to the world’s oldest record shop, Spillers , founded in 1894; you could easily spend a couple of hours leafing through its hard-to-find tracks of all genres. You’ll find it in Morgan’s Arcade (Mon–Sat 9.30am–5.45pm).

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Cardiff travel guide

Cardiff tourism | cardiff guide, you're going to love cardiff.

Cardiff is a real crowd-pleaser. Often called the "city of castles", it's known for romantic historic landmarks, modern attractions like the Wales Millennium Centre, and for its proximity to the Vale of Glamorgan and the Glamorgan Heritage Coast.

Shopping, sightseeing, fine dining, outdoor pursuits, and sports are just some of the activities you can find to keep you busy in the Welsh capital. Cardiff also has more green space per head than any other UK city, including centrally located Bute Park.

Its music scene is the envy of many larger cities and its museums, galleries, and theaters host a wide range of events all year round. Cardiff is also a great choice for families and the perfect base from which to explore the surrounding region.

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Cardiff

1. cardiff bay.

The Cardiff Bay regeneration project has transformed the dockland area previously known as Tiger Bay, without losing any of its historical highlights. You can still see the wonderful Norwegian church where writer Roald Dahl was christened and the Neo-Gothic Pierhead alongside sparkling modern additions like the massive Wales Millennium Centre and National Assembly for Wales.

2. Its Musical Legacy

The Cardiff region gave the world top rock bands like Super Furry Animals and Manic Street Preachers. It's home to the world's oldest record shop: Spillers Records in Morgan Arcade, which was established in 1894. Add to that some of the best live music venues in Wales; rock, hip-hop, and alternative fans can try the Full Moon in Womanby Street, while Jazz lovers should head to Café Jazz at the Sandringham Hotel in St. Mary Street. Or, for the latest local bands, visit Clwb Ifor Bach.

3. Non-Stop Shopping

Cardiff's six Edwardian arcades are filled with bookstores, clothing shops, art galleries, and antique shops. When it's time for a rest, you'll find the best coffee in the city at The Plan in Morgan Arcade.

4. Cardiff Castle

The city is famous for its five castles and Cardiff Castle is its crowning glory. Once home to the illustrious Bute family, the castle played a pivotal role in the city's most important growth period from the 19th to the early 20th century. Visit the fascinating apartments, stroll in the gardens, or try to catch one of the many concerts and events that are staged in the castle grounds.

5. There's a Great Beach Nearby

Take the train to Barry Island for a taste of an authentic British seaside resort. Barry has shrugged off its tacky holiday camp tag and although you'll still find the obligatory funfair and amusement arcades, you'll also discover a picturesque pier and one of the UK's nicest blue flag beaches Whitmore Bay.

What to do in Cardiff

1. cardiff castle: travel back to world war ii.

At the heart of the city center lies the Cardiff Castle. Take a house tour and discover the web of tunnels sandwiched between the ground floor and the battlement level that were an air-raid haven during World War II. Explore the fabulous castle apartments and gawk at the lavish interiors. Enjoy a spectacular view of the three fortresses in the castle while savoring a variety of daily chef's special at the Caffi'r castell. Before leaving, get an eclectic selection of beautiful castle-themed keepsakes and gifts at the gift shop. The castle is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.

2. Wales Millennium Centre: The Ultimate Entertainment Experience

Located in Cardiff Bay, the Wales Millennium Center is considered to be among the top performing arts centers in the country as well as an important cultural landmark in Cardiff. Sitting on approximately five acres, the Wales Millennium center showcases a wide selection of performances including music concerts, comedy shows, ballet performances, and musical productions. Wine and dine at the Cote Brasserie and get fabulous keepsakes at the Portmeirion Gift Shop.

3. National Museum Cardiff: The Exclusive Art Center

Situated in the Cardiff's impressive Civic Center, the National Museum Center is home to the country's art, geology, natural history, and archaeological selections. Travel back in time to when the dinosaurs existed and awe at the rich display of Bronze-Age weapons and fossils. Admire the spectacular collection of ceramics, sculptures, and paintings spanning over five centuries. Worth noting is the spectacular collection of impressionist art. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday between 10 am and 5 pm.

4. Doctor Who Experience: Who's About to Save the Universe?

This mecca of everything Doctor Who is located adjacent to the studio where the series is filmed. Be a part of the adventure yourself and journey through the world of this renown BBC series. Go on a real-life adventure with Dr. Who himself to try to save the universe! Explore the exhibition hall and step behind the scenes into the vast array of artifacts and props, which include the iconic costumes from 1963 to date. Get exclusive gifts and souvenirs from the Official Doctor Who Shop. While you're there, stop by the World of Boats which displays a unique assortment of vessels from around the world.

5. Llandaff Cathedral: Standing the Test of Time

Situated right in the middle of the city, the Llandaff Cathedral prides itself in having magnificent medieval architecture. The cathedral dates back to 1107 and is located in the "City of Llandaff" which is currently a conservation area. Gaze at the amazing sculpture which bears Christ aloft and was designed by Sir Jacob Epstein. You can get a comprehensive guided tour through the cathedral, but be sure to book in advance. The Llandaff Cathedral is open daily from 9 am to the last service.

Activities & attractions in Cardiff

Where to Eat in Cardiff

Whether you want fast food, curry, or haute cuisine, you'll find it in Cardiff. Pub chains are popular - try the J.D .Wetherspoon-run Prince of Wales in St. Mary Street. Vegetarians and vegans are well catered for each evening at Caban Cardiff on Clifton Street, while curry fans can try upscale cooking at Mint and Mustard or Mango House. Looking for something a little special? Enjoy superb views of Cardiff Castle grounds at Castell's Restaurant in the Angel Hotel. Expect to pay £10 for a quick lunch in the city or from £45 for dinner for two in a plush restaurant.

When to visit Cardiff

Summer, from May to late August, is the best time to visit Cardiff if you want warmer weather and open air events at Cardiff Castle or Cardiff Bay. Sports fans aiming to see the Welsh National team in action during the Six Nations tournament should check fixture dates from February to March. Schedule a stay in December for Cardiff Christmas Market and a host of dazzling seasonal events, or plan shopping trips or weekend getaways during the spring (March to April) or fall (September to October) periods to take advantage of lower hotel rates.

How to Get to Cardiff

Cardiff Airport (CWL) is in the Vale of Glamorgan and just 12 miles southwest of the city. Buses leave from the airport for Cardiff Central and Cardiff Bay every 20 minutes, and a single ticket is £5.

You can reach Cardiff easily by train as the city is connected to the extensive UK rail network. All intercity trains terminate at Cardiff Central Station in the heart of the city and close to many of its main tourist attractions.

The easiest way to get to Cardiff by road from London and the southeast of England is via the M4 motorway and Severn Bridge. The M4 is also the best route for drivers coming from the Swansea and the west of Wales. If you're driving from the north or Scotland, take the M50 and M5 to link with the M4 for Cardiff.

Bus travel is an affordable alternative if you're on a budget and operators like National Express and Megabus run services to the city each day. A typical journey from London Victoria Coach Station with National Express costs £12. National Express buses arrive at Sophia Gardens, which is a 15-minute walk from the city center. The Megabus service stops at Cardiff University, Park Place close to the entrance to Cathays Railway Station. From there you can take the Arriva Trains Wales train to Cardiff Central for £2.40.

Airports near Cardiff

Airlines serving cardiff, where to stay in cardiff.

Romantic boutique hotels, cozy bed & breakfasts, mid-range or luxury hotels - you'll find them all in Cardiff. Clayton Hotel Cardiff, Ty Rosa Boutique b&b, and Hotel Ibis Cardiff are good inexpensive options, while the Radisson Blu Hotel Cardiff and SACO Cardiff - Cathedral Road Serviced Apartments are perfect for couples getaways or family vacations.

Popular Neighborhoods in Cardiff

Cardiff Central – just to the north of Cardiff Bay, this district covers the southern part of the city. Cardiff Castle lies at its heart, and the area is bordered by the River Taff to the west.

Cardiff Bay – one of the city's trendiest neighborhoods, Cardiff Bay is home to the National Assembly for Wales and the Wales Millennium Centre. The bars and cafes on Mermaid Quay are popular with locals and visitors.

Cathays Park – known for its late Victorian and Edwardian buildings, Cathays Park is the city's civic center. Notable landmarks include the Welsh Government, Cardiff University, and Alexandra Gardens.

Where to stay in popular areas of Cardiff

Most booked hotels in cardiff, how to get around cardiff, public transportation.

The Cardiff Bus system offers visitors an easy and convenient way to get around. You'll need the exact fare (£1.70) if you're paying on board, or you can purchase a handy Day to Go pass for £3.40 from stations and kiosks. If you're planning to venture further afield, the Network Day Rider pass gives you unlimited access to all bus services in southeast Wales for £7.70.

Licensed taxis operate in the city center and at the airport. You can hail them on the street and a five-mile trip costs from £8. Minicabs are also readily available and can be booked in advance.

It's relatively easy to drive in Cardiff, and you can rent a large compact car for £23.50 per day from leading brands like Enterprise or Avis. On-street parking is limited but there are several parking facilities in the city center. Expect to pay £3.10 to £3.40 for up to two hours at Castle Mews Car Park or Sophia Gardens Car Park.

The Cost of Living in Cardiff

Shopping streets.

Discover quirky stores like the Madame Fromage cheese shop in Castle Arcade, or shop for clothes, accessories, and electronics in one of Cardiff's malls; the Queen Street, St. Mary's Street, and the Hayes combines with St. David's shopping center to make the UK's largest indoor retail precinct. Visit the Cardiff Central Market for arts and crafts made from Welsh slate, or pick up souvenirs at gift shops all over the city.

Groceries and Other

You'll find branches of all the leading UK supermarkets in Cardiff as well as late night grocery stores and corner shops. Some of the most popular supermarkets include Morrisons, Sainsbury's, and Asda and you'll pay £0.89 for a quart of milk and £2.39 for 12 eggs.