cardiff tourist guide book

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

By: Author Sophie Pearce

Posted on Last updated: July 13, 2023

Categories WALES

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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!

• City / Town
• Shopping centres and malls

© Hawlfraint y Goron / Crown Copyright

View from Cardiff Castle over the city centre, South Wales

Your mini guide to Cardiff

Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, is a great destination. Wales was voted one of the world's top 10 must-visit countries by Rough Guides and Lonely Planet, while Cardiff came out as Europe's third best capital city to live in.

What makes Cardiff so special is its mix of old and new culture, its vibrant food scene, its major events and the beautiful countryside on its doorstep. Enjoy!

Map of the cities in Wales, including the capital city Cardiff in South Wales

Arts and culture

Cardiff is a city full of culture. National Museum Cardiff houses the largest collection of Impressionist art outside Paris as well as works spanning over 500 years of art history. The Museum of Cardiff tells the tale of the city from its 1300s origins to present day. For alternative culture head to Chapter Arts Centre in Canton – a hive of independent film, art, theatre and creativity.

National Museum Cardiff, South Wales

National Museum Cardiff

Museum of Cardiff

Chapter Arts Centre

Weaving through the city is nearly a kilometre of arcades, dating back to Victorian and Edwardian times. Inside you can find independent shops, family-run cafes and cute boutiques. Highlights include Hobo's for vintage clothing, Rules of Play for board game enthusiasts and the world’s oldest record shop, Spillers Records . You can find high-end stores and well-known brands in the large modern shopping centre, St David's , just five minutes from the arcades. If you fancy a food walking tour around the diverse shopping arcades of the city then Loving Welsh Food  provide a City of Arcades Testing Tour. There's the free  City of Arcades history and culture guided walking tour with Fogo’s Free Tours , which operates a 'pay as you feel' basis after the tour. For more ideas, check out our specific guide to shopping in Cardiff .  

Loving Welsh Food

Fogo's Free Tours

Shopping in Cardiff's Victorian arcades, South Wales

Cardiff Bay 

This area of the city was hugely significant in the 1900s, being the main way of transporting coal from South Wales to the rest of the world. It has since been reinvented into a waterfront escape from the city's bustle. Wales Millennium Centre is the country's equivalent to the Sydney Opera House, hosting shows, performances and major events inside a spectacular architectural delight. The Senedd , home to the National Assembly for Wales, and the Pierhead are nearby, as is the Norwegian Church in which the legendary author Roald Dahl was baptised. Why not check out our guide to Cardiff Bay to make the most of your visit?

Wales Millennium Centre

Norwegian Church Arts Centre

Cardiff Bay, South Wales

Cardiff Castle 

Originating from Roman times, Cardiff Castle sits right in the middle of the city. It had a major transformation during the 19th century, where the rooms were decorated in an ornate Gothic style by William Burges. There are plenty of things to see and do at Cardiff Castle . For example, a tour of the interior shows you the luxurious gold and marble furnishings, floral carvings and elaborate décor.

A food safari

The city offers a world of food experiences to suit all tastes. Visit City Road in Roath or Cowbridge Road East in Canton for authentic international cuisine at fair prices. Highlights include for Bangkok Cafe Thai food and Mina for Lebanese cuisine. Mill Lane in the city centre has fancy bars for cocktails, and there are a number of good restaurants on High Street and St Mary’s Street, such as The Potted Pig .

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Potted Pig (@pottedpig)

Take a trip down Womanby Street to Tiny Rebel , famous for its beer made in a small brewery based near Cardiff. Don't forget Cardiff Indoor Market and the Cardiff Farmers’ Markets in Riverside, Roath and Rhiwbina for a wide range of tasty goods from some of the best food producers in Wales.

Cardiff Castle

Cardiff Market

Cardiff Indoor market, South Wales

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CARDIFF TRAVEL GUIDE 2023: An Odyssey Through Wales' Dynamic Capital (Wanderlust Chronicles) Paperback – September 5, 2023

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• Part of series Wanderlust Chronicles
• Print length 157 pages
• Language English
• Publication date September 5, 2023
• Dimensions 6 x 0.36 x 9 inches
• ISBN-13 979-8860457010
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Product details

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CHGDL9KB
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (September 5, 2023)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 157 pages
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8860457010
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.7 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.36 x 9 inches
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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.

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Ultimate Travel Guide to Cardiff

Cardiff is the capital and largest city of Wales. It’s a historic destination that in recent decades has seen huge revitalization and regeneration projects that have turned Cardiff into a flourishing city break destination.

The Welsh capital overlooks Cardiff Bay, and the city is best known for its vibrant and lively waterfront, and love of sports.

The Millennium Stadium is an iconic Welsh sports stadium, that regularly plays host to packed out international rugby matches, while any weekend during the football season you’ll find crowds across the city supporting the local teams.

More than this though, Cardiff has some excellent museums and an array of striking architecture, from the Welsh Assembly to Cardiff Castle, while the city is just a short journey from the wild mountains of the Brecon Beacons or the windswept coastline of the Gower Peninsula.

This ultimate travel guide to Cardiff will show you all the most beautiful places in Cardiff, what to expect when visiting, where to stay in Cardiff and things to do in Cardiff which will help you in planning a trip to Cardiff.

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Table of Contents

How to get to Cardiff

Cardiff is located along the southern coast of Wales, looking over the Bristol Channel towards Somerset in southwest England.

Cardiff International Airport is located just 12 miles from the city centre, but unfortunately, there are few flight connections outside of the UK.

There are irregular flights to select European cities and seasonal charter flights to popular destinations such as Turkey or southern Spain. Bristol is the next closest airport, but again, flights to this regional airport are limited.

London is 3 hours by road to the east, and this is usually the best place to fly into. Cardiff is well connected to the capital by bus and rail, and direct trains on the Great Western Rail line take as little as 2 hours from Paddington Station.

From Cardiff, there are good connections to other Welsh cities such as Swansea and Newport, as well as to English cities such as Birmingham, Bath, Bristol and Oxford.

What to expect in Cardiff

Wales has two main languages, English and Welsh and you’ll find that all signs and notices will be displayed in both of these languages.

For hundreds of years, Welsh was the majority language, but in the last century, the number of Welsh speakers drastically dropped, and today the majority of the city speak English as a first language.

Welsh is making a revival, although it’s notoriously hard to learn, as it’s incredibly different to English. You can try to learn a few words of course, but you can also get by fine in English.

The Cardiff accent tends to be thick and fast, and for non-native English speakers – and even for native English speakers from other parts of the United Kingdom! – it can be tricky to understand at first. You might think Welsh is being spoken, but actually, it’s probably just English!

As in the rest of the United Kingdom, the main currency in circulation is the Pound Sterling , and you’ll find ATMs all across the city and money changers in the city centre if you need to convert foreign currency. 

How to get around Cardiff

Cardiff is a relatively compact tourist destination, especially given it’s a capital, and it’s not too difficult to travel around even if it’s your first time in the city.

For touristic purposes, there are two primary districts within Cardiff that you will spend most of your stay exploring. These are the city centre and the redeveloped Cardiff Bay area.

Cardiff Bay is connected to the city centre and the Castle Quarter by St Mary Street, which is one of the oldest thoroughfares in Cardiff. It’s essentially a long high street, and you can walk from the city centre to Cardiff Bay in 20 minutes following this road.

Both areas are easily accessible on foot too, but there’s also an extensive bus network that you can use to explore Cardiff, with day tickets also allowing you to reach nearby Newport and other surrounding towns and villages too.

The best time to visit Cardiff 

As a city break destination, you can visit Cardiff all through the year, as there are plenty of indoor attractions to explore even if it’s raining or cold outside. Wales is a notoriously rainy place too, and any time of the year you will want to be prepared for showers, and in winter, you’ll want to be prepared for storms.

The most popular time of the year to visit Cardiff is either spring or summer because of course, this is when the weather is most pleasant.

Temperatures average around 20 degrees celsius during summer, and rarely break over 30 degrees celsius. This is when the city is at its busiest and liveliest, and you’ll always find plenty of events planned all through the summer season.

If you want to avoid any huge crowds, then be wary of booking a trip here when a big sporting event is on, such as Six Nations Rugby, or international football matches. Equally, if you want to experience the great Welsh sporting heritage, consider travelling here to see a match.

If you want to explore any of the surrounding national parks, which are all easily accessible from Cardiff itself, then you will definitely want to travel to Wales in the spring or summer, when the weather is best.  

Things to do in Cardiff

Cardiff castle.

Arguably the best place to visit in Cardiff, is Cardiff Castle . This is the most historic sight in the city, and it’s found in a striking location in the city. The ancient walls rise dramatically from a grassy mound, and you can explore the high turrets and keeps and enjoy great views over the surrounding city.

The Romans first built a castle here in the 3rd century AD, then the Normans built the one you find today when they were attempting to subdue the Welsh in the 11th and 12th centuries.

Cardiff Bay

Cardiff Bay is the city’s much-revered waterfront district, and it’s often cited as being one of the most impressive and successful regeneration projects in Europe.

Today, you’ll find an impressive array of shops, public buildings, bars, cafes and restaurants, but just a few decades ago, there was nothing here except silt and muddy water.

Cardiff Bay nightlife is notoriously good or bad, depending on your personal love for a night out in the United Kingdom. 

Wales Millenium Centre

One of the best places to visit in Cardiff is the Wales Millenium Centre, which is found in the heart of the Cardiff Bay area.

The impressive building was unveiled in the year 2000, and it’s primarily a cultural and artistic centre that plays host to concerts, operas, ballets and more throughout the year.

Welsh National Assembly

Another of Cardiff Bay’s most distinct buildings is the Welsh National Assembly, which opened in 2006.

Also known as the Senedd, this is a symbol of Welsh identity and freedom within the United Kingdom, as well as a symbol of Cardiff’s revitalised skyline.

You can join guided tours on certain days of the week to gain a look inside the workings of the Welsh Parliament

National Museum Cardiff

One of the most interesting places to visit in Cardiff Wales is the National Museum Cardiff . This excellent museum and art gallery is one of the best in Wales, and you’ll be able to journey through time as you learn all about Welsh history.

There are great galleries focusing on archaeology and zoology, as well as a truly impressive collection of art from around the world.

What to eat in Cardiff 

Wales has a rich culinary tradition, and you’ll soon find that many traditional dishes are still very much staple foods within the capital.

You can start your day with a classic Welsh Breakfast, which is very much similar to English or Irish breakfasts, but with some unique distinctions.

As well as big servings of sausages, bacon, beans, eggs and everything else, the Welsh often add in cockles and Laverbread. Laverbread is a portion of seaweed. It’s very unique to the Welsh coast, and an unlikely item to find on the breakfast menu anywhere else in the UK. 

Another traditional speciality is Welsh Rarebit. This is essentially just cheese on toast, but it’s a Welsh delicacy flavoured with different spices and toppings, and often served with large chunks of bacon.

Welsh cakes are found everywhere, and you’ll want to pop into a local bakery to find the best ones. They make for great snacks and are baked with a healthy dose of butter, sugar and currants.

For dinner, and especially so if you’re visiting in winter, you’ll want to indulge in a steaming bowl of Lamb Cawl. This hearty stew has been a staple for centuries, and it’s delicious in its simplicity.

Where to stay in Cardiff

Budget – Cardiff has a great range of hostels for budget travellers, ranging from homely, family-run hostels to spacious and utilitarian YHAs. One of the best picks is the River House Cardiff, which offers free walking tours and has a loveable pet cat.

Mid Range – There is a wide selection of mid-range hotels available in Cardiff, but just remember that on weekends and when sporting events are on, they can easily be sold out quickly. The Premier In n and the Travelodge are two chain hotels that offer no-nonsense accommodation at great prices and the earlier you book, the better the deal.

Luxury – Cardiff has a few wonderfully luxurious offerings for those not travelling on a budget, including the St David’s Hotel and Spa , which regularly hosts visiting celebrities.

Tours to do in Cardiff

Millennium stadium.

The Millenium Stadium is one of the UK’s premier sporting venues, and since the year 2000, it’s hosted FA Cup Finals, Six Nations matches and FIFA world cup qualifying games to name just a few.

It’s the home of Welsh rugby, and if you can catch a game here, you’ll have a true Cardiff experience that few other experiences can match.

If you can’t see a match though, then you can still tour through the grounds, visit the dressing rooms and learn about Welsh sporting history at this iconic venue.

Doctor Who Tour

The classic British TV show Doctor Who has been running for decades and much of this cult show has been filmed in Cardiff over the years.

One of the most popular tours in the city is a Doctor Who Tour , which takes you on a journey through the best filming locations in Cardiff.

Hop on Hop off Bus Tour

If walking or public transport aren’t your thing, then join a Hop on Hop off Bus Tour of the Welsh capital to see the best that Cardiff has to offer from the comfort of a tour bus.

You can jump on and off at the best sights and attractions, and along the way, you’ll be able to learn all about the city’s rich culture and history.

Day trips from Cardiff  

The Wye Valley is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and it’s located just an hours drive away from Cardiff .

This spectacular valley follows the River Wye as it crosses from Wales into England, and there are great opportunities for hiking, and visiting rural villages.

The most iconic sight in the valley is Tintern Abbey, the crumbling romantic abbey that inspired the poet William Wordsworth.

Brecon Beacons National Park

Another great day tour from Cardiff will bring you to the Brecon Beacons. This is where you’ll find the true Welsh wilderness, in one of the UK’s best national parks.

The Brecon Beacons is home to Pen y Fan, which at 886 metres tall is one of the highest mountain peaks in Wales.

Gower Peninsula

Follow the coast west, past Swansea, and you’ll soon be standing on the Gower Peninsula . This is an area of dramatic coastline and windswept cliffs, that makes for a scenic escape from the city.

It’s just one and a half hours outside of Cardiff, but it’s a world away from the Welsh capital. You can hike along cliff tops, visit beaches, and watch the surf crashing into the coastline.

Recommended tours in Cardiff

• Cardiff Food Tasting Walking Tour
• Cardiff Castle Admission Ticket
• Cardiff 1-day tour Wye Valley
• Cardiff 1-day tour Gower Coast
• City Sightseeing Cardiff Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
• ‘Doctor Who’ TV Locations Tour of Cardiff
• Cardiff 1-day tour Brecon Beacons
• Walk the iconic 4 waterfalls valley
• South Wales Photography Group Experience

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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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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.

• 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 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 - 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 - 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.

Mid-range [ edit ]

British [ edit ].

• 51.486358 -3.199936 9 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 10 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 11 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 12 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 13 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 14 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 15 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 16 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 17 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 18 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 19 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 20 Santiago's Tapas , 3 Church St , ☏ +44 29 2022 6666 . Good quality Spanish tapas restaurant. £20-30 . ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 51.480518 -3.178621 21 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 22 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 23 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 24 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 25 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 26 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 27 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 28 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 29 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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ITINERARY INSPIRATION

Exploring a capital city can be a confusing time, with so much to on offer it’s difficult to choose what to fit into one trip. That’s where we come in, the team have put together a series of itineraries to guide you on your way.

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Cardiff: the city of arcades.

Cardiff, a city of castles and culture, where seven Victorian and Edwardian arcades nestle amongst the biggest names of the high street. Housing over 100 independent cafes, bars and shops right in the heart of the city, the arcades offer a truly unique shopping experience.

WHAT'S ON DURING YOUR VISIT?

08 Apr - 09 Apr 2024 Rambert Death Trap

09 Apr 2024 Canvas De Cuba

11 Apr 2024 Just My Imagination

11 Apr 2024 Blodwen's in Town

11 Apr 2024 BBC NOW | Enigma Variations with Tadaaki Otaka

12 Apr - 13 Apr 2024 Gallifrey Cabaret

12 Apr 2024 Machynlleth Comedy Festival Gala

13 Apr 2024 Sir Karl Jenkins' 80th Birthday Concert

14 Apr 2024 Bigmoose | Ultra Fun Run

14 Apr 2024 Who Knows?! The Big Queer Whoniverse Quiz

15 Apr - 20 Apr 2024 An Officer and a Gentleman

16 Apr - 18 Apr 2024 Wheelchair Rugby Quad Nations

18 Apr 2024 BBC NOW | Stardust and Souls

19 Apr 2024 Netball | Cardiff Dragons v Surrey Storm

19 Apr 2024 Aisha Kigs | Fire Hazard EP Launch

20 Apr 2024 Bingo at Tiffany's with Audrey Heartburn

20 Apr - 21 Apr 2024 Bute Park Spring Weekender

21 Apr 2024 WNO Chorus and Orchestra | Peace and Passion

21 Apr 2024 Artiste

23 Apr 2024 The Billy Joel Songbook

25 Apr 2024 Thank You for the Music

25 Apr 2024 Death Becomes Us

26 Apr 2024 Netball | Cardiff Dragons v Strathclyde Sirens

26 Apr 2024 Bog Off! A Celebration of Tracy Beaker

26 Apr 2024 Bear Grylls | The Never Give Up Tour

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

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

11 May 2024 Eurovision Watch Party | House of Deviant Takeover

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 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 & Drink Festival

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

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

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

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ebook ∣ A Comprehensive Guide to Cardiff, Wales

By daniel windsor.

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Daniel Windsor

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27 June 2023

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Welcome to Cardiff, the vibrant capital city of Wales and a destination filled with rich history, cultural treasures, and captivating experiences. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a returning traveler, this travel guide is your ultimate companion to unlocking the hidden gems and iconic landmarks that make Cardiff truly special.

As you turn the pages of this guide, prepare to embark on a journey through the heart and soul of Cardiff. From the medieval splendor of Cardiff Castle to the waterside marvels of Cardiff Bay, you'll discover a city that seamlessly blends ancient heritage with modern innovation. Explore the charming neighborhoods of Pontcanna, Roath, and Canton, each offering its own unique character and local flavors.

Immerse yourself in the cultural hotspots and museums that showcase the artistic brilliance and rich heritage of Wales. Indulge in the vibrant music and entertainment scene, where world-class concerts and legendary music venues create an electric atmosphere. And for sports enthusiasts, Cardiff's sporting excellence, especially in rugby and football, is an experience that should not be missed.

But Cardiff is not just a city of landmarks and attractions; it's a place where community spirit thrives and where the warmth and hospitality of the Welsh people shine through. Get acquainted with the locals as you explore the traditional pubs, dine in the diverse culinary establishments, and partake in the festivities of food festivals and markets.

Beyond the city limits, Cardiff serves as a gateway to breathtaking natural landscapes and historic sites. Venture on day trips to the rugged beauty of Brecon Beacons National Park, uncover the medieval grandeur of Caerphilly Castle, or bask in the nostalgia of Barry Island, famous for its seaside charm and connections to the beloved television series "Gavin and Stacey."

This travel guide is your key to unlocking the best of Cardiff and its surroundings. Packed with insider tips, practical information, and captivating narratives, it will help you navigate the city with ease and immerse yourself in its vibrant culture.

As you embark on your Cardiff adventure, be prepared to create memories that will last a lifetime. From the moment you step foot in this captivating city, you'll be greeted with a warm welcome and a sense of belonging. Cardiff will enchant you, surprise you, and leave you yearning for more.

On behalf of the people of Cardiff, I invite you to embrace the spirit of discovery and embark on an unforgettable journey through the wonders of this remarkable city. Whether you're here for a short visit or an extended stay, Cardiff has a way of captivating hearts and leaving a lasting impression.

So, open this guide, immerse yourself in the magic of Cardiff, and let your adventure begin!

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.