Cardiff Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Cardiff which includes street scenes, a city and night scenes
Cardiff featuring modern architecture, a square or plaza and a city
Bute Park which includes a castle, heritage elements and heritage architecture
Cardiff Castle featuring a castle, interior views and a statue or sculpture
Cardiff Castle which includes château or palace, heritage elements and interior views

The lively capital of Wales features sports, theatre and art against backdrops of a cosmopolitan waterfront and iconic architecture.

Expect a warm Welsh welcome when you visit Cardiff, a city with attractions old and new within a vibrant atmosphere year round. Get a culture fix at acclaimed museums and shop in Victorian-era arcades. Nature takes centre stage while cycling along the Wales Coast Path, and performance art enlivens venues across the city after dark.

Visit Cardiff in summer to catch the Cardiff Food and Drink Festival. See the spectacular blooms at the RHS Flower Show in spring and join the crowds for Six Nations Rugby championships in February. Winter Wonderland features ice rinks and funfair attractions from late November to early January.

Things to do in Cardiff

Cardiff Castle takes prime position in the heart of the city, with fairytale towers and a history that spans more than 2,000 years. Take a tour to see opulent rooms and climb the Great Clock Tower. In The Firing Line Museum, learn about Welsh soldiers with memorabilia from two regiments. The Bute Park and Arboretum rests behind the castle with themed nature trails and charming garden cafés.

Victorian and Edwardian-era arcades tempt shoppers with the offerings in quaint boutiques and quirky independent shops. Explore the Castle Quarter to shop along High Street Arcade, Castle Arcade and Duke Street Arcade for vintage treasures and coffee shops. For high-end brands, head to St David’s shopping centre.

Adventure seekers find plenty to do in Cardiff. Take the challenge of rafting at Cardiff International White Water in the International Sports Village. Learn sailing at the Cardiff Bay Water Activity Centre and tee off with the whole family at Cardiff Golf Centre. A dinosaur-themed crazy course suits all ages, while a driving range tests your golf skills.

Culture and history in Cardiff

From woolly mammoths to meteorites, National Museum Cardiff brims with fascinating displays. Admire the national art collections of Wales on the first floor, along with works from Monet, Rodin and Van Gogh. At the Museum of Cardiff, learn the story of the city from its origins as a small, 1300s market town.

Once the centre of commerce in Wales, the Grade I listed Pierhead building is a symbol of the city. Take a photo with the striking red bricks and clocktower, then see historical displays inside. The family-friendly Royal Mint Experience features a fun factory tour highlighting the coin making process. You’ll even have the opportunity to strike your own coin to keep.

Dining and nightlife in Cardiff

Visit Cardiff’s city centre to take your pick of atmospheric restaurants where you can savour warm Welsh cakes and Glamorgan sausages. The Victorian-era Cardiff Market is a great place to start, with everything from fishmongers to traditional sweet shops beneath a glass roof. Cardiff Bay is a drinking and dining hub, with a fantastic array of restaurants and bars at Mermaid Quay.

Theatre and performing arts buffs are spoilt for choice while visiting Cardiff. Watch live music at St David’s Hall to enjoy its renowned acoustics. With West End musicals, ballet, stand-up comedy and more, there’s something to suit your mood at Wales Millennium Centre. For rollicking pubs and nightclubs, head to Westgate Street and St Mary Street.

Getting around Cardiff

Fly into Cardiff Airport then take the 30-minute drive to the city centre. Trains connect the airport with Cardiff Central station, along with shuttle buses and taxis. Along with the efficient public transport system, water taxis get you between Cardiff Bay and the city centre. With flat, compact streets and pedestrianised areas, walking and cycling are the best ways to get around Cardiff.

Where to stay in Cardiff

Cardiff showing a square or plaza, a city and modern architecture

Cardiff City Centre

4/5(888 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from St. David's Hall to Cardiff International Arena – discover Cardiff City Centre, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Cardiff City Centre
Cardiff showing a square or plaza, a city and modern architecture

Castle Quarter

Cosy bars interesting history and top sights from St. David's Hall to Cardiff Market – discover Castle Quarter, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Castle Quarter
Wales Millennium Centre showing modern architecture, a city and a square or plaza

Butetown

4/5(275 area reviews)

The abundant dining options and relaxing spas are top of the list for many visitors to Butetown. A stop by Wales Millennium Centre or Mermaid Quay might round out your trip.

Butetown
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Grangetown

3.5/5(8 area reviews)

You'll enjoy the bars and live music in Grangetown. You might want to make time for a stop at Cardiff Bay or Cardiff International Sports Village.

Grangetown
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Pontcanna

4.5/5(70 area reviews)

Bars, historical sites and gardens highlight some of the notable features of Pontcanna. Make a stop by Swalec Stadium while you're exploring.

Pontcanna
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Cathays

4.5/5(5 area reviews)

Cathays is well liked for its museums. If you'd like to do some sightseeing in the greater Cardiff area, you might plan a trip to National Museum Cardiff or Cardiff City Hall.

Cathays
Clayton Hotel Cardiff
Clayton Hotel Cardiff
4 out of 5
St Mary Street, Cardiff, Wales
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £67 per night from 26 May to 27 May
£67
26 May - 27 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Cardiff. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
Exactly what we needed
"Easy check in , close to where we needed to go"

Reviewed on 7 May 2025

Clayton Hotel Cardiff
The Parkgate Hotel
The Parkgate Hotel
4 out of 5
Westgate Street, Cardiff, Wales
The price is £86 per night from 8 Jun to 9 Jun
£86
8 Jun - 9 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Cardiff. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,727 reviews)
"Very nice property, although I thought the thermal spa is very expensive for what you get."

Reviewed on 9 May 2025

The Parkgate Hotel
Celtic Manor Resort
Celtic Manor Resort
5 out of 5
Chepstow Road, Coldra Wood, Newport, Wales
The price is £103 per night from 18 May to 19 May
£103
18 May - 19 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Newport. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 indoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,292 reviews)
"The room and everything was amazing. However, the fan for the heating came on randomly and I was not able to adjust the fan or switch it off. I tried turning the fan down, but it just went back to full speed. This continued through the night."

Reviewed on 9 May 2025

Celtic Manor Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Spires Serviced Apartments Cardiff
The Spires Serviced Apartments Cardiff
3 out of 5
10 Cathedral Rd, Cardiff, Wales
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Cardiff. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (257 reviews)
Amazing Location
"Amazing Location"

Reviewed on 9 Apr 2025

The Spires Serviced Apartments Cardiff
Newport Student Village - Campus Accommodation
Newport Student Village - Campus Accommodation
4 out of 5
Usk Way, Endeavour House, Newport, Wales
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Newport. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Friars Walk Newport and Newport ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (193 reviews)
"Great location, condition and price."

Reviewed on 5 May 2025

Newport Student Village - Campus Accommodation
Central Studios
Central Studios
3 out of 5
7 Fitzhamon Embankment, Cardiff, Wales
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Cardiff. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, daily housekeeping and Netflix. Popular attractions Principality Stadium and Cardiff Castle are ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (44 reviews)
"This aparthotel exceeded expectations — perfectly located in the city centre, just a stone’s throw from Cardiff Central station, the river, and the beautiful Bute Park. Despite being so central, the apartment was very quiet, allowing for a peaceful and relaxing stay. The apartment itself was spotless, ..."

Reviewed on 26 Apr 2025

Central Studios
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Cardiff

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
550
5 - Excellent 52%
4 - Good
415
4 - Good 40%
3 - Okay
71
3 - Okay 7%
2 - Disappointing
7
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
7
1 - Terrible 1%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

The Motorpoint Arena is next to the hotel and the City Centre is very pleasant.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

I loved Cardiff and wished I was there on holiday and not business. I will return.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great city, and small enough to walk the whole centre, plenty to see outside as well

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Our first visit was very brief, a quick overnight stop, but enough to whet our appetites to return.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

I live Cardiff the weather was limiting mango restaurant very good but expensive

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Love Cardiff visit for the rugby so location to St Mary’s street is perfect

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