Cardiff

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36 hand-picked places in 10 lists. Tick the categories you want to see on the map.

Only have a day? See 2 ready-made day plans ↓

10 places on the map

Free things to do

1
Large riverside park beside the castle with arboretum.
3 tips
- Great for a long walk
- Cycle the paths
- Peaceful retreat
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2
Free museum of art, natural history and geology.
- Tip: Allow a few hours
2 tips
- Free entry
- See the Impressionist collection
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3
Open-air museum with historic buildings from across Wales.
3 tips
- Free entry
- Allow half a day
- Take bus 32 from the centre
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4
Regenerated waterfront with Mermaid Quay, restaurants and boat trips.
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- Take a waterbus from the centre
- Great for sunset
- Many restaurants
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5
Waterfront barrage and walkway at the mouth of the bay.
3 tips
- Walk or cycle it
- Good for a breezy stroll
- Views over the estuary
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6
Waterfront plaza named for the author, near the Millennium Centre.
3 tips
- Open-air events in summer
- Photo spot near the water
- Free
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7
Victorian shopping arcade among Cardiff's historic arcades.
3 tips
- Browse independent shops
- Cafes inside
- Weather-proof stroll
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8
Cathedral with Epstein's Majestas, in the leafy Llandaff.
3 tips
- Quiet and peaceful
- Look at the Majestas
- Reachable by bus
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9
Formal gardens in Cathays Park with the Welsh National War Memorial.
3 tips
- Quiet spot for a break
- Pretty in spring
- Beside City Hall
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10
Museum of Cardiff's history in the Old Library.
3 tips
- Free entry
- Small and quick
- Central location
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Before you go: Cardiff tips

Transportation

Walk between the big sights: Cardiff Castle, the Principality Stadium, the Victorian arcades and Cardiff Market all sit within a few minutes of each other in the compact city centre.
Tap on Cardiff Bus: Cardiff Bus routes link the centre with Cardiff Bay, Roath and Llandaff; contactless cards and phones are accepted, and day tickets usually beat paying single fares.
Take the train to the Bay: Frequent short trains run from Cardiff Queen Street to Cardiff Bay station, a quick hop to Mermaid Quay and the Wales Millennium Centre.

Security

Plan around match days: When Wales play at the Principality Stadium, the centre fills with fans, roads close and trains are packed, so travel early or avoid peak times.
Mind your bag on St Mary Street: The nightlife strip around St Mary Street and Caroline Street gets crowded late at night, so keep phones zipped away and stick to busy routes.
Respect the hills: Pen y Fan in Bannau Brycheiniog, the Brecon Beacons, is an easy day trip, but mist and wind roll in fast, so carry waterproofs, water and a map.

Saving

Enjoy free national museums: National Museum Cardiff in Cathays Park and St Fagans National Museum of History on the city edge charge no entry for their main collections.
Snack at Cardiff Market: The Victorian covered market off St Mary Street has cheap stalls for fresh Welsh cakes, cafe breakfasts and takeaway lunches.
Picnic in Bute Park: Instead of paying for a sit-down lunch, grab supplies and head to Bute Park beside the castle, with free river paths and gardens to roam.

Weather/Clothing

Always pack a waterproof: Cardiff gets frequent rain in every season, so a breathable rain jacket with a hood beats an umbrella on windy days by the Bay.
Layer for changeable summers: Summer days are mild rather than hot and can swing between sun and showers, so pack a light jumper alongside T-shirts.
Prepare for damp winters: Winters are cool, grey and wet but rarely freezing, so bring a warm coat, waterproof shoes and something cosy for long evenings.

Cultural

Use a little Welsh: Signs are bilingual, and saying diolch, thank you, or bore da, good morning, earns warm smiles even though everyone speaks English.
Join the rugby atmosphere: International rugby days are a highlight of Cardiff life, with pubs full of singing fans; watching a Wales match in a pub is a classic local experience.
Taste Welsh classics: Try cawl, a hearty lamb and vegetable stew, Welsh rarebit and warm Welsh cakes fresh off the griddle, especially at Cardiff Market.

Local Hacks

Walk or cycle the Barrage: The Cardiff Bay Barrage path runs from Mermaid Quay toward Penarth with sea views along the way, making a lovely sunset stroll.
Duck into the arcades: Cardiff's Victorian and Edwardian arcades, like Castle Arcade and Morgan Arcade, hide indie record shops, cafes and boutiques out of the rain.
Book early for big events: Hotels fill fast and prices jump on Six Nations and big concert weekends, so check the Principality Stadium calendar before choosing dates.

1-day itineraries in Cardiff

Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.

Day 1 of 2

National Museum Cardiff and around

🕘 9:30–17:15📍 5 stops

1National Museum Cardiff
2Cardiff Central Market
3Morgan Arcade
4Cardiff Castle
5Bute Park

See the day →

Day 2 of 2

Senedd and around

🕘 9:30–16:30📍 7 stops

1Pierhead Building
2Senedd
3Wales Millennium Centre
4Roald Dahl Plass
5Cardiff Bay
and 2 more