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Capital and largest city of Wales
Photo: DaHuzyBru, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Welsh: Castell Caerdydd
Castle St. Cardiff Castle is a large castle whose foundations are based upon a Roman fort. In the 19th century, it was one of the homes of the Marquis of Bute. The Norman fort in the centre, the Welsh regimental museum and excavated Roman ruins are open, and tours of the Bute household are available. The Bute part of the castle is quite amazing. The interior was all done in the early 1900s in a very idiosyncratic and interesting style. There is barely an inch that is not adorned with some sort of artistic work. Yet, it is not overwhelming. The craftsmanship is well worth a look.
Welsh: Stadiwm y Mileniwm
Also known as the Principality Stadium. A 74,200-seater stadium, opened for the 1999 Rugby World Cup, and now home to the Wales national rugby team. It hosted the FA Cup Final for some years during the redevelopment of Wembley Stadium in London and is still the largest stadium in Europe with a completely retractable roof (good for those rainy days). A must see for any sport lover, tours are available online or at the ticket desk. Tours cost £16.50 for adults, £12 for children.
Welsh: Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru
An outstanding piece of modern architecture, opened in 2004 by Queen Elizabeth II, the futuristic Wales Millennium Centre is host to opera, dance and West End musicals throughout the year, making it a must see for those who like theatre. Entry is free throughout the year. While entrance to the theatre is charged, free live performances take place in the foyer every lunchtime at 1PM and before shows in the evening. It hosts the exhibition about Cardiff Bay's development that used to be housed in 'The Tube'.
Cardiff Bay. The seat of Wales' national government and was opened on St David's Day, 1 March 2006 by Queen Elizabeth II. Visitors have a chance to see public debates from the viewing gallery or a free tour around the building, which is made out of purely Welsh materials, and was designed by star architect Richard Rogers to be eco-friendly and as open as possible. Entry is free though expect security checks on entrance.
It was established in Cardiff Bay to serve the large community of Norwegian sailors working in the docks. The main claim to fame of its original location is as the place where the author Roald Dahl was christened. Today it is a cafe and art gallery.
Welsh: Eglwys Gadeiriol Llandaf
In the ancient 'city of Llandaff', now incorporated into the north west of the city, and is one of the oldest religious sites in Europe. The cathedral dates from 1107 and features some spectacular architecture. After bomb damage in World War II it was very boldly restored; the huge statue of Christ in Majesty by Jacob Epstein tends to divide opinion, but is well worth a look. The cathedral school was where the famed children's author Roald Dahl was educated in the early part of his primary school life. The surrounding village is an interesting place to explore with a local coal magnate's house (Insole Court) donated to the people of Cardiff and open for visitors. The Ghost Tour has really become the thing to do in the area, making it into the Guardian's top 10 list of things to do in the UK.
meaning the 'Red Castle' in Welsh
A fairytale castle nestled on a hill overlooking the main gateway into the valleys from Cardiff in the outskirts of the city. Imaginatively reconstruted from ruins for the 3rd Marquis of Bute, its interiors follow the same elaborate designs as Cardiff castle except on a more intimate scale and would not look out of place in Germany.
The domed roof of City Hall topped by a dragon is one of the landmarks of Cardiff city centre. Dating from the start of the 20th century, it is built of beautiful white Portland stone and surmounted by many statues. Inside, the marble hall is dominated by statues of Welsh heroes, the main hall has large bronze chandeliers and the main debating chamber sits under the dome. Open to visitors, events may prevent you from seeing all the rooms but a must-see.
Pronounced "kut-AYS, it is the prominent civic centre, comprising expensive white Portland stone buildings in a range of classical styles, all surrounding the formal gardens of Alexandra Gardens whose centre contains national war memorial of Wales.
More a collection of different parks that stretch continuously to the city's edge from the rear of the castle. Bute Park proper is an arboretum and former private grounds of the Bute family who owned the castle.
former headquarters of the railway and port authority
Sits between the ultra modern Millennium centre and Senedd as a strong contrast and link to Cardiff's glorious past. Covered in dragons and heraldry used for permanent and temporary exhibitions about Cardiff's development, and that of the docks.
A Norman ringwork castle within an older Iron Age hillfort (as at Caer Penrhos). Much of the site has been overgrown with vegetation.
Known universally as St Fagans (pronounced "FAG-uns") after the village it's in, this is easily Wales's most popular visitor attraction. An open-air museum of vernacular buildings from all parts of Wales rebuilt, stone by stone, in the grounds of St Fagans Castle, an Elizabethan manor house. The castle gardens, dating from the 19th century, are especially beautiful. You may not be able to see everything in a single visit due to the size of the grounds. Also contains permanent indoor exhibitions on Welsh social and cultural history. Great for kids.
An excellent collection of artworks and natural history exhibits. The art collection is particularly noted for the collection of 19th-century French works assembled by Gwendoline and Margaret Davies, heiresses to a fortune made in exporting coal. This is of international importance and includes works by Rodin, Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh. Children love the dinosaurs and mammoths in the Evolution of Wales section. £6.50 charge for the museum car park.
Over 160 science and technology exhibits to entertain the whole family. There is also a Science Theatre and tours of the Universe in the Planetarium. A good opportunity for adults to be big kids. Entry: £7.50 Adults, £6 children with concessions available for groups.
This is the museum of Cardiff's history, located in the Old Library building, which it shares with the tourist information centre.
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.
Theatr Newydd
West End shows.
Independent theatre.
Canton. Arthouse and alternative cinema.
Mainstream multiplex cinema.
Mainstream multiplex cinema, across the road from Motorpoint Arena Cardiff.
Comedy club serving food and drinks.
Host to major bands and artists throughout the year.
Look out for events at the Millennium Stadium too.
Neuadd Dewi Sant
Symphony hall used for orchestral concerts, recitals and other live music and comedy, host the Cardiff singer of the world competition, the world's premier singing competition.
Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru
Opera and ballet, West End shows and musicals. The building is rather unique and recognisable due to its large inscription reading "in these stones horizons sing".
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.
Friendly pub with some Welsh dishes on the menu. Good vegetarian and vegan options.
Famous as the oldest pub in Cardiff still running! Friendly pub with tasty food and drink at very reasonable prices. Live music events, rugby and football events and karaoke Wednesday evenings. Sunday roasts and Christmas bookings.
Indian restaurant with an entirely vegetarian and vegan menu. Bring your own drink.
Great range of veggie and vegan food.
Fish&chips
Restaurant.. Unfussy self-serve eatery offering breakfast, homestyle meals, sandwiches, jacket potatoes & pies.
It's trad Welsh fare opened in 2021.
Food trailer with a regular pitch in town, formerly a restaurant. Serves delicious and creative all-vegan dishes. Check the website to see if they are in town.
Delicious but small vegan restaurant.
A steak restaurant opened in 2021.
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.
Tenkaichi offers authentic Japanese food with a British flair. It is a great restaurant if you want fresh noodles and sushi. It also provides an extensive wine list.
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.
Very long-established and popular Italian restaurant. Two in the city centre (The Hayes and Park Place) and another in Cardiff Bay.
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.
Cosy authentic Italian restaurant in the heart of the city centre.
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.
Good quality Spanish tapas restaurant.
Good choice for authentic Italian pizza in the city centre.
Upmarket modern Indian restaurant tucked away in the Brewery Quarter.
Thai restaurant offering a selection of stir fries, curries and noodle dishes and a reasonable vegan menu.
Excellent quality casual Chinese restaurant offering eat-in as well as takeaway with a good vegetarian selection. Try the sea spiced aubergine.
Restaurant offering a range of different Portuguese and Italian dishes. Fish and seafood lovers should try the Portuguese seafood stew.
Amazing views of the castle grounds, and serves traditional Welsh cuisine. Also caters for private parties.
The luxury restaurant at the St David Hotel and Spa. Amazing views all around Cardiff Bay, and serves a traditional freshly caught seafood.
Upmarket fine dining restaurant with an extensive wine list.
Cardiff branch of the famous Ivy restaurant of London.
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.
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!.
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.
(except weekends and matchdays).
Drinks in these venues, and other traditional pubs may vary from around £1.50-3.50 for a beer.
Microbrewery has a utilitarian feel but fantastic beer brewed onsite, TVs with sport and excellent pizzas.
Pleasant traditional pub with beer garden at the northern edge of the city centre, offering a wide choice of draught real ales.
Upmarket wine bar serving a decent selection of wines by the glass or bottle.
Gin bar offering a wide choice for all palates.
Modern pub offering an extremely large selection of draught real ales and craft beers.
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.
The Cardiff taproom of the award-winning local Tiny Rebel brewery.
Central camp site . Friendly staff. Bike hire on site, also very limited family room, but wide choice of food & drink within walking distance.
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 guests.
Used to be a boutique hostel. Free breakfast and wifi internet are included. Very hospitable owners and staff.
Comfortable hotel in the city centre.
Clean hotel in Cardiff Bay, 15-min walk from the centre.
Minutes from most attractions in the city centre.
Traditional converted townhouse on the outskirts of Cardiff city centre.
Small friendly B&B in the city centre, 300 yards from the Castle and overlooking the River Taff.
Comfy hotel in Georgian manor in hills above Cardiff, dog-friendly.
Stylish city centre hotel, part of IHG group, no dogs.
Quiet hotel with reliable wifi and luggage storage available. Extensive buffet breakfast costs £10 if booked in advance, £13 the morning of.
This is the place for more upmarket stays. Situated right in front of the castle and offers nice views of the civic centre.
The St. David's Hotel & Spa
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.
Convenient and comfortable hotel next to the Motorpoint Arena and St. David's Shopping Complex.
The oldest of Cardiff's grand hotels, opened in 1866.
4-star farm and guest house.
This area in the southern city centre underwent a massive transformation in the 2010s, which included the construction of the £675-million St Davids shopping centre extension, and the largest John Lewis department store outside of London. A new public library was built at the opposite end of the street to the original library, which is now a museum about Cardiff known as the 'Old Library'. Here modern architecture contrasts beautifully with the historic shops and arcades on the opposite side of the street, which has quickly become the cities higher end of the market shopping street.
Established in 1891, the market has an eclectic collection of stalls: arts, crafts, food, souvenirs, and even pets. A highlight is the small bakery with various flavours of fresh, inexpensive Welsh cakes (including vegan options).
By train
There are two main railway stations in Cardiff. These are Cardiff Central and Cardiff Queen Street. Entry and exit to the platforms are controlled using ticket barriers.
By car
Several major routes connect Cardiff with towns and cities throughout Wales and England.
By coach
Coaches arrive into several destinations in Cardiff city centre. National Express coaches arrive into Cardiff Coach Station at Sophia Gardens.
By bike
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.
By bus
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.
By train
Transport for Wales (TfW) runs local trains in and around Cardiff. They are part of the National Rail network.
By taxi
Cardiff is not short of taxis. They can be flagged down on the street or booked in advance.
By boat
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.
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