The best things to do in Cardiff take full advantage of the fact that it's one of the cultural hotspots of the UK. The capital city of Wales seamlessly blends a long and colourful history with innovation and modernity. Walking the streets, you'll see a mix of old Victorian shopping arcades and super-modern stadiums. The one constant is the great atmosphere you’ll find throughout.
A fairly compact place, many of the best things to do in Cardiff are found immediately around the city centre. There are plenty of interesting little quirks and curios to discover, so it pays to just explore. However, it helps to have somewhere to start, which is why we’ve prepared this list of the must-see places.
What are the best things to do in Cardiff?
- 1
Cardiff Castle
Centuries of Welsh history in one place
- Ιστορία
- Φωτογραφία
Cardiff has had a castle since the Romans were in Britain, and it’s been built on and developed ever since, making it quite an eclectic display of history. The Norman keep stands atop a small hill, surrounded by impressive defensive walls which were used as air raid shelters during the Second World War. There’s a Georgian mansion in one corner and a museum of Welsh army regiments in another.
It’s a very convenient and interesting place to explore, being just north of the city centre, and has a guide app for Android and iOS. The Clock Tower is especially worth visiting, but tours are only available on weekends. The Animal Wall along Castle Street is also worth a photo.
Τοποθεσία: Castle St, Cardiff CF10 3RB, UK
Ώρες λειτουργίας: Hours vary by season
Τηλέφωνο: +44 (0)29 2087 8100
Χάρτης - 2
Castle Quarter
Amazing shopping arcades
- Ιστορία
- Καταναλωτές
Castle Quarter is the main shopping hub of Cardiff, containing several of the city’s famous Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades. High Street runs right through the area and, like most High Streets in the UK, it’s lined with high-end stores and cafés, including the House of Fraser department store.
Off this, you’ll find the beautiful, covered shopping streets of High Street Arcade, Castle Arcade and Duke Street Arcade, each of which is packed with independent stores. Castle Arcade, in particular, contains a great selection of cafés and restaurants. Come back to Castle Quarter after dark because this is also the nightlife hub, full of the city’s best pubs and clubs.
Χάρτης - 3
National Museum Cardiff
Art, history and science through the ages
- Ομάδα ταξιδιωτών
- Ιστορία
- Φωτογραφία
At the National Museum Cardiff, you can gaze at inspiring art from old-world masters, take a voyage in the heavens above or walk among dinosaurs. Just a short walk from the city centre, the expansive and impressive presentation of art, science and history at the museum is unique, and you’ll want to be sure to schedule enough time to take it all in. Afterward, you may want to top it off with a relaxing cup of tea and a Welsh cake in the cafe.
The attention to detail in the natural history exhibits is awe-inspiring. You can view everything from woolly mammoths to moon rocks. The art collection is just as fantastic, featuring contemporary and modern paintings, ceramics and sculptures.
Τοποθεσία: Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NP, UK
Ώρες λειτουργίας: Daily from 10 am to 5 pm (closed on Mondays)
Τηλέφωνο: +44 (0)300 111 2333
Χάρτης - 4
Bute Park
One of the UK's largest city parks
- Οικονομική διαμονή
- Ζευγάρια
- Οικογένειες
- Φωτογραφία
Bute Park is a little countryside oasis in the middle of Cardiff, just next to the castle. It borders the River Taff, and is undoubtedly the most beautiful part of the Taff Trail, a cycling route which starts by Cardiff Bay.
The 130-acre garden contains several self-led nature and walking trails and contains an amazing array of tree and plant species. At the heart of the park is an education centre, where you can pick up trail guides and learn more about the park’s resident wildlife.
Τοποθεσία: North Rd, Cardiff CF10 3DX, UK
Ώρες λειτουργίας: Daily from 7.30 am to 30 minutes before sunset
Τηλέφωνο: +44 (0)29 2087 2730
Χάρτης - 5
The Royal Arcade
Souvenir shopping in the city centre
- Πολυτέλεια
- Καταναλωτές
Among the many beautiful Victorian-era shopping arcades around Cardiff, the Royal Arcade is the oldest and perhaps the most luxurious. The charming interior of this Grade II listed building has a vaulted glass ceiling and authentic Victorian decoration. With an eclectic selection of independent stores, it’s a great place to find real local souvenirs, including Welsh gifts and homeware.
Check out Cardiff Antique Centre if you’re looking for something really special, and maybe have a bite at Wally’s Delicatessen, which has been open for decades and is practically an antique itself.
Τοποθεσία: St. Mary's St, Cardiff CF10 1AE, UK
Ώρες λειτουργίας: Monday–Saturday from 9.30 am to 6 pm, Sundays from 11 am to 5 pm
Χάρτης - 6
Cardiff Central Market
Local eats in a Victorian-era shopping mall
- Οικονομική διαμονή
- Φαγητό
- Καταναλωτές
Right in the centre of the city, a short walk south of the castle, Cardiff Central Market obviously deserves its name. Lava bread, on the other hand, is a bit deceptive. Obviously it’s not a loaf made of molten rock. It’s actually pureed seaweed, and is particularly good for breakfast, rolled with oats, fried and served with bacon.
Even if you don’t fancy trying the local flavours, the Central Market is rightly known as one of the cheapest places in Cardiff for a fried breakfast, as well as groceries, second-hand books and more. The glass-roofed building itself has a distinctive charm, making it worth the visit just to look around.
Τοποθεσία: Cardiff Market, St Mary Street, Cardiff CF10 1AU, UK
Ώρες λειτουργίας: Monday–Saturday from 8 am to 5 pm (closed on Sundays)
Τηλέφωνο: +44 (0)29 2087 1214
Χάρτης - 7
Cardiff International White Water
Wet and wild water adventures within the city
- Περιπέτεια
- Οικογένειες
Cardiff International White Water is an Olympic-standard set of artificial rapids. Under the guidance of experienced coaches, you can try your hand at white water rafting, canoeing, kayaking and even surfing on the indoor wave machine.
The centre is on the outskirts of the city, about 4 miles south of Cardiff Central train station, but the No. 13 bus will drop you right at the door. You’ll find other activity facilities nearby, including an ice rink, swimming pool and yacht club.
Τοποθεσία: Watkiss Way, Cardiff CF11 0SY, UK
Ώρες λειτουργίας: Session and course times vary
Τηλέφωνο: +44 (0)29 2082 9970
Χάρτηςφωτογραφία από Gareth James (CC BY-SA 2.0) τροποποιήθηκε
- 8
Cardiff Story Museum
An innovative city museum
- Οικονομική διαμονή
- Οικογένειες
- Ιστορία
Cardiff Story Museum is one of the most creative city museums in the UK. While it boasts a collection about 3,000 objects and artefacts, it presents them in fun, interactive way. The story told by the free museum is quite an exciting one, with the Welsh capital growing from a small market town to one of the busiest ports in the UK to the diverse destination you see today.
Backpackers will appreciate the luggage lockers which are also available in the beautiful historical building, which is close to the Central Market.
Τοποθεσία: The Old Library, The Hayes, Cardiff CF10 1BH, UK
Ώρες λειτουργίας: Daily from 10 am to 4 pm
Τηλέφωνο: +44 (0)29 2034 6214
Χάρτηςφωτογραφία από Seth Whales (CC BY-SA 3.0) τροποποιήθηκε
- 9
Principality Stadium
Home to one of Wales' favourite sports
Widely known by its original name of Millennium Stadium, the national stadium of Wales is home to many exciting sporting events. While it has hosted boxing, motorsport, concerts and conventions, and has even been a film set a few times, it’s best known as a rugby stadium.
Watching a match of Wales’ favourite game is an unforgettable experience as the atmosphere of being in a crowd of over 70,000 fans is beyond description. The stadium is conveniently close to Cardiff Central train station, making it very easy to get to.
Τοποθεσία: Westgate St, Cardiff CF10 1NS, UK
Τηλέφωνο: +44 (0)29 2082 2432
Χάρτης - 10
Wales Millennium Centre
The heart of Cardiff culture
- Ζευγάρια
- Νυχτερινή ζωή
- Φωτογραφία
Affectionately known as 'The Armadillo' because of its unique design, the Wales Millennium Centre is a hub of culture in Cardiff. The schedule is packed with concerts, operas, shows and plays in the main theatre and 2 smaller halls, including top West End shows.
The onsite restaurant is very highly rated and there are several cafés and bars to try. The iconic copper-colored building is surrounded by other important social and cultural sites, including Welsh parliament The Senedd and Roald Dahl Plass, a public plaza and amphitheatre named after the famous children’s author.
Τοποθεσία: Bute Pl, Cardiff CF10 5AL, UK
Ώρες λειτουργίας: Monday–Friday from 10 am to 5 pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am to 5 pm. Show times vary
Τηλέφωνο: +44 (0)29 2063 6464
Χάρτης - 11
Gorsedd Gardens
Natural enclosed gardens with standing stones
- Ζευγάρια
- Οικογένειες
- Φωτογραφία
- Ασυνήθιστα
In front of the National Museum Cardiff, you’ll find Gorsedd Gardens. A part of the larger Cathays Park, Gorsedd is a beautiful example of the art that can be found in nature, complementing the art within the museum. The park shares its name with the Gorsedd Cymru, an organisation of artists, writers and musicians founded in the 18th century and surviving to this day.
The main focus of the garden is the circle of standing stones, which reflect Wales’ ancient history and the mysticism that has long shrouded the country. Walk the pathways of the garden and contemplate the calm, magical atmosphere that permeates this place.
Τοποθεσία: Gorsedd Gardens Rd, Cardiff CF10 3NP
Τηλέφωνο: +44 (0)29 2087 2087
Χάρτης