Planning a trip to Cardiff? Whether you’re visiting for a weekend city break, a sporting event, a concert, a family holiday or a few days exploring South Wales, Cardiff has plenty to keep you busy.
The Welsh capital is compact and easy to explore, with historic attractions, beautiful parks, museums, shopping, restaurants and the vibrant Cardiff Bay waterfront all within easy reach.
To help you make the most of your stay, we’ve put together our top 10 things to do in Cardiff.
1. Visit Cardiff Castle
No visit to Cardiff is complete without exploring Cardiff Castle.
Right in the heart of the city, the castle has a history stretching back around 2,000 years. Its fascinating past includes Roman origins, medieval fortifications and the spectacular Victorian Gothic interiors created during the 19th century.
Visitors can explore the castle grounds, discover the ornate apartments, climb the Norman Keep and learn more about Cardiff’s history.
It’s also one of the easiest attractions to fit into a Cardiff city break because of its central location.
Top tip: Allow a couple of hours to properly explore the castle rather than simply viewing it from outside.
For more information: https://www.cardiffcastle.com/
2. Explore Cardiff Bay
For a change of scenery, head down to Cardiff Bay.
The waterfront is one of the most popular places to visit in Cardiff and is ideal for a relaxed afternoon or evening. You can stroll along the waterfront, stop for something to eat or drink, visit attractions and enjoy the views across the bay.
The area is home to the iconic Wales Millennium Centre, the Pierhead and a variety of restaurants and cafés. Boat trips around the bay are another option if you’d like to see Cardiff from the water.
Cardiff Bay is particularly enjoyable around sunset, when the waterfront becomes a great place to take photographs.
3. Take a Walk Through Bute Park
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city centre, Bute Park is the perfect place to go.
Situated next to Cardiff Castle, this huge green space runs alongside the River Taff and provides an excellent opportunity to walk, relax or simply enjoy some fresh air.
It’s particularly convenient for visitors because you can combine a visit to Cardiff Castle with a walk through the park.
Bring a coffee, take a stroll along the riverside or find a quiet spot to sit and enjoy the scenery.
Find out more: https://bute-park.com/
4. Visit the National Museum Cardiff
Looking for something to do in Cardiff when the Welsh weather isn’t cooperating?
Head to National Museum Cardiff.
The museum combines art, history and natural history, making it a great option for visitors of all ages. Its collections include European art, natural history exhibits and exhibitions covering hundreds of years of history.
It’s located in the city centre, making it easy to incorporate into a day of sightseeing.
And perhaps best of all, it’s a great rainy-day activity — something every visitor to Wales should have in their back pocket!
For more information: https://museum.wales/cardiff/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=14493159355&gbraid=0AAAAADQupaJV0jSBZUC93sGfUfDOfVVmT&gclid=Cj0KCQjwteTUBhD4ARIsAEYjs3qC8Z6umq3ssvfDileoUMFexOMce20gIY15t8NwrI2XzX6QkNsQU_gaAhyMEALw_wcB
5. Experience the Atmosphere of Principality Stadium
For sports fans, Principality Stadium is one of the must-see attractions in Cardiff.
Located right in the city centre, the stadium is home to some of Wales’ biggest sporting events and regularly hosts rugby, football, concerts and other major events.
Even if there isn’t an event taking place during your visit, stadium tours offer the opportunity to see behind the scenes and experience one of Wales’ most famous sporting venues.
If you’re visiting Cardiff for a rugby match or major concert, staying centrally can also make getting to and from the stadium much easier.
Find out more: https://www.principalitystadium.wales/
6. Discover Cardiff’s Victorian Arcades
Cardiff isn’t just about large shopping centres.
One of the city’s most distinctive features is its network of historic Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades.
Take a wander through Morgan Arcade, Royal Arcade and High Street Arcade and you’ll find independent shops, cafés, restaurants, boutiques and plenty of interesting architecture.
The arcades are also a great option if you’re visiting Cardiff on a rainy day — which, let’s be honest, can happen!
The city’s arcades are considered an important part of Cardiff’s shopping experience and are regularly highlighted as one of the things visitors should explore.
7. Step Back in Time at St Fagans National Museum of History
If you have a little more time during your trip, make the journey to St Fagans National Museum of History.
Located just outside the city centre, St Fagans is an open-air museum showcasing Welsh history and culture through historic buildings, exhibits and demonstrations.
Rather than simply walking through traditional museum galleries, visitors can explore reconstructed and preserved buildings from different periods of Welsh history.
It’s particularly popular with families and anyone interested in discovering more about Welsh culture and everyday life.
Allow plenty of time: this is much larger than a typical city-centre museum, so it deserves several hours.
Find out more: https://museum.wales/stfagans/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=14493159355&gbraid=0AAAAADQupaJV0jSBZUC93sGfUfDOfVVmT&gclid=Cj0KCQjwteTUBhD4ARIsAEYjs3oDqLP8mvElXTxNVfAY99JQk8SymprfOtUOkHmDQfjYz9oF4GBRjoEaAn_0EALw_wcB
8. Enjoy a Show at Wales Millennium Centre
Located in Cardiff Bay, the Wales Millennium Centre is one of Cardiff’s most recognisable buildings.
The venue hosts theatre productions, musicals, dance, opera, comedy, live music and other performances throughout the year.
Even if you don’t have tickets for a show, the building itself is worth seeing while exploring Cardiff Bay.
If you’re planning a Cardiff weekend break, check what’s on before you arrive. You might be able to combine a day exploring Cardiff with an evening of entertainment.
Find out more: https://www.wmc.org.uk/
9. Explore Cardiff Market
For food, shopping and a taste of local life, spend some time exploring Cardiff Market.
The historic indoor market is located in the city centre and provides an alternative to the city’s high-street shops.
You’ll find independent traders, food stalls and plenty of interesting things to browse.
It’s also a good place to pick up something different to take home from your trip.
If you’re putting together a self-guided walking tour of Cardiff, the market is easy to combine with the arcades, Cardiff Castle and other city-centre attractions.
Find out more: https://www.cardiffcouncilproperty.com/cardiff-market/
10. Relax Around Roath Park
Finally, head slightly away from the city centre and discover Roath Park.
The park is centred around a large lake and offers beautiful gardens, walking routes and plenty of open space.
It’s a great choice if you’ve already explored the main tourist attractions and want to experience a quieter side of Cardiff.
Grab a coffee, take a walk around the lake and enjoy a slower afternoon away from the crowds.
How Many Days Do You Need in Cardiff?
For a first visit, two to three days in Cardiff is a good starting point.
A weekend in Cardiff gives you enough time to explore the major city-centre attractions, visit Cardiff Castle, walk through Bute Park, explore the shopping arcades and spend some time at Cardiff Bay.
If you have three or more days, you can venture further afield to attractions such as St Fagans, explore more of Cardiff’s neighbourhoods or use the city as a base for discovering other parts of South Wales.
Cardiff’s relatively compact city centre also makes it convenient for a short break. Many attractions are close together, while public transport provides connections to Cardiff Bay and areas further outside the centre.
What Is the Best Area to Stay in Cardiff?
When visiting Cardiff, you don’t necessarily need to stay right in the city centre to enjoy everything the area has to offer. Cardiff and its surrounding areas have plenty to see and do, making it easy to find accommodation that suits your trip, whether you’re visiting for a weekend, a family break, a sporting event or a longer stay.
Staying in or around Cardiff gives you access to some of the city’s most popular attractions, including Cardiff Castle, Principality Stadium, Cardiff Market, the city’s shopping arcades, Bute Park and Cardiff Bay. There are also plenty of attractions, activities and beautiful places to explore just outside the city centre.
For event weekends, a property with easy access to Cardiff can be particularly convenient, while staying slightly further out can give you the benefits of a quieter location, free parking and more space.
Accommodation to Suit Every Stay
At N & N Stays, we offer a range of short-term and serviced accommodation across Cardiff and the surrounding areas.
Whether you’re looking for a 1-bedroom property for a couple or business traveller or a larger 6-bedroom house for families, groups or contractors, we have accommodation to suit a variety of needs.
Many of our properties also offer free parking, making them a convenient option for guests travelling by car.
Our properties are suitable for:
- 👨👩👧👦 Families visiting Cardiff
- 👷 Contractors and workers needing longer stays
- 🏉 Guests attending rugby and sporting events
- 🎵 Visitors attending concerts and events
- 🛍️ Weekend visitors exploring Cardiff
- 🏡 Groups looking for more space than a traditional hotel
So, when choosing where to stay in Cardiff, consider what you want from your trip. Being close to the city centre is convenient, but staying in the surrounding areas can also give you easy access to Cardiff while providing more space, parking and a quieter place to stay.
Whatever brings you to the area, N & N Stays Ltd has a range of properties across Cardiff and its surroundings to help make your stay comfortable and convenient.
Looking for somewhere to stay? Get in touch with N & N Stays today for a no-obligation enquiry.
📞 Call: 01225 595686
📱 WhatsApp: 07869 362439
📧 Email: info@nandnstays.co.uk