11 Best Things to Do in Cardiff

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.

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.

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. Afterwards, 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.

Bute Park is like 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.

Among the many beautiful Victorian-era shopping arcades around Cardiff, the Royal Arcade is the oldest and perhaps the most luxurious. 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.

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 as a 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.

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.

Cardiff Story Museum is one of the more 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.

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 two 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-coloured building is surrounded by other important social and cultural sites, including The Senedd (the Welsh parliament) and Roald Dahl Plass, a public plaza and amphitheatre named after the famous children’s author.

No, that’s not a typo – you really can dine at Her Majesty’s pleasure in Cardiff. You don’t need to suffer prison food, either. The Clink is a gourmet dining experience and an opportunity for prisoners to rehabilitate and gain new skills and experience in the hospitality industry. It works, too – those who prepare and serve your delicious food are much less likely to reoffend. Expect first-class cuisine made with fresh local ingredients and served in quite an elegant setting. Just don’t expect any alcohol because it’s banned on prison grounds.