Cardiff (or Caerdydd in Wales) became the official capital of Wales (Cymru) in 1956. Located on the wide estuary of the Severn and crossed by the smaller rivers Taff and Rhymmey, the city has long been an important port. And thanks to its role as the country’s cultural and economic centre, it makes a great base from which to explore South Wales.
Cardiff offers a wide range of entertainment options, numerous well-attended festivals and a variety of sporting facilities, including award-winning ones golf courses. The well-preserved Victorian arcades and streetscapes are fun to explore and offer excellent shopping and dining.
1 Cardiff Castle
Situated in the center of the city, Cardiff Castle stands on a site once occupied by a Roman fort, parts of which (the walls, 4th-century polygon bastions and the north gate) have been preserved and partly restored. The castle is in fact three fortresses in one. A new castle was built in 1090 on an artificial moat and a series of richly decorated buildings were added later (the entire complex was extensively rebuilt between 1865 and 1920). Highlights include the State Apartments, the Clock Tower, the Chapel and a spectacular Banqueting Hall with murals telling the stories of Robert the Consul and a huge ornate fireplace. Time your visit, and you’ll have a chance to witness witness tournaments, medieval markets, and other fun events.
Opening hours: daily from 9am to 5pm
Entrance: Adults, £12; Children (5-16), £9; Families, £36
Address: Castle St, Cardiff
Official site: www.cardiffcastle.com
Read also: Top-Rated Things to Do in Wales
2Cardiff Bay
Widely regarded as the most successful in Britain, the outstanding redevelopment of Cardiff Bay is home to almost 2,700 acres of former docklands and is home to high-end homes, offices, hotels, restaurants, theatres, sports fields and many parks. Highlights of a visit include the Redbrick Pierhead Building, built in 1897 and now home to displays relating to Welsh history, and Mermaid Quay with its trendy restaurants, cafes and boutiques.
It’s also where you get the Senedd, the architecturally attractive new home of the National Assembly for Wales, as well as the beautiful Norwegian Church, an arts center and concert venue in a former church often visited by Roald Dahl. (The writer’s importance to the city is widely recognized and includes Roald Dahl Plass, a large public square notable for its summer concerts.) Cardiff Bay is also where you can find Techniquesta fun, hands-on science center with a planetarium and theater.
Official site: www.cardiffharbour.com
3 St Fagans National History Museum
Set in exceptionally beautiful parkland 4 miles west of Cardiff, this beautiful open-air museum is one of Wales’s most popular attractions and has an intriguing collection of buildings including cottages, farms, workshops and mills. The beautiful traditional gardens, costumes, tools and machines are also on display. It all adds up to a fun experience that brings the living and working conditions of the past vividly to life. Special events take place during the May Fair, Mid-Summer Festival, Harvest Festival and Christmas Festival.
Opening hours: daily from 10am to 5pm
Open access
Location: Cardiff
Official site: www.museumwales.ac.uk
4 Caerphilly Castle
Located just 7 miles north of Cardiff, Caerphilly Castle was built in 1628 to consolidate the English hold on the area. The castle, the largest in Wales, has the most extensive defense system of any British castle. Enlarged several times, it has two impressive drawbridges, massive walls, round towers and a moat. There are also four full-size replicas of medieval artillery pieces on display. Exhibits inside provide details of his involvement in the wars between the Welsh and the English. And for a truly inspiring view of the fortress, tourists can take a boat trip across the lake.
Opening hours: daily from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm
Entrance: Adults, £5.50; Families, £16.50
Address: Castle St, Caerphilly
Official site: https://cadw.gov.wales/daysout/caerphilly-castle/?lang=en
5 Cardiff National Museum
Located in spectacular Cardiff Civic Center, the National Museum of Cardiff (part of the National Museums of Wales group) houses the country’s archaeological, geological, art and natural history collections. The Evolution of Wales exhibition takes visitors on a 4.5 million year journey with the many dinosaurs that once roamed the country. The museum’s displays on Bronze Age fossils and weapons are also notable. Another highlight of your visit is the museum’s stunning art gallery, which includes beautiful collections of paintings, sculpture and ceramics spanning five centuries. Of particular interest is the collection of Impressionist art, including works by Picasso, Rodin and Monet.
Opening hours: Tue-Sun, 10am – 5pm
Open access
Address: Cathays Park, Cardiff
Official site: www.museumwales.ac.uk/cardiff/
6 Editor’s Pick Doctor Who Experience
One of Cardiff Bay’s newest attractions (and quickly becoming one of its most popular) is the Doctor Who Experience. Focusing on the 40-plus-year-old BBC television show that is now popular in North America, this fun-filled interactive exhibition featuring a short film followed by an invitation to join the Doctor in his Tardis: his famous bigger-on-the-inside-than-it-on-the-outside time travel machine. The adventure includes his most nasty nemesis, the villainous Daleks. Guests can also wander two floors packed with Doctor Who paraphernalia, including costumes and film paraphernalia. Then visit the neighboring one World of boats with its unique collection of ships from all over the world.
Opening hours: daily from 10am to 5pm
Entrance: Adults, £15; Children, £11; Families, £46 (online discounts available)
Address: Discovery Quay, Heal Perth Tiger, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff
Official site: https://www.doctorwho.tv/events/doctor-who-experience
7 Millennium Stadium
Millennium Stadium at Cardiff Arms Park is one of the country’s most advanced sporting venues and is a favorite among rugby fans. The facility has a retractable roof and a wide range of other events, such as music concerts and motorsports. Fun sightseeing tour options are available, including the Press Conference Suite and VIP lounges and boxes, the Welsh National Rugby team changing rooms and a chance to walk the players’ tunnel across the grass.
Address: Westgate St, Cardiff
Official site: https://www.principalitystadium.wales/tours
8 Wales Millennium Centre
Widely regarded as one of the world’s finest performing arts centres, the Wales Millennium Center has become one of Cardiff’s top cultural attractions and is a must-visit attraction. It covers an area of almost five hectares and regularly hosts opera and ballet performances, as well as dance and music productions, comedy shows and music concerts in its three theaters. It is also home to eight national Welsh arts organisations, from opera to orchestra, theater and literature. Its location on Cardiff Bay makes it a great place to simply shop or dine, or take part in workshops and fun learning opportunities. Behind-the-scenes tours are available, covering topics such as architecture and the backstage organization of events and activities.
Opening hours: daily from 10am to 6pm
Entry: Guided backstage tours – £5.50
Address: Bute Place, Cardiff Bay
Official site: www.wmc.org.uk
9 Llandaff Cathedral
Llandaff Cathedral, founded in the time of Bishop Urban (1107-34), is one of the finest such structures in Wales. Most of the cathedral dates from the 13th century, while the northwest tower was rebuilt in the 15th century. Much of the cathedral later fell into disrepair, but an Italian temple was built within its walls in 1734. Although badly damaged during the last war, it has since been restored and contains many extraordinary features, including a remarkable figure of Christ in Majesty by Epstein. Guided attraction tours are available with advance notice.
Opening hours: daily, 9 p.m
Open access
Address: Cathedral Road, Wales
Official site: www.llandaffcathedral.org.uk
10 The red castle: Castell Coch
This enchanting blend of Victorian Gothic fantasy and fairytale castle features many beautiful round towers and turrets. This attractive medieval castle, which is also one of Britain’s famous “sham” castles, was built towards the end of the 19th century. A great deal of detail has been incorporated by its creators, the third Marquess of Bute and an eccentric genius called William Burges. Rich decorations house the interior, including details of the saints, Aesop’s fables and many animals. Informative interactive displays and touchscreens provide fun facts as guests explore the castle and its beautiful grounds.
Opening hours: daily from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm
Entrance: Adults, £5.50; Children (under 16), £4.10; Families, £16.50
Address: Tongwynlais, Cardiff
Official site: https://cadw.gov.wales/daysout/castell-coch/?lang=en
Where to Stay in Cardiff for Sightseeing
We recommend these excellent hotels in convenient locations near Cardiff’s top attractions:
- The St. David’s Hotel: Waterfront luxury, stunning views of Cardiff Bay, floor-to-ceiling windows, stunning spa with hot tubs and heated pool.
- Park Plaza Cardiff: mid-range price, central location near shops and restaurants, stylish decor, indoor heated pool, spa with steam room.
- Premier Inn Cardiff City Center Hotel: great rates, fantastic location, a short walk from Cardiff Castle, comfortable beds.
- Travelodge Cardiff Atlantic Wharf: great prices, excellent value, steps from Wales Millennium Centre, modern decor.
Read also:
8 top class day trips from Cardiff
