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Why we love Cardiff

With world-renowned rugby, over 600 castles and a whole host of myths and legends to discover, there’s something to appeal to everyone who visits Wales - and its capital Cardiff is no exception.

Whether it’s white water rafting or an epic music scene you’re after, the city is a quirky, creative hub brimming with things to see and do. Step into 2,000 years of history at Cardiff Castle, or savour local produce at Cardiff Central Market. Get a taste of the action and head out of the city on the Cambrian Way to discover 185 miles of National Parks, fairy-tale castles and snow-capped peaks. With a buzzing arts and foodie scene and independent shops galore, Cardiff is your gateway to all that’s wonderful about Wales.

Things to do in Cardiff

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Step into the future of broadcasting at BBC’s newest and most advanced studios.

Get behind the scenes at BBC Cardiff

BBC Tours

Cardiff, Wales

An inside view of the BBC Studios in Cardiff
BBC Tours – Central Square, Cardiff

Though it has 2,000 years of history to discover, Cardiff Castle is also bang up to date – hosting festivals and events galore.

Plan your visit to Cardiff Castle

VisitBritain/Alex Major

Man looking out at the castle view
Cardiff Castle

Make a splash at this Olympic standard, family-friendly white-water rafting centre in Cardiff Bay.

Take the plunge at CIWW

Tom Martin/WALES NEWS SERVICE

Canoeists at White-Water Rafting Centre, Cardiff Bay
Cardiff International White Water

In Cardiff Bay, the Wales Millennium Centre hosts top-class live music and theatre shows from all over the world.

Book your tickets for Wales Millennium Centre

VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

Person looking up at the front of a bronze building at night
Wales Millennium Centre

Calling all sports lovers! Head to the ‘home of Welsh rugby’ to watch sporting spectacles, live concerts and more.

Catch a match at Principality Stadium

Tom Martin/WALES NEWS SERVICE

Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales
Principality Stadium

You’ll find everything from dinosaur bones to contemporary art at this fantastic free museum.

Delve into the National Museum Cardiff

Visit Wales Image Centre

People viewing artwork in the National Museum Cardiff
National Museum Cardiff

Tranquil Cardiff Bay is yours to explore on sailing boats, canoes, rowing trips and kayaks.

Visit Cardiff Bay Water Activity Centre

Tom Martin/WALES NEWS SERVICE

Canoeists at White-Water Rafting Centre, Cardiff Bay
Cardiff Bay Water Activity Centre

There’s always something fresh to discover here, from stand-up comedy to arthouse cinema.

Explore Chapter Arts Centre

Chapter Arts Centre

A performer on stage at Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff, Wales
Chapter Arts Centre

An icon of Cardiff Bay, this historic church hosts art exhibitions, live music and stand-up comedy.

Visit Norwegian Church Arts Centre

Norwegian Church Arts Centre

Exterior view of the Norwegian Church Arts Centre in Cardiff, Wales
Norwegian Church Arts Centre

Supportive, sociable and spirited: that’s the ethos of Cardiff’s LGBTQIA+ festival every August.

Explore Pride Cymru
Group of people celebrating Pride on the streets of Cardiff, Wales
Pride Cymru

One of the world’s biggest LGBTQIA+ film festivals, this cultural celebration takes place in October.

What’s on at the Iris Prize Festival

Iris Awards

Image stage

An audience watching the Iris Awards presentation in Cardiff
Iris Prize Festival

With a banging playlist, great-value drinks and live DJs, this LGBTQIA+ nightclub is a Cardiff favourite.

Hit the dancefloor at Pulse

Pulse Cardiff

A crowd of people out at a club night in Pulse Cardiff
Pulse

A popular hangout for the queer crowd, kick back with karaoke and cabaret at this historic pub with a traditional style.

Visit The Golden Cross

Getty Images/EyeEm

A DJ setting up on stage at a nightclub venue
The Golden Cross

From folk music to rap, this annual festival at Cardiff Castle celebrates Welsh-language music.

What’s on at Tafwyl

Visit Cardiff

Cardiff

A group of people at the barrier at a music stage at Tafwyl, an annual music festival inside the grounds of Cardiff Castle
Tafwyl

This three-day feast includes farmers’ markets, cooking demos, street food and Welsh delicacies galore.

Discover Cardiff Food and Drink Festival

Visit Cardiff

Food image

A group of men eating food at a table at the International Food and Drink Festival in Cardiff, Wales
Cardiff Food and Drink Festival

Pause for a moment at this tranquil wildlife sanctuary, a haven for birds and marine life.

Visit Cardiff Bay Wetland Reserve

VisitWales

Image Cardiff

A woman looking out across Cardiff's harbour
Cardiff Bay Wetland Reserve

Adventure ahoy! Choose from thrilling speedboat trips and intrepid voyages along the Welsh coast.

Book Bay Island Voyages

Bay Island Voyages

Image boat

A group of people on a boat tour around Cardiff's bay area
Bay Island Voyages

This vast park once formed the grounds of Cardiff Castle – and now hosts nature walks and seasonal events.

Discover Bute Park

Crown Copyright

Cardiff

View of Bute Park, Cardiff from above, with green trees in the foreground and blue skies
Bute Park

Whether for picnics, long walks or a dip in the water playground, this historic spot is a great summer hangout.

Explore Victoria Park

Mark Wilson/Victoria Park

Image park

A night-time performance on the bandstand in Victoria Park, Cardiff
Victoria Park

This iconic hotel in Cardiff Bay offers spa treatments, fine dining and indulgent leisure facilities.

Discover voco St David’s Cardiff

Voco Cardiff

Image hotel

A top down view of voco St David's Hotel in Cardiff, Wales
Voco St David’s Cardiff

How many of these 21 sculptures can you find? Look out for wooden flowers, animals and people…

Follow the Bute Park Sculpture Trail

Bute Park/Chris Wood

Image mole

A wood sculpture of a mole in Bute Park, Cardiff
Bute Park Sculpture Trail

These ‘secret’ streets feature unique boutiques, artisan cafés, and even a vintage video game arcade.

Explore the Victorian and Edwardian Arcades

VisitBritain/Ben Selway

Image men

A gay couple, with arms linked, shopping indoors
Victorian and Edwardian Arcades

Featuring retro consoles and hundreds of games, this vintage arcade is a trip down memory lane.

Go gaming at The Arcade Vaults

The Arcade Vaults

Image shop

An outside view of the Arcade Vaults in Cardiff
The Arcade Vaults

Looking for top fashions, beauty and homeware? This city-centre mall is full of Britain’s favourite brands.

Discover St David’s Dewi Sant

VisitWales

Shop

An inside view of St Davids Centre, a mall in the heart of Cardiff, Wales
St David’s Dewi Sant

Serving natural wines and top-quality ingredients, this is sustainable dining with real style.

Book a table at Nook

The Nook

Image food

Plates of food being served in the Nook Restaurant, Cardiff
Nook

Beyond the restaurants and nightlife, explore Cardiff Bay’s colourful history and secret local hotspots.

Take a Cardiff Bay Walking Tour

Visit Cardiff

Image people

A group of people exploring the harbour of Cardiff at sunset
Cardiff Bay Walking Tour

Gorge scrambling, kayak-surfing, rock climbing and more: which adventure will you choose?

Discover Blue Ocean Activities

Blue Ocean Activities

Cardiff, Wales

A group of people diving into the ocean off a rock coast in Cardiff, Wales
Blue Ocean Activities

For inquisitive minds of all ages, this science centre is full of mind-boggling films and experiments.

Plan your trip to Techniquest

Techniquest

Cardiff, Wales

A man and a woman playing with an exhibit at Techniquest in Cardiff
Techniquest

Is it a food market, a nightclub or a theatre? Depot is all of those things – and much more!

Get to know Depot

Visit Cardiff

Cardiff, Wales

A woman sat at a table with a drink at Depot in Cardiff
Depot

Enjoy Cardiff’s best bites on this walking tour, and learn all about Welsh culture along the way.

Book a Loving Welsh Food tour

Loving Welsh Food

Cardiff, Wales

A group of people eating and drinking at an outside table at Cosmo, Cardiff
Loving Welsh Food Tour

Step into history at Caerphilly Castle which dates back to the 13th-century.

Discover more about Caerphilly Castle

VisitWales

Cardiff, Wales

A woman in sunglasses looking out across Caerphilly Castle
Caerphilly Castle

Discover Wales’s history, culture and wildlife at this interactive museum, set in wild beech woodland.

Visit St Fagans National Museum of History

Visit Cardiff

Cardiff, Wales

A woman in headphones looking out in a garden at St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff
St Fagans National Museum of History

The world’s oldest record shop dates back to 1894 – and specialises in jazz, rock and indie vinyl and CDs.

Head to Spillers Records

Tom Martin/WALES NEWS SERVICE

Cardiff, Wales

A man looks through records at Spillers Records in Cardiff
Spillers Records

Step into the future of broadcasting at BBC’s newest and most advanced studios.

Get behind the scenes at BBC Cardiff

BBC Tours

Cardiff, Wales

An inside view of the BBC Studios in Cardiff
BBC Tours – Central Square, Cardiff

Though it has 2,000 years of history to discover, Cardiff Castle is also bang up to date – hosting festivals and events galore.

Plan your visit to Cardiff Castle

VisitBritain/Alex Major

Man looking out at the castle view
Cardiff Castle

Make a splash at this Olympic standard, family-friendly white-water rafting centre in Cardiff Bay.

Take the plunge at CIWW

Tom Martin/WALES NEWS SERVICE

Canoeists at White-Water Rafting Centre, Cardiff Bay
Cardiff International White Water

In Cardiff Bay, the Wales Millennium Centre hosts top-class live music and theatre shows from all over the world.

Book your tickets for Wales Millennium Centre

VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

Person looking up at the front of a bronze building at night
Wales Millennium Centre

Calling all sports lovers! Head to the ‘home of Welsh rugby’ to watch sporting spectacles, live concerts and more.

Catch a match at Principality Stadium

Tom Martin/WALES NEWS SERVICE

Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales
Principality Stadium

You’ll find everything from dinosaur bones to contemporary art at this fantastic free museum.

Delve into the National Museum Cardiff

Visit Wales Image Centre

People viewing artwork in the National Museum Cardiff
National Museum Cardiff

Tranquil Cardiff Bay is yours to explore on sailing boats, canoes, rowing trips and kayaks.

Visit Cardiff Bay Water Activity Centre

Tom Martin/WALES NEWS SERVICE

Canoeists at White-Water Rafting Centre, Cardiff Bay
Cardiff Bay Water Activity Centre

There’s always something fresh to discover here, from stand-up comedy to arthouse cinema.

Explore Chapter Arts Centre

Chapter Arts Centre

A performer on stage at Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff, Wales
Chapter Arts Centre

An icon of Cardiff Bay, this historic church hosts art exhibitions, live music and stand-up comedy.

Visit Norwegian Church Arts Centre

Norwegian Church Arts Centre

Exterior view of the Norwegian Church Arts Centre in Cardiff, Wales
Norwegian Church Arts Centre

Supportive, sociable and spirited: that’s the ethos of Cardiff’s LGBTQIA+ festival every August.

Explore Pride Cymru
Group of people celebrating Pride on the streets of Cardiff, Wales
Pride Cymru

One of the world’s biggest LGBTQIA+ film festivals, this cultural celebration takes place in October.

What’s on at the Iris Prize Festival

Iris Awards

Image stage

An audience watching the Iris Awards presentation in Cardiff
Iris Prize Festival

With a banging playlist, great-value drinks and live DJs, this LGBTQIA+ nightclub is a Cardiff favourite.

Hit the dancefloor at Pulse

Pulse Cardiff

A crowd of people out at a club night in Pulse Cardiff
Pulse

A popular hangout for the queer crowd, kick back with karaoke and cabaret at this historic pub with a traditional style.

Visit The Golden Cross

Getty Images/EyeEm

A DJ setting up on stage at a nightclub venue
The Golden Cross

From folk music to rap, this annual festival at Cardiff Castle celebrates Welsh-language music.

What’s on at Tafwyl

Visit Cardiff

Cardiff

A group of people at the barrier at a music stage at Tafwyl, an annual music festival inside the grounds of Cardiff Castle
Tafwyl

This three-day feast includes farmers’ markets, cooking demos, street food and Welsh delicacies galore.

Discover Cardiff Food and Drink Festival

Visit Cardiff

Food image

A group of men eating food at a table at the International Food and Drink Festival in Cardiff, Wales
Cardiff Food and Drink Festival

Pause for a moment at this tranquil wildlife sanctuary, a haven for birds and marine life.

Visit Cardiff Bay Wetland Reserve

VisitWales

Image Cardiff

A woman looking out across Cardiff's harbour
Cardiff Bay Wetland Reserve

Adventure ahoy! Choose from thrilling speedboat trips and intrepid voyages along the Welsh coast.

Book Bay Island Voyages

Bay Island Voyages

Image boat

A group of people on a boat tour around Cardiff's bay area
Bay Island Voyages

This vast park once formed the grounds of Cardiff Castle – and now hosts nature walks and seasonal events.

Discover Bute Park

Crown Copyright

Cardiff

View of Bute Park, Cardiff from above, with green trees in the foreground and blue skies
Bute Park

Whether for picnics, long walks or a dip in the water playground, this historic spot is a great summer hangout.

Explore Victoria Park

Mark Wilson/Victoria Park

Image park

A night-time performance on the bandstand in Victoria Park, Cardiff
Victoria Park

This iconic hotel in Cardiff Bay offers spa treatments, fine dining and indulgent leisure facilities.

Discover voco St David’s Cardiff

Voco Cardiff

Image hotel

A top down view of voco St David's Hotel in Cardiff, Wales
Voco St David’s Cardiff

How many of these 21 sculptures can you find? Look out for wooden flowers, animals and people…

Follow the Bute Park Sculpture Trail

Bute Park/Chris Wood

Image mole

A wood sculpture of a mole in Bute Park, Cardiff
Bute Park Sculpture Trail

These ‘secret’ streets feature unique boutiques, artisan cafés, and even a vintage video game arcade.

Explore the Victorian and Edwardian Arcades

VisitBritain/Ben Selway

Image men

A gay couple, with arms linked, shopping indoors
Victorian and Edwardian Arcades

Featuring retro consoles and hundreds of games, this vintage arcade is a trip down memory lane.

Go gaming at The Arcade Vaults

The Arcade Vaults

Image shop

An outside view of the Arcade Vaults in Cardiff
The Arcade Vaults

Looking for top fashions, beauty and homeware? This city-centre mall is full of Britain’s favourite brands.

Discover St David’s Dewi Sant

VisitWales

Shop

An inside view of St Davids Centre, a mall in the heart of Cardiff, Wales
St David’s Dewi Sant

Serving natural wines and top-quality ingredients, this is sustainable dining with real style.

Book a table at Nook

The Nook

Image food

Plates of food being served in the Nook Restaurant, Cardiff
Nook

Beyond the restaurants and nightlife, explore Cardiff Bay’s colourful history and secret local hotspots.

Take a Cardiff Bay Walking Tour

Visit Cardiff

Image people

A group of people exploring the harbour of Cardiff at sunset
Cardiff Bay Walking Tour

Gorge scrambling, kayak-surfing, rock climbing and more: which adventure will you choose?

Discover Blue Ocean Activities

Blue Ocean Activities

Cardiff, Wales

A group of people diving into the ocean off a rock coast in Cardiff, Wales
Blue Ocean Activities

For inquisitive minds of all ages, this science centre is full of mind-boggling films and experiments.

Plan your trip to Techniquest

Techniquest

Cardiff, Wales

A man and a woman playing with an exhibit at Techniquest in Cardiff
Techniquest

Is it a food market, a nightclub or a theatre? Depot is all of those things – and much more!

Get to know Depot

Visit Cardiff

Cardiff, Wales

A woman sat at a table with a drink at Depot in Cardiff
Depot

Enjoy Cardiff’s best bites on this walking tour, and learn all about Welsh culture along the way.

Book a Loving Welsh Food tour

Loving Welsh Food

Cardiff, Wales

A group of people eating and drinking at an outside table at Cosmo, Cardiff
Loving Welsh Food Tour

Step into history at Caerphilly Castle which dates back to the 13th-century.

Discover more about Caerphilly Castle

VisitWales

Cardiff, Wales

A woman in sunglasses looking out across Caerphilly Castle
Caerphilly Castle

Discover Wales’s history, culture and wildlife at this interactive museum, set in wild beech woodland.

Visit St Fagans National Museum of History

Visit Cardiff

Cardiff, Wales

A woman in headphones looking out in a garden at St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff
St Fagans National Museum of History

The world’s oldest record shop dates back to 1894 – and specialises in jazz, rock and indie vinyl and CDs.

Head to Spillers Records

Tom Martin/WALES NEWS SERVICE

Cardiff, Wales

A man looks through records at Spillers Records in Cardiff
Spillers Records

Places to stay in Cardiff

Cardiff City Centre

Find easy access to designer shops and traditional markets, diverse cuisine and the Principality Stadium in the mainly pedestrianised city centre.

Cardiff Bay

Home to a gleaming Cardiff International White Water Centre where you can try out lots of water sports, as well as cultural spots like the Wales Millennium Centre.

Pontcanna

Out in the city’s leafy suburb discover the Taff Trail on bike or by foot, or get artsy at Kings Road Yard filled with artists, makers, producers and bakers!

Explore nearby

Full of adventure from its sky-scraping peaks to plunging glacial valleys - it’s bursting with bombastic scenery.

VisitBritain/Daniel Struthers

A man jumping across a stream whilst hiking

Cool creative Bristol is a must-see for art, culture and action-packed adventure.

VisitBritain/Rod Edwards

Lit up hot air balloons and fireworks in the night sky

For a real adventure, head to Wales’s westernmost tip. A paradise for hikers, swimmers, thrill-seekers and birdwatchers.

National Trust/Greentraveller

Pembrokeshire, Wales

Back view of two young boys in wetsuits sitting on a rock looking out to sea with blue sky

Getting to Cardiff

Located in South Wales, Cardiff is a two-hour journey from London by train. The city is also served by Cardiff Airport, which operates direct and non-direct flights to and from a wide range of destinations.

Getting around

It’s easy to travel around the city hassle free, visit Cardiff bus to plan your journey and get all the latest information on ticket types. Full of pedestrianised areas, walking trails and parks and gardens galore, it’s easy and enjoyable to explore Cardiff by foot. Discover more on travelling around Cardiff and Wales on traveline.

By bus

Download the Cardiff bus app and you can buy and store tickets on your mobile, making travelling around the city by bus even easier.

By foot

Plot your route and discover more about the city’s walking trails, including the Wales Coast Path, at Outdoor Cardiff.

By train

Trains run into Cardiff Central Station from destinations all across Britain. Find information and train times to help plan your journey with Great Western Railway.

Want to know more?

Head to VisitCardiff for insider tips and travel inspiration.