10 Reasons Everyone Should Visit Cardiff At Least Once

The picturesque Cardiff Bay is within walking distance of some of the citys best hotels
The picturesque Cardiff Bay is within walking distance of some of the city's best hotels | © Billy Stock / Alamy Stock Photo
Poppy Jacob

Wales’ capital Cardiff is a small but vibrant city with plenty to see and do. It has the River Taff running through it and a castle in its centre, surrounded by the beautiful Bute Park. With so many top hotels to stay at, including budget-friendly options, it’s safe to say there’s plenty of reasons everyone should visit – here are our top 10.

The hospitality

The Welsh are well known for their hospitable nature, humour and charm. You can usually count on a warm welcome wherever you go, especially when Wales is playing a rugby match at the stadium. The pubs and bars will be full of locals cheering, singing, drinking and enjoying themselves, and you’re bound to have a good time with them, even if you’re there wearing the shirt of the other team.

speech icon man in bubble

Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
speech icon man in bubble
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

https://www.instagram.com/p/BY7r2zxnos6/?tagged=milleniumstadium

The sport

The city is sport-centred like no other. There are the venues Cardiff Arms Park and the Millennium Stadium right in the middle of the town, with the latter being visible for miles around. Cardiff has played host to FA Cup finals, Rugby League Challenge Cup finals and many more games. Cardiff is also big on cricket, with Sophia Gardens cricket grounds (aka, The SSE SWALEC Cardiff) being the headquarters of the Glamorgan CCC. The club has more than 7,000 members and also runs the Welsh Cricket Academy. The cricket stadium underwent a multi-million-pound refurbishment to host the first ‘England’ v Australia Test Match of the 2009 Ashes series. For ice hockey fans, there’s Cardiff’s professional ice-hockey team, the Cardiff Devils, who now practice down at Cardiff Bay at the Ice Arena Wales.

The rugby ball in the wall of Cardiff Castle during the Rugby World Cup

Cardiff Castle

Cardiff Castle has much to set it apart, from the breathtaking, kaleidoscope-effect Arab Room to the Animal Wall, which consists of a row of stone animal sculptures each perched on different parts of the outer wall. The castle used to have live peacocks roaming its grounds, and it was common to find a plume on the floor. Those days are gone now, but there are still references to the birds dotted around. Entry to the castle costs £10, and there’s also the option of doing a ghost tour at night, going from room to room by candlelight, hearing the gruesome goings-on of the past and the many ghost sightings is an unforgettable experience.

The animal wall, Cardiff Castle

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFXHxPDmNlX/?taken-by=cardiffbay

The Bay

Cardiff became what it is today partly thanks to the industry of its port, Tiger Bay, which has rich history. Now referred to as Cardiff Bay, the area offers beautiful views over the water, a host of leisure activities and cultural attractions. These attractions include Techniquest (a science museum full of interactive activities), the Norwegian Church (with links to Roald Dahl) and the Wetlands Reserve, an area of natural beauty. There are also plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from where you can sit outside when the weather’s good. It is also the location of the Wales Millennium Centre, a cultural hub, and the impressive Senedd building where the Welsh National Assembly is headquartered.

The Senedd, Cardiff Bay

Bute Park

Bute Park is the stunning extended grounds of the castle right next to the city centre and much of it runs along side the River Taff. There are colourful and well-tended flower beds and a host of tree species to admire, making it a great place to go during autumn for the variety of leaf colours. It’s also where you can catch a water bus to Cardiff Bay or get a tea and cake at Pettigrew Tea Rooms or The Secret Garden.

A boat ride on Roath Park Lake

Roth Park Lake with its Victorian lighthouse, weeping willows and bird life is a huge highlight of the city. Species to be seen include mallard, cormorants and herons, and little islands on the lake provide areas for them to nest. The best thing you can do then is to hire a boat. Choose from Water Walkerz, Peddlerz, rowing boats and pedalos.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYvfVL0FeZ8/?tagged=roathparklake

The nightlife

You may have heard rumours about Cardiff and the amount of hen dos and stag parties it attracts, as well as the binge drinking which goes on, and that may or may not be a good thing for you, but the city is a great place for a night out – whatever you’re into. Welsh pubs are notoriously lively, with live music, craft ales and friendly locals. And there are loads of clubs where you can dance to the music you like and generally have a whale of a time.

St Fagans

The National Museum of History is the number one go-to destination for Welsh culture, architecture, history and traditions. Rather than a staid, echoey building, this is an open-air museum spread over acres of parkland in the grounds of St Fagans Castle, an Elizabethan manor house. It’s often called St Fagans because of the village St Fagans where it is found. Along with the 40-plus historical or imitation buildings, there is a farm, a pottery where you can have a go yourself, beautiful gardens, events, old fashioned shops and more.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BY_lU_7llXb/?tagged=stfagans

Llandaff Village and Cathedral

With its cathedral, Llandaff is technically a city but has a typically village feel with its village green, high street and attractive houses. As well as being the set for many a Doctor Who and Torchwood scene, other claims to fame include it being the birth place of Roald Dahl. Then there’s the cathedral itself, which is large and impressive with an active parish.

culture trip left arrow
 culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

X

Holiday Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

Edit article