Things To Do In Cardiff
Love It!
Why We Love Cardiff
It's budget-friendly.
Despite its capital city status, Cardiff is very welcoming and accessible whatever your budget.
It's musical.
No, none of that male voice choir stuff, Cardiff is packed with top clubs and live music venues.
It's diverse.
There's such a huge selection of things to do in Cardiff, there really is something for everyone.
Move It!
How To Get Around Cardiff
Buses and taxis operate across the city, however, the best way to get about in Cardiff has to be the water buses that travel between the city centre and Cardiff Bay.
If you want to travel further and keep your eco credentials, NextBike is a public bike hire scheme you can pick up and drop off at docking stations around the city.
Cardiff has excellent links in and out of the city with the M4 leading right to its door and Cardiff Central station less than 2 hours from London Paddington.
Nightlife
Things To Do In Cardiff At Night
If you're looking for things to do in Cardiff at night, the city does enjoy a drop or two and has a seriously impressive array of pubs and bars, with cocktail joints, speakeasies, sports bars and a growing number of craft breweries. If you are more motivated by food than drink, you're in luck as there are a great choice of eateries and award-winning restaurants. Most of all, Cardiff is known for its party lifestyle with great clubs, live music venues, comedy clubs and more.
To Do List
Things to Do In Cardiff
- Mermaid Quay - Sitting on the water's edge it looks great and features some excellent places to grab a drink and bite to eat or just watch the world go by.
- Roath Park - A green and pleasant space to take five during your busy weekend. There's even a blue plaque dedicated to Jimi Hendrix who is said to have spent a night sleeping on the boating lake's island.
- White Water Rafting - Yes! Get wet and wild in this amazing water sports centre. You can try a range of different water-based Cardiff activities.
- Tiger Bay - One of the city's most popular areas for nightlife, packed with great bars, restaurants, clubs and even a party cruise.
- Festivals - Cardiff loves a good party and fittingly has a number of festivals throughout the year celebrating food, comedy, rum, beer, music, dance... there's even a beach festival.
- Millennium Centre - This iconic building is made exclusively of materials found in Wales and hosts huge acts from around the world. Outside you'll find Roald Dahl Plass, dedicated to the Cardiff born author.
- Spillers Records - The world's oldest record store is still going strong and is a must-visit for music fans. It's become a place of pilgrimage for vinyl and record collectors.
- Vintage Stores - If you love old things, Cardiff is a very happy hunting ground with great vintage, retro and second-hand stores selling everything from wedding dresses and bags to furniture, glassware and curiosities.
- Penarth Pier Pavilion - Just outside the city, Penarth Pier is a great place to explore, and you can enjoy the views and some fabulous food and drinks. Definitely worth adding to your list of things to do in Cardiff
- Doctor Who Experience - Fans of sci-fi shouldn't miss the giant exhibition all about the show that is mostly filmed in Cardiff.
OMG!
3 Weird Cardiff Facts
- Henry Morgan, a pirate captain and rum legend, was born in Cardiff.
- Roal Dahl was also born in Cardiff, he once put a dead mouse in a jar of sweets after the shop owner was cruel to him.
- Cardiff is home to the world's oldest record shop. Spillers Records is so old they probably still have Tom Jones on vinyl (whatever happened to him?).
Neighbourhoods
Best Bits of Cardiff
Mermaid Quay - Eat, drink, and be merry. Mermaid Quay is great to explore at night when it really comes to life, however, foodies should definitely take a daytime trip as there's so much to taste.
Roath - A trendy area of the city that is home to the wide-open spaces of Roath Park, bistros, bars, cafes and hipster hangouts.
Cardiff Bay - Comprising of Mermaid Quay, The Millenium Centre, Roald Dahl Plass, it also hosts the summer beach festivals and other live outdoor events.
City Centre - Crammed with amazing shopping (Cardiff has more arcades than any other UK city), it also has top clubs, live music and comedy venues.
Mill Lane - Located in the city centre and packed with the busiest bars and clubs.
Tiger Bay - The famous old docks and childhood home of Dame Shirley Bassey (aka 'The Girl From Tiger Bay'), the area has been transformed and renamed Cardiff Bay.