Things to do in Cardiff, the friendly capital of Wales

Discover what to do in Cardiff, the capital of Wales

In this post you will discover what to do in Cardiff, the capital of Wales.

Cardiff is a fairly small city with only 330,000 inhabitants, modern and traditional at the same time.

The first settlement appeared there in the year 75, as a Roman fortress, but Cardiff only became a city in 1905, and only became the capital in 1955.

About Wales, read also:

Travel itinerary from Cardiff to Snowdonia
Wales: where to stay
4 amazing castles to visit in Wales
2 charming little towns to visit in Snowdonia National Park

Our first outing in Cardiff was to the Cardiff Bay Waterfront, and we left the car in the free car park (at night) which is next to the Norwegian Church (white).

This car park is free from 6pm to 8am. Between 8am and 6pm (during the day), it costs £1.20 to park there per hour, and the maximum parking time allowed is 3 hours.

This is where the Y Senedd Independent Parliament of Wales, Wales Millennium Centre Concert Hall, Norwegian Church, Pierhead Building and Mermaid Quay are located.

This is a part of Cardiff that is being revitalised after they created an artificial lake by building a dam. It has some really cool modern buildings, like the Welsh Parliament building and the Millennium Centre.

This used to be a rundown area of Cardiff, as it was the harbour area - once the largest coal port in the world, but now a major leisure area of the city.

The Wales Millennium Centre is a multi-purpose centre that integrates opera, ballet, theatre, convention centre, etc - nowadays it has become a symbol of Cardiff, for its famous facade.

It's worth a stroll!

We also found there a Sainsbury's, a supermarket of an English chain that you find everywhere. We took the opportunity to do some shopping for dinner at the hostel!

When embarking on a memorable journey to Cardiff, Wales, make sure to take advantage of the fantastic hotel deals that await you. Cardiff offers a diverse range of accommodations catering to various preferences and budgets. Whether you're seeking a luxurious stay in the heart of the city or a cozy and affordable option, there are plentiful choices to explore. Many hotels in Cardiff provide special deals and packages, including discounted rates, complimentary amenities, and exclusive offers. By exploring these hotel deals, you can maximize your travel experience while also enjoying the convenience of prime locations near Cardiff's renowned attractions. From charming boutique hotels to well-known chains, the hotel deals in Wales on hotels-wales.com offer a perfect opportunity to enhance your Cardiff adventure without breaking the bank.

One of such hotels is Campanile Hotel. It offers a welcoming haven for travelers seeking a comfortable and convenient stay. Situated in close proximity to Cardiff's bustling city center, this hotel provides easy access to the city's top attractions and cultural landmarks. The Campanile Hotel in Cardiff boasts modern and well-appointed rooms, ensuring a restful retreat after a day of exploring the city. With its attentive staff, cozy ambiance, and a range of amenities, including a restaurant serving delectable dishes, the hotel provides a delightful base for visitors to experience the best that Cardiff has to offer. Whether you're here for business or leisure, the Campanile Hotel presents a perfect blend of comfort and accessibility, making your trip to Cardiff truly memorable.

The next day, our second day in Wales, we drove around Cardiff in the centre, or rather, around the centre, as the centre is almost all closed for pedestrians only. And more: when driving around the centre, be careful not to take the exclusive bus lanes - it's a fine for sure!

We paid for 2 hours of parking at the Capitol Shopping Centre: £3. You can also park at St David's shopping centre.

We walked down Queen Street to Cardiff Castle, saw 'The Animal Wall' of the castle, walked down the High Street to Cardiff Market, ate Welsh cakes, went into several Arcades (galleries, very common in the city centre) and walked back up Working Street.

This is where The Cardiff Story Museum and the cathedral are located.

We also visited the City Hall, the Palace of Justice and the National Museum Cardiff and the Gallery of Wales (free), with several works by famous impressionist painters.

Wales is the country with the highest number of castles per square kilometre in the world! Some of the largest castles in the world are in the country!

Cardiff Castle is located right in the city centre and was first built by the Romans over 2000 years ago. Admission for the basic tour costs £13.50.

The Cardiff Castle Animal Wall is very strange, as they have animals represented there that don't exist in this part of the world, and it's not known how they came up with the idea of putting those glass-eyed animals on the castle wall! There's even an anteater, can you believe it?

At Cardiff Central Market Welsh cakes cost £ 3.30 for 10 cakes. You have to try it! It is the most typical thing in Wales and looks like a pancake made on the griddle, with several fillings, a delight!

The most traditional place to eat the Welsh cakes is the Bakestones bakery, in Cardiff Market.

We entered several souvenir shops in the centre, with all kinds of Welsh products possible. For shopping, I recommend 2 places in particular: the Castle Welsh Crafts shop, in front of the Castle, and the delicatessen Wally's Kaffeehaus, inside one of the galleries in the centre (put it on Google Maps and it will take you there).

We also went to the Millennium Stadium, also known as Principality Stadium - Wales is a nation of rugby freaks - it is the largest stadium in the world with a retractable roof. The stadium is next to the River Taff.

Another option that should be very cool to visit is the Museum of Welsh Life (free).

From what I've read, it was the first national open-air museum in the UK, opened in 1948 in the space of a 16th-century manor house. Since the opening, more than 40 original Welsh buildings from different historical periods have been reconstructed, piece by piece, in this 40-hectare park. There are houses, a school, a farm, craft demonstrations and a workers' training centre.

We didn't go because time was short and this open-air museum is outside the city (8km) and it was raining, but I think if you're lucky enough to get good weather, it's worth going to see this amazing architectural treasure, one of the most popular attractions in the country.

To summarise, Cardiff is nice - I always think it's important to visit the capital of the country - but it's not the best part of Wales; rather, it's just the gateway!

The country has so much more to offer!

To read more about the UK and Ireland

United Kingdom and Ireland: 22-day itinerary with children

England and Scotland itinerary, with Liverpool, Hogmanay, Highlands and Isle of Skye

Cotswolds: the English Tuscany
How to fly free from Amsterdam to London and Paris
Travel route from Cardiff to Snowdonia
Wales: where to stay
4 amazing castles to visit in Wales
2 charming little towns to visit in Snowdonia National Park
Video of our trip to London

Video of our trip to Edinburgh

15 programmes to do in London with kids

Stonehenge: historically fascinating, visually not so impressive

English icons

London on a royal wedding day

England: postcards

The Scots love skirts

Flashes of Edinburgh

Scotland: Edinburgh postcards

Mobile phone chip for use in Europe

During our trip to the Netherlands, England, Wales and France, we used the mobile phone chip from EasySim4U mobile phone chip on the 4G Europe plan all the time, and it worked super well - you saw the amount of stories I made, right!!!

I received the SIM card at home by mail (it took about 4 days to arrive), put it on my mobile phone inside the plane, activated the mobile data and we arrived in Europe already connected, using Google Maps from Amsterdam airport!

We don't sell mobile phone chips through the blog - nor any other product or service, as the little traveller is a blog that doesn't aim to make profit, it's just a hobby of ours - so take a look at their website - EasySim4U - to see how to buy these simcards and have them delivered to your home in Brazil before you travel.

On the website you will find the prices of the plans they offer according to the destination and the data and voice plans that are most appropriate for your trip.