Stand on Castle Street and the past and present sit within a few steps of each other: the walls of Cardiff Castle on one side, the roar of a match-day crowd spilling out of the city-centre stadium on the other. Cardiff rewards travellers who move between the two – the historic core and the waterfront – rather than treating either as the whole story.
The city suits weekend visitors, sports fans, theatre-goers and families alike. This guide covers the landmarks, museums and waterfront sights worth building a day around, plus a plan for when you only have one.
Top things to do in Cardiff
1. Cardiff Castle
Cardiff Castle is a large castle whose foundations are based upon a Roman fort, and it has been at the heart of the city since the Norman period. In the 19th century it was one of the homes of the Marquis of Bute, and the Bute household interiors were done in the early 1900s in a very idiosyncratic style – there is barely an inch that is not adorned with some sort of artistic work, yet it is not overwhelming.
The Norman fort in the centre, the Welsh regimental museum and the excavated Roman ruins are open, and tours of the Bute household are available. Last entry is one hour before closing time, so plan the castle as your first stop rather than your last.
2. The Millennium Stadium
Also known as the Principality Stadium, this is home to the Wales national rugby team and is the largest stadium in Europe with a completely retractable roof – useful on a rainy day. It is a must see for any sport lover.
Tours are available online or at the ticket desk. Pair a visit with a walk through the surrounding city-centre streets, which fill up quickly on match days.
3. The Wales Millennium Centre
An outstanding piece of modern architecture, the Wales Millennium Centre is host to opera, dance and West End musicals throughout the year, making it a must see for those who like theatre. Entry is free throughout the year, and it hosts the exhibition about Cardiff Bay's development.
While entrance to the theatre is charged, free live performances take place in the foyer every lunchtime at 1PM and before shows in the evening – time your Bay visit around one of these.
4. The Welsh Parliament or Senedd Cymru
The seat of Wales' national government, designed by architect Richard Rogers to be eco-friendly and as open as possible, and built out of purely Welsh materials. Visitors have a chance to see public debates from the viewing gallery or take a free tour around the building.
Entry is free, though expect security checks on entrance. It sits in Cardiff Bay, so combine it with the Wales Millennium Centre next door.
5. The Norwegian Church
Established in Cardiff Bay to serve the large community of Norwegian sailors working in the docks, its main claim to fame is as the place where the author Roald Dahl was christened. Today it is a cafe and art gallery.
It sits next to the Senedd, and there is a children's playground at the far end of the Bay near the church, along with views across to Penarth.
6. Llandaff Cathedral
In the ancient city of Llandaff, now incorporated into the north west of the city, this is one of the oldest religious sites in Europe and dates from 1107. After bomb damage in World War II it was very boldly restored, and the huge statue of Christ in Majesty by Jacob Epstein tends to divide opinion but is well worth a look.
The cathedral school was where Roald Dahl was educated in the early part of his primary school life. The surrounding village is an interesting place to explore, with a local coal magnate's house, Insole Court, donated to the people of Cardiff and open for visitors.
7. Castell Coch
Meaning the 'Red Castle' in Welsh, this fairytale castle sits on a hill overlooking the main gateway into the valleys from Cardiff, on the outskirts of the city. Imaginatively reconstructed from ruins for the 3rd Marquis of Bute, its interiors follow the same elaborate designs as Cardiff Castle except on a more intimate scale.
Because it is outside the centre, treat it as a half-day trip rather than a stop you squeeze between city-centre sights.
8. City Hall
The domed roof of City Hall topped by a dragon is one of the landmarks of Cardiff city centre. Dating from the start of the 20th century, it is built of white Portland stone and surmounted by many statues; inside, the marble hall is dominated by statues of Welsh heroes and the main hall has large bronze chandeliers.
It is open to visitors, though events may prevent you from seeing all the rooms. It sits in Cathays Park, so see the two together.
9. Cathays Park
Pronounced "kut-AYS", this is the prominent civic centre, comprising white Portland stone buildings in a range of classical styles, all surrounding the formal gardens of Alexandra Gardens, whose centre contains the national war memorial of Wales.
It is a compact area best walked on foot between City Hall and the National Museum Cardiff.
10. Bute Park
More a collection of different parks that stretch continuously to the city's edge from the rear of the castle. Bute Park proper is an arboretum and former private grounds of the Bute family who owned the castle.
Use it as a break from the hustle of the city centre – it begins directly behind Cardiff Castle, so it slots easily into a castle visit.
11. Pierhead building
The former headquarters of the railway and port authority, it sits between the ultra modern Wales Millennium Centre and the Senedd as a strong contrast and link to Cardiff's past. It is covered in dragons and heraldry and used for permanent and temporary exhibitions about Cardiff's development and that of the docks.
Since it sits between two other Bay sights, it costs you almost no extra time to step inside while walking the waterfront.
12. St Fagans National History Museum
Known universally as St Fagans after the village it is in, this is an open-air museum of vernacular buildings from all parts of Wales rebuilt, stone by stone, in the grounds of St Fagans Castle, an Elizabethan manor house. The castle gardens, dating from the 19th century, are especially beautiful, and there are permanent indoor exhibitions on Welsh social and cultural history.
You may not be able to see everything in a single visit due to the size of the grounds, so allow generous time. It is great for kids, and a shuttle bus runs from Queen Street in central Cardiff.
13. National Museum Cardiff
An excellent collection of artworks and natural history exhibits. The art collection is particularly noted for the collection of 19th-century French works assembled by Gwendoline and Margaret Davies, heiresses to a fortune made in exporting coal, and includes works by Rodin, Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh. Children love the dinosaurs and mammoths in the Evolution of Wales section.
Admission is free, and it sits in Cathays Park, so it pairs naturally with City Hall and the surrounding civic buildings.
14. Techniquest
Over 160 science and technology exhibits to entertain the whole family, plus a Science Theatre and tours of the Universe in the Planetarium. It is a good opportunity for adults to be big kids.
It is in Cardiff Bay near the Wales Millennium Centre, so it fits into a waterfront day alongside the Senedd and the Norwegian Church.
15. The Cardiff Story
This is the museum of Cardiff's history, located in the Old Library building, which it shares with the tourist information centre. Admission is free.
Because it shares a building with the tourist information centre, it is a sensible first stop if you want to orient yourself before walking the city centre.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Cardiff Castle, where the Norman fort, the Welsh regimental museum and the excavated Roman ruins are open and tours of the Bute household are available. Leave time to walk out the back into Bute Park for a break from the city-centre streets.
Afternoon: Walk through Cathays Park to see the white Portland stone civic buildings and Alexandra Gardens, then step into City Hall and the National Museum Cardiff, where admission is free. If time allows, finish the afternoon at The Cardiff Story in the Old Library building.
Evening: Head to Cardiff Bay for the Wales Millennium Centre, the Senedd Cymru and the Pierhead building, which sit close together. Time your arrival for the free live performances in the Millennium Centre foyer at 1PM or before the evening shows, and stay for the restaurants, bars and cafes around the Bay.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cardiff Castle free to enter?
No. Adult tickets are £14.50, child tickets (age 5–16, with an adult) are £10, and senior, student and disabled tickets are £12, with a single carer free with each disabled ticket. A family ticket for two adults and two children is £39, and under 5s are free. Last entry is one hour before closing time.
Which Cardiff attractions have free admission?
The Wales Millennium Centre has free entry throughout the year, as do the Senedd Cymru, the National Museum Cardiff, The Cardiff Story and St Fagans National History Museum. At St Fagans you pay for parking, and at the National Museum Cardiff there is a charge for the museum car park.
When can I see a free performance at the Wales Millennium Centre?
Free live performances take place in the foyer every lunchtime at 1PM and before shows in the evening. Entry to the building is free throughout the year, while entrance to the theatre itself is charged.
How do I get to St Fagans National History Museum?
A shuttle bus runs from Queen Street in central Cardiff. The museum is an open-air site of buildings rebuilt stone by stone in the grounds of St Fagans Castle, so you may not be able to see everything in a single visit.
Pick your dates, decide whether the castle or the Bay comes first, and start building your Cardiff itinerary around the sights above.