Cardiff walking tour & city guide
Wales' capital of castles, Victorian arcades and rugby.
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Cardiff, the capital of Wales, is a compact, friendly city where a medieval castle stands in the middle of the shopping streets. Once the world's busiest coal port, it has transformed its waterfront into the lively Cardiff Bay and is famous for its passion for rugby.
Cardiff Castle and the centre
Cardiff Castle combines nearly 2,000 years of history: Roman walls, a Norman keep on a mound and a Victorian Gothic mansion with lavishly decorated rooms created for the wealthy Marquess of Bute. It sits right in the city centre, next to the green expanse of Bute Park.
Cardiff is known as the 'City of Arcades' for its Victorian and Edwardian covered shopping arcades, full of independent shops and cafés. The Principality Stadium, home of Welsh rugby, rises over the river in the middle of the city, and the atmosphere on match days is electric.
Cardiff Bay
Cardiff Bay, once a busy dockland, is now a waterfront of restaurants, attractions and walking paths. The Wales Millennium Centre, with its bronze facade inscribed with Welsh and English words, is a major arts venue, and the Senedd is the home of the Welsh Parliament. The red-brick Pierhead Building recalls the docks' heyday.
Visiting tips
Cardiff is about two hours from London by train. Signs are in both Welsh and English, and you will hear Welsh spoken in the streets. Castell Coch, a fairytale castle in the woods, and the beaches and cliffs of the Glamorgan coast are nearby.
Top sights in Cardiff
- 1
Cardiff Castle
A castle with Roman, Norman and Victorian layers.
- 2
Principality Stadium
The home of Welsh rugby, with tours.
- 3
Cardiff Bay
A waterfront of restaurants and cultural venues.
- 4
Wales Millennium Centre
A striking arts center on the bay.
- 5
Victorian arcades
Covered shopping arcades in the city centre.
- 6
National Museum Cardiff
A free museum of art and natural history.
Food markets & where to eat in Cardiff
Cardiff Market
A Victorian market hall with local food stalls.
The arcades
Cafés and small restaurants in historic arcades.
Mermaid Quay
Waterfront restaurants in Cardiff Bay.
City centre pubs
Lively pubs, especially on rugby days.
Food to try in Cardiff
Welsh cakes
Small griddle cakes with currants and sugar.
Cawl
A traditional lamb and vegetable stew.
Welsh rarebit
Toast topped with a rich cheese sauce.
Bara brith
A fruit loaf made with tea.
Opening hours and prices change often. Please check with each place before you visit.
Plan your trip to Cardiff
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