8 must-see places in Cardiff, Wales

Cardiff is the capital of Wales and belongs to the United Kingdom. In fact, it is the newest capital in Europe, having gained capital status in 1955. It is not as famous as London, Dublin, or Edinburgh, but it is very interesting, and that's why I decided to make this post with suggestions of must-see places in Cardiff!

It’s important to remember that the currency in Wales is the British pound, just like in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Therefore, if you only have euros, you will need to exchange them when you arrive and then enjoy the must-see places in Cardiff.

How to get to Cardiff

Before I tell you about the must-see places in Cardiff, let me explain how to get there!

If you are in Dublin, you can go by plane, ferry + train, or ferry + car. Generally, the flights are not direct and usually have a stopover in London or other cities. So, not only is this option not quick, but it also isn’t cheap.

If you choose the ferry + car option, you should take the ferry from Dublin to Holyhead. Once you arrive in the city, you’ll need to drive for about 4 hours and 30 minutes to get to Cardiff. I recommend choosing this option if you have at least 3 free days. This way, you can use 2 days for travel and 1 day to enjoy Cardiff.

If you opt for ferry + train, you’ll need to take the ferry to Holyhead and then take a train to Cardiff. The travel time is practically the same as the ferry + car alternative.

If you’re in London, you can get to Cardiff by plane, train, or car. The drive takes 3 hours, the train takes 2 hours, and the plane takes about 4 hours, as direct flights are harder (and more expensive) to find. Of all the options, driving will give you the most freedom, and you can even make a small detour and stop in Bristol.

Must-see places in Cardiff

Cardiff is not as big a city or as full of attractions as London or Paris, for example. So, you can set aside two days to explore it. If you have an extra day, you can do a day trip to Rhossilli Bay, which is on the outskirts of the city and is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Wales.

Although it’s not a well-known capital and is a bit overshadowed by the big European capitals, it has many cool attractions! Let’s take a look at the list of must-see places in Cardiff?!

Cardiff Castle

It’s a medieval castle located right in the city center! It is one of the most visited tourist spots in the country and holds 2,000 years of history.

Opening hours: 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday to Monday. Note: Before going, check the official Castle website to confirm the days and hours, as they may change due to the pandemic.

Price: £14.50 (adult) and £10 (for children ages 5 to 16).

Location: It is located at the junction of Castle Street and High Street, in the city center.

Cardiff National Museum

The museum has several exhibitions. If you enjoy art gallery-style displays, you'll love it there. If you're interested in natural history and dinosaurs, it will also please you. Due to the vast range of exhibits, I recommend setting aside 2 to 3 hours to explore everything.

Opening hours: 10 AM to 5 PM. Closed on Mondays.

Price: Free.

Location: Around Cardiff University and Gorsedd Gardens.

Cardiff Bay

The Bay should definitely be on your list of must-see places in Cardiff, as it hosts several key attractions of the capital, such as the Parliament! The great tip is to walk along the promenade and admire the architecture of the buildings.

Price: Free.

Caerphilly Castle

This is the largest castle in Wales and the second largest in Great Britain, after Windsor Castle in England. It is not located in Cardiff but in the town of Caerphilly, which is on the outskirts of the capital.

Although it's harder to access compared to the other attractions mentioned in this post, you can reach the castle using public transport. From Cardiff city center, it’s about a 40-minute train ride.

Opening hours: Check the official website before visiting, as opening hours vary depending on the season.

St Fagans National History Museum

This is an open-air museum! Perfect for those who want to learn more about the country’s culture but don’t enjoy the traditional museum style. There are more than 40 buildings that tell the story of the Celtic people from the past to the present day.

Opening hours: Daily, from 10 AM to 5 PM.

Price: Free.

Castell Coch

Also known as the Red Castle, it features a Gothic style and is very well-preserved. It’s definitely one of the must-see places in Cardiff, especially for history lovers! More details on the official website.

Mermaid Quay

Another area that should not be left off your list of must-see places in Cardiff! Mermaid Quay is famous for its restaurants, such as CÔTE BRASSERIE (French cuisine), WAGAMAMA (Asian food), Subway, and Domino's. It also has cafes, bars (VIP Lounge and The Dock), and shops. Go towards the end of the day and enjoy happy hour there!

Bute Park

Finally, in the list of must-see places in Cardiff, we have Bute Park! It is located next to Cardiff Castle. So, you can plan to visit the castle and then take a break for a snack and rest in the park.

Price: Free.

Open every day of the year.

That's it! This is my list of must-see places in Cardiff. I hope you enjoy the city! If you have any questions or suggestions, leave them in the comments below!

Kisses and see you soon!