Looking to visit our Cardiff office? Here are 6 things you may like to enjoy when visiting the local area.
Cardiff’s rich culture, cosmopolitan vibe and stunning natural beauty make it the perfect city break destination. The city has been ranked amongst the best in the world to visit by National Geographic and attracts millions of tourists each year, all eager to explore what the Welsh Capital has to offer. With that in mind, we’ve pulled together 6 of the best things to do in Cardiff.
1. Visit Cardiff Castle
In 2021, Cardiff Castle was the most visited paid attraction in Wales, with over 370,000 visitors, and with good reason. Situated in the heart of the city, the 2,000-year-old castle is at once a medieval fortress, Victorian Gothic Palace and Norman fort. Visitors can marvel at the exquisitely decorated rooms, explore the air raid shelters and wartime bunkers, climb the tower for stunning views of the city and meander through the beautifully maintained gardens.
The castle boasts a year-round packed calendar of events, including concerts, banquets and cinema screenings.
2. Take a stroll through Bute Park
A wonderful hidden gem in the city, Bute Park and Arboretum is often referred to as the ‘green heart’ of Cardiff. What was once the Victorian pleasure garden of Cardiff Castle is now one of the largest urban parks in Wales, stretching across some 56 hectares, the equivalent of around 75 football pitches. With three cafes, scenic trails, play areas and the remains of a Medieval friary to name but a few of its attractions, Bute Park offers a welcome oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of city life.
The park hosts countless events throughout the year, including walks, community days and a fabulous festive light trail.
3. Explore the National Museum
The National Museum in Cardiff is an incredible museum and art gallery housing permanent and temporary art and science displays. Whether you want to marvel at priceless Impressionist paintings, journey through space amidst meteorites and moon rock or get up close and personal with dinosaur fossils, the museum has it all, along with a highly rated coffee shop, restaurant and gift shop. What’s more, entry is entirely free, thanks to Government grants (but car park charges apply).
4. Take a Boat Tour around Cardiff Bay
Cardiff Bay is a buzzing waterfront area just ten minutes from the city centre. Visitors can enjoy a boat tour along the Bay’s two rivers, the Taff and the Ely, taking in a host of awe-inspiring sights, including the Principality Stadium and Norwegian Church, whilst your guides talk you through the area’s fascinating history.
Once you’re back on dry land, don’t forget to spend some time exploring the delights of the waterfront. Crammed with cultural landmarks such as the Welsh Parliament building, The Senedd, and countless bars, restaurants and cinemas, Cardiff Bay is a fantastic day out in itself.
5. Visit the Principality Stadium
Rugby fans won’t want to pass up the opportunity to take a tour of the hallowed ground of the Welsh Rugby team. Visitors get to go behind the scenes, take a peek in the dressing room and walk through the players’ tunnel whilst learning about the history of the stadium from their knowledgeable guide.
Even non-rugby fans can’t help but be impressed by the sheer size of the 74,000-seat stadium, which has hosted some of the world’s greatest stars, including Beyonce and The Rolling Stones.
6. Sample the local cuisine
No visit to Wales is complete without sampling some traditional Welsh cuisine, and visitors to the capital city are spoilt for choice. Whether you fancy a hearty cawl (traditional stew), some Welsh rarebit (cheesy toast) or a deliciously sweet bara birth (fruit loaf), you’ll find it all in Cardiff.
Cardiff is fiercely diverse, and its multinational population makes for a dynamic food scene. Alongside the traditional Welsh cuisine, visitors can enjoy food and drink from around the world.
Summary
Cardiff is an immensely popular city-break destination, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a city full of culture, history and natural beauty, boasting a fabulous food scene and lively nightlife. Cardiff’s rare ability to combine its big city appeal with a real community feel has seen it voted the friendliest and most sociable city in the UK, and it welcomes its millions of visitors with open arms.
