- Under two hours from London Paddington by train
- Cardiff Castle sits right in the city centre
- St Fagans National Museum of History is free
- The Principality Stadium is a short walk from the station
- Airports
- Cardiff (CWL), about 30-40 minutes by bus or train; Bristol (BRS) about an hour by car
- Best time to go
- April-September; match days for atmosphere (book early)
- Type
- City
Cardiff is one of Britain's youngest capitals and one of its most enjoyable short breaks. The city centre is compact and walkable, with a castle at its heart, Victorian shopping arcades and the Principality Stadium rising beside the River Taff. A couple of miles south, the regenerated Cardiff Bay waterfront holds the Senedd (the Welsh Parliament), the Wales Millennium Centre and plenty of places to eat.
It is also the gateway to South Wales, with the Brecon Beacons and the Gower coast within easy reach. For the wider picture, see our Wales guide and our United Kingdom guide.
Things to do in Cardiff
- Cardiff Castle – Roman walls, a Norman keep and lavish Victorian Gothic interiors.
- Cardiff Bay – waterfront walks, the Senedd, the Norwegian Church and boat trips.
- Wales Millennium Centre – the striking arts venue for musicals, opera and comedy.
- Principality Stadium – stadium tours or, better still, a rugby international with Welsh singing.
- National Museum Cardiff – free, with an outstanding collection of Impressionist art.
- St Fagans National Museum of History – a free open-air museum of rebuilt Welsh buildings, just outside the city.
- The arcades – Victorian and Edwardian arcades full of independent shops and cafés.
- Bute Park – a huge green space behind the castle, alongside the Taff.
- Castell Coch – a fairy-tale Victorian castle in the woods north of the city.
- Day trips – Caerphilly Castle, the Brecon Beacons and the Gower Peninsula.
Where to stay
- City centre – near the castle, arcades, stadium and Central station.
- Cardiff Bay – waterfront hotels and restaurants, a little quieter in the evening.
- Pontcanna – leafy, with independent cafés and B&Bs near Bute Park.
Getting there
GWR trains from London Paddington reach Cardiff Central in around one hour 50 minutes to two hours. There are direct trains from Bristol (about 45 minutes), Birmingham and Manchester. By car, Cardiff is just off the M4, and there are no tolls on the Severn crossings. Cardiff Airport (CWL) has a limited range of routes; Bristol Airport (BRS) has more. Note that Wales has a default 20mph limit on many urban roads.
Best time to visit
Spring and summer bring the best weather for the Bay and day trips. The Six Nations rugby (February-March) and autumn internationals give the city an electric atmosphere, but hotel prices soar, so book early. December brings a winter wonderland and Christmas markets around the castle.
On big match or concert days the city centre and trains are packed – travel early or plan around the event if you are not attending.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cardiff worth visiting?
Yes. It combines a castle, free national museums, a lively waterfront and great sporting atmosphere in a compact, walkable city.
How many days do you need in Cardiff?
Two days covers the city and Bay; add a day for St Fagans, Castell Coch or the Brecon Beacons.
Do people speak Welsh in Cardiff?
English is the main language, but signs are bilingual and you will hear Welsh spoken. A friendly "diolch" (thank you) goes down well.
Is Cardiff Castle worth paying for?
Yes, especially with the house tour of its extraordinary Victorian rooms.
Written by
Anna Beach, family & practical travel editor
Anna knows which beach has shade at 3pm and which car hire excess is a rip-off. She covers sun, islands, family trips and practical travel tips.
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