When travellers plan a UK city break, it's often London that gets their attention.
But just two hours from London by train, Cardiff presents all the benefits of a capital city in a more compact, walkable package.
It also rewards visitors willing to venture beyond the usual UK tourist trails.
Adobe Free Stock / muratart
Top 10 Things to Do in Cardiff
With its mix of ancient forts, green spaces, distinctive shopping streets and thriving food scene, Cardiff has transformed from an industrial hub to a cultural destination.
Here are the top ten things to do in Cardiff - a perfect demo of why the Welsh capital deserves a place on your travel itinerary.
1. Explore Cardiff Castle
Smack bang in the middle of the city stands Cardiff Castle, a medieval fortress built almost 2,000 years ago.
With a rich history dating back to Roman times, it's the place to begin your Cardiff exploration.
Adobe Free Stock / Andy Sage
Inside the castle, you'll find some of Britain's most impressive Gothic revival designs.
The castle's Arab room features an extraordinary ceiling inspired by Middle Eastern architecture, while its winter smoking room displays unique and intricate woodwork.
Pro tip: The guided tour provides access to areas that aren't available to self-guided visitors.
The guides showing you around really know their stuff and combine historical knowledge with engaging storytelling. Well worth the extra cash.
2. Wander Around Cardiff Bay
Once one of the world's busiest coal-exporting ports, Cardiff Bay is now a top spot to meet for coffee and admire some spectacular sea views.
This former dockland has been transformed from an industrial heartland to a waterfront wonder.
Adobe Free Stock / Senatorek
The Senedd, home to the Welsh Parliament, offers free entry to visitors interested in Welsh politics and contemporary architecture.
Its distinctive glass design emphasises transparency in government while incorporating sustainable features.
Must-do: Take a boat tour around the bay to appreciate the area's heritage and modern transformation.
The Cardiff Bay Barrage, completed in 1999, created a freshwater lake from what was once tidal mudflats.
It completely transformed the area's landscape and potential.
3. Get Lost in Bute Park
London has Hyde Park. Cardiff has Bute Park. The difference? It's half as busy, but just as pretty. Extending from the castle grounds, Bute Park offers 130 acres of landscaped gardens and woodland in the heart of the city.
Adobe Free Stock / Hilda Weges
The Secret Garden Café provides a perfect rest stop, serving locally sourced food and drinks in a tranquil setting.
On sunny days, the park fills with locals enjoying picnics, games and riverside walks.
Insider tip: The Taff Trail, a long-distance route running from Cardiff Bay to Brecon, passes through the park.
Renting a bike is the perfect way to explore the park and connect to other parts of the city via this traffic-free path.
4. Marvel at the Wales Millennium Centre
Even if you're not into the performing arts, the Wales Millennium Centre is worth visiting for the architecture alone.
The building's exterior features enormous Welsh slate, wood and copper materials that represent Wales' natural resources.
Image by Julia Phillips from Pixabay
There are two eye-catching inscriptions across the front. One in English reads "In these stones horizons sing".
And the second one, in Welsh, translates to "Forging truth like glass from the furnace of inspiration".
It might just inspire you to pen a few lines of your own.
By Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK - Inside the Millenium Centre 4, CC BY 2.0, Link
Inside, you'll find multiple performance spaces, restaurants and exhibition areas.
These play host to everything from Broadway musicals to experimental Welsh-language poetry slams.
Pop in for a coffee at the very least. And if you do catch a show, prepare to experience the best sound quality this side of the Severn Bridge.
5. Dig Into Local Produce at Cardiff Market
By Market Entrance - Trinity Street by Betty Longbottom, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link
Forget souvenir shops selling dragon keyrings and magnets.
If you want to experience real Cardiff life, head to the Victorian indoor market that's been feeding the city since 1891.
Cardiff Market represents the authentic commercial heart of the city.
By Mx. Granger - Own work, CC0, Link
Here, independent traders sell everything from fresh produce to vintage records.
The market is perfect for lunch on the go, with everything from fresh seafood to international street food.
My advice? Follow your nose and join the longest queue. Cardiff locals know their food and don't waste time standing in line for anything mediocre.
Adobe Free Stock / FomaA
Don't leave Cardiff without trying the Welsh cakes from Bakestones. Cinnamon-spiced, griddle-cooked little circles of joy that make scones look like they're not even trying.
Best time to visit: Weekday mornings offer the freshest produce and a less crowded shopping experience. Saturday afternoons bring a livelier atmosphere as locals and visitors mix.
6. Stroll Down St Mary Street
St Mary Street and its continuation, High Street, form Cardiff's main shopping zone.
A pedestrianised stretch where you can spend money faster than you can say, "I should probably stick to my budget."
By Dominic Nelson - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link
The Victorian and Edwardian arcades branching off the main drag are where the magic happens.
The Royal Arcade, Morgan Arcade and Castle Arcade house independent boutiques.
These sell everything from vintage vinyl to handmade Welsh blankets.
And inside, the arcades feel like something from a Dickens novel. But with better lighting. And contactless payment.
As evening falls, St Mary Street transforms from shopping haven to party central.
The street is lined with pubs and clubs ranging from sophisticated cocktail bars to places with sticky floors and music loud enough to make your internal organs vibrate. And I mean that in the best possible way.
7. Catch a Rugby Game at the Principality Stadium
By Cardiff: Principality Stadium and the River Taff by John Sutton, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link
The Principality Stadium (which locals still sometimes call the Millennium Stadium) is the cathedral of Welsh rugby. This sport is borderline a religion in these parts.
You may think rugby is just American football without the padding.
But attending a match here is a cultural experience that'll convert you faster than a Welsh try.
The atmosphere during a Six Nations match against England is something you have to see to believe.
Imagine tens of thousands of people singing in unison. Collectively holding their breath before shouting words at a ref that wouldn't feel out of place in a Tarantino film.
Adobe Free Stock / parkerspics
Then add beer, centuries of Celtic-Anglo rivalry and men built like fridges running into each other at full pelt.
No match on? Take the stadium tour. You'll see the changing rooms, walk the players' tunnel and sit in the royal box without having to marry into monarchy.
8. Feast on Welsh Cuisine
Welsh cuisine deserves more recognition than it currently has.
And with its emphasis on quality local ingredients and traditional preparation methods, what's not to love?
The Potted Pig, housed in a former bank vault beneath the city, offers modern interpretations of Welsh classics alongside an impressive gin selection.
Welsh rarebit - basically a sophisticated cheese on toast - is a regular on most menus.
But it really shines when it's made with traditional Caerphilly cheese.
Adobe Free Stock / timages
Lamb cawl, a hearty stew, showcases the quality of Welsh mountain lamb.
By Worm That Turned - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link
Seafood from the nearby coast features prominently in Cardiff's restaurants and is a must-try if you're in these parts.
Visit a traditional pub to try Welsh beers from breweries like Brains (Cardiff's historic brewery) or newer craft producers like Tiny Rebel.
Top tip: Visit during the Cardiff Food Festival. Held annually in July, it's the ideal way to experience the best food the city has to offer.
9. Soak Up Culture at the National Museum Cardiff
The National Museum Cardiff houses an impressive collection of art and natural history, all with free admission.
Located in the civic centre, the museum's art collection includes works by Monet, Renoir and Turner.
Its natural history section tells Wales' 4.6-billion-year story through fossils, woolly mammoths and interactive displays that actually work - a museum miracle.
The museum also celebrates Welsh artists and craftspeople, providing context for the country's cultural development.
By Ham II - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
Regular temporary exhibitions complement the permanent collections and give regular visitors something different every time they go.
Perfect for: Art enthusiasts, families and anyone seeking shelter during Cardiff's not-infrequent rain showers.
10. Experience Cardiff's Thriving Nightlife
Cardiff after dark is a revelation that'll test your liver, your dancing skills and your ability to understand increasingly thick Welsh accents as the night progresses.
St Mary Street and neighbouring lanes form the main nightlife district, with venues ranging from traditional pubs to cocktail bars and clubs.
Don't try to keep up with the locals on a night out - you won't win.
Theatre enthusiasts should check listings at the New Theatre and Sherman Theatre.
Both offer varied programmes of touring and original productions throughout the year.
Top tip: Check out the live music at Clwb Ifor Bach.
Staying Connected in Cardiff
Travel eSIMs from Airalo empower you to stay connected without being hit with excessive roaming charges.
Before arriving in Cardiff, head to the Airalo store, select and install an eSIM for the UK or Europe and enjoy hassle-free connectivity as you explore a new city.
