Cardiff holidays

How to reach Cardiff

• Flight time: There are no direct flights to Cardiff from London but there are flights from cities like Edinburgh, Belfast and Dublin. From London, trains are the quickest option, taking just under 2 hours to Cardiff.

• Transfer time: From Cardiff Airport, 10km southwest of the city, bus #304 takes around 30 minutes to reach the centre. Alternatively, you can catch a train from Rhoose Cardiff International Airport station to Cardiff Central, with a shuttle bus connecting the terminal to the station.

• Price: The bus costs around £5 for a single ticket, a train ride will set you back about £4–£6, and a taxi to the city centre costs roughly £30.

Best time to visit Cardiff

This will depend on what you want to do during your holidays to Cardiff; you’ll get the most out of outdoor activities in spring and summer, while autumn and winter are great for cultural events.

• March to May: Cardiff’s many open spaces and parks make spring a beautiful time to visit, although the season really kicks off with the St David’s Parade on March 1st. Temperatures warm up nicely from around 10 to 15°C, though heavy rain is not uncommon.

• June to August: The weather is warm, averaging 18–22°C, while the long sunny days are just the ticket for lengthy strolls around Cardiff Bay or catching an open-air concert in the grounds of Cardiff Castle. Rainfall is minimal, at about 50–60mm.

• September to November: There are warm days towards the beginning of autumn and milder weather as the season progresses, with average temperatures ranging from 10–17°C, and rainfall around 80–90mm. A fine time to investigate the city’s cultural riches - plus events like the Cardiff International Film Festival - minus the crowds.

• December to February: Days are shorter, darker and colder (averaging 4–6°C), but the city is in full festive swing - there’s a big seasonal street market in The Hayes area - making it an enchanting time to visit. The start of the Six Nations Rugby tournament at the end of January brings a terrific atmosphere to the city.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: English and Welsh are the official languages. Most locals speak English, but you’ll experience plenty of Welsh through signage, announcements and daily life.

• Local habits and customs: Cardiffians are a friendly and helpful bunch, so don’t hesitate to ask for advice or directions. Rugby is a massive part of the local culture, and the city buzzes with excitement on match days.

• Health and safety: Cardiff is generally safe, but as with any major city, it's wise to stay alert and keep your belongings secure. The city centre is well covered by CCTV and there's a noticeable police presence in the city centre in the evenings.

• Currency: The currency used is the British Pound. ATMs are widely available and credit cards widely accepted.

• Getting around: Cardiff is compact, so walking or cycling are great options. Cardiff Bus runs an extensive and reliable bus network, with buses generally operating between 5.30 am and 11.30 pm. A one-way fare anywhere in the city costs £2 (payable on the bus, exact change only). Various travel passes offer good savings: a “Day to Go” ticket (£4.40) gives unlimited bus travel around Cardiff and Penarth for a day.

• Electricity and plug types: Standard UK 230 volts, with three-pin plugs. No adaptors are needed for UK travellers.

• Time zone: Cardiff follows Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and observes British Summer Time (BST).

Best things to do in Cardiff

Wales’ commercial, cultural and political powerhouse, Cardiff is an upbeat capital city offering stellar museums, a storybook castle, great spectator sport and invigorating nightlife.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Cardiff Castle Keep: From the much-remodelled 11th-century keep, you get terrific views of the silky lawns spread out below and the gleaming white steel girders of the Principality Stadium in the distance.

• Principality Stadium: Take a behind-the-scenes tour of one of the UK's most iconic sporting venues and enjoy vertiginous views from the stadium's upper tiers.

The best districts

• Cardiff Bay: The regeneration of the bay has resulted in a remarkable transformation of the derelict old docks into a bona fide tourist attraction.

• Butetown: The salty old district of Butetown centres on the mammoth Coal Exchange building, which was used as a base for trade negotiations in the south Wales coal mining industry.

• Pontcanna: This trendy boho district offers a laid-back vibe with tree-lined streets, independent cafés, restaurants and boutique shops.

Museums

• National Museum: This exceptional museum attempts to tell the story of Wales and to reflect the nation’s place in the international sphere; don’t miss the outstanding Welsh and Modern Art Galleries.

• The Pierhead: This magnificent neo-Gothic terracotta pile houses a surprisingly enjoyable exhibition documenting the rise and fall of the coal-exporting industry hereabouts.

Parks and gardens

• Bute Park: Once the private estate of the castle, now containing an arboretum, superb flowerbeds, a stone circle, the remains of an old priory and some pleasant walks along the Taff banks.

• Alexandra Gardens: A popular and surprisingly quiet place to sit and contemplate the rush of civic and governmental duty all around; standing impressively at its very centre is the colonnaded circular National War Memorial.

Historical monuments

• Cardiff Castle: The geographical and historical heart of the city, Cardiff Castle is an intriguing hotchpotch of remnants of the city’s past, showcasing a marvellous mix of Roman and Victorian Gothic architecture.

• Norwegian Church: An old seamen’s chapel built in 1868, this was once one of the most important Scandinavian missions in Britain, regularly serving up to 70,000 sailors per year.

• Llandaff Cathedral: This mightily impressive cathedral features stunning medieval architecture and beautiful stained-glass windows.

Day trips in the area

• Gower Peninsula: A short hop along the coast, this is Welsh natural splendour at its most stunning, boasting wide-open beaches, rocky bays and steep cliffs.

• Brecon Beacons: Just an hour from Cardiff, the rambling moors of the Brecon Beacons are perfect for wild, lonely walks with thundering waterfalls and limestone caverns as destinations.

• Penarth: Charming seaside town just a stone’s throw from Cardiff; stroll along its delightful Edwardian pier, kick back on the pebble beach, or just enjoy a leisurely coffee overlooking the Bristol Channel.

Activities for families in Cardiff

Whether it’s exploring green spaces, getting out on the water or learning through interactive exhibits, families won’t feel short-changed on their Cardiff holidays.

• Interactive museums: Down in Cardiff Bay, Techniquest presents all things science and technology-related and will appeal as much to adults as it will to kids. The space is grouped into various zones, each of which is packed with interactive experiences, such as being blasted about by hurricane-strength winds or going full tilt on a bike machine.

• Indoor watersports: The main attraction at the Cardiff International White Water Centre is the rapids course, accommodating rafting and canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. The variable river flows make it suitable for everyone, including families.

• River Taff cruises: A scenic waterbus service operates between Bute Park, near Cardiff Castle, to Mermaid Quay in the bay, but for more high-octane fun, Bay Island Voyages offer trips in a rigid-hulled inflatable boat around Cardiff Bay.

Free things to do in Cardiff

Cardiff is all about the simple pleasures and there are plenty of ways you can enjoy the city without having to spend very much at all.

• Farmers markets: The biggest and best of the city's terrific farmers’ markets is the Sunday Riverside Market on Fitzhammon Embankment, while on Saturdays the Roath Market, at the Mackintosh Sports Club in Roath also has an arts and craft bazaar. Have a wander but don’t feel obliged to spend.

• Museums: The city’s premier museum - the National Museum - is free, as is the small but eminently enjoyable Museum of Cardiff.

• Free events: Cardiff frequently hosts free festivals and events, from summertime gigs down in Cardiff Bay to various happenings as part of the annual Cardiff Summer Festival.

Nature and outdoor activities in Cardiff

Cardiff’s proximity to both coast and countryside makes it an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you’re drawn to coastal walks or leisurely bike rides, the city has much to offer.

• Birdwatching in the wetlands: Down in Cardiff Bay, the 20ac Wetland Centre is home to more than 50 species, including resident grey herons, coots and kingfishers, plus migratory birds like swifts, warblers and in winter, starlings.

• Walk the Cardiff Bay Barrage: This phenomenal bit of engineering is well worth having a wander along; the beautifully landscaped embankment manifests lock gates, sluices, a fish path and stunning views; there’s a good kids’ play area and skate park too.

• Cycling: Pedal Power offers an excellent bike-rental scheme with outlets at Cardiff Caravan Park and at a kiosk just beyond the Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay. For a lengthier outing, the Taff Trail runs from the city centre all the way to Brecon, following the path of the River Taff.

Local dishes in Cardiff

Wales’ culinary landscape has changed beyond all recognition in recent years, its natural larder including freshly caught fish, tender local lamb and a fabulous array of cheeses. These staple ingredients are used in everything from traditional dishes to fusion creations in restaurants throughout the city.

Some typical dishes

• Welsh rarebit: A comforting dish of cheese sauce spiced with ale and mustard served on thick slices of toasted bread.

• Laverbread: It may not sound particularly appetising, but this edible seaweed, frequently served for breakfast with sausages, egg and bacon, is not bad at all.

• Glamorgan sausage: A spiced vegetarian combination of Caerphilly cheese, breadcrumbs and leeks, you'll find this on many a breakfast menu.

Meat dishes

• Welsh lamb: Renowned for its tenderness and flavour, it’s a staple of Sunday roasts or slow-cooked stews; try salt-marsh lamb from the Gower, best served with mint, thyme or rosemary.

• Cawl: A traditional lamb or beef stew with root vegetables, often accompanied by crusty bread and mature Welsh cheese.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Fish and chips: Head down to Cardiff Bay for chippies serving crispy battered fish with chunky chips and mushy peas, a must-try staple.

Sweets and desserts

Two traditional cakes are almost universal: Welsh cakes are flat, crumbling pancakes of sugared dough (a little like a flattened scone), while bara brith, a popular accompaniment to afternoon tea, literally translates as “speckled (with dried fruit) bread”.

Local drinks

• Craft ales: There’s been a renaissance in the Welsh brewing industry in recent years; good local outfits include Cardiff-based Brains, and nearby Newport-based Tiny Rebel.

• Welsh wine: Surprisingly perhaps, there are a number of creditable Welsh wines available – the Llanerch Vineyard in nearby Barry is currently the pick of the bunch.