Things to do in Cardiff

Activities, attractions and tours

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A modern building with a glass facade and a large metal sculpture in the foreground.
A castle surrounded by lush green trees and a park with people relaxing.
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Things to do

From Barry Island: Gavin and Stacey Tour

From Barry Island: Gavin and Stacey Tour

RM246
per adult
From Barry Island: Gavin and Stacey Tour
Cardiff: South Wales Cliffs, Bays & Castles Day Tour

Cardiff: South Wales Cliffs, Beaches & Castles Day Tour

RM432
per adult
Cardiff: South Wales Cliffs, Beaches & Castles Day Tour
Cardiff Bay Boat Tour

Cardiff Bay Boat Tour

RM86
per adult
76% of travellers recommend
Cardiff Bay Boat Tour
Cardiff: Doctor Who City Walking Tour

Cardiff: Doctor Who City Walking Tour

RM108
per adult
Cardiff: Doctor Who City Walking Tour
Caerphilly Castle

The Valleys tour or Swansea Bay tour. Please choose correctly.

RM432
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
The Valleys tour or Swansea Bay tour. Please choose correctly.
Cardiff/Swansea: Gower Peninsula's Cliffs & Mumbles Day Tour

Cardiff/Swansea: Gower Peninsula's Cliffs & Mumbles Day Tour

RM432
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Cardiff/Swansea: Gower Peninsula's Cliffs & Mumbles Day Tour
Cardiff: Alcotraz Immersive Prison Cocktail Experience

Cardiff: Alcotraz Immersive Prison Cocktail Experience

RM319
per adult
Cardiff: Alcotraz Immersive Prison Cocktail Experience
Cardiff in a Day

Cardiff in a Day

RM459
per adult
Cardiff in a Day
Upside Down House Cardiff Entry Ticket

Upside Down House Cardiff Entry Ticket

RM38
per adult
Upside Down House Cardiff Entry Ticket
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Top places to visit

1. Principality Stadium

Opened in June 1999 complete with the first fully retractable roof in the UK, it has hosted some of the world’s most famous sporting events as well as concerts featuring the biggest entertainers in show business, from Take That, One Direction and Oasis to Madonna, Rihanna and Beyoncé.
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A modern stadium with a distinctive sail-like structure and a glass facade.

2. Cardiff Castle

A 12-sided medieval keep offering panoramic views across the city from a platform at its top is at the castle’s heart, but the site is also full of later additions that capture the imagination. Fabulous mock-Gothic features, including an extravagant banqueting hall and clock tower, were added during the Victorian era.
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A historic stone castle with a tower, surrounded by a grassy hill and trees.

3. Utilita Arena Cardiff

The main area of the arena is a hugely versatile space capable of staging a wide variety of events, from trade exhibitions to music concerts and stand-up shows. It is capable of holding a standing audience of 7,500 people, a number that falls to 5,000 for seated events.
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An aerial view of a stadium surrounded by parking lots and roads.

4. Barry Island Beach

Sun worshippers have been flocking here since Victorian times to what is essentially a small island, though joined now to the mainland since 1896 by a small pier. The site of a Butlins holiday camp during the 1960’s, Barry Beach is perfect for families, with its signature calling card being Barry Island Pleasure Park. Come here for crowds, candy floss and sticks of rock, the scream of the rollercoaster and the thump of the dodgems.
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A coastal town with a sandy beach, a rocky peninsula, and a large body of water.

5. Wales Millennium Centre

The centre, opened in 2004, was designed by Jonathan Adams and is made up of slate in shades of green, grey and purple enveloped in an attention-grabbing bronzed steel shell. The roof above the main entrance is pierced by huge letter-shaped windows, beautifully backlit at night, which spell out poetic phrases.
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A modern building with large letters spelling "HORIZONS" and "ALIVE".

6. Cardiff University

One of the UK’s major teaching and research universities, in its 2014 University Guide the Sunday Times described Cardiff as “the acknowledged leader of higher education in Wales”. The previous year it hailed it as a “powerhouse of academic and research excellence”.
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A modern building with a curved facade, large windows, and a sign reading 'Cardiff University'.

7. Tintern Abbey

Tintern Abbey was founded by Walter de Clare, lord of Chepstow, in 1131. Monks lived, worked and prayed here for 400 years until the abbey was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1536, along with all other monasteries in England, Wales and Ireland.
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A historic stone cathedral with large arches and Gothic windows.

What to do in Cardiff

Stay near popular Cardiff attractions

A modern stadium with a distinctive sail-like structure and a glass facade.

Principality Stadium

9.0/10 (893 reviews)
This iconic venue hosts Wales' rugby team in one of Europe's largest covered stadiums. Take a guided tour to walk through players' tunnels and step onto the hallowed pitch where sporting history unfolds.
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Where to stay in Cardiff

Find the best Cardiff areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Cardiff
Learn more about Cardiff
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Cardiff City Centre

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from St. David's to Utilita Arena Cardiff – discover Cardiff City Centre, a destination also famous for its shopping.

A historic building with classical architecture, including a prominent dome and detailed facade.

Cathays

Cathays is well liked for its museums. If you'd like to do some sightseeing in the greater Cardiff area, you might plan a trip to National Museum Cardiff or Cardiff City Hall.

Newport City Centre

If you're spending some time in Newport City Centre, Newport Museum and Art Gallery and Friars Walk Newport are top sights worth seeing.

A circular grassy field with stone walls, surrounded by trees and hills.
Photo by Mark Rentz
Open Photo by Mark Rentz

Caerleon

Caerleon is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Isca Augusta and Caerleon Roman Amphitheatre.

A suspension bridge over a river with leafless trees in the background.

Pontcanna

Bars, historical sites and gardens highlight some of the notable features of Pontcanna. Make a stop by Swalec Stadium while you're exploring.

A sunset over a calm body of water with industrial structures and smokestacks in the background.

Port Talbot

A winding road through rolling hills with a valley in the background.

Aberdare

A river with a stone bridge, lush green fields, and distant hills.

Monmouth

A calm waterfront with a pier extending into the water, a row of lamp posts, and a building with a dome and tower.

Penarth

A river flowing through a town with a bridge, surrounded by greenery and residential buildings.

Usk

A mining complex with a prominent red tower, surrounded by industrial buildings and a rural landscape.

Pontypool

A metal sculpture with arches and a central tower against a night sky.

Hengoed

Frequently asked questions

Is Cardiff worth visiting?
One of the most popular things to do in Cardiff is visit Cardiff Castle. Tick this leading attraction off your to-do list, then discover more of the area's culture and shopping.
How do I spend a day in Cardiff?
After you've checked off leading attractions like Cardiff Castle and Cardiff Bay Waterfront, spend the rest of your day exploring Cardiff's retail and dining scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Cardiff?
The top tourist attraction in Cardiff is Cardiff Castle, so don't forget to add it to your sightseeing list.
Is three days enough to stay in Cardiff?
Three days in Cardiff is enough to visit the city's key attractions. Many guests book for two days on average. Cardiff Castle, Cardiff Bay Waterfront and New Theatre are highly rated sights. Want to see more? Hang around a bit longer to visit nearby hotspots such as Bristol.
Is Cardiff a walkable city?
Some top sights in Cardiff, including Cardiff Castle and Cardiff Bay Waterfront, are within walking distance. You can also discover several of the city's neighbourhoods on foot. Only 0.16 kilometres from central Cardiff is Cardiff City Centre and Castle Quarter is 0.16 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Cardiff with kids?
Planning what to do in Cardiff with kids has never been easier. Whether you have teenagers or little ones, there are lots of family-friendly tours and attractions to keep them happy here.

What to do in Cardiff for adults?
Cardiff City Hall and The Senedd are just a couple of the things to do in Cardiff. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone to explore.
Are there free things to do in Cardiff?
One of the simplest ways to discover free things to do in Cardiff is to speak with a local tour guide. You'll get insider advice on exciting neighbourhoods, parks and other hotspots you can visit without reaching for your wallet. Cardiff Bay Waterfront is one sight that doesn't charge an admission fee.