What to do in Cardiff

Activities, attractions and tours

Cardiff showing street scenes, night scenes and a city
Cardiff showing a statue or sculpture, modern architecture and a square or plaza
Bute Park featuring heritage architecture, heritage elements and a castle
Cardiff Castle which includes interior views, heritage elements and a statue or sculpture
Cardiff Castle which includes château or palace, heritage elements and interior views

Places to Visit in Cardiff

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Let Expedia.co.nz help you find the most exciting and fun things to do in Cardiff, Wales while also allowing you to save a ton on travel arrangements. Regardless of whether you’re an urban explorer or an intrepid outdoor enthusiast, we can help you decide exactly what to do and see during your time in town.

Our thorough travel guides offer you an insider’s perspective on all of the best Cardiff attractions from NZ$14, making it easy for you to decide which places to visit and when. And by using Expedia.co.nz to set your sightseeing schedule, you can take in more of the enchanting attractions this area is famous for.

From group Cardiff tours and must-see landmarks to personal guides who take you off-the-beaten track, Expedia.co.nz offers you over 78 of the most popular events, activities, and attractions in this corner of the world. So whether you’re travelling alone, alongside a loved one, or with the whole family in tow, be sure to browse through our extensive travel guides prior to your plane touching down in this spectacular Cardiff. We even have a massive selection of flights, car hires, and accommodation for you to choose from. So what are you waiting for? Start your search today, and you’ll be having the time of your life before you know it.

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Top places to visit

1. Principality Stadium

Watch national and international sporting events, see musical legends perform and go behind the scenes at the Principality Stadium. This is the national stadium of Wales, a 74,500-seat venue that is the home of the Welsh national rugby team.
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Millennium Stadium showing a river or creek and modern architecture

2. Cardiff Castle

Cardiff Castle is a medieval stronghold and Victorian Gothic mansion with approximately 2,000 years’ worth of history. The magnificent structure was built on the site of a Roman fort and a Norman castle and during its existence also served as a home, a concert venue and a World War II shelter.
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Cardiff Castle showing heritage architecture, château or palace and heritage elements

3. 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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Aerial panorama of Barry Island, Wales, UK

4. 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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Main building of Cardiff University - Wales; Shutterstock ID 289260233; purchase_order: Comps; job: ; client: ; other:

5. 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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D6WYKM Aerial photograph of the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena

6. Wales Millennium Centre

Wales Millennium Centre is one of the most popular cultural attractions in Cardiff. It is a place to see everything from small dance pieces and comedy shows, to West End musicals and major art exhibitions. The venue hosts several performance areas and is the home of the Welsh National Opera, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and other arts organizations. Watch a show, view some art and enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour.
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Wales Millennium Centre showing street scenes, modern architecture and signage

7. Tintern Abbey

Stroll among the windowless and roofless ruins of Tintern Abbey, a 12th-century building founded by Cistercian monks. The abbey's shell may well be open to the sky, but it has been well maintained and there is a lot to see.
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Tintern Abbey showing heritage elements, religious elements and château or palace

Recommended things to do in Cardiff

Number of things to do
78
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
The Ghosts of St Fagans: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: NZ$14
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Cardiff

Discover the most popular places to visit in Cardiff

Wales Millennium Centre showing a city, a square or plaza and modern architecture

Cardiff Bay

4/5(3 reviews)

Explore the waterfront in Cardiff with a trip to Cardiff Bay. Discover the lively bars and acclaimed theatre scene in this relaxing area.

Cardiff Bay
Millennium Stadium showing a river or creek and modern architecture

Principality Stadium

4/5(6 reviews)

Follow in the footsteps of sporting and musical greats when you tour this vast sporting arena. Walk on the pitch, see dressing rooms and lift a trophy.

Principality Stadium
Cardiff Castle showing heritage architecture, château or palace and heritage elements

Cardiff Castle

4.5/5(28 reviews)

A fortified tower from the 12th century, World War II tunnels and Welsh military history make a fascinating day out at this magnificent castle.

Cardiff Castle
Barry Island Beach

Barry Island Beach

3/5(2 reviews)

If you’re looking for a quintessential Welsh seaside experience, look no further than Barry Beach in the picturesque Vale of Glamorgan.

Barry Island Beach
Cardiff University

Cardiff University

Founded by Royal Charter in 1883 and located in the heart of the thriving Welsh capital, Cardiff University has built an international reputation for the quality of its work.

Cardiff University
Utilita Arena Cardiff

Utilita Arena Cardiff

3/5(1 review)

Cardiff Motorpoint Arena is located on Mary Ann Street in the heart of Cardiff. It was opened in 1993 and is the largest purpose-built facility for staging exhibitions and concerts in South Wales.

Utilita Arena Cardiff
Wales Millennium Centre showing street scenes, modern architecture and signage

Wales Millennium Centre

4/5(8 reviews)

Book your tickets for theater, opera, dance and comedy shows and go on a backstage tour at this prestigious arts venue.

Wales Millennium Centre
Tintern Abbey showing heritage elements, religious elements and château or palace

Tintern Abbey

5/5(2 reviews)

Tour the ruins of an ancient monastery where Cistercian monks used to live, pray and study. See the remains of their former dwellings and church.

Tintern Abbey
Bute Park which includes a castle, heritage architecture and heritage elements

Bute Park

4/5(1 review)

Take a calming stroll through Cardiff’s Bute Park. Follow the trails, explore the remains of a medieval friary and admire the horticulture and wildlife.

Bute Park

Explore areas of Cardiff

Cardiff which includes a city, a square or plaza and modern architecture

Cardiff City Centre

4/5(36 area reviews)

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.

Cardiff City Centre
Cardiff which includes a city, a square or plaza and modern architecture

Castle Quarter

Cosy bars interesting history and top sights from Cardiff Market to St. David's – discover Castle Quarter, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Castle Quarter
Wales Millennium Centre showing a city, a square or plaza and modern architecture

Butetown

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

The abundant dining options and relaxing spas are top of the list for many visitors to Butetown. A stop by Wales Millennium Centre or Cardiff Bay Water Feature might round out your trip.

Butetown
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Grangetown

You'll enjoy the bars and live music in Grangetown. You might want to make time for a stop at Cardiff Bay or Cardiff International Sports Village.

Grangetown
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Photo by Mick Lobb (CC BY-SA)

Whitchurch

Whitchurch is popular for its ample dining options, and you might make a stop by Forest Farm Country Park, a top place to visit in the area.

Whitchurch
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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.

Cathays

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Cardiff

Wills Memorial Building showing heritage elements, night scenes and a city

Bristol

Photo by Michaela Menzel

Abergavenny

Bridgend

Bridgend

Photo by Dean Melbourne

Port Talbot

Photo by Brian71

Cwmbran

Photo "Pencoed" by Mick Lobb (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by Mick Lobb (CC BY-SA)

Pencoed

Photo by Stephen Keen

Porthcawl

Photo "Magor" by Mrs Blorenge (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by Mrs Blorenge (CC BY-SA)

Magor

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.