If you’re visiting South Wales, you should spend a couple of days exploring the attractions of Cardiff before heading out.
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Contents
Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
Once again, a Hop-on, Hop-off sightseeing bus will take you around Cardiff’s attractions. You can start from Cardiff Castle, where you’ll find commentary on the government buildings, parks, and museums, as well as the city’s rich history. Exploring Cardiff is made easier and more informative with this transport.
Hours
It departs from outside the castle every half hour from 10:00 a.m. until 4 p.m. and makes stops around the city.
Prices
Check their website for prices.
Cardiff Castle
Located centrally in the city, Cardiff Castle is definitely a place you have to visit while you’re here.
First, a Roman fort, then an impressive Norman Castle, and finally a fantastical Victorian house owned by the Marquess of Bute.
The Keep, Battlement Walk, Roman Wall, and Wartime Shelters are some of the things you can learn about with a free audio guide, which provides information on each.
You can walk through the Victorian House, but it’s best to take a guided tour to hear all the stories about the rooms, which are decorated in an ornate style and must be seen to be believed.
The tour lasts about 50 minutes and is a great way to end your visit to Cardiff Castle.
Hours
| Summer Opening (Mar – Oct) | Mon – Fri | Sat – Sun* |
| Opening Time | 10:00 | 09:00 |
| Last Entry | 17:00 | 17:00 |
| Closing Time | 18:00 | 18:00 |
| Winter Opening (Nov – Feb) | Mon – Fri | Sat – Sun* |
| Opening Time | 10:00 | 09:00 |
| Last Entry | 16:00 | 16:00 |
| Closing Time | 17:00 | 17:00 |
*every day during school holidays and on bank holidays.
Closed Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day.
Prices
Whether you’re after general admission or want to take a tour of the Castle, click here to find your price.
Cardiff Bay
The waterfront area, known as Cardiff Bay, is packed with activities and dining options.
It is home to the Welsh National Assembly and Wales Millennium Centre, which have been the locations for TV shows such as Doctor Who and Torchwood. Down on Mermaid Quay, there is the Ianto Shrine, a memorial to a character who died in an episode of Torchwood.
Along the waterfront is the Norwegian Church, now a coffee shop. It’s still a beautiful building, with the Scott Antarctic Commemorative Memorial in front.
Along Mermaid Quay are all the restaurants, cafes, and bars. You can also spend time with the family here at Techniquest, an interactive science museum that offers great entertainment and education.
National Museum and Art Gallery
The National Museum and Art Gallery are free to enter. It is a great museum to learn about prehistoric history and how climate change is affecting Wales and the rest of the world.
The Evolution of Wales exhibit has life-sized models and skeletons of Woolly Mammoths, giant Deer, and Dinosaurs. In it, you can learn how Wales has changed over many millennia.
World-class art is featured here, and there is plenty to see to keep you entertained and educated over a morning or afternoon. Enjoy a coffee in the cafe.
Hours
Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am–5 pm. Galleries close at 4.45 pm.
Closed Mondays but open Bank Holiday Mondays.
Prices
Free
St. Fagans Museum of Natural History
St. Fagans Museum of Natural History is another free attraction. If you drive, as it is outside the city centre, the cost is £7 for the whole day.
Farmhouses, outbuildings, historic buildings, and St. Fagans Castle are located within this parkland, which is wheelchair— and pram-friendly.
The inside of these buildings is furnished as it would have been in their time.
You can buy a map at the entrance for 50p, which leads you around the numbered buildings. Each location also has detailed information, including the year the building was constructed and its original purpose.
The last place to visit is St Fagans Castle, an Elizabethan Manor House owned by the Earl of Plymouth. During WWI, it was used as a Red Cross Hospital for wounded soldiers. In 1946, the Earl gifted the castle and grounds to the nation to create this museum.
It takes approximately 3-4 hours to complete the loop. It’s a great place to learn about our living habits throughout the centuries.
Hours
10 am – 5 pm daily (open on Bank Holiday Mondays)
Prices
Visiting the park is free, although parking costs £7, and some exhibits may incur additional fees.
Conclusion
With all the history of Wales behind you, you’ll have so much to learn exploring Cardiff. While you’re in the area, the Brecon Beacons are calling. If you love to explore waterfalls, you can read all about them on my blog, Waterfall Country Brecon Beacons.
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Links
If you would like to read more about my travels in the UK, click on the following links: England, Scotland and Wales.
Want to learn about UK passes and what you should get for where? You can read my blog on Save Money and Explore the UK with an Attraction Pass.
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Enjoyed tripping around Cardiff those places you visited are magnificent you seem to be able to have the ability to explain everything like we are exploring with you loved the journey
Thanks Kathy. I hope that you enjoy my next adventures.
I’ve always been sorry not to have visited the south of Wales when I was studying in north Wales. I don’t know about now, but back then it was surprisingly not straightforward to get from north to south by public transport; it was literally easier to go to England than to go south. Would have loved to visit Cardiff Castle.
I am sorry you didn’t get to South Wales, Teja. There are so many places to explore, although I don’t think public transport is much better for getting around from north to south than when you were there. Now you have an excuse to go back and visit.