Cidade Turismo
the United Kingdom

Before you go

Your trip to Cardiff.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Cardiff – País de Gales Destination Cardiff and the País de Gales Capital

How to get there

  • Cardiff Airport (CWL) Rhoose · 20 km
  • Bristol Airport (BRS) Bristol · 70 km
  • Cardiff Central 1 km
  • Cardiff Bus Interchange 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before booking. The train from London Paddington takes about 2 hours to the central station. The city airport has European flights and is about 20 km away, with bus and train links. Bristol Airport is around 1h15 by bus.

How many days

Two days: one for the castle, Bute Park, the National Museum and Cardiff Bay, and another for St Fagans, the Castell Coch and Llandaff.

When to go

From May to September, with long days and events in the bay. On rugby match days at the stadium, especially during the Six Nations tournament from February to March, the city gets very busy. It rains at any time of year.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The centre is walkable, and trains and buses serve the bay, St Fagans, the Castell Coch and Llandaff. If you drive, remember that you drive on the left.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Cardiff
  1. Morning
    Castle

    Start with the Castelo de Cardiff, with its Norman tower and the guided tour of the halls.

  2. Afternoon
    Museum and Bute Park

    Head to the National Museum in Cathays Park, and return via Bute Park.

  3. Late afternoon
    Cardiff Bay

    Take the train or a water taxi to Cardiff Bay for sunset over the lake.

  4. Evening
    Bay

    Dine at a waterfront restaurant in the bay or attend a performance at the Wales Millennium Centre.

2 days in Cardiff

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Castle

    Castelo de Cardiff and the Norman tower.

  2. Afternoon
    Museum and arcades

    National Museum and the covered Victorian shopping arcades in the centre.

  3. Late afternoon
    Bute Park

    Walk through Bute Park to Llandaff.

  4. Evening
    Centre

    Dinner in the centre.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    St Fagans

    The open-air museum of St Fagans.

  2. Afternoon
    Castell Coch

    Castell Coch and the forest trails.

  3. Late afternoon
    Cardiff Bay

    Senedd, Pierhead and the bay promenade.

  4. Evening
    Bay

    Dinner by the lakeside.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Since when has Cardiff been the capital?

Since 1955. Before that, País de Gales did not have an official capital.

What are Cardiff's arcades?

Victorian and Edwardian covered shopping arcades in the centre, with independent shops and cafés.

Is Cardiff related to Doctor Who?

Yes — the series is filmed largely in Cardiff, and the city appears in several episodes.

Can you get from Cardiff to Bath or Bristol?

Yes, by train: Bristol is about 45 minutes and Bath about 1 hour away.

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