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The city is consistently voted as one of the most popular holiday destinations in the UK, and with a wealth of things to see and do, it is not hard to see why.

The awe-inspiring Cardiff Castle is a must see. It includes an extraordinary Victorian mansion that revisits a time when Cardiff was the world’s biggest coal-exporting port. The castle is an impressive collection of moss-strewn walls, twisting spires and formidable ramparts. The 11th century Norman castle is built on the site of a third-century Roman fort, and provides a fascinating insight into the region’s past, with opportunities to explore the elegant castle apartments, the winding tunnels beneath, and even see a functioning trebuchet in action.

Few places define Welsh identity as profoundly as St. Fagans, which opened in 1948 as the very first national open-air museum in the UK on the grounds of a 16th-century manor house. It has since grown to be the biggest open-air museum in Europe, with more than 40 original Welsh buildings from different historic periods rebuilt piece by piece in the 100-acre park including houses, a farm, a school, a splendid workmen’s institute and a new workshop where you can learn how to make traditional Welsh crafts. 

The National Museum Cardiff, in the heart of the city’s elegant civic centre, is a haven for art aficionados. It contains one of the finest collections of Impressionist art in Europe including pictures by Manet, Renoir, Pissarro and Van Gogh, Monet’s Water Lilies, Rodin’s The Kiss, and Cézanne’s exquisite Still Life with Teapot. On the other hand, sports enthusiasts will revel in the iconic Principality Stadium, which is perhaps the most enjoyable sporting arena in the world, with a perfect city-centre location and an electric atmosphere beneath its huge sliding roof. 

The Wales Millennium Centre is another popular attraction in Cardiff and is the perfect place for a relaxed evening out. The huge, arena-style building hosts artistic events of all shapes and sizes, from theatre, sports and musicals to small-scale art exhibitions and markets.

Just along Cardiff Bay lies the International Sports Village, where you will find an extensive array of sporting activities. If your travels to Cardiff have invigorated you to the point where you fancy a challenge, there is the opportunity to take part in some white-water kayaking on man-made runs. With courses available for everyone from beginners to seasoned experts, it is thrilling and full of fun.

In your downtime, head over to the Cardiff Bay Wetlands Reserve, a man-made sanctuary for birds and wildlife, formed from reclaimed salt marshes. By paying it a visit you can exchange the hustle and bustle of city life with a peaceful walk and an abundance of wildlife-spotting. Swans, heron, cormorants, coots and ducks have all made their homes here, providing a tranquil-yet-exciting environment for anyone with a love of the great outdoors.

Beyond Cardiff, the rest of Wales is waiting to be explored. Just a short drive, bus or train trip out of the city and you can find some incredible countryside and coast. The mountainous Brecon Beacons, with fresh air and beautiful waterfalls and lakes, is an hour north of Cardiff. West of the city you’ll find miles and miles of incredible coastline along the Gower Peninsular. 

Looking to explore the rest of Wales? The Wales Way, a trio of national touring routes will take you on journeys of discovery through this incredible country. There’s something to offer every outdoor lover, thrill seeker, festivalgoer, foodie or heritage buff. A few of the unique highlights include the world’s only continuous coastal path, hugging Wales’ shores for 870 miles; Europe’s longest zip line and the chance to explore over 600 castles – a more concentrated collection of turrets, baileys and moats can’t be found anywhere else in the world.

The Welsh are a nation of food-lovers and sampling a few of the local delicacies is a must when travelling to Cardiff. The best way to plunge straight into the vibrant life of Cardiff is to take a culinary tour of the capital’s thriving food scene with a local guide. Tours will take you all over the city, calling in at specialist food producers, retailers and the famous indoor market. 

Look out for ‘bara lawr’ – also known as laverbread, which is edible seaweed traditionally served with shellfish on hot buttered toast. Enjoy Cawl, a traditional Welsh stew made of meat and any vegetables available.
While the Welsh have their own cuisine, Cardiff is also home to a thriving Indian community, and curries have been adopted as one of the city’s favourite foods. As a result, there is an astonishing number of Indian restaurants in the city centre, serving regional Indian dishes made from local Welsh produce.

If you plan to shop while visiting Cardiff, the city centre’s the place to go. There you will find the St. David's Dewi Sant shopping centre - Cardiff’s largest. This is the place for high-end designer goods such as clothes, homeware and electronics. It is also home to some excellent restaurants, serving everything from burgers to sushi.

However, it is not all high-end fashion boutiques and modern shopping centres. Nearby, there are some traditional Victorian shopping arcades selling local food, arts and crafts. Morgan Arcade is home to a genuine Cardiff institution. Spillers Records first opened its doors in 1894, making it the oldest record shop in the world.