How to Spend the Perfect One Day in Cardiff Itinerary

Last Updated on 5th August 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

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Cardiff, or as it’s known in Welsh, Caerdydd, is the capital and largest city of Wales. A charming coastal city rich with history that’s intertwined with its many castles, arcades, and proximity to the sea, here’s your guide on how to spend the perfect one day in Cardiff!

Contents

What is Cardiff known for?
Is 1 day enough time in Cardiff?
One day in Cardiff suggested itinerary
Where to stay in Cardiff
Watch the Cardiff travel guide

What is Cardiff known for?

Cardiff is the capital city of Wales and is renowned as being the city with the most castles in the world! There are 20 castles and palaces in the city. In fact, what you may not know is that Wales has the most castles per square mile in the world.

It’s also often referred to as the ‘City of Arcades’ because of its high concentration of Victorian and Edwardian arcades. In total, there are seven arcades with over 150 years of history, to this day you can marvel at the beautiful traditional architecture of these covered closes.

Is 1 day enough time in Cardiff?

Yes, the city is very small! You can easily see enough of the city’s main sights as well as get a good feel for the city within the space of a day. That being said, if you prefer a more leisurely approach, Cardiff is also a great place to spend a long and lazy weekend.

Even though Cardiff is the capital city of Wales, it has to be said that it has more of a ‘big town’ vibe to it rather than the usual hustle and bustle from a city you might expect.

One day in Cardiff suggested itinerary

Cardiff Castle

Start your day at one of the city’s most iconic sights. The most famous of Cardiff’s castles is, of course, Cardiff Castle itself. This medieval castle and Victorian Gothic revival mansion is located in the very heart of the city and has now been standing at this very spot for over 2,000 years.

The original motte-and-bailey castle (a European style of fortification where a keep situated on a raised area of ground called a motte), was built in the late 11th century by the Normans after their conquest. They built the castle on top of a 3rd-century Roman fort, which is believed to date back to 50 AD.

Cardiff Castle has quite a history and has repeatedly found itself involved in conflicts, especially between the Anglo-Normans and the Welsh. It has also been passed through the hands of many noble families.

Today, the castle is open every day of the week and for a fee, visitors can explore the castle grounds, see the remains of the Roman fort where the castle was built upon, visit the Norman fort that sits atop the grassy perch and wander along the outer defences.

Though it’s a little expensive, the castle is worth exploring and makes for a fun way to spend the morning, immersing yourself in history! And, it’s a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Bute Park

Situated behind Cardiff Castle and just a few minutes walk from the main high street is the wonderful green pocket known as Bute Park.

This beautiful stretch of parkland offers respite from the city centre, offering its visitors an opportunity to meander through 56 hectares of woodland, grassy lawns, landscaped gardens and view a bucketload of wildlife.

Bute Park is also home to the Animal Wall, which is one of the best hidden gems of Cardiff.

National Museum Cardiff

Both museum and art gallery, this space is completely free to enter and enjoy! Explore the evolution of Wales from the beginning of time to the present day. Like most national museums, the National Museum of Cardiff has a fascinating display with a focus on local history but also from all corners of the world too.

You’ll only be able to see a part of the museum as you’ll need at least one day to see all of its exhibitions, but a visit here also makes for the perfect rainy day activity!

Cardiff Market

Stop for lunch at Cardiff Market, a beautiful marketplace that is set within a beautiful Victorian structure. A farmer’s market is known to have existed here since the 18th century, today the trading place continues and you can expect to find a bustling hive of activity where independent businesses sell a wealth of products.

From fresh local produce, traditional Welsh cuisine and artisanal coffee, to vintage clothing, old records and second-hand treasures, there’s a lot to uncover.

Unfortunately Cardiff Market is only open during the weekdays, so you won’t be able to visit if you are visiting Cardiff on the weekend.

Church of St John the Baptist

After lunch, head to the Church of St John the Baptist, which is one of the oldest medieval buildings that still stands in the city centre, other than that of Cardiff Castle.

Built-in 1180 as a chapel of ease for the larger St Mary’s Church (which has since been destroyed in a severe flooding) St John’s Church is best viewed from Church Street, in the city centre,

This quiet place of contemplative calm in the heart of the capital is free to visit and is a Grade I listed building.

Cardiff Arcades

Similar to the covered passageways in Paris, there are seven historic arcades to explore in Cardiff. Often referred to as the “jewel in Cardiff’s crown” these covered arcades date back to Victorian and Edwardian times and remain architectural treasures of the city.

Housing hundreds of independent shops, cafes, bars and restaurants, you could easily spend a few hours mooching around and discovering local delights. The seven arcades of Cardiff are:

Central Market
Castle Arcade
Duke Street Arcade
High Street Arcade
Morgan Arcade
Royal Arcade – This is the oldest of the arcades and was built in 1858.
Wyndham Arcade

The Cardiff Arcades also make for a perfect activity on a rainy day!

Cardiff bay

From the city centre take The Baycar (Service No 6) bus down towards Cardiff Bay. It’s also possible to walk, however, this takes around 1 hour and the path is not the most scenic of routes.

Cardiff Bay is a beautiful and recently regenerated area full of sculptures, murals, and eateries spilling out onto the quays. A vibrant and lively hub of activity, where restaurants, bars, shops and cafés line the waterfront, as well as a entertainment hubs like the Wales Millennium Centre where you can catch a show!

This area is also part of the wider Wales Coastal path, which is unique in the world because Wales is one of the only countries which boasts a coastal path around its entire coastline.

While you’re in the bay area, check out:

Senedd – This debating chamber was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2006. It stands as the spot where Welsh laws and agreements on taxes are made, as well as holding the Welsh Government to account on certain topics.
Techniquest – If you have a little more a great spot to visit is the science discovery centre, which exhibits fun and interactive displays so that visitors can immerse themselves in all things science, as well as visit a lab and view the planetarium.
Norwegian church – A unique point of interest while in the area is the white wooden panelled church that was founded by the Norwegian Seamen’s Mission. There’s a small art gallery space as well as the Norsk Café, where you can enjoy some delicious baked pastries.

Where to stay in Cardiff

We stayed in the Docks area as we were travelling by car and more of the hotels in this area had parking space. This is also a great place to base yourself if you want to go for day trips in the wider Cardiff area. Here are suggestions of where to stay in Cardiff (based on web-reviews):

Staybridge Suites – Cardiff, an IHG Hotel – Set along Bute East Dock in a modern red-brick building, these laid-back suites are a little further from the city centre, but perfect for those travelling with a car. There’s options to have your own balcony, washing machine and amenities of a small apartment, making it a very self-sufficient option! Check prices and availability here.

Cardiff Marriott Hotel – Right in the heart of the city centre just minutes from Cardiff Central rail station, this premium hotel is the perfect place form which to explore the Welsh capital! Easy going, they offer free WiFi, a laundry service and paid parking. Check prices and availability here.