Cardiff, Wales — one of the youngest capitals in Europe — often flies under the radar for American visitors to the U.K.
But as a walkable city with delicious food, a big nightlife scene, a castle in the city center and a beautiful waterfront, Cardiff is a great long weekend destination or a starting point for traveling through Wales. It’s also a big movie hub, serving as the backdrop for many films and television series, including “Doctor Who” and “Sherlock.”
Here's a travel advisor’s guide to planning visits to Cardiff, including what to do, where to stay and how to get there.
What to Do
Located in the heart of the city, Cardiff Castle — where the Romans first built a fort — has been an important site for more than 2,000 years. Almost 700 years later, the Normans occupied this area; today, visitors can climb the 12th-century Norman Keep and enjoy impressive views of the city. Throughout its history, Cardiff Castle was also owned by the Bute family, who used the structure as a summer residence; the Third Marquess of Bute hired architect William Burges and gave him carte blanche to design the interior of the castle, which is in a Victorian Gothic style.
Cardiff Castle is easy to visit, thanks to its central location in the city.
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Cardiff is known for having several Victorian and Edwardian arcades — glass-covered pathways full of shops, restaurants, bars and cafes. Can’t-miss stops include Spillers Records, the world's oldest record shop; Wally's Delicatessen & Kaffeehaus; and Ty Caws, a cheese shop and wine bar.
For a bit of culture, natural history and art, suggest clients head to National Museum Cardiff, housed in the civic center in Cathays Park. The collection includes pieces from Wales, Italy, the Netherlands and Britain, along with Impressionist and modern art. One of the most surprising aspects of the museum: It has one of Europe's largest collections of Impressionist paintings outside of Paris.
Most stadiums are on the outskirts of cities, but Principality Stadium can seat about 74,000 people in the heart of the Cardiff, so when there is a game, fans flood the streets and create a lively atmosphere. The stadium is home to rugby, along with heavyweight boxing, monster trucks and even the speedway grand prix; it’s also a concert venue, where artists such as Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, Beyonce and Madonna have played (Metallica is currently the featured headliner). The stadium has a retractable roof — one of the largest in Europe — that takes 20 minutes to fully open or close.
From the 1860s to the 1920s, Cardiff was a globally important city for transporting coal out of southern Wales and into the rest of the world. Since then, the old port has been renovated into a beautiful waterfront full of restaurants, bars and shops, and it’s also home to the Welsh Parliament. If clients are fans of author Roald Dahl, they can enter the Norwegian Church Arts Centre — now a performance venue and event space — where he was baptized.
Gorse is Wales’ first Michelin-starred restaurant.
2026 Crown CopyrightFor a noteworthy bite, send travelers to modern Welsh eatery Gorse, the first Michelin-starred restaurant in Cardiff. Chef Tom Waters opened the doors in 2024 and received a Michelin star in the first year of operations — quite a feat. The dining area feels like being in someone's home, with an open kitchen right upon walking in. There's no pretension or stuffiness here, and each dish is made with a lot of love and care using local Welsh and seasonal ingredients.
Where to Stay
Hotel Indigo Cardiff is a boutique property set in the city center that features 122 rooms decorated in different themes to reflect the city's heritage, from music to Welsh industry and “made in Wales.” Clients can enjoy a buffet breakfast on the top floor with options for a la carte items.
Meanwhile, with 170 rooms and suites, The Parkgate Hotel offers classic and contemporary luxury in the heart of the city center near Principality Stadium. Guests can dine at on-site, Michelin Guide-listed restaurant Blasus, or sip on a cocktail in The Sorting Room. For those who want an extra splurge, the hotel spa offers a 90-minute thermal suite experience with views of the skyline.
The Parkgate Hotel is a luxury option in the city center.
2026 Crown CopyrightClients who prefer some distance from the city center will enjoy the 142-key Voco St. David's Cardiff, a five-star hotel on Cardiff Bay where many guestrooms offer views of the water. Visitors can unwind in the pool, relax with a massage or head to the sauna, then enjoy a meal or afternoon tea at Tir a Mor, the on-site restaurant blending Welsh ingredients with coastal influences.
Getting There and Other Practical Information
Cardiff is typically reached via London; most U.S. passengers arrive at Heathrow Airport, take a train to London's Paddington station, and then go directly to Cardiff. Another option is to fly from the U.S. to Amsterdam via KLM, or Dublin on Aer Lingus, then connect to Cardiff.
Cardiff is a walkable destination, as most of the main sights are within 15 minutes of the city center. The port is farther away and can take 20 to 30 minutes to walk from the city center.
Wales has two official languages: Welsh and English. Road signs, towns and cities, museums and national parks use both languages. When visiting, clients will often hear people speaking Welsh.
As for when to go, clients visiting in winter should be prepared for colder temperatures and more rain. Spring, summer and fall are particularly ideal times to visit, but recommend travelers pack a rain jacket just in case.
