| Check out our free interactive Cardiff holiday guide and discover Cardiff's biggest attractions, best restaurants and much more. If you've visited Cardiff before tell us your holiday tips and help other travellers enjoy great holidays in Cardiff, United Kingdom. |
| Free Cardiff Holiday Guide |
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Cardiff was settled in Roman Times when a small village grew up around a fort near the river Taff. The community consisted mainly of farmers and fishermen until the end of the 18th century.
In 1794 developments in the town started to progress with construction commencing on a canal linking Cardiff with Merthyr Tydfil – the largest town in the country at the time. The first dock was built in 1839, with the onset of the industrial revolution, the port grew in size and was soon one of the busiest in the world.
In 1955, Cardiff was proclaimed the capital of Wales, which resulted in many governmental and financial institutions and headquarters moving to the city. Today the city is full of optimism with many rejuvenation projects centered on the old dock areas. |
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Cardiff Castle – A fascinating collection of buildings that date back to Roman times. A guided tour takes in the clock tower, the Winter and Summer Smoking Rooms, the Batchelor’s Bedroom, the Nursery, the Arab Room and Banqueting Hall. Open daily, this is a must for anyone interested in history and medieval architecture.
National Museum of Wales – One of the best in Britain, this museum attempts to reflect the nation’s place in the world as well as tell the story of its past. Open Tuesdays to Sundays from 10am to 5pm.
Welsh Industrial and Maritime Museum – The buildings that comprise this excellent museum were built around the ships and engines they exhibit. The history of Welsh mining and shipping is told using videos, photographs and exhibits. Open Tuesday to Sundays from 10am to 5pm. |
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Welsh cuisine is making a comeback and can be found in many restaurants in the city.
The national vegetable, also the national flower, is the leek and this is commonly served as an accompaniment to most meals.
Welsh lamb is traditionally served with mint or thyme and is delicious.
Dairy products are also highly featured such as the Welsh cheese Caerphilly, which forms the basis of another national favourite – Welsh Rarebit. |
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Gilby’s Restaurant - Old Port Road, Culverhouse Cross. A good quality seafood restaurant set in a building that was a barn many years ago. The old world feel has been retained with stone walls and tapestries. The menu is varied, the prices are reasonable and the service is excellent. Closed Mondays.
The Harvester - Set in the style of an old farmhouse this place has an excellent menu including a variety of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes. If you arrive before 6.30pm you get a third off your meal, although the prices are so reasonable that this may not be necessary.
Le Monde - St Mary’s Street. In this fabulous restaurant there are no menus, you select your meat or fish from a display behind glass and it is cut and prepared for cooking in front of you. The prices are high but then, so is the quality. |
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Bar is it? - This fresh and lively venue has bars on two floors with music, but no dance floor. An excellent place to meet before you go out.
The City Arms - Situated close to the Millennium Stadium, this place is really popular on match days.
Flyhalf n Firkin - This place has comfy sofas, a pool table and is frequented by students.
Liquid - An extremely popular and centrally located nightclub, this place has four bars, a dance floor and a balcony. |
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Barry Island – Originally an island, this sandy beach is now joined to the mainland by a causeway. There is a wide promenade, a fair and an amusement arcade here as well.
Penarth – Called the garden by the sea, this is one of the last beaches in south Wales that still has Victorian pier. |
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Cathays Park – This park forms the centerpiece for the Edwardian buildings of the civic center.
Bute Park – Once the private estate linked to the castle, this sprawling expanse of greenery contains an arboretum, flowerbeds and pleasant trails alongside the river. |
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| Cardiff is a city of arcades. Many of the shops in the center of the city are housed in the arcades, which provide excellent shelter from the weather. Here you can buy just about anything. Cardiff boasts the oldest music shop in the world – it has been trading since 1894 – before recorded music existed – at that time it sold sheet music. |
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| Q-Shed – Converted from a Victorian shipping warehouse, this activity center houses the greatest hands on science museum in the UK. This place is crammed full of experiments, exhibits and many chances to try things out for yourself. There is an adjoining planetarium and science theatre as well. Open Tuesdays to Sundays from 10am to 5pm. |
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