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Spending one day in Cardiff, Wales is a fantastic way to get an introduction to the city. Fairly easy to navigate and full of friendly locals, Cardiff welcomes visitors with a range of intriguing sights, outdoor spaces and modern gems.
It was while we were staying in nearby Bristol, England that we planned our 1-Day Trip to Cardiff. Although we have spent three consecutive summers in the United Kingdom, Cardiff had not made it onto our itinerary. It was not for a lack of interest, but rather logistics that had held us up.
Being just a stone’s throw away in Bristol, however, allowed us to finally get a peek at the capital of Wales. In order to make the most of it, we meticulously planned a 1-day itinerary that features the Top Things To Do in Cardiff, Wales!
1 Day in Cardiff, Wales: What To See, Do and Eat
Those on a day trip to Cardiff can pack a lot of sightseeing into a single visit. The city is compact with major attractions clustered together in the Old Town – with redeveloped Cardiff Bay just a scenic boat ride away. Use the Cardiff Map at the end of the article to pinpoint each of our recommended places to see.
Morning
Start your Cardiff day trip in the heart of the city center. Meander through the ancient lanes as you take in the ornate architecture. Pop into a museum dedicated to the history of Cardiff. Step into a Medieval church to gaze at its grandeur. Then, go to the local market for a spectacular lunch.
#1 Zigzag through the Cardiff Arcades
There is no better way to get acquainted with the historic city of Cardiff than by wandering through it’s extravagant arcades. Dubbed ‘The City of Arcades’, Cardiff’s Victorian-era shopping lanes have been renovated to host boutique shops and chic cafes. The arcades themselves are Cardiff must-see sights, but the covered lanes also provide for a nice walking tour through the area.
Start in Wyndham Arcade (built in 1887), where you can grab an award-winning coffee from Waterloo Tea (a Cardiff original). Next, waltz through Royal Arcade. It’s the oldest arcade in the city, dating to the year 1858.
Now make your way through the best preserved shopping lane, Morgan Arcade, which is home to luxury retailers. However, our favorite shop in Morgan Arcade is the iconic Spillers Records. Opened in 1894, it is considered to be the oldest record shop in the world.
After passing through High Street Arcade, cross over High Street into the elaborate Castle Arcade. Take the stairs to the second level for an elevated view of the elegant lane.
Sightseeing Tip: While waltzing through the arcades, also take the opportunity to walk along St. Mary Street and The Hayes pedestrian zone. Church Street, Womanby St (pictured above) and Caroline Street (informally called Chippy Lane) are other atmospheric thoroughfares to see while exploring the center of Cardiff.
#2 Learn about the Past at the Museum of Cardiff
When visiting Cardiff in a day, it can be challenging to fully appreciate the area’s extended history. The Museum of Cardiff, however, provides a simple, easy-to-digest story of the city. Housed in the Old Library building, the displays detail the past in bite-sized pieces.
There is no fee or ticket required to enter the museum. It’s one of the top free things to do in Cardiff, Wales!
Travel Itinerary Tip: Plan to spend about half an hour here learning about Cardiff and Wales. The museum is open from 10am until 4pm (closed Sundays).
#3 Visit St. John the Baptist Church
Dating to the 15th century, St. John the Baptist Church is a magnificent Medieval building with an enduring, fortified bell tower. Inside, light filters through stained-glass windows and stone arches frame side chapels. In our opinion, it is one of the most beautiful places in Cardiff for tourists to see – and it’s free to enter.
Top Travel Tip: After touring the interior, take a moment to see the churchyard gardens. A graveyard with ancient headstones encircles the church. Just across the way, St. John’s Gardens are another serene public space with benches and colorful flowerbeds.
#4 Eat Lunch at the Cardiff Market
Ranked as one of the top Cardiff City things to do, eating here is a must! The Cardiff Central Market has a rich history that stretches back to the 18th century. Trading took place on the site of the old jail, until the Victorian market hall was built in 1891.
Featuring two levels, the space accommodates more than 60 retailers, who sell everything from fresh fish to vinyl records to incredibly delicious dishes. Lunchtime diners can choose from international eats, traditional deli fare and unusual local cuisine.
We had initially planned on ordering a wood-fired pizza from the popular Ffwrnes – but, in the end, we couldn’t resist a pulled pork wrap and Cubano sandwich from Sage Deli. Both of which were exceptional!
Top Trip Planning Tip: The city has planned a major renovation for the market, which is slated to last for at least two years. During the project, some retailers will be shuffled around, but they plan on staying open to visitors. Note, too, that the market is closed on Sundays.
#5 Savor the Sweetness of Welsh Cakes
Anyone spending one day in Wales should make it a point to get a taste of a scrumptious Welsh Cake. In our opinion, Cardiff Bakestones at the Central Market is the best place to do it! Utilizing a traditional griddle, the cakes are baked fresh throughout the day, often served still warm. And, oh my, are they heavenly!
Likened to a scone, but sweet like a cookie, Welsh Cakes have a unique taste and texture. The treat became popular in Wales during the 19th century – and today, the confection is produced in an array of flavors.
Of the five that we sampled (Traditional, Jam-and-Cream, Chocolate Chip, Biscoff, and Nutella), the Jam-and-Cream was our favorite (but all of them were utterly satisfying). In hindsight, we wish we had purchased a few more to take home!
Top Itinerary Tip: Bakestones is one of the most popular places for Welsh Cakes (as evidenced by the line that wraps around their Central Market booth). That said, Fabulous Welshcakes in Castle Arcade is another local spot churning out the tasty treats and is open Sundays.
Afternoon
In the afternoon of your 1-Day Cardiff Itinerary, experience more of the city’s best attractions – like the extraordinary castle and the National Museum. Then, if the weather is nice, discover some of the area’s great green spaces before hopping aboard a boat.
#6 Explore Cardiff Castle
A fairytale castle in the heart of the city, Cardiff Castle is not to be missed. The history of the structure can be traced to the 11th century – and, even today, it remains one of the most famous places in Cardiff to visit.
What began as a Roman fort in the 1st century evolved into a stone stronghold under William the Conqueror – and eventually into a proper Victorian palace at the behest of William Burges, 3rd Marquess of Bute.
Visitors are welcome to walk the fortifications, climb up the keep, discover Roman ruins and tour the grandiose palace apartments.
Tickets are required for entry and cover all of the castle attractions, including the Firing Line Museum and tunnels that were used for shelter during World War II. An informative audio guide is also included in the price of admission.
Budget Travel Tip: Tickets are a bit steep at £15.50 for adults. Budget travelers can skip visiting the interior and still get an up close look at the impressive exterior. It is also free of charge to enter the castle courtyard, which has a shop, cafe and toilets.
#7 See Cardiff City Hall
Built in the early 20th century in the sophisticated English Renaissance style, City Hall is quite the sight! Featuring a large dome and landmark 194-foot-tall clock tower, the grand civic center aims to impress.
Cardiff City Hall is utilized for government functions, but the space also hosts exhibits, conferences and weddings.
Tip for Sightseeing: Art lovers on a Cardiff One Day Trip should allow time to visit the City Hall Art Collection of fine paintings.
#8 Marvel at Masterpieces at the National Museum Cardiff
The National Museum in Cardiff offers visitors a 2-for-1 museum experience: Natural History and Fine Art. As a bonus, the entire museum is absolutely free of charge!
The Natural History exhibits are located on the ground floor. Especially engaging for kids (but we found ourselves to be equally enthralled), displays range from dinosaur skeletons to crystal rocks.
The upper level is dedicated to artistic works – from paintings to sculptures to ceramics. The museum displays a world-class collection of Impressionist art, including works by Monet, Cezanne and Renoir.
Tip for Trip Planning: Touring the National Museum ranks as one of the top Cardiff things to do. Plan on spending at least one hour here, but remember there’s much more still to see!
#9 Admire Alexandra Gardens at Cardiff University
Marking the heart of the city’s Cathays Park Civic Centre and part of Cardiff University Campus, Alexandra Garden is one of the best Cardiff places to see. The land – once part of the Bute Estate – was purchased as public space in the late 1800s.
The large, rectangular Alexandra Gardens Park features meticulously maintained flower beds, statues of prominent Welsh figures and a stirring Welsh National War Memorial Fountain.
Sightseeing Tip: The Friary Gardens and Gorsedd Gardens – both to the south of City Hall – are two smaller green spaces that are also part of Cathays Park Civic Center.
#10 Stroll through Bute Park
Developed as a private pleasure garden on the castle grounds, Bute Park was officially opened to the public in 1949. The sprawling space is one of the best places to visit in Cardiff on warm and sunny days.
Crisscrossed with paths and dotted with trees, the area features a few attractions that are fun to seek out. These include the reconstructed Gorsedd Stone Circle, the historic Animal Wall of carved sculptures and the ancient Blackfriars Friary remains. Walking the Dock Feeder Canal Trail and getting a few new glimpses of the castle are other reasons to visit Bute Park.
Foodie Tip: The Pettigrew Tea Rooms on the southern end of Bute Park is an exceptional establishment for enjoying a classic Afternoon Tea experience. It’s also a great spot for a simple coffee or tea, for those who need an afternoon pick-me-up!
#11 Embark on a Taff River Cruise
By mid-afternoon (ideally during the 3 o’clock hour), hop aboard a river boat for a short cruise from the City Center to Cardiff Bay and Mermaid Quay. The scenic ride takes about 30 minutes and features commentary on the history of the River Taff and sights along the banks.
Cruises are provided by two companies – Cardiff Boat and Aquabus. Both depart from the dock in the southwest corner of Bute Park Castle Grounds every half hour. Tickets cost £7.50 and can be purchased onboard.
Alternate Trip Plan: For those planning a budget Cardiff 1-Day Itinerary can forego the boat trip and opt for public transport or even make the journey to Cardiff Bay on foot. Bus and train fares are less than £3 per ride. Walkers can take the direct route from the city center (40 minutes) or follow the riverside for a slightly more charming trek (45 minutes).
Late Afternoon into Evening
Continue your discovery of Cardiff in One Day along the city’s historic bay. Tour the coastline and a handful of attractions before making your way back to the center for dinner and drinks.
#12 Discover Sights in Cardiff Bay and Mermaid Quay
An important port during the Industrial Revolution, the buzzing docklands at Cardiff Bay were at the center of a thriving coal trade. With the booming economy, Cardiff was transformed from a small town into a bustling city. Post-WWII, however, the need for coal diminished – and through decades of neglect, the docks became derelict mudflats.
In the late 1990s, the bay was given a massive makeover and turned into a modern entertainment hub, rebranded as Mermaid Quay. Modern architecture – like the Senedd Welsh Parliament Building and the Wales Millennium Centre – were added to the landscape. Meanwhile, historic places – like the bright red Pierhead Building and the Norwegian Church Arts Center – were faithfully preserved.
One of the top attractions at Mermaid Quay is the kid-friendly Techniquest Science Center, which features interactive displays. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the Cardiff Bay Wetlands Reserve or set off on a walk or bike ride along the waterfront promenade. The Cardiff Bay Trail Walk extends more than 6 miles from the Barrage to Penarth Marina.
Additionally, the Senedd is open to those interested in the Welsh government and Pierhead offers exhibits detailing the history of Cardiff Bay. Plus, the Norwegian Church houses a café and there are sublime views from the deck.
Top Travel Tip: The history of Cardiff Bay is an important component of the city, which is why we recommend seeing it. That said, we only spent an hour exploring the area on foot and mostly taking photos. To return to the city center, use the taxi boat, train, bus or Uber.
#13 Cap Off Cardiff in a Day with Food and Drink
After ticking off your list of the best things to do in Cardiff, wind down your 1-day trip with a memorable meal. Cardiff boasts a number of excellent eateries – but as fans of craft beer, we quickly zeroed in on the Tiny Rebel Taproom.
The local Welsh brewery hails from nearby Newport, South Wales – and their outpost in Cardiff is a bright and boisterous pub. In addition to the Tiny Rebel core range of craft brews, they pour small-batch seasonals and stock canned beers, as well. The food menu features international pub grub and the burgers are definitely on point!
Top Food Tip: When deciding where to eat dinner during our One Day Cardiff Trip, we debated whether or not we should indulge in traditional Welsh cuisine. While craft beer and burgers won us over (as they often do), Pitch Bar and Eatery was recommended for local eats – like a classic Welsh Lamb Cawl.
Map of Cardiff, Wales
Use this Google Map for an interactive version of our One Day in Cardiff Map below.
Cardiff Travel Tips and Logistics
Our outline of what to do in Cardiff covers top things to see, do and eat in the city. However, there is more to planning a trip! We are sharing a few tips that will help make your excursion simple.
How Many Days in Cardiff
A one-day trip to Cardiff is just enough time to skim the surface, but sufficient to quickly see the prime sights. With at least 2 days in Cardiff, travelers would be able to slow down and relish some of the places that we squeeze into our 1-Day Itinerary.
Best Time to Visit Cardiff
There is no doubt that the best time to go to Cardiff is on a bright sunny day. The weather is typically pleasant from late spring through early autumn. It can be wet and rainy during the long Welsh winters.
The Welsh Language
Although Wales is part of Great Britain, many people from Wales speak the native Welsh language. No need to worry as a tourist; both Welsh and English are official languages of the country!
How To Get to Cardiff
The best way to reach Cardiff is by train or car. While there is an airport in Cardiff, there are very few flights to CWL (double check on Skyscanner, though!).
Those planning to spend 1 day in Wales from England should look for direct routes from London Paddington, Reading, Bath and Bristol. Trains terminate at Cardiff Central Station, which is right in the heart of the city.
Top Tips for a Day Trip to Cardiff from London
Travelers can easily plan a Cardiff day trip from London. Travel time by rail between the two cities is about 2 hours each way. That said, tickets can be quite expensive. For the cheapest train fare for your London to Cardiff day trip, it’s best to book far in advance.
Where To Stay
If you’re spending a full 24 hours in Cardiff, you have a wide range of hotels to choose from. We believe the best place to stay in Cardiff is the city center, where the sights and train station are just steps away. The 4-star Parkgate Hotel gets rave reviews and the Sleeperz Hotel is an affordable option.
What To Bring to Cardiff
While you don’t need much for a One Day Cardiff Trip, there are a few items you won’t want to forget!
Durable Shoes
We cover some ground in our 1-Day Itinerary for Cardiff – so you will want a pair of comfortable shoes. For city walks, I prefer to wear everyday trainers and Kris goes with trail shoes. Read our reviews to the Best Travel Shoes for more choices.
Travel Camera
Cardiff is a photogenic place! Capture those memories properly with a real camera. We use a DSLR Canon Rebel with an 18-135mm lens. It’s a great budget camera for travelers!
Day Pack
A good day bag, like a small zippered backpack, is ideal for your quick trip to Wales. Just be sure it is big enough to stow your travel umbrella, camera and daily essentials!
Organize Your Day Trip in Cardiff, Wales
With our list of the best things to see in Cardiff, it is fairly easy to plan your itinerary. That said, organization is key! Use our Travel Planner to stay on top of all the details.
Start planning your trip to the UK! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want more travel planning tips? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for more advice – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
More United Kingdom Travel Guides
We have traveled extensively throughout the UK – and are bursting with proven tips and honest advice!
- How To Spend 3 Days in London
- Top London Travel Tips
- What To Do in Windsor
- The Best of Bristol and Bath, UK
- Things To Do in Manchester and Birmingham
- A Perfect Edinburgh Itinerary
- What To Do on Isle of Skye
- 10-Day Scotland Itinerary
- Things To See in Belfast, Northern Ireland
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