Cardiff itinerary: 1 to 7 days
Plans for one to seven days in Cardiff, day by day: the Principality Stadium, Cardiff Castle and National Museum Cardiff first, then Cardiff Bay with the Pierhead Building and the Wales Millennium Centre, and St Fagans, Castell Coch and Roath Park as you add days. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 3 days
Cardiff in 1 day
Day 1
Principality Stadium
Wales's national stadium by the River Taff, with a retractable roof and guided tours on non-event days.
Cardiff Castle
Medieval castle with a Norman shell keep and Victorian Gothic Revival apartments by William Burges, in the city centre.
National Museum Cardiff
Free museum in Cathays Park with natural history, Welsh archaeology and a large collection of Impressionist paintings.
Cardiff in 2 days
Day 1
Principality Stadium
Wales's national stadium by the River Taff, with a retractable roof and guided tours on non-event days.
Cardiff Castle
Medieval castle with a Norman shell keep and Victorian Gothic Revival apartments by William Burges, in the city centre.
National Museum Cardiff
Free museum in Cathays Park with natural history, Welsh archaeology and a large collection of Impressionist paintings.
Day 2
Cardiff Bay Barrage
A barrage across the mouth of Cardiff Bay with a walking and cycling path linking Cardiff Bay to Penarth.
Cardiff Bay
Former docklands transformed into a freshwater bay behind a barrage, with a waterfront of restaurants, arts venues and the Senedd.
Senedd
The home of the Welsh Parliament on Cardiff Bay, a modern building of glass, slate and timber; the public areas are open to visitors.
Cardiff in 3 days
Day 1
Principality Stadium
Wales's national stadium by the River Taff, with a retractable roof and guided tours on non-event days.
Cardiff Castle
Medieval castle with a Norman shell keep and Victorian Gothic Revival apartments by William Burges, in the city centre.
National Museum Cardiff
Free museum in Cathays Park with natural history, Welsh archaeology and a large collection of Impressionist paintings.
Day 2
Cardiff Bay Barrage
A barrage across the mouth of Cardiff Bay with a walking and cycling path linking Cardiff Bay to Penarth.
Cardiff Bay
Former docklands transformed into a freshwater bay behind a barrage, with a waterfront of restaurants, arts venues and the Senedd.
Senedd
The home of the Welsh Parliament on Cardiff Bay, a modern building of glass, slate and timber; the public areas are open to visitors.
Day 3
Pierhead Building
Red-brick terracotta 1897 building of the Bute Dock Company, with a free exhibition on Welsh history and the Senedd.
Roald Dahl Plass
Open oval plaza in front of the Wales Millennium Centre, named after the Cardiff-born author and used for events.
Wales Millennium Centre
Arts centre with a bronze-coloured steel roof and Welsh poetry in large letters, with free foyers and tours.
Cardiff in 4 days
Day 1
Principality Stadium
Wales's national stadium by the River Taff, with a retractable roof and guided tours on non-event days.
Cardiff Castle
Medieval castle with a Norman shell keep and Victorian Gothic Revival apartments by William Burges, in the city centre.
National Museum Cardiff
Free museum in Cathays Park with natural history, Welsh archaeology and a large collection of Impressionist paintings.
Day 2
Cardiff Bay Barrage
A barrage across the mouth of Cardiff Bay with a walking and cycling path linking Cardiff Bay to Penarth.
Cardiff Bay
Former docklands transformed into a freshwater bay behind a barrage, with a waterfront of restaurants, arts venues and the Senedd.
Senedd
The home of the Welsh Parliament on Cardiff Bay, a modern building of glass, slate and timber; the public areas are open to visitors.
Day 3
Norwegian Church, Cardiff
White wooden church built for Norwegian sailors, where Roald Dahl was christened, now an arts centre and cafe.
Roald Dahl Plass
Open oval plaza in front of the Wales Millennium Centre, named after the Cardiff-born author and used for events.
Wales Millennium Centre
Arts centre with a bronze-coloured steel roof and Welsh poetry in large letters, with free foyers and tours.
Mermaid Quay
Waterfront area in Cardiff Bay with restaurants, cafes and shops, and boat trips from the quayside.
Day 4
Coal Exchange
Grand Victorian former coal exchange in Mount Stuart Square, where the first million-pound deal was struck, now a hotel.
Pierhead Building
Red-brick terracotta 1897 building of the Bute Dock Company, with a free exhibition on Welsh history and the Senedd.
Cardiff Market
A Victorian indoor market in the city centre with stalls selling food, Welsh cakes, fresh produce and second-hand goods.
Morgan Arcade
A Victorian shopping arcade in the city centre, home to independent shops including a famous record store.
Castle Arcade
A Victorian shopping arcade near Cardiff Castle, lined with independent shops and cafes.
Cardiff in 5 days
Day 1
Principality Stadium
Wales's national stadium by the River Taff, with a retractable roof and guided tours on non-event days.
Cardiff Castle
Medieval castle with a Norman shell keep and Victorian Gothic Revival apartments by William Burges, in the city centre.
National Museum Cardiff
Free museum in Cathays Park with natural history, Welsh archaeology and a large collection of Impressionist paintings.
Day 2
Cardiff Bay Barrage
A barrage across the mouth of Cardiff Bay with a walking and cycling path linking Cardiff Bay to Penarth.
Cardiff Bay
Former docklands transformed into a freshwater bay behind a barrage, with a waterfront of restaurants, arts venues and the Senedd.
Senedd
The home of the Welsh Parliament on Cardiff Bay, a modern building of glass, slate and timber; the public areas are open to visitors.
Day 3
Norwegian Church, Cardiff
White wooden church built for Norwegian sailors, where Roald Dahl was christened, now an arts centre and cafe.
Roald Dahl Plass
Open oval plaza in front of the Wales Millennium Centre, named after the Cardiff-born author and used for events.
Wales Millennium Centre
Arts centre with a bronze-coloured steel roof and Welsh poetry in large letters, with free foyers and tours.
Mermaid Quay
Waterfront area in Cardiff Bay with restaurants, cafes and shops, and boat trips from the quayside.
Day 4
Coal Exchange
Grand Victorian former coal exchange in Mount Stuart Square, where the first million-pound deal was struck, now a hotel.
Pierhead Building
Red-brick terracotta 1897 building of the Bute Dock Company, with a free exhibition on Welsh history and the Senedd.
Cardiff Market
A Victorian indoor market in the city centre with stalls selling food, Welsh cakes, fresh produce and second-hand goods.
Morgan Arcade
A Victorian shopping arcade in the city centre, home to independent shops including a famous record store.
Castle Arcade
A Victorian shopping arcade near Cardiff Castle, lined with independent shops and cafes.
Day 5
Llandaff Cathedral
A historic cathedral in the old village of Llandaff, with a striking modern Epstein sculpture, Christ in Majesty, over the nave.
Llandaff Fields
Large park between the city and Llandaff, with sports pitches and walks to Llandaff Cathedral and the river.
St Fagans National Museum of History
Free open-air museum of more than 40 historic buildings moved from across Wales, around St Fagans Castle.
Castell Coch
Fairy-tale Gothic Revival castle by William Burges in the woods north of Cardiff, with richly painted rooms; run by Cadw.
Cardiff in 6 days
Day 1
Principality Stadium
Wales's national stadium by the River Taff, with a retractable roof and guided tours on non-event days.
Cardiff Castle
Medieval castle with a Norman shell keep and Victorian Gothic Revival apartments by William Burges, in the city centre.
National Museum Cardiff
Free museum in Cathays Park with natural history, Welsh archaeology and a large collection of Impressionist paintings.
Day 2
Cardiff Bay Barrage
A barrage across the mouth of Cardiff Bay with a walking and cycling path linking Cardiff Bay to Penarth.
Cardiff Bay
Former docklands transformed into a freshwater bay behind a barrage, with a waterfront of restaurants, arts venues and the Senedd.
Senedd
The home of the Welsh Parliament on Cardiff Bay, a modern building of glass, slate and timber; the public areas are open to visitors.
Day 3
Pierhead Building
Red-brick terracotta 1897 building of the Bute Dock Company, with a free exhibition on Welsh history and the Senedd.
Roald Dahl Plass
Open oval plaza in front of the Wales Millennium Centre, named after the Cardiff-born author and used for events.
Wales Millennium Centre
Arts centre with a bronze-coloured steel roof and Welsh poetry in large letters, with free foyers and tours.
Day 4
Coal Exchange
Grand Victorian former coal exchange in Mount Stuart Square, where the first million-pound deal was struck, now a hotel.
Cardiff Market
A Victorian indoor market in the city centre with stalls selling food, Welsh cakes, fresh produce and second-hand goods.
Morgan Arcade
A Victorian shopping arcade in the city centre, home to independent shops including a famous record store.
Castle Arcade
A Victorian shopping arcade near Cardiff Castle, lined with independent shops and cafes.
Day 5
Llandaff Cathedral
A historic cathedral in the old village of Llandaff, with a striking modern Epstein sculpture, Christ in Majesty, over the nave.
Llandaff Fields
Large park between the city and Llandaff, with sports pitches and walks to Llandaff Cathedral and the river.
St Fagans National Museum of History
Free open-air museum of more than 40 historic buildings moved from across Wales, around St Fagans Castle.
Castell Coch
Fairy-tale Gothic Revival castle by William Burges in the woods north of Cardiff, with richly painted rooms; run by Cadw.
Day 6
Norwegian Church, Cardiff
White wooden church built for Norwegian sailors, where Roald Dahl was christened, now an arts centre and cafe.
Mermaid Quay
Waterfront area in Cardiff Bay with restaurants, cafes and shops, and boat trips from the quayside.
Techniquest
Hands-on science centre at Cardiff Bay with interactive exhibits and a planetarium, aimed at families.
Cardiff in 7 days
Day 1
Principality Stadium
Wales's national stadium by the River Taff, with a retractable roof and guided tours on non-event days.
Cardiff Castle
Medieval castle with a Norman shell keep and Victorian Gothic Revival apartments by William Burges, in the city centre.
National Museum Cardiff
Free museum in Cathays Park with natural history, Welsh archaeology and a large collection of Impressionist paintings.
Day 2
Cardiff Bay Barrage
A barrage across the mouth of Cardiff Bay with a walking and cycling path linking Cardiff Bay to Penarth.
Cardiff Bay
Former docklands transformed into a freshwater bay behind a barrage, with a waterfront of restaurants, arts venues and the Senedd.
Senedd
The home of the Welsh Parliament on Cardiff Bay, a modern building of glass, slate and timber; the public areas are open to visitors.
Day 3
Pierhead Building
Red-brick terracotta 1897 building of the Bute Dock Company, with a free exhibition on Welsh history and the Senedd.
Roald Dahl Plass
Open oval plaza in front of the Wales Millennium Centre, named after the Cardiff-born author and used for events.
Wales Millennium Centre
Arts centre with a bronze-coloured steel roof and Welsh poetry in large letters, with free foyers and tours.
Day 4
Coal Exchange
Grand Victorian former coal exchange in Mount Stuart Square, where the first million-pound deal was struck, now a hotel.
Cardiff Market
A Victorian indoor market in the city centre with stalls selling food, Welsh cakes, fresh produce and second-hand goods.
Morgan Arcade
A Victorian shopping arcade in the city centre, home to independent shops including a famous record store.
Castle Arcade
A Victorian shopping arcade near Cardiff Castle, lined with independent shops and cafes.
Day 5
Llandaff Cathedral
A historic cathedral in the old village of Llandaff, with a striking modern Epstein sculpture, Christ in Majesty, over the nave.
Llandaff Fields
Large park between the city and Llandaff, with sports pitches and walks to Llandaff Cathedral and the river.
St Fagans National Museum of History
Free open-air museum of more than 40 historic buildings moved from across Wales, around St Fagans Castle.
Castell Coch
Fairy-tale Gothic Revival castle by William Burges in the woods north of Cardiff, with richly painted rooms; run by Cadw.
Day 6
Norwegian Church, Cardiff
White wooden church built for Norwegian sailors, where Roald Dahl was christened, now an arts centre and cafe.
Mermaid Quay
Waterfront area in Cardiff Bay with restaurants, cafes and shops, and boat trips from the quayside.
Techniquest
Hands-on science centre at Cardiff Bay with interactive exhibits and a planetarium, aimed at families.
Day 7
Cardiff Bay Wetlands Reserve
Small freshwater wetland reserve by the bay with boardwalks, reed beds and birds, next to the St David's Hotel.
Roath Park
Victorian park with a large boating lake, a lighthouse memorial to Captain Scott, rose gardens and a conservatory.
Watch: Cardiff in 3 days
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
When to go to Cardiff
May to September has the mildest weather and longest days for Cardiff Bay and the castle, though rain is possible all year. Hotel prices jump on Six Nations rugby weekends in February and March and for big concerts at the Principality Stadium. Winter is cool and wet, with a Christmas market in the city centre in December.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Cardiff on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Cardiff on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Cardiff on GetYourGuide
- From the airport: a private transfer in Cardiff with Kiwitaxi
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for United Kingdom from Airalo
- Last day: leave your bags in Cardiff with Radical Storage and keep sightseeing
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Cardiff
- Cardiff Castle tickets include the Norman keep and wartime shelters; the guided house tour of the lavish Victorian rooms is extra and worth booking.
- National Museum Cardiff and St Fagans National Museum of History are free; allow at least half a day for the open-air museum at St Fagans.
- Principality Stadium tours do not run on event days; check the calendar before booking, especially around rugby internationals.
- Cardiff Bay is about 2 km south of the centre; trains run from Queen Street to Cardiff Bay station, or walk along Lloyd George Avenue.
- Castell Coch is on the northern edge of the city at Tongwynlais, reached by bus, car or a ride along the Taff Trail.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Cardiff Bay: Richard Szwejkowski, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Cardiff Bay Barrage: Amanda Marshall, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Cardiff Bay Wetlands Reserve: Cardiff Harbour Authority, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Cardiff Castle: Clint Budd, CC BY 2.0
- Cardiff Market: Dominic Nelson, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Castell Coch: DeFacto, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Castle Arcade: Caleteron, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Coal Exchange: National Assembly for Wales from Wales, CC BY 2.0
- Llandaff Cathedral: Bill Boaden, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Llandaff Fields: Welsh leprechaun, Public domain
- Mermaid Quay: Seth Whales, Public domain
- Morgan Arcade: Seth Whales, Public domain
- National Museum Cardiff: Ham II, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Norwegian Church, Cardiff: Nick Russill from Cardiff, UK, CC BY 2.0
- Pierhead Building: Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK, CC BY 2.0
- Principality Stadium: Clint Budd from About 15 miles North of Swansea, Wales, CC BY 2.0
- Roald Dahl Plass: Gareth James, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Roath Park: Rob Burke, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Senedd: Senedd Cymru / Welsh Parliament, CC BY 4.0
- St Fagans National Museum of History: Richardjo53 from Newport, Wales, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Techniquest: Dan Ketteringham, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Wales Millennium Centre: DaHuzyBru, CC BY-SA 4.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
