English (UK)
English (US)
Français
Deutsch
Español
Italiano
Nederlands
简体中文
Arts centre
Wales Millennium Centre (Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru)
National arts centre for Wales in Cardiff Bay, on a site of 7.5 acres (3 hectares).
Directions Website Report a problem with Wales Millennium Centre (Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru)
A mini guide to
Cardiff Bay
The redeveloped docklands: the Senedd, the Millennium Centre and a freshwater bay
Photos
1 / 4Welcome to the area
The redeveloped docklands: the Senedd, the Millennium Centre and a freshwater bay
Cardiff Bay is the city's former tidal docklands, which once exported Welsh coal around the world. Since the Cardiff Bay Barrage closed off the rivers Taff and Ely, the bay has been a freshwater lake, and the waterfront has been rebuilt around it.
The Senedd, the Pierhead Building, the Wales Millennium Centre and Roald Dahl Plass stand together on the water, with Mermaid Quay's restaurants beside them. Visit Cardiff says the bay is a short bus or train ride from the centre, or a walk; the waterbus also links the two.
Highlights
Start here
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
Parliament
Senedd
Home of the Senedd (Welsh Parliament), the elected body that makes laws for Wales, on the Cardiff Bay waterfront.
Historic building
Pierhead Building (Adeilad y Pierhead)
Grade I listed building of 1897 in Cardiff Bay, built as the headquarters of the Bute Dock Company.
Directions Report a problem with Pierhead Building (Adeilad y Pierhead)
Science centre
Techniquest
Science discovery centre in Cardiff Bay with hands-on exhibits, a science theatre, a planetarium and a lab.
Arts centre
Norwegian Church Arts Centre
Landmark church building in Cardiff Bay, now an arts centre with views over the waterfront.
Directions Website Report a problem with Norwegian Church Arts Centre
Public square
Roald Dahl Plass
Bowl-shaped public space named after the Cardiff-born author, in front of the Wales Millennium Centre.
Find your way
On the map
The map shows Cardiff Bay and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Insider tips
Before you go
1
Take the boat one way
The waterbus runs between Bute Park and the dock in front of Mermaid Quay and the Pierhead Building. Check the operator for the current timetable.
2
Visit the barrage
The Cardiff Bay Barrage runs between Queen Alexandra Dock and Penarth Head; Cardiff Harbour Authority operates it and posts notices on its site.
3
Visit the Senedd
The Senedd is the home of the Welsh Parliament; check its site for visiting arrangements before you go.
4
Check the Wetlands boardwalk
Cardiff Harbour Authority posts notices when the boardwalk at the Cardiff Bay Wetlands Reserve is closed for work.
Tips from the Britlens editors
Cardiff
More areas to explore
12 sights · 21 places to eat
Cathays Park and Roath
The Edwardian civic centre and National Museum, then student Cathays and leafy Roath Park
Open the mini guide →
12 sights · 22 places to eat
Pontcanna, Canton and Llandaff
Restaurant streets, riverside parkland, a cathedral village and the castles and museum beyond
Open the mini guide →
15 sights · 26 places to eat
City centre and Cardiff Castle
The castle, the national stadium, a Victorian market and the arcades, all within a short walk
Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Cardiff Bay (area photo): GeraintTudur2, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Wales Millennium Centre (Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru): y.naomi from São Paulo, Brazil, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Senedd: User: (WT-shared) Cardiff at wts wikivoyage, Public domain, source
- Pierhead Building (Adeilad y Pierhead): Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK, CC BY 2.0, source
- Techniquest: Tiia Monto, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Norwegian Church Arts Centre: Michael Gwyther-Jones from UK, CC BY 2.0, source
- Roald Dahl Plass: Thomas Davey, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Mermaid Quay: Seth Whales, Public domain, source
- Coal Exchange: Chris Sampson, CC BY 2.0, source
- Cardiff Bay Wetlands Reserve: Cardiff Harbour Authority, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Cardiff International White Water: Jon Caterer, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Cathays Park and Roath: User:Yummifruitbat, cropped by User:Ham, CC BY-SA 2.5, source
- Pontcanna, Canton and Llandaff: Bill Boaden, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- City centre and Cardiff Castle: Tiia Monto, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring Cardiff