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A mini guide to
City centre and Cardiff Castle: tips and FAQs
Local know-how and common questions
Local know-how
Tips for visiting
Walk rather than ride
Visit Cardiff says the centre is flat and largely pedestrianised, and that many sights are within about 15 minutes' walk of each other.
Plan around match days
The Principality Stadium is in the city centre, so streets, trains and hotels get busy on big match and concert days; check the stadium's events page before you book.
Explore the arcades
Visit Cardiff counts seven arcades in the centre, with over 100 shops, cafés, bars and restaurants under glass roofs.
Check the castle site first
Cardiff Castle's site has tickets and visitor information; the Wartime Shelters and the Firing Line museum are within the castle grounds.
Use the free museum
The Museum of Cardiff on The Hayes is free to enter, according to Visit Cardiff.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Where is City centre and Cardiff Castle?
City centre and Cardiff Castle is in Cardiff, Wales. The castle, the national stadium, a Victorian market and the arcades, all within a short walk. Nearby stops and stations include Cardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street, Waterbus stop, Bute Park.
How long do I need in City centre and Cardiff Castle?
A full day, including a castle visit. Allow longer if you plan to eat out or visit several attractions.
What are the highlights?
Highlights include Cardiff Castle (Castell Caerdydd), Principality Stadium (Stadiwm Principality), Cardiff Market (Marchnad Caerdydd). See the Things to do page for more.
How do I get there?
Nearby: Cardiff Central (Transport for Wales, GWR, CrossCountry); Cardiff Queen Street (Transport for Wales); Waterbus stop, Bute Park (Cardiff boat tours); Cardiff Bus (Cardiff Bus). The Getting there page links to the official timetables and journey planners.
Where can I eat and drink?
We list 26 places to eat and drink in and around City centre and Cardiff Castle, with filters to help you choose.
Where should I stay?
We list 9 hotels and other places to stay nearby. Check availability and prices with each property.
Is City centre and Cardiff Castle accessible?
Accessibility varies by street, building and venue. Check each attraction or operator’s access information before you travel.
While you are here
Things to see in City centre and Cardiff Castle
A few of the sights in the area. The Things to do page lists them all, with directions and official links.
Morgan Arcade
Victorian arcade opened in 1899 to link David Morgan's store on St Mary Street with The Hayes; home of Spillers Records.
Spillers Records
Record shop founded in 1894 and described as the oldest in the world, now in the Morgan Arcade.
Cardiff Arms Park
Rugby ground beside the Principality Stadium, home of Cardiff Rugby, and host of the 1958 Empire and Commonwealth Games.
Cardiff
More areas to explore
Cardiff Bay
The redeveloped docklands: the Senedd, the Millennium Centre and a freshwater bay
Open the mini guide →
Cathays Park and Roath
The Edwardian civic centre and National Museum, then student Cathays and leafy Roath Park
Open the mini guide →
Pontcanna, Canton and Llandaff
Restaurant streets, riverside parkland, a cathedral village and the castles and museum beyond
Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Cardiff Market (Marchnad Caerdydd): Tiia Monto, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Morgan Arcade: No Swan So Fine, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Spillers Records: Heikki Immonen, CC BY 3.0, source
- Cardiff Arms Park: Seth Whales, Public domain, source
- Cardiff Bay: GeraintTudur2, 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
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring Cardiff