Cardiff is one of the most culturally and historically relevant cities in Wales. As the Capital, it holds a ton of sightseeing places and tourist attractions. There are several shops, boutiques, restaurants, pubs, and historic arcades within the city. You can walk through the vaulted shopping lanes in Cardiff and find amazing stuff, ranging from Welsh snacks to Harry Potter memorabilia.
The neighborhoods in Cardiff are well maintained and lined with trees. The University Hospital of Wales is one of the most important hospitals in the Heath Park area and is one of the main campuses of the University of Wales. The University buildings, scattered throughout the city, are beautiful and located not too far from the city center. There are a lot of hotels near the University of Wales, making it easy to commute within the city.
Places to visit
Cardiff may be a small city but there are several attractions to visit.
A green oasis or Cardiff’s north, the Heath Park is a good place to head to for a walk or a jog.
The Roath Park near the University Hospital of Wales is a beautiful tourist attraction with a glass conservatory and a large playground.
One of the most historically significant parks in the city, Bute Park is a must-visit attraction in Cardiff. With manicured lawns and huge trees, Bute park is also home to the Animal Wall and the Gorsedd Stone Circle.
Cardiff Castle is one of the only standing castles in Wales today. You can learn about the tumultuous history of Wales and the Cardiff area within the castle grounds.
Castle Quarter makes up the most tourist-friendly part of the city, with buildings of Cardiff University, Cardiff Crown Court, the National Museum of Cardiff, and the City Hall.
You can enjoy an evening of boating and water rides at the Mermaid Quay. This area hosts a lot of restaurants and charming boutiques. Chic and contemporary, the quay has been a backdrop for many shows like Doctor Who and Torchwood.
Originally the site of the Cardiff Gaol, the Cardiff Market is a great place to go to pick up some souvenirs and snacks.
How to reach
Located very close to the English cities of Bristol and Bath, Cardiff is very easy to reach via railways. You can take a train to the Cardiff Central Railway Station from major cities like Swansea, Bristol, London, Bath, and Manchester. Cardiff Airport also offers domestic and international flights. A cheap option would be to take the National Express Coaches that run to the city all day long.
Transport within Cardiff City is cheap and convenient. You can use the local buses as well as taxi services to get around.
What to Eat
When in Cardiff, taste the Glamorgan sausages and Beef and Ale pie at the historic Owain Glyndwr pub. You can also pick up Welsh cakes at the Cardiff Market. Try the Welsh Rarebit, Cawl, and Laverbread at Madame Fromage in Cardiff Arcade.
Best accommodation around Bute Park
There are some excellent OYO hotels in and around the Cardiff Area. You can find wonderful properties a stone’s throw away from the numerous sightseeing locations, natural beauty, and historic monuments. The OYO hotels in the area also offer several exciting amenities like free wifi, Hairdryers, coffee and tea makers, CCTV cameras for security, and card payment options, making your stay worthwhile.