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Things to do in Cardiff

Our most recommended things to do in Cardiff

From Barry Island: Gavin and Stacey Tour

1. From Barry Island: Gavin and Stacey Tour

Discover the locations of the Gavin and Stacey TV show by mini-coach. Then visit the home of Stacey, the arcade where Nessa works, and the church where Nessa nearly gets married to Dave. You’ll have opportunities to stop, take pictures, and see the locations up close. The tour will end at the Barry Island seafront. As tour a guest, you will have an exclusive opportunity to go inside the home of Stacey and Gwen. It’s also a great way to see Barry Island and its surrounding areas as your guide shows you the sites from the hugely popular TV show.

From Cardiff: Wye Valley and Brecon Beacons Full-Day Trip

2. From Cardiff: Wye Valley and Brecon Beacons Full-Day Trip

Discover the highlights of South East Wales on this full-day trip from Cardiff. See sights such as the ancient Roman remains of Caerleon and Caerwent, the ruins of the Abbey of Tintern, and the Brecon Beacons National Park. Meet your guide in Central Cardiff and set out to your first stop, Caerleon Roman town. See the remains of the Roman amphitheatre and baths, and the legionary barracks. Follow the Wye Gorge towards Tintern and stop to visit Tintern Abbey, a sight made famous by painter JWM Turner. Continue up through the gorge and the spectacular Forest of Dean to Monmouth and Rockfield. Next, enter the Brecon Beacons National Park in the beautiful Black Mountains, with the ruins of Llanthony and the hidden church of St.Issu. Take in the breathtaking views of Pen y Fan and Corn Ddu, check your reflection in the reservoirs of Talybont and Pontsticill. In Merthyr Tydfil, cradle of the Welsh industrial revolution, discover the beginnings of train travel, following the river Taff for our return to Cardiff in the evening.

Cardiff: 24-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

3. Cardiff: 24-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

Cardiff is the youngest and fastest growing capital city in Europe. Cardiff is home to the famous Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Castle which is one of Wales’ leading heritage attractions, the magnificent Cardiff Civic Centre which includes The National Museum of Wales and the beautiful tranquil Alexandra Gardens. Hop-off at Cardiff Bay and see this fantastic new development and the Cardiff Barrage. Visit the Millennium Centre, one of the world’s iconic arts and cultural destinations, Mermaid Quay a major waterfront development for a wide range of eating and drinking places and Techniquest, the hands on Science Exhibition Center for all ages. Cardiff is known for it's shopping with a vast array of popular high street stores with three indoor shopping centers, surrounded by many independent stores in and around the city. It is also well known for its prestigious Victorian & Edwardian Arcades which houses a mix of designer boutiques, cafes, arts and crafts shops, specialist food shops, and music shops – to name but a few. See the past, present and future of Cardiff with a live tour guide. Your Tour Itinerary Stop 1 - Kingsway Cardiff Stop 2 - Principality Stadium Stop 3 - St Mary's Street Stop 4 - Herbert Street Stop 5 - Norwegian Church Stop 6 - Cardiff Bay Stop 7 - Mermaid Quay Stop 8 - Techniquest Stop 9 - Craft in the Bay Stop 10 - Lloyd George Avenue Stop 11 - John Lewis/Bute Street Stop 12 - Queen Street Station Stop 13 - National Museum of Wales

Cardiff: Tootbus Cardiff Discovery Hop-on Hop-off Tour

4. Cardiff: Tootbus Cardiff Discovery Hop-on Hop-off Tour

Explore all the famous landmarks and attractions in and around the capital city of Wales by hopping on and off our bus tour, which stops at 14 different locations. You can visit Cardiff Castle, Bute Park, Principality Stadium, Norwegian Church, National Museum of Wales, Cardiff's Civic Centre, and many more exciting places. Cardiff Bay is a particularly noteworthy area to explore, where you can visit the modern Wales Millennium Centre, the Craft in the Bay Gallery, and the Cardiff Barrage. You can also take a break and have a drink at the Mermaid Quay or visit Techniquest, an interactive science discovery centre with a 360° Planetarium that's perfect for families. After exploring Cardiff Bay, you can get back on the bus to head to the city centre, which offers a fantastic shopping experience with a mix of designer brands, high street shops, and independent stores. Cardiff is also considered one of the top ten shopping destinations in Britain! Don't forget to grab a pair of earphones and listen to our informative multi-lingual audio commentary, or be amazed by our knowledgeable and enthusiastic local guides.

Cardiff Day Trip from London

5. Cardiff Day Trip from London

Depart London in the morning, and then travel across the country by bus to visit the historic port city of Cardiff, capital of Wales since 1955. Take a sightseeing tour on arrival with a local guide, to admire the impressive monuments of the city center, where highlights include the new National Assembly building in the regenerated waterfront district of Cardiff Bay. After lunch we’ll continue our tour through the seaside town of Penarth before travelling back into the centre of Cardiff. We will conclude our time in Cardiff with a visit to the fabulous Cardiff Castle, a fortress with a 2000-year history, from a humble Roman Fort to the Romantic Victorian splendour of today. Depart in the early evening for the scenic drive back to London through the Welsh Valleys and get dropped off in central London in the evening. 

From Cardiff: Mumbles and Gower Peninsular Tour

6. From Cardiff: Mumbles and Gower Peninsular Tour

Start by meeting your guide at the central train station in Cardiff. Hop on an air-conditioned minivan and travel along the southern coastline of South Wales, passing the cities of Port Talbot and Swansea. Explore the charming area of Mumbles and stroll along the "Mumbles Mile" to see the wonderful pier and offshore lighthouse. Take some time to explore the boardwalk and grab an ice cream as you enjoy the pleasant surroundings of this quaint location. Next, explore the Gower Peninsular in all of its natural glory with a hike from Langland Bay along the coastal path to Caswell Bay. Enjoy the beautiful scenery throughout with plenty of fantastic photo stops. Return to Cardiff in the evening after a full day of exploring. Finally, visit Worms Head and the majestic sweep of Rhossili Bay, which is regularly voted in the top ten beaches.

Cardiff Welcome Tour: Private Tour with a Local

7. Cardiff Welcome Tour: Private Tour with a Local

Explore the city with a friendly local who is passionate about his/her city and eager to share all the tips and tricks that will help you make the most of your trip. Meet where you're staying to get familiar with the neighbourhood, find out about the best places to eat and buy groceries, the easiest ways to get around, and the hidden gems you might have missed. By the end of the tour, you'll feel more comfortable in navigating the city and confident that you have all the information you need to make the most of your stay. Once the supplier receives your booking, they’ll get in touch with you to confirm all the details for the tour: meeting place and time, language and your contact information, and also ask you some questions to get to know you better. They hand-pick the right local for you based on your interests. Each tour is completely customized so you can choose the meeting location, start time and length that you prefer (minimum: 2 hours).  During the walking tour you will have the option of taking public transportation or taxi to get around the city (at your expense). The guides are locals who are passionate about their city and love to meet travellers and share what they love about their city.  They are not professional tour guides and do these tours occasionally, which provides an authentic and personal experience that is like having a friend show you around their home city.  Through conversations with your Lokafyer, you’ll learn what it’s like to live in Cardiff learn about cultural differences, local events and politics and also get to know each other on a personal level. With this experience, you won’t be just passing through the city`, you’ll be part of it.

Wales and the South West: 5-Day Small Group Tour

8. Wales and the South West: 5-Day Small Group Tour

Day 1: Leave London and travel west to the rolling hills of the Cotswolds through England’s prettiest historic villages. Get the best photos and hear the most fascinating local tales. Travel through the Welsh Marches marked out by the ancient Offa’s Dyke. Head into the heart of the Cambrian Mountains and beautiful Elan Valley. Finally, head to the beautiful seaside town and cultural center of Aberystwyth, where you spend the next two nights. Day 2: Travel to the mountainous region of Snowdonia National Park. Visit the mountain village of Beddgelert to see the famous grave of Gelert, the legendary dog, or explore the nearby copper mine. Next, head to the town of Machynlleth to see the ancient clock tower and the quaint houses, and go antique hunting. Move on to Porthmadog and over the Cob causeway before reaching the impenetrable medieval Harlech Castle. After a fulfilling day, return to Aberystwyth in the late afternoon. Day 3: Travel around the coast of Cardigan Bay through Aberaeron to New Quay. Explore the picturesque harbor and get the chance to spot dolphins and whales. Head into the foreboding Black Mountains to explore a bedrock cave under a castle, before you visit Laugharne, where Dylan Thomas wrote the famous play Under Milk Wood. Move on to Tenby, a charming seaside town and your base for two nights. Day 4: See some of Britain’s most gorgeous coastlines at the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Travel to the tiny cathedral city of St Davids for lunch and exploration, and stop in the county town of Pembroke to enter the thick medieval walls of the castle. From here, return to Tenby for a relaxed evening. Day 5: Leaving Tenby in the morning, begin your return journey to London. Head past the industrial cities of South Wales to the outskirts of Cardiff, and visit the outdoor National History Museum. Take the Severn Bridge back into England, and take a break at Castle Combe, a Cotswold village perfect for a relaxed stroll amongst 16th-century ironstone cottages.

From Cardiff: Tour of Cardiff Bay and Vale of Glamorgan

9. From Cardiff: Tour of Cardiff Bay and Vale of Glamorgan

Start your guided tour in Cardiff city center. Begin with Cardiff's origins as a Roman garrison, traveling through time to the medieval period and the city's expansion as a global distribution center for coal. Visit Cardiff Bay and the Victorian seaside town of Penarth. Drive through the Vale of Glamorgan and discover ancient burial chambers and hidden villages. Follow the Heritage Coast and don't miss the chance to hunt for fossils, or maybe take a dip in the sea. The tour finishes where it began in Cardiff.

Cardiff: Doctor Who Walking Tour

10. Cardiff: Doctor Who Walking Tour

Cardiff has been the home of Doctor Who since the show returned in 2005 and on this fully guided walking tour you will get to see where over 30 memorable scenes from more than 20 episodes have taken place. This is then followed by a walking tour around Cardiff city center and includes the scene of Danny Pinks death from Series 8, a visit to the National Museum of Wales which has hosted many scenes from the show, the site of Donna Nobles ill fated wedding, Rose Tyler’s workplace and much more. Your guide will show you how terrestrial and intergalactic scenes were filmed on location in Cardiff and give you the chance to follow in the footsteps of four of the Doctors’ and their assistants. Please note that due to the nature of the locations visited this tour is not wheelchair or pram friendly.

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What people are saying about Cardiff

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 877 reviews

Gillian, a lovely local lady, picked me up at my hotel on time. We strolled through the city. She showed me many gems I would have not discovered on my own. Gillian has a broad knowledge on Welsh culture, history and cuisine. Gillian also added some extra-time as she wanted to show me everything I was interested in. She also gave me amazing recommendations for other activities and restaurants. I would absolutely book with Gillian again. Thank you and until next time! Cheers, Thomas

Had the best experience on the Gavin and Stacy tour! The tour guide was fantastic! Lots of fun! Would recommend to any fans of the show! The best part was walking round Stacey’s house, absolutely amazing! Couldn’t be happier!

Great tour despite the bleak Welsh weather! Christo ,our driver come guide, was full of stories and anecdotes and made the trip even better! Really enjoyed ourselves on this tour!!

Riki was a genuine, knowledgeable and helpful guide with a great local knowledge and pride. We had a wonderful day.

The tour guard was very funny and entertaining and also the driver aka Dave.