Have you ever considered planning a trip to Cardiff? The Welsh capital had been on my list for a few years, so I was really excited to be spending 2 days in Cardiff in the off season when the streets are a little less busy. Despite it being one of the smallest and newest capital cities in Europe, Cardiff has a rich history that’s evident as you walk along its cobbled streets and dive into the famous Victorian and Edwardian arcades around the city centre.
Cardiff’s history dates back over 6000 years. Archaeological evidence from the Neolithic period and the Roman period can be found both within the city centre and just outside of it. It’s also a city with deep ties to the coal industry which is interesting to learn about. If this is your first time visiting the city, 2 days in Cardiff is enough to see all of the main attractions in the city centre and explore the very popular Cardiff Bay area too.
It’s also worth noting that there are plenty of popular castles in Wales that are within driving distance too. Here’s how we spent 2 days in Cardiff to help you plan your trip to the Welsh capital.
Best places to visit in Cardiff
Whether you’re spending a weekend in Cardiff or are planning on visiting mid-week like we did, you’ll find that there are plenty of things to do in Cardiff. Many of the best places to visit in Cardiff are within walking distance from one another which is a bonus. Even if you plan to visit Cardiff in one day, you’ll be able to see quite a lot of attractions in only a few hours.
Cardiff Castle
The first thing you should do during your 2 days in Cardiff is to visit Cardiff Castle. It’s one of the most famous castles in Wales, and was once a Roman fort before becoming a Norman stronghold. Much of the castle you see today is from the Victorian period when it was turned into a palace that reflected a medieval “dream world”. The keep itself sitting at the top of the mound is of medieval origins though. This is one of the main places of interest in Cardiff so it’s definitely worth visiting at any time of the year.
If you’re planning to visit Cardiff on a budget, visiting the interior of the castle might be something to leave off of your itinerary. Entry to Cardiff Castle costs around £14.50 and additional tour prices run at £4.00 each. However, if you’re on the hunt for free places to visit in Cardiff then you’re in luck because the public square next to the gift shop has no entry fee. You can get a great photo of the Norman tower from here without paying a thing.
National Museum of Cardiff
While I was doing research for our 2 days in Cardiff, I was amazed at how many free things there are to do here. The National Museum of Cardiff is one of the most unique museums in the United Kingdom, and entry is completely free. It’s located only a 10 minute walk from Cardiff Castle and has a wide range of exhibitions on various floors to look at. Visiting this museum is considered to be one of the best rainy day activities in Cardiff too.
Bute Park
Located directly behind Cardiff Castle is one of the city’s most popular parks – Bute Park. This large open space is known as the green heart of the city, and is only a short walk from the city centre’s main shopping streets. There are a few points of interest to see within the park itself, such as Blackfriars Friary which was demolished in the 16th century. The park is also a nice area to take a casual stroll around if you have some free time during your 2 days in Cardiff.
Cardiff Central Market
Cardiff’s city centre is full of beautiful Victorian and Edwardian structures, and this includes the Cardiff Central Market. The market itself has been in existence since the 1700s, and has stood on its current site for over 100 years. Its unique glass roof is one of the most noticeable original features still standing today, and the stalls sell everything from fresh produce to kitchen utensils.
Historic Arcades
Did you know that Cardiff is known as the City of Arcades? That’s because it’s home to 7 Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades spread out around the city centre. Each one has its own unique selection of shops and eateries.
One of the largest and most popular is Castle Arcade, with an entrance located across the road from Cardiff Castle. Apart from the shops inside this arcade, you can get a birds eye view of it by heading upstairs to one of the balconies, which is an unusual thing to do in Cardiff that you shouldn’t miss.
Spiller’s Records
Located in the heart of the Morgan Arcade is the world’s oldest record shop – Spiller’s Records. It was established in 1894 in Queens Arcade and it was recently moved to its current location so it could keep its doors open. The shop is small but they have a lot of records to choose from as well as merchandise with Spiller’s Records on them. It’s an interesting shop to say that you’ve visited and it needs to be added to your 2 days in Cardiff itinerary.
Rummer Tavern
Looking for things to do near Cardiff Castle during your 2 days in Cardiff? Why not check out the oldest public house in Cardiff and grab a drink? The Rummer Tavern is a traditional pub with a Tudor-style exterior, but the building itself only dates back to the early 18th century. This is a very well known landmark in Cardiff. It really can’t be missed if you’re making your way to the castle as it stands out among the modern shops.
Cardiff Bay
No 2 days in Cardiff, or day trip for that matter, is complete without taking in the views of the waterfront and exploring the points of interest at Cardiff Bay. It’s the largest waterfront development in Europe and offers some great indoor things to do in Cardiff as well.
The main attractions here that are worth seeing include the Wales Millenium Centre, the Norwegian Church, the Roald Dahl Plass, the Pierhead, and the Senedd (the Welsh Parliament). There are plenty of Cardiff Bay attractions to discover and the waterfront is very pleasant to walk along.
NQ64 Arcade Bar
If you’re looking for unique things to do in Cardiff then you need to check out NQ64 Arcade Bar. The bar is decorated in splattered neon paint and features a number of retro arcade games as well as classic consoles, so be prepared for hours of fun. Their cocktails are character themed, but you don’t need to drink to enjoy yourself. Tokens are available to buy for everyone regardless of if you’re drinking or not. Add this arcade to your 2 days in Cardiff itinerary if have a free evening!
Where to eat in Cardiff
The Welsh capital may be small, but there are some fantastic places to eat during your 2 days in Cardiff that range from traditional eateries to modern restaurants. We were based in the city centre, so we mostly stayed in this part of Cardiff. But we did manage to head a bit further afield to check out one of the most popular restaurants in Cardiff too.
Tuk Tuk
A short 20 minute walk from the city centre will bring you to Tuk Tuk, located along Crwys Road. This unique restaurant in Cardiff serves authentic Thai food with a modern twist inside a cozy space. It’s a very popular place to eat in Cardiff, so I would recommend booking a table ahead of time. There are a lot of tasty options on the menu, with Pad Thai and the Thai Cashew Chicken being big hits with customers. The chicken satay skewers and vegetarian spring rolls are both nice options for starters that will get your tastebuds flowing.
Their desserts are Thai-inspired so I would suggest ordering at least one to share. Either the banana spring rolls or the mango cheesecake are sure to leave you with a happy stomach! Tuk Tuk is definitely worth the walk to get to, and I guarantee this will be one of the best places you’ll eat during your 2 days in Cardiff.
The Alchemist
The Alchemist is one of my favourite restaurants in the UK. Whenever I visit a new city that has one I have to go. This bar and restaurant is famous for its science-based and eye-catching cocktails, but it also has a great food menu that changes regularly and is Asian-inspired. For lunch I went with a lighter rice dish, but their wraps and burgers are equally worth ordering if you’re feeling a little hungrier. You can always just pop in for cocktails too.
The Grazing Shed
Fancy trying the best burgers in Wales while you’re spending 2 days in Cardiff? Well, luckily Cardiff is home to The Grazing Shed which has been voted the top burger joint in the country. They offer a self-service ordering system so it couldn’t be easier to get your meal in a quick and timely fashion. All of their burgers, sauces, and buns are made with the finest and freshest ingredients available, with no preservatives added whatsoever. The burgers are freshly made so you’ll have the best dining experience too, with beef, chicken, vegetarian, and vegan options on the menu.
You’ll be spoiled for choice here, so don’t feel bad if it takes you a little longer than normal to choose the right burger for you. The John Wayne is one of their most popular burgers, and on the chicken side you can’t go wrong with the Chicka Wah Wah which comes served with an apple chutney. If you’re feeling really hungry, you can upgrade your fries to dirty fries to complete your very messy but delicious meal.
Where to stay in Cardiff’s city centre
Hotel Indigo Cardiff
For those of you spending 2 days in Cardiff or more, there’s only one place to stay – Hotel Indigo Cardiff. This beautiful hotel is located within the Dominions Arcade with an interior that reflects the Welsh heritage of the city. There are three different themes within the boutique rooms themselves, with lots of local photographs and natural furnishings in them.
Our double room was themed around “Welsh Industry” with a nod to the coal industry that the city has a deep rooted history in. It included a large double bed, TV, a stocked mini-fridge, robes and slippers, and a very nicely finished tiled bathroom. The room was spotless and we couldn’t fault it so we had a great two nights at Hotel Indigo Cardiff.
The hotel is located a 5 minute walk from Cardiff Castle, along one of the main shopping streets in Cardiff, so it’s in the best position possible to explore the city from. It boasts a fitness suite, seating area, and a popular cafe next to the lobby. If you’re lucky enough to check in when there are fresh Welsh cakes available make sure you grab one before they’re gone.
Breakfast is served on the 6th floor and is a mixture of a continental buffet and a set hot menu with a nice variety of choices. If you have dietary requirements, the staff will be more than happy to accommodate you as well.
Overall, we found Hotel Indigo Cardiff to be the perfect hotel to base ourselves from during our 2 days in Cardiff. It was the perfect blend of traditional Welsh charm and modernity right in the heart of the city centre.
>> Start looking for the perfect room at Hotel Indigo Cardiff now <<
Rural retreat 90 minutes from Cardiff
The Cottage in the Wood
Before spending 2 days in Cardiff, we broke up our journey by staying in Malvern at The Cottage in the Wood. The area is known for its natural beauty and is less than a 90 minute drive from Cardiff. The hotel is home to a very popular restaurant too, called the 1919 Restaurant and Bar.
This restaurant is always booked up so make sure you plan in advance if you can! We stayed in the Coach House which is set apart from the main building with incredible views of the countryside from most of the rooms.
Our spacious double bedroom was very cozy, with an enormous and comfortable bed, a vintage record player, a mini fridge with water and milk inside, a TV, and a seating area in front of the window where we could enjoy the views from.
The bathroom was equally as spacious with a nice walk-in shower and a beautiful Victorian bath that you should make the most of during your relaxing stay. We were so comfortable here that we didn’t want to leave in the morning.
Rather than looking for nearby dining options, your best bet is to dine at the 1919 Restaurant and Bar, which has been awarded 2 Rosettes for its stunning food. There are two options here: a three course dining menu or a tasting menu. We opted for the tasting menu so we could sample a variety of different dishes and it really didn’t disappoint! Every dish was different from the other and was centred around local and seasonal produce. The menus change regularly so there’s always something new around the corner.
The restaurant is also where you’ll go for breakfast in the morning. All bookings include breakfast, and there are plenty of hot food choices on the menu, as well as cereal and fruit bowls to start off with. We had an incredible 1 night stay at The Cottage in the Wood and it was the perfect hotel to recharge our batteries at before spending 2 days Cardiff.
>> Don’t forget to book your stay at The Cottage in the Wood <<
Is Cardiff worth visiting?
Cardiff is one of the most visited cities in the UK. It has a lot going for it including historical attractions, a vibrant nightlife, plenty of shops, and some delicious places to eat. If you’re only spending 2 days in Cardiff then you’ll be pleased to know that there are a lot of free things to do in Cardiff’s city centre which is great for the wallet.
And if you have spare time or are spending 72 hours in Cardiff or more, it’s worth adding St Fagans National Museum of History to your itinerary. You can also plan a half-day trip to Caerphilly Castle which is the largest castle in Wales and the second largest in the UK, behind Windsor Castle.
Hopefully you’ve read enough to entice you to visit the Welsh capital, because it really is a unique city to explore. Having only been around Northern Wales before, it was a nice experience to visit another part of the country. If you have any questions about spending 2 days in Cardiff, please leave a comment below or get in touch via email. You can also follow my travels on Instagram.
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