Itineraries for Your Trip to Cardiff
3 Days in Cardiff for First Timers
Every summer, winter, and in-between holiday of my childhood was spent in South Wales, my fatherland. I spent much of that time running around on the bracing beaches, but it was always exciting to spend time in Cardiff, usually for a rugby game. While my dad and brother donned their red jerseys and practiced the Welsh national anthem (Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau) and disappeared into the Cardiff Arms Park, my mum, sister, and I would visit the castle, museums, and shops of the capital.
With three days in the Welsh capital, you can also enjoy its highlights according to your preferences, whether that’s the rugby, more genteel pursuits, or exploring the nearby national parks.
If you only have time for one thing, make it Cardiff Castle, where a medieval fortress and Victorian mansion meet.
The best time to visit is in Cardiff’s mild summer, which is generally dry, but bring a sweater and rain gear.
Orient yourself in Cardiff with a walking tour or hop-on hop-off bus tour. See the architectural highlights, including the City Hall, National Museum and Art Gallery, Cardiff University, Cardiff Castle, and the Victorian shopping arcades. Take a themed tour if you have specific interests, such as Doctor Who. After, grab lunch in the arcades or bring a picnic to Bute Park and Arboretum beneath the castle if the weather’s good. In the evening, dine by the water at Cardiff Bay and perhaps catch a show or rugby match at the Principality Stadium.
Get out of the city and drive or tour the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park (Brecon Beacons), a hilly region north of Cardiff with fantastic waterfalls. If you’re feeling active, hike up the summit of Pen y Fan. It’s the highest peak in South Wales but easily accessible. Alternatively, head east to the Wye Valley, a beautiful region that spans the Wales–England border and contains the romantically ruined Tintern Abbey (immortalized by English poet William Wordsworth). You might want to stop at 15th-century Raglan Castle, too.
Drive or tour the south coast today, through the city of Swansea and explore picturesque seaside towns such as Tenby, where you can stroll and swim at the sandy beaches, admire the traditional coastal village vibes, and drop in on Pembroke Castle, whether on a guided tour or at your own pace. Alternatively, head out to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. If you’re into adventure sports, try coasteering, invented in Wales. It combines climbing, clambering, and swimming around cliffs and rocks. Regardless of where you spend your final day, be sure to stop in Swansea for dinner on your way back to Cardiff.
