If you’re feeling lazy, hop on the City Sightseeing bus for fantastic views of the civic centre, Cardiff Castle and the Bay. Tours cost £7 and depart every 20-60 minutes daily, April–October. Book on the website www.city-sightseeing.com.
When it’s not hosting rugby or football matches, the Millennium Stadium (www. milleniumstadium.com) is often used for gigs. For £5 you can take a tour of the stadium, run down the players’ tunnel, experience the exhilaration of receiving a trophy and view the spectacular views from the highest tier. Call 2082 2228.
For history, science and art, the National Museum and Galleries have it all, including incredible sculptures, paintings and ceramics from all over the world, and natural history (Tel: 2039 7951, www.nmgw.ac.uk). Or visit the Museum of Welsh Life at St Fagans, an open air museum featuring 30 reconstructed historical Welsh buildings and voted one of the best museums in Europe (Tel: 2057 3500).
The part-roman, part-Norman history of Cardiff Castle is an incredible landmark that spans 2,000 years. Inside the castle walls, is the keep which was built following the Norman Conquest and has great views of the city. Entry to the grounds is £3; or take a full guided tour for (Tel: 2050 0200, www.cardiffcastle.com). The castle is open 9.30am–6pm March to October and 9.30am–5pm November to February. Behind the Castle you can take a relaxing stroll along the Taff River, in Bute Park, or wander across to Cathays Park where there’s an ice-skating rink in winter. In summer, hire a boat and circle the beautiful lake at Roath Park.
If you want to chill, take a cruise in Cardiff Bay and enjoy the picturesque scenery. Cruises cost £6; if you’d like to dine at the same time, take the restaurant boat (Tel: 2047 2004, www. cardiffbaycruises.com).
Excursions
When it comes to day trips, Cardiff has a lot to offer. A good place to start planning your stay is at www.visitcardiff.info). There are two tourist information centres: Cardiff Visitor Centre in the Hayes (Tel: 2022 7281) or if you’re in the Bay, visit the Cardiff Bay Visitor Centre, otherwise known as ‘The Tube’ for its award winning tubular design (Tel: 2046 3833).
Take a trip to the enchanting Castell Coch. The eccentric William Burges, designed this extravagant medieval looking castle—with its conical towers and woodland setting, it’s right out of a fairytale (open daily, £3; Tel: 2081 0101 or visit www.cadw.wales.gov.uk.
If you fancy some fresh sea-breeze, head to the Gower. Just west of Swansea, the Gower offers white-sands, often deserted beaches, and spectacular cliff walks, and is one of Wales’ untrammelled beauty spots.
The ‘Big Pit’ is the National Mining Museum of Wales in Blaenafon, about an hour’s drive from Cardiff. Take a multi-media tour of a modern coal mine and experience life as it was for Welsh coalminers. The Pit is open daily, mid February–30 November, 9.30am–5pm (Tel: 01495 790 311 www.nmgw.ac.uk/bigpit).