Travel to Cardiff

Travel to Cardiff

Cardiff doesnt have the ancient ruins and glorious history of many of its neighbouring European cities. It does, however, have a reputation as being a laid back city with great parties, attracting people from all over the UK for a good night out. In addition, Cardiff has a nice beach, lots of outdoor activities and plenty of things to do for families and children.

Transportation to Cardiff

You can fly into Cardiff International Airport from almost anywhere in the UK and Europe. There are trains from the airport to the city which also connect Cardiff with London and other destinations in Britain. Getting around by bus or car is also easy.

What to see

Cardiff Castle is one of the citys oldest buildings, with 2000 years of history behind it. The elaborate carvings that adorn the exterior are fascinating but most visitorsprefer to seethe furniture and decorations inside. The elegance and class of the interior effectively recreates the 12th century Norman times in which it was built.

The domed roof of Cardiff City Hall is one of the citys most distinctive landmarks. Inside, inthe marble halls, regular exhibitions and cultural events are held. Theseare well worth checking out. The Gothic arches of the Llandaff Cathedral are also impressive, and the quiet church still holds regular services. Just outside Cardiff is another notable building, the fairytale-likebuidling of Castell Coch.

For those looking to escape the city centre, Cardiff Bay is a real hotspot. Some of the citys best restaurants, cafs, bars and bistros are located on the waterfront, affording spectacular viewsand with the opportunityof an afternoon boat ride. Nearby is the Atlantic Wharf Leisure Village with plenty of attractions for children including a bowling alley, cinema and some great eateries. There are miles of walking paths nearby along the waterfront and through Britannia parks.

Daytrips

Perhaps the most popular retreat from the city is Barry Island. In addition to the extremely popular beach here, there is also a profusion of fun-fair entertainment from arcade games to an adrenaline inducing roller coaster. Although several towns, including Bath, are easily accessible from Cardiff, Caerphilly has one of the largest medieval castles in Europe, a 30 metre moat and some very tasty cheese.

Activities and leisure

The best time to party in Cardiff is when a Welsh rugby match is on in town, but every night is a good time waiting to happen in the capital of Wales. Saint Mary and Queen streets have the densest concentration of bars and clubs, but there is fun to be had almost anywhere in the city.

Safety issues

Although Cardiff is definitely a safer city than London, there are still pickpockets and petty thieves here, as you would find in most major cities of the world. Places to exercise particular caution include the bus and train stations as well as Millennium Stadium during a sporting event.