United Kingdom

Explore The Best 8 Tourist Attractions of Cardiff in 2 Days Trip

Cardiff is the national capital city of Wales. Some of the best things to do in Cardiff, Wales is exploring castles, historical museums, art galleries, welsh cuisine, beaches and islands. The history of human settlement in the region goes back to 6,000 BCE. The city was occupied by several tribes, most dominant of which was a Celtic British tribe called Silures. The remains of this civilizations can be found at Cardiff tourist attractions like the National Museum and city’s history museum. The region was then occupied by Roman Empire followed by Normans and English. These periods saw construction of the legendary castles which are considered the best places to visit in Cardiff.

The city has numerous castles including the second largest castle of UK. Cardiff castle, Caerphilly Castle and Castle Coch are the most popular places to see in Cardiff. Many of these castles were built under roman regime and hold about 2000 years of history within their walls. Another major aspect of Cardiff sightseeing is the Doctor Who experience. You see the studio and locations where the famous series was filmed. The city also has historical buildings, houses and cathedrals to explore.

As for outdoor activities in Cardiff, you can go to landscape and nature reserves like Cardiff Wetland Reserve, Cardiff Bay, Bute Park and such. You can check more such places in the sections below under nature and outdoors section.

This Blog Post contains affiliate links. If you purchase anything from that link then I may earn small part of commission and for that you do not need to pay any extra amount.

Visit The Best 8 Tourist Attractions in Cardiff in 2 Days (Trip Itinerary)

Day 1

1. Llandaff Cathedral

This cathedral is dedicated in St. Peter and St. Paul. The cathedral began construction in the 12th century and subsequent layers were added in years to come. It is among best places to visit in Cardiff to witness medieval architecture. You will need about half an hour to explore this cathedral.

Llandaff Cathedral

2. Bute Park

This park is spread over 130 acres and used to be back garden to the Cardiff castle. The park is the venue for several fun things to do in Cardiff, Wales. You will find woodlands, cafes, river and sports field. You will need at least an hour to explore this park.

Bute Park

3. National Museum Cardiff

This museum focuses on several aspect of Welsh history including geography, politics, culture, archeology, art, zoology, botany and so on. It is one of the most important Cardiff tourist attractions to visit. You will need about 2 to 3 hours for this museum.

National Museum Cardiff

4. Cardiff Castle

The castle was first established first in the 50s under roman empire and holds over two thousand years of history. It is one of the most popular Cardiff attractions. It is known for its impressive architecture and great legacy. You will need about 2 hours to explore this castle.

Cardiff Castle

5. Cardiff Bay

This is the most popular waterfront areas in the city. Shopping, dining, entertainment and recreation are among the best things to do in Cardiff Bay. This place is also has some of the best views in the city. You can easily spend a couple of hours here. You can also go for a boat tour at Cardiff Bay

Cardiff Bay

Day 2

1. Caerphilly Castle

This 13th century castle is the largest one in Wales and the second largest in the united kingdom. It is one of the most impressive things to see in Cardiff. You will need about 2 hours to explore this castle.

Caerphilly Castle

2. Castell Coch

Also known as the Red Castle, this impressive structure was built in the 12th century. This castle is known for its gothic revival architecture and is a major highlight of Cardiff sightseeing. The castle also has opulent regal interiors hailing from different time periods. You will need about 2 hours to explore this castle.

Castell Coch

3. St. Fagans National Museum of History

This open air museum focuses on the history and culture of the people of Wales. It is among the most interesting places to go in Cardiff. The museum also has 40 original structures which were brought from around the country and rebuilt here. You will need about 3 hours to explore this museum.

St. Fagans National Museum of History

If you are looking for more top things to do in Cardiff travel, check out the section below. We have compiled an exhaustive list of places and activities you can explore in and around the city.

Things to do in Cardiff

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Cardiff

  1. Cardiff Castle
  2. National Museum
  3. St. Fagans National Museum of History
  4. Caerphilly Castle
  5. Castell Coch
  6. Llandaff Cathedral
  7. National Trust
  8. Museum of Cardiff
  9. Norwegian Church Arts Center
  10. Medieval Village
  11. City Hall
  12. Pierhead Building
  13. St. Fagans Castle
  14. Martin Tinney Gallery
  15. Artes Mundi
  16. Animal Wall
  17. Firing Line Cardiff Castle Museum of the Welsh Soldier
  18. St. Lythans Burial Chamber
  19. Crown Building
  20. Tinkinswood Burial Chamber
  21. St. John Baptist City Parish Church
  22. Tommy Cooper Statue
  23. Nantgarw China Works and Museum
  24. Cardiff Central Library
  25. Ianto’s Shrine
  26. Saint Teilo’s Church
  27. St. David’s Metropolitan Cathedral
  28. Off the Wall Art Gallery
  29. Cardiff Transport Preservation Group
  30. Old Bishop’s Palace
  31. Wales National War Memorial
  32. Barry Castle
  33. Insole Court
  34. Oakdale Workmen’s Institute
  35. Morgraige Castle
  36. Caerau Fort
  37. Barry War Museum

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Cardiff

  1. Severn Estuary
  2. Garth Hill
  3. Forest Fawr
  4. Montanha Caerphilly
  5. Cosmeston Lakes
  6. Cardiff Bay Wetlands Reserve
  7. Roath Park Lake
  8. Cefn Onn Park
  9. Sirhowy Valley Country Park
  10. Howardian Local Nature Reserve
  11. Glamorganshire Canal
  12. Craig yr Allt

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Cardiff

  1. Wales Millennium Center
  2. Principality Stadium
  3. Techniquest
  4. Cardiff Bay Barrage
  5. Chapters Arts Centre
  6. Barry Island Pleasure Park
  7. Cosmeston Lakes Country Park
  8. Treetop Adventure Golf
  9. Cefn Mably Farm Park
  10. Victoria Park
  11. Forest Farm Country Park
  12. The Ameilia Trust Farm
  13. Oakwood Theme Park
  14. Cardiff Aqua Park
  15. Smugglers Cove
  16. Tenpin Cardiff Nantarw
  17. Alexandra Gardens
  18. Hollywood Bowl Cardiff
  19. Welsh Hawking Center

Shopping in Cardiff

  1. Cardiff Market
  2. Queens Arcade
  3. Pontcanna Market
  4. Royal Arcade
  5. Morgan Arcade
  6. Duke Street
  7. High Street
  8. Splott Market
  9. Capitol Shopping Center
  10. Roath Market
  11. Mermaid Quay
  12. Craft Folk
  13. Castle Arcade
  14. Wyndham Arcade
  15. Cardiff Market
  16. Dominions Arcade

Beaches & Islands in Cardiff

  1. Barry Island
  2. Flat Holm Island
  3. Whitemore Bay
  4. Jackson’s Bay
  5. Cardiff Ski and Snowboard Center
  6. Sully Island
  7. Barry Beach

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure in Cardiff

  1. Axe Throwing
  2. Hiking
  3. River Rafting
  4. Swimming
  5. Kayaking
  6. Boat Ride

Sightseeing in Cardiff

  1. Cardiff Bay
  2. Bute Park
  3. Roath Park
  4. The Senedd
  5. Mermaid Quay
  6. Porthkerry Country Park
  7. Roald Dahl Plass
  8. Llandaff Fields
  9. Thompson’s Park
  10. Barry Island Beach Huts
  11. Hailey Park
  12. Sophia Gardens
  13. Heath Park
  14. Walnut Tree Farm Park
  15. Pontcanna Park
  16. GWR Water Tower
  17. Alexandra Park

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Cardiff

  1. Bella Italia
  2. Fly by Night
  3. The Coconut Tree
  4. The Alchemist
  5. The Irie Shack
  6. Pieminister
  7. Cedar Tree Farm
  8. Las Iguanas
  9. Juno Lounge
  10. The Ivy
  11. Milkwood
  12. Duchess of Delhi
  13. Mia Porto Due
  14. Vegetarian Food Studio
  15. The Hellenic Eatery
  16. The Red Dragon Center
  17. Le Monde
  18. Steak of the Art
  19. Turtle Bay
  20. Curado Bar
  21. Old Havana
  22. Mowgli Street Food
  23. Pasture
  24. Mansion House

Where to Stay in Cardiff?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range and Budget Hotels in Cardiff. Here we suggest you can stay in below listed any Hotel as per your requirement.

Luxurious Hotels

  1. voco St. David’s Cardiff
  2. The Parkgate Hotel
  3. Park Plaza Cardiff
  4. Future Inn Cardiff Bay
  5. Clayton Hotel Cardiff
  6. Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel and Spa
  7. The Coal Exchange Hotel Cardiff
  8. Hilton Cardiff

Mid-Range Hotels

  1. Hotel Indigo Cardiff, an IHG hotel
  2. Holiday Inn Cardiff City Centre, an IHG hotel
  3. The Royal Hotel Cardiff
  4. New House Country Hotel
  5. The Angel Hotel
  6. Radisson Blu Hotel, Cardiff
  7. Jurys Inn Cardiff
  8. Novotel Cardiff Centre Hotel
  9. Village Hotel Cardiff
  10. Cardiff Marriott Hotel

Budget Hotels

  1. ibis budget Cardiff Centre
  2. Cardiff Sandringham Hotel
  3. Sleeperz Hotel Cardiff
  4. easyHotel Cardiff City Centre
  5. Travelodge Cardiff Central
  6. ibis Cardiff Gate – International Business Park Hotel
  7. ZIP by Premier Inn Cardiff hotel
  8. Premier Inn Cardiff City Centre (Queen Street) hotel

TripAdvisor

Custom Tours Package in Cardiff

How to Reach Cardiff?

By Air

The Cardiff International Airport receives direct flights from Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Anglesey, Glasgow, Alicante, Doha, Palma de Mallorca, Amsterdam, Dublin, Paris and so on. You also get seasonal flights to visit Cardiff from Burgas, Ibiza, Paphos, Naples, Dubrovnik, Dalaman and more. The airport is connected to the city by busses and cabs.

By Road

Cardiff is connected to several cities in UK by buses and trains. However, if you plan to explore Cardiff landmarks by road you can use routes M4, A470, A48, or A4161.

By Water

The waterbus service is connected to Cardiff castle, Millenium Stadium, Butetown, Grangetown, Cardiff Bay, Cogan and Penarth.


Image Reference

Mustafa Natalwala

Mustafa is a content writer and digital marketing expert at WideWorldTrips.com His mainly interests are into travelling, photography, film-making

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *