Hotels in Cardiff

Exploring Cardiff

Cardiff's history has seen the city rise from near obscurity to become the capital and largest city of Wales. Once the world's largest coal port, today it is home to the UK's biggest media sector outside of London.

Sights nearby

Rugby is big in Cardiff, and a trip to the Millennium Stadium is a must for sports-lovers. If you're looking for other things to do in Cardiff, take Centenary Walk to see many of the city's important landmarks or be whisked around the sights on a hop-on, hop-off bus tour. You'll find lots going on at the newly developed Cardiff Bay, with its many shops, restaurants, and performing arts events at the Wales Millennium Centre.

Cardiff also has many castles, such as the Cardiff Castle, and visitors will enjoy the variety of architecture displayed by these imposing constructions. Learn more about their history at the Welsh National Museum.

Eating and drinking and shopping nearby

Cardiff is a city on the rise and is fast becoming one of the UK’s foremost shopping destinations. From the sparkling shopping complex at its very heart that houses the biggest high street names, to cosy arcades and markets, there's something to suit every style, taste, and budget. And whether you’re after something for your home, wardrobe, or garden, there are more than enough places where you can source that perfect item.

As a modern and thriving capital city, Cardiff has a variety of smart restaurants serving delicious dishes from all over the world. Thanks to the revamping of the city center, you'll never be far from swanky places to dine, and popular cuisine includes Thai, Italian, and Indian. There's an array of different areas to find sumptuous grub, from the sun-flecked waters of Cardiff Bay to the chic streets of the gleaming urban core.

Public transport

If you're flying into London, you can get to Cardiff easily thanks to the direct trains that run from Paddington. Alternatively, Cardiff Airport has connections to a variety of destinations both domestic and international – flights go to and from the likes of Aberdeen and Newcastle, as well as Amsterdam and Alicante. There are regular, direct buses going between the airport and the city centre. Once here, you can explore the central area on foot, while there are trains to the nearby coastal area of Penarth.