Best things to do in Cardiff

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Located in the southwest corner of Wales just a short drive from Cardiff, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park runs along a coastline riddled with rugged cliffs, superb sandy beaches, rocky coves, and tiny fishing villages. Visitors will find some spectacular scenery and wonderful coastal walks, including the well-trodden 167-mile (269km) Coast Path. Inland, the historic Preseli Hills conceal ancient trade routes, hill forts, standing stones, and burial chambers; tiny islands offshore are inhabited by colonies of puffins, guillemots, razorbills, gannets, and grey seals. The area is also an activity-lover's paradise, as there are hiking, pony trekking, surfing, windsurfing, kayaking, and fishing opportunities. Just south of the park is the city of St David's, which is actually only a little larger than the average village. The cathedral found there is the resting place of St David, the patron Saint of Wales, and during the Middle Ages was one of the most holy places in Britain.

Website www.visitpembrokeshire.com

Cardiff Castle

Situated right in the heart of the city, Cardiff Castle is a unique complex of historical buildings incorporating a medieval castle, a Victorian Gothic mansion, and a Norman keep, which in turn was built over a Roman fort. Cardiff Castle stands as witness to more than 2,000 years of history. Roman soldiers and knights have lived in the castle, and the wealthy Bute family resided in it from early 19th century up until 1947. Those who visit Cardiff Castle will be rewarded with opulent rooms, Mediterranean gardens, and Italian and Arabian decor. The admission ticket includes access to a selection of the lavish Castle Apartments, the Norman Keep, the Battlement Walk, the Wartime Shelters, the Cardiff Castle Museum of the Welsh Soldier, the Interpretation Centre (including a film show), and an audio guide in multiple languages.

Website www.cardiffcastle.com

St Fagans National History Museum

This open-air museum, located in St Fagans, chronicles the historical lifestyle, architecture, and cultural heritage of the people of Wales. St Fagans National History Museum is one of Europe's leading open-air museums, and the most popular heritage attraction in Wales. The 16th-century manor house in which the museum stands bears testament to the magnificent heritage of the Welsh, and the museum features more than 40 original historic buildings, moved from various parts of Wales and erected to show how the people of Wales have lived over the last five centuries. Among these are houses, a farm, a school, a chapel, and a splendid Workmen's Institute. Donated to the Welsh by the Earl of Plymouth, the museum first opened in 1948 and to this day, the original strain of native livestock can be seen in the fields and farmyards, and the musical Welsh language proudly heard in the air.

Website museum.wales/stfagans/

Wales Millennium Centre

Nicknamed 'The Armadillo', this performing arts centre located in the Cardiff Bay area hosts performances such as operas, ballet and dance recitals, stand-up comedy, and musicals. Known as one of the world's most iconic performing arts venues, it features a world-class stage and also offers free foyer performances, tours, and exhibitions for visitors to get an overall vision of the best of the arts world in Wales. The centre stages all the most popular and famous shows performed in London and all over the world, with classic favourites such as Cats, West Side Story, Wicked, and Priscilla Queen of the Desert frequently performed, alongside the best in contemporary Welsh, British, and international entertainment. Guided tours of the centre are available, allowing guests to check out the dressing rooms and marvel at the sheer size of the stage.

Website www.wmc.org.uk

Llandaff Cathedral

The Llandaff Cathedral is one of Wales' premier sights and is not to be missed by visitors to the Welsh capital. Located on the western edge of Cardiff, it lies in what used to be the tiny village of Llandaff, with the area surrounding the cathedral still retaining a village-like feel through its stone-and-timber buildings and narrow, crooked lanes. Constructed in the 12th century on the site of an earlier church, the Llandaff Cathedral boasts some of the greatest medieval art to be found in all of Wales. Suffering extensive damage during Nazi bomb raids in World War II, the cathedral was restored and received two modern additions: the Welsh Regiment Chapel, and the striking Jacob Epstein sculpture Christ in Majesty. The sculpture, made of aluminium and suspended from a concrete arch that dominates the cathedral's nave, divides opinion between those who find it arresting and those who find it garish and out of place.

Website www.llandaffcathedral.org.uk

Gower Peninsula

Designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty by the UK government, Gower has some of the most popular holiday destinations in Wales, including the resort towns of Swansea, Mumbles, Rhossili, and Llangennith. Though it's just 16 by seven miles (26 by 11km) in size, the area has a large concentration of Blue Flag beaches, including Bracelet Bay, Caswell Bay, Langland Bay, Port Eynon, and the Swansea Marina. Mumbles is a lovely resort village beautifully located beneath pine-forested slopes overlooking Swansea Bay, which is fast-becoming one of the United Kingdom's favourite seaside getaway destinations. It has a range of excellent seafront pubs and restaurants, with a history dating back to the 12th century. Mumbles has some great cultural sights, too, such as the ruins of Oystermouth Castle, a historic lighthouse, and the pretty Mumbles Pier. The real allure of Mumbles remains its sheer natural beauty, with the sunlight reflected by the bay illuminating the age-old stone buildings that surround the water.

Cardiff

Things to do in Cardiff

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Cardiff Castle

St Fagans National History Museum

Wales Millennium Centre

Llandaff Cathedral

Gower Peninsula

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Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Cardiff Castle

St Fagans National History Museum

Wales Millennium Centre

Llandaff Cathedral

Gower Peninsula