A Weekend in Cardiff

Find out how to spend the best weekend in Cardiff with your girlfriends?

Cardiff is the capital city of Wales, and is renowned as an exciting, vibrant, and fun-loving city. Just a couple of hours from London by train, there’s plenty to see and do to fill an action packed weekend in Cardiff.

WHAT TO SEE IN A WEEKEND IN CARDIFF

Cardiff’s centre is small enough to make it easily manageable on foot yet it’s filled with a huge assortment of shopping, dining, culture and more to keep you busy. Whilst you might only plan on a weekend in Cardiff there’s easily enough to keep you here longer.

CARDIFF CASTLE

Right at the heart of Cardiff’s centre is the magnificent sight of Cardiff Castle. There has been a castle on this site ever since the Romans established a fort here over 2,000 years ago. Today, Cardiff Castle is made up of an amalgamation of buildings built over several hundred years. 

The elevated Norman Keep inside the grounds of Cardiff Castle dates from the 12th Century. Over the centuries ownership of the castle changed hands several times following countless domestic wars and battles. Various additions and amendments were made to the castle by each owner.

SHOPPING IN CARDIFF

Cardiff is a historical city and therefore has a unique shopping experience to offer. Forget the huge, shiny malls – in Cardiff, you can shop in one of six Victorian arcades!

Right on the well-trodden path of Cardiff High Street, you will find an Instagram-worthy shopping experience with beautifully tiled floors, walls and ceilings.

The question for the girls about what to do in Cardiff should be answered right there.

High Street Arcade is part of “The Castle Quarter”, which is also made up of Duke Street Arcade and Castle Arcade.

These historic places are full of vintage clothing stores, craft shops, and coffee shops.

CARDIFF AT NIGHT

Cardiff still enjoys a reputation as a city that likes a drink, and at night the pubs, bars and clubs in the city centre are always busy. There’s no shortage of options either. Cardiff’s city centre is lined with an exhaustive choice of drinking establishments. 

For a great traditional pub pop into the City Arms opposite the Principality Stadium or head over to the Pen and Wig near the National Museum. 

If cocktails are more you’re thing you can’t go wrong with the super-chic Ten Feet Tall on Church Street or the speakeasy style of The Dead Canary tucked behind St David’s shopping centre on Barrack Street (ring the doorbell to get in). For live music, head to Clwb Ifor Bach, a much loved stalwart of Cardiff’s music scene.

ST. FAGANS WALK

If you’re looking to make the most of two days in Cardiff then there’s much more to explore outside the city centre.

Head out St Fagans which is an open air museum consisting of dozens of historic buildings from all over Wales and enjoy a circular walk. The route of this circular walk is largely flat with some very gentle slopes. The walk is accessed from this point via a kissing gate, but users should be aware that there are three stiles situated along the route.

The entire circular walk is just less than 3km in length and depending how fast you walk should take between ¾ and 1½ hours to complete.

There is plenty of things to see and do in Cardiff and the city surely won’t disappoint.