One Day In Cardiff Itinerary: 5 Great Things To Do

Cardiff, also known as Caerdydd in Welsh! Nestled in the heart of South Wales, this picturesque harbour city stands as the proud capital of Wales, just a mere two-hour journey from London, England’s bustling capital.

Cardiff beckons with its allure, whether you’re seeking a quick escape for a weekend retreat or have only a precious day to spare. If you’re opting for a one-day adventure in this enchanting city, we’ve curated a list of five must-do experiences to make the most of your visit.

One Day In Cardiff Itinerary: 5 Things To Do

Day trips are my favourite when I travel and don’t have much time. So, spending one day in Cardiff was fabulous when I revisited Bristol as the two cities are nearby by train.

It gives me a good insight into the city or town I visit and allows me to see the city’s main attractions and see if I would like to return for a more extended period.
My one day in Cardiff went pretty smoothly. I adored the city’s vibe and would love to return for an extended period and explore more of Wales!

Here are all the things to do in Cardiff city centre, where you’ll spend most of your day trip to Cardiff!

What To Do In Cardiff For A Day?

You can not do everything in one day; however, you can still make the most of your time and here are some things to do in Cardiff if you only have one day in the city. This is my Cardiff 1 day itinerary if you want to see the highlights of the city!

The city centre has much to offer within walking distance, so you don’t need to spend much on transportation, which is good.
Also, if you don’t fancy walking and creating your itinerary, there is always the option of a hop bus that shows you every landmark.

Speaking of landmarks, the country has many of them. You can check out the most famous landmarks in Wales!

Go Admire Cardiff Castle

Cardiff Castle is one of the most famous landmarks in Cardiff and is a must-do if you visit the city. I easily spent over two and a half hours there reading about the history of the place and visiting every corner of it.

• Clock Tower Tour
  The clock tower is the first thing you can see from afar with the castle. One of the city’s most recognisable landmarks, you can find some stunning rooms within the tower.
  However, if you struggle with stairs, the ones in the tower are quite steep and uneven sometimes.
  It will cost you an additional £4 50 if you wish to visit it.
  
  
• Castle Appartments
  The history of the Victorian Gothic castle spans over two thousand years; the rooms you can find inside are genuinely amazing. They are all beautiful in their own right, full of gold, statues, and amazing art pieces that contribute to the castle’s history.
  I’m sure this is the case for many people, but my favourite room was the Arab Room; the ceiling is one of the most beautiful designs I have ever seen. Following close by the luxurious library.
  
  
• The Norman Keep
  The Norman Keep is the remains of a fortified tower. You can visit the inside to climb on top of it to see Cardiff Castle from up there; the view is nice. (See the first photo of the post). However, be careful. The stairs to get there are very steep!
  
  
• Wartime Shelters
  During WWII, the tunnels within the castle’s walls were used as shelters to protect the inhabitants from air-raid; it could offer shelter to around 1800 people. You can find bunk beds, a kitchen area and so on inside.
  They also air some music and background noise to immerse you more into what happened during this horrible period of history.

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Price: £13.00
You can pay an additional £3.35 for a House Tour to explore extra rooms. I didn’t take it and regret it later, so make sure not to make the same mistake.

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Visit Bute Park

Bute Park can be found near Cardiff Castle; this was my second stop of the day.

• Blackfriars Friary

Inside the park, you can find the location of a former Dominican Friary that was dissolved in 1538.

You can find a 3D model reconstruction to show you how the site would have looked during the medieval age, as well as two panels that tell you about the history of the place.

• Bute Park Animal Wall

The animal wall is one of the park’s most exciting features, and in my opinion, it is also the most photographed feature. The wall was erected in the 1890s with a few original animals; some only came in later.

They can be distinguished from their glass eyes, Which the six additional animals added to the wall when relocated west of the castle in 1923 didn’t have.

You can see the difference in the pictures above; the racoons don’t have glass eyes. There’s a total of 15 depicted on the wall.

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You can take a boat that will take you down to Cardiff Bay in the park if you’d like. Another exciting thing to see in Spring and Summer is the Herbaceous Border in full bloom.

Cardiff Story Museum

The museum is interactive, well-presented, and teaches about the city’s history, customs, and industry evolution. It gives you insight into how the city has evolved over the years. It’s ideal for a first visit.

It’s also an excellent activity with a kid if you want to bring them there and worry they might be bored.

Cardiff Story Museum is located in the city centre, thus not so far from the train station. The visit doesn’t take a massive chunk of your journey, and it’s an excellent insight into the city.

Price: Free.

READ: 5 DAYS TRIP IN THE UK 

Cardiff Market

Cardiff Market, or Marchnad Ganolog Caerdydd in Welsh, is a Victorian-built indoor market with two floors with a wide range of products, fresh foods, and treats.

I bought a traditional Cardiff biscuit in the market, naively thinking it was filled with chocolate chips. It turns out the Welsh treat is filled with raisins.

Cardiff Bay

Cardiff Bay is the city’s harbourside; several restaurants, bars, and an entertainment area exist. So, it’s a leisure centre.
While the weather wasn’t the best during my day trip to Cardiff, walking along the Bay and seeing its landmarks was still lovely.

You can find several statues scattered along the Bay, the most famous one being the one below: “People Like Us.”

• Mermaid Quay is a captivating waterfront destination where visitors can indulge in dining, shopping, and picturesque views of Cardiff Bay.

• Pierhead Building – The Pierhead Building in Cardiff is a striking red terracotta landmark steeped in history, symbolising Wales’ political heritage and cultural identity.

• Wales Millennium Centre

Bonus: Cardiff is the best destination for Dr Who’s fans, as you can find the Doctor Who Experience there! I didn’t do it, but I know some friends who would have loved to do the Doctor Who Experience there!

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Travel Tips To Visit Cardiff In One Day:

• Plan Your Itinerary:
  • With just one day in Cardiff, planning your itinerary ahead of time is essential. Decide on the attractions and activities you want to experience and create a schedule to maximise your limited time. All the activities above are perfect for your one day in Cardiff itinerary!
• Start Early to Beat the Crowds:
  • Begin your day in Cardiff as early as possible to avoid crowds and maximize your time. Many popular attractions, such as Cardiff Castle and the National Museum, get busier as the day progresses.
• Explore the City on Foot:
  • Cardiff’s city centre is relatively compact and pedestrian-friendly. Consider exploring the city on foot to soak in the vibrant atmosphere and discover hidden gems. The Cardiff Bay area is also a scenic waterfront area worth walking around. I loved it!
• Utilize Public Transport:
  • Use Cardiff’s public transport system, including buses and trams, to cover more ground efficiently. The city offers day passes that allow unlimited travel on public transport, making it a cost-effective way to get around. I opted to walk as this is what I like to do when I travel, but I am aware not everyone likes or can do so. You can also consider the “Cardiff City Tour Bus.”
• Try Local Cuisine:
  • Don’t miss the opportunity to savour some Welsh cuisine during your visit. Try traditional dishes like Welsh cakes, cawl (a hearty stew), or a classic Welsh rarebit. Seek out local cafes and restaurants to experience the flavours of Cardiff.

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Is Cardiff Worth Visiting For One Day?

The short answer is yes!

In my opinion, Cardiff is unquestionably worth visiting, even if you have just one day to spare. This vibrant city has a lot to offer to travellers of all interests. From rich history and culture to stunning architecture, spending a day in Cardiff is a great experience.

However, I recommend spending more than one day in Cardiff if possible!

Alright, this concludes what to see in Cardiff in one day.

All in all, Cardiff in a day is a good experience if it’s all you have, you can get a good insight into the city and see the main landmarks. However, I wish to spend more days exploring the city and its surroundings more in-depth.

Even in such a short time, I loved the city’s vibe and exploring its streets and arcades. I will return to visit it at a slower pace and visit more of Wales.

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Here are some more useful information to plan your one day in Cardiff.

How To Access Cardiff

Day Trip To Cardiff From London

Trains to Cardiff Central from London depart from London Paddington, and as I said above, it takes only 2 hours and 15 minutes, to be precise, to go to the Welsh capital.

The average return journey cost is about £95; however, if you choose a super off-peak cost of £81.30, it is slightly cheaper.

You can purchase cheaper tickets; however, the journey is much longer, around 4 hours, making an 8-hour journey in one day. I reckon it’s not worth it for a day trip.

Day Trip to Cardiff From Bristol

Cardiff is one of the best day trips you can take from Bristol as it is only a short hour of train ride away and it’s pretty cheap.

The return ticket from Bristol Temple Meads to Cardiff Central on an off-peak train costs £13.90 and £19 for an anytime-day return ticket.

I like to use the trainline to check out the timetable and prices of the tickets.
Also, if you arrive in the city’s Bay area instead, you can take a train to Cardiff Bay instead of Cardiff Central.

If you’d like to check out more destination ideas for a day, you can check out those day trips from Bristol!

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I hope you enjoyed this Cardiff one day trip mini travel guide and I hope you have a fantastic guide when visiting this beautiful city!

Are you looking for more UK destination inspirations? Check out those travel posts:

• Best Things To Do In Bristol, England
• How To Spend One Day In Bristol, England
• Best Day Trips To Take From Bristol, England
• One Day In Oxford Itinerary, England
• Visit Gloucester, Harry Potter Themed Day Trip
• My Experience Spending NYE In London

Also, follow me on Instagram to check out my travel adventures around Europe and more lifestyle content @cpt_lyne!

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One Day In Cardiff: What To Do In Cardiff

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✈ Best Travel Ressources To Plan Your Next Trip

✈ How To Find Flights?

– Skyscanner; it is a good comparator for finding the cheapest flights.
– Google Flight is also a good help when it comes to comparing flights.

✈ Where To Book Accommodations?

– Booking.com: plenty of options and ways to get discount the more you book.

✈ Best Sites To Book Activities

My go-to website when I need to book an activity is GetYourGuide when I can’t get a ticket directly on the website or if it’s easier to go through them.

– Klook if you need to book more than just activities and would like to get everything from the same website—(i.e. transport cards, car rental, hotel…).

✈ Other helpful travel resources

– Radical Storage: If you need a place to keep your luggage for an extended period when you travel, I recommend using them. It was a great help when we needed a place to keep our luggage safely while we left the city for a few days.
– TheTrainline: If you love to travel by train like me, then TheTrainline needs to be your go-to website for train travel in Europe. It is very reliant and easy to use.

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