10 Things To Do In Cardiff City Centre For Fun Day Out in 2024

Activities To Do In Cardiff City Centre

1. Shopping at Cardiff Market,
2. Dive into Cardiff’s Past at the Museum
3. Explore the Principality Stadium.
4. Step back in time to Cardiff Castle
5. Visit Cardiff Central Library
6. Challenge Yourself at Escape Reality
7. Stroll Around The National Museum
8. Marvel At The Castle Arcade
9. Get Yourself Engaged at Cardiff Motorpoint Arena
10. Explore At Cardiff Bay and more.

Often referred to as a gateway to the new capital of Wales, the Cardiff City Centre is a hub of activities and experiences that are sure to offer visitors with unique insights into this Welsh city. Located right in the heart of the city, there are many things to do in Cardiff City Centre, from enjoying a visit to several popular attractions to heading to the shopping districts of Queen Street, Hayes and St. Mary’s Street to enjoy some retail therapy.

The activities to do in Cardiff City Centre are not limited to shopping and dining only, as you can find numerous arcades and gaming zones here as well, like the Escape Reality and Castle Arcade, where you can spend hours playing different types of games. For those looking to do something more relaxing, the Cardiff City Centre is also home to the iconic Principality Stadium, which you can enjoy a tour of, or the Cardiff Central Library, where you can get your hands on quite a few rare books and manuscripts.

Here are some of the best things to do in Cardiff City Centre:

01

Shopping At Cardiff Market

When looking for some of the top things to do in Cardiff City Centre, indulge in some retail therapy at Cardiff Market, located in the Castle Quarter

The indoor market is located in the building that used to be a jail in the 1800s, and was also where another ancient marketplace used to be in the mid-1700s

With a beautiful Victorian glass roof, this age-old market is home a myriad of shops and establishments, with traditional merchants like grocers, butchers and booksellers coexisting with those selling local arts and handicrafts, artisanal product sellers and more

You can also find numerous food kiosks here, where you can taste and buy freshly cooked local snacks and delicacies

Location: 5-7 St Mary St, Cardiff CF10 1AU, United Kingdom

Timings: 08:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m. (Closed on Sundays)

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02

Dive Into Cardiff’s Past At The Museum

One of the best activities to do in Cardiff City Centre is to visit the Cardiff Story Museum, where you can learn all about the city’s past.

The museum was founded in 1905, and is home to some of the finest collections of artefacts in all of Europe, including artworks that date all the way back the 15th and 16th centuries.

Some of the major highlights that you can see in the Museum include French and Post-impressionist artworks, Chinese porcelain from the 18th century, as well as Welch carvings that date back to more than 500 years.

You can also visit the galleries that consist of more than 3000 other objects, souvenirs and other mementos donated by the residents and communities here, which offer you a chance to learn about the city’s history .

Location: The Old Library, The Hayes, St David’s Centre, Cardiff CF10 1BH, United Kingdom

Timings: 10:00 a.m. to 04:00 p.m.

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03

Explore The Principality Stadium

Ranked amongst the best Cardiff City Centre things to do is exploring the magnificent Principality Stadium, which is known as one of the most famous sporting arenas in the world.

The stadium is the home of Welsh football and rugby, and a tour of this landmark will offer great insights in to the nation’s links with football.

The stadium was first opened in the year 1999, and is also famous for being the venue with the first fully retractable roof in the United Kingdom.

Some of the major highlights of the Principality Stadium include the President’s Box here, including the Players’ Tunnel as well as the dressing rooms of the Welsh team.

Location: Westgate St, Cardiff CF10 1NS, United Kingdom

Timings: 10:00 a.m. to 04:00 p.m.

Entry Fee: £12.00 (children), £16.50 (adult)

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04

Step Back In Time To Cardiff Castle

One of the best things to do Cardiff City Centre is to get transported back in time at the majestic Cardiff Castle.

Known as one of the most popular historical monuments of the city, the Cardiff Castle was built on foundations that date back to 50 AD, for the then richest man in the world, the 3rd Marquis of Bute.

It is here where you can discover a myriad of artefacts and exhibits that let you take a glimpse into the history of Cardiff.

Don’t forget to marvel at the amazing State Rooms here, which boast of beautiful stained glass windows, ornate interiors as well as detailed wood carvings .

Location: Castle St, Cardiff CF10 3RB, United Kingdom

Timings: 10:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m.

Entry fee: £10.00 (children), £14.50 (adults)

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05

Visit Cardiff Central Library

Another one of the most popular things to do in Cardiff City Centre is to visit the Cardiff Central Library, which doubles up as a modern cultural venue and community hotspot.

Known to offer some of the most panoramic views of the city of Cardiff, the library has one of the largest collections of reading materials of all kinds in the country.

Additionally, it is also one of the most sustainable buildings in Cardiff, known for its practices of sustainable development as well as water and energy efficient services.

With study spaces on each of its floors, the library also has a digital floor with 75 computers, a tablet bar with 10 tablets as well as a plasma wall and a 3D printer.

Location: The Hayes, Cardiff CF10 1FL, United Kingdom

Timings: 09:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m.

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06

Challenge Yourself At Escape Reality

If you are looking for unique and rather offbeat activities to do in Cardiff City Centre, then pay a visit to Escape Reality, a one of a king escape room indoor park in the city.

It is here where you can challenge yourself and test your puzzle solving skills to escape from a locked room within a stipulated time limit.

There are 6 fully immersive games here, which range across different themes, such as Alcatraz, Jungala and the Heist, to name a few.

You can also build up your team skills and test your patience whilst playing the games here, which are known as some of the top activities to do in Cardiff City Centre.

Location: 6-7 St John Street, Cardiff, Glamorgan and Cardiff, CF10 1GJ, Wales, United Kingdom

Timings: 12:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Entry Fee: £15 per person

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07

Stroll Around The National Museum

Amongst the top Cardiff City Centre things to do is to take a stroll around the National Museum in the city, which is also considered to be amongst the finest Welsh museums and landmarks.

There are numerous different types of galleries that you can find here, ranging from applied and fine arts, to botany, zoology as well as a separate Evolution of Wales gallery.

Some of the most popular attractions of the National Museum include the skeletons of dinosaurs and the woolly mammoth, dating back to more than 2 million years in history.

You must also admire the extensive collection of artefacts here, including weaponry from the Bronze Age, as they are known to be the most popular things to do in Cardiff City Centre.

Location: Cardiff CF10 3NP, United Kingdom

Timings: 10:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m. (Closed on Monday)

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08

Marvel At The Castle Arcade

Marvelling at the Castle Arcade is definitely one of the best things to do Cardiff City Centre.

The Castle Arcade makes up for one third of the arcades of the Castle Quarter, and dates back to the years between 1882 and 1889.

It is most famous for its balconies, which divide the shops of the arcade into two floors.

Boasting of a myriad of different types of stores, the Castle Arcade is also home to famous establishments like the famous Portuguese bakery Nata and Co, the Gin and Juice bar, as well as Café Minuet and Coffee Barker’s, among others.

Don’t forget to get your hands on antique jewellery, local crafts and artworks, or fresh organic produce at the shops here, which make up for some of the top activities to do in Cardiff City Centre.

Location: Castle St, Cardiff CF10 1BU, United Kingdom

Timings: 08:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m.

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09

Get Yourself Engaged At Cardiff Motorpoint Arena

Engage yourself at the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena, as you attend one of the exhibitions, events or concerts here, which is one of the top things to do in Cardiff City Centre.

Opened in 1993, the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena is the largest purpose-built facility in all of South Wales, with a capacity of 7500 standing people, or 5000 seated audience.

In addition to concerts or matches, you can also attend numerous other events like boxing matches, premier leagues, exhibitions as well as educational programmes here, which rank amongst the most popular Cardiff City Centre things to do.

In the past, the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena has also played host to high-profile stars like Elton John, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Peter Kay as well as Iron Maiden, among others.

Location: Mary Ann St, Cardiff CF10 2EQ, United Kingdom

Timings: 10:00 a.m. to 09:00 p.m. (Depends on the event)

Entry fee: Varies according to the event

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10

Explore At Cardiff Bay

Ranked as one of the most popular activities to do in Cardiff City Centre is exploring the panoramic Cardiff Bay.

This quaint area is home to many attractions and establishments, from independent stores and restaurants, to bars as well as iconic monuments of the city.

It is most popular for its waterfront area, known as Mermaid Quay, which overlooks the bay, and is one of the most tranquil places in the area.

Taking a stroll here is amongst the best things to do in Cardiff City Centre, as you can indulge in relaxing as well as exciting experiences here .

Other attractions of Cardiff Bay include the Millennium Centre, the Techniquest museum, the historic Norwegian Church, as well as the Senedd, which is home to the government offices of the region.

Location: Queen Alexandra House, Cargo Road, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom

Timings: 10:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m.

Entry fee: £12.00 (children), £16.50 (adult)

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