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The Perfect 3 Day Cardiff Itinerary, Planned by a Local
👉 Jump to: Where to Stay | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Map | How to Get Around | Tips | FAQ | Get Printable Version
As a Cardiff local, I’ve put a lot of thought into this 3-day itinerary to give you the best overview of what the Welsh capital has to offer. I’ve included lots of the top destinations in and around the city, as well as great places to eat and plenty of local insights.
This itinerary suits a range of travellers and weather, but can easily be adapted to your wishlist of Cardiff activities. So, let’s see where your 3 days in Cardiff could take you!
Where to Stay for 3 Days in Cardiff
For a 3 day visit to Cardiff, these are my top picks for where to stay:
- 🏆 My #1 Overall Pick – Hotel Indigo
- 🛏️ Budget – The Riverhouse
- 🏨 Mid-Range – Hotel Indigo
- 💎 Luxury – The Parkgate Hotel
- ♥️ For Couples – voco St. David’s Cardiff
- ⭐ Quiet neighbourhood – Pontcanna Inn
- 🏠 Apartments – Browse rentals in Cardiff
For more, check out my full guide to where to stay in Cardiff.
3 Day Cardiff Itinerary
🖨️ Get a printable version of this itinerary
Day 1 – Castles & Culture in Cardiff and Beyond
Morning – Cosy coffee and Cardiff Castle
Bore da (good morning)! Kick off your first morning in Cardiff by stopping for a cup of coffee and breakfast in Coffee Barker, a cosy cafe in Castle Arcade. Take in the beautiful architecture and browse the unique independent shops as you stroll through the arcade.
At the end of the arcade, you’ll be greeted by the sweet smell of baking from Fabulous Welshcakes, the best place to stock up on some Welsh cakes!
Cross over to Cardiff Castle, which is on my list of must-visit castles in Wales, and explore over 2,000 years of history.
Try and join a House Tour of the castle – tours run several times a day but can’t be booked in advance so enquire on the day at the Ticket Office. Take time to look at the intricately decorated Victorian rooms and, if you can, walk up the Norman Keep for great views across the city.
Once you’ve finished exploring the castle, walk through the North Gate into Bute Park, take a right turn, and go under the subway to reach Cardiff’s Civic Centre. Here, you can take a short wander to see the City Hall, Alexandra Gardens and impressive Edwardian architecture. Alexandra Gardens is particularly beautiful in springtime!
Afternoon – Visit the National Museum and Castell Coch
Head to the National Museum Cardiff, just next to City Hall, to explore international and Welsh history and art. Check out the permanent exhibition about The Evolution of Wales and some of the incredible art collection upstairs.
Have lunch in the Pen & Wig, a welcoming, traditional pub across the road from the museum.
In the early afternoon, take a taxi or bus to Castell Coch, a short journey from Cardiff. The bus stops in Tongwynlais, a village less than a mile but a steep hill away from the castle.
The second castle of the day is surrounded by ancient woodland and offers lovely views on a clear day. The rooms are intricately decorated and the history of the castle links closely with Cardiff Castle. Once you’ve finished exploring the fairytale location, head back to Cardiff city centre.
Evening – Sample Welsh food
Start your evening by sampling some Welsh food at the Daffodil, one of Cardiff’s best restaurants. I recommend trying the cawl, a traditional lamb and vegetable stew, followed by the cheeseboard.
Continue into the evening and make the most of Cardiff’s great selection of bars and pubs. For locally brewed beers, head to Tiny Rebel. If wine is more your thing, check out Nighthawks Wine Bar. For cocktails, head to Lab 22, and for gin or rum, retrace your steps to Castle Arcade’s Rum and Fizz and Gin and Juice. All bars offer alcohol free options, too!
Hotel Indigo is one of my top hotel recommendations as it is super central, well priced and tastefully decorated. Wherever your night in Cardiff takes you, you’d only be a short walk back to your cosy room!
Day 2 – Explore Cardiff’s Impressive Sights
Morning – Visit the hidden gems of Llandaff
Start the morning by travelling by bus, taxi or even walk to Llandaff, one of the top neighbourhoods in Cardiff. Your first stop is The Potting Shed Café where I suggest you try a traditional Welsh Rarebit of Breakfast bap. The café is located in Insole Court, a mansion with beautiful gardens, that is worth having a little look around.
Then, walk to the beautiful Llandaff Cathedral which has stood majestically in the neighbourhood since at least the 6th century. Tours of Insole Court and Llandaff Cathedral are sometimes available, but check the websites for details.
Afternoon – Explore Cardiff Bay after a tasty market lunch
Once you’ve explored Llandaff, head back to Cardiff City Centre to have lunch in Cardiff Market, a foodies delight! There are lots of stalls to choose from but my favourites include Pierogi, Bao Selecta and Ffwrnes Pizza.
Then walk through the city centre and along the Animal Wall by Cardiff Castle into and around Bute Park. Hop aboard a boat trip to Cardiff Bay which will take you past the Principality Stadium and Cardiff wetlands along the River Taff. The boats travel regularly and you can just pay for your ticket on board.
Once you’ve arrived in Cardiff Bay, take a look around The Senedd and the Pierhead, which form part of the Welsh Government’s estate.
There’s a small but interesting exhibition about the history of Cardiff Bay’s docks in the Pierhead, and visitors are welcome in the Senedd to visit the cafe, see the exhibitions, or just to have a look (note, there is airport style security to enter).
Then, wander round to the Norwegian Church and stop for a coffee. Take a look at the Scott Antarctic Memorial, a striking sculpture outside the Norwegian Church, before heading back towards the eye-catching Millennium Centre. Take in the incredible building and consider going on the ferris wheel to get a bird’s eye view of the Bay.
Evening – Wine and dine by the waterside
Walk around the Bay past Mermaid Quay to Tir a Môr for a waterside dinner. Dine on some traditional Welsh dishes and local produce, and a Welsh-inspired cocktail or mocktail. The restaurant is located in voco St. David’s, a 5-star hotel with views across Cardiff Bay and friendly staff.
Ahead of your trip, check out whether there is a show or performance in Cardiff Bay that takes your fancy. You could book to see a theatre show at the Millennium Centre, movie in the Everyman Cinema, or comedy show in the Glee club.
Day 3 – Sample a Taste of Welsh History and Fine Cuisine
Morning – Time travel in St Fagan’s National Museum
Spend your last day in Cardiff soaking up history, culture, and cuisine! Take a direct bus or taxi to St Fagans National Museum, my favourite museum in Wales, and spend the morning exploring acres of parkland with over 40 historic buildings. Aim to get there for 10 am to make the most of your trip.
Pick up a map at reception and walk your way through history, from Iron Age roundhouses to a 19th-century pub. There are also interesting exhibitions in the indoor galleries and a working farmland to see. The onsite cafe serves teas, coffees, and refreshments if you’re peckish.
Afternoon – Have a spot of tea and shopping in the city centre
Head back to Cardiff city centre by bus or taxi. Find your way to Waterloo Tea, a relaxing teahouse in Wyndham Arcade to enjoy a traditional Afternoon Tea. Waterloo Tea offers a popular take on this traditional British treat, and you will need to book in advance.
Finish the afternoon with a browse around the shops on The Hayes and in the city centre. There are independent shops tucked away in the arcades, and many popular brands on The Hayes and in the St David’s Shopping Centre.
Evening – Savour some of Cardiff’s best cuisine
Spend the evening in the trendy and popular neighbourhood of Pontcanna with tree lined streets and Victorian-era buildings. The Pontcanna Inn is a cosy, well-rated accommodation option I recommend in this area.
There are lots of great places to eat and drink in Pontcanna. Consider booking in advance to dine at Gorse, Heaneys, or Thomas by Tom Simmons. Gorse is a Michelin-Starred restaurant while both of the latter two are featured in the Michelin guide.
If Michelin-level restaurants are a bit over your budget, head to The Cricketers, a traditional pub offering pub food with a Welsh twist. A pint in The Beverley or The Pontcanna Inn will round off your holiday nicely.
Cardiff Itinerary Map
Here is a Google Map with all the stops, attractions, and hotels mentioned in this post.
How to Get Around in Cardiff
Cardiff is a compact city with decent public transport links, active travel routes, and good taxi service. This whole itinerary is possible with local bus connections (download the Cardiff Bus App) or by taxi (download Veezu for local taxis; Uber also works).
The city centre and Cardiff Bay are largely pedestrianised so I recommend walking or biking, to be able to take in the sights.
If you’re travelling from another city or airport, you could consider renting a car. However, I wouldn’t recommend it just for this itinerary as parking in and around the city centre can be difficult and costly.
Itinerary Planning Tips
Tip #1 – Adapt the itinerary to your travel wishes
Make this itinerary your own! I’ve planned out a catch-all itinerary for a range of tastes that covers different aspects of Cardiff. But swap out activities that don’t appeal to you with something that is more up your street.
For example, if you’re a big sports fan, why not swap out the visit to Llandaff Cathedral on Day 2 with a tour of the Principality Stadium?
Tip #2 – Adapt your plans to the weather
The weather in Cardiff is generally very changeable, and can be quite wet and windy. I recommend checking the forecast in advance to plan for your trip and be willing to swap some activities in the itinerary accordingly. Read my article on the best time to visit Cardiff for more tips.
Tip #3 – Consider a walking or cycling tour
I am a big fan of walking tours (and cycling tours!) as you can take a break from navigating and learn lots of facts from experts. If this appeals to you, I recommend doing a tour in Cardiff on the first day and swapping out some activities on day 2.
There’s a variety of tours in Cardiff to choose from depending on your interests. Some don’t run every day, so pay attention while planning.
Tip #4 – Consider when your trip is and check for events
Cardiff hosts many events, from international sports matches to international superstars’ gigs. These big events push up prices for accommodation and the city gets very busy. It is a fun atmosphere so don’t let that put you off, but just bear it in mind.
Also, some activities and places are closed on certain days so double check opening hours before settling on your plan.
Tip #5 – Check which activities need to be booked in advance
Whether you stick to this itinerary or adapt it to make it your own, double check which activities need booking in advance. Whilst most attractions in Cardiff don’t require a booking, you’ll need to plan ahead for some activities, namely tours and higher-end restaurants.
FAQ About Itinerary Planning for Cardiff
How many days is enough for Cardiff?
Three days is an ideal stay in Cardiff as you will have time to explore and appreciate the city centre and scenic surroundings. If you only have a weekend, stick to day one and day two of this itinerary.
How can I plan a 7 day itinerary for Cardiff?
You can extend this 3-day itinerary into a week by exploring more neighbourhoods in Cardiff and going on some tours, such as the BBC or Principality Stadium. Enjoy extra days by going on some day trips from Cardiff, as there is lots to see in a short distance from the city.
How can I travel to Cardiff?
Cardiff is well connected to major cities in Wales and England by road, train, and bus. International visitors could travel directly to Cardiff Airport or Manchester, Birmingham, or London airports. There are some direct coaches from major airports across England to Cardiff.
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Planning to extend your Welsh travels? Look no further than my carefully planned out 7-day Wales itinerary that’ll take you to several of the country’s top sights.
