What to do in Cardiff - Things to see and places to go in Cardiff while on a short trip

Here are, according to us and our local team, the things to do and see in Cardiff in order to get the real vibe, real essence of the city.

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1. Of course you could do all of the following or just register to our cultural scavenger hunt!

2. Take a look to this map of the city, to have a real idea on how it is built and organized.

3.  The Cardiff Castle

 Located in the center of the city, Cardiff Castle stands on a site once occupied by a Roman fort, parts of which (the walls, 4th century polygon bastions and the north gate) have been preserved and partially restored. The castle is in fact three fortresses in one. A new castle was built in 1090 on an artificial moat, and a range of richly decorated buildings added later (the whole complex was rebuilt at vast expense between 1865 and 1920). Highlights include the State Apartments, the Clock Tower, the Chapel and a spectacular Banqueting Hall with murals telling the tales of Robert the Consul and a huge ornate fireplace. Time your visit right, and you'll be rewarded with a chance to witness jousting tournaments, medieval markets and other fun events. 
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4. Wales Millennium Centre

Widely regarded as one of the world's top performing arts centers, the Wales Millennium Centre has become one of Cardiff's most important cultural landmarks and is a must-visit attraction. Covering an area of nearly five acres, it regularly hosts opera and ballet performances, as well as dance and musical productions, comedy shows and music concerts in its three theaters. It's also home to eight Welsh national arts organizations, from opera to orchestra, theatre to literature. Its location on Cardiff Bay makes it a great place simply to shop or dine, or to participate in workshops and fun learning opportunities. Guided behind-the-scenes tours are available covering such topics as architecture and the backstage organization of events and activities.
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5.  The Cardiff Bay

Widely regarded as the most successful in Britain, the superb Cardiff Bay redevelopment covers nearly 2,700 acres of former dockland and is home to high-end housing, offices, hotels, restaurants, theaters, sports grounds and numerous parks. Highlights of a visit include the redbrick Pierhead Building, built in 1897 and now home to displays relating to the history of Wales, and Mermaid Quay with its trendy restaurants, cafés and boutiques.
It's also where you'll find the Senedd, the architecturally pleasing new home of the National Assembly for Wales, as well as the wonderful Norwegian Church, an arts center and concert venue in a former church often visited by Roald Dahl. (The writer's importance to the city is widely recognized, and includes Roald Dahl Plass, a large public plaza notable for its summer concerts.) Cardiff Bay is also where you'll find Techniquest, a fun hands-on science center featuring a planetarium and theatre.
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6.  The National Museum of Cardiff

Located in Cardiff's spectacular Civic Centre, the National Museum of Cardiff (part of the National Museums of Wales group) houses the country's archaeology, geology, art and natural history collections. The Evolution of Wales exhibit takes visitors on a 4.5 million-year voyage that includes the many dinosaurs that once roamed the country. The museum's displays of fossils and Bronze Age weapons are also noteworthy. Another highlight of your visit should be the museum's superb Art Gallery, including fine collections of paintings, sculpture and ceramics spanning five centuries. Of particular note is its collection of Impressionist art, including work by Picasso, Rodin and Monet.
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7.  Llandaff Cathedral

 Llandaff Cathedral, founded in the time of Bishop Urban (1107-34), is one of the finest such structures in Wales. The main part of the Cathedral dates from the 13th century, while the northwest tower was rebuilt in the 15th century. Much of the cathedral later fell into a disrepair, but an Italian Temple was built within its walls in 1734. Although severely damaged during the last war, it has since been restored and contains many superb features, including a notable figure of Christ in Majesty by Epstein. Guided attraction tours are available with advance notice.
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 8. The Red Castle: Castell Coch

This enchanting mixture of Victorian Gothic fantasy and fairytale castle features many lovely rounded towers and turrets. Another of Britain's famous "sham" castles, this attractive medieval castle was actually constructed near the end of the 19th century. A tremendous amount of detail was put into it by its creators, the third Marquess of Bute and an eccentric genius called William Burges. Rich decorations house the interior, including details of the saints, Aesop's fables and many animals. Informative interactive displays and touch screens offer fun facts as guests explore the castle and its lovely grounds.
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Jonathan is our Cardiff local representative, we asked him what an ideal day of leisure in Cardiff could look like, what he would suggest doing from early morning to late at night
Here is what he suggests. Don't hesitate to contact Jonathan on Twitter @bigcitychase #Cardiff #questionforJonathan if you have questions for him, we may publish your conversation in this blog if he thinks it might be useful to other Cardiff visitors.

  Jonathan from Cardiff for Big City Chase Cardiff : 

"Hi, my name is Jonathan, I was born in London and moved to Cardiff at 7 years old, I've been living here since.