2025 Castle Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in June)

#cardifftrip Cardiff Castle is a remarkable historical site that offers a fascinating journey through over 2,000 years of history. Located in the heart of Cardiff, the castle features a striking Norman keep, elegant Victorian apartments, and remnants of a Roman fort. The richly decorated interiors, designed by architect William Burges, are a true highlight, showcasing intricate carvings, murals, and stained glass. The castle grounds provide a serene space to explore, while the wartime shelters offer a glimpse into its role during World War II. Informative exhibits and guided tours enhance the experience. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or a casual visitor, Cardiff Castle’s architectural beauty and historical significance make it a must-see destination.

#RegisterJanuaryHotelTestSleeper2025#NewYearGoodDestination2025 #trip #Relax #GlobalTravel #FoodTour 🏞Cardiff, the capital of Wales, is the seventh largest city in the UK and one of the ten "core cities" in the UK. The road signs are written in Welsh and English, reflecting the strong national pride of the Welsh people. 🏞Cardiff has very convenient transportation and is close to other cities in England, reaching various places in 50 minutes (Bristol) and 2 hours (London). Houses are cheaper, but you get all the trappings of capital city living (National Theatre, Millennium Stadium, Parliament etc). 🏞Places such as Cardiff Market and Wells Bar highlight Cardiff's very active regional business network. 🏞Cardiff tour can start from the Cardiff Castle🏰 in the city center, all the way south, there is the World Heritage Centennial Wall, a large area of ​​city parks, walk into the Anchar arcade street, the core shopping area of ​​Cardiff city, stroll in the shopping street that combines history and daily life, and don't forget to pair it with Wales Cake, the traditional Cardiff delicacy. 🏞Pass by the famous landmarks Cardiff Central Library, Wales Millennium Centre🏟, Welsh Parliament🏢, Norwegian Church⛪️, and stroll all the way to Cardiff Bay🏞. In addition to enjoying the beautiful sunset, you can also enjoy dinner on the river bank.

#roadtrips Just wrapped up an unforgettable road trip through Wales, and it exceeded every expectation! We started in Cardiff, exploring the iconic Cardiff Castle (entrance around £14), before hitting the open roads to discover the country’s incredible scenery. Driving through the Brecon Beacons was a highlight—rugged hills, hidden waterfalls, and sheep everywhere you look! Snowdonia National Park was the next stop. We didn’t have time to hike Snowdon, but the drive alone offered jaw-dropping views. We took a detour to Conwy, a charming town with a medieval castle (entry was about £11). The historic vibe combined with the seaside setting made it magical. What really stood out about Wales was the peacefulness of the countryside. Every stop felt like a hidden gem, from quiet coastal towns to majestic mountains. Whether you’re into hiking, history, or just soaking up natural beauty, Wales has it all. I can’t wait to go back and explore even more! #WalesRoadTrip #SnowdoniaAdventures #CardiffCastle #BreconBeacons #ConwyCastle #DiscoverWales

Cardiff, the capital of Wales, is a lively city packed with cool vibes and rich history. Check out Cardiff Castle for a taste of the past and catch a game at the iconic Principality Stadium. Head to Cardiff Bay for fun waterfront dining and artsy spots like the Wales Millennium Centre, where you can catch a show. The city's food scene is diverse, from classic Welsh dishes to global eats. With plenty of parks for hangouts and events year-round, Cardiff has a friendly, youthful spirit that makes it an exciting place to explore and experience. #100WaysOfTravel #wales #cardiff

Discover Cardiff, UK, where history meets modern vibrancy. Explore Cardiff Castle's medieval wonders, stroll through the lively streets of the city center, and visit the stunning Cardiff Bay. Enjoy the green spaces of Bute Park, shop in Victorian arcades, and experience the dynamic cultural scene. Cardiff offers a perfect mix of heritage and contemporary charm for a memorable day. #uk #cardiff #100waysoftravel

Cardiff market is an iconic landmark in the city center that feels like a time portal to a bygone era. The indoor market was opened in 1891 and has kept most of its original features, it has two main entrances and it’s a hub of activity. The market has everything you could need from jewellers and cobblers to butchers and grocers. There are great hot food options with Mexican, Indian, Thai and even freshly made Welsh cakes. The upstairs offers great views over the market and most of the food stalls have seating around the balconies It’s a great place to have a snack and get some groceries while taking in the historical vibes 📍Address: Cardiff Center 💞Reasons to Recommend: A trip back in time! 🕰️Business Hours: Monday - Saturday 8AM - 5PM (Closed Sunday) #markets #100waysoftravel #localguides #cardiff #wales

The National Museum of Wales is a fantastic free day out for the whole family, located in the heart of Cardiff’s civic center. The museum is housed in a stunning building and houses both a natural history museum, art gallery and dedicated sections about the history of wales itself. The museum is famous for it’s large collection of dinosaur bones and life size models, I remember going so many times as a child - so it’s amazing to be able to come back and visit again. The natural history galleries are on the lower floors with the art galleries on the higher floors and through the extensions added to the back of the building. There is a nice cafe and gift shop in the main atrium where you can sit back and take in the stunning building around you. The museum is free so It does get busy, I would advise going early in the day to make sure you have enough time to take in everything you want to see. 🕰️Business Hours: 10AM - 5PM (closed Mondays except bank holidays) 📍Address: Central Cardiff Civic Center 💰Average Price per Person: free entry! (£6.50 for parking if needed) #100WaysOfTravel #museums #historicallandmarks #cardiff #wales #history

Attraction: National Museum Cardiff Address: Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NP Direction: Get off at Cathays station. If you are in city center, you can simply walk Entrance Fee: Free Summer is not only about heading to the beach, if you want to escape from the summer sun, museums are one of the best place to visit. National Museum Cardiff is one of the most interesting museum you can visit. This is a museum full of different things to see, from contemporary art to dinosaurs! This is a museum suitable for all ages. No wonder you are adult or young kid, you will definitely learn something new! #timetotravel #museum #cardiff

UK is huge but getting around is not too difficult thanks to its good public transport available. The ride from London to Cardiff is around 3.5 hours, so you can definitely do a weekend trip or even a day trip! Getting There : National Express, Flix Bus, Mega bus Attractions - Cardiff Castle, Bute Park, National Museum Accommodation: Hilton, Mrs.Pott Food & Restaurants - Many to choose from! Shopping - Cardiff City center, many malls and shops to shop! Cardiff is a peaceful place, you definitely will enjoy your time here. #londontrip

Name: Mrs. Pott Hostel Location: 109 St. Mary Street, Cardiff, UK This is one of the very few hostels in Cardiff, it very affordable with less than £20 a night for a dorm bed. Free hot drinks are available self serviced. The location of this place is perfect, only 6 mins walk from Cardiff Castle. Shopping mall and all restaurants are just around! The bed comes with curtains so privacy is ensured. Washroom and shower is also very clean. Unfortunately Wifi isn’t easily connected in rooms. If you are a backpacker, I definitely recommend this place to stay. Rating: 8/10 #freehotelstay #cardiff

Cardiff is the capital of Wales, a coastal city, very comfortable. We arrived in Cardiff by train from Gloucester the night before, found a hotel to stay in that night, and started our one-day tour of Cardiff the next day. It doesn't get dark until 7 or 8 o'clock after British Summer Time, so the time for sightseeing is greatly extended. In the morning we went to Cardiff market and bought some Welsh biscuits. We bought two of each flavour, including coconut jam, chocolate, traditional and lemon flavours. Ten pieces cost 4.5 pounds. They tasted sweet and very good. Then we walked to Cardiff Castle, took some photos there, and took a walk inside. It felt so magnificent. Then walk to the Cardiff Museum, which houses Monet's water lilies and is also a great place to take photos. Then we bought a day bus pass for 3.8 pounds and started our bus tour. We first had a meal, a South American dish called wings of glory. The dishes tasted very novel and worth trying. The boss was also very nice. The bathroom also provided free tampons and sanitary napkins, which was very thoughtful. Then we took a car to the beach and went to Cardiff Bay. The sunshine was great and the wind was not strong. Finally I took the 8:30pm train back home. It was a very fulfilling day! #OverseasTravel #UK #cardiff

The biggest stadium in Cardiff, also the home of the Wales national rugby Union team. It also hosted to countless other events including football, world class boxing and concerts. This stadium has a capacity of 74,500 seats and a retractable roof. Located at the city centre in Cardiff, you can head into the stadium for a stadium tour! #tripblazers #cardiff #stadium #europe #darwintravel

Visited Cardiff alone after meeting my friends studying in Bristol, the place where I spent a night at, hotel Indigo has super nice staff who are friendly and smiley all the time:)My favourite moment is when I got into Cardiff Market and bought cakes from Bakestones-nice old bakery with super delicious pastry which reminds me of HK’s authentic bakery. If you are tired when studying in UK Cardiff is always a nice place to go

1. Cardiff Castle Address - Castle St., Cardiff CF10 3RB Highlights - This castle is really beautiful. You can see the Wales flag on top of it. This is worth visiting. Rating - 5 out of 5 2. Cardiff National Museum Address - Cardiff CF10 3NP Highlights - There is no entrance fee here. This museum is perfect place for family, friends or solo traveller. You can see some animations and visual presentations. There are some preserved animals and skeletons of dinosaurs. There are paintings too and more. Rating - 5 out of 5 3. Norwegian Church Arts Centre Address - Harbour DR, Cardiff CF10 4PT Highlights - There’s a flag of Norway here. This is located near the Cardiff Bay and it’s nice to have a walk along this place. Rating - 5 out of 5

#ridesharingtravel Cardiff might be compact, but if you’re aiming to squeeze in castles, waterfronts, and countryside in one trip—ride sharing is the local travel hack you didn’t know you needed. Whether you’re hopping between iconic landmarks or venturing into South Wales, it’s fast, flexible, and surprisingly affordable. ⸻ 🏙️ Where Ride Sharing Makes a Difference: 🏰 Cardiff Castle ➡️ St Fagans National Museum of History No direct public bus? No problem. Ride share gets you to this open-air Welsh heritage museum in 15–20 minutes—easy and efficient. 🌉 Cardiff Bay ➡️ Llandaff Cathedral From modern waterfront to medieval beauty, ride sharing skips slow bus routes and gets you exploring faster. 🌲 City Centre ➡️ Castell Coch (Red Castle) This fairytale-like fortress is just outside town—ride sharing makes the uphill route easy and scenic. 🛤️ Cardiff Central Station ➡️ Your Hostel or Airbnb Perfect for arrivals or departures with luggage, especially if you’re staying outside the main drag. ⸻ 💰 Why Ride Sharing Works in Cardiff: ✅ Budget-friendly – Short trips can cost as little as £5–£10, even cheaper when split ✅ Time-saving – Great for travelers with limited time or planning a day trip ✅ No waiting – Skip bus schedules and hop in with ease via apps like Uber or Bolt ✅ Perfect for small groups – Traveling with friends? Share the fare and save more ✅ Get local insights – Chatty drivers often drop solid food/pub recs while you’re en route ⸻ 💡 Backpacker Tips: 📱 Use Bolt or Uber – both operate well in Cardiff 🕒 Travel off-peak to avoid traffic and slightly higher fares 👫 Pair up with fellow hostel travelers to split costs 📍 Have your destination clearly mapped—especially for less-known spots 🎒 Use ride shares to reach spots like Penarth Pier or Caerphilly Castle if you’re doing a DIY day trip

If you're traveling in Europe, visiting castles is a must! This time, it's Cardiff Castle in the UK! 💞 Recommended Reason: Cardiff Castle boasts 2,000 years of history and is a medieval castle with Victorian Gothic Revival architecture. It is also a significant landmark in Cardiff, located right in the city center. If you have a student art pass, you can't miss this spot because students can enter for free. The castle offers plenty of areas to explore, making it a great value for visitors! Photography enthusiasts will especially love it as it's perfect for capturing memorable moments. Inside, there's also a small historical exhibition about Cardiff. While touring the castle, you can download a free app on your phone to listen to guided introductions. However, it's recommended to arrive at Cardiff Castle in the morning since the area to explore is quite large, and the castle closes early. After your visit, you can head to the city center for a meal. 📍 Address: Cardiff Castle 🕰️ Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 10:00-17:00; Saturday and Sunday 09:00-17:00 (Please check the official website for the opening hours on your visit date) 💰 Cost: Free for student art pass holders. For other prices, please refer to the official website.

#cityplaybook Cardiff, the lively capital of Wales, is a perfect mix of history, culture, and modern vibes. At the heart of the city stands Cardiff Castle, a stunning blend of Roman ruins and Gothic fantasy—perfect for exploring towers and secret passages. Just a short drive away, St. Fagans National Museum of History offers a fascinating walk through Welsh life with its open-air historical buildings and lovely gardens. Whether you're into sports, shopping, or soaking up stories of the past, Cardiff's got something for everyone—plus plenty of spots for a good cup of tea or pint.

Pictured - Rugby European Cup Final

A magnificent building located right next to the City Hall in the center of Cardiff 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 That is the Cardiff National Museum, which combines an art museum and a natural science museum 🎨🦖 The exhibition space is so large that there is plenty to see 👀 The art museum is lined with masterpieces by impressionists such as Renoir, Van Gogh, Manet, and Monet 🖼️ The contemporary art exhibition was particularly impressive, and I ended up staying there for a long time. In the natural science area, there are dinosaur fossils, animal taxidermy, and a geology corner, so both adults and children can enjoy it 🦕🌍 And admission is free 🆓 If you come to Cardiff, it's a spot that you won't regret stopping by ❤️ 📍Location: Cardiff CF10 3NP, United Kingdom #Let's go abroad #Wales #Cardiff #British travel

I started my day by visiting Cardiff Cathedral, a quiet and beautiful place of worship. Though it is not as large as other cathedrals, it has a peaceful atmosphere and detailed interior design. Next, I stopped by Cardiff Market. I tried a traditional Welsh cake from one of the bakery stalls, which was delicious and freshly made. After that, I walked to the National Museum Cardiff. The museum has a variety of exhibitions, including Welsh history. I especially liked the art gallery, where I saw paintings by both Welsh and international artists. The museum is free to enter, and it is a good place to learn more about the country’s culture and identity Later, I visited Cardiff Castle, which is located in the city centre. I took a short tour that explained the different periods of the castle’s history. I hope to return one day and explore more of Wales.

📅 Itinerary - Cardiff Market : walk 9 min from train station - Cardiff Castle : walk 2 min - St. Fagans National Museum of History : walk 6 min to Cardiff Bridge KQ, bus 32 to St. Fagans Museum (35 min), walk 1 min - Wales Millennium Centre : walk 4 min to Westgate Street KD, bus Sky to The Flourish (9 min), walk 4 min - Cardiff Bay View Point : walk 7 min 🥣 Food Recommendations - Fabulous Welshcakes : it likes pancakes in a small size and there are many flavors 🥞 - Barkers Tea Rooms : to have the afternoon tea here 🍵 walk 2 min to St. Fagans Museum, bus 32 to Cardiff Bus Interchange Bay 3 (32 min), walk 7 min *In this trip, i took a train from england to cardiff 🚞

📍 Itinerary Overview : Cardiff Central Station - Central Market - Cardiff Castle - Bute Park - Cardiff Bay 🏖️ Must-Visit Attractions : Cardiff Castle, Bute Park and Cardiff bay 🚇 Transportation : Train using Britrail Pass 📷 Photo Spots : Central market, Cardiff castle, Bute park, Cardiff bay 🍜 Local Cuisine : many shops to choose in Central market or Cardiff bay 🏠 Accommodation : Four Points Flex by Sheraton Cardiff 💡 Tips : relaxing out and walk around in Cardiff, if you have Britrail pass you can take train to Cardiff bay without going and pay more by bus or tram. #cardiff #cardiffcastle #butepark #cardiffbay #cardiffcentralmarket

Beautiful view out Cardiff castle

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This time, I started from Bristol and headed to Cardiff and Swansea in Wales. The whole place is full of European charm 🥰. A day trip is generally sufficient, but staying an extra night allows you to soak in more of the local atmosphere. 🚄Transportation: Take a train from Bristol to Cardiff Central, which takes about 60 minutes. From Cardiff to Swansea, it takes about 60 minutes. From Swansea back to Bristol, it takes about 2 hours. 🔖Recommended Attractions: Cardiff Market - Must try Wales Cake! Cardiff Castle 🏯 Animal Walls 🐻 Bute Park 🌲 Swansea center 👝 Swansea Bay 🛥️ The whole country of Wales has a different vibe compared to England. It feels like being in a movie, and the food tastes slightly different too. If you are traveling in the UK, why not explore the beautiful and vintage Wales ⏳

#cardiff #wales #travel #citycenter