Save

Half Day Complete Cardiff Walking Tour

5.0

3 Ratings

Cardiff

Discover Cardiff's rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning architecture on this half-day walking tour. Explore castles, docks, and lush greenery.

Duration: 4 hours

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

Cardiff Castle - We start the tour at Cardiff oldest building and most prominent landmark. Discover 2,000 years of Cardiff history, from the Romans to the Bute family, before we set off on our guided walk of the city.
Bute Park - Cardiff is one of the greenest cities in Britain, and the centrepiece of Cardiff’s greenery is the massive Bute Park, right next to Cardiff Castle. The Park features a river, stone circle, old monastery and more trees than you can imagine.
Cathays Park - Cathays Park is otherwise referred to as Cardiff’s Civic Centre, the finest of it’s kind in the whole of the UK. The neighbourhood features some of the most noteworthy buildings, parks and monuments in all of Cardiff. We’ll explore war memorials, City Hall and more on this stroll through the area.
Cardiff Central Market - Explore Cardiff iconic central market, one of the cities most popular landmarks. Both traditional and moder alike, the market is more popular and diverse than ever before, yet it’s location has a darker past than one might expect….
Principality Stadium - While Cardiff Castle may be Cardiff’s most notable old building, surely the Principality Stadium is its modern equivalent. Arguably the most well know structure in Wales, formerly known as the Millennium Stadium, the Principality is one of the world’s most famous rugby arenas and unique in it’s central location. The city of Cardiff arguably revolves around the events that’s take place here, from international rugby to world class musical entertainment.
Royal Arcade - Cardiff has the highest concentration of Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades, or galleries, of any city in all of the UK. Explore the city’s oldest with its unique shops, distinctive architecture and fairytale charm.
Butetown - Modern Cardiff just wouldn’t exist today without its most famous suburb. Cardiff’s most diverse neighbourhood grew rapidly in the nineteenth century as Cardiff became an industrial powerhouse and as people arrived to Wales from all over the world. The legacy of that survives in the buildings, people and streets of Butetown even today.
The Coal Exchange Hotel - One of the city’s most noteworthy and beautiful buildings, the Coal & Shipping Exchange was once the epicentre of the world’s coal trading industry. Today it is a glamorous hotel which captures and maintains the splendour of its origins.
Mermaid Quay - What was once the biggest coal exporting port in the world is now one of Europe’s most modern and revitalised waterfronts. Remnants of the glory age of industry survive today with some of the older, iconic buildings, but Mermaid Quay also contains a plethora of dining and drinking options which overlook a gleaming waterfront since the creation of Cardiff Bay Barrage in the 1990s. We will discuss the areas development and redevelopment over the past two centuries, as well as what the future holds.
Norwegian Church Arts Centre - One of the more unique or unexpected buildings in Cardiff is the Norwegian Church, as well as being one of the oldest surviving structures in the Bay area. Learn more about Wales’ links with Norway as we take in the views of Penarth and the Scott Memorial at this point of the waterfront.
Roald Dahl Plass - Roald Dahl was born in Cardiff, much to the surprise of many. The city’s most famous son, arguably, has been embraced more regularly in recent years and one sign of that is that the central plaza of the Bay area is named after the author. We will learn about the well known writer, his work, his legacy and his connections to Cardiff.
Wales Millennium Centre - The iconic modern structure of Cardiff Bay is no doubt the Wales Millennium Centre. It stands as a formidable, colourful and imposing shrine to the modern city and redeveloped waterfront. The architecture and backdrop are stunning, and fits as an ideal place to round off our four hour wander from Roman times to present day.
The Senedd - The Senedd, or Welsh Parliament, is the home of Welsh politics since its development as a building in 2006. It combines the heritage of Wales with the future and stands proudly overlooking the waterfront of Cardiff Bay. We will discuss Welsh politics and what the future may hold for this small but proud nation.
Cardiff City Hall - One of the city’s most glamorous and imposing buildings is City Hall, the centrepiece of the Civic Centre or Cathays Park, and a monument to the pre-War golden age of Edwardian Cardiff. Entry may be possible depending on the time, day of the week and other events taking place at the building.
Pierhead Building - While the Millennium Centre is Cardiff Bay’s iconic modern building, the Pierhead is surely the older equivalent. One of the most distinctive and unique looking structures in the city, it stands out from the surrounding area due to its shining red brick and tall clock tower. Learn its history, origins and present as we either pass by it or go inside depending on availability.

What's Included

Experienced native English speaking guide

What's Not Included

Bottled water
Gratuities

Additional Information

This tour will give you a complete overview of the history, culture, geography & architecture of Cardiff. The capital of Wales is a young city but also a fascinating place full of greenery, castles, waterways, Victorian and Edwardian splendour, forged around a strong, growing Welsh identity.

Cardiff wouldn’t exist without the influence of its Castle, while modern Cardiff wouldn’t exist if not for the development of the docks. By choosing this tour you will discover how the two sections of the city compliment each other, and how they gave us the city we have today.

Location

Castle Welsh Crafts Ltd

Castle Street

Outside the front entrance of Cardiff Castle, to the left of the main doorway. Look out for the guide in green or with a green umbrella.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

5.0

(3 Ratings)

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Alwayswaayonvacation

Apr 20, 2024

GreatcTour of Cardiff - This is a great tour! Eugene is interesting, funny and is a wonderful tour guide. Cardiff is an interesting city and this tour covers the highlights.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Margeves

Apr 13, 2024

Top Class - Thoroughly enjoyed this very informative free walking tour around Cardiff, led by Eugene who was an excellent very informative guide. learnt lots of interesting facts about the city and its history. It really is a must when visiting the area.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Benmoore89