Best Free Things to Do in Cardiff

THE 10 BEST Free Things to Do in Cardiff

Best Free Things to Do in Cardiff

Traveler rating
Neighborhoods
Good for
101 places sorted by traveler favorites
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
…
Showing results 1-30 of 101

What travelers are saying

  • H C
    8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We visited on St. David's Day! We spent several hours and felt like we had gotten a good overview of the history of Wales from ancient times to modern-day. The various historical buildings were marvels and having staff on hand to answer questions and tell you about the building truly enhanced the visit. The exhibits inside the were comprehensive and well-curated. We spent several hours but honestly, could have spent the whole day and still not seen everything!
    Written March 17, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Paul T
    4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Seren very nice very helpful kind person with good customer service skills will go far very attitude towards everyone well done seren
    Written January 31, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Charlom1
    Cardiff, UK28 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful building, evolution of Wales and natural history sections interesting but in need of updating with more scope for interactive exhibits. Cafe and Oriel restaurant both disappointing - no food in the Oriel restaurant just before 12 and no menu in the foyer restaurant with an odd display of sandwiches with no descriptions. There could also be better signposting as to what’s on near the main entrance.
    Written February 18, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Stanley466
    Cape Town Central, South Africa818 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Large park right next to the main city attractions.

    One can simply take a short stroll, while we decided to make it a 10km run out and back. It was a great way to get out and see the natural beauty, just outside our hotel.

    A definite must do if visiting Cardiff.
    Written December 26, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jonathan H
    Cardiff, UK2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful park with something for all the family. Well worth a visit, will be coming back in the summer to see all the flowers.
    Written February 12, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Cindy T
    Pinellas Park, FL92 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This was an easy bus ride from Cardiff city center to Black Lion, then a quick walk to the cathedral. Stunning architecture inside and out. If you’re lucky the organist will be practicing and you can sit and enjoy the beautiful acoustics they have. It just felt very peaceful inside and I sat for a while and just took it all in. lovely little town as well.
    Written September 13, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • iamface
    Cardiff, UK1,552 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    a bit busy at sunny friday. many ship come and go out so that the bridge open and close many time. anyway. good for stay here and visit end of road that has lovely small house.
    Written July 9, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • lomaro
    Copenhagen, Denmark516 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A rather worn down market but it is build for local shopping and not to be a tourist spot. I imagine it is a great place to go shopping if you are local but if you are a tourist it is not a place to hang around to hang our.
    But good mixture of all the stalls you need for your every day shopping
    Written October 22, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • David D
    Devon, UK20,544 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We spent two nights in Cardiff Bay the 19th and 20th October during this time we visited the Quay a number of times.

    This waterfront Quay was part of the massive investment for the Dock and Bay regeneration programme and it opened in 1999.

    It is has numerous bars, restaurants, cafes and shops. However there are other interesting aspects to be seen and explored.

    Close by the "Spoons" pub, the Mount Stuart, which we visited more than once, there is the small Landsea Square and it's Water Feature. In front of the pub on the waterfront there is the Landsea Gardens and the Rugby Players Statue

    From the Quay there are views across the Plass to three very different styles of buildings, all of national importance, Welsh Millennium Centre, The Senedd, Parliament and the historic Pierhead Building.

    We walked across the wooden footbridge , than spans Roald Dahl Plass, to the Quay from near Pierhead Building. From the footbridge we overlooked The Plass and its pillars and seventy foot tall water tower.

    There were pieces of industrial machinery dotted around the place, a reminded of the area's history and former use.

    We had dinner on the Quay both nights, first night in Demiro's and the next night in Duchess of Delhi (both reviewed separately).

    Kiosks and their jetties lined up along the waterfront, from here it was possible to take boat trips around the bay and into the City.

    Most of the places mentioned in the review are reviewed separately.

    Written December 2, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • keith m
    Hyde, UK90 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A really good museum giving a lot of history about Cardiff over the years, the staff are friendly and helpful, it is free to enter, well worth a visit.
    Written December 2, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • David D
    Devon, UK20,544 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We spent two days,19th and 20th October, in Cardiff Bay which meant that we regularly saw this historic and fascinating old building.

    It stands in the Bay between the Senedd and the Welsh Millennium Centre

    This Grade I listed building was built in 1897 using distinctive and eye-catching glazed terracotta bricks. It was built as the headquarters for the Bute Dock Company. It was renamed as the Cardiff Railway Company in 1897.

    The most outstanding and notable features of the building is the impressive tall clock tower, it has a clock on each of its four sides.

    The old clock mechanism, which was replaced by an electronic one in 1973, is located in a glass cabinet on Saint Mary's Street.

    One of the other many features of the building, standing under three hexagonal chimneys, carved into the brickwork, is the Company's coat of arms with a train above that. Beneath that is the Company's motto "Wrth ddŵr a thân" which translates to "by water and fire". These are the elements required to create steam power which transformed Wales. It is all surrounded by highly ornamental and ornate brickwork with arches, columns.

    Underneath all that is a plaque to commemorate the centenary of the opening of the West Dock, which opened in 1839

    We walked around the exterior of the building admiring the design and highly ornate features of the building. This included the numerous hexagonal chimneys, gargoyles and delicately carved friezes. There were qwerky towers and turrets topped with conical shaped tiled roofs.

    The building became the administrative office for the Port of Cardiff in 1947, making it the most important building in the Bay, until the Senedd opened in 2006.

    We did not go inside the building but during a walkabout of the Senedd, which owns the building, we were informed that it is now a visitors centre and admission is free.

    Alongside the the building is a statute of Ivor Novello, one of Cardiff's famous sons. Also there is Roald Dahl Plass. There are four old cannons in front of the building facing out over the Bay.

    Written November 10, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Travela100
    Cardiff, UK193 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Only visited the cafe on this occasion. (Have visited the house before.) Excellent 10/10 nice cakes and great staff. Thank you.
    Written January 4, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • David D
    Devon, UK20,544 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Friday the 20th October we visited this important building, the heart of Welsh Government in Cardiff Bay.

    We climbed the many steps up to the entrance and went in, admission was free.

    Having been through an airport style security screening and scanning we were free to wander around this amazing building.

    We found ourselves in the viewing gallery, from there we could look through the glass panels down in to the chamber where the business of Government takes place. The seating here is made from Welsh oak. In front of the Speakers chair is the Ceremonial Mace of the Senedd.

    The most striking feature of the building is the slatted wooden funnel which stretches up to the roof and then creates an undulating wave across the ceiling. The base of the funnel provides the ceiling of the Chamber. It was created using Canadian sourced Western Redcedar timber. It was chosen for it's pliability and longevity.

    The walls of the foyer are covered using Welsh slate. The were other interesting features there including the sculptures of the map of Wales, and it's counties. Also from here there were views across the Bay through the vast glass panelled wall.

    While walking around the main foyer area of the building a member of staff approached us and asked if we had any questions or needed any information. He was so enthusiastic and impassioned about the building, its structure and sustainability features. He was happy to answer our questions about the balance of power in the parliament and the make up of the Government. Every time we tried to walk away he would recall some further facts to tell us, it was rather amusing.

    He did also inform us that the impressive Pierhead Building, was once the most important building in the Docks until the Parliament building opened. The grand Old building is owned by the Senedd Estate, it is now a visitors centre, open to the public, free admission.

    There is a cafeteria here where visitors can get some refreshments and snacks.
    Written November 22, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Georgia
    22 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Was nice to walk through, very clean place, would definitely look into eating at eating at one of the cafes if I was going back.
    Written February 15, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Alexander Marsden-Jones
    Colerne, UK539 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A wonderful walk through a really nice space. The informational boards on the history of the area are really interesting too!
    Written April 14, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.