Top hotels in Cardiff

Capital of Wales

Cardiff is the Capital city of Wales and is the largest city in the country with a population of 350,000. It hasn’t always been the capital city and was granted this honour in 1955.

As you would expect from a capital city Cardiff has everything to suit all tastes but it also a world famous sporting venue with the recently erected Millennium Dome that became the National Stadium for England Football club during the building the new Wembley Stadium over a seven year period. As such its fondly adored by both Welsh and English football fans alike.

One word of warning is that the Welsh have their own language which is still widely spoken throughout the country and most of the street signs and often menus have the words spelt out in English and in Welsh or sometime only in welsh so take your translation guide book.

Castles meet modern building on the shores of Cardiff Bay

Cardiff is an interesting and rather unusual city because it has many different aspects from the Port to the sea side, known as Cardiff Bay. In addition it has a modern shopping centre, art galleries and government building all within walking distance of each other.

To best explore the city visit a tourist information office and find an are which best suits your tastes. There is too much to see to enjoy the entire city in one day so plan you trip over several days and you won’t be disappointed.

Make sure that Cardiff Castle is one of the must-see sights on your list. It is a huge gothic building and fully functionally with a history dating back to the 11th Century.

A city that has risen into a very prosperous town

Cardiff is a very proud city and it has recovered very prominently from the difficulties it suffered during the depression on the early 1930s that saw the demise in its Docklands trade by more than 50%. It has since grown in reputation and stature and is now a commanding and powerful, modern capital city.

The government buildings are based in the Centre of Cardiff and as a trading, commercial centre it is second to none in the country.

Shopping

The majority of the shops in the city centre are large brand labels but there are also some retail parks in the suburbs near Cardiff Bay. The most famous shopping venue in Cardiff and also the largest is the St David’s Centre in Cardiff Bay which is one of the largest shopping centres in the United Kingdon covering 130,000 square metres. Alternatively head to the Castle Quarter for a more traditional selection of shops all offering great items and good discounts.