Days Out in Cardiff - Best Free Day Outs in Cardiff
If you’re planning a day out in Cardiff, there’s no reason for it to cost a fortune. There’s plenty of things to do around this small but vibrant city that won’t leave you feeling the pinch.
To help you plan your perfect trip, we’ve rounded up some of the best free places to see in the Welsh capital and have a Cardiff day out to remember.
What is Welsh Games?
Welsh Games embraces all the stereotypes of South Wales in one great day out, comprising of 9 totally hilarious games suitable for all sorts of groups.
If you have an upcoming, Stag do, Hen Weekend, Birthday Party or Team Building Day, then why not give us a try?
Cardiff Hottest Free Days Out
National Museum & Art Gallery
Home to Wales’ national collection of art and an impressive array of artefacts that explore the natural history of the nation, it’s easy to spend a day walking through the rich history of this small country.
As well as the permanent exhibits, which include Wales’ last surviving woolly mammoth (sort of!), the museum also hosts touring exhibitions throughout the year so, even if this isn’t your first visit, there’s sure to be something new to explore.
Explore the Arcades
Nestled among the high street shops, you’ll find a whole host of Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades full of independent boutiques, specialist stores and quirky cafés. In fact, they’re one of the things the city is famous for, even earning it the nickname, ‘The City of Arcades’.
While wandering through to take in the architecture and history is free, we can’t guarantee you won’t be tempted to pick up a few souvenirs along the way!
Wales Millennium Centre
Wales Millennium Centre is the cultural centrepiece of Wales. The building is one of the most recognisable in the city and its worth a trip just to admire the impressive exterior that’s carefully constructed out of Welsh wood, slate and steel.
While you need tickets for the main productions, there are free performances in the foyer throughout the week. Past shows have incorporated the arts in all its forms; from dance to choirs, contemporary music and one man plays.
Senedd
The Senedd is home to the Welsh Assembly Government but, if politics isn’t your thing, it’s also one of the most exciting pieces of modern architecture in Cardiff. Almost entirely constructed out of glass and wood, it offers spectacular views of Cardiff Bay, perfect for admiring the scenery while avoiding the changeable Welsh weather!
There’s plenty to do inside too. Free tours are available throughout the day and, if politics is your thing, you might even get the chance to watch what’s happening in the debating chamber from the gallery above.
Bute Park
There’s plenty of green space in Cardiff, giving you the chance to escape the city’s hustle and bustle. Bute Park is the largest and is only a few minutes’ walk from the centre.
It’s full of wide open spaces, woodlands and a path that takes you on a peaceful walk along the River Taff. It’s a beautiful place to spend a relaxing summer’s day, though equally enchanting to stroll around in the winter months with a hot chocolate in hand from one of the park’s various cafés.
It might be a small city but Cardiff is still packed full of things to do, even if you’re planning a trip on a shoestring. It’s smaller size also means everything’s close together, saving you money when you’re getting from A to B and giving you the chance to pack as much as possible into your itinerary, no matter how short your trip.
Now, all you need to do is decide when you’re going to visit!
