Where To Stay in Cardiff, Wales’ Vibrant Capital City

Cardiff, the capital of Wales for some fifty-odd years, is the UK’s 11th largest city. Sometimes known as The City of Castles, it provides all the amenities you need alongside some fascinating culture and history. Plus, some of Britain’s best national parks are right on the doorstep.

It makes for an exciting, alternative city break. The only question left to ask is, where to stay in Cardiff? Read on for a thorough breakdown of the best neighbourhoods call home, researched by the very best experts in the business, right here at Plum Guide.

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First-time visitor and wondering where to stay in Cardiff? The bustling city centre is the place to be. Considered the city's main business, shopping, and entertainment district, it plays host to a wide array of international eateries, retail shops and lively bars. This is where the action really happens.

Music fans can catch a gig at an array of concert venues both big and small. The Cardiff International Arena (CIA) often hosts some of the most popular artists, while smaller places like Clwb Ifor Bach and Tramshed champion the local, independent music scene. Nearby, the Principality Stadium (Wales’ national stadium for rugby and football) also offers concerts and tours alongside its game day matches. Another must-visit is Cardiff Castle. With over 2,000 years of history to uncover, this one will be a hit for history buffs. In the summer, you can also catch an outdoor concert in the castle courtyard.

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Cardiff has the largest number of Victorian, Edwardian and contemporary shopping arcades in the UK. The pedestrian-only Castle Quarter has all of your High Street favourites as well as independent shops. Come evening time, this is also the liveliest part of the city if you fancy a cocktail (or three) at one of the many bars, pubs and clubs around. Be warned though – it can get very noisy during the weekends, so bring along a pair of earplugs if you want to stay in the centre of the action.

On top of all the great amenities, Cardiff city centre is fantastically well connected, providing bus routes all around the city and further afield. Meanwhile, there are two main train stations in Queen Street and Cardiff Central, connecting you to the rest of the UK quickly and efficiently.

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A little further south of the city centre, Cardiff Bay was the beating, noisy heart of the Welsh import and export industry. During the industrial revolution, this is where all of the coal and slate extracted out of the Welsh mountains came to be loaded onto ships and sent all over the world. Nowadays, thankfully, it’s a little more tourist-friendly. You won’t have to sleep on a barge or scrub out the coal from under your fingernails at the end of the day.

In what is one of the largest urban regeneration projects in the UK, the former docklands has been transformed into a vibrant waterfront. Enjoy the beautiful bay views on foot or by boat, indulge in one of the 30-plus eateries in Mermaid Quay, or entertain the whole family with a show at The Wales Millennium Centre – it’s all here in one beautiful, convenient neighbourhood. With an easy, reliable connection to the city centre via Cardiff Bay train station and local buses, it makes for a great place to stay in Cardiff.

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Popular with students and families, Roath is a neighbourhood situated to the north-east of Cardiff city centre, about thirty minutes away by public transport. There’s an alternative vibe here, thanks to its healthy mix of ethnicities, age groups and independent artisan traders. Being a hotspot for the many students living in the city, you’ll find plenty of lively nightlife, thriving international eateries, traditional pubs and hip cafes.

If you’re looking to experience Cardiff's local soul, visiting in October means you can catch the week-long Made in Roath festival celebrating the area’s many authors, artists, designers, bakers and more. Meanwhile, in Roath Park, you can take a breather from the city, enjoying a stroll around the lake or hiring a rowboat for the afternoon on the water. Roath is also home to The Globe, another of Cardiff’s top music venues hosting bands, DJs and comedians.

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This inner-city suburb is one of the more ethnically diverse, home to a well-established Pakistani and Indian population. In other words, there’s some exceptional food to be found around here. A fond favourite is Purple Poppadom. While the poppadoms aren’t actually purple (they missed a trick there), award-winning chef Anand George has added some delicious modern twists on Indian classics. You’ll be eating here a lot.

Nearby, you’ve got the Chapter Arts Centre, a multi-purpose arts venue home to two cinemas, performance spaces, galleries and a cafe. It's the perfect place to hang out on one of Cardiff’s famously grey, rainy days. Canton is just a short bus ride from the city centre, making it an ideal location when it comes to where to stay in Cardiff.

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Just above Canton is the leafy neighbourhood of Pontcanna. Home to terraced houses and tree-dotted streets, it's relatively quiet and very family-friendly. Yet it sits only a short bus ride or thirty-minute walk from the city centre, allowing you to enjoy the best of both worlds. Unsurprisingly, this is one of the most sought-after neighbourhoods to live in Wales.

You can find a small but exciting mix of restaurants here – including Danish, Italian and French fare – as well as local pubs and trendy cafes. It's the place to be if you're after green space, too. A lazy stroll along the River Taff is a must, winding your way through Pontcanna Fields, Llandaf Fields and crossing the bridge to Bute Park. Got a cricket fan in your midst? Catch a game at Sophia Gardens, then end the day with a pint at one of the pubs along Cathedral Road.

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Llandaff blends into Pontcanna, so it's no shock that it's one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the UK. Often described as a true 'village city' (the High Street is certainly quaint), Llandaff gives you all the magic of Cardiff in a small, serene setting. Even better, it's situated right next to the sprawling Llandaff Fields and near the walkable River Taff trail, both perfect for evening strolls. When you want to visit the city centre, that's no problem – it's just a short twenty-minute bus ride away.

The highlight here is, of course, the stunning Llandaff Cathedral. Dating back to the 12th century, it's believed to be one of the oldest Christian sites in Britain and contains a number of notable tombs. Over the years, the building has faced its fair share of hardships, including lightning strikes, World War II bombs, and rebellion. Nowadays, you can arrange tours, attend choir and organ recitals and even catch an orchestral concert, sometimes held by candlelight.

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A short stroll away from Cardiff Central Station, Grangetown is a good option for a Cardiff city break. Locals here are extremely proud of their eclectic neighbourhood and rightly so. This is a really diverse part of the city with an infectiously strong sense of community among the many cafes and multicultural restaurants. Blending into Grangetown is the aptly-named area of Riverside, just across the way from the Principality Stadium. Running right along the River Taff, there are some nice walks in these parts, particularly in Bute Park, which sits opposite Riverside on the very edge of Cardiff city centre. On Sundays, be sure to swing by the Riverside Real Food Market, a small farmers' market held along the riverbank.

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Not far from the city centre, the town of Penarth is another excellent option for somewhere to stay in Cardiff. Easily accessible by train and bus, the city centre is just a few minutes away. It sits on the Severn Estuary just across the water from Cardiff Bay – in fact, you can even walk or bike across the barrage connecting the two.

Penarth's village-like atmosphere makes it a winner for families. The high street is brimming with cafes, independent stores, delicious restaurants and pubs aplenty. Bookworms shouldn't miss Griffin Books, voted one of the best independent bookshops in the UK. Another favourite is Home, a Michelin-star restaurant by James Sommerin, offering surprise menus based around the seasons and local produce.

Walk over to the Penarth Pier and you'll find even more waterfront eateries on the promenade. Facing the Bristol Channel, it's one of the last remaining Victorian piers in Wales, and the art deco Pavilion hosts year-round events, from live music to film screenings. A relaxing stroll along the pebble beach, an ice cream cone in hand, is the best way to take it all in.

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