Cardiff

Cardiff (Welsh: Caerdydd) is the capital of Wales. It used to be an industrial city, but is now a lively and modern national capital and a tourism hot spot. The city is friendly to pedestrians, and summer is by far the best time to visit, with large festivals, and outdoor dining and drinking.

The downtown has been intensely developed in the 21st century, and is now considered to be one of the top ten shopping destinations in the United Kingdom. Cardiff is a green city, and thit is complimented by Bute Park which sits in the heart of the city. It has a reputation as a city of castles, having 5 different castles within its surroundings. The city's core population stands at roughly 341,000, with 861,000 living in the larger urban area.

Cardiff Halal Travel Guide

Cardiff is on the south coast of the south Wales plain, with a shoreline on the Bristol Channel. It lies at the mouth of three rivers: the Taff and the Ely and the Rhymney, with the Taff flowing through the downtown and all three reaching the sea at Cardiff Bay. Cardiff is quite a flat city, a characteristic that helped it become one of the world's leading ports for the transport of coal from the rugged south Wales Valleys.

Around 12% of the residents of Cardiff speak Welsh, and all public signs in the city are in both Welsh and English. However, as elsewhere in Wales, English is universally understood.

City

Cardiff's downtown is in the southern portion of the city just north of Cardiff Bay. It is traditionally centred at the castle, bounded to the north by the historic civic centre, large Bute park arboretum and university buildings, by the River Taff to the West, and by the Valleys and National rail lines to the east and south respectively. Growth is pushing the downtown beyond these boundaries, especially in regards to commercial office and residential provision.In particular and the area south of the original downtown towards and including Cardiff Bay has been almost completely redeveloped.

History

Cardiff's history follows its castle which has been occupied for over 2,000 years when the Romans created a fort on the river Taff (where the name may have come from 'Caer' fort, on the 'Taff'); the fort's original walls can still be seen highlighted around the base of Cardiff Castle's walls. In Medieval times the castle grew, and a small town spread from its south gate and the medieval street pattern can still be seen around High Street. In the 15th century the town was destroyed by the last great Welsh Prince Owain Glyndwr. Successive owners fortified the castle and the town timidly grew, until the industrial revolution when the 2nd Marquess of Bute built the Glamorganshire canal to transport coal from the Welsh valleys through Cardiff's docks.

Combined with the later arrival of the railways, Cardiff's population exploded and the docks grew to become the largest coal exporting port in the world. At its peak and the price of the world's coal was determined at Cardiff'sCoal Exchange the first ever £1,000,000 cheque was written here in 1901 (equivalent to £117,000,000 in 2022). Cardiff was the 3rd largest port of the British Empire, resulting in Edward VII granting Cardiff city status in 1905. With the rise of the city's fortunes and the Marquis of Bute transformed Cardiff castle into a fairytale gothic palace. He also donated land to build the civic centre which contains the City Hall, National Museum, university and government buildings, all built in elaborate neo-classical Baroque styles out of white Portland stone.

The Marquis also commissioned the architect William Burges to design many public and residential buildings in a distinctive Gothic style - many are still visible in the downtown and the inner suburbs. Wales did not have a de jure capital until 1955, when Cardiff was chosen as the largest city. However, with the post-War decline of coal and the city's docks became increasingly abandoned, and in the 1990s the city's transformation began with the building of a barrage to stop the worlds second largest tidal range from revealing dirty mud flats, and creating what is today Europe's largest waterfront regeneration project.

The Bay today is a mixture of apartments, sport, leisure and culture and its success has also seen a rejuvenation of the downtown, where large scale pedestrianisation and the recent massive Street David's redevelopment have created a vibrant city, combining the best of the old, sitting close to modern architecture and amenities. As for the Castle, it was handed over to the people of Cardiff, and is now a major tourist, corporate and cultural attraction, an indication of where the city's future lies.

Profile

Cardiff has a strong sporting and cultural presence given that it is the capital city, and therefore plays host to most Welsh sporting events, especially since the opening of the Millennium Stadium in the downtown. In fact one of the city's charms is when it plays host to matches and the downtown atmosphere can be extraordinary, being swelled by 75,000 attendees and thousands of revellers.

Cardiff used to be quite a gritty city with the port and industry playing a huge role — Cardiff's ports were once among the most important in the world. Notable milestones were when Cardiff Bay (sometimes called Tiger Bay) was the first area of modern Britain to be thought of as a multicultural area given the huge part immigrants played in the city's ports. The area is still home to one of the oldest and largest expatriate Somali communities in the world. The world's first 'million pound' deal was also signed at the Bay's own Coal Exchange building.

The city has moved away from its industrial past, however, and has been transformed by developments such as Cardiff Bay, which now hosts famous and striking monuments such as the National Assembly for Wales and the spectacular Wales Millennium Centre. Massive investments have also been made throughout other parts of the city, such as the opening of the Millennium Stadium and massive Saint David's Shopping Centre.

When to go

Cardiff is best to visit during late spring to early autumn as the warm weather adds to the city's pleasures and allows maximum experience of all the sites and areas of the city. Although the city benefits from mild weather all year round, like much of Wales it also receives substantial rainfall, especially in winter.

How to travel to Cardiff

Fly to Cardiff

The main airport is Cardiff Airport GPS 51.396667,-3.343333 (IATA Flight Code: CWL). Thit is the only major airport in Wales and is situated some 12 miles to the south-west of the city adjacent to the town of Rhoose in the Vale of Glamorgan. The airport is served by a number of airlines including ybe.co.uk/ Flybe, KLM-Airline.com/ KLM-Airline, Thomsonfly.co.uk/ Thomsonfly and Skybus. KLM-Airline provide worldwide links to Cardiff via Amsterdam Schiphol airport (IATA Flight Code: AMS). Domestic services operate daily to Anglesey, Belfast, Newcastle, Newquay, Jersey, Glasgow and Edinburgh. As for European routes, Amsterdam, Paris, Madrid, Dublin, and many other holiday routes such as Faro, Palma de Mallorca and Alicante, operate daily.

Car parks serving Cardiff Airport

	Address	On/Off Airport	Distance / Transfer Time	Security	Park Mark Award	Additional Information	Clients Retain Car Keys
Airparks	Days Inn Cardiff, Port Road, Rhoose, Vale of Glamorgan, CF62 3BT	Off	1 mile / 5 minutes	CCTV, security fencing, floodlighting and 24-hour security patrols.	Yes	No shuttle vanes or high-sided vehicles are accepted.	No
Highwayman Parking	Highwayman Security Park, Fonman Rhoose, Barry, South Glamorgan, CF62 3BH	Off	0.3 miles / 7 minutes	24-hour CCTV coverage, floodlighting, razor-wire security fencing, guard dogs and airport security patrols every 15 minutes.	Yes	Trailers are permitted, but will be charged for an extra space.	No
NCP Long Stay Car Park	Cardiff Airport, Cardiff, CF62 3BD	On	0.4 miles / walking distance	CCTV, perimeter fencing, automated entry/exit barriers and security patrols.	No	Trailers are not permitted.	Yes
Cardiff Short Stay	Cardiff Airport, Cardiff, CF62 3BD	On	N/A	CCTV, perimeter fencing, automated entry/exit barriers and security patrols and disabled access	No	Trailers are not permitted.	Yes
Cardiff Long Stay	Cardiff Airport, Cardiff, CF62 3BD	On	N/A	CCTV, perimeter fencing, automated entry/exit barriers and security patrols and disabled access	No	Trailers are not permitted.	Yes

Increasingly, Bristol Airport GPS 51.382778,-2.719167 (IATA Flight Code: BRS) is used as well by residents and visitors of Cardiff. Prices can be lower, and it can be easily reached by vehicle or public transport.

Travel by train to Cardiff

eHalal has a guide to Rail travel in the United Kingdom. Cardiff Central train station GPS 51.4755,-3.178 is a major hub for many services and is in an ideal location being very close to the main downtown attractions and is in close proximity to Cardiff Bay. Arriva Trains Wales operate the vast majority of intra-Wales services with regular departures from Cardiff Central to the South Wales Valleys, Swansea, and a frequent service to North Wales. They also operate regularly to Manchester and Birmingham making Cardiff ideal to visit via rail. All inter-city travel is via Cardiff Central while Cardiff Queen Street GPS 51.4819,-3.1703 station near the eastern end of the downtown is the hub for Cardiff's Valley Lines services, connecting the centre of the city with the suburbs and commuter towns. Both stations are controlled by ticket barriers, so you will need a ticket to enter or leave the platforms. Ticket machines are in the entrance of the stations, and in Central station there are many maps that will help you plan your journey.

Cardiff Central is two hours from London Paddington by train, however some may take longer with more stops. Trains depart half hourly during the day and are operated by First Great Western. These services also continue hourly to Swansea. First Great Western run a service from Cardiff to Portsmouth Harbour via Newport, Bristol, Bath and Southampton.

Rail service provides quick and easy links to other interesting areas (such as the Vale of Glamorgan and West Wales), making Cardiff a pleasant and affordableer place to use as a home base while exploring the surrounding areas.

The city has around 22 train stations within its boundaries, with travel to North Cardiff especially accessible, Tourist attractions such as Cardiff Bay, Castell Coch and Barry Island can be easily and cost effectively reached by train or bus.

How to travel to Cardiff by car

From London and the South East of England, Cardiff is most swiftly reached by taking the M4 motorway west across the Severn Bridge, which became toll-free in December 2023, and into Wales. Journey times from Central London to Cardiff are 3 hours, although visitors from Heathrow could shave up to an hour off this time. The M4 is also the main artery linking Cardiff with West Wales including Swansea, while the A470 road mainly links Cardiff with the South Wales Valleys, Mid Wales and North Wales. Travelling from North or Central England and Scotland the M50 links the M5 motorway with Wales and continues down to south Wales eventually linking with the M4.

Within Cardiff, it is cheaper to find a train station and continue onto the downtown via train, as vehicle parking within the city, although plentiful, can be expensive. Getting around the town by vehicle is straightforward, even within the downtown, it is quite easy moving around; although, it's best to restrict entering the downtown area during off-peak times, as congestion can occur at rush hour like. The downtown is pretty compact and its much easier and affordableer to move around on foot or bike. When major events (in particular international rugby matches) take place at the Millennium Stadium, most streets in the downtown are closed to vehicles, and even getting around of foot can be slow due to large crowds.

By coach

National Express operate regular services to and from most other major city's in Britain. Buses arrive and depart from Sophia Gardens, just north of the downtown, whilst the central bus station is being moved and reconstructed. In addition, MegaBus offer a regular and very affordable service to London and departs from near Cardiff Castle. Cardiff is about 3 hours, depending on traffic, from London.

How to get around in Cardiff

Walk in Cardiff

The Hayes - Cardiff - - 1558094

Cardiff, especially the central area, is pretty compact with the main attractions being quite close to each other making getting around on foot quite easy. Most sights are signposted to help you guide your way around the town centre and the bay.

By bike

The city's flatness makes cycling fairly painless, especially around the Bay and Downtown (including Bute Park). The Taff Trail and Ely Trail provide mainly off-road paths through the city and beyond, although on days with good weather these paths can be almost inaccessible for cyclists due to inconsiderate pedestrians filling up the paths. Most parts of the city provide pleasant cycling, although some areas are more difficult due to heavy traffic or no-cycling pedestrianised roads (such as Queen Street). The 'Oy Bike' scheme has now been cancelled but bike hire is available from 'Pedal Power' in the Pontcanna Fields Campsite and from 'Cardiff Cycle Tours' at NosDa backpackers hostel.

Travel on a Bus in Cardiff

Cardiff Bus offer a comprehensive network of services across the city, to the nearby City of Newport and to destinations in the Vale of Glamorgan. Due to an ongoing relocation of the bus station, most buses are based in streets around the Central Station, most prominently on Westgate Street. Bus stops for specific destinations can be found on posters displayed at the Central Station. Fares are a straightforward £1.90 for any adult journey across the city, whereas £3.80 buys an all day 'Day to Go' pass to travel across the network (including Penarth, Dinas Powys, Llandough, Sully and Wenvoe) all. Another option is the 'Network Dayrider' ticket. This costs £7.00 for an adult ticket, but gives unlimited access to any bus travel in South East Wales. If you are sightseeing in Cardiff during the day and then going to Caerphilly and onto Newport, for example, this one ticket will cover all that travel.

Cardiff Bus also operate a frequent 'Baycar' service between the downtown and Cardiff Bay, which makes it easy to get between the main attractions and is good value if you don't want to walk or take the train. Thit is covered by the regular fare system.

Stagecoach in South Wales, Veolia Transport Cymru and First Cymru also offer regular routes in and around Cardiff and South East Wales.

Open top sightseeing buses operate regularly during the summer season at a price of roughly £12.00/person.

There are also park and ride sites based at County Hall and Crown Way, see _frameset.shtml National Park and Ride Directory

Travel by train to Cardiff

It can be quite cost-effective, quick, and easy to visit areas with a local train station, such as Llandaff Gothic Church or Penarth Pier as services leave from both Cardiff Central or Queen Street stations so check on maps for train services, if you'd rather this than the bus. Cardiff Bay can also quickly be reached by a service from Queen St. The wider Cardiff metropolitan area (including Penarth, Taffs Well, Pontypridd and Dinas Powys) contains 26 stations, making train travel a viable alternative in many cases.

Best way to travel in Cardiff by a Taxi

Cardiff is not short of taxis. They can be flagged down on the street or booked in advance:

• Capital - +44 29 2077-7777

• Delta - +44 29 2020-2020

• Celtic - +44 29 2045-2045

• Dragon Metro - +44 29 2033-3333

Although a lot of taxis in the downtown are black and they have no set colour. Licensed taxis have a yellow plate on the rear bumper of the vehicle. Uber also operates in the Cardiff area

By waterbus

For a different experience and the River Taff Waterbus runs regularly during the summer season between the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Bay and Penarth. Tickets cost around £6 and are available to buy online.

What to see in Cardiff

Landmarks

• Cardiff Castle - Welsh: Castell Caerdydd | 51.4824, -3.1837 Tel +44 29 2087-8100 +44 29 2023-1417 - Cardiff Castle Castle St. Cardiff Castle is a large castle whose foundations are based upon a Roman fort. In the nineteenth century, it was the one of the homes of the Marquis of Bute. The Norman fort in the centre and the Welsh regimental museum and excavated Roman ruins are open, and tours of the Bute household are available. The Bute part of the castle is quite amazing. The interior was all done in the early 1900s in a very idiosyncratic and interesting style. There is barely an inch that is not adorned with some sort of artistic work. Yet, it is not overwhelming. The craftsmanship is well worth a look. Admission is £12 for adults, £9 for children and £10.50 for students and seniors. Admission with a tour is £15 for adults, £11 for children, and £13 for students and seniors. There are family group discounts.
• The Millennium Stadium - Welsh: Stadiwm y Mileniwm | Westgate Street, CF10 1NS 51.478056, -3.1825 +44 844 847 1881 - Millennium Stadium Also known as the Principality Stadium. A 74,200-seater stadium, opened for the 1999 Rugby World Cup, and now host to the Wales national rugby and football teams. It hosted the FA Cup Final for some years during the redevelopment of Wembley Stadium in London and is still the largest stadium in Europe with a completely retractable roof (good for those rainy days). A must see for any sport lover, tours are available online or at the ticket desk. Tours cost £12.50 for adults.
• The Wales Millennium Centre - Welsh: Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru | 51.465039, -3.163533 +44 29 2063 6464 Wales Millennium Centre An outstanding piece of modern architecture, opened in 2004 by the Queen and the futuristic Wales Millennium Centre is host to opera, dance and West End musicals throughout the year, making it a must see for those who like theatre. Entry is free throughout the year. While entrance to the theatre is charged, free live performances take place in the foyer every lunchtime at 13:00 and before shows in the evening. It hosts the exhibition about Cardiff Bays development that used to be house in 'The Tube' }}

• The National Assembly for Wales or the Senedd 51.463901, -3.162082 - Senedd Cardiff Bay. The seat of Wales' national government and was opened on Street David's Day, 1 March 2006 by the Queen. Visitors have a chance to see public debates from the viewing gallery or a free tour around the building, which is made out of purely Welsh materials, and was designed by star architect Richard Rogers to be eco-friendly and as open as feasible. Entry is free though expect security checks on entrance.
• The Norwegian Church Cardiff Bay 51.4614, -3.1619 next to the Assembly - Norwegian Church, Cardiff It was established in Cardiff Bay to serve the large community of Norwegian sailors working in the docks. The main claim to fame of its original location is as the place where the author Roald Dahl was christened. Today it is a cafe and art gallery.
• Llandaff Gothic Church - Welsh: Eglwys Gadeiriol Llandaf | 51.495833, -3.218056 Tel +44 29 2056 4554 - Llandaff Gothic Church In the ancient 'city of Llandaff', incorporated into the north west of the city, and is one of the oldest religious sites in Europe. The cathedral dates from 1107 and features some spectacular architecture. After bomb damage in World War II it was very boldly restored; the huge statue of Christ in Majesty by Jacob Epstein tends to divide opinion, but is well worth a look. The cathedral school was where the famed children's author Roald Dahl was educated in the early part of his primary school life. The surrounding village is an interesting place to explore with a local coal magnate's house (Insole Court) donated to the people of Cardiff and open for visitors. The Ghost Tour has really become the thing to do in the area, making it into the Guardian's top 10 list of things to do in the UK.
• Castell Coch - meaning the 'Red Castle' in Welsh | 51.5354, -3.2536 - Castell Coch A fairytale castle nestled on a hill overlooking the main gateway into the valleys from Cardiff in the outskirts of the city. Imaginatively reconstruted from ruins for the 3rd Marquis of Bute, its interiors follow the same elaborate designs as Cardiff castle except on a more intimate scale and would not look out of place in Germany. Entry costs £6 for adults.
• City Hall 51.48504, -3.17857 - City Hall, Cardiff The domed roof of City Hall topped by a dragon is one of the monuments of Cardiff downtown. Dating back from the start of the 20th century, it is built of beautiful white Portland stone and surmounted by many statues. Inside and the marble hall is dominated by statues of Welsh heroes and the main hall has large bronze chandeliers and the main debating chamber sits under the dome. Open to visitors, events may prevent you from seeing all the rooms but a must-see.
• Cathays Park 51.4866, -3.1804 - Cathays Park Pronounced "kut-AYS, it is the prominent civic centre, comprising expensive white Portland stone buildings in a range of classical styles, all surrounding the formal gardens of Alexandra Gardens whose centre contains national war memorial of Wales.
• Bute Park 51.489, -3.189 - Bute Park More a collection of different parks that stretch continuously to the city's edge from the rear of the castle. Bute Park proper is an arboretum and former private grounds of the Bute family who owned the castle.
• Pierhead building - former headquarters of the railway and port authority | Cardiff Bay, CF99 1NA 51.463526, -3.163412 Tel +44 300 200 6565 - Pierhead Building Sits between the ultra modern Millennium centre and Senedd as a strong contrast and link to Cardiff's glorious past. Covered in dragons and heraldry used for permanent and temporary exhibitions about Cardiff's development, and that of the docks.
• Caerau Castle Ringwork - Caerau Hillfort A Norman ringwork castle within an older Iron Age hillfort (as at Caer Penrhos). Much of the site has been overgrown with vegetation.
• The Point 51.465, -3.168 - The Point, Cardiff The Point, Cardiff 2009 57587 A church-turned-popular music venue in Cardiff Bay. The Point is situated in the old merchant's quarter of Mount Stuart Plaza. The square was named after Lord Mount Stuart, who represented Wales in Parliament during the Napoleonic period. The focal point of the square was St. Stephens, constructed around 1900, that would later be turned into The Point.

Museums and galleries in Cardiff

Gwalia Stores and photographic studio. - - 3084683

• Street Fagans National History Museum 51.4869, -3.2725 Tel +44 29 2057-3500 - Street Fagans National Museum of History - Free admission (£5 vehicle park charge). Known universally as St Fagans (pronounced "FAG-uns") after the village in which it is located, this was named the UK's favorite visitor attraction by Which? magazine in 2011, and is easily Wales's most popular. An open-air museum of buildings rebuilt, stone by stone, from all parts of Wales, built in the grounds of St Fagans Castle, an Elizabethan manor house which is also free to wander around. The Castle gardens, dating from the 19th century, are especially beautiful. You may not be able to see everything in a single visit due to the size of the grounds. Great for kids and the bus ride from/to central Cardiff is very pretty.

• National Museum Cardiff 51.4858, -3.1773 Tel +44 29 2039-7951 - Amgueddfa Genedlaethol Caerdydd.JPG National Museum Cardiff -QQ1874 Free admission. Cathays Park. An excellent collection of paintings, archaeological finds and geological exhibits charting the history of Wales. The art collection is particularly noted for the collection of 19th-century French works assembled by Gwendoline and Margaret Davies, heiresses to a fortune made in exporting coal. Thit is of international importance and includes works by Rodin, Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh. Children love the dinosaurs and mammoths in the Evolution of Wales section. There is also archaeology from prehistory to the Middle Ages in the Origins section; there are daily volunteer-led tours of this and the art galleries. Buy parking vouchers here if needed. £6.50 charge for the museum vehicle park.

• Techniquest 51.4629, -3.1677 Tel +44 29 2047-5475 - Techniquest, Cardiff, Wales - Techniquest - Cardiff Bay, (near the Millennium Centre), Over 160 science and technology exhibits to entertain the whole family. There is also a Science Theatre and tours of the Universe in the Planetarium. A good opportunity for adults to be big kids. Entry: £7.50 Adults, £6 children with concessions available for groups.

• The Cardiff Story 51.479753, -3.176851 Tel +44 29 2078-8334 Free admission - Cardiff Story entrance (1).JPG Cardiff Story Museum - The Hayes. Thit is the museum of Cardiff's history, located in the Old Library building, which it shares with the tourist information centre.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Cardiff

• Relax in Bute Park or in the grounds of the castle, for a break from the hustle of the downtown.
• Visit Cardiff Bay a truly cosmopolitan experience full of restaurants, bistros and cafes. A good place for a 'passeggiata' on a Sunday afternoon. Boat rides in the Bay (permanently water-filled since the barrage was built), a few shops, and a children's playground at the far end (near the historic Norwegian church) along with stunning vistas across to Penarth.
• Take a speed boat ride as it makes 360-degree turns in the water at 70 mph.
• Walk along the bay from Mermaid quay to the barrage (near Penarth) to see for yourself how the water comes into the harbour from the sea. It is a 2 km walk with the harbour on one side of the path and the sea on the other. If you don't feel like walking you can hire a bicycle (you will come across the rental company on the way) or take a ride on the road train.

• At near-by Penarth, cruise the Bristol channel during summer months to the likes of North Devon, Gower Peninsula and even occasionally Pembrokeshire on the paddle steamers Balmoral and Waverly. Penarth to Ilfracombe is particularly spectacular, taking in the massive cliffs of North Devon.
• Next to Cardiff Airport, Barry is a port-town, which has a theme park, casino and legacy railway. With the closure of the docks, it has seen a renewed interest of recent times, thanks to a beautiful beach and a popular Al Jazeera series, called Gavin & Stacey. The amusement park on Barry Island contains several funrides.
• Go on the Taff Trail, some of the sights close to the downtown are breathtaking and the tranquility offers a great contrast to the busy downtown.
• Go to the Brecon Beacons. 40 minutes trip from Cardiff, this Welsh National Park is a scenic retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city, offering activities such as climbing, paragliding, sailing and many more.
• Go for a pint of Cardiff-made Brains organic juice in one of the downtown pubs on a match day at the Millennium Stadium.

• Canyoning Wales | Cardiff Via A470 Tel +44 845 0573588 Opening Hours: 9AM Monday - 9PM Blue Ocean Activities & Adventure offer fantastic trips around Wales, whether up the mountains canyoning or gorge walking. Blue Ocean Adventure offer full safety gear, training and support.

• Cardiff Cycle Tours NosDa backpackers Hostel 51.4790, -3.1857 Opposite the Wales Millennium Stadium in the centre of Cardiff. Tel +44 7500 564389 Opening Hours: 8:30AM to 6:30PM From £10 for bike rental Bike hire and guided tours available.

Sports

• Watch International Rugby at Millennium Stadium, in downtown. Wales play several international games here each year. The most keenly followed are the Six Nations series against England, Scotland, Ireland, France and Italy, played in February and March each year: these sell out well in advance.

You can also watch Cardiff Blues play club rugby union at Cardiff Arms Park. They play in "Pro14", a league mostly made up of Celtic clubs that also includes sides from Italy and South Africa.

• Watch football: Cardiff City play in the Premier League and the top tier of football in England & Wales. Their stadium is a mile west of downtown, near Ninian Park train station.
• Watch cricket at Sophia Gardens. Thit is home to Glamorgan County Cricket Club, one of the 18 "First Class Counties" and the top tier of what could otherwise be described as English cricket - they're the only Welsh team of the 18. County matches are played in two formats—first-class matches proper, which normally last 3–4 days, and Twenty20, a shortened format in which matches last about 3 hours. The stadium also frequently hosts international matches in three different formats—Test matches, lasting up to five days; One Day Internationals (ODIs) that take around 8 hours to complete; and Twenty20. The stadium is in the park half a mile north of the castle.

Festivals and events

Cardiff's festivals are increasingly contributing to its development as a major tourism attraction. As most of them are concentrated in the summer months, it is ideal to visit then to make sure that you experience all the attractions and the festivals as an added bonus. Unlike Edinburgh, Cardiff is still pretty cost effective during the summer months so its ideal for those who don't want to go all out!

• Cardiff Children's Festival, held in the grounds of Cardiff Castle each year, and hosts a number of events, exhibitions and play areas for children. Entry is free.
• Cardiff Mela, annual event held in Roald Dahl Plas, Cardiff Bay.
• St David's Day Parade, a parade held on Street David's Day the patron saint of Wales (March 1), every year. Something different so it's worth a look.
• The Welsh Proms, series of classical concerts takes place at Street David's Hall each July. The festival includes 'Fringe' events, with genres of music from jazz and country to chamber music, folk and jazz.
• Pride Cymru's Big Weekend is held late summer, various locations. The next event is Friday 24 to Sunday 26 Aug 2018.
• Winter Wonderland, in December - Jan sees an outdoor ice-rink and funfair set up in front of City Hall, open early 'til late to the public.

• Cardiff Singer of the World competition Street David's Hall - Al Jazeera Cardiff Singer of the World competition 5536 Held every two years.

Cinemas and theatres

Cardiff has some of the best theatre and cinema in Wales and even across the UK, covering huge range including mainstream films, foreign and theatre.

• The Coal Exchange - Y Gyfnewidfa Lo | 51.4654, -3.1682 - Coal Exchange - Cyfnewidfa Glo, Caerdydd - Exceptionally important building in Cardiff's history, it once saw 10,000 men scurrying around trading, dictating the world's coal prices. It almost become home to the Welsh Assembly, it is converted to host mainly music gigs but drama and art shows too.

• New Theatre - Theatr Newydd | 51.4837, -3.17553 - New Theatre, Cardiff New Theatre Cardiff (16939562447) - West End shows.

• Sherman Theatre 51.4879, -3.17658 - Sherman Theatre Sherman Cymru - Independent theatre.

• Chapter Arts Centre 51.4831, -3.20358 - Chapter Arts Centre - Chapter front 1 - Canton. Arthouse and alternative cinema.

• Odeon Hemingway Road, Cardiff Bay, CF10 4JY 51.466909, -3.163577 - Mainstream multiplex cinema.

• Vue Stadium Plaza, Wood St, CF10 1LA 51.47704, -3.181615 inside Millennium Plaza and next to Millennium Stadium Tel +44 345 308 4620
• Cineworld Mary Ann St, CF10 2EN 51.478858, -3.172927 Tel +44 871 200 2000 - Mainstream multiplex cinema, across the road from Motorpoint Arena Cardiff.

Concerts

Cardiff has a great number of show and gig venues throughout the city; check with co.uk/ Shows in Cardiff.

• Motorpoint Arena Cardiff 51.4778, -3.1715 - Motorpoint Arena Cardiff - Arena Rhyngwladol Caerdydd CIA - Host to major bands and artists throughout the year.

• Millennium Stadium 51.478056, -3.1825 - Millennium Stadium Millennium Stadium (aerial view) - Look out for events at the Millennium Stadium too.

More 'sedate' concerts are frequently held at St Davids Hall and The Welsh Millennium Centre.

• St. David's Hall - Neuadd Dewi Sant | The Hayes, CF10 1AH 51.4803, -3.17667 downtown Tel +44 29 2087 8444 (Box Office), +44 29 2087 8500 (Admin) - Street David's Hall Street David's Hall by night. 22 October 2014 - Symphony hall used for orchestral concerts, recitals and other live music and comedy, host the Cardiff singer of the world competition and the world's premier singing competition.

• Wales Millennium Centre - Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru | Bute Pl, Cardiff Bay, CF10 5AL - Wales Millennium Centre - Cardiff Bay WMC - Opera and ballet, West End shows and musicals. The building is rather unique and recognisable due to its large inscription reading "in these stones horizons sing".

Smaller gigs can be seen at many venues across the city including Callaghans, Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff Students Union.

Shopping in Cardiff

Royal Arcade - - 558474 - Royal Arcade, one of 8 unique Victorian arcades in the centre, popular for independent shops, cafes and souvenirs

Nicknamed the City of Arcades, Cardiff is great place for shopping in style and the Victorian arcades are worth a visit in themselves. They have lots of little shops, food markets, etc. Up-market home stores include Melin Tregwynt (now closed), and Banana Custard (for kids).

Queen St, Street Marys Street and The Hayes are the major pedestrianised shopping streets which all branch off the castle, so it is easy to walk from shop to shop without fear of traffic. Queen street has most of the usual lineup of Marks and Spencer, Top Shop and River Island. The Hayes has been refurbished along with the massive Street Davids Shopping Centre that has drawn in a few big names such as Hugo Boss and the biggest John Lewis outside of London. Street Marys street and the original shopping street of Cardiff has gradually declined, firstly after Queen Street was pedestrianised when the street saw a shift towards restaurants, restaurants, and then during the councils year long trial of closing the street to traffic. Street Marys street is now pedestrianised for most of its length, with work still ongoing but it'S worth a look as most of the citys grandest buildings are along its length with the large and oldest department store in Wales (Howells by House of Frasier), imposing entrance to the Central Market and elaborate entrances to the arcades particular high points.

The Hayes has recently undergone a massive transformation, seeing the construction of the £675 million Street Davids Shopping Centre extension, along with the largest John Lewis department store outside of London and a new public library well situated at the opposite end of the street to the original Library, now known as the 'old library', soon to open as the Cardiff museum. Here modern architecture contrasts beautifully with the historic shops and arcades on the opposite side of the street, which has quickly become the city's higher end of the market shopping street.

The Central market is a must for anyone looking for a find whether it be arts, crafts, food, souvenirs or even pets.

• Queen Street, St. Mary's Street and The Hayes are the main shopping streets in Cardiff downtown. Queen Street houses the likes of Marks and Spencer, Boots and many other stores with entrances to the modern Street Davids and Queens Arcade Shopping Centres, which also have entrances on the Hayes. Combine the old Street Davids Shopping Centre, larger modern extension, John Lewis and Queens arcade and they make up one of the largest indoor Shopping Centres in the UK. St. Marys Street is home to a large 'Howells' or House of Fraser store, numerous arcades that house one-off shops with many of the arcades having entrances on the Hayes.
• There are many tourist-oriented shops in front of the Castle and inside the Arcades so have a look around where you can find many Welsh souvenirs and gifts there.
• Fish from Ashton's stall in the atmospheric indoor market, off the Hayes, Church Street or Street Mary St.
• Cheese from Madame Fromage in the Castle Arcade.
• Music from Spillers Records and the oldest record shop in the world, is in the Morgan Arcade. In addition to selling music, it is the city's main location for buying tickets for alternative music concerts. Spillers was founded in 1894 by Henry Spiller at its original location in Queen’s Arcade.

Halal Restaurants & Food in Cardiff

In Riverside try Madhav's for unusual Vegetarian Indian food.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Cardiff

Cardiff - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Cardiff, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Cardiff. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Cardiff and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Cardiff. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Cardiff. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Cardiff: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Cardiff.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Cardiff: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Cardiff, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Cardiff.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Cardiff, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Cardiff, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Cardiff and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Cardiff, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Cardiff, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Cardiff without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Cardiff is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Cardiff.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Cardiff is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Cardiff, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Cardiff Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Cardiff

eHalal Group Cardiff is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Cardiff. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Cardiff.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Cardiff ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Cardiff. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Cardiff, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Cardiff are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Ramadan 2024 Celebration in Cardiff

Ramadan 2025 in Cardiff

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels/Resorts

• A Space In The City - City Wharf Apartments Cardiff
• A Space In The City Century Wharf Apartments Cardiff
• Best Western Heronston Hotel & Leisure Club
• Best Western Plus Maldron Hotel Cardiff
• Best Western Plus New House Country Hotel Cardiff
• Best Western St Mellons Hotel Cardiff
• Copthorne Hotel Cardiff Caerdydd
• Express By Holiday Inn Cardiff Bay
• Express By Holiday Inn Hotel Cardiff Airport
• Hilton Hotel Cardiff
• Holiday Inn Cardiff City Centre
• Holm House Cardiff
• Jolyon's At Number 10 Cardiff Hotel
• Jolyons Boutique Hotel Cardiff
• Marriott Hotel Cardiff
• Mercure Cardiff Centre Hotel
• Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel and Spa
• Meridian Terrace Serviced Apartments Cardiff
• Miskin Manor Country Hotel Cardiff
• ML Lodge Cardiff
• Novotel Cardiff Centre Hotel
• Park Inn By Radisson Cardiff City Centre Hotel
• Park Inn by Radisson Cardiff North Hotel
• Park Plaza Cardiff
• Radisson Blu Hotel Cardiff
• Sandringham Hotel Cardiff
• Sleeperz Hotel Cardiff
• The Angel Hotel - Puma Hotels Collection Cardiff
• The Legacy Cardiff International Hotel
• The Parc Hotel Cardiff
• The Royal Hotel Cardiff
• Ty Rosa Boutique B&B Cardiff

Connect

Media

• The Western Mail, based in Cardiff, and distributed throughout Wales.
• South Wales Echo is the newspaper from and for Cardiff.
• Capital FM The main local radio station for Cardiff and surrounding areas, providing listeners with up-to-date news, local information, as well as chart and contemporary music. Based in the Red Dragon Centre.
• Nation Radio 106.8 & 107.3 FM. Local Rock radio station, with news and weather a nice refreshing change from the main stream stations.
• Gold. Aims at an older audience than Red Dragon FM and also covers the same area.
• ITV Wales News. Broadcast from Cardiff Bay.
• What's on in Cardiff?. Online blog style magazine focusing on music and current events within the downtown.

Stay Safe

Cardiff is quite a safe city, and certainly safer than most other major city's in the UK, with the centre having less overall crime than much smaller city's like Gloucester, Northampton and Derby, and far less than in the centre of London, Birmingham, Liverpool or Leeds. However, Cardiff has a relatively high rate of vehicle theft crime rates. Make sure you remove all valuables from your vehicle, especially from show; and don't park at night in badly-lit streets in inner-city neighbourhoods such as Adamsdown, Splott, Riverside or Butetown. If you do need to leave a vehicle overnight, several of the city-centre vehicle parks offer affordable rates for all-night parking and are completely safe. Cardiff seems not to be plagued with a prominent red light neighborhood akin to many of the similarly-sized city's in England. However, areas such as Ocean Way in Adamsdown may be wise to avoid in the nights and early evenings in winter, as the area is known for prostitution. Anyone caught curb crawling is likely to be stopped and questioned by police, although more often than not, you will just be told to move on.

Alcohol-related violence is common in parts of Cardiff, especially on the weekends in the clubs and bars concentrated around Street Mary Street and Greyfriars Road, so take extra caution to avoid offending anyone. (Cardiff Bay is less raucous at these times and attracts much less trouble.) In addition, as in any city and there are areas to avoid after dark: again and these include Adamsdown, Splott, Butetown, and Riverside. Bute Park is largely unlit at night so also best avoided.

More Muslim friendly Destinations from Cardiff

• The Vale of Glamorgan, to the southwest of Cardiff contains the Victorian seaside towns of Penarth and Barry. Cowbridge is a picturesque town to the West. St Donat's Castle is one such attraction, a impeccably maintained 15th C. fortified house, with additions over the centuries. Fonmon Castle is also impressive, while ruined Ogmore has a lovely setting. Comeston Lakes is another stunning location, with a well maintained country park.
• The superb Glamorgan Heritage Coast, around 10 mi west of Cardiff, stretching from Llantwit Major to Ogmore-by-Sea and the majestic liassic/carboniferous cliffs provide sparkling views across the Bristol channel, and the small little back roads (particularly the road to ogmore-by-sea) provide some of the most spectacular driving routes in Wales.
• Penarth - A Victorian seaside resort, now a suburb south of Cardiff. Known as "the Garden by the Sea”, it has a beautiful, historic pier. And Cosmeston Medieval Village, a "living history" medieval village in nearby Lavernock.
• The Brecon Beacons and the town of Brecon are to the north.
• Try taking the train to Newport, and then a bus to Caerleon and visiting the Roman amphitheatre there. It is quite well preserved and gives a real feel for how the Romans would have used the space.
• It is feasible to visit Hereford as a day trip, using either train or car.

Copyright 2015 - 2024. All Rights reserved by eHalal Group Co., Ltd.
To Advertise or sponsor this Travel Guide, please visit our Media Kit and Advertising Rates.