Cardiff

Anna Loka

Cardiff’s first 100% vegan cafe is a must visit – whether or not you’re vegan, they serve delicious food all day long.

Run by a Hare Krishna monk, this cafe is welcoming to everyone.

It is also perfect for those who care for the environment, as Anna Loka has a zero waste policy – even the chairs have been upcycled!

Don’t miss out on some of their workshops such as the raw chocolate truffle making class. They even do home deliveries that you can order online, so you don’t even have to leave your home to get some of this vegan goodness.

Where? 114 Albany Road, Cardiff, CF24 3RU
Cost: Food £5-£13
Website: anna-loka.com

BBC Tour Cardiff

Take an exciting behind the scenes tour of the BBC and see what happens behind the curtain.

Learn about what goes into your favourite shows and how they are made in this insightful guide to the BBC.

The tour also allows you to see into the world of radio too, you could find out how they broadcast radio programmes on BBC Radio Wales and BBC radio Cymru.

Join the thousands of others who have taken this highly popular tour and make sure to keep up to date with their tours or any changes by looking at their social media pages.

Where? BBC Wales, Broadcasting House, Llandaff, Cardiff, CF5 2YQ
Cost: £10.50
Website: bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/tours/cardiff

Cardiff Bay Boat Tour

Enjoy the beautiful scenery of Cardiff on this relaxing cruise around the bay.

Begin at Mermaid Quay and take a 40 – 45 minute tour where you can just sit back, relax and take in the stunning scenery.

On the tour, you will pass by some famous sights such as the Dr Who exhibition and the Senedd as well as the best coastal scenery Wales has to offer.

The boats are also available for private hire where you can take a three hour tour for you and your friends with a crew onboard to look after you.

Where? Mermaid Quay, Cardiff, CF10 5BZ
Cost: £5-£29
Website: cardiffcruises.com

Cardiff Castle

Discover 2000 years of history in this incredible castle by taking a tour round the castle apartments, the Roman Wall, Norman Keep and wartime shelters.

Cardiff Castle is also home to one of Cardiff’s most recognisable landmarks, the Clock Tower, which you can go to the top of.

You may even recognise the castle from BBC hit dramas such as Sherlock and Doctor Who, as they both used the castle as a stunning backdrop. Take a separate tour of the film locations to learn more.

See a historically accurate trebuchet in the castle grounds or walk through the tunnels that sheltered approximately 1800 people during the Second World War – there is so much to do, it will be a jam-packed day!

Where? Castle Street, Cardiff, CF10 3RB
Cost: From £13.50
Website: cardiffcastle.com

Cardiff Indoor Market

This permanent indoor flea market is full of hidden gems. With new stock each week there is always some treasure to be found.

From vintage clothes and vinyls, to precious antiques, you will be filled with nostalgia at the Cardiff indoor market. It is also perfect for collectibles, often rare and unique things can be spotted here.

Open every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday (even on bank holidays) from 9am – 5pm, be sure to visit this Aladdin’s cave of wonders.

Where? Unit 2 Clydesmuir Road Industrial Estate, Tremorfa, Cardiff, CF24 2QS
Cost: Free entry
Website: cardiffindoorfleamarket.com

Flat Holm Island

This small, remote limestone island located in the Bristol Channel is rich in wildlife as it is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), with many protected species living there.

Flat Holm Island also has a deep history as it dates back to the Anglo-Saxon and Viking age. In the 18th century it was used for smuggling, and the first wireless signals over open sea were transmitted here.

The isolated location of this island adds to its character and offers incredible views of the coasts of both Wales and England.

Where? Flat Holm Island, South Wales
Cost: £5 plus transport to the island
Website: cardiffharbour.com

Immotion VR Cardiff

Immerse yourself in a world of technology with these state-of-the-art VR experiences.

Go on adventures ranging from space exploration, scuba diving and roller coasters without ever leaving the room!

Created by world class CGI experts, it transports you into another world for a realistic experience unlike any other. You can try multiple cinematic or gaming experiences within a session, just buy a pass based on the length of time you want to go for.

If you love movies, then why not try the VR Cinema Pod where you can experience multi-directional sound and movement in a whole new experience of cinema?

Where? St David’s Shopping Centre, CF10 2DQ (Queen’s Arcade end)
Cost: Vary – check out their website
Website: immotionvr.com

National Museum Cardiff

This museum and art gallery stands inside scenic castle grounds in a late 16th century manor house.

There is loads to see from collections of natural history, to fine art – including one of Europe’s greatest collections of impressionist art.

From dinosaurs to the Bronze Age, you can cover millions of years of Wales’ beautiful history in this one museum. Explore what went on in the coal mining industry, and look into the everyday lives of people in history. 

Not only can you get lost in the rich history of the place, but you can also enjoy modern creations as they hold demonstrations of traditional crafts each day – you can even buy some of their work to take home.

Where? Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NP
Cost: Free – donations welcome
Website: museum.wales/cardiff

Penarth Pier Pavilion

The Penarth Pier Pavilion is a beautiful art deco building offering stunning sea views over the south coast of Wales.

Its full restoration has allowed this iconic building to serve as a multi-functional space for the community.

It hosts a variety of events and is always full of life; from the cinema and theatre to health and wellbeing classes, there is something for everyone.

Check out their website for what events are going on, and take part in the community.

Where? The Esplanade, Penarth, CF64 3AU
Cost: Varies based on activity
Website: penarthpavilion.co.uk

Pettigrew Tearooms

Transport yourself back to the 1920s in this adorable vintage tearoom, complete with 20s music and ornate china plates.

Located inside the gates of Bute Park, you will be dining in castle walls – the perfect setting for an afternoon out.

The afternoon tea is utterly delicious, overflowing with home baked cakes and sandwiches – it looks almost too good to eat! They also do gluten and dairy free options, so they truly cater for everyone.

Have a go at learning how to make some sourdough bread in one of Pettigrew’s day courses and try your own creations.

Where? Castle West Lodge, Bute Park & Arboretum, Castle Street, Cardiff, CF10 1BJ
Cost: £8-10 for food, £16.45pp afternoon tea
Website: pettigrew-tearooms.com

Science Cream

This is a very unique way of having ice cream, as it’s the only place in Wales to have liquid nitrogen ice cream.

Enter the lab for some of the coolest desserts in Cardiff, or if you fancy something a bit quirkier, try a glow in the dark drink. Alongside the traditional flavours, Science Cream likes to experiment with flavours, from bacon and egg flavour to Christmas tree!

You can also hire the place for a ‘science party’ where you can make your own edible scientific creations.

Where? 28 Castle Arcade, Cardiff, CF10 1BW
Cost: Free entry
Website: sciencecream.co.uk

Spillers Records

Dating back to 1894 and established by Henry Spiller, you can’t visit Cardiff without visiting the oldest record shop in the world.

Spillers Records boasts new record releases every single week so there is a large variety from the old classics to new cutting edge music.

Specialising in both CDs and vinyls, all the staff are highly educated in music and are there to help you choose some of the coolest music in Cardiff.

They also participate in ‘Dinked’, where small similar independent record shops collaborate to promote the culture of record shops in the area.

Where? 27 Morgan Arcade, The Hayes, Cardiff, CF10 1AF
Cost: Free entry
Website: spillersrecords.com

The Clink

Dine at The Clink and help your community whilst eating delicious food.

This restaurant is unique as it is set in a prison, where all the food is prepared and served to you by prisoners in training.

Help integrate them into society again as they work towards qualifications in catering and horticulture by even growing the food they serve. The Clink is a charity focused on helping prisoners take their first steps.

The quality is high here at The Clink, and the restaurant ranks in the top 10 for all of Cardiff, so we recommend visiting it!

Where? HMP Cardiff, Knox Rd, Cardiff, CF24 0UG
Cost: Food from £7.50
Website: theclinkcharity.org/restaurants/cardiff

Treetop Adventure Golf

Choose from a choice of two different 18 hole crazy golf courses.

Enter the rainforest on the Tropical Trail with toucans and frogs to guide your way, or make your way round the Ancient Explorer course where you putt over the mystic river.

Have the chance to win a free round of golf at the bonus 19th hole – but you only get one chance at it!

Enjoy the exotic cocktails and artisan pizzas from Pizza Pronto right next to the golf courses. Just turn up and have fun – there’s no need to book.

Where? Level P3, St David’s, Cardiff, CF10 2EL
Cost: £8.50 for 1 course, £13.50 for 2 courses
Website: adventuregolf.com

White Water Rafting

Calling all thrill seekers! Do you like the sound of a two hour adventure tackling the twists and turns of the turbulent currents?!

Whether you are already a pro or want to give white water rafting a try for the first time, they welcome all abilities.

They also offer paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing – but don’t worry, as these are on much calmer waters. These include training sessions for those who want to improve their skills and potentially take qualifications.

After venturing into the cold water, warm up and tuck into some delicious hot food at their on-site cafe to end the perfect day.

Where? Cardiff International White Water, Watkiss Way, Cardiff Bay, CF11 0SY

Cost: £40-£55pp
Website: ciww.com