Top 3 areas in Cardiff

It can be daunting when you first move to a new city, though exploring and familiarising yourself with the city is a great way to find your feet. Luckily, Cardiff has a lot to offer but, in the biggest city in Wales, there is a lot to explore and it’s impossible to do it all in one day. So, this is the top 5 areas in Cardiff that are worth a visit, and some recommendations on what to do there.

Pontcanna

A beautiful walk from Cardiff University main campus, Pontcanna can be accessed by walking through Bute park and crossing the bridge by the Summerhouse Cafe. Highlights include visiting Pontcanna Fields to enjoy the scenery and visiting Pontcana Market. Located on Kings Road Yard, the market has a weekly farmers market every Saturday which offers a selection of locally made foods. From music, to art, to food, the market features everything that can make a great afternoon. On the last Sunday each month, Pontcanna Vintage Market takes over Pontcanna Market with sustainable fashion options and plenty of food and drink options. If you’re interested in a sweet treat, Brød – The Danish Bakery is a cosy cafe that offers, as the name suggests, Danish baked goods that make for a great stop off after a busy day walking and exploring.

Cardiff Bay

Formally the industrial centre of Cardiff, Cardiff Bay was once known as Tiger Bay and was the home to Cardiff’s docklands that transported coal, brought from the valleys, around the world. Today, the bay is only a 9-minute train ride from Cathays train station and hosts a wide variety of cafes, restaurants and entertainment venues. On colder days, you can see a show at the Millennium Centre and in the summer, you can go for a stroll and a picnic along the Cardiff Bay Barrage, with the Severn estuary to your left and the bay to your right. If attending in the evening, there is a great selection of restaurants and bars. Signor Valentino offers a great view across the bay and a delicious A la Carte menu and an excellent wine list of Italian wines. Finally, you could even stop-off for a night of laughs and comedy at The Glee Club.

Roath

Neighbouring Cathays, the student community bleeds into Roath, creating a . From cute houses, quaint coffee shops, beautiful walking spots and great restaurants, Roath is the place to come for a relaxed day out. Start your day on Wellfield Road, with breakfast at Blossom Cafe, then venture through Roath Recreational Ground to Roath Park, once inside you can visit Roath Park Conservatory. Later, you can continue through Roath Park to Roath Lake, and stop for lunch at Terra Nova Cafe on the lakeside, with beautiful views across the tranquil lake.