When living in Cardiff for university you want to make sure you can experience as much of the city as possible. There is so much to do in this great city it can almost seem daunting to know where to look or where to go within the confines of a student budget. I have compiled a list of some of my favourite spots you can visit within the city, all within a close distance from the university.
National Museum Cardiff
Located minutes away from the university, The National Museum, which also houses the National Museum of Art, is one of the most important resources available to anyone in Cardiff. It is free to enter, although donations are encouraged, and some art exhibitions require payment to enter. The space features natural history exhibits conveyed in a compelling and in-depth manner. The art gallery rivals some of the world’s best, featuring a permanent array of paintings and photographs from throughout history, including works by Monet and van Gogh. The gallery also features multiple temporary exhibitions year-round, making it worth returning to and a place that you can spend hours exploring.
The Arcades
Locating around the city centre, Cardiff hosts seven arcades from the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Inside these arcades you can find a whole range of shops and eateries, including: vintage stores, bakeries, cozy cafés, restaurants, clothing outlets, art shops, and many more. It is worth walking through them as you make your way around the centre for the beautiful architecture and truly makes them a unique addition to a city with an already rich and storied history.
Cardiff Bay
And finally, the perfect combination of indoor and outdoor spaces: Cardiff Bay. You can make your way here through multiple forms of transport: it’s around an hour’s walk from the university, or you can take a quick train from Cathays or any other station in Cardiff. You can also take a water taxi from Bute Park, with the service also offering returns. The largest waterfront development in Europe, the bay offers a range of shops and restaurants, with cinemas, entertainment complexes, a theatre and more. It is a place worth revisiting and revisiting throughout your time in Cardiff. I would recommend the scenic walk from the waterfront to the Cardiff Bay Barrage. Here you can look out across the Bristol Channel with dramatic views of the nearby Penarth that make it a perfect place for reflection and admiration.
I hope this list has given you a small taste of what Cardiff has to offer, a city with many of its greatest attributes and landmarks being totally free to explore and appreciate.