If Wales isn’t on your radar, it should be! Capital city, Cardiff, is the place to be for students. In fact, it was once voted both the top UK city for young people and the most peaceful urban area in the UK! To see what all the fuss is about, we’ve put together a list of 10 fantastic things to do in Cardiff that anyone can afford, some of which are even free. Let’s go!
1. Explore Cardiff’s parks
Wales is known for its gorgeous nature, and Cardiff doesn’t disappoint! Spend the day in the sprawling Bute Park (it’s the size of 75 football pitches) just behind Cardiff Castle and easy walking distance from the city centre. Go for a bike ride, have a picnic, or stroll along the Sculpture Trail. If you’re looking to get out of town, you can take a day trip up to Brecon Beacons National Park to go hiking, horse riding, and mountain biking, or spend the night camping and stargazing!
2. Catch a comedy show
One of the greatest ways to practise your English and unwind after class is by catching a comedy show. The Glee Club is Cardiff’s best-known comedy club, and with student discounts on tickets, food and drinks, you can laugh the night away for as little as £6.
3. Spend a rainy day in a museum
During your stay in the UK, at some point, it’s going to rain on you, so why not spend that grey day in one of Cardiff’s best museums? The crown jewel is The National Museum Cardiff, housing a massive art collection and natural history exhibits. The Cardiff Story Museum lets you peek into the city’s past, and the St Fagans National History Museum brings history to life with actual craftsmen practising their trade, plus Welsh animals, a historic castle and gardens. The best part? All three museums are completely free!
4. Try Welshcakes at teatime
One of the most delicious things to do in Cardiff is try these tasty little treats. Welshcakes are about the size of the palm of your hand and made with butter, flour, eggs, milk, raisins and spices and dusted in powdered sugar. Don’t miss Fabulous Welshcakes in the Castle Arcades, where a little cake will only set you back 50 pence. In Cardiff Central Market, you’ll find Cardiff Bakestones, where a traditional welshcake only costs 30 pence. They also sell lemon and Nutella flavours and giant-sized welshcakes!
5. Play party bingo
This isn’t your grandmother’s game of bingo. Bingo Lingo has become a trend across the UK, and in Cardiff, you’ll find it at The Depot on Friday nights. There’s a DJ, drinks, neon lights, confetti and, of course, bingo. Entrance costs just £5.50 with bingo cards costing £1. Tickets always sell out, and if you get lucky, you’ll win your money back!
6. Get cultured at the art galleries
Right around the corner from Celtic English Academy, you’ll find the Kooywood Gallery, boasting “the very best of established and emerging Welsh artists” as well as the Martin Tinney Gallery in the other direction. Some other great options include the BayArt Gallery just a 5-minute jaunt from the waterfront, and the prestigious Albany Gallery.
7. Catch some live music at The Tramshed
Once an old train depot, The Tramshed is now the spot in Cardiff to listen to good, live music. Tributes to Amy Winehouse, Bob Marley’s band The Wailers, a 13-piece orchestra playing Destiny’s Child hits… these are just some of the eclectic concerts you’ll find on their schedule!
8. Get out of town to the beach
When you’re feeling like a change of scenery, the Whitmore Bay Beach is the perfect place to go. Take the train to Barry, a small seaside town that you can reach in a half hour’s journey from the centre of Cardiff. Stroll along the sand, or visit the Barry Island Pleasure Park with a Ferris wheel and other carnival rides to indulge your nostalgia!
9. Feel like a kid again mini-golfing and ice-skating
Get a group of friends together and head off to the jungle-inspired Treetop Adventure Golf. You can play two different 18-hole courses for just £13.50 and then grab a cocktail or a pint in their bar! Down in the Cardiff International Sports Village, you’ll find the Ice Arena Wales, which will set you back less than £10 for your ticket and skate rental.
10. Get some greasy, late-night eats
Cardiff’s nightlife is legendary, and after a night out drinking and dancing, you’re definitely going to be craving some late-night bites. After the bars and clubs close, everyone heads over to “Chippy Lane”, where the snack of choice is cheesy chips and curry sauce (and you can’t go wrong with the ones they sell at Dorothy’s Fish Bar).
Can’t wait to go to Wales? Study abroad in Cardiff and you’ll have the time of your life without breaking the bank!
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