Cardiff Castle | Modern Architecture at Cardiff Bay

Cardiff, the capital of Wales, beautifully blends classical charm with modern energy. You’ll find not only an ancient castle and European-style shopping streets 🛍️, but also a strikingly modern waterfront that gives off a Nordic vibe! For a video tour, check out my previous post 🎥. The city’s main attractions are divided into two areas: around Cardiff Castle and around Cardiff Bay—both within walking distance from the central train station 🚉. 1️⃣ Cardiff Castle Student tickets are now £12 (seems like a price increase—many earlier guides mentioned £10 or even a £7 annual pass 😮). In the off-season, you can buy tickets on-site without fixed entry times. 👉 If you’ve seen enough palaces, simply strolling through the castle square and gardens is enough to enjoy its beauty 🏛️🌳. No photography is allowed inside, and the interiors aren’t overly lavish. But the square and lawns are super photogenic 📸! There’s also a small evening market now. 2️⃣ Bute Park Located right behind the castle—you can enter from the north gate. This park is incredibly beautiful ☀️, especially on a sunny day—pure serenity! Note: The water bus isn’t running now but will restart around Christmas 🎄. In spring/summer, you can take a boat ⛵ from here to Cardiff Bay. 3️⃣ City Hall + Ferris Wheel + National Museum of Wales These are all located close together 🎡🏛️. Perfect for a relaxed visit depending on your schedule. 4️⃣ Millennium Stadium Currently closed to visitors, but still impressive from the outside! 🏟️ 5️⃣ Cardiff Bay A must-visit area—so relaxing 😌! Surrounded by sleek modern architecture including the Wales Millennium Centre, the Parliament building, convention center, casino, and music venue 🎭. It’s also a great spot to watch the sunset 🌇. 👉 For food, head to the large commercial district just north of the train station—on the way to the castle. This is home to the only Shake Shack 🍔 outside of London—worth a try! #StudyAbroadLife #TravelInspo #Cardiff #DayTrip #UKTravel #Architecture #Design