24 Hours in Cardiff, Wales

Cardiff wasn’t initially in my travel plans. I had originally planned to pair my trip to London with a Portuguese adventure through Lisbon and Porto. However, the joys of travelling with a Nigerian passport meant I couldn’t secure a Schengen visa appointment early enough to meet the Embassy’s 15-working-day processing requirement in Nairobi.

Since this was my third time in London, I decided to venture beyond the familiar and explore other parts of the UK. Bath and Cardiff in Wales made the cut, and I’m so glad they did.

Getting There…

Getting to Cardiff was an experience in itself. After a peaceful night in Bath, I hopped on the 11 a.m. direct train from Bath Spa Station to Cardiff Central. Unlike the serene journey I’d enjoyed from London Paddington to Bath, this ride was bustling with energy—the carriage was filled with spirited hen-dos and stag parties! Apparently, Cardiff is quite the hotspot for wedding celebrations!

Where to Stay in Cardiff

A little over an hour later, I arrived and made my way to Hotel Indigo, which proved to be perfectly positioned for my city exploration – right in the heart of Cardiff, with easy access to the main shopping areas and attractions. The modern boutique hotel occupied a historic building, offering a nice blend of Welsh charm with contemporary comfort.

While I had meticulously planned my Bath itinerary (although I ended up not sticking to it), I kept Cardiff deliberately open-ended with just one item on the agenda: “Walk around the city.” And that’s exactly what I did.

How I Spent My Time in Cardiff

My first afternoon was dedicated to pure relaxation – it was a vacation, after all. I spent some quality time watching life unfold on the pedestrian street below my hotel window. The scene was a constant stream of activities: protest marches, talented buskers, couples strolling hand in hand, and families going about their day.

The street’s energy occasionally drifted up to my room, but it never disturbed my well-deserved afternoon nap, and most importantly, remained peaceful throughout the night.

As evening approached, I ventured out to explore Queen Street, Cardiff’s curved, pedestrianized shopping hub. I managed to squeeze in some practical shopping to replace the shoes I’d lost in Bath. Later, my wanderings took me toward Cardiff Castle.

Rather than going inside, I noticed an array of cafes and dessert bars just opposite the castle gate. I picked one at random, ordered an Oreo milkshake, and settled in to watch the world go by. The simple pleasure of aimless exploration was exactly what I needed.

The next morning, I began my day near St. John The Baptist City Parish Church before making my way towards Cardiff Castle again.

The castle’s famous animal wall caught my eye, and my feet carried me onward until I stumbled upon what would become the highlight of my trip – Bute Park.

This unexpected gem offered stunning views of the castle and was dressed in magnificent autumn colours. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect for a morning walk through the grounds.

I concluded my Welsh sojourn with a delightful breakfast at the Cardiff Townhouse before packing up for my return trip to London.

While brief, my time in Cardiff offered a perfect blend of relaxation and exploration, proving that sometimes the best travel experiences come from the simplest of plans.

This impromptu detour from my original Portuguese plans turned out to be a delightful surprise, reminding me that travel’s greatest joys often lie in embracing the unexpected.

Have you been to Cardiff? I’d love to hear about your experience in the city. Please share them with me in the comment section below!