Lifestyle in Cardiff

With an abundance of green spaces, buzzing nightlife, and world-famous rugby and football stadiums, Cardiff offers an exciting lifestyle. Newly arrived parents will also find that the lifestyle in Cardiff is equally enjoyable for the little ones, as there are plenty of fun spots to explore.

Residents of the Welsh capital work to live rather than live to work, and this translates to a favourable work-life balance and a relaxed lifestyle.

Shopping in Cardiff

If you enjoy a regular dose of retail therapy, you’re in for a treat. Whether you’re on a shoestring budget or looking for designer clothing, Cardiff has you covered.

The Cardiff arcades – covered passageways between buildings crammed with shops and cafés – are excellent for affordable counter-culture shopping and much besides. Famous for its vintage clothing sales, Tramshed is a unique and savvy shopping experience, allowing patrons to pay a negligible entrance fee and grab all the goodies of their choice for a bargain per-kilo rate.

For high street and couture shopping, be sure to visit local shopping hotspots such as St David’s Centre, Queen Street and Capitol Centre. These shopping districts are some of the biggest in Cardiff.

Eating out in Cardiff

Cardiff’s culinary scene is diverse and caters to every palate and budget under the sun. Fondly known as ‘the international food mile’, City Road in Roath is a foodie’s dream, covering cuisines ranging from Mediterranean and Egyptian to Asian and Japanese. Meanwhile, the Spanish Triangle in Westgate Street is worth a visit for an authentic Catalan experience of tapas and afternoon bar hopping.

Voted the most fashionable place to live in Cardiff, Pontcanna is the centre of independent artisanal bakeries and plant-based eateries. Eco-conscious gourmands will love Cardiff Central Market for its affordable and sustainable local produce, wood-fired pizzas and micro cafés.

Nightlife in Cardiff

Nightlife in Cardiff is lively with regular stag dos and hen parties and an equally exciting array of nightclubs, bars and pubs located on St. Mary Street, Cardiff Bay and The Brewery Quarter.

Cardiff has a large student population, influencing its nightlife and making it one of the city’s best features. That said, new arrivals who want to avoid the raucousness of the city centre can check out the alternative and elegant venues in Womanby Street, Grangetown and Penarth, among others.

Outdoor activities in Cardiff

Nature lovers and adventurists will be spoilt for choice in Cardiff thanks to its many public parks, botanical gardens, rivers and lakes. River Taff and Cardiff Bay offer a wide range of water activities, such as rafting, sailing and paddleboarding, for newcomers to enjoy.

Those landlubbers who prefer hiking, cycling or picnicking should visit the Taff Trails, Bute Park and Roath Park Lake when the weather allows.

See and do in Cardiff

Cardiff Castle

Located in Cardiff’s city centre, Cardiff Castle is a must-see for history and architecture lovers alike. This millennia-old castle was once a Roman fort and is now a viewing point with awe-inspiring panoramic views of Cardiff and endless activities newcomers and their families can indulge in.

National Museum Cardiff and St Fagans National Museum of History

These museums house some of the finest art collections in Europe and exhibit the evolution of Wales with a dinosaur and woolly mammoth gallery, which the kids are sure to love. The best part? Both museums are free.

Principality Stadium

Formerly known as The Millennium Stadium, Principality Stadium is the national stadium of Wales. Sports fanatics will love touring the iconic 74,000-seater stadium. Principality Stadium also regularly hosts international music concerts, graced by superstars such as Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift and Beyoncé.

Wales Millennium Centre

Spanning four acres of Cardiff Bay, Wales Millennium Centre is a cultural hub like no other. Music lovers who visit the centre are in for an unforgettable experience of opera, ballet, musicals and world-renowned theatre productions.

Techniquest

New arrivals looking for a fun and educational afternoon out for the family should look no further than Techniquest. The educational centre has interactive science and astronomy tours enjoyed from the comfort of the science theatre.

Meeting people and making friends in Cardiff

While finding ways to meet people and make friends in a new city can be daunting, Cardiff is an extremely welcoming city. One of the most common ways to make friends is through your workplace, but any club or meetup based around a common interest, such as a sport or hobby, is a fantastic way to find like-minded folk. Here are some top recommendations.

Useful links

• Meetup Cardiff
• Cardiff Korfball
• Cardiff Outdoor Group