Thanks to its rich and varied history, there’s no denying that Cardiff is a lively and buzzing cultural hotspot. But with there being so much to do in this Welsh city, trying to figure out exactly how to spend your time in Cardiff can soon get overwhelming — especially when taking into account the constraints that being budget-conscious can bring.
It doesn’t have to be this way, though. We’re here to tell you that it’s easier than ever to explore Cardiff on a budget, so whether you’re a student or are just visiting for the day, let us give you our recommendations for free things to do in Cardiff.
📍 Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NP
Museums are always a great way to familiarise yourself with the very bones of a city, and Cardiff’s National Museum is no exception.
The National Museum showcases Wales’ history in all of its glory — all the way from the Big Bang to the present day — alongside famed collections of paintings, sculptures, and ceramics.
There are plenty of other exhibitions for you to sink your teeth into, too, with everything completely free (except for a few temporary exhibitions here and there). Now that’s what we like to hear.
📍 Castle Street, Cardiff, CF10 3RB
Whilst entry to Cardiff Castle itself isn’t free, access to the surrounding grounds certainly is. So even if your student loan can’t stretch far enough to cover the £12.50 concession fare, you can still experience Cardiff Castle and all of its historical glory by doing a circuit of the grand building and admiring its ancient walls, some of which are said to be up to 2000 years old. Make sure you look up as you walk around, too, so that you can appreciate impressive details like the Victorian gothic turrets.
Exploring Cardiff on a budget has never been so easy!
📍 Bute Park Visitor Centre, 35 North Road, Cardiff, CF10 3DX
Need to bask in some greenery after exploring Cardiff Castle? Another free thing to do in Cardiff for students is Bute Park (and its renowned tree arboretum), which lies just behind the castle. It offers expansive parkland and ample spots for kicking a football, taking a stroll, or sitting down with a picnic.
If Bute Park’s exotic tree collection impresses you, head over to Roath Park Conservatory for carefully curated botanical gardens. It’s worth noting that there is an entry fee here, but it’s only £2.50 for adults — well within budget, if you ask us.
📍 St Mary Street, Cardiff, CF10 1AU
A must-do for Cardiff goers, Cardiff Central Market is an indie lover’s dream. From locally-owned food stalls, cafés, bakeries, and delis, to purveyors of hats, crystals, records, and bouquets — Cardiff Market is a treasure trove of good grub and tempting trinkets. Even if you don’t plan on buying anything, it’s always fun to wander around this market maze.
If you run out of things to do and vendors to check out at Cardiff Market (although we’re pretty sure this is impossible), you can venture a little further out into the suburbs, where Cardiff Flea Market and loads of farmers’ markets await you.
Ready to explore more cities on a budget? Check out our guide to York, or go and give our guide to Bristol a read.
Prices correct at time of publication.
To make your budget go further in Cardiff or another student city, you can always turn to Split The Bills to help you sort out your utilities. Split The Bills divides the costs of energy, water, broadband, and even a TV Licence between housemates, so you never have to chase anyone up. Have a question? See how it works or contact the team today for more information!
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