About Cardiff

Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, is also known as the City of Arcades as it comprises the highest amount of Edwardian, Victorian and modern-day shopping arcades in Britain. With a long historical tradition and visited by 18 million tourists every year, the city offers a plethora of choices for students to make the most of their university experience.

Places to visit

Located in the heart of the city, you can find Cardiff Castle. With 2000 years of history, the castle is one of the most popular heritage attractions in the area. Grab your camera and make sure you spot the remains of the Roman era, the Norman Keep and the Animal Wall alongside the castle.

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Home to an impressive art collection and offering the best Wales’ national art, geology and natural art collection, the National Museum of Wales is a fantastic option to spend a day of fun learning about this area. The museum offers a busy programme of exhibitions and events throughout the year and admission is free! You will find Llandaff Cathedral in the the old town, which remains surprisingly tranquil amongst the modern city and will certainly transport you to another era. This astounding Gothic cathedral is one of the most remarkable historical landmarks to visit in Cardiff and will become a must in your ‘to-do’ list!

Social Events

Nothing brings people together better than food, and in Cardiff, they are the best at doing this.

Make sure you sign up for the Cardiff Food Tours, where you will try the traditional English cuisine made with the best local products as well as you meet lots of new friends.

The Historic Pub Tours might be a great way for you to find out all about these traditional social meeting places and to learn more about the history behind the city of Cardiff. As well as tasting great food you will also find a wide selection of craft beers. Have a look at Cardifferent Pub Tours and join some of the best theatrical pub tours in the country!

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Shopping

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Cardiff is known as the 6th best shopping destination in the UK. Whether you are looking for high-street retailers or the best independent shops, Queens Arcade is the place to go. Located in the vibrant Queen Street, head to Queens Arcade to find the best trends and grab a cup of coffee or a bite to eat at the many cafes and restaurants that you will find there. If you are looking for a more traditional shopping experience, visit Cardiff Market to find the best vintage clothes, local products, artisan coffees and independent retailers. The market is located within an astounding Victorian structure which has been home to Cardiff Market for the last 100 years.

Transport

Although Cardiff is the largest city in Wales, it is still easy to reach all your favourite places. Travelling by bus is an affordable and safe way of moving around the city. If you are between 16 and 21 years old, make sure you get a mytravelpass to get up to 30% discount on your bus fare! If you want to keep yourself active and use a much more environmentally friendly means of transport, you can always move around Cardiff by cycling. Hiring a bicycle in Cardiff is as easy as clicking here, or you can also buy a brand new or second-hand bike and resell it when you leave.

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Did you know...

You can progress from an NCUK qualification to study for a degree in Cardiff. Cardiff University accepts students who have studied an NCUK qualification.
Start your journey with NCUK today and click the button below to apply now!