Best Things to Do in Cardiff During Autumn 2022

If you’re searching for staycation locations this autumn, Cardiff is a great option. Home to beautiful green spaces, historic sites and family-friendly attractions, this dynamic city is perfect for those who love exploring.

Some of the best places to visit in Cardiff during autumn 2022 include:

• Cardiff Castle
• Cardiff Bay
• National Museum Cardiff
• Roath Park
• Bute Park
• Cardiff Victorian Arcades
• Principality Stadium

Read on to find out about the best things to do in Wales’s capital city this year.

Cardiff Castle

Opening times: 10:00 – 18:00 Monday to Friday, and 09:00 – 18:00 on Saturdays and Sundays

Looking for places to see in Cardiff? Cardiff Castle is an unmissable attraction located in the heart of the city. Boasting years of fascinating history, this impressive castle dates back to the 1^st century AD when the Romans built the first set of forts. It then underwent a Victorian transformation and was also important during World War II, when the walls around the castle were used as air raid shelters.

Today, Cardiff Castle is one of Wales's most popular tourist attractions, open seven days a week. Take a guided tour of this magnificent building and explore areas such as the Castle Apartments and the Norman Keep. It’s an excellent place for the whole family to visit.

Find out more about ticket prices and book your tickets here.

Cardiff Bay

Head to Cardiff Bay – the city’s coastal corner – to find entertainment and attractions for all ages. This is a unique waterfront centred around a large freshwater lake, packed with restaurants, cafés, shops and other venues.

Here you can visit the Pierhead, a Grade I listed neo-gothic building that functions as a heritage and events centre. It was built in 1897 and is one of the city’s most familiar landmarks. Or try your hand at exhilarating watersports at Cardiff International Sports Village, home to a white water sports centre.

National Museum Cardiff

Opening times: 10:00 – 17:00 Tuesday to Sunday

Located in the heart of Cardiff’s civic centre, National Museum Cardiff is the place to visit for world-class art and natural history and geology collections. Discover 500 years of incredible drawings, paintings and other artwork from Wales and other places across the globe. Or learn about the evolution of Wales through interesting artefacts and light, sound and film effects.

There are also special temporary exhibitions to enjoy here, as well as a restaurant and a shop. Admission is free.

Roath Park

Opening times: 06:00 – 22:00 daily

Opened in 1894, Roath Park is one of the city’s oldest parks and most popular outdoor spaces. It’s easily accessible from the city centre and still retains its elegant Victorian atmosphere today.

Roath Park is a good place for a picturesque autumn walk and offers peace and quiet away from the city. In the centre of the park you’ll find a man-made lake, where you can hire a row boat or a pedal boat. There’s also a recreation ground complete with a trim trail and a children’s playground.

Bute Park

Opening times: 07:30 – 20:00 daily

Bute Park is a Grade I listed historic park and another of Cardiff’s must-visit green spaces. It features 130 acres of parkland that once formed the grounds of the city’s castle, and an arboretum with over 3,000 catalogued trees.

Enjoy a relaxing stroll around this idyllic park, complete with a woodland play trail for the little ones. You can also visit Blackfriar’s Friary, an ancient scheduled monument that dates back to the 13^th century. There are several cafés dotted around where you can stop for a drink or a bite to eat.

Cardiff Victorian Arcades

Fancy a spot of shopping while you’re in Cardiff? In that case, head to one of the six Victorian arcades across the city, home to over 100 shops and eateries. Castle Arcade is the biggest of these arcades, located opposite Cardiff’s High Street. Built between 1882 and 1889, this arcade is renowned for its two large arches that sit at either end. Here you’ll find a variety of shops, including fashion and fancy dress stores and a Portuguese bakery.

The arcades are the ideal place to while away a few hours with some retail therapy.

Principality Stadium

The Principality Stadium is the national stadium of Wales and the home of Wales’s national rugby team. It opened in Cardiff in June 1999 and was originally built to host that year’s Rugby World Cup. Since then, it has hosted major events such as the 2005 Tsunami Relief Concert and welcomes 1.3 million visitors each year.

If you’re a rugby fan, book a guided tour of the Principality Stadium and explore important areas such as the players tunnel and Ray Gravell Press Conference suite. This is an experience not to be missed.

Hotels in Cardiff

Whether you’re visiting the city with friends or family, our Leonardo Hotel Cardiff hotel offers the perfect home away from home during a staycation. Conveniently located in the heart of the city, our hotel puts you within walking distance of some of the top tourist attractions in Cardiff.

Relax in one of the hotel’s 142 comfortable guestrooms and enjoy dinner altogether in the ODDSOCKS restaurant, boasting an extensive menu with something for everyone. Whatever you have planned in Cardiff, unwind at the end of a jam-packed day with Jurys Inn and Leonardo Hotels.