The capital city of Wales, Cardiff is one of the UK’s most popular university cities, buzzing with youthful creative energy.
The city’s impressive range of arts, sporting and cultural venues are all within easy walking distance. The city produces an imaginative programme of events and festivals, and you will find all the eating, shopping and nightlife options you would expect in a thriving European capital.
With the creative sector booming in Wales, there are exciting opportunities for our students and graduates to gain experience and find employment. Cardiff is home to the national arts companies of Wales and to the BBC’s largest drama production centre outside London.
The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama plays a significant role within this wider cultural infrastructure. It is one of the city’s most popular venues, attracting 60,000 visitors a year to its own performances and events. It also performs a vital role in supporting the wider creative sector in Wales and beyond.
Wales Millennium Centre
Located on the city’s waterfront, Wales Millennium Centre is a constant hive of activity, from West End musicals, opera, ballet and contemporary dance, hip-hop and stand-up comedy, to art exhibitions and workshops.
Photo © Crown Copyright (Visit Wales)
Arcades
Cardiff has beautiful Victorian arcades lined with boutiques, cafés, delicatessens and vintage clothing shops. There are bustling indoor and seasonal outdoor markets, and the St David’s shopping centre has 150 shops, restaurants and cafes to explore.
Photo © Crown Copyright (Visit Wales)
Cardiff Bay
During the summer, the bay is a constant buzz of activity, hosting events including the Harbour Festival, Cardiff Bay Beach, and the Food and Drink Festival. In 2018, the bay was the only UK destination for the round-the-world Volvo Ocean Race.
Photo © Visit Cardiff
Cardiff International Sports Village
Home to the UK’s very first on-demand white water rafting course, offering rafting and canoeing all year round. Next door is the city’s Olympic-sized swimming pool and the Viola Arena ice rink, home to the Cardiff Devils ice hockey team.
Photo © Kiran Ridley
Winter Wonderland
From November to January, the civic centre is transformed into the ultimate winter experience, with an ice trail, live entertainment, big wheel and après ski centre.
Photo © Kiran Ridley
Principality Stadium
An iconic sporting venue in the heart of the city, hosting rugby and football matches, along with Speedway and Monster Jam events. This 74,000-seat stadium can also be transformed into the perfect concert venue – recent gigs have included Pink, Take That, Spice Girls and Ed Sheeran.
Photo © Visit Cardiff
Cardiff Castle
RWCMD (formerly Cardiff College of Music) was established in the Castle in 1949 and was home to the College for 25 years. A music theme continues to this day, with the Castle hosting an array of outdoor gigs including The Killers and Manic Street Preachers.
Photo © Visit Cardiff
Parks
Cardiff is blessed with an abundance of parks and green spaces – we think there are over 400 across the city. RWCMD’s neighbour is Bute Park – 130 acres of landscaped gardens and parkland that once formed the grounds of Cardiff Castle – and known as the ‘green heart’ of the city.
Photo © Crown Copyright (Visit Wales)
Brecon Beacons
Jump on a bus from the city and you’ll be in the heart of this National Park in just over an hour. There are trails for walkers, runners and cyclists, and even paragliding and abseiling.
Photo © Visit Wales
Coastline
If surfing, swimming, sailing, potholing and canoeing are more your thing, then Wales is the place to be. There are more than 100 beaches along our coastline, with 40 beaches awarded Blue Flag status in 2019.
Photo © Visit Wales
Festival Season
The summer months are jam-packed with festivals – the Festival of Voice, Cardiff Design Festival, Cardiff Comedy Festival, Pride Cymru, Green Man and HUB Festival.
Photo © Matthew Horwood
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