Orientation

Sprawling Cardiff Castle used to be the center of the ancient city, but today, Cardiff’s busy shopping districts have superseded the Castle as the center of action. The city center’s perimeter is roughly guided by the Edwardian Civic Centre (Cathays Park) to the north, Central Rail Station to the south, Queen Street Station to the east, and the River Taff to the west. The river runs next to the massive Millenium Stadium, dividing the residential section from the more commercial downtown and flowing directly into Cardiff Bay, a reinvigorated waterfront area, located about a mile south of Central Station.

While the city center is quite urban and industrialized, the edges of development in Cardiff border directly on greenery, so it’s easy to flee the hustle and bustle of cosmopolitan life. Picturesque Pontcanna Fields, Sophia Gardens, and Bute Park stretch out from the walls of Cardiff Castle. Roath Park, with a 30-acre lake, is to the north of the city center.