Europe's youngest capital city, having been the capital city of Wales for only around 50 years.

Due to an enormous amount of urban regeneration and restoration, Cardiff has become one of the most fashionable cities in the United Kingdom.  There are chic and modern shopping centres coupled with historic Victorian shopping arcades, an impressive selection of Cardiff hotels and world-class restaurants and a trendy waterfront area, it is easy to see why Cardiff is so popular. 

On a day or so in a city normally means whistle-stop tours, rushed meals and a pocket full of expensive bus and train tickets. Thankfully, things are different in Cardiff.  The city is so compact that nothing is more than 15 minutes away, which means visitors can spend a more leisurely time exploring the city.  Within the one square mile of the bustling city centre are the big three attractions: the Millennium Stadium, the National Museum and Gallery and Cardiff Castle. These attractions sit alongside luxury hotels, a network of shopping malls and arcades and a wide range of restaurants, bars and cafes.

A 10-minute journey South of the centre, either on the hop-on hop-off tour bus or by train, is Cardiff Bay, the capital's newest development. One hundred years ago the docklands were the hub of the world's coal industry, transporting millions of tonnes of coal across the globe. The docks were left to decay after the decline of the coal industry, but have now been reborn into a popular tourist attraction.

The Bay boasts a 200-hectare freshwater lake for sailing and watersports; Cuisine from around the world in the restaurants in Mermaid Quay, and the new home for Welsh National Opera, the Wales Millennium Centre.

The Norwegian Church, originally built for sailors, dockers and their families,  was once sited in Butetown, but with the development of Cardiff Bay it was re-sited to its current position overlooking the waterfront.  It now serves as an art gallery, concert hall and cafe.

For something a little different, try The Vale of Glamorgan Railway, based in the Old GWR Station on Barry Island.  Providing an experience of steam travel in a very popular tourist area, and an enjoyable link between the Island and the Mainland.   

• Millennium Stadium ~ The national stadium for top-flights sports events and pop concerts.
• Wales Millennium Centre ~ One of the most impressive arts venues in the world, staging musicals, concerts and theatrical productions, seating in excess of 70,000 spectators.
• Cardiff Castle ~ One of the leading tourist attractions in Wales with over 2,000 years of history within its walls.
• Castell Coch - Cardiff's Red Castle with fairy tale round towers and red turrets.
• Llandaff Cathedral - Home to the modern sculpture of 'Christ in Majesty'.
• Cardiff Bay - Europe's largest and most successful urban regeneration project, with many lively shops, restaurants, cafés and bars now residing one Cardiff's trendy waterfront area.  Mermaid Quay has a particularly high concentration of Cardiff entertainment venues.
• The Senedd ~  The newly completed home for the National Assembly For Wales (Welsh Assembly) finally opened for business in February 2006. 
• Techniquest Museum ~ An exciting, interactive science exhibition for all of the family.
• Museum of Welsh Life - Open-air museum chronicling the history of Wales over 2,000 years, with many buildings that have been rebuilt on this site after being transported brick by brick.
• Cardiff CATS ~ Regular water buses, which travel from Cardiff Bay to the Penarth Marina, with a number of stops along the way. An  inexpensive way to see many of Cardiff's attractions from a distance.  Once in Penarth, stroll along The Esplanade and Penarth Pier.
• The Big Pit ~ Big Pit is a real coal mine and one of Britain's leading mining museums. With facilities to educate and entertain all ages, this is an exciting and informative excursion. Located in Blaenafon.