Cardiff-Capital of Wales Travel Guide

Cardiff is the capital city of Wales in the Unitedand is now a hub of social activity with a range of
Kingdom. The population of Cardiff is a little overattractions and leisure facilities along the
300000 and the currency in use is the poundwaterfront. The Spirit of Cardiff visitor centre is
sterling.situated at this location in a most unique building
As a city, Cardiff really began with the Romanknown locally as 'The Tube'. It is worth a visit to
invasion in AD43. Indeed the city's name derivesCardiff Bay just to see this structure in itself!
from the Roman general Aulus Didius; 'Caer Didi'Shopping in Cardiff is an enjoyable experience,
means 'Fort of Didius' and in time became Cardiff.and a bit different with the combination of the
In the eleventh century, the Normans marched onusual high-street stores and also the many little
the city, and by Elizabethan times, Cardiff was aarcades where an unusual bargain can often be
lawless town peopled by pirates and gangsters.picked up.
By the beginning of the seventeenth century, theFor a relatively small city, Cardiff is not short of
population had dwindled to a handful and thebars and restaurants with 350 places to drink and
future of the city was bleak. However, theover 250 eateries within the metropolitan area. A
Industrial Revolution reinvigorated the city ofwide variety of ethnic cuisine is on offer in the
Cardiff, and by start of the twentieth century,city from Italian to Indian to Greek, but many
the city was thriving with the export of coal thevisitors wish to sample the local dishes and the
main industry.best way to find a restaurant specializing in Welsh
Modern day Cardiff is a buzzing city with plenty tofood is to keep an eye out for the 'hungry
interest the visitor whether it be sightseeing,dragon' sign which indicates that it is served.
shopping or socializing. Like the rest of the BritishThe nightlife is good in Cardiff with everything
Isles, the weather is not always the best, but infrom opera to pop usually going on a one of the
general the climate is temperate and notmany entertainment venues in the city. The
something that would prevent the visitor having aWales Millennium Centre is home to many of the
happy stay in the city.international acts who stop off in the Welsh capital
The National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff iswhen they are on tour.
proud to house the best collection ofWhether its cultural heritage sites, family
Impressionist works outside of Paris, as well as aattractions or the dancefloor, Cardiff has
whole host of fascinating exhibits and is wellsomething for everyone and is a great place to
worth a visit.visit.
Cardiff Bay has recently undergone a makeover,