Where To Stay in Cardiff? [7 Best Areas To Base Yourself]

If you're planning a trip to Wales, one of the top places to stay is, of course, the capital city.

Cardiff might be small as far as cities go, but there are a huge number of things to do in and around the capital. Cardiff has many different neighbourhoods you can stay in, from the obvious locations like the city centre to upmarket Cardiff Bay and the relaxed area of Riverside.

Your experience in Cardiff will alter depending on where you choose to stay so it's important to choose well. Luckily, I'm here to take the headache away. In this article, I'll share the best areas to stay in Cardiff and what makes each one unique.

1. Cardiff Bay

In my opinion, Cardiff Bay is the best area to stay in Cardiff. It's the most modern and safe part of the city and is home to several luxury hotels that tend to be better value than the high-end hotels in the city centre.

Cardiff Bay is home to some of the city's most iconic locations such as the Senedd and the Millennium Centre. It's also a great place for food and drink, you'll find many great bars and restaurants within the Mermaid Quay leisure complex.

When you want to visit the city centre, there are both buses and a train that run all day and well into the evening. A taxi or Uber will take just 10 minutes too. There is also a boat during the day that takes you up the River Ely back to Bute Park in the city centre.

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2. Castle Quarter, City Centre

Cardiff city centre may be small compared to other large cities; however, it condenses a lot of fantastic hang-out spots and attractions. The best part of the city centre to stay in is the area around Cardiff Castle, known as Castle Quarter.

Most of the hotels around here have excellent views, plus you can easily walk to the main shopping area, the Civic Centre, where you'll find the National Museum Cardiff, and Bute Park which is the sprawling green park next to the castle.

The hotels around this area tend to be of a high standard and typically have their own car parks as it's just north of the city centre with easy road access.

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3. Cardiff Central Square (Near the Train Station)

Central Square is a newly developed area to the south of the city centre around Cardiff Central Railway Station. The area is home to many of Cardiff's media organisations, including BBC Cymru Wales, plus it's within easy walking distance to St Mary's Street which is the main place for going out in the evening.

This is one of the cheaper parts of the city centre to stay in, but it's also one of the most difficult and expensive when it comes to parking so it's usually best for those travelling by public transport, especially given how close you'll be to the main train station.

Keep in mind that it can get quite noisy at night and is slightly more expensive than other areas of Cardiff, but that's the trade-off for the convenience of having everything within walking distance.

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4. Atlantic Wharf, City Centre

Atlantic Wharf is the residential area in between the city centre and Cardiff Bay. If you're looking for a quiet area to stay that's still within good walking distance of the city centre, then this is an often-overlooked area of Cardiff.

There aren't a huge number of hotels around Atlantic Wharf since it's mostly flats and apartments, but the ones that are there tend to be very reasonably priced compared to those more central which is why it's often popular with those spending a little longer in the city.

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5. Cardiff Outskirts (Vale of Glamorgan)

Staying just outside of Cardiff in the Vale of Glamorgan allows you to access picturesque views and luxury resorts while still being within easy reach of Cardiff and all its beautiful attractions. It's also home to some of Wales' best luxury hotels, including Llanerch Vinyard Hotel (featured above).

That said, the Vale is a lovely space to enjoy yourself in its own right and has plenty of great locations, such as the coastal town of Barry, the more rural Cowbridge in the centre of the county, as well as Penarth, which gives you stunning views of Cardiff Bay without you needing to stay in the city.

For a relaxing beach break, stay anywhere near the coast, where you'll be able to find plenty of amusements and colourful locations.

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6. Riverside

The riverside area of Cardiff is the section of town to the west of Bute park, or more specifically, the River Taff that runs through it.

This part of Cardiff is home to a vast area of parkland, such as Pontcanna Fields and Sophia Gardens. Despite being so green, the area is only a short distance from the town centre, making it a good place to stay if you want easy access to all that Cardiff offers. Riverside is a smaller area of Cardiff, but it is still home to interesting cafes and restaurants that can be found on Cowbridge Road.

Whilst staying in this part of Cardiff can be quieter and cheaper, be prepared for walking or taking taxis whenever you want to explore the city centre or bay area.

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7. Cardiff Airport

Best for: Easy access to the airport and other travel links

Our final recommended place to stay in Cardiff is Cardiff Airport, although it's not exactly where you might expect.

Cardiff Airport is located in a different county from Cardiff, being closer to Barry. This means those looking for quick access to the sites and attractions in the town centre may not be best suited here.

However, because of the train and bus shuttle links, you can get to Cardiff from near the airport in under an hour, making it a good place to stay if you have a plane to catch yet still want to pop into the city for a few hours. 

If you want to avoid staying by the airport, you can opt for the small village of Rhoose, where the airport shuttle bus drops you off to get the train to Cardiff. In Rhoose, you can explore Fonmon Castle or visit the Welsh Hawking Centre.