Cheap things to do in Cardiff

Cardiff is a city tinged with a welsh seaside charm and is teeming with things to do. But, whilst some of the best things in the city can often set you back a pretty penny and a lot of the free things to do often revolve around museums and walking around (which can be amazing, but sometimes you're after a bit more); we want to let you in on some of our favourite things to do at the lower price points. 

So whether you want to laugh the night away at some of the city's finest comedians, explore an iconic castle and learn about the local history, or simply stroll through the stunning arcades and shop to your heart's content. There's an array of incredible opportunities awaiting you in the Welsh capital, so have a scroll and start planning your next trip!

 

 

Delve into Welsh history at Cardiff Castle

Price: Adult £14, Child £10, Concession £12

Where: Castle St, Cardiff CF10 3RB

Now if you're going to Cardiff, then we think it would be a bit rude not to visit the famous Cardiff Castle. Once the hub of the city, now a tourist venue that occasionally holds huge gigs, the site is a stroll through the past and is essential for any History buffs amongst you when looking for cheap things to do in Cardiff. Within the walls of this 2000-year-old marvel, you can explore the old apartments, walk the battlements, face the trebuchet and so much more. So don your finest armour and sharpen your longsword, it's gonna be a belter.

 

Find tickets for events at Cardiff Castle - here

 

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Giggle the night away at The Glee

Price: Ticket prices vary but are usually under £15

Where: Bay, Mermaid Quay, Unit 7a, Cardiff CF10 5BZ

Who doesn't love a good laugh eh? Well, there's only one place in Cardiff that you should be going to see live comedy, and that is the Glee. The night in particular we recommend is their All-In Comedy', This is where local act Robin Morgan (Mock the Week) presents three up-and-coming comedy acts in one night that only costs £10.50! It's an amazing deal, and you get the chance to see some of the stars of tomorrow, everyone of your favourite comics have played the glee at some point, and who knows who'll be there when you go? 

 

Find tickets for events at The Glee - here

 

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Chill in one of the city's Beer Gardens or Rooftop Terraces

Where: Check out our lists below for all the best in the city. 

For those of you more inclined to chill out and have a boozing session when you're visiting another city, then, when looking for cheap things to do in Cardiff, there are few better things to do than relax in one of its rooftop gardens, or beer gardens. Whether you're after stunning skyline views of the city, a bevvy by the sea, or a sprawling outdoor drinking complex, Cardiff has you covered. It's the perfect place to either head to for pres before heading out to one of the many nightclubs on offer, or to just relax for an afternoon and then realise quite just how much you've had to drink when you eventually stand up and it all rushes to your head. 

 

Find our list of the best Rooftop Bars in Cardiff - here

Find our list of the best Beer Gardens in Cardiff - here

 

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Stimulate your brain at Techniquest

Price: Adult £10.90, Child £9.05, Concession £9.54

Where: Stuart Street, Cardiff, CF10 5BW

Are you inclined toward the wonders of science and technology? Well, there are few better places in the country, never mind just Wales, than Techniquest to explore your curiosities about the planet and the way it all works. Across its two floors of technological marvels, you and your friends or family can launch a rocket, try your hand at virtual surgery, experience a real-life earthquake and even feel the force of a hurricane! There are few days out that inspire as much as Techniquest, and with tickets all around a tenner,  it truly makes it one of the best cheap things to do in Cardiff. 

 

Find tickets for events at Techniquest - here

 

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Take to the water in Roath Park

Price: £7 for 1/2 hr on either a pedalo or rowing boat

Where: Boat Stage 170 Lake Road East Cardiff CF23 5PG

When the hustle and bustle finally get to you, and you just fancy a day where you just sit back, relax and recoup? Well, there a few places in Cardiff better to do so than Roath Park. The stunning park that surrounds the lake really epitomises tranquillity and is a quality place to relax with your family, or significant other when it all gets a bit much. Plus, one of the best things to do there is to hire a pedalo or rowing boat and get out on the water. Relaxation at its finest and you can even row out to some of the islands in the middle of the lake. Loads of relaxed fun and one of the best cheap things to do in Cardiff.

 

Find tickets for events at Roath Park - here

 

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Shop till you drop in Cardiff's Arcades

Where: Dotted around the city centre

In the age of the online shopper, we seem to have lost a bit of the culture around going shopping, and we don't think that should be the case. Especially when you have a series of shopping centres as gorgeous as the Cardiff Arcades. The series of indoor shopping arcades that run through the city centre is occupied by brands you know and independent vendors en masse and a stroll through them makes for a delightful day of shopping. From spending time milling around and chatting in coffee shops to flicking through the racks trying on your next fit to drumming through record bins to find that first pressing you've been eyeing up in one of the Cardiff famous record stores; the picturesque maze of the arcades has it all. So splash out and treat yourself, there are bargains to be found!

 

Find tickets for events at Cardiff Arcades - here

 

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Take a tour of Rugby history at Cardiff's Principality Stadium

Price: Adult £16.50, Children £12.00, Concession £13.50, Family (2 Adults 2 Children) £50

Where: Principality Stadium, Westgate Street, Cardiff CF10 1NS

If there's one thing the welsh love it's their Rugby, and if you're inclined towards the egg rather than the football, then a tour of the welsh rugby mecca that is the Principality stadium will be one of the best cheap things to do in Cardiff for you. For less than £20 you can get a guided tour through the annals of Welsh rugby history, at the place often dubbed the best rugby stadium in the world. The guides are knowledgable, you go through the dressing rooms and even through the tunnel onto the pitch (though you can't step past the outline onto the grass so you can't score a try we're afraid). 

 

Find tickets for events at Cardiff Principality Stadium - here

 

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Catch the next big thing at Clwb Ifor Bach

Price: Ticket prices vary but are usually under £15

Where: 11 Womanby St, Cardiff CF10 1BR

Live music is one of the best things that life can offer us, don't you think? But, whilst you may love going to see the bands that pepper your Spotify playlists, going and seeing the up-and-comers is a great way to support both the venues and artists within the grassroots scene. When in Cardiff, there are few better places to do this than Clwb Ifor Bach. The venue is one of the cornerstones of the Cardifflive scene, and with tickets usually being around the £10-£15 mark (will be more expensive for the more established names, but that isn't what this is about), its a proper good option when looking for cheap things to do in Cardiff. Just make sure you get your tickets on Skiddle...

 

Find tickets for events at Clwb Ifor Bach - here

 

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Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.