Where to Stay in Cardiff (Best Places, by an Area Local)

5 Best Neighbourhoods & Areas to Stay in Cardiff

Cardiff has several neighbourhoods, expanding out from the city centre. Many of the best neighbourhoods in Cardiff are worth visiting but have a limited range of hotels.

Most Cardiff hotels are concentrated in the city centre and Cardiff Bay. I’ll talk you through the central areas and also some suburban areas to help you choose where to stay. 

Cardiff City Centre

👉 Best Area For First Timers | ✨ Best City Centre Hotels: The Parkgate Hotel • Hotel Indigo • The Riverhouse

Cardiff City Centre is the heart of the city and is full of attractions, history and culture, and eateries. Cardiff City Centre is the best place to stay for first-timers. You’d be within walking distance from many popular tourist attractions such as the iconic Cardiff Castle, Bute Park and Principality Stadium. 

The Parkgate Hotel, one of the best luxury hotels in Cardiff, even has rooms with views across Cardiff Castle and the Principality Stadium! 

The city centre is also great for visitors on short stays or those planning to experience Cardiff’s renowned nightlife. 

Cardiff City Centre is well-connected, so you’d easily be able to walk, cycle, or travel by bus or train to other areas. The close proximity to transport links also makes it easier if you plan to go on a day trip from Cardiff.

Pros of Staying in Cardiff City Centre:

• Great variety of accommodation
• Close to Cardiff Train Station and major transport links
• Walking distance to all major city centre attractions, like Cardiff Castle
• Close to restaurants, bars and nightlife 

Cons of Staying in Cardiff City Centre:

• It can be noisy, especially on weekend nights
• Prices can be higher to reflect the central location
• Mainly a commercial area so it lacks in neighbourhood feel 

Cardiff Bay

👉 Best Area For Culture | ✨ Best Cardiff Bay Hotels: The Coal Exchange Hotel • Voco St David’s Cardiff • Future Inn Cardiff Bay

Cardiff Bay is home to iconic buildings, waterfront restaurants and stunning views. You’d have the Wales Millennium Centre and family-friendly attractions like Techniquest, Cardiff’s science discovery centre, on your doorstep! 

Cardiff Bay was once a busy dockland but is now a regenerated area full of culture next to calm waters. Stay in the walls of a historic building which was at the heart of the Welsh coal industry at The Coal Exchange, a luxury hotel that pays homage to its past.

In 10 minutes to half an hour, you can reach Cardiff City Centre by bus, train, walking or even by boat. For sweeping views of the bay area, stay in the Voco St David’s Hotel, one of the best luxury Cardiff hotels, complete with a swimming pool!

Cardiff Bay is an ideal place to stay for families, groups of friends and couples. 

Pros of Staying in Cardiff Bay:

• Great sea view location 
• Near iconic attractions 
• Family-friendly and largely pedestrianised
• Central but quieter than the city centre
• Good transport links around the city and to nearby beaches
• Nearby eateries in the popular Mermaid Quay

Cons of Staying in Cardiff Bay:

• Not in the heart of the city centre 
• Less choice of hotels than in the city centre 
• You may need taxis if travelling at night 

Pontcanna

👉 Best Area For A Trendy Neighbourhood Feel | ✨ Best Pontcanna Hotels: Pontcanna Inn • The Lincoln House Hotel • The Beverley by Innkeeper’s Collection

Pontcanna is a trendy neighbourhood in Cardiff, home to award-winning restaurants, cute cafes, lively markets and independent shops. You could eat at Gorse, Cardiff’s first Michelin-starred restaurant (obviously one of Cardiff’s top restaurants), or head to the friendly CannaDeli for a cup of coffee! 

Pontcanna is a great place to stay if you want a quiet residential area that’s within walking distance or a short bus ride from the city centre. I love that you can walk through Bute Park to reach the city centre from here. 

The tree-lined streets with historic architecture are home to some unique hotels. You’ll find The Lincoln House Hotel in one of the stunning Victorian buildings. Rated one of the best hotels in Cardiff, The Lincoln House Hotel is one of few family-run, traditional Bed and Breakfasts in the city. 

Pontcanna is near lots of the city’s green spaces, Sophia Gardens Cricket Stadium and Cardiff Coach Station. For a more outdoorsy stay in nature, I recommend Cardiff Caravan and Camping Park, a well-equipped site neighbouring Pontcanna Fields.

Pros of Staying in Pontcanna:

• Trendy area with award-winning restaurants, independent cafes and markets 
• Characterful hotels in historic buildings
• Near Cardiff Coach Station 
• Located near green spaces and the Taff Trail along the River Taff
• Only a short walk or journey to the city centre 

Cons of Staying in Pontcanna:

• Fewer accommodation options 
• Buses don’t run to the centre all night so taxis may be needed
• Limited free parking options
• Away from the city centre buzz

Llandaff

👉 Best Area For A Charming Suburban Stay | ✨ Best Llandaff Hotels: The Heathcock Boutique Hotel • Maltsters

Llandaff is a suburban residential area in north Cardiff with a village-like feel. Llandaff is not an obvious choice when considering where to stay in the city. But the area is well suited to visitors staying for a few days or those who like to escape the city buzz after a day of sightseeing!

You’d be within walking distance from the impressive Llandaff Cathedral and green spaces like Llandaff fields. There are some great eateries like Summer Palace, Cardiff’s longest-serving Cantonese restaurant.

Llandaff is only a ten-minute drive, 20-minute bus ride or 10-minute train ride to Cardiff City Centre. You can also walk or cycle from Llandaff to the city centre along the Taff Trail, a scenic route along the River Taff.

For affordable luxury, stay at The Heathcock Boutique Hotel, located near Llandaff meadows with easy access to a main road. 

Pros of Staying in Llandaff:

• Village-like neighbourhood in the Cardiff suburbs 
• Near Llandaff fields and the Taff Trail along the River Taff
• Connected to Cardiff City Centre by bus and train 
• Hotels offering affordable luxury 

Cons of Staying in Llandaff:

• Few accommodation options 
• Further away from Cardiff City Centre 
• Car or taxi needed to travel flexibly or at night 

Penarth

👉 Best Area For A Quiet Stay By The Sea | ✨ Best Penarth Hotels: Rooms at Penarth Marina • Beachcliff Rooms & Apartments

Penarth is a charming seaside town with a bustling town centre, iconic Art Deco Pier and a pretty pebble beach. Penarth is a separate town so may not instantly come to mind when deciding where to stay. But Penarth is only a stone’s throw from Cardiff! 

Penarth is a great place to stay to combine a city break with sea air! For an authentic maritime experience, stay at the unique floating rooms in Rooms at Penarth Marina.

From Penarth, you can get to Cardiff Bay and Cardiff City Centre on foot or on wheels via the Cardiff Bay Trail. This circular pedestrianised trail over Cardiff Bay Barrage is my favourite cycle route in the city! 

There are regular buses and trains between Penarth and Cardiff City Centre which take less than half an hour. Buses and trains also link Penarth with other destinations in South Wales, such as the seaside resort of Barry Island, and Cardiff Airport.

Pros of Staying in Penarth:

• Easy access to Cardiff Bay and Cardiff City Centre 
• Beautiful sea views and proximity to beaches like Barry Island 
• Quiet and away from the city hustle and bustle
• Small town centre with shops and cafes 
• Closer to Cardiff Airport 

Cons of Staying in Penarth:

• Longer distance to main attractions in Cardiff 
• Few accommodation options 
• Car or taxi needed to travel flexibly or at night 

Tips for Staying in Cardiff

Check Events and Dates in Advance

Check events in advance so you can make an informed decision about when and where to stay in Cardiff! Cardiff hosts many international and national events, from rugby matches to pop concerts. This makes for a great atmosphere but can push prices up and affect public transport and road access.

Hop on Public Transport

Download the Cardiff Bus App and check the Traveline website for ease of travel on Cardiff’s public transport networks. You can easily travel by bus or train to many destinations in Cardiff and beyond! Local taxis are also reliable and provide a good service at night. 

Check Parking in Advance

Check parking in advance if you are travelling by car. There are few free parking places in Cardiff City Centre, and parking in Cardiff can be a hassle and costly. The availability and cost of parking might influence your choice of where to stay in Cardiff.

Embrace Active Travel

Cardiff is a great city for active travel. Most of central Cardiff is pedestrianised and there are decent traffic-free routes that connect different parts of the city. Check out the Taff Trail to get from Cardiff City Centre to Cardiff Bay!

Try and stay in hotels, hostels or registered apartments 

There are many short-term rental houses available on various sites in Cardiff. However, the UK currently faces a housing crisis, and short-term rentals can exacerbate the lack of affordable homes for locals. Where possible, support established businesses and registered places to stay.

Prepare for the Weather

Come prepared for all weather and keep your plans flexible so you can adapt to the skies if needed. Cardiff has a very variable, maritime climate. It can be sunny one minute and rainy the next! Check out the best time to visit Cardiff for more information.

Consider What Days to Visit

Consider the opening days and times of attractions and eateries you want to visit. It may not affect you at all, but several restaurants, cafes and attractions in Cardiff are closed on Mondays. Some are closed Mondays through Wednesdays.

FAQs About Where to Stay in Cardiff

What are the best areas to stay in Cardiff for first-timers?

The best areas to stay in Cardiff for first-timers are Cardiff City Centre and Cardiff Bay. Cardiff City Centre is the heart of the city and home to sites such as Cardiff Castle and Bute Park. Cardiff Bay is the waterfront area of the city and home to iconic landmarks like the Pierhead.

What are safe areas to stay in Cardiff?

There are many safe areas to stay in Cardiff. Cardiff is a relatively safe city, so you don’t need to be too concerned about safety when deciding where to stay in Cardiff. Most accommodation is concentrated in Cardiff City Centre and Cardiff Bay. These are generally safe areas but, like in any city, you should remain vigilant and take care of yourself and your belongings especially at night. For more information, see my full guide to safety in Cardiff.

What are the best areas to stay in Cardiff for tourists? 

Cardiff Bay and Cardiff City Centre are the best areas to stay in Cardiff for tourists. In Cardiff City Centre, you’ll be close to major tourist attractions such as Cardiff Castle. In Cardiff Bay, you’ll be close to iconic destinations like the Pierhead and the beautiful waterfront.

Where are the nice parts of Cardiff?

Pontcanna and Llandaff are nice parts of Cardiff. Pontcanna and Llandaff are leafy neighbourhoods in Cardiff. When deciding where to stay in Cardiff, you have lots of decent options.

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You have plenty of choices of great places to stay in the Welsh Capital! Before you go make sure to read my guide to day trips from Cardiff for more travel ideas!