While Cardiff might not be a center for international influx, it does have quite a bit going on within its borders. Recently winning the world title in rugby sparked a flood of national pride here, and you can still feel the buzz in the streets, as its residents have come together in spirit of the game.
When you book flights to Cardiff, you’re immediately immersed in the niceties of what this friendly city has to offer – even when it’s not winning world-famous sporting events. The architectural attractiveness of this small city is absolutely marveling. Monstrosities like Rome and Paris aside, when you travel to Cardiff there’s no way in getting around its beautiful Cardiff Castle, its neoclassic Civic Center, and its illustrious Cardiff Bay, where the waterfront has become a well-developed center for people to meet and gather on sunny afternoons in the summertime.
It’s true that you will have plenty to do here, between museums, art galleries, restaurants, nightlife, and natural history, there are also options for those more tranquil travelers booking flights to Cardiff, who instead seek places of solitude away from urban chaos. Green space, gardens, and esplanades are all over the place, allowing you to make the choice between bustling city life, and a peaceful walk in the park.
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Like the rest of the United Kingdom, Cardiff is no stranger to seasonal climate and inclement, unpredictable weather. To stay on the safe side, expect the unexpected when you book flights to Cardiff. Winters are wet, and temperatures crawl down to the 30s, so pack warm clothing and always an umbrella – no matter what time of year. Summers on the other hand, are known to bring sunny days (between the rainy ones) and temperatures high in the 70s. Rain and wind roll in during springtime, but the mild, May weather and pretty, delicate flowers make up for the occasional shower.
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Springtime is the perfect time of year to plan flights to Cardiff – the weather is beautiful, conditions are mostly dry, and you don’t have to deal with either summer or winter extremes.
Peak Season:
Although it’s a bit rainy all year round, booking flights to Cardiff in the summer is your best bet for staying dry. The months of June, July, and August are known to be the driest part of the year, and sunny days offer warm, comfortable temperatures, and cool, mild evenings.
Off-peak Season:
If you’re not a sun worshipper, then you’ll have no problem coming here in the off season. Booking flights to Cardiff in the winter will undoubtedly afford you with rainy days and cold temperatures, but one thing is certain – the beauty and culture of this city never dies down, even when the good weather does.
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If you think you’re stranded once your Cardiff flight arrives at the airport, have no fear – there are plenty of reliable ways to get from the airport to your accommodation, and even more ways to get around the city on your own. Shuttles can take you to most of the city’s center accommodations, and if you don’t catch one, than taxis are always available to hail either from the street of from a line.
The Cardiff Bus Company operates many buses throughout the city all day long, and into the night. You can buy your tickets from the driver, but be sure to have exact change or be ready to part with the extra cash, because no change is given here. Free transport maps are everywhere you need them to be, so if you get lost, you’ll be able to navigate and be on your way again.
While renting a car is a viable option, it’s often a frustrating method, and can add stress to your Cardiff travel excursions. Parking is a huge problem here, and although there are two main parking garages (one at Castle News and another at Sophia Gardens) you may end up needing to find street parking, and walking 20 minutes back to the city center, only to have to return to feed the meter in two hours.
Your best bet, if you’re stuck on independent Cardiff travel, is to rent a bike.
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Cardiff Bay: A beautiful center of natural elegance and interesting developments is Cardiff Bay, established in 1987. A commercial center, permeated with exquisite shopping, grand hotels, distinctive restaurants, and uppity government buildings, this bay area hub is a place for all to come and mingle. If you’re planning on booking Cardiff flights in the summer, you’ll be fortunate enough to observe the fun and exhilarating yacht races, where everyone gathers to cheer on their favorite drivers. Sundays in the warm seasons also bring various street performers and entertaining shows to the waterfront for people of all ages.
Bute Park Animal Wall: If you ask any child in Cardiff about the Bute Park Animal Wall, they’ll tell you that the animal statues on top of it come to life at night. Thanks to a newspaper comic strip in the 1930’s, legend has it that that’s exactly what happens here. On the southern edge of Bute Park, just west of Cardiff Castle along Castle Street, a long wall, ornate with happy figures of lions, seals, bears, and more wild creatures runs along the road. Built by William Burges, the same architect who constructed the nearby castle, the wall has brought happy stories to the minds of children for the past century. Book flights to Cardiff to see the wall in all its glory, and see for yourself what happens at night.
National Museum of Wales: Don’t be confused, the classic white building with the columns at the front entrance is no nod to the United States special government residence – it’s the National Museum of Wales. Inside, eclectic artwork and scientific exhibits line the walls and fill rooms with interesting parts of Wales history and present state. Wander from room to room as you learn about industry, archaeology, geology, and see the beautiful and exquisite handiwork in the silver china and delicate glass made in the 1200’s. Modern and classic sculptures are shown together, marking past and present, and intense paintings by Rembrandt and Kokoschka let you know that this collection is one of great depth. Most visitors that book flights to Cardiff seeking artistic experiences head straight to the French Impressionist section, the most popular part of the gallery.
St. Dwynwen’s Day: If you’re booking flights to Cardiff in January, then you’ll be able to experience the fun and intrigue of St. Dwynwen’s Day, a festival celebrating the freedom of love. As the story goes, Dwynwen was said to be the prettiest of 24 daughters in an aristocratic family. Instead of following her father’s wishes to enter an arranged marriage, Dwynwen falls in love with a handsome prince, but is forbidden to see him. Heartbroken, she is visited by an evil angel who turns the prince to ice. Fortunately, God grants her three wishes: One, that he be thawed; Two, that true love should be accessible to all; And three, that she should never marry. God grants her wishes, and in gratitude, she devotes the rest of her life to Him. Now, every January, the residents of Cardiff gather to celebrate the freedom and choice of love.
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Your cheap flight to Cardiff arrives at Cardiff International Airport, right outside the city.
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