Cardiff is home to a variety of attractions for you and your partner whether you're looking to see stunning historical buildings, explore vibrant natural features or simply relax in a spa. Whatever you're looking to do, it's important to make sure it's something you and your partner can enjoy doing together.
A couples holiday in this city is typically defined by what brings people closer together, so consider what activities you and your partner would like most. Check out some of the best things to do for couples in Cardiff to get some ideas for your next holiday itinerary.
- 1
Castell Coch
Visit a Gothic Revival castle
- Couples
- History
Castell Coch is a 19th-century Gothic Revival castle you and your partner can explore with a stunning interior showing off High Victorian design. Much of the castle was built in the 19th century on the remnants of a medieval castle dating back centuries further into the past.
Inside this castle, the Victorian room style of 19th-century Britain has been meticulously maintained, which serves as a sharp contrast to the 13th-century style of the exterior. You and your partner can explore it all just a few miles northwest of the city centre.
Location: Cardiff CF15 7JS, UK
Map - 2
Alexandra Gardens
Go for a lovely stroll
- Couples
Alexandra Gardens is an open green space with walking paths, a handful of trees and several monuments and memorials you and your partner can walk through. In the centre of the gardens, you can see the Welsh National War Memorial, which is a circular columned structure crafted from Portland stone.
Seasonal differences in this park can be quite striking, with the trees and flowers displaying a variety of vibrant colours depending on what time of year you visit. It's located just north of the city centre a short walk from the Cathays metro station.
Location: 13 Alexandra Rd, Clevedon BS21 7QH, UK
Open: 24/7
Map - 3
Cardiff Bay and River Taff cruises
Take to the water
- Couples
Cardiff Bay and River Taff cruises allow you and your partner to explore the alluring waterways of Cardiff, often travelling between the Cardiff city centre and Cardiff Bay. On most cruises, you can learn about the history of the area or simply enjoy the time spent with your partner as you cruise by vibrant greenery, historic sites and towering buildings.
In most cases, these cruises take about an hour, so it's fairly easy to fit into your itinerary. Shorter cruises are available too if you don't mind departing the cruise at a different location from boarding. They're often found at either the bay or by the city centre.
Location: Mermaid Quay, Cardiff CF10 5BZ, UK
Map - 4
St Fagans National Museum of History
Step back in time
- Couples
- History
The St Fagans National Museum of History is an open-air museum designed to make visitors feel as if they've stepped into the past by exploring the historical Welsh lifestyle. The museum is contained in and around St Fagans Castle, and several prominent Welsh buildings have been reconstructed in the surrounding area.
When you and your partner visit, you can explore 19th-century-style cottages and a Unitarian chapel showcasing the prominence of nonconformist Christianity in Wales. Traditional crafts like clog-making and blacksmithing are also present here. It's located a few miles west of the city centre.
Location: Cardiff CF5 6XB, UK
Open: Daily from 10 am to 5 pm
Phone: +44 300 111 2333
Map - 5
Llandaff Cathedral
Visit a historic cathedral
- Couples
- History
Llandaff Cathedral is a stunning sight sporting medieval and Gothic-style architecture dating back to the early 12th century. Most of the current structure was built in the 18th century, with several necessary repairs being made in the aftermath of World War II in the mid-20th century.
Couples visiting this cathedral will be awed by its exterior design, but that's only the beginning. Inside, you can see the Christ in Majesty statue by Jacob Epstein that's a massive depiction of Jesus. It's located near Llandaff Meadow northwest of the city centre.
Location: Cathedral Cl, Cardiff CF5 2LA, UK
Open: Hours may vary
Phone: +44 29 2056 4554
Map - 6
Cefn Onn Park
Relax in a picturesque park
- Couples
Cefn Onn Park is a designated historic park best known for its quiet and relaxing atmosphere, picturesque scenery and variety of exotic plants. While the park hosts plenty of native trees, a good portion of them aren't native to Britain.
This park is at the foot of Caerphilly Mountain, so you and your partner will find yourselves within an intimate valley full of walking paths near streams, woodlands and ponds. To get here, head a few miles north of the city centre past Thornhill.
Location: Lisvane, Cardiff CF14 0EP, UK
Open: Daily from 7 am to 10 pm
Map - 7
Couples' spa
Get the pampering you deserve
- Couples
A couples spa is a classic option for a romantic experience that allows you and your partner to get pampered in a place designed to make you as comfortable as possible. Not only will you be able to relax in an inviting environment, but professionals offer a variety of massages and treatments to enhance your comfort even further.
You won't have to look far to find a couples spa in Cardiff, as they're located throughout the city, though most are around the city centre. Some of them even have their own restaurants, allowing you and the one you love most to enjoy a relaxing meal too.
- 8
Chapter Arts Centre
Embrace the arts
- Couples
- Nightlife
Chapter Arts Centre is a venue that hosts a variety of art showcases including not only visual art but performance art, theatre and live music as well. You and your partner can explore a variety of different features among its gallery spaces and theatres.
The performance theatres are intimate with room for fewer than 100 people in the audience. The art gallery is free to visit, and you and your partner can visit 2 bars and a cafe as well. You'll find it just west of the city centre near Riverside.
Location: Chapter Arts Centre, Market Rd, Cardiff CF5 1QE, UK
Open: Sunday–Wednesday from 9 am to 10 pm, Thursday–Saturday from 9 am to 11 pm
Phone: +44 29 2031 1050
Mapphoto by Sionk (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified
- 9
Penarth
Explore a quiet seaside town
- Adventure
- Couples
Penarth is a quaint town on the southern end of Cardiff Bay where you and your partner will find stunning sights from a variety of architectural traditions. The pier is Victorian in design, while the town's pavilion sports a clear art deco style. Meanwhile, the marina is notably modernist, while the town itself is blanketed in traditional Victorian styling.
In this town, couples often enjoy its numerous Green Flag award-winning parks as well as the walking and cycling paths. Several prominent paths can be found near the coast, with the cool sea breeze enhancing the experience. This town is just a short distance due south of Cardiff.
Location: Penarth, UK
Map - 10
Wales Millennium Centre
See a theatre production
- Couples
- Nightlife
Wales Millennium Centre is a massive venue that hosts a variety of theatrical performances you and your partner can see for a romantic show after dark. This theatre is state of the art with the main theatre boasting 2,497 seats and 2 small supplementary theatres that have 350 and 250 seats each.
The programme at this theatre covers several different types of performances including theatre plays and comedies along with dramatic opera shows. Contemporary dance performances and musical concerts are common too. It's located on the south side of the city centre between Century Wharf and Porth Teigr.
Location: Bute Pl, Cardiff CF10 5AL, UK
Open: Daily from 10 am to 6 pm
Phone: +44 29 2063 6464
Map