The Cardiff Bucket List: 100 things to do in the city before you die

Whether you're a visitor to Cardiff or a resident of the city, there are so many things for you to enjoy.

From our gorgeous green spaces, bike trails, art and culture to live music free festivals and a hefty list of bars and pubs, there's plenty on offer in this compact Welsh city.

Cardiff is packed with brilliant things to do, delicious things to eat and beautiful places to go so we've compiled a pretty definitive list of things you should tick off your Cardiff bucket list.

We've scoured the city for the tastiest food, finest culture and exhilarating activities and must-do things in Cardiff, so you can get the most out of this dynamic city.

Read more: Big bucket list adventures to do in Wales

1. Check out our brilliant shopping centres

Experience gorgeous green spaces, bike trails, art and culture, live music and free festivals in this compact Welsh city. (Portia Jones)

2. Explore beautiful Bute Park

Bute Park is a popular place for a picnic in Cardiff (Portia Jones)

3. Browse the independent shops in Cardiff's Victorian Arcades

Duke Street Arcade (WalesOnline/Rob Browne)

4. Bike the Taff Trail

Cyclists on the Taff Trail in Cardiff (Matthew Horwood)

Read more: Scenic cycling routes in Wales that will have you jumping on your bike

5. Sit in the springtime bluebells on the Wenallt

The Wenallt (Matthew Horwood)

6. Run the Cardiff Half Marathon

7. Have the best bacon bap at the Hayes Island Snack bar

8. Catch a show at the Wales Millennium Centre

9. Learn all about Welsh history at St Fagans

10. Wander around the burbs' of Cardiff

11. Watch Wales in the Six Nations

Any clash with England is always a big one, and this will be no different (Huw Evans Agency)

12. Walk the Cardiff section of the Cambrian Way Trail

Stage one of the Cambrian Way runs from Cardiff to Machen (Portia Jones)

Read more: The best one-day walks in Wales that are ideal for a mini hiking adventure

13. Go white water rafting at the White Water Centre

14. Have a loaded hotdog from Franks in Cardiff Market

Expect banging hot dogs smothered in sauce at Franks (Franks)

15. Hike to the top of Garth Mountain

Hiking fans can walk to the trip point at the top of the Garth on a waymarked trail (Portia Jones)

16. Try and finish a hoagie at New York Deli (Good luck)

(South Wales Echo)

17. Buy vinyl from Spillers

(WalesOnline/Rob Browne)

18. Feed the ducks at Roath Park Lake

19. Buy freshly roasted coffee from Hard Lines

(Hard Lines Coffee)

Read more: 25 delicious little places in Cardiff with food and drink that you really need to know about

20. Try a pint from Tiny Rebel Brewery

21. Take a boat trip from Cardiff Bay to Bute Park

(Rob Browne/WalesOnline)

22. Go to the open bar at Pipes Brewery

23. Have a meal in a prison

The Clink restaurant at Cardiff Prison. (Mirrorpix)

24. Flat white in Uncommon Ground

The best flat white in Cardiff! (Uncommon Ground - Instagram)

25. Have faggots and mushy peas at Cardiff Market

(Portia Jones)

26. Hunt for vintage treasures at Castle Emporium

(The Castle Emporium)

27. Get an ethical burger from Ansh

28. Try to finish a mammoth breakfast at Ramon's

29. Admire the historic animal wall

The Animal Wall alongside Cardiff Castle, is one of the most iconic and historic features in Cardiff (Portia Jones)

30. Tuck into chips and gravy on Chippy Lane

What a combination (Thomas Deacon)

31. Try a fancy cocktail at Lab 22

(Lab 22 - Instagram)

32. Feast on Vegan treats at Wild Thing Cafe

(Portia Jones)

33. Try delicious pizza at Cafe Citta

34. Conquer vertigo at Boulders Climbing Centre

35. Watch Twenty20 action at the Swalec Stadium

36. Sample Science Cream liquid nitrogen ice cream

37. Have a pint in the historic Rummer Tavern

The Rummer Tavern (Andrew James)

38. Have a proper fry up at Coopers Cafe

Proper fry up at Coopers Cafe in Whitchurch (Portia Jones)

Read more:

14 classic Cardiff cafes where you can get a fry up and a proper mug of tea

39. Have a lush dessert from Pwdin

Pwdin is total dessert goals! (Pwdin - Instagram)

40. Bike across Cardiff Bay barrage

Biking on the barrage on the Cardiff Bay trail (Portia Jones)

41. Jump for joy at Go Air Trampoline Park

Go Air trampoline centre (Rob Browne)

42. Take your kids paddling at Victoria Park splash pad

43. Come face to face with dinosaurs at National Museum Cardiff

(Richard Williams/WalesOnline)

44. Learn skate skills at Spit and Sawdust

45. Buy local food from Riverside Market

Riverside Market, Cardiff (Richard Swingler)

46. Feast on Tukka Tuk Indian Streetfood by Anand George

Read More: Pop up vendors transforming the street food scene in and around Cardiff

47. Watch local bands at Clwb Ifor Bach

Pretty Vicious at Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff in 2015 (David Owens)

48. Grab a takeaway coffee from the Secret Garden Cafe

The Secret Garden Cafe in central Cardiff (Penylan Pantry)

49. Pamper yourself at St David’s Hotel and Spa

50. Feast on Grange Fried Chicken at the Grange Pub

(The Grange)

51. Get the best view of Cardiff Bay on the Admiral Restaurant Terrace

52. Watch a comedy show at The Glee Club

The normal seating arrangement inside Glee may have to change (Jack Spicer Adams (jackspiceradams.com))

53. Go for a spooky ghost tour of Cardiff Castle

54. Have a delicious milkshake from Oh My Shakes

Picture perfect shakes! (Oh My Shakes)

55. Afternoon tea at Park Plaza

56. Watch a film in the boutique Everyman Cinema

(Handout)

57. Visit the deli counter at Wally's

(Portia Jones)

58. Catch an art-house film at Chapter Arts Centre

59. Try award-winning curry at Purple Poppadom

Raan Akbari at Purple Poppadom (Purple Poppadom)

60. Explore the woodland trails at Fforest Fawr

61. Try Welsh cockles from Cardiff Market

62. Have cocktails on the rooftop at the Botanist

The Botanist has a gorgeous, urban terrace, right in the city centre (The Botanist)

Read more:

15 rooftops and outdoor terraces in Cardiff to make the most of a summer night out

63. Do a Loving Welsh Food tour of the city

(Portia Jones)

64. Have a sublime Gin and Tonic from Gin & Juice

(Gin & Juice)

65. find the historic 'hidden room' in The Old Library

66. Explore the Cardiff Food Festival

67. Pay tribute at Ianto’s Shrine

Ianto's Shrine, Cardiff Bay (Dave Prince)

68. Take a tour of the Senedd

The way AMs are elected could change (Rob Browne)

69. Visit fairytale Castle, Castell Coch

Castell Coch is famous for its fairytale castle appearance (Portia Jones)

70. Watch the sunset at Cardiff bay

71. Browse a huge selection of books at Cardiff Central Library

(Portia Jones)

72. Have coffee in a forest setting at Forest Tea Rooms

(Portia Jones)

73. Choose a love spoon at the Welsh Love Spoon Gallery

The shop is popular for its love spoons (WalesOnline/Rob Browne)

74. Explore the Market stalls at Cardiff Market

75. Get an amazing cheese toastie from Mr Croquewich

76. Shop for antiques at Jacob's Antique Centre

77. Have a massive hot chocolate from Coffi co

78. Head to Cardiff Bay landmark the Norwegian Church

79. Try a traditional Clark's pie

80. Photograph the cherry blossoms in Llandaff

(Portia Jones)

81. Pay a visit to The Bone Yard Shipping Container Studios

82. Dine underground in former bank vaults at Potted Pig

83. Have a slap up brunch at Milkwood

Milkwood Bistro on Pontcanna Street says it's almost impossible to recruit experienced hospitality staff (Richard Williams/WalesOnline)

Read more: 22 breakfast spots in Cardiff that will set you up for the day

84. Feast on street food at Street Food Circus

Street food has exploded in popularity over the last few years. (Portia Jones)

85. Walk along the Glamorgan Heritage Canal

86. Wander around gorgeous Llandaff Cathedral

(Portia Jones)

87. Enjoy bottomless brunch at Gin and Bake

(Gin and Bake)

88. Get some fresh fish from Ashton Fishmongers

89. Be a cosplayer at Comic Con

90. See a gig at the Motorpoint Arena

91. Buy Welsh cakes from Fabulous

Fabulous Welshcakes (Fabulous Welshcakes)

92. Watch Cardiff City play at Cardiff City Stadium

93. Watch a panto or play at the New Theatre

94. Take a Doctor Who tour of the city

95. Pick out delicious cakes from La Belle Epoque

(Richard Williams/WalesOnline)

96. Play a round of golf at Treetops

Richie McCaw and Sam Cane of the All Blacks play mini golf at Treetop Adventure Golf in Cardiff (Getty Images)

97. Watch the Cardiff Devils play

98. Try Pastel de nata at Nata & Co

99. Eat tacos at La Pantera

Joe Rapson: “We basically built a place where we would like to eat and drink and suddenly there’s other people that like it which is quite surprising” (WalesOnline/Rob Browne)

100. Relax on an urban beach at Cardiff Bay

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