Day 2

Morning

 Head to Cardiff Bay the former docks area of the city and once the largest port in the world. It’s about a mile from the city centre and you can either walk, take the train or the waterbus. Or there’s an open top tour bus from outside the castle.

 

 

 

 

 

 Start your day at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff’s new multi purpose arts centre. It’s home to seven of Wales’ major cultural institutions, including the Welsh National Opera. Take a guided tour, visit the interactive exhibitions or take in a free performance. These vary from day to day, but can be anything from hip hop to poetry.

 

 

 The Welsh Senedd (Parliament) Building is impressive. It has a wave like roof, glass walls and manages to be both gutsy and ethereal. It has a certain magic that you can only feel by visiting it. So that’s what you should do.Take the tour. Poke around a bit, have a look for those elusive politicians.

 

 

 

 

The red terracotta building in front of the Senedd is known as the Pierhead Building. This magnificent, ornate French-Gothic pile was designed by William Burges - remember him from Cardiff Castle? Same architect. The building now houses the National Assembly Information Centre.

 

 

 

 

Afternoon

The area around the Millennium Centre is known as Mermaid Quay. It’s a jumble of shops, bars and restaurants, and a great place to people watch. Try the Terra Nova, named after the ship on which Captain Scott set sail for Antarctica from Cardiff. Occupying one of the best spots in Cardiff Bay, Terra Nova is both a bar and restaurant - and it excels at both. The food ranges from simple bar snacks to full meals, and the choice is excellent.

 

 

 Techniquest is one of the UK’s largest science centres. It’s packed full of fun exhibits, experiments and hands-on quirky stuff like rocket firing and bubble racing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Take a boat over to the barrage. Boats depart from Mermaid Quay, outside Terra Nova. The barrage itself is 1.1km long, and extends from Cardiff docks in the north to Penarth in the south. The barrage is quite a busy place with all the yachts coming in and out of the locks. The landscaped embankment is a great place for a picnic - with excellent views out over the sea and back to the city.

 

 

 

Evening

 Stay in Cardiff Bay and watch the sun set on the water. There’s a huge variety of restaurants and bars offering tapas and sushi, lager and cocktails.  For a really laid back experience try the Canteen Bar in Mount Stuart Square. City Canteen is chilled out beyond belief – lounge on a big leather sofa and soak up the art on the walls.

 

 

 

 For the ultimate in luxury dining, book into the Tides Grill at St David's Hotel, and prepare to spend several hours enjoying a leisurely dinner. Back up in the city other restaurants combine Welsh influences with modern European cooking. The Armless Dragon and Le Gallois appeal to the upper end of the market and are both well worth visiting.